From limited editions to re-imagined core ranges, a new organic launch and a collection the captures the magic of Islay, here are a selection of new whiskies to enjoy as the seasons change.
The GlenAllachie Distillery is celebrating the festive season by adding a very small batch release expression to its range – Batch One of The GlenAllachie 21-year-old Cask Strength single malt Scotch whisky.
With a very limited release of only 1,600 bottles available worldwide, 21-year-old Cask Strength Batch 1 (RRP £199) has been issued on limited allocation and substantially oversubscribed by global distributors.
The expression, which will be batch-released on an annual basis, is intended to cater to both whisky enthusiasts and the festive gifting market.
The first instalment of The GlenAllachie 21-year-old Cask Strength single malt features five Pedro Ximénez (PX) puncheons and hogsheads from 1997 and 1998 which have been hand-picked and married together by master distiller Billy Walker.
The Glenlivet is extending that summer feeling in their new Caribbean Reserve.
The Glenlivet’s first ever Single Malt to be selectively finished in rum barrels, Caribbean Reserve brings the sunny spirit of the Caribbean Islands with bold, sweet flavours, designed to be enjoyed on the rocks or in a selection of Caribbean- inspired tiki serves.
The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve is available for purchase at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Amazon and Co-op for a RRP of £38.59.
Following in the footsteps of batches 1-6 of The Balvenie Tun 1509, Batch 7 brings to life malt master David Stewart’s 58-years’ worth of experience and art of whisky stock management through an expression of quality and character.
Commenting on the release of Tun 1509 Batch 7, David Stewart MBE said: “The Tun 1509 series has been hugely popular with whisky enthusiasts over the years and I'm in no doubt that this expression will receive a similar response.
"Batch 7 showcases this remarkable liquid resulting in a deep and rich Balvenie. It is intensely spicy with sweet aromas of dried fruits, notes of candied orange peel, golden syrup and honeycomb on the palate”
The Balvenie Tun 1509 Batch 7 is comprised of liquid from Sherry Hogshead, Ex Bourbon American Oak Barrels and DoubleWood Refill Sherry Butts, which were used once to finish DoubleWood before being filled with new make and aged.
Every bottle of Tun 1509 Batch 7 comes with a breakdown chart showing in-depth detail on the whisky, with visual representations of the flavour profile of each of the 21 casks and the overall character of the resulting single malt.
Batch 7 of Tun 1509 is available from select retailers at an RRP of £220.
For the first time, The Dalmore Highland Single Malt is releasing two extremely rare limited edition Distillery Exclusives, outside of the distillery, in partnership with high end department store, Harrods.
To date, The Dalmore has released prized Scotch whiskies once a year direct from its distillery.
However, in response to the shifting landscape, The Dalmore will join forces with Harrods to sell two new cask releases, usually reserved only for those who make the trip to The Dalmore.
Whisky lovers will have to act fast as only 100 bottles of the 2003 Vintage and 450 of the 2006 Vintage will be made available.
Both Distillery Exclusive releases will be available to purchase online at Harrods and in-store now, until stocks last. For more information, please visit The Dalmore website.
For something a bit less rare. The Dalmore has also released a 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Select Single Malt.
The new offering from the Highland Single Malt celebrates the affinity between The Dalmore and sherry. It is a union of the finest oak, and a unique blend of rare and aged sherry.
The Dalmore 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Select is now available to purchase at The Whisky Shop in the UK at an RRP of £69.
Distiller, blender and bottler Douglas Laing & Co have recently unveiled their limited edition Scallywag Cask Strength Winter Edition.
Joining the classic Scallywag Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky and continually-available 10 Years Old offering, the seasonal release is strictly limited to just 3000 bottles globally.
Matured exclusively in a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximinéz Sherry butts and offered at a natural cask strength of 52.6%, official tasting notes are said to “reflect the Whisky’s deep, amber colour” and include “bold notes of dark fruits, rich cocoa, subtle tobacco and warming winter spices.”
The latest innovation from the award-winning Speyside Malt brand carries a festive red-and-white striped scarf around the bottle neck; a “fun addition” that the firm says renders it “the perfect gift for the season of giving”.
Says Cara Laing, director of Whisky in her family business: “We’re delighted to unveil this latest innovation in the Scallywag portfolio, rounding off a year of positive growth for our Speyside Malt brand.
"The Cask Strength Winter Edition combines a very fun pack with truly serious Whisky – matured exclusively in Spanish Sherry casks, this big, feisty, fruity and festive dram is the ultimate warmer for those dark, chilly Winter nights.”
