Monthly Archives: Feb 2015

News & PR: The Arran Malt Comes of Age – 18 Year Old Released

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Arran18yoBottleSince its founding 20 years ago, the Isle of Arran Distillery has been laying uniquely complex malts down to mature. As the distillery reaches its twentieth birthday, the Arran Malt is coming of age with its first limited edition bottling of the Arran 18 Year Old Single Malt.

This latest edition is the final bottling in a trilogy of 16, 17 and 18 year-old Arran Malts which have been released in the count down to this landmark bottling. Bottled at 46%, it is distilled without chill-filtration or artificial colouring for a pure yet complex palate.

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News: Tomatin Cask Strength Release

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Tomatin Cask StrengthTomatin have announced  a new addition to the Tomatin Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky core range – The Cask Strength Edition. Matured in a combination of Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks and bottled at 57.5%, this addition to the range showcases the true Tomatin style in its most natural state.

“This whisky is the first Cask Strength expression to be added to the Tomatin Highland Single Malt Scotch
Whisky core range, allowing us to showcase the true Tomatin style in its most natural state – natural colour,
no chill filtration, full strength. Batch 1 was released in February 2015 at 57.5%. A marriage of full maturation
Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks, it is spicy, sweet and smooth and an excellent addition to the range.”

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News: Cù Bòcan Virgin Oak Release

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Cu Bocan Virgin OakTomatin have announced a new limited edition Cù Bòcan release – The Virgin Oak Edition – the second release in the trilogy showcasing the influence of each cask type which makes up Cù Bòcan; Sherry, Virgin Oak and Bourbon.

“This exclusive limited edition showcases the influence that Virgin Oak has on our lightly peated single malt. Clean and zingy with hints of smoke and warm spice, this fully matured Virgin Oak limited edition will not disappoint!”

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Review: Glen Garioch Virgin Oak

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GariochVirginOakBottleGlen Garioch – Virgin Oak – 48% abv

I’ve previously reviewed quite a few of the Glen Garioch range, but it looks like their Virgin Oak has escaped me publishing my notes. I’m one of what Glen Garioch likes to call their Drambassadors… at least, while Morrison Bowmore Distillers (Glen Garioch’s parent company) was more autonomous I was one, but now they’re part of the mass conglomerate of Beam Suntory I have no idea if I am still one or not! Annnnnyways, on to my notes…

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Press Launch & Review: Glenmorangie Tusail

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Glenmorangie Tùsail

Recently Glenmorangie launched Tùsail, the 6th release in their yearly Private Edition series of malts… most of which form some part of experimentation by Glenmo’s main man, Dr Bill Lumsden. (See below for my review tasting notes.)

GlenmoTuasilThis years experiment \ release is comprised of Maris Otter barley, floor-malted by hand, and non chill-filtered.

A rich winter variety of barley first introduced in 1965, Maris Otter was bred specifically to meet the demand for a high quality brewing malt and recognized for its ability to impart rich, rustic malty flavours. The variety at the time was much loved by brewers and created great ale’s, however the variety started to fall out of love and started being replaced with newer varieties that had greater alcohol yields until it was revived by a dedicated company and is now revered as one of the best malts for brewing once again.

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New Release & Review: Rock Oyster Whisky

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Rock Oyster Blended Whisky – 46.8% ABV

Info: “Inspired by the sea, Douglas Laing’s Rock Oyster is a Small Batch bottling created using the finest maritime Malts including those distilled on the Scottish Islands of Jura, Islay, Arran and Orkney.”
Colour: Very light, hints of straw.
Nose: Peaty, mossy smoke comes tumbling out of the glass along with damp grass and barley notes, and some butter.
Palate: Slightly peppery followed by the mossy barley. It’s fairly thick in your mouth, and reasonably sweet.
Finish: The finish is a fine balance of sweet treats and a peaty smoke bonfire on a damp morning. Long and luscious.
Thoughts: Incredibly enjoyable. If you like Big Peat then this is a slight tangent, and for some probably the more accessible of the two drams. A nice accomplished blend from Douglas Laing; a real winner for a good price.
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News: anCnoc 1975 vintage released

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anCnoc 1975This February anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled its latest creation – anCnoc 1975 Vintage. Bottled late in 2014 this is the oldest expression ever released from Knockdhu Distillery and promises to be the ultimate treat for anCnoc fans and the most discerning whisky drinkers around the world.

The whisky comes from only three American oak and Spanish oak ex-sherry casks laid down in 1975. The release consists of 1590 bottles. The whisky comes in its most natural form, it has not been chill-filtered or coloured and is presented at the cask strength of 44.2% ABV.

The recommended retail price is £300. anCnoc 1975 Vintage will be available in several key markets around the world including the UK, USA, Russia and Canada.

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