Introducing the Lagavulin Offerman Edition 11 Year Rum Cask Finish Release 2024 Scotch Whisky, a distinct and limited offering that marries the renowned Lagavulin character with a unique twist. Aged for 11 years and finished in rum casks, this expression embodies the essence of craftsmanship and innovation. With its rich, smoky flavors complemented by the subtle sweetness from the rum casks, this release promises a truly memorable tasting experience. Crafted in collaboration with actor Nick Offerman, known for his affinity for Lagavulin, this release is a celebration of both tradition and creativity. Seize the opportunity to savor this exceptional whisky and indulge in its complexity and depth.

PRODUCT DETAILS

2006 Lagavulin double-matured in ex-bodega Pedro Ximenez cask wood for an intense, raisiny sweetness that marries beautifully with the smoky power of the regular release to create a massive, rich tasting power-house of a malt. Lagavulin Distillers Edition won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2008, 2009 and 2011. It also won International Wine and Spirit Competition Gold in 1999 (Trophy), 2003, 2006 (Best in Class), 2007 (Two Trophies & Best in Class), 2008 (Best in Class), 2009 (Trophy & Best in Class), 2010 and 2012. It took Gold at the International Spirit Competition in 2004 (Trophy) 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010. At Scotch Whisky Masters it won a Master in 2008 and 2010, and Gold in 2009, 2011 and 2013. And last but not least, it was judged Best Islay (Peated) Single Malt & Best Islay (Peated) Vintage Single Malt Scotch Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards in 2007 and Best Islay Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky no age statement there in 2008.

TASTING NOTES

NOSE: Satisfying and enticing; intense peat, vanilla. A raisiny sweetness checks the smoke. Crisp, roasty malt.

PALATE: Sweet and luscious; clear malt, smoke fills the mouth. Very salty tang; coffee, vanilla, a glimmer of fruit.

FINISH: Incredibly long, even for Islay. Fruit, peat, and long-lasting oak. Very engaging and enjoyable.

Nestled 1,000 feet high in Scotland's Monadhliath Mountains, Tomatin Distillery, founded in the 15th century, is a pinnacle of Scottish heritage. The Tomatin 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, crafted from plump Scottish barley, undergoes a meticulous process overseen by Master Distiller Douglas Campbell, with over 50 years at Tomatin. Distilled twice in unique copper-pot stills, the whisky matures for 15 years in ex-bourbon casks before an 18-month finish in Spanish oak casks from Oloroso Sherry. Notable accolades include the 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold Medal and the 2013 World Whiskies Awards' "Best Highland Single Malt (13-20 Years of Age)," along with a 96-point rating at the 2012 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

Situated along the Grampian Mountains in the Highlands region of Scotland, Dalwhinnie Distillery was founded in 1897 by John Grant, and was originally named Strathspey Distillery. In 1898, Grant declared bankruptcy and sold the distillery to AP Blyth, who renamed the distillery Dalwhinnie. The name, which roughly translates to "meeting place"in ancient Gaelic, is a reference to the cattle farmers who would pause at the distillery on their journey south to the cattle markets in Crieff and Falkirk. Dalwhinnie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made exclusively from freshly harvested, plump barley, which is milled and mashed with water sourced from Lochan an Doire Uaine (meaning "Loch of the Green Thicket"). The pure spring water, which travels through local peat before reaching the loch (the loch itself is situated 2,000 feet above sea level), imparts a soft yet subtle complexity to the whisky. Since no other distillery may legally use water drawn from Lochan an Doire Uaine, no other distillery is able to replicate the unique, malty-sweet taste of Dalwhinnie Single Malt Scotch Whisky. After the barley has been milled and mashed, it is fermented in the distillery's original, wooden washbacks. While wooden washbacks are more expensive and difficult to maintain as compared to stainless steel washbacks, they absorb a portion of the heat generated during fermentation, and thus, enable a slower and longer fermentation process. Following fermentation, the wash is distilled twice, first through Dalwhinnie's copper-pot wash still, and then again through its copper-pot spirit still. Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky was distilled before being matured for approximately fifteen years in oak casks. After its initial maturation, the whisky was double-barreled, or finished, for an additional year in casks that were formerly used to mature Oloroso sherry, before it was finally bottled. The whisky has an aroma of fresh orchards, honey and soft spices that open up to notes of malt, sweet grapes, heathered spices and honey on the palate, and lead to a long finish with touches of oak and vanilla.

In 1936 Thompson Willett founded Willett Distillery. Today, the tradition continues. The Willett family legacy lives on in Willett Pot Still Reserve. 

Awards 

San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2008: Gold Medal for taste, and the Double Gold Medal for design.

Aged: 8 & 10 Year

Tasting Notes

Nose