Another week full of whisky news: Official launch of Glendronach single casks (Batch #10), new Glenrothes expression and new vintage of Midleton Very rare. Enjoy!

GlenDronach releases Batch 10 of its single cask bottlings

AWARD-WINNING GlenDronach Distillery has today (July 14th) released Batch 10 of its renowned single cask bottlings.

Nine outstanding casks, ranging from 1990 to 2002, were selected by Master Distiller Billy Walker. Each one of these casks from the Aberdeenshire distillery is an excellent example of the typical GlenDronach character with tastes of sweet dates, raisins, dark chocolate, toasted oak spice and roasted coffee beans.

The cask details are:

• 1990 cask # 2970 / 24 Years Old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 51.3%
• 1991 cask # 1346 / 22 Years Old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 52.1%
• 1992 cask # 199 / 22 Years Old / Oloroso Sherry Butt / 59.4%
• 1993 cask # 494 / 21 Years Old / Oloroso Sherry Butt / 55.8%
• 1994 cask # 326 / 19 Years Old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 53.5%
• 1994 cask # 3397 / 19 Years Old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 53.8%
• 1995 cask # 3025 / 18 Years Old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 51.1%
• 1996 cask # 1487 / 18 Years Old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 54.1%
• 2002 cask # 1500 / 12 Years Old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 56.7%

Master Distiller Billy Walker said: “Our batch releases of single casks bottlings are eagerly awaited by whisky connoisseurs worldwide and Batch 10 is truly astonishing in both its quality and style.

“Each cask was selected because of its excellent GlenDronach character. For example, on the nose, 1990 cask # 2970 has generous dustings of allspice over sundried raisins and roasted coffee beans with a delicate barley background. As a contrast, the 1995 cask # 3025 shows fresh green apple developing to prunes and raisins with a vibrant spice note of ginger, black pepper and soft clove oil on the palate.

“And the youngest expression of the nine, 2002 cask # 1500, gives aromas of sweet figs and chocolate-covered raisins dusted with vanilla and spiced by subtle cigar smoke, candied peel and stem ginger. A fascinating range of expressions that will appeal to all tastes.”

The bottlings are now available in major whisky shops

THE GLENROTHES RELEASES SHERRY CASK RESERVE

Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits is delighted to announce the release of the latest expression from award-winning Speyside distillery, The Glenrothes.

The sherry casks used to mature The Glenrothes are made to specification in Jerez, southern Spain, and, despite costing approximately five times more than ex-bourbon casks (which account for over 95% of the casks used in the Scotch whisky industry), the depth of flavour derived from these casks makes the additional investment worthwhile.

Until now, however, The Glenrothes has neverreleased an all-first-fill sherry cask expression. Sherry Cask Reserve is matured predominantly in European oak which delivers a greater array of flavours than the American equivalent and, in particular, the resinous and dried fruit character underpinning the sherry top notes.

Malt Master Gordon Motion’s flavour notes appear on the front label: “Spicy ginger, orange peel, and sherry oak.”

Ronnie Cox, Brands Heritage Director, describes The Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve as;“The texture is deliciously creamy, a hallmark of The Glenrothes, which develops into a kaleidoscopic rainbow of soft spicy and fruity flavours on the palate, balanced in perfect harmony with lingering overtones of sherry and Spanish oak.”

The Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve tasting notes at 40% ABV

Appearance: Burnished gold

Nose:            Orange peel, fruitcake, vanilla, gingerbread, black cherries, pear drops

Palate:          Spicy, ginger, oaky notes, crème brûlée

Finish:           Lingering spiciness with orange peel notes

The Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve will be available from Berry Bros. & Rudd and its representatives in key markets. The recommended retail price is £55 (€65 or NT$2,000) per bottle.

 Irish Distillers unveils Midleton Very Rare 2014

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has unveiled the 2014 edition of its prestigious Midleton Very Rare whiskey, the first to be hand selected by Master Distiller, Brian Nation, following his appointment in 2013.

For every Midleton Very Rare release, the signature of the Master Distiller is included on the label to provide the ultimate guarantee of quality. Midleton Very Rare 2014 is the first to bear Nation’s signature on its label, continuing the tradition established by former Master Distiller Barry Crockett when he created the first Midleton Very Rare whiskey in 1984.

Available from this month in specialist retailers, Midleton Very Rare 2014 is blended from only the finest Single Pot Still and grain whiskeys, which have been matured in specially-selected, ex-Bourbon American oak casks that have been lightly charred on the inside to impart a complex and elegant taste profile. The components of this exclusive blend have been aged for up to 22 years, making it a real collectors’ item.

Anna Malmhake, Chairman and CEO at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, says: “It’s always exciting for us to release a new Midleton Very Rare expression as it really shows the outstanding quality that the Irish whiskey category has to offer, but this 2014 release is extra special as it heralds a new era for us as Brian Nation takes the reins from Barry Crockett at our Midleton Distillery.

“Midleton Very Rare is a whiskey with real provenance, produced at the distillery in Midleton using only the finest ingredients and is rightfully regarded as the pinnacle of Irish whiskeys by collectors and connoisseurs worldwide, who cherish the nuances of each release. As Brian carries on the Midleton Very Rare legacy, we look forward to more discerning drinkers around the world discovering the quality and provenance that Irish whiskeys have to offer.”

Master Distiller Brian Nation, added: “It is a real honour for me to continue the Midleton Very Rare legacy and to have my name on the label, where Barry’s signature once was. I’m very proud of the 2014 edition, as it offers real complexity with a full taste of sweet spice, vanilla, and cinnamon, which lingers before slowly giving way to notes of barley. I am confident that it will provide whiskey fans around the world with the interesting and enjoyable tasting experience that they have come to expect from Midleton Very Rare over the years – and I look forward to hearing what Barry thinks of it too!”