Maker Notes

Chivas 12 is a classic for a reason. Made up of the finest malt and grain Scotch whiskies, this 12-year-old blended Scotch whisky is our signature status blend – and never fails to delive. Our signature 12-year-old whisky is a blend of iconic Speyside flavours. Over the years our Master Blenders have maintained the classic taste created in the 19th century by the pioneers of blended Scotch whisky, founders John and James Chivas.

THE BLEND

Only the finest malt and grain whiskies lie within Chivas 12. Within the 12-year-old Scotch whiskies that go into our signature blend you’ll find Strathisla single malt, Strathclyde single grain and more to create a whisky that’s remarkably smooth. Distinctive Speyside flavours of crisp orchard fruits, wild heather and sweet honey can be found in every sip of Chivas 12, with a rich and generous taste that’s synonymous with our house style. This classic Scotch taste is perfect for variety of modern drinking styles, whether you prefer it straight, in a highball or creative cocktail.

TASTING NOTES

CASK FINISH: A variety of casks are used for maturation of the 12-year-old Scotch whiskies that make up this blend, leading to a greater depth and character.

NOSE: An aromatic infusion of wild herbs, heather, honey and orchard fruits.

PALATE: Round and creamy with a full, rich taste of honey and ripe pears alongside vanilla, hazelnut and butterscotch notes.

FINISH: Rich and lingering.

About the Brand

The Store begins in 1822 in remote and isolated Livet valley that made it ideal for illicit distillation. This is where our founder George Smith learned his craft. Hidden away from the Customs Officers and soldiers amongst the hills and abundant springs, George had time to distill slowly making a whisky that would soon become world renowned. In August 1822, King George IV arrived in Scotland for a state visit and asked to try a drop of the infamous Glenlivet whisky. An illegal dram it was, but even that didn’t stop the King. 

By the late ‘30’s, The Glenlivet distillery was producing more than 200 gallons a week. This expansion meant our founder would soon need more employees. A few years later, Andrew Ushers & Sons of Edinburgh joined as sales agents, helping spread the word of the whisky.

To this day we continue George Smith's vision to break traditions, set new standards and move things forward; selecting exceptional unique casks, finishes and liquids and delivering unique serves and cocktails to open up the world of single malt to all.

Our Glenlivet 12 Year has been called a lot of things in its time: smooth, fruity, complex, sophisticated, entertaining, classic. The Original Malt Whisky Almanac says: “A first-class malt. One of the most popular malts in the world – deservedly so.” Representing The Glenlivet’s signature style, this classic malt is first matured in traditional oak, before spending time in American oak casks which impart notes of vanilla and gives the whisky it’s distinctive smoothness. The mineral-rich water that comes from Josie’s Well helps form the flavors during mashing and fermentation, whilst the specific height and width of the copper stills add a delicate yet complex character. Keep a bottle on hand for every occasion.

TASTING NOTES

Color: Bright, vibrant gold

Cask: European and American oak

Flavor: Delicately balanced with strong pineapple notes

Finish: Long, creamy, smooth

Nose: Fruity and summery

Palate: Well-balanced and fruity, with strong pineapple notes

Enjoy with Seared scallops

Annual Release | The first batch in a new annual edition

A WHISKY DEFINITIVELY SHAPED BY ME

Distilled in 1989, this rare single malt whisky has been carefully nurtured for three decades in our finest Sherry hogsheads and Bourbon barrels. Bottled at a cask strength of 45.3%, this 30-Year-Old is a celebration of Bowmore’s rich fruity and subtly smoky style. With only 2580 bottles available in 2020, Bowmore 30-Year-Old inspired by the terrain that surrounds the Bowmore Distillery and the legendary landscape that defines our whisky. Capturing the art of time, this whisky takes cues from the detailed markings on driftwood and the refined polish of sea glass, reflecting its eternal connection with Islay.

TASTING NOTES

COLOUR: Burnished gold

NOSE: Heather honey, bananas and peaches, with pineapple, vanilla and butterscotch.

TASTE: Tropical fruits with honey sweetness, subtle peat smoke and hints of eucalyptus

FINISH: Mouth warming, with ripe fruits lingering on the tongue.

ABV: 45.3% - Cask Strength

Tasting Notes

On the palate, the dram exhibits a herbaceous and grassy character, with the development of peat. Its texture is oily and almost waxy, leaving a desire for another sip. The initial flavors of cinnamon, stone fruit, and caramel are followed by a lingering finish that reveals malty, spicy, and peaty notes, with subtle hints of tobacco as it fades away.

