Maverick Drinks Announces the Darkest of Whiskies
UK Drinks Distributor Maverick Drinks is proud to announce the launch of Darkness! – a range of exceedingly dark single malt and single grain whiskies with an enormously punchy, unashamedly brazen character.
These so-called “sherry monsters” are sourced from Scotland’s top distilleries and are gloriously dark in colour thanks to the use of small, specially crafted sherry casks for finishing. The range is the first of its kind.
The whiskies in the Darkness! range attain their deep, dark colour from a 3-month finish in specially coopered 50-litre first-fill sherry casks.
The casks used to make Darkness! previously held some of Spain’s top sherries, including Pedro Ximénez – the sticky, sweet dessert sherry, and Oloroso – the semi-dry, nutty delicacy. These casks bring a deep colour as well as wonderful sherry flavours such as Christmas Cake, rich spice, prunes, raisins and dates. The small size of the casks allows more wood contact with the whisky, increasing both dark colour and rich flavour dramatically.
The Darkness! range includes spirit from Scotland’s most prestigious distilleries. Notable bottlings include the delectable 21-year-old Ardbeg, finished in Oloroso sherry casks, a 16-year-old Clynelish, and a sublime Macallan finished in a Pedro Ximénez cask.
The range doesn’t aim for sophistication, but instead is made up of big, bold “sherry monsters”.
The stunning labels for Darkness! are beautifully foiled and embossed, and were hand-illustrated by Tom Lane – designer of the very popular Bicycle Playing Cards, as well as the artwork for the accompanying book for Heston Blumenthal’s Fantastical Feasts.
The first two expressions to be released are A 15 year old Benrinnes and a 15 yo Macallan:
Darkness! Benrinnes 15 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish – 50 cl – 52.9% abv
RRP £59.95
Official tasting notes:
Nose: Some fresh dark berries support dried fruit and pepper, with touches of kiwi, dried toast and toffees as well as orchard fruit and a little citrus zing.
Palate: Apricot jam, Christmas cake and brandy butter – both rich and sweet. Drying Sherry mouthfeel.
Finish: Sweet, juicier fruit cake with walnut and Champagne.
Darkness! Macallan 15 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish – 50 cl – 52.3% abv
RRP £109.95
Official tasting notes:
Nose: Fig rolls and honeyed fruit salad, dry raisins, a hint of Campino strawberry cream sweets and Weetabix covered in sugar.
Palate: Decent grip with more Weetabix, blackberry, fresh apricot, dates, hazelnut and slices of red apple.
Finish: Long with fragrant fruit, sultana, frangipane, a little fino Sherry and lingering dark caramel.
Available soon from all good retailers, and from Master of Malt Friday 9th May 2014.
ABERLOUR LAUNCHES WORLD’S FIRST OUTDOOR WHISKY ART GALLERY
Stunning outdoor photography exhibition by former European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, David Maitland, reveals the enigma behind the whisky journey.
Premium single malt Scotch whisky brand Aberlour has today announced the opening of the world’s first outdoor whisky art gallery; a unique photography exhibition set in the heart of the Scottish countryside, which brilliantly captures the individual elements that together result in one of Scotland’s most famous exports.
Coinciding with the opening of Scotland’s ‘Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival’ today (1st – 5th May), this new, permanent exhibition – which is free-of-charge to all visitors – features the world-first series of stunning super-macro images, unveiled earlier this year by Aberlour. The photos reveal the hidden beauty of Aberlour’s whisky journey, from the pink granite that creates the softness of the water used in the distillation process, to the special oak cask in which the spirit is transformed.
These images, which have never before been put on display, were captured by David Maitland, one of the world’s foremost specialist super-macro photographers. Super-macro photography allows the subject to be captured closer than ever before and, in this unique outdoor gallery, results in an eye-catching portfolio of unusually intricate images. Among these striking visuals are those which delve inside a grain of barley, bring to life the hidden pattern of the oak sherry cask and showcase the kaleidoscopic patterns of the crystalline structure of the spirit itself.
Dr David Maitland, winner of the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2008, said: “I am so pleased that the public can enjoy these images in the natural surrounding from which they were inspired, right in the heart of Scotland’s single malt region. The whisky journey is one that relies on nature and none more so than Aberlour, from the spring water used in the distillation process, to the sherry casks in which the whisky is aged. These images bring all of these elements to life in a way that I have not seen done before and I hope will be enjoyed by all who see them.”
Nikki Burgess, Global Brand Director for Aberlour, said: “David’s photos have brilliantly captured the coming together of the natural elements and the expert craftsmanship of our distillers, while also maintaining the enigma behind the award-winning taste of Aberlour.
“To show the photography in the stunning setting of the distillery and its surroundings is a real treat for visitors to the area and, to see the elements of whisky in super-macro detail provides an insight into the intricacy and craft which go towards developing a premium single malt Scotch whisky.”
The outdoor whisky gallery can be found at the Aberlour Distillery in the heart of Scotland’s Speyside region, halfway between Inverness and Aberdeen. The gallery is situated along a stunning countryside walk which takes in some of Scotland’s magnificent landmarks, including the Linn Falls and the Burn’s Path. It is open now and is free-of-charge to all visitors to the area. Additional whisky tours of the Aberlour Distillery can be booked via the website.
KILCHOMAN DISTILLERY RELEASES 4TH LIMITED EDITION 100% ISLAY
Independent farm distillery, Kilchoman, is releasing its 4th limited edition 100% Islay whisky on Monday (12 May). Forty first-fill bourbon barrels were selected, 32 five year old and eight four-year-old for the limited edition bottling which will be available worldwide, through existing distributors and online.
The 100% Islay whisky range is unique. It is produced from barley grown at the distillery, and every step of the production is completed onsite so it is literally 100% Islay from barley to bottling. Previous editions have been awarded 2013 IWSC bronze, Spirits Business Gold and IWC Silver.
The 100% Islay is only lightly peated compared to the more heavily peated Kilchoman Machir Bay and Loch Gorm expressions.
Anthony Wills, managing director of Kilchoman, said: “The 100% Islay range is something we are very proud of and we hope that people will enjoy the latest offering. It is very exciting to be able to offer a product which is created 100% on Islay.”
“The 4th edition represents a significant development in the maturity of our 100% Islay range,” commented John MacLellan, distillery manager. “Its balance and complexity far surpassed our expectations.”
The 4th Edition of 100% Islay is non chill-filtered and is natural colour. Bottled at 50% ABV it will be available from specialist spirits retailers and www.kilchomandistillery.com priced at a RRP of £64.99.
Founded in 2005, Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and the first distillery to be built on Islay for 125 years. A working farm distillery, it is one of only a handful of distilleries still practising floor malting. Kilchoman also grows a portion of its barley at the distillery and completes all parts of the production process, from barley to bottling on the island.