Lochlea ‘Our Barley’ Single Malt Whisky

Another amazing family-run distillery crafting some fabulous spirits! We still have stock of their new ‘Our Barley’ release.

Lochlea is an incredibly rare entity these days in this industry, an independent family-run distillery. Without a large corporate hierarchy, it gives them more control over innovation and approaching their small batch production.

By using our own barley grown on the farm and our on-site water source, we have full traceability over the ingredients going into our process, allowing us a higher level of quality control and creating a flavour profile unique to Lochlea.
Lochlea Distillery

Our location offers the best of both worlds. Nestled in the heart of Ayrshire, we have beautiful rolling hills all around, yet are easily accessible from many of the major towns and cities in Scotland. Head north, and you’re in Glasgow in 30 minutes, south west and several scenic seaside towns along the coast.

Lochlea has set out to flip you preconceptions of Lowland whisky on it’s head!

Our Barley is the distillery’s first core single malt. Matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels, Oloroso Sherry casks and STR barriques. Bottled at 46% ABV and is non chill-filtered with no added colouring. Beautifully crafted by Production Director John Campbell.

Nose: Pear syrup, fruit bon bons, warm cut grass, marmalade.

Palate: Golden syrup, pepper, rye bread, macadamia nuts, cream soda.

Finish: A long finish with a lovely lasting orange beeswax note.

Grab your bottle HERE.

Tomatin’s Final Warehouse 6 Release

The final release in the distillery’s outstanding Warehouse 6 Collection is available. This release was created from casks 32 and 33, which had been distilled over 45 years ago. Maturing peacefully the entirety of its life in hand-selected Traditional Oak Hogshead casks. These casks were married together resulting in only 350 bottles total. Bottled at 46%.

This release is absolutely an exquisite bottling that is going to be for those looking for an investment, or better yet, to drink on a special occasion. It is not getting past the fact that this is an über luxury bottle. If you find yourself in the presence of an open bottle, with the opportunity to taste it, I’m sure you won’t be let down! This release is in the company of only two other whiskies to receive a score of 99 from the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

This is the perfect expression to conclude Tomatin’s successful Warehouse 6 Collection. The first time I tried this whisky I knew it was something very special. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy some extraordinary whiskies, but this one still stands out from the rest for me. Over four and a half decades of watchful waiting has seen this exclusive expression instilled with great complexity, yet it presents a tremendous youth and vibrancy which is a remarkable balance to achieve – I’ll be sad to see it go!
Graham Eunson, Tomatin’s Master Distiller

Each of the 350 units is decanted into an exquisite hand blown Glencairn Crystal decanter with unique copper decoration. This luxury bottle is presented with two glasses (also Glencairn Crystal), a solid copper stopper, along with a numbered certificate detailing the remarkable journey of the whisky.

In perfect harmony, aromas of strawberry liqueur, tropical fruits and roasted coconut balance out with an exotic spicy character. Golden syrup and marzipan add to the complexity, developing into rich chocolate, coffee and brown sugar on the palate. The exotic spices appear once again with a long, refined, lingering ﬁnish.
Tomatin Tasting Notes.

If you want to own a piece of whisky history, you can grab yours here!

Cù Bòcan Creation 3 & 4

We have received our shipment of the two newest Creation releases from Cù Bòcan. I am a fan of the Tomatin Distillery, so I was on board when I heard they were releasing a slightly peated range all those years back! They have most definitely come a long way in that time, with these 2 releases taking gold medals at this year’s San Francisco World Spirit Competition. When a distillery can step away from its “normal” way of crafting whisky to do something “experimental”, then succeed at that endeavor, I’m all for it.

Cù Bòcan is made with lightly peated Scottish barley and distilled in small batches every winter. The spirit is then put into carefully chosen casks that are not your run-of-the-mill combinations. Those cask decisions are what gives the finished product the uniqueness they are after. Resulting in a wonderfully balanced sweetness with whiffs of subtle smoke.

Creation # 3:

Moroccan Cabernet Sauvignon + North American Rye Casks

“The tastes and smells of a Moroccan Souk are brought to life with the exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon casks used for this innovative Creation. Light smoke with a touch of strawberries in balsamic vinegar, exotic spices, citrus and tropical fruits.”

