Ayrshire-based Lochlea Distillery crowned International Trade Business of the Year in regional awards – Scotch Whisky News

Ayrshire-based Lochlea Distillery crowned

International Trade Business of the Year in regional awards

Darren McCormick from Lochlea Distillery

and Samantha McKechnie from Neogen (award category sponsor)

 The independently owned and family-run Lochlea Distillery in South Ayrshire – one of the very few farm-to-cask whisky distilleries in Scotland – has scooped the ‘Going Global – International Trade Business of the Year’ award at the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

The annual Ayrshire Business Awards attract high profile industry support and are established as the leading awards ceremony for Ayrshire businesses, providing the opportunity to showcase major achievements and to celebrate outstanding success.

The winners were announced at the 2023 Awards Dinner on Friday (6th October) at Ayr Racecourse where the Lochlea Distillery team were delighted to win the Going Global – International Trade Business of the Year category, celebrating companies that have demonstrated significant international growth and proving that borders are not a barrier to trade.

Lochlea Distillery has a rich Scottish heritage and was once home to Robert Burns himself who worked and lived on the farm during his formative years, from 1777 to 1784. Having only launched their first whisky in January 2022, Lochlea’s whiskies are already stocked in over 150 retailers in the UK and in 20 export markets worldwide.

David Ferguson, Commercial Director at Lochlea Distillery commented: “We are over the moon to have won this prestigious award celebrating growing businesses in our region, especially given the calibre of our fellow Ayrshire finalists. We have a strong and expanding local customer base whose support has been key since we launched last year. On the export side, it means a lot to our team that Lochlea has been recognised for our achievements to date, and we have exciting plans to continue moving into more international markets in future”.

About Lochlea Distillery:

Lochlea was originally a 222 acre livestock farm before being purchased by Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006. After much consideration of the future of the farm and a successful trial to grow its own barley in 2015, the couple transformed the land and existing farm buildings into a fully-operational distillery in 2017 and started distilling the following year. The farming side has remained a unique part of Lochlea, with the move into barley production – paving the way for Lochlea to be one of the very few fully grain-to-cask distilleries in Scotland.

Whisky Auctioneer ‘Now Live: November 2023 Auction’ – Auction Whisky News

November 2023 Auction // 24.11.23 – 04.12.23

Now Live: November Auction

A warm welcome to our November auction. Featuring almost 9,000 rare whiskies and fine spirits.

This month marks a historic moment as the Blair Castle whisky comes to sale. Believed to have been distilled in 1833, this whisky may very well be the oldest Scotch whisky in existence, with 24 bottles available. Bid on the Blair Castle bottles here.

Alongside this, we have an incredible auction of old & rare bottles, many seen for the first time at Whisky Auctioneer- from an extensive collection of over 300 lots of Ardbeg, to the iconic 2010 release Highland Park 50 Year Old. This is also the last opportunity to buy that special bottle before the festive season kicks off.

Browse almost 9,000 lots in our live auction.

Blair Castle Scotch Whisky

Discovered in the cellars of Blair Castle in Highland Perthshire, this month’s auction sees 24 bottles of what is thought to be the oldest Scotch whisky in the world come to auction. Believed to have been distilled in 1833, this is a historic moment for the Scotch whisky industry.

 

Discover single malts aged 40 years or above

 

Ardbeg Special Liqueur D&J MacEwen 1950s

 

Highland Park 50 Year Old 2010 Release

 

Strathisla 25 Year Old Intertrade Bicentenary Magnum 1.5 Litre

Dunkeld Archives Charity Bottles

Whisky Auctioneer is delighted to be supporting The Chapter House Museum Trust [also known as the Dunkeld Archives] by offering donated bottles in our November 2023 Auction to support their redevelopment project to create a first class, accessible heritage centre. The Chapter House Museum Trust is a recent recipient of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service and Dunkeld, one of the neighbouring towns to our Perth home, has a history stretching back to the Picts and includes many links to the whisky industry.

All of the proceeds from this lot, including Whisky Auctioneer’s buyer’s commission, will go to support their redevelopment project.

Next month marks ten years since we held our very first auction at Whisky Auctioneer. A lot has happened since then – the launch of our sister sites, Wine Auctioneer and Rum Auctioneer, as well as exciting projects, record-breaking auctions and global expansion.

