Categorie: Whisky nieuws

Killowen Distillery USA Launch

Killowen Distillery has just launched its small batch products in the USA (online only).  Thanks to our importer partners Highroad Spirits we are entering many states and are available online via Folsom Wine & Spirits.

If you have a good liquerstore, you can have them order it within NYC, New Jersey, Boston, Chicago and Kentucky, thanks to suppliers such as Skurnik and The Wine Company so get speaking with your local quality premises soon before they hit the stores at the start of March.

What’s going to be available?

All cask strength Whiskey’s of course.

5-year-Old Single Malt Rum & Raisin small-batch core for a start and of-course say goodbye to 6 of the hugely successful & discontinued small batch 10-year-Old bonded experimental series, only 348 bottles of each cask: Jamacian Dark Rum, Mexican tequila, Virgin Hungaran Oak, Pinot Noir – Burgundy, Txakolina – Acacia heads & Peated Cask. These being among most unique exciting blends to come out of Ireland in the past three years.

Once these bottles go, the Bonded Experimental Series is retired to the history books, so get opening and enjoy those unique flavors while you can.

In the true sense of Killowen, absolute consistency is never our aim, thankfully any future Rum & Raisin single malt batches will be slightly different, which will include the influence of all three components 1. single malt 2. PX Sherry Casks & 3. Killowen Rum Casks. It’s always fun to revisit and see if we can improve upon perfection.

Killowen are also releasing their small-batch Flame-fed poitín to the states.

Poitín, the mother of all whiskeys has survived centuries of oppression from colonialism and later powerful whiskey lobbies at home. Poitín’s day will come, but until then, it is enjoying a huge upsurge in popularity throughout Ireland and internationally among those in the know.

At its best, poitín is made in small batches, using flame-fed distillation, worm tub condensation and creative mash bills.

Killowen has already dubbed 2022 as ‘The Year of The Poitín’

TD0245 & TD0086
Two American Oak Single Cask Whiskies

Tomorrow we are releasing two exceptional single cask, American oak whiskies: American Oak ex-Bourbon TD0245, and American Oak Second Fill TD0086. While different in style, both highlight everything we love about our American oak releases: orchard fruits, biscuity malt and the vanilla flavours for which American oak is renown.

American Oak Second Fill TD0086

Our second fill releases are quickly becoming a favourite at the cellar door, as well as receiving critical acclaim, winning three medals at this year’s World Whisky Awards. Matured for 15 years and 6 months in a 300L American oak cask previously used to mature our whisky, TD0086 is an excellent example of what makes this style so sought after. A softer oak presence allows our fruit-forward spirit to shine, resulting in a whisky that is a delicious balance of orchard fruits and biscuity malt

American Oak ex-Bourbon TD0245

Matured for over 13 years in a 200L American oak cask previously used to age Bourbon, TD0245 is a classic example of our most awarded style.

“This is one smooth and gentle entry. Fruit bowl with lots of pear! The sweet earth of the nose is here, too, with vanilla, geranium, grapefruit skin and some berries… Dusty blackberries and boysenberries. Buttered, warm corn bread. Wonderfully silky texture.”

Heather Tillott, Distillery Manager.

Read the full tasting notes here

These whiskies will be released via ballot. The ballots will open for 24 hours from 10am Hobart time on Wednesday 23rd of February. Further details will be sent prior to the ballots opening.

A note on our ballot system. 

Our policy is one entry per person, per household, per ballot. Our fraud detection algorithm detects multiple entries and removes them to ensure our whisky lands in the hands of our genuine supporters, so to ensure your entry counts, please enter each ballot once only. If you have any questions around our ballot process, you can email us at info@sullivanscove.com Successful entries will be notified shortly after the ballots close.

Benromach Abbey Whisky Exclusive

£69.99

Benromach 11 Year Old – 2010 | Cask 388 | Abbey Whisky Exclusive

It’s no secret, we love Benromach. The spirit they produce at the distillery is fantastic and their cask management is superb. This 11 year old Speyside malt has been fully matured in a first fill bourbon barrel, resulting in a delightful combination of sweet smoke, toasted almonds, spice and tropical fruit. Cask 388 has been selected exclusively by Abbey Whisky with 228 bottles filled. We’re delighted with this latest offering.

