Quite a few recent launches of new whiskies, and most are rather interesting stuff!
Auchentoshan Launches Silveroak 1990 Exclusively for Travel Retail
Just not so long ago, I reviewed an older batch of this , and it was lovely (check out my notes).
This edition is a 22 years old, and bottled at a slightly lower ABV of 50.9%.
Auchentoshan, Scotland’s only triple distilled Single Malt Scotch Whisky, will add to its travel retail range with a new limited edition release of the Auchentoshan Silveroak 1990. Following on from the success of the first batch of Silveroak, this limited second release of the 1990 vintage has been matured for an additional year making it 22-years-old. Therefore the second release of the Auchentoshan Silveroak expression demonstrates the increase in complexity associated with longer maturation.
Established in 1823, Auchentoshan triple distils every drop meaning the spirit produced reaches 81.5% ABV, significantly higher than most distilleries in Scotland. The lightness of the liquid enables it to absorb every characteristic it is exposed to in the cask. It is this smooth distillate paired with the carefully selected oak casks that gives Auchentoshan an unmistakably light and fruity flavour. The Auchentoshan Silveroak is no exception to this rule.
Auchentoshan Master Blender Rachel Barrie says “Having spent an additional year maturing in fine North American bourbon and Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, the 2013 bottling of Auchentoshan Silveroak reveals additional complexity which lifts the taste with silky oak, mint and almonds.”
Boasting the same classically modern livery as its peers in the Auchentoshan Travel Retail range, the new Silveroak 1990 carton is masculine yet elegant. As with the liquid inside, the oak casks are the stars of the show on the pack. The North American bourbon and Spanish Oloroso sherry casks are pictured on three sides of the carton, reflecting how the flavours from the sweet bourbon oak perfectly compliment that of the rich Oloroso sherry.
There will be 300 8.4ltr cases of Auchentoshan Silveroak 1990 available globally in a range of international airports priced at £90.00 with an ABV of 50.9%.
SPECIALITY DRINKS LTD RELEASE GLENFARCLAS 1953 TO COMMEMORATE THE QUEEN’S CORONATION
Now this is a dram i suspect none of us will be able to buy (or sample), but it’s fun news anyways. 
Speciality Drinks Ltd will launch their latest bottling today. A very special crystal decanter filled with a single cask 1953 vintage Glenfarclas Single Malt Whisky, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne upon the death of her father, King George VI, on 6th February 1952, and was proclaimed Queen shortly thereafter. As tradition dictated that an appropriate period of mourning should be observed for the preceding sovereign, the coronation was held more than a year later on 2nd June 1953.
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of this historic occasion, we are proud to introduce The Coronation Decanter. With just 60 specially commissioned crystal decanters being released, this is an exceptional, exclusive bottling that reflects the importance of The Queen’s Coronation.
The outstanding whisky has been matured in a single sherry butt at the distillery in Ballindalloch for almost six full decades and has been bottled at its natural strength. Only the natural elements of air, wood and time have influenced the development of its magnificent flavour profile.
Connoisseurs of fine whisky will recognise the rarity of any single malt reaching such a great age; for the whisky to still be in such amazing condition is little short of miraculous. This remarkable sherry cask has yielded a whisky of unsurpassed quality, with an exquisitely refined array of rich and complex flavours.
Sukhinder Singh, Director of Speciality Drinks, says: “We are delighted to launch The Coronation Decanter to celebrate The Queen’s 60th regal anniversary. This whisky really is exceptional, it reminds me of a citrus, spiced Christmas pudding. The depth and range of flavour in this whisky really is extremely rare for its age and has only been achieved on few occasions. We have presented it in a beautiful crystal decanter that we had specially crafted solely for this one-off release. As there are only 60 bottles being produced, this is not only a fantastic investment opportunity for the avid collectors and enthusiasts but more importantly, it is a Single Malt the connoisseurs from around the world will truly appreciate.”
The Coronation Decanter is available to buy exclusively from The Whisky Exchange (www.thewhiskyexchange.com) with an RRP of £6000. It is not unjust to say that this is extraordinary value for a Single Malt of such a great age.
Highland park to release 3 new expressions in the “warriors” series
Highland Park, the multi award-winning single malt whisky, is set to unleash the second battalion from its Global Travel Retail army with the release of the final three expressions from The Warrior Series.
Previously exclusive to European Travel Retail, the latest additions to The Warrior Series will be released through Global Travel Retail channels from early September. Sigurd, the fourth in this range of single malt whiskies, will be unleashed first, closely followed into battle by Ragnvald and when Thorfinn hits the shelves in October the army of Warriors will be complete.
The six whiskies, which make up the series, are driven collectively by their flavour, allowing Highland Park to take the palate on a taste journey like no other. While the final three additions continue to offer a spectrum of flavour grounded in Highland Park’s gently smoky but surprisingly sweet character, the taste journey has been amplified by the increasing quantity of European oak sherry seasoned casks. This allows Sigurd, Ragnvald and Thorfinn to deliver more complex, richer and sweeter flavours.