While we’ve thoroughly enjoyed our journey so far, things can’t stay the same forever. That’s why we’ve refreshed our branding to better reflect the nature of Whisky Auctioneer in 2023. We’re really excited to share our new look with you, and are even more excited to see where it takes us in the next ten years. We hope you enjoy seeing it across our website, social media and emails too.

Interested in selling in our next auction? Fill out our Seller Form today.

Evan Williams American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund Announces 2023 Grant Recipients – Bourbon Whiskey News

 

Evan Williams American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund Announces 2023 Grant Recipients

Veteran Community Action Grants award $75,000 to nonprofits that serve the veteran community

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey announced today 15 recipients of the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund grants. The 2023 Veteran Community Action Grants awarded $75,000 across projects that make a meaningful difference in the enjoyment and quality of life for veterans. From training service dogs to professional development, music therapy and medical care, each program supports giving back to those who served.

As an American-made and owned Bourbon, Evan Williams is proud to support U.S. military veterans through the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund. First established in 2020, the fund continues the brand’s support of veteran communities since launching the Evan Williams American-Made Heroes program and limited-edition label in 2015. To date, Evan Williams has recognized 54 veteran heroes on its American Hero Edition bottles and donated $600,000 to nonprofits.

“The 2023 recipients of the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund Grants are an incredible group of organizations who deserve to be recognized for their amazing work to help their fellow veterans,” said Molly Vincent, Evan Williams Senior Brand Manager. “We would like to commend these organizations and their leaders who selflessly give back to their communities and protect the American spirit of service.”

The 15 recipients of the 2023 Veteran Community Action Grants awarded by the Evan Williams American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund are as follows:

AZIMUTH CHECK FOUNDATION: ACF helps injured veterans achieve wellness in an atmosphere of camaraderie by providing them with challenging and rewarding events, including hiking, mountaineering, deep sea fishing, rock climbing, snowshoe hiking, sporting events & tournaments, and more. Learn more at https://azimuthcheckfoundation.org/.

BATTLE DAWGS: Battle Dawgs offers a place for veterans to relax, reset, and refocus through outdoor rehabilitation, mentorship, and leadership programs. Learn more at https://www.battledawgs.org/.

EXTREME ADVENTURES, LLC: Extreme Adventures provides outdoor experiences for Veterans and their families with goal of enhancing their lives through recreational and social opportunities that reengage them with the activities they love and unite them with people who share similar backgrounds and experiences. Learn more at https://xtremeadventures.org/.

FINAL SALUTE, INC:  Final Salute was founded in 2010 with the goal of providing homeless female veterans and their families with safe, suitable housing. Learn more at https://www.finalsaluteinc.org/Home.html.

HEROES ON THE WATER, NORTHWEST WASHINGTON CHAPTER: Heroes on the Water provides kayak fishing excursions to veterans, first-responders, active-duty military members and their families at no cost. These therapeutic events support America’s heroes and improve their quality of life. Learn more at https://heroesonthewater.org/.

HILLVETS FOUNDATION: HillVets serves Veterans and the Military-connected community in Washington, D.C. by providing opportunities for networking and second careers of service in government. Learn more at https://www.hillvets.org/.

INFINITE WISHES FOUNDATION: The mission of the Infinite Heroes program through Infinite Wishes Foundation is to provide experiences (“Gratitude Tours”) to active-duty military and veterans that have been combat-wounded and are permanently disabled, are mobility impaired, or have a service related life-threatening illness. Learn more at https://www.infinitewishes.org/infiniteheroes.

LITTLE BLESSINGS VETERAN AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Through the healing power of equine services, wellness programs, and community integration, Little Blessings helps veterans and their families successfully transition to civilian life. Learn more at https://lbveteranoutreach.org/.

NAVY SAFE HARBOR FOUNDATION: Navy Safe Harbor Foundation works with Navy Wounded Warrior to support wounded, ill, and injured Navy and Coast Guard Sailors, their families, and caregivers through financial assistance and non-medical care. Learn more at https://safeharborfoundation.org/.

REFOCUS-ON-U: Refocus-On-U offers programs designed to help veterans receive wholeness of the mind through learning how to manage relationships, increasing motivation, boosting creativity, living above loss, managing stress without distress, overcoming depression and anxiety, and achieving peak mental performance. Learn more at https://www.refocusonu.org/.

ROBIN’S HOME: Robin’s Home provides a full continuum of care for homeless, unstably housed and low-income female veterans and their children, through housing, case management, financial literacy, workforce development, and more. Learn more at https://robinshome.us/.

