Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our WFE email. Inbox features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Here is this week’s whisky news …
Buffalo Trace
The Kentucky-based whiskey distillery of Buffalo Trace has announced the latest addition to Experimental Collection series of bottlings – the Buffalo Trace Distilled From Grain & Hops. The whiskey is the 26th expression launched in to the innovative series.
The latest bottling is the brainchild of Harlen Wheatley, the Master Distiller at Buffalo Trace, who decided to infuse new make spirit with two varieties of hops – Saaz from the Czech Republic and Zynthos from America. This was then redistilled and matured in charred American white oak barrels for 11 years and seven months.
The distillery boasts more than 30,000 experimental barrels of whiskey maturing in their warehouses. Each of the barrels has unique characteristics and experimental changes in the mash bill, types of wood andbarrel toasts, or a combination of all three. The Buffalo Trace Distilled From Grain & Hops is bottled at 45% ABV (90 Proof) and is available now from the distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky and selected specialist retailers. A bottle will cost US$47.
Ladyburn
Whisky company William Grant & Sons has released an extremely rare set of whiskies, which has seen them collaborate with Korean artist Ha Chong-Hyun. The Ladyburn Ha Chong-Hyun Edition sees some of the last remaining stocks bottled from the long-silent Lowland distillery of Ladyburn. William Grant operated the distillery in Girvan, Ayrshire for just nine years between 1966 and 1975.
The bespoke labels were designed by artist Chong-Hyun, whose early experimentalism and material exploration helped shape the South Korean art scene in the 1970s. He is particularly known for the ‘bae-ap-bub’ technique, which applies paint to the back of coarse hemp and pushes it through to the front. This the technique used in the Ladyburn project.
The 10-bottle collection was drawn from just one single re-fill American oak ex-bourbon cask (Cask #3219). This has yielded just 100 bottles, which has resulted in 10x 10-bottle sets only. The cask was distilled and filled in May 1973. The collection has been bottled at the natural cask strength of 45.4% ABV and is available to William Grant & Sons private client list only. The 10-bottle set will cost US$220,000/ £176,500.
The Macallan
The popular Speyside distillery of The Macallan has created a new section within The Macallan Society to help enhance its members’ experience of the brand. The Macallan Academy is designed to deepen whisky knowledge, bring the brand to life for members and discover the processes, people and partnerships that have shaped The Macallan over the past 200 years. The Macallan Academy will also offer exclusive behind-the-scenes content and curated whisky serves and cocktails to elevate the brand experience. To join The Macallan Academy – click here.
The Whisky Exchange
For Valentine’s Day this year, retailer The Whisky Exchange are running an initiative to get more people to think about whisky as a gift. The Blind Date With A Whisky Bottle campaign has seen staff at the retailer chose six different whiskies, each with a different flavour profile, which they have lowered the price for and hidden the identity.
The six categories to tempt you are Fresh Fruit & Vanilla, Cherry & Chocolate, Rich Fruit & Spice, Dried Fruit & Nut, Peat & Fruit and Rich & Peaty. Simply choose the the one that appeals and purchase your ‘lucky dip’. You may discover a new favourite. All are priced at £69.