Ben Nevis 22 yo 1999/2021 (46.5%, Liquid Pleasures and Nanyang Whisky Singapore, hogshead, cask #307)
Ben Nevis 25 yo 1996/2021 (49%, Fadandel, refill sherry butt, cask #447, 470 bottles)
Ben Nevis 18 yo 1996/2015 (51.8%, Chapter 7, bourbon hogshead, cask #2/(19/14), 272 bottles)
Ben Nevis 23 yo 1996/2020 (47.6%, The Whisky Agency, hogshead, 264 bottles)
Ben Nevis 1996/2021 (53.6%, SCSM, for Guangzhou Single Cask Single Malt, hogshead, cask #80, 220 bottles)
Ben Nevis 14 yo 1996 (46%, Dram Mor for TWM, cask #002, 237 bottle)
Ben Nevis 8 yo 2012/2021 (52.7%, Morisco Spirit, refill hogshead)
Ben Nevis 8 yo 2012/2021 (59.9%, Golden Cask for The Whisky Barrel, cask #278, 315 bottles)
Ben Nevis 25 yo 1996/2021 (53.6%, Liquid Treasures and Acla Selection, hogshead, cask #1747, 170 bottles)
Ben Nevis 15 yo 2005/2021 (48.5%, WhiskySponge, refill hogshead, 322 bottles)

A more complex expression thanks both to the use of only triple-distilled single pot still style whisky and the cask maturation combination. More developed flavours are presented from the PX and Marsala casks. 83/100

The sixth release in the Private Editions line was the Glenmorangie Tusail (2015). It was created using a unique barley strain and an old method of malting: Maris Otter barley and traditional floor-malting. Like the Finealta, this release was a nod to the past.

Glenmorangie became a distillery in 1843. Before that, it was a farm brewery; Maris Otter barley was created as a brewing malt. Before the introduction of the mechanical Saladin Box in the late 1800s, and wide-spread adoption in the early 1900s, malt had to be turned by hand to prevent matting.

This “old-school” style of barley being malted on the floor and turned by hand has been romanticized by many distilleries over the years. This romancing of the past results in limited edition, floor-malted, releases like the Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015… which actually was amazing.

Does the act of floor malting truly change the flavor? Or is our additional adoration merely psychosomatic? There’s no way to tell for sure without a true A:B blind tasting, but I’ll give it my best shot. So let’s get to drinkin’ and see what’s what.

Glenmorangie Tusail – Details and Tasting Notes

 

Whiskey Details

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Style: Single Malt (Scotch)
Region: Highlands, Scotland
Distiller: Glenmorangie

Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: NAS (supposedly 10+ years)
ABV: 46%

Released: 2015 (6th)

Glenmorangie Tusail Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller (originally $100)

Related Whiskey

Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX
Glenmorangie Finealta
Glenmorangie Artein
Glenmorangie Ealanta
Glenmorangie Companta

“The 6th release from Glenmorangie’s award-winning Private Edition, Tùsail is the product of a carefully-selected parcel of Maris Otter barley, floor-malted by hand using traditional techniques, and non chill-filtered.” – Glenmorangie

Glenmorangie Tusail Tasting Notes

EYE
Coppery gold

NOSE
Juicy sultanas, vanilla fondant, banana pudding, dried orchard fruit, Necco, cocoa, touches of butterscotch and spice.

Waves of natural and manufactured (crafted) sweetness move back and forth over a banana pudding base. Sounds weird, smells awesome.

PALATE
Banana pudding, juicy sultanas, baking spice, malt and vanilla fondant with bits of cocoa and spice.

Palate pulls back a tad from the aroma in depth and complexity, but only a tad.

FINISH
Medium -> Banana pudding, caramel, oak and spice.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Well balanced, medium-full body and a lightly oily feel.

Glenmorangie Tusail – Overall Thoughts and Score

Banana pudding sponge cake drizzled in dark sugary candy sweetness. Tusail has something going on that isn’t quite like most Glenmorangies. It’s amplified the banana and sultana notes and reduced or removed the earthier, graham/malty or nutty notes. But is that shift in profile due to the different strain of barley or due to the floor malting?