SHE’S THE VETERAN: Mental health in female veterans is under-researched, under-diagnosed, and under-treated. She’s the Veteran provides comprehensive support services for women who have served, improving their lives through activities, advocacy, and research. Learn more at https://shestheveteran.org/.

STAND WITH ME ASSISTANCE DOG TEAM TRAINING, INC: Stand With Me provides an intensive school for canines and their humans, allowing veterans with service-related mental health disabilities to train their own service dogs. Learn more at https://www.standwithmeorg.com/about-us.html.

WARRIOR MUSIC FOUNDATION, INC: Warrior Music Foundation provides an avenue for healing by offering free music therapy and lessons to active-duty military, veterans, and their families promoting learning and camaraderie along the way. Learn more at https://www.warriormusicfoundation.org/.

WARRIOR’S ART ROOM, INC: Warrior’s Art Room provides an inclusive space for veterans and their families to express themselves through a variety of mediums, engage in creative workshops, and build a community. Learn more at https://warriorsartroom.org/index.html.

As the second-largest selling Bourbon in the world, Evan Williams is proud of its American heritage and honored to broaden its support of veteran communities across the country. The 2024 class of Evan Williams American-Made Heroes will be selected from affiliate organizations who applied through the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund Grant process and will be announced in early May. To learn more about the Evan Williams American-Made Heroes Program, please visit american-madeheroes.com.

ABOUT EVAN WILLIAMS: The flagship Bourbon of Heaven Hill Distillery, Evan Williams is among the leaders in the rapidly growing American Whiskey segment as the world’s second largest-selling Kentucky Bourbon. Evan Williams is a proud sponsor of Major League Baseball and the World Series, first forming a partnership with the national pastime in 2016. As an American-made and American-owned brand, Evan Williams has recognized true American heroes through their exceptional stories of honor and bravery on special edition American-Made Hero labels for the past eight years, now supported by the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (www.EvanWilliamsBourbonExperience.com) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams through an immersive visitors center experience which brings to life the history and tradition of Kentucky’s native spirit as an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN-MADE HEROES FOUNDATION FUND: Evan Williams is honored to broaden its support of veteran communities across the country through the launch of the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund, announced in April 2020. The American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund was established to show Evan Williams’ pride in being American-made and owned, and to give back to those who served. Our purpose is: to provide a platform for sharing inspiring veteran stories; to raise public awareness for causes impacting the veteran community; and to support nonprofit organizations that help veterans through a specialized grant program.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

Whisky Hammer November 2023 Auction ENDS SOON! – Auction Whisky News

 

Our November Auction ENDS SOON!

Place your bids until 3PM (GMT) Sunday 26th November 2023

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Karuizawa – 50 Year Old (1965) Single Cask #3037 (50cl)

Caol Ila – 15 Year Old (The Manager’s Dram)

Macallan – 78 Year Old (The Red Collection)

Dalmore – 45 Year Old (2018 Release)

Macallan – 18 Year Old (1963 – 2023)

Port Ellen – 15 Year Old (1969) Gordon & MacPhail (75cl)

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.com.

Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch 9 – Aberdeen Whisky Shop News

 

Kilkerran 

Heavily Peated Batch 9

This small batch release from Kilkerran Distillery sure is a big dram.  Heavily peated and bottled at a cask strength of 59.2%, it is a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, with the majority of bourbon casks. This small batch was bottled without chill-filtration or artificial colouring.

TASTING NOTES

NOSE  Notes of freshly baked shortbread, cream soda, banana loaf and coconut shavings.

PALATE The creamy, vanilla notes carry through to the palate in notes of buttered digestive biscuits and custard creams.

FINISH Prominent peat, along with hints of gooseberries.

£48.99

A LITTLE ABOUT THE DISTILLERY

There were a few attempts to reopen the distillery, the very last and successful one was in November 2000, 75 years after Glengyle had last produced spirit, it was announced that a new company had bought the buildings, Mitchell’s Glengyle Limited, headed by Mr Hedley Wright, chairman of J&A Mitchell and Co Ltd, and great-great nephew of William Mitchell, the original founder of Glengyle.

Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery was founded by William Mitchell in 1872, and he ran the distillery as its sole proprietor. Like most Campbeltown distilleries, Glengyle suffered greatly during the economic downturn at the beginning of the 20th century. It was bought by West Highland Malt Distilleries Ltd in 1919, then sold again in 1924 for the princely sum of £300 before production finally ceased altogether in 1925. The entire spirit stock from the Glengyle Distillery was auctioned off on the 8th of April that same year.