It is not only the flavour profile that becomes richer and more dramatic, the style of the packaging reflects the specific casks used in each expression and the scarcity and rarity of the whisky. Both Sigurd and Ragnvald are presented in decorative wooded boxes, while Thorfinn comes housed in a striking piano black box with distinctive gold detailing.
The successful launch of the first three Warrior expressions, Einar, Svein and Harald, earlier in the year saw all three bottlings win Gold at the Scotch Whisky Masters Awards 2013. The trio also collected a number of medals at the 6th International Wine & Spirits Competition, with Svein taking a coveted Gold medal and Harald and Einar both receiving Silver Outstanding awards.
Commenting on new additions to The Warrior Series, Gerry Tosh, Global Marketing Manager, said, “The initial introduction of The Warrior Series has been extremely positive and the recent accolades highlight just how strong the individual whiskies are. We’re confident that the final three expressions in the series will further bolster Highland Park’s position in the travel retail arena, this eye catching collection not only looks spectacular but we are confident that the whisky will continue to grow our award winning reputation.”
Glen Williams, Managing Director Maxxium Travel Retail, said: “The Warrior Series has been one of Maxxium’s most successful travel retail launches ever and has already exceeded our own expectations. Completing the range is very exciting as we now have the opportunity to replicate this success with the new expressions.”
The second coming of The Warrior Series comprises:
Sigurd – considered amongst the strongest and most courageous warriors, and ultimately one of the most feared Viking earls featured in the Orkneyinga Saga.
Ragnvald – arguably the most famous and pioneering of all Vikings to enter unchartered waters.
Nephew of Earl Magnus, Ragnvald was most at home aboard his longship undertaking his many great expeditions throughout the Middle East and even Asia.
Thorfinn was a man of much power and influence, who at one stage controlled the whole of the Orkney Islands. The Orkneyinga Saga described him as a great chief, the tallest and strongest of men whose remains are buried in St Magnus Cathedral on Orkney.
Pricing info:
SIGURD – €150
ABV: 43%
RAGNVALD – €400
ABV: 44.6%
THORFINN – €1,000
ABV: 45.1%
BOWMORE LAUNCHES THE DEVIL’S CASKS
Bowmore, Islay’s first Single Malt Scotch whisky, has announced the launch of The Devil’s Casks – a devilishly delicious dram which has been matured exclusively – and unusually – for 10 years in the finest first fill sherry casks. This non chill-filtered, small batch release is bursting with Bowmore’s hot and fiery characteristics, deep mahogany colour and rich fruitcake flavour.
Created to celebrate one of Islay’s most famous tales – a story shrouded in myth and legend – 6,000 bottles of The Devil’s Casks will be released in October, just in time for Halloween. The story goes that the Devil himself was spotted in the round church of Bowmore and chased by local congregation down into the No. 1 vaults at the Bowmore distillery. Here, as the warehousemen were filling casks and loading them aboard the paddle steamer (The Maid of Islay) the devil was lost. It is believed he escaped in a cask of Bowmore bound for the mainland.
The devil is in the detail when it comes to packaging for this delectable treat – the perfect addition to any whisky connoisseur’s collection. A deep red box tells the story of the legend alongside smoke illustrations and a Devil’s pitchfork suggesting the Devil himself isn’t far away!
Bowmore’s Master of Malts Iain McCallum: “Ten year’s maturation in first fill sherry casks has brought out Bowmore’s fiery characteristics. The notes in this dram are hot and seductive. This small batch release is quite simply, devilishly good!”
540 bottles of the Devil’s Casks has been released in the UK priced at £50.99 RRP, 56.9% ABV.Bowmore The Devil’s Casks is available from October.
LAGAVULIN DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF THIS YEAR’S SPECIAL BOTTLING FOR THE LAGAVULIN ISLAY JAZZ FESTIVAL
A special limited-edition bottling of Lagavulin™ single malt Scotch whisky will again be available at this year’s Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival ( #LagavulinJazz ), which starts on Friday 13 September with a concert in the Malt Mill at Lagavulin distillery by the master of American Stride piano, Stephanie Trick.
The third in this series of releases, the 2013 bottling comes in an edition of 1,500 individually numbered bottles and drawn from hand-selected Sherry Butts filled on 19 January 1995. It is bottled at an ABV of 51.9%.
“We’re delighted to announce our third Jazz Festival bottling” said Nick Morgan, Diageo’s Head of Whisky Outreach. “The first two have been of quite exceptional quality, and this year we’ve increased the quantity to ensure that it can be enjoyed by visitors who come from all over the world to enjoy the Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival, and those who follow.”
The neck labelling continues the jazz theme of previous editions, again featuring a piano keyboard.
Bottles will be available to personal visitors only at Lagavulin distillery (limit of two bottles per customer) at a UK RRSP of £99.