Is it possible that the more laborious and less precisely timed act of hand-turning malt produced an enzyme and sugar ratio that acted differently during fermentation? Sure. But given that this is an entirely different strain of barley than Glenmo usually uses I’m going to lay the bulk of the profile change in the barley corner.

But with a result this good in a one-off who really cares? The end result is a whisky that gives us a look through a different window but fundamentally remains the house of Glenmo. They crated something fun and tasty with the Glenmorangie Tusail and I kinda wish I had a bottle to keep my exploration going.

SCORE: 4/5 (good, definitely recommend ~ B+ | 87-89) – Thanks to Travis for the sample

The post Glenmorangie Tusail Review appeared first on The Whiskey Jug.

JAMESON IRISH WHISKEY BROADENS ITS HORIZONS WITH NEW ‘WIDEN THE CIRCLE’ GLOBAL BRAND CAMPAIGN

Irish comedian Aisling Bea stars, urging people to widen their circle over a Jameson

Jameson Irish Whiskey has today (15th February 2022) launched a major new international brand campaign, ‘Widen the Circle’.  The campaign builds on Jameson’s long held belief that life is better shared by inviting people to reach out and invite others in for those moments of authentic human connection.  The new multi-media campaign will be spearheaded by a TV ad called ‘That Spark’, featuring Irish actor, writer and comedian Aisling Bea, the creator and star of BAFTA award-winning show ‘This Way Up’ and star of Netflix’s ‘Living With Yourself’.   The ad has been made by Emmy and Grammy nominated director Jake Scott, who brings great warmth to the piece, through the storyline of witty awkward social situations where people just click.

“It’s a joy being part of Jameson’s new ‘Widen the Circle’ campaign,” explains Aisling. “As not just an Irish person, but as a comic and in my writing, I’ve always been about searching for human connections, how people come together. The campaign felt like the perfect fit for me and I loved having the role of the person who is trying to get everyone to step out of their comfort zone and engage with people they may not have thought they were open or brave enough to. It’s the surprising thing we have so dearly missed the last two years. And the job comes with the added bonus of getting a visit to the Jameson distillery which is not a bad day at the office at all.”

Part of a multi year multi-channel investment behind Jameson, the campaign devised in partnership with TBWA, comes ahead of a key period for Jameson, including the all-important St Patrick’s Day celebrations around the world on 17th March.

“As the world reopens, Jameson, the world’s favourite Irish whiskey, is inviting the world to embrace other kindred spirits and ‘Widen the Circle’,” explains Brendan Buckley, Global Marketing Director at Jameson owner Irish Distillers. “Our campaign will challenge people to look for the shared values that unite them, making the world feel like a smaller, friendlier place by encouraging individuals and communities to make new connections. It will not only demonstrate the accessibility of our whiskey, but also the larger idea it can bring of inclusiveness, kinship and belonging.”

Coinciding with the launch, and to showcase the best of Irish culture and creativity, a series of St. Patrick’s Day events are taking place around the world, culminating in a live streamed performance by Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C. on 17th March. Fans across the world will be able to connect with one of Ireland’s most exciting contemporary musical exports virtually on the Jameson Connects platform for free by signing up for tickets via the Jameson website Jameson Irish Whiskey (jamesonwhiskey.com)

Beyond St Patrick’s Day, Jameson will be looking to extend outreach further through ongoing visibility across the on- and off-trade globally, as well as through influencer, PR and social media outreach. A second TVC is planned for summer 2022.

The ad can be viewed here.

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth up to 2019 and hitting sales of 8.6m cases in 2021. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,824 million in FY21. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics, as illustrated by the 2030 Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “Good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices.

K&L Exclusive Casks: Barrell Craft Spirits Is Better Than Ever
A trio of hand-selected, one-of-a-kind Kentucky bourbons…

The spirits team continues to knock our socks off with the acquisition of not one, not two, but three new K&L Exclusive Casks from Barrell Craft Spirits. The trio of cask-strength Kentucky bourbons in this set are proof positive of 1) Barrell’s benchmark excellence in every step of their work; and 2) the utterly thrilling character of young bourbon when it’s done right. A pair of hand-selected 8-Year-Olds showcase the personal touch we bring to our Exclusive Cask program with single barrels chosen by K&L staff members Illya Haase and Will Blakely, respectively. Will describes his barrel as “delicate and complex with a finish that lasts for days—everything I want in a bourbon,” while Illya’s selection “has that perfect balance of heat, spice, and power.” Rounding out the trifecta, the 6-Year-Old Triple Cherry wowed our entire team as an example of how single-cask bourbon can offer both insane complexity and value at the same time. The verdict is in—Barrell is better than ever.