Yellowstone “K&L Exclusive – The Perfect Proof” Single Barrel #12065 ~ Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey News

Yellowstone “K&L Exclusive – The Perfect Proof” Single Barrel #12065 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $59.99 View

Our first visit to Yellowstone’s distillery was one of our most memorable appointments from our May 2023 Kentucky tour. Steve Fontaine, the host of our visit, is one of the biggest characters in the wide world of whisky, and an afternoon spent tasting with him is an outrageously hysterical way to spend a few hours. The tasting itself is also one of the most unique in Kentucky. It is not only a barrel selection, but a proof trial. While many purists will argue that all single barrel programs should just be bottled at cask strength, the fact is, very few distilleries actually offer that option. Most lock you into a specific proof with your barrel. The end result: even if you’re tasting freshly pulled barrel samples, you’re not tasting the final product the way your customers will taste it. Yellowstone, really lets you dial it in – a tasting of four different barrels at three different proofs, partially blind (with respect to the barrels, but you taste in proof groups), ensures you get the best tasting option, not just the barrel with the craziest specs. With DOG, AW, and Blakely at the table making the selection, and remarkably, a consensus between the three on which barrel and which proof was the finest in the lot, we’re pretty damn sure you’re going to love this whisky.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Scotch Malt Whisky Society “Indulge in the spirit of Scotland St. Andrews Day November 30th” – Scotch Whisky News

Hope you’re as excited as we are about the upcoming St Andrew’s Day celebrations! It’s that time of year when Scotland comes alive with the vibrant spirit of celebration, bagpipes filling the air, and good company all around.

But what’s a gathering without the true stars of the show? That’s right, we’re talking about our beloved whiskies – the liquid gold that captures the soul of Scotland in every drop. Imagine this: you, embraced by kindred spirits, toasting the eternal traditions and vibrant wonders of Scotland. The air resonates with joyous laughter and an undeniable sense of kinship.

Someone pours you a wee dram of Cask No. 36.210: Saint of sore throats

As the exquisite liquid dances upon your lips, an orchestration of flavours unfolds. Indulge in the decadence of orange-infused chocolate coffee cake, the velvety elegance of crème brûlée, the delicate allure of profiteroles, and the whimsical delight of churros. And oh, the symphony of flavours continues! On the palate, be ready to experience the captivating embrace of oaky spiciness, intermingled with the tantalising essence of a Portuguese bifana sandwich.

DON’T MISS out on commemorating St Andrew’s Day the right way with this EXQUISITE bottling!

SLAINTE

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

A big pile of Bowmore part I

Bowmore 17 yo 2003/2021 (54.9%, Elixir Distillers ‘The Single Malts of Scotland’, cask #93, barrel, 172 bottles)
Bowmore 17 yo 2003/2021 (57.8%, Elixir Distillers ‘The Single Malts of Scotland’, cask #81, barrel, 209 bottles)
Bowmore 19 yo 2002/2021 (50.4%, Cadenhead ‘Authentic Collection’, bourbon hogshead, 180 bottles)
Bowmore 17 yo 2002/2020 (54.9%, The Character of Islay Whisky Company ‘The Stories of Wind and Wave’)
Bowmore 16 yo 2001/2017 (54.8%, Cadenhead ‘175th Anniversary’ for Whisky Shop Baden, hogshead, 294 bottles)
Bowmore 18 yo 2001/2020 (50.8%, The Character of Islay Whisky Company ‘The Stories of Wind & Wave’, refill bourbon barrel, cask #11715)
Bowmore 18 yo 2001/2020 (55.4%, The Character of Islay Whisky Company ‘The Stories of Wind & Wave’, refill bourbon barrel, cask #11714)
Bowmore 21 yo 2001/2022 (51.6%, Douglas Laing ‘XOP’ for The Whisky Exchange, #DL16464, refill sherry butt, 514 bottles)
Bowmore 16 yo 1998 (59.9%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society 3.236 ‘Heathery smoke drifting by the shore’, refill barrel, 141 bottles)
Bowmore 23 yo 1997 (43.7%, Club Qing ‘Fairy Tale Series’, sherry butt, 189 bottles)
Bowmore 29 yo 1992/2021 (44.5%, Claxton’s, bourbon hogshead)
Bowmore 18 yo 1993 (61.6%, The Whisky Exchange ‘Masterpieces’, refill hogshead, 195 bottles)