Creation #4:

Tawny Port + Cognac Casks

“Our fourth Creation is a nod to The Antrim Cocktail, marrying two of Europe’s most revered drinks, Port and Cognac. The end result is a medley of plum jam, grilled peach, stewed forest fruit, cinnamon, and sweet campfire smoke.”

So if you are a fan of Tomatin Distillery and have not given this range a try, you should rectify that! The Highland sweetness you love, with just a hint of smoke.

Until next time!

-Andrew

2 New Releases from Snowdonia Distillery

New incredibly delicious releases from the folks behind the award winning Forager’s Gin! 2 unique spirits created to excite our taste buds.

1 gin and 1 liqueur!

These two are staying on the same path as all the other releases from the Welsh distillery. Quality craft spirits from a small team, using the best ingredients, to deliver their customers something special. From start to finish, the team there puts their heart and passion into every step of the process. I love when you find small distilleries like that!

The new additions are:

Forager’s Winberry Gin

“Foragers Winberry Gin encompasses the flavours foraged along our Welsh coast and throughout its cascading hills.

A complex blend which presents a profile of fresh citrus, robust berries and warming floral notes.

The Winberry is the most unique of berries, only being ready for one very short harvest a year. This then results in a very rare botanical to find.

It is stunningly sweet, small in size but generous in flavour with a long tart finish. A vibrant colour, candied like sweetness to an award winning spirit.

Celebrate this marriage of flavours with muddled blackberries, fresh mint leaves and tonic water.”

Marsette Monsoon Coffee Liqueur

“Marsette presents an artesian liqueur from the heart of the Indian Monsoon Rains – Handcrafted, copper distilled, small batch production.

We take the Monsoon Malabar bean to produce a coffee liqueur like no other. The bean swells in the humidity of the Monsoon Rains, allowing us to play with robust aromatic flavours, perfect for the mixologist.

The cold brew rests with a blend of Welsh Spirit and Madagascan Vanilla essence, creating a subtle hint of Tiramisu and a long, mouth coating finish of whipped cream and blue agave. “

Stalla Dhu New Releases!

We have received 3 new bottlings from the Stalla Dhu lineup! We are definitely excited when new whiskies come through the door.

Stalla Dhu, if you don’t know, is an award winning range of independent bottlings. Each bottle comes from different carefully chosen cask or distillery that can bring something special to the table.

Here are the new additions:

Stalla Dhu Single Cask Ben Nevis Proven8

This particular cask was specially selected by Ron Morrison in a blind tasting between eight different casks from Ben Nevis to be part of the Stalla Dhu’s new Single Cask bottlings. Limited to 237 bottles.

Nose: Sweet and rich biscuity aroma, lime curd and fresh wood shavings.
Taste: Creamy, sweet almonds followed by slight citrus notes.
Finish: Nutty sweetness and lingering creaminess.

Stalla Dhu Single Cask BenRiach 11yo

Limited to 327 bottles!

Nose: Toffee caramel, peachy fruitiness, soft white grapes followed by an earthy rhubarb aroma.
Taste: Cake and ice-cream mouthfeel, nougat, and sticky toffee pudding notes.
Finish: Lovely leathery finish followed by spice notes.

Stalla Dhu Single Cask Royal Brackla 15yo

A distillery quite literally Fit for a King, Royal Brackla was the first Scotch whisky ever granted a Royal Warrant, by King William IV in 1833, The King’s Own Whisky, still reigning true today. It’s also quite rare to find Royal Brackla whisky as a Single Cask bottling. Limited to 310 bottles.

Nose: Pear, cognac, winter fruits and spice aromas.
Taste: Buttery richness, warm spices followed by a fruity sweetness.
Finish: Warm, palate coating, complex finish.

Bruichladdich Octomore 12 Releases

We have just received our stock of the new Octomore releases, and we are super excited! I always enjoy receiving new stock from Bruichladdich because they do a fantastic job of keeping things fresh in an industry that sometimes is resistant to change. From their branding and packaging, to their flavour profiles, they are keeping things exciting.