Scallywag Winter Edition is available in specialist spirits retailers and online and is expected to retail at £49.99.
To mark the worldwide release of Benromach’s new look, the Speyside distillery has launched a new permanent addition to its core range – the Benromach 21 Year Old.
Matured exclusively in first-fill sherry and bourbon casks, the 21 Year Old leads with sherry aromas followed by the taste of subtle spice, raspberry and Seville orange, with a soft smoky finish.
Benromach launched its new look core range, which includes the 10 Year Old, 15 Year Old and 2009 Cask Strength Vintage, in June and began shipping to several markets throughout Europe and Asia.
These designs were inspired by the Speyside distillery’s history and traditional approach to making their award-winning single malt whisky, and are now beginning to hit the shelves.
Keith Cruickshank, distillery manager at Benromach, said: “The 21 Year Old is the oldest expression we have offered in our core line up since our team reopened the distillery 22 years ago.
"As an older whisky which is still grounded in our commitment to using only the finest first-fill bourbon and sherry casks, it provides a unique take on the classic Benromach style.
“We’re proud to see our new bottles which better reflect the Benromach story and approach to whisky making, now filling stockists’ shelves and drinks cabinets around the world.
"Made by hand for genuine character, Benromach is a traditional Speyside distillery owned by a family intent on producing single malt the right way.
"Our small team of distillers rely entirely on their expertise and senses to make the finest handmade whisky, matured exclusively in first-fill casks, with a subtly smoky character and authentic Benromach taste.”
Benromach 21 Year Old will be available at selected retailers worldwide from mid-October, priced at £129.99.
Loch Lomond Whiskies has recently added two brand new aged Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to its core range; a 21 and 30 year old.
Both the whiskies have been crafted by master blender, Michael Henry, using spirit from Loch Lomond’s innovative straight necked
pot stills.
Both expressions demonstrate the versatility of the distillery and deliver its signature fruitiness.
The Loch Lomond 21 Year Old showcases flavours of sweet vanilla fudge, peaches, pears and a touch of cinnamon, before mellowing into a long, dry finish.
Bottled at 46% and non-chill filtered allows the underlying fruity Loch Lomond style to come to the fore, The Loch Lomond 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is priced at £140.
The Loch Lomond 30 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been matured in American oak casks since distillation, with half of the liquid being finished in hand- selected first fill Oloroso sherry casks.
This whisky showcases aromas of honey, peach, vanilla and cinnamon spice on the nose. When tasting, the whisky offers notes of
toffee, fresh pineapple and a subtle spice of ginger and nutmeg, before a long finish with hints of juicy green fruits.
It has an ABV of 47%, and is priced at £500.
Picture: Tomatin
Tomatin, the award-winning Highland distillery, recently announced the release of a limited-edition 2006 Fino expression, launching exclusively to the UK market.
The 2006 Fino expression was initially matured for 13 years at Tomatin Distillery on the 10 November 2006, and moved to fine Spanish Fino Sherry butts on 12 November 2015.
The Tomatin team say that the "Fino’s bright flor and nutty flavours, along with Tomatin’s malty backbone and fresh fruits are in perfect harmony.
"The whisky has notes of baked apple and almond cake, toffee sauce and lemon, followed by the more savoury flavours of freshly baked sourdough, olive oil and baking spice, which results in a silky yet fresh finish."
Non-chill filtered and natural colour, the limited run has produced just 1,691 70cl bottles (46% abv) of this 13-year-old whisky, and will be available online and from specialist retailers across the UK .
Graham Eunson, master distiller at Tomatin, said: “We strive to produce remarkable expressions that appeal to not only our existing customers, but to a wider audience too.
"The 2006 Fino is a great example of our dedication to craft and excellence. The combination of both sweet and savoury notes gives a finish like no other, and we hope it will entice both whisky enthusiasts and novices to try this new edition.”
The Glenturret, Scotland’s oldest working distillery, is celebrating a new chapter in its 250-year-old history with the launch of its latest range, and a new look.
The new Glenturret honours the provenance of the distillery, located in the heart of Crieff, its prowess in traditional distilling and passion to preserve and enrich whisky making for future generations.
Crafted by whisky maker Bob Dalgarno, The Glenturret’s new range features four core expressions: Triple Wood, 10 years old Peat Smoked, 12 years old and 15 years old, as well as the 25 and 30 years old, an ‘Extremely Scarce’ release limited to 1,000 bottles in total.
