Friday, July 01, 2022

BALVENIE LAUNCHES NEW 27 YEAR OLD RUM FINISHED EXPRESSION

William Grant & Sons, has today announced the launch of a new Stories Range expression, from its Speyside based Balvenie Distillery.

The Balvenie - A Rare Discovery from Distant Shores 27 Year Old (48% ABV) is a single malt Scotch whisky, which was finished in ex-Caroni Trinidadian Caribbean rum casks for 7 years.

The Balvenie - A Rare Discovery from Distant Shores 27 Year Old

Inspired by the story of Balvenie Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE and his long-time friend and colleague John Barrett, the story of ‘A Rare Discovery from Distant Shores’ is said to tell of the inspiration John gave The Balvenie Whisky Stocks team when he brought some very special samples of Caroni rum to The Balvenie’s sample room.

John, who has a knack for finding interesting spirits from around the world, would often bring his discoveries to David and the team as opportunities for innovation and experimentation.

Commenting on the news, David C. Stewart MBE, said: “Caroni has become a kind of cult spirit, followed by rum fanatics all over the world. It’s rare, it’s fascinating, all because the distillery is no more - having shut its doors twenty years ago. Caroni is totally unique - a heavy rum, bold, characterful and full of potential to create a really special Balvenie.”

The Balvenie - A Rare Discovery from Distant Shores 27 Year Old, will be available later this month from select specialist retailers, for a RRP of £1,120.


Posted by Steve Rush

Thursday, June 30, 2022

NEW DISTILLERY AND BREWERY TO OPEN IN INVERNESS

For the first time in nearly 40 years, Inverness will welcome a new £6 million whisky distillery and brewery.

Nestled on the banks of the River Ness, Uilebheist will be sustainably powered and will create around 40 local jobs.

The Uilebheist Distillery and Brewery

The ethos of the project is inspired by thousands of years of Scottish folklore aiming to connect Scotland’s ancient past with the present. Both beer and whisky production will begin this year, and the brewery’s five core beer styles will be available to purchase in late November.

Uilebheist, which is named after the Scots’ Gaelic word for ‘monster’, will produce a core Highland single malt Scotch whisky, as will rare cask finishes and single cask bottlings in the years ahead.

The distillery is on track to be one of the lowest carbon distilleries in the country. Onsite heat pumps within the adjoined sustainability centre which are powered by the water from the River Ness will provide heating and hot water which is also distributed throughout the Glen Mhor Hotel complex.

Commenting on the news, Jon Erasmus, Uilebheist Owner, said: “The very foundations of this project were born from Scottish myth and legend. We wanted to create something unique to the area, with the distillery, and brewery both powered by the famous River Ness. All water used in the processes will also be sourced from the river, meaning that when you drink Uilebheist’s liquid, you really are tasting the Highlands.”

He went onto say: “Alongside exceptional beer and whisky, we aim to raise the bar when it comes to visitor experiences and hope that the project will lead the way for Scotland’s hospitality sector in the area. The centre will offer a range of tours and experiences ranging from site tours and sampling of our core whisky and craft beer products through to detailed master classes, blending workshops and food pairing menus.”

The Uilebheist distillery and brewery, is due to open in November.


Posted by Steve Rush