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…
Benromach
The independently-owned Speyside distillery of Benromach has launched one of its oldest ever single malts – the rare Benromach 50 years old. The whisky has laid in the distillery’s warehouses since the early-1970s and is released at the natural cask strength of 54.6% ABV.
The rare whisky is presented in a handcrafted and handblown glass decanter created by Highland hot glass studio Glasstorm. This includes battuto, which is a highly skilled technique that sees the glass hand-sculpted by the glassmaker. It means that each decanter is unique. There are just 248 decanters available and they will be available in selected markets worldwide. A bottle will cost £20,000/ US$26,290.
Fettercairn
The Highland distillery of Fettercairn has announced the third bottling of its annual Scottish Oak Programme release – the Fettercairn 18 years old Scottish Oak Finish. The bottling, which was first released in 2022, is initially matured in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels before a finishing period in casks made from responsibly-sourced native Scottish oak. The 2024 Edition is bottled at 46.8% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The new whisky will be available from October in the UK and selected world markets, with a bottle costing £212.
“The Scottish Oak Programme is one of my proudest achievements and the annual release of the Fettercairn 18 year old is a regular reminder of the journey our team has gone through so far. We hope more people experience how truly special Scottish oak is and the incredible flavours it can impart to Scotch whisky.”
Gregg Glass | Master Whisky Maker at Fettercairn.
Nc’ nean
The west Highland craft distillery of Nc’ nean has announced its latest limited edition organic single malt – the Nc’ nean Huntress Orchard Cobbler. Unusually, the distillery produces two different spirits – one designed for shorter maturation and release at younger age, and one for longer maturation and older bottling. This release features spirit from the time when they switched from one to the next, where cut points are adjusted on the still. This allows fruitier esters to develop in the spirit.
The Nc’ nean Huntress Orchard Cobbler is bottled at 48.5% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It will be available in the UK and eight US states including Delaware, Maryland, Massachussets, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington. A bottle will cost £80/ US$105.
“This whisky perfectly encapsulates our creativity, innovation, and unique approach to whisky. It is crafted from the transitional weeks between our two recipes, resulting in this wonderfully fruity spirit. This unplanned outcome highlights the magic of experimentation and the beauty of doing things differently.”
Annabel Thomas | Founder & CEO of Nc’ nean.
Redbreast
The Irish single pot still brand of Redbreast has announced a new age statement that will permanently join its core range – the Redbreast 18 years old. It represents the first ever bottling of this age by the brand and has already won several awards at global spirits competitions. The new expression is triple distilled and uses malted and unmalted barley. It features an intriguing four-cask maturation using a combination of ex-bourbon, ex-Oloroso and ex-cream sherries, and ex-Ruby Port casks.
The Redbreast 18 years old has been created by Dave McCabe, the Master Blender for Redbreast, and is bottled at 46% ABV. It is available via www.redbreastwhiskey.com and in numerous world markets including Australia, Canada, Central Europe, Ireland, Scandanavia, Taiwan, the UK and the USA. A bottle will cost €225/ US$249/ £189.
Wild Turkey
The American bourbon brand of Wild Turkey has released a special commemorative whiskey to celebrate the remarkable career of Jimmy Russell, the long-serving Master Distiller. This year marks the 70th anniversary since Russell began working at the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky on September 10 1954. Hi remarkable career includes establishing Wild Turkey as a global brand and being inducted into the Bourbon Hall of Fame.
The Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon features whiskeys of 8- and 9-years of age that were hand-selected by son Eddie Russell and grandson Bruce Russell, who both work at the distillery in senior positions, from Jimmy’s favourite rickhouses. It is bottled at 101 Proof (50.5% ABV) and the bottle features Russell’s signature. The bourbon is available in the USA and selected international markets in limited numbers. A bottle will cost US$50.
