Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round-up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way into our WFE email. Inbox features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. We were away on a much needed holiday last week, so here is the whisky news from the last two weeks.
Ad Gefrin
The English distillery of Ad Gefrin has announced the forthcoming release of its first single malt whisky. The distillery saw its first spirit produced in November 2022 and is England’s most northerly. They will release three single casks for the inaugural bottlings. The Ad Gefrin Crǣft Series will each be bottled at 48% ABV and are all non-chill filtered and of natural colour. They have each been selected by Ben Murphy, the Head Distiller at Ad Gefrin.
Crǣft takes its name from the Old English for art or skill. The series is built on the belief that discovery is part of the experience. All three casks are released simultaneously, each in a sealed box carrying the series name and number of bottles. The cask is unknown at point of purchase and the jeopardy is deliberate, Which bottle you will end up with is down to chance.
Firstly, Cask 23170 was matured in an ex-American single malt cask. Cask 23215 spent its maturation in an ex-Bourbon cask. Cask 24492 spent 18 months in an ex-American single malt cask before finishing in an Oloroso hogshead. The trio are the first of 12 planned bottlings in the series. The bottles will be available from July 31. More information and how to purchase are available on the distillery website.
Old Forester
The Kentucky whiskey brand of Old Forester has announced details of it highly anticipated rare release, President’s Choice. This annual bottling is inspired by private single barrels offered in 1964 by former Old Forester president George Garvin Brown II. The President’s Choice showcases Old Forester’s most exceptional barrels selected for their maturity, complexity and distinct character.
For the second consecutive year, President’s Choice will be available in both bourbon and rye expressions. Each barrel is aged between 7- and 9 years and bottled at the natural proof strength. Both expressions have a retail price of $225. The exact number of bottles of both Old Forester President’s Choice Bourbon and President’s Choice Rye were not revealed in the press release. They are available now nationwide in stores throughout the USA. Some will also be available from the brand visitor centre on the famous Whiskey Row in Louisville, Kentucky.
Old Pulteney
The north Highland distillery of Old Pulteney continues its 200th anniversary celebrations with the release of two rare single malts. The Old Pulteney 30 Years Old and 50 Years Old are limited in number. Both have been maturing for their full life in Old Pulteney’s warehouses in the northern fishing port of Wick. The whiskies have been selected by Malcolm Waring, the Distillery Manager at Old Pulteney, and his team. Both bottlings are housed in bespoke decanters designed by Glencairn Crystal.
The Old Pulteney 30 years Old has matured for much of its life in American oak ex-bourbon casks before a finishing period in European oak barrels. There are just 1,000 bottles. It is released at 50.4% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natura; colour. Each bottle will cost ££1,750/ US$2,350.
The Old Pulteney 50 Years Old is the oldest ever release from the brand. It has matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks with a subtle seasoning of European oak. Just four rare casks make up the release of 200 bottles. These are bottled at 40.8% ABV and will cost £20,000/ US$26,800. Both bottlings are available via the Old Pulteney website and select specialist partners. These are across key markets including the UK, Global Travel Retail, China, Japan, France and USA.
Spirit of Yorkshire
Yorkshire’s first ever single malt distillery continue their 10th anniversary celebrations with another limited edition bottling. The Filey Bay 10th Anniversary Special Release is a marriage of whisky aged in ex-bourbon and ex-Madeira casks. This features some of Spirit of Yorkshire’s earliest maturing stock and includes spirit from Cask 001, which was filled in June 2016. The whisky has been created by Joe Clark, the Whisky Director at Spirit of Yorkshire.
The Filey Bay 10th Anniversary Special Release is released at 49.9% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is limited to just 2,016 bottles. These are available in the distillery shop in Hunmanby, Yorkshire, online at spiritofyorkshire.com and from specialist whisky retailers in the UK. Each bottle will cost £90.
Tormore
The picturesque Speyside distillery of Tormore has announced three bottlings that will form its core range. These are the first permanent releases from the distillery since it was purchased from Chivas Brother by Elixir Distillers in 2022. The trio of single malts are designed to show Tormore’s fruity character. Two carry age statements at 12- and 16 years old, plus one no age statement. They have been created by Oliver Chilton, the Head Blender at Elixir Distillers.
The Tormore Timeless has been aged primarily in ex-bourbon barrels. It is bottled at 43% ABV and is of natural colour. A bottle will cost £42/ US$56. Tormore 12 Years Old is a combination of ex-bourbon barrels, toasted American oak and ex-Cream sherry seasoned casks. It is released at 46% ABv and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. A bottle will cost £55/ US$74.
Tormore 16 Years Old has been finished in both American and European oak ex-sherry casks. It is bottled at 46.8% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It will retail for £80. US$107. Further releases – 18- and 21 year olds – will add to the range in 2027. They are available via selected specialist UK retailers now, with a wider world release later in the year.