The GlenAllachie 8-year-old. Guided by his half-century of experience, Master Distiller Billy Walker has implemented a philosophy of wood innovation and sourced the world’s finest casks to elevate the spirit to its optimum, delivering a truly exceptional single malt.

Created from a combination of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry puncheons along with a small quantity of Virgin Oak casks and red wine barriques, the resulting bronze spirit delivers sherry-matured sophistication.

The GlenAllachie 8 Year Old is bottled at 46%, non chill filtered and natural colour for maximum flavour experience.

TASTING NOTES

COLOUR: Sunset Bronze.

NOSE: Heather honey, butterscotch and cinnamon, followed by waves of ginger, toasted almonds and mocha.

TASTE: Lashings of treacle, dried sultanas and butterscotch, with cinnamon, peppermint and honeycomb.

FLAVOR WORTH CELEBRATING

Old Parr 18 is the smoothest whisky from the Old Parr House. A perfectly crafted blend of our finest aged Scotch whiskies creates an extraordinary taste experience bursting with complex and robust flavors. Every batch of Old Parr 18 is crafted in the heart of Scotland using the rarest and most characterful malts from Cragganmore in its blend. The unique notes of Cragganmore malts reveal themselves extraordinarily, thanks to the low presence of smoke in Old Parr 18’s blend. The result is a complex, full-flavored and yet smooth whisky of unparalleled quality.

Color: Rich Amber

Nose: Aged Wood, Roasted Nuts and Dried Apple

Taste: Fruit, Vanilla and Oak

Finish: Woodland and Peppery Spice

AWARDS

96 SCORE, 2022 ULTIMATE - SPIRITS CHALLENGE - Extraordinary, Ultimate - Recommendation, Great Value

DOUBLE GOLD 2022 - San Francisco - World Spirits Competition

Maker Notes

THE BENROMACH STORY

We are a traditional Speyside distillery owned by a family of whisky-lovers intent on making single malt the right way with true character. We keep things simple. A handful of distillers relying entirely on our expertise and senses to make the finest handmade whisky; Speyside single malt matured exclusively in first-fill casks, with a subtly smoky character. It takes just four ingredients – barley, water, yeast, and a human touch. All of our casks are hand-filled, individually weighed, stenciled by hand, and stowed in our traditional dunnage warehouses. Why? Because at Benromach we believe making whisky by hand guarantees genuine character.

OUR HISTORY

Our family, the Urquharts of Elgin, have always been passionate about whisky. Our ancestor John began laying down casks of single malt at different distilleries in 1915, when everyone else was blending their whiskies. It was the realization of a long-held dream when we acquired Benromach Distillery in 1993. Five years of meticulous refitting of the distillery followed before HRH Prince Charles officially reopened our doors in 1998. Time well spent creating a style of single malt reminiscent of the days before commercial maltings. A time when Speyside distilleries malted their own barley using peat to fuel the fires and impart a distinctive touch of smoke to their whiskies. The resurrection of Benromach Distillery signaled the rediscovery of a lost style of Speyside single malt.

FIRST-FILL BOURBON AND SHERRY CASK Aged 21 Years

Matured in the finest hand-selected first-fill oak casks, our TWENTY ONE YEAR OLD single malt delivers sweet Sherry aromas. Subtle spice, Seville orange and raspberry follow with a soft smoky finish.

After nearly a century of adventures and discoveries, CUTTY SARK has gathered its passion and expertise to create a 12 year old high quality Whisky. Offering a mellow mouthfeel, the expression is balanced by complex notes of spice and fruit.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Alluring, golden, and bright

Nose: Dried fruits and poached pears with caramel and gentle clove spice notes

Palate: Malty and bread notes blend into fresh tropical fruit, rhubarb, ginger pudding, vanilla, and a subtle hint of chocolate

Finish: Citrus fading to a wood spice and gentle sea salt sensation on the lips

Elaborated With Commitment And Precision

The expression is matured over 12 years in carefully selected Bourbon and Sherry Casks. Then the Whisky goes through a marrying process. Allowing it to be filtered at a higher temperature to retain smooth flavors.