Octomore is youthful experimentation at the highest levels! Careful calculations of wood, ingredients, and environment produces some of the best peat explosions that your tastebuds will experience. They push the boundaries of Islay whisky, in the best ways. If you’re not into the bold peaty and smoky whiskies, best to turn back now! Ha

Here are the Octomore 12 releases:

12.1 – 130.8 PPM – 5 Years – 59.9%

Nowhere is the dualism of our Octomore super heavily peated series more pertinent than in our .1 edition. Never as expected, delicate but powerful, this is unadulterated heavy smoke balanced with our vivacious and dynamic, fruity and floral distillate. While Octomore in itself does not conform to tradition, our Head Distiller Adam Hannett is inclined to mature Octomore .1 editions solely in ex-American whiskey casks for 5 vibrant years. Octomore 12.1 is the necessary control for the rest of the series, as experiments within an experiment, but our baseline should not be underestimated. Mainland grown Scottish barley is distilled in a patient and considered trickle. The stripped back maturation profile allows a sensory conversation that highlights the cereal-rich, malty notes of this barley-forward single malt. Vanilla, citrus and fudge culminate in an enigmatic challenge to received whisky wisdom.

12.2 – 129.7 PPM – 5 years – 57.3%

Octomore 12.2 follows in the footsteps of previous Sauternes legends. The now infamous Octomore 4.2 (Comus) became one of the most acclaimed and sought- after whiskies in our distillery’s portfolio, confirming that heavy peat smoke combined with sweet dessert wine of Sauternes is an incredible pairing. This Octomore 12.2 would spend three and a half years in ex-American oak casks, building a solid foundation of fruity and floral spirit in our lochside warehouses before being recasked in to impeccable quality Sauternes casks. The pivotal role of the Sauternes casks would add 18 months of supercharged fruit. Melon, white peach, honeysuckle and coconut add a real twist and sweetness to compliment the peat smoke of this heavily phenolic malt.

12.3 – 118.1 PPM – 5 years – 62.1%

Octomore 12.3 is single vintage, single field, single malt. Raised in Church Field on Octomore Farm by friend and farmer James Brown, this Islay grown barley has been trickle distilled through our tall narrow necked stills just two miles from where it was grown. This terroir-driven spirit would take two separate journeys before being combined; 75% was filled into ex-American whiskey casks, while the remaining 25% spent five years maturing in genuine Pedro Ximenez Solera casks from Jerez bodega Fernando de Castilla. This Islay barley spirit has breathed slowly and delicately for five aged years, its salty citrus marine note resulting from the locale of where the barley was grown and our warehouses proximity to the sea. The Pedro Ximenez casks contribute sweet dried fruit notes which highlight the rich dry peat smoke of Octomore.

We do still have a few older releases as well, so make sure to check them out as well here.

Till next time. -Andrew

Diageo Special Releases 2021 Announced

Diageo has announced the lineup for this fall’s Special Releases, and they look exciting! This year’s releases, for the first time, are featuring artwork from a popular illustrator.

Each bottle will feature a different ‘Legend’’ that the master blender felt best represented the core characteristics of each chosen distillery. Theses legends being the mythical creatures that inhabit the lands surrounding each distillery. Each bottle will contain a QR code for an auditory tasting experience that will mix the mythical world.

The stories and Legends will be revealed later this autumn during their release! Until then, here’s the quick breakdown of what’s being released.

Singleton of Glendullan 19 Years Old

ABV: 54.6%

Region: Speyside

Cask: Refill American oak casks, finished in Cognac casks

Talisker 8 Years Old

ABV: 59.7%

Region: Island/ Isle of Skye

Cask: Heavily peated refill casks

Oban 12 Years Old

ABV: 56.2%

Region: Coastal Highland

Cask: Freshly charred American oak casks

Royal Lochnagar 16 Years Old

ABV: 57.5%

Region: Highland

Cask: American oak and European oak refill casks

Cardhu 14 Years Old

ABV: 55.5%

Region: Speyside

Casks: Refill American oak casks, finished in red wine casks

Mortlach 13 Years Old

ABV: 55.9%

Region: Speyside

Cask: Virgin and refill American oak casks

Lagavulin 12 Years Old

ABV: 56.5% ABV

Region: Islay

Cask: Refill American oak casks

Lagavulin 26 Years Old

ABV: 44.2%

Region: Islay

Cask: PX/oloroso-seasoned first-fill casks

Until these amazing looking releases come out, go check out some of the previous Diageo releases HERE.

Be Well. -Andrew

Laphroaig 33 Ian Hunter Story Book 3

We have received our shipment of Book 3 of the limited edition series honouring the last member of the founding family, Ian Hunter. Ian was the member of the family to own and run Laphroaig Distillery. This is release 3 of 5, with each being released once a year.