All expressions will be presented in a new bottle with a rectangular profile and craft details, the weighty bottle will look at home on any whisky lovers shelves.
The Glenturret crest, a unique icon that features on the new packaging and all future bottlings is inspired by the original Murray family coat of arms.
The Murray family founded The Glenturret Distillery (the first record of The Glenturret can be found in a rental document dating back to 1763) and has played a key role in the journey of The Glenturret over the past 250 years.
Speyside’s Benriach Distillery has recently revealed new look labels and packaging, and a range of flavour-forward Single Malts – both inspired by the distillery’s creative heritage.
Known for its long-standing tradition of distilling classic, peated and triple distilled whisky and a vast eclectic cask inventory sourced from around the world, the portfolio has been crafted by Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie and her team.
Speaking of the new range Benriach master blender, Dr Rachel Barrie said: “The new range perfectly marries tradition and innovation that is central to Benriach’s story.
“Inspired by the 1994 bottling of the Original Ten, with its fruit-laden complexity and smooth, rounded taste, the new range re-imagines the 1898 origins of Benriach, brought to life in the 21st century through fusing distilling styles with extraordinary casks.
“In the new Original Ten, a more richly flavoured, rounded malt character might be discerned, whilst The Twelve balances richly sherried malt with added layers of fruit complexity, reaching a pinnacle at twelve years old.
“The new Smoky Ten and Smoky Twelve explore the sweet smokiness of Benriach, enriched through innovative combinations of rum, virgin oak and marsala casks interwoven with more traditional bourbon and sherry.
“The new Benriach range is for those open to new possibilities, building on a wealth of experience and tradition. I invite the drinker to join me on this creative journey, as we explore the rich rewards of Single Malt whisky.”
The new Benriach range will become available in global markets gradually from September 2020.
Fettercairn Distillery has recently unveiled a rare 46 years old expression that showcases the distillery’s maturing stock.
The spirit has been resting in quality casks under the watchful eye of distillery manager John Livie initially in 1973, to Stewart Walker today.
Shaped by a lengthy union with American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels, this single malt went onto spend four years in 40-years-old Tawny Port Pipes.
The team say that this creative maturation: "gave the classic tropical character a greater depth of sweetness, marrying perfectly with the distinctive flavours created from the unique cooling ring, which defines Fettercairn’s pure spirit.
"Bottled at 42.5% ABV, Fettercairn 46 Years Old is naturally cherry wood in colour with a nose of over-ripe bananas, toasted bread, citrus fruit and plum, giving way to raisin, bitter chocolate, fig and spice.
"The palate is defined by spiced pear, coffee, caramelised orange and liquorice.; leading to black cherries and treacle with a finish of plum, demerara sugar and chocolate."
With only 55 bottles initially released, Fettercairn 46 Years Old is offered at 42.5% ABV, with no added colour and is non-chill filtered.
The new expression will be available from selected global specialist retailers in the UK, Europe and Asia at a budget busting RSP of £8,500.
John Dewar & Sons recently unveiled its latest limited expression from The Golden Dram – Aberfeldy 18 Years Old, finished in French Wine Casks from Pauillac, Bordeaux.
Initially spending 18 years in a combination of first-fill Bourbon, re-fill and re-char casks, the whisky has undergone a second maturation period of around 4-5 months to impart a deeper flavour profile, and create a perfect balance between Aberfeldy’s honeyed richness and the firm tannins and complexity of Pauillac wines.
Malt master, Stephanie MacLeod, carefully monitored maturation and flavour development in the casks until the desired flavour profile had been achieved.
Pauillac is a robust wine, so the goal was to use this cask type to complement and elevate the signature character of Aberfeldy, not mask it.
Stephanie said: “Pauillac casks are the aristocrats of the Médoc, they provide notes of black cherries, blackberries and a cedar wood spice.
"Aberfeldy’s wonderfully soft signature honey and creamy vanilla notes are invigorated with swathes of plush ripe fruits and lovely nutty aromas to create an incredibly elegant and fruitful whisky”
Aberfeldy 18 Years Old French Red Wine Cask expression is bottled at a higher strength of 43% ABV and joins the existing portfolio of single malts as a limited-edition expression.
Priced at £95, the new bottling will be initially available exclusively from the Aberfeldy Distillery and its online shop from 8 September for one month and then rolled out to the USA, China, Taiwan, Germany, France.
Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has announced the latest addition to its multi-award winning, annual ‘Batch Strength’ series.
Batch Strength No. 005 is bottled un-chillfiltered at 59.8% ABV and boasts a deep, natural copper hue developed by the finest Oloroso sherry seasoned casks from the bodegas of Jerez, Spain.