“Aged for 12 years in hand selected oak casks and with notes of dried and tropical fruits, spice, cloves, ginger, and a subtle hint of sea salt, CUTTY SARK 12 YO Blended Scotch Whisky pays tribute to the ship’s many anchor points and its long, proud maritime history.

”Stephen Woodcock, Master Blender

A Statutory And Audacious Whisky

“The extra age and body are carried gracefully in a well-balanced blend that shows an​ extra dimension to CUTTY SARK Original. A welcome addition to the range and one that will appeal to drinkers looking for the ‘sweet spot’ of quality and value. Works well as a stand-alone dram or in mixed serves

“Ian Buxton​​, Whisky Expert

Legacy Series: Chapter 3

Inspired by Sir Arthur John Tedder – The Exciseman stationed at Glengoyne defining the rules of Scotch whisky, inspired by our distillery. March 2nd 1908 – He was first witness at the Royal Commission on Whiskey* and other potable spirits. A royal commission to determine the very concept of what whisky was. On one side was the purists who only thought Pot Still whisky was whisky and on the other side Blenders who thought grain and malt whisky combined was whisky. The Scots and the blenders won the day after 37 sittings; This was seen as the sensible outcome. Blends could still be called Whisky and called Scotch if distilled in Scotland.

We will use this exceptional whisky to celebrate Tedder’s influence in defining what should make a great Scotch during his time stationed at Glengoyne – defining the rules to which we still distil to this day. Tedder would be proud of this exceptional whisky – bottled using some of the very finest American oak sherry casks in our Glengoyne warehouses – and we thank him as the attention to detail and his exacting standards not only creates rules the whole industry follows today, but it inspired the people of Glengoyne to constantly pursue perfection, and helping to create the Unhurried Glengoyne Way.

TASTING NOTES

APPEARANCE: Deep Gold

NOSE: On the nose, signature Glengoyne deep sherry notes which accompany our distinctive cinnamon sticks and vanilla aromas.  A very pleasing combination of mixed berry jam and apple strudel intertwine revealing some pear. 

PALATE: On the palate, a rich luxurious body that’s satisfyingly chewy with warm boozy raisins combining with spiced buns slowly giving way to tarte tatin and smooth cream sherry. 

FINISH: The finish is light and fruity, which deepens with hints of pineapple, dried fruits, dark chocolate and lingering spice finish are the aromatic ‘legacy’ of this wonderful dram before you reach for the bottle and go back for more.

Aberfeldy Distillery is nestled within a lush valley in the foothills of the Central Highlands of Scotland. Known as the ‘Golden Dram’, the distillery’s water source is the famous Pitilie Burn, renowned locally for its water quality and famed for its deposits of alluvial gold. Time honored techniques, such as longer fermentation, conjure rare honeyed notes key to the signature sweetness of Aberfeldy’s malts.

The "Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey" is Scented with spices and honeyed plump fruits. Syrupy, with lots of vanilla and fudge, with a whisper of smoke on the finish.

Our 25 year old is a complex and elegant Campbeltown single malt Scotch whisky. Bottled at 48.8%, this full-bodied whisky offers a fruity and sweet character with crisp coastal notes and hints of sea spray. Gently matured in our finest American oak barrels before being married in first-fill bourbon casks before bottling. The signature nose has hints of vanilla oak interwoven with subtle notes of sea spray and spicy aromatic fruits. Bottled at 48.8% with no added color or chill-filtration, as nature intended.

Appearance: Natural color

Age: 25 Years

Filtration: Non-chill filtered

TASTING NOTES

NOSE: Bracing Atlantic breeze gives strong maritime influence.

TASTE: Coastal air, red apple and tangy orange peel with vanilla syrup and caramel sweetness.

FINISH: Long lingering sea salt with a spicy note of ground ginger.

Winner of the Best in Show whisky at San Francisco World Spirit Competition 2021

FROM BURNS TO BARLEY

Lochlea was a cattle farm when we originally acquired it in 2006. Extending some 222 acres, we realised that for a farm of that size to be viable we needed to do something very different. 
Barley had historically been grown on the farm land, largely as livestock feed, so in 2015 we embarked on an experiment, growing 50 acres of malting barley. 
Working away quietly, learning from our (not too frequent) mistakes, exploring the possibilities and making contacts in the malting industry gave us the confidence to make a big decision: we’d develop and operate a single malt distillery here at Lochlea.
Construction got underway in 2017, converting the former piggery, byre and midden in the heart of the farm steading into the distillery, and repurposing the cattle sheds into bonded warehouses. We secured all our licences in 2018, and the distillery was commissioned in August 2018.
Since then, we have been growing our barley, and the distillery team have been skillfully and patiently making spirit. 
The land at Lochlea is important, and not just to the distinctive taste of our whisky. This was the land that Robert Burns tended when he lived at Lochlea Farm, inspiring his thinking and development as a poet. Burns toiled the same soil that we are privileged to grow our malting barley in today.