Book one was created to show appreciation for the decision to introduce American white oak into maturing Laphroaig. Book Two was matured in Sherry casks and highlights Hunter’s distillery expansion/innovation.

This book, Book Three, puts a spotlight on the history of the Kilbride stream and Hunter’s desire to make sure the distillery is run by steam. As well as the subsequent battle with neighbours to protect the stream, which was the distiller’s lifeblood.

This release has been fully matured in ex-bourbon barrels for the length of it’s 33 year aging! Sweet syrup, creamy liquorice, and some smoky vanilla. And for sure those Laphroaig peat flavours punching through.

Grab yours here!

Till next time.

-Andrew

Talisker Expedition Oak

If you are in the market to drop a pretty penny on an EXTREMELY special whisky, then Talisker may have the one for you!

The Talisker Expedition Oak is a 43 year old series that is born of adventure and to celebrate the wild side of whisky making. Rare aged single malts that have been influenced by barrel staves that have travelled on a wilderness journey!

This journey was a trans-Atlantic experience by renowned adventurer James Aiken, where he solo sailed 3,264 miles carrying the wood staves with him. This journey is the same route that the ocean rowers took on the annual Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. This is also a tribute to the history of the Talisker distillery where the MacAskill brothers rowed from the Isle of Eigg to Skye so they could create the distillery.

After the sailing adventure, the staves are brought back to Scotland to be added to 10 different casks containing whisky that been maturing for over 40 years. These staves will have added a true spirit of the sea, more so than any other Talisker, that imparts a uniqueness on the whisky.

APPEARANCE

Deep clear amber. Excellent beading.

BODY

Full.

NOSE

Mellow overall and slightly spicy, with a fruity top note of bruised apple and a smooth, aromatic hint of wax. Beneath these scents lie intriguing rich layers of aroma; notes of canvas and varnished wood mingle with maritime hints of seaair and warm sand, all swirling above a faintly smoky and waxy base.

PALATE

A smooth texture and a vibrant, juicy start introduce a sweet, rich, intensity with a fresh, balancing splash of ocean salt spray. The effect becomes lightly drying before Talisker’s peppery warmth envelops the palate. Mesmerising overall, it cascades with smooth, rich flavour and is excellent to drink neat.

FINISH

Wonderfully long, with a considerable sweet chilipepper warmth that suffuses the whole palate.

There are only 1830 bottles available to honour the year the distillery opened! In addition, every bottle comes with a small piece of the staves that took that journey!

Till next time.

-Andrew

Isle of Raasay Distillery Gin

It’s always fun when we receive shipments from new distilleries! Adding another island distillery to the already fantastic lineup is even better!

Isle of Raasay is only a short ferry trip from Skye and the folks that founded the distillery knew it would be the perfect place to create an amazing dram! They set out and built a state of the art distillery that eventually created some fantastic young artisanal spirits that really encapsulates what the island is about.

While they have produced a brilliant single malt, we sold out of that quite quickly! The gin on the other hand was the first legal spirit created on the island, after having a rich history of illicit distilling going on!

The gin is a fantastically zesty gin and has help create many a cocktail since it arrived. Keeping true to the Hebridean spirit, they teamed up with a local botanist and carefully chose 10 botanicals to create this gin. Including Raasay juniper, sweet orange peel, rhubarb root, and lemon peel.

We crafted the perfect balance of flavours by distilling the juniper along with a select few botanicals in our copper malt spirit still, and vapour infusing the rest in our copper gin basket to retain their vibrancy.

The creation and presentation of our gin is inspired by Raasay’s impressive geological variety, our unique water source, island shores and state-of-the-art distillery. A fusion of tradition with contemporary thinking, process, and design. That’s the Raasay way.

ISLE OF RAASAY GIN TASTING NOTES

NOSE

Fresh and aromatic, with juniper, sweet orange, candied lemon and hints of rhubarb.

PALATE

Dry with bursts of juniper, richer rhubarb and citrus notes before all the flavours harmonise together for a refreshing finish.

FINISH

Dry and zesty, with a lasting aftertaste that encapsulates Raasay’s style and character.

So grab your favourite cocktail ingredients and a bottle of Raasay Gin, you might just find your new go to drink!

Till next time. -Andrew