Barrell Craft 6 Year Old “Triple Cherry” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #Z4C3 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($99.99)

K&L Notes: The exceptional blenders at Barrell have proven time and time again that they can make distinctive whiskies by finishing and blending various stocks. But sometimes you don’t need to add or change anything to create an exceptional bourbon. So few distillers in Kentucky are willing to bottle at cask strength that we jumped at the chance when Barrell offered us real Kentucky bourbon at full strength. Of course, the sources are hidden, but it almost doesn’t matter where it’s distilled in Kentucky. Everyone is making exceptional juice, and when you’re able to be picky you come across gems like this. We went through a few sets of samples to find this exceptional 6 Year. Most will look at the lower age and jump on the two 8 Year barrels we have, which are exceptional in their own right, but no barrel of whiskey we bottle this year is going to match this ridiculously delish cask for its pungency and balance. Another example of how Kentucky bourbon need not be old to be superlative.

Austin Jenkins | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 10, 2022

The youngest out of our currently available Barrel Craft line-up, but wow is it expressive! Fragrant on the nose with hints of cherry (as per the name) and a more than healthy amount of vanilla—119.9 proof (PHEW!), so it’s a bit hot! Enjoy this with a drop of water and watch its profile blossom. Baking spice heavy with touches of stone fruit and vanilla, all brought back together by a beautiful, short finish.

Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 28, 2022

We are, as always, excited and delighted to share these exceptional single-barrel releases from Barrell Craft Spirits. Age-stated Kentucky bourbon has grown increasingly rare, and to have these single barrels bottled at full proof from Kentucky rather than Indiana or Tennessee is a rarer treat still. Even at 6 years old, the youngest of our lineup, this shows tremendous depth. Viscous in the glass from its nearly 60% alcohol, it brims with lively aromas of cherry, nectarine, wood, and a touch of grass. On the palate, it displays all the hallmarks of young, high-quality spirit, with ample fruit and a wealth of vanilla and spice, rounded out by subtle chamomile. It remains fresh and mildly sweet without once feeling hot or overblown. A touch of water amps up the spice and brings out the more savory character here, highlighting the cinnamon spice and bringing up whiffs of dark cocoa and coconut husk. Truly though, it doesn’t need any adulteration; it’s vibrant and exciting right out of the gate, incredibly approachable and easy to drink despite its impressive strength.

Barrell Craft 8 Year Old “Blakely’s Barrel” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #Z4A8 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($99.99)

K&L Notes: This wonderful barrel of 8-year-old Kentucky bourbon was selected by K&L’s Los Angeles Spirits Specialist, Will Blakely. The fact that it’s aged so long and bottled at cask strength makes it unique and special enough, but the complexity and character of the cask cannot be overstated. Distilled on September 26th, 2013 at an unknown distillery from an unknown mashbill. The fact that the mashbill cannot be given away is a clue to the origin of this bourbon as several distillers use similar mashbills. In any case, what we do know is that this is a proper Kentucky bourbon distilled with rye as the small grain in the mashbill. The barrel numbering system indicates from when and where in their warehouse they came, so each of these new barrels could be from a different source. This one is particularly powerful and rich. Best for those that love to chew their bourbon before they swallow it! A short barrel with tons of woody influence, it doesn’t stray into the astringent or bitter and remains balanced and lifted in spite of its age and oak driven character.

Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 28, 2022

It seems everyone these days is shopping for the same big-name bourbons, all unattainable due to supply or pricing. But if you venture just off the path beaten by every review site touting the latest branded release from big, multi-national distilleries, you can find gems like these Kentucky picks from Barrell Craft Spirits. We don’t know exactly from where they sourced these, but I believe any one of them can easily go toe-to-toe with the best in a blind tasting. As you may have guessed from the description, I am particularly fond of this specific barrel and demanded we bring it in for one of our store selections. Delicate and complex with a finish that lasts for days—everything I want in a bourbon. Cherries, chocolate, citrus, and spice achieve perfect balance, held together by burnt turbinado sugar. The focus shifts quickly from sweet to nutty to oaky and back again, with a floral character lurking like a specter in the background. It’s truly gorgeous as is, but a splash of water brightens the aromatics, providing lift and bringing citrus and vanilla to the forefront. The palate softens as well, broadening a bit and letting almond roca and candied citrus have their turn in the spotlight. It changes with each sip and keeps me coming back for more. I can’t get enough of this stuff, and I think a lot of people out there will feel the same way. This barrel filled significantly fewer bottles than the other two, so make sure to pick this one up before supplies run out.

Barrell Craft 8 Year Old “Old Ills” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #Z4A9 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($99.99)

K&L Notes: From a set of three amazing casks of Kentucky bourbon that we selected, this 8-year was sourced from an undisclosed distillery and selected by LA Store Manager Illya Haase. The unknown mashbill included rye as the small grain, but little else is known about the source. It was distilled on September 26th, 2013 and bottled in December of 2021 just a few months after turning 8 years old. Very few of the single casks we have to offer make it to this age, fewer still from Kentucky, and and almost none at cask strength. That makes this barrel and its two siblings some of the rarest and most special bourbons we have the great pleasure of offering. Expect a big spicy style here, we know Illya loves a bourbon that gives you that Kentucky hug. Long, rich, and complex, finding a more satisfying experience in American whiskey is a difficult task when barrels like this are around.

Illya Haase | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 02, 2022

Mystery bottle? Sometimes, they just won’t tell you where the juice comes from. What I do know is it’s damn great! Cask Strength, check. 124 bottles produced, check. Eight years, check. And 116.74 proof—yum! Old Ills has that perfect balance of heat, spice, and power. The first thing you notice when tasting Old Ills are the rich aromas of brown sugar, clove, and vanilla with a spearmint punch. On the palate, it brings together clove, nutmeg, black pepper, and oak wood flavors with just enough sweetness to make them inviting without being overwhelming. Each sip is like a wonderful, warming glow that wraps around you like that old flannel shirt. You know, that one your wife is begging you to get rid of. The finish is long and complex. It lingers on the tongue as the oak flavor rises and leaves you eager to take another sip.

Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 28, 2022

Like its namesake, this barrel is classic Kentucky, born and bred. Gooey caramel oozes out of the glass carrying banana nut and a whiff of hay. The palate is rich and dense, with sticky dark sugar enveloping tons of cinnamon spice, praline and macadamia nut. A quality here reminds me of well-aged brandy, where the savory wood tones attain perfect balance with the sweetness of the spirit. Though it drinks beautifully straight out of the bottle, I particularly enjoyed how this evolved with a couple of drops of water. The aromatics explode from the glass, revealing singed orange peel, clove, toasted vanilla and chocolate covered cherries. Even after cutting the proof slightly, it retains that voluptuous mouthfeel and intense spice. This should find a broad fanbase among bourbon aficionados, especially those who seek out bold flavors and a wood-driven finish.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 10, 2022

Very good and very interesting. The nose has a subtle and delicate sweetness. In the mouth it is very complex, full-bodied and concentrated with a nice richness. There are wonderful secondary floral flavors that help make this a special treat. With a touch of water more sweetness comes up.

Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2013

We love it when distilleries find new ways of cherishing their local surroundings. Using barley grown at Kentraw, this is a heavily peated Islay, bottled at a lovely strength of 50% abv. Beginning in ex-American whiskey barrels, it is then given a flourish in first fill French wine casks to evoke notes of orange zest, rich coffee, floral coconut and a huge smoky and fruity. finish

£65.00
Buy Now

Bruichladdich believe this is the first time in history that an Islay single malt has been made exclusively from 100% Islay grown grain. Distilled in 2013, this is a heavily peated Islay. At a strength of 50% abv, this is bottled with Islay spring water. It is non chill filtered, and colouring free. The first step of its maturation last seven years, in a parcel of ex-American whiskey barrels. Then it is given a flourish in first fill French wine casks, before then being married together.

A fantastically local, yet contemporary dram. Our advice? Try this one neat.

HAMISH SAYS