WHISKY IS HERE

Our single malt scotch whisky has been a labour of love for years. We’re not cutting any corners here. Everything we do, from our wooden washbacks to our on-site racked warehouse, is focused on producing the highest quality spirit possible. Forget your preconceptions about Lowland whisky, Lochlea is different. Using our own barley unique to Lochlea, nurturing a long fermentation and being meticulous with our cut points creates a new make bursting with orchard fruit and elegant beyond its years.

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

As an independent family-owned distillery - now a rare thing in our industry - we can approach our small-batch whisky making in an innovative, flexible and responsive way, without the constraints of a large corporate structure. By using our own barley grown on the farm and our on-site water source, we have full traceability over the ingredients going into our process, allowing us a higher level of quality control and creating a flavour profile unique to Lochlea. Our location offers the best of both worlds. Nestled in the heart of Ayrshire, we have beautiful rolling hills all around, yet are easily accessible from many of the major towns and cities in Scotland. Head north, and you’re in Glasgow in 30 minutes, south west and several scenic seaside towns along the coast. We are also the only distillery in the world who can rightfully claim that Robert Burns himself lived and worked here. He spent his formative years from 1777-1784 at Lochlea, and we are proud to work those same fields today 240 years on.

This glorious golden malt has been matured for over eleven years in American Oak Barrels, before being transferred into expertly selected Madeira Barriques which previously held wine made from Malvasia grapes. The result is a unique twist on the classic GlenAllachie style, with the perfect balance of sweet and spice.

Bottled at 48%, with no added colouring and unchilfiltered for flavour. From Batch 3 of The GlenAllachie Wood Finish Range.

TASTING NOTES

COLOUR: Orange Gold.

NOSE: Waves of vanilla, apricots and plantains, with almonds, peaches and pineapple.

TASTE: Vanilla, treacle, apricots and peaches, fused with almonds, grapefruit and pineapple.

The first decade of a collection celebrating The Six Decades of Bond.

DESCRIPTION

The collection is an exhibition of the most iconic moments across the Six Decades of Bond; each decade encapsulated on its own packaging. Bringing to life the innovations and inventions of James Bond across the years, the packaging has been colour washed with one of the trending colours of the decade it represents.

DECADE I

The 1960s was a singular decade for James Bond. The debut of the suave spy icon onto the silver screen in 1962 was embodied by the inimitable Sean Connery, who went on to appear in six films across the next ten years. Resting only when George Lazenby starred in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969, Sir Sean was to roar back in triumph in 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever. 

The pack design includes sketches from Goldfinger (1964), You Only Live Twice (1967) where Little Nellie is in a combat sequence, and the dummy jet pack worn by Bond in Thunderball (1965).

ABOUT THE RELEASE

This exceptional single malt whisky has been created by The Macallan Master Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell to reflect the character of James Bond. A force of nature defined by his Scottish heritage, he carries himself with modesty and humility. 

Like James Bond, the expression exudes a sense of style and maturity which has evolved over the years. The whisky is consistent within all six bottles.

NOSE: Fresh and vibrant notes of lemon and lime, a sprinkle of sherbet, leading into a sweet vanilla and coconut, with a hint of dried fig and raisin.

PALATE: Orange zest and fizzy sherbet with a lemon freshness, gentle oak and subtle ginger spice, leading into a deep dark chocolate, figs and baked apple tart with a honey drizzle.

FINISH: Sweet and long with complexed layers.

COLOUR: Suisse (Swiss) gold

WHISKY MAKER: Kirsteen Campbell

THE BOND ARCHIVE

The distinct range tells the story of innovation over 60 years and the pioneering character attributes of James Bond and The Macallan. Bond is a modern innovator and man of perennial evolution. The Bond films have become closely associated with ingenious 007 gadgets that are used on Bond’s mission to deliver for the greater good; and have become a hallmark of the franchise’s popularity. 

Decade I explores the Bond innovations and archives of the 1960s. The pack design features exclusive original sketches including the Little Nellie combat sequence storyboard from You Only Live Twice (1967), the Interior Fort Knox Set Concept and Laser Room set design from Goldfinger (1964), and a technical drawing of the dummy jet pack worn by Bond in Thunderball (1965). The working prototype of the jet pack worn by Bond for Thunderball,  ‘Bell Rocket Belt’ was used in the opening title’s flying sequences, flown by test pilot Bill Suitor, and the Bond art department created an exact replica for Connery to wear.

Lead Whiskymaker: James Saxon

Littered with mosaics and ruined ancient temples, the island of Delos embodies the ideal of a beautiful, classical sanctuary. It is the perfect name for a whisky that reimagines Asyla using antique, rarefied components. Malt whiskies from the Glen Elgin, Imperial and Miltonduff distilleries – all from American oak barrels – bring enticing exotic fruit and vanilla notes while lush and fragrant grain whisky preserves the delicate mouthfeel that was Asyla's hallmark.

Reimagining Asyla – our own Extinct Blend

Our Extinct Blends Quartet takes inspiration from vanished characters and flavours, reappraising four very different expressions of blended Scotch, using some of our most precious parcels of whisky.

First created in 2001, Asyla was the ethereally beautiful cornerstone of our core range until its retirement in 2018. With Delos, we have focused on capturing Asyla's vibrancy and soothing sweetness, turning to older stocks to achieve this.

THE DEACON

In Scots, a “Deacon” is an adept and proficient master tradesman. The expert distillers behind our Scotch fit the name perfectly: The Deacon is an homage to master craftspeople, whatever their trade may be.

THE DRAM

THE DEACON blend is a masterful blend of both smoky Speyside and peaty Islay malt whiskies, making it a complex, rich, and smoky dram. In our blend, the single malts from Islay have a characteristic peaty smoke flavour, while the single malts from the mainland have a bonfire-like smoke character. A nose of charred orange, sweet malty biscuits and woodsmoke gives way to juicy orange, echoing the nose, on the palate, delicate spice, and tangy peat. The finish is both sweet and smoky, long, and smooth.

THE VESSEL

Traditional copper pot stills used in our distillation process lend their iconic shine to The Deacon’s stunning bottle, which looks like nothing else on the shelf or back bar, covered in an ornate pattern and stamped with our iconic mascot.

A SCOTCH LIKE NO OTHER

The Deacon is the most unconventional Scotch you'll ever experience. A one-of-a-kind blend that defies traditional Scotch conventions, featuring a bold and complex flavor profile and unique design sure to awaken your senses. A smooth and rich blended whisky that is perfect for those who like to push beyond the horizon.

This beautifully complex 30 years old single malt is a tale of two worlds. With respect for the past and a passion for the future, our 30 years old single malt brings together the old and the new. In 2019, when the distillery met its new owners, some of our precious 30 years old spirit was taken and filled into new, specially selected European Oak sherry casks where it continued its maturation for a further year. It was then carefully blended with spirit that had slumbered for all three decades in the original wood. New ownership, new Whisky Maker, new wood, 30 years old casks and aged spirit all combine to create this luxuriant single malt.

A NEW ADDITION INSPIRED BY OUR UNIQUE LANDSCAPE

The beautiful, rugged surroundings of our distillery have inspired smoke-filled aromas and flavours found in The Glenturret 7 Years Old Peat Smoked. American oak sherry seasoned casks build the confectionery sweetness from the new make spirit whilst delicate refill casks deliver the abundant smoky notes. Akin to the comforting shelter from a warm highland bothy on the fresh Loch Turret hills, the whisky’s peated character heightens and amplifies from the outside in.

WHISKY MAKER'S TASTING NOTES

SMOKE drifts in, FRUITS appear, pleasant and warming. CANDY SWEETNESS lingers and SOFT MELLOW PEAT finishes.

The Glenturret Triple Wood is a sweet and spicy yet soft whisky that builds on the distinctive fruity flavours of our new make spirit. Matured in American and European oak sherry seasoned casks alongside Bourbon barrels. The three different cask styles have been thoughtfully combined to create a whisky with an alluring golden colour and a delightful subtle character.

WHISKY MAKER'S TASTING NOTES
VIBRANT spices. PEACHES with a dash of CINNAMON and VANILLA meet with CREAMY WOOD notes leading to a SWEET OAKY FINISH.