The team say the tasting notes are: "On the nose, a subtle waft of warm vanilla, followed by cinnamon spice and roasted brazil nuts. The mouthfeel is complimented by sharp summer berries cutting through rich double cream.
"A drop of water reveals subtle hints of citrus, oak and freshly-baked cookies, and the long, lingering finish delivers warming spices which rise to meet the crisp sweetness of clementine zest."
Sandy McIntyre, Tamdhu distillery manager, added: “After a multi-award-winning year for No. 004, I know Batch Strength No.005 will impress everyone who samples it – with its complex richness, deep intensity and long, rewarding finish.
“This annual Tamdhu release always goes down well as it is a brilliant showcase of the beautiful colour and flavour derived from our exclusively sherry oak cask maturation process.”
Bottles of Tamdhu Batch Strength No. 005 will be available to purchase from the Tamdhu website at RRP £79.99 per 70cl bottle (59.8% ABV) and from specialist retailers.
The Character of Islay Whisky Company have unveiled their new Wind & Wave collection of carefully-selected, limited edition single cask expressions.
Unlike the brand’s prior releases, which are all sourced from undisclosed distilleries, this exclusive collection features a range of well-loved Islay distilleries.
Each cask in the The Stories of Wind & Wave series has been selected on its merit and unique character to represent the best of what Islay has to offer.
From Ardbeg, Bowmore and Laphroaig to closed distillery Port Ellen, these aged expressions are rare to come by and offer an affordable taste of luxury.
The first wave of releases comprises: Ardbeg 15yo, RRP £314.95, Bowmore 16yo, RRP £264.95, Bowmore 18yo, RRP £294.95, Bowmore 22yo, RRP £479.95, Laphroaig 15yo, RRP £264.95, Octomore 7yo, RRP £186.95, Octomore 10yo, RRP £289.95, Port Charlotte 7yo, RRP £152.95 and Port Ellen 35yo, RRP £3,999.95.
The collection is now available on Master of Malt and via Maverick Drinks in the UK.
In August, Glengoyne invited fans to a live stream to pick from a series of single casks to decided which one would be the distillery's latest Single Cask bottling.
During the ‘Casks Unlocked’ live tastings, viewers and an expert panel tasted four mystery drams and voted on a winner, which was a Port Pipe (and one which I can confirm was delicious).
Filled in January 2005, aged 15 Years Old this whisky is extremely rare as not many distilleries fill Port Pipes. Available online now, it is priced at £190.
The Macallan has unveiled Edition No.6, a new limited edition single malt whisky celebrating the natural wonders of The Macallan Estate, and the River Spey.
Marking the sixth and final release in The Macallan Edition Series, Edition No.6 tells the story of the land in which the distillery sits, as well as the famous river.
Inspired by the experience offered by the Spey, The Macallan whisky maker, Steven Bremner, created Edition No.6 by choosing five cask styles that embody unique stories related to the river and its unparalleled natural landscape.
The team at Macallan say that that whisky is: “crafted from a combination of American and European oak sherry seasoned casks, Edition No.6 captures the River Spey’s energy; the warm, welcoming personality of The Macallan’s Ghillie; the classic craftsmanship of Hardy; the extraordinary life of the Atlantic salmon on the beat; and the mastery of whisky making on The Macallan Estate, which has taken place since 1824.
“The result is a multifaceted whisky delivering aromas of fresh fruits, nutmeg and toffee merged with oak and flavours of ripe plum, vibrant sweet oranges and cinnamon, developing into spicy fresh fruits and creamy chocolate and toasted oats at the finish.”
The Macallan Edition No.6 has an RRP of £95 and will be available at The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt, The Whisky Shop and other specialist retailers from September 29th 2020.
For more information visit The Macallan website.
Tobermory Distillery has announced the release of Tobermory 23 Year Old Oroloso Cask Finish (46.3% ABV, RSP £320) – a sherried single malt that will join the distillery’s core malt range.
What started out as the 15 year old, Tobermory 23 Year Old has spent more time resting in Oloroso casks at the distillery to create an even more full-flavoured whisky.
The team at Tobermory said: "The deep rose-gold sherried single malt has unique notes of vanilla, ripe oranges, toasted barley and fruitcake on the nose.
"With an obvious sherry influence on the palate, salted toffee, candied citrus and floral honey are also evident, all tied together with a caramelised walnuts and subtle salty finish."
To commemorate its time on the Isle of Mull, the distillery has collaborated with another of the island’s long-standing stalwarts, Mull Silver and Goldsmith, on a one-of-a-kind sterling silver and gold quaich which will be auctioned alongside the new bottle in the coming months.
Funds raised from the auction will go to The BEN – a Scottish hospitality charity that is seeing more demand for ever for their services as a result of Covid-19.
Julieann Fernandez, master blender at Tobermory Distillery, said: “Our team at the distillery have been working hard for many years on the return of this old friend, and we’re incredibly proud to be introducing whisky drinkers around the world this exciting addition to the core range.
“Absence certainly makes the heart grow fonder and the extra years have been spent well, as our whisky has continued to mature into the new sherried expression.
“The Island of Mull is a remarkable melting pot of artistry and creativity. This one-off silver quaich is a visualisation of the expert craftmanship and care that goes into the exceptional spirit we are releasing. By bringing together two makers on the island, we’re celebrating this passion for creativity on the world stage.
“One of the finest expressions we’ve ever made, it’s an honour to introduce Tobermory 23 to markets in Europe, Asia and the UK.
For more information, you can visit the distillery website.
Glenmorangie celebrates the joy of cake in its new expression – a sweet and indulgent single malt Scotch whisky named A Tale of Cake.
Inspired by favourite memories of baking, birthdays and more, Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake celebrates all that is good about cake.
The brand have teamed up with award-winning pastry chef Dominique Ansel, who has created a cake and cocktail pairing – a or caketail – that complements the whisky’s notes of honey, white chocolate and fruit.
Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake began when Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s director of whisky creation, found himself musing over how some of his most joyful memories involved cake – from baking with his granny, to the pineapple upside down cake his daughter made him for his birthday.
Dreaming of encapsulating cake’s magic in a single malt whisky, he experimented by finishing Glenmorangie in Tokaji dessert wine casks.
Skilfully layering their sweet, honeyed notes with Glenmorangie’s smooth, fruity character, Dr Bill created Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake.
As the name suggests, this single malt tastes particularly delicious alongside real cake, which is why Glenmorangie has paired up with Dominique Ansel.
Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake is available from a variety of e-retailers, stores, and specialist whisky shops worldwide priced at £75.
Visit Glenmorangie on Instagram to see Dominique Ansel’s creations come to life.
This new release from Jura is, as the name suggests, an ideal dram for a cold evening.
The team say: "Bringing distinct regional and seasonal flavours to our island malt, this unique Winter Edition explores the world of the rich sherry cask finish.
"Matured in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels and finished in hand selected aged sherry casks, this is a full-bodied and indulgent single malt. With its deep mahogany colour, inviting aromas and flavours of sweet spices and rich apple pie, this is the perfect winter warmer."
Priced at an affordable £45 (40% ABV), it's available now.
Recently launched, Nc’nean’s Organic Single Malt is the first whisky released to the public by this new, independent distillery.
Organic, made with renewable energy and bottled in the UK’s first-ever 100 per cent recycled clear glass bottle, the whisky showcases Nc’nean’s commitment to protecting the environment.
Nc’nean’s whisky is made from organic Scottish barley whose natural yields and rich soils contribute great depth of flavour, and gentle fermentation and distillation accentuate the delicate, fruity flavours in the spirit.
The whisky achieves its signature body and sweetness from having been left to mature for three years in selected ex-Bourbon and specially treated STR ex-red wine barrels. Each barrel has been chosen by Nc’nean for the distinct flavours the wood contributes to the whisky.
Nc’nean Organic Single Malt Whisky is priced at £47.95 for 70cl, 46% ABV.
anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky continues its journey ‘to the dark side’ with the global release of Peatheart Batch 2 - the second consignment of its award-winning permanent peated expression.
After a limited release in Sweden, this second bottling will now be available to drinkers around the world, following the international success of Peatheart Batch 1 which was launched in 2017.
Batch 2 features the same smoky, mellow wood notes and phenol content as the original (40ppm) - but this time a more subtle smokiness is balanced with anCnoc’s brighter, fruitier flavours.
Crafted at Knockdhu Distillery in the small village of Knock, by Huntly in Aberdeenshire, Peatheart uses peated barley in production to add a rich, smoky twist to anCnoc’s classic new make spirit, before maturation in American Oak ex-bourbon barrels.
anCnoc Peatheart Batch 2 is bottled in 70cl at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered and withnatural colour. 1700 cases of the new batch will be available in the UK and for global markets, sold in independent and specialist retailers and whisky shops from 1 October with an RRP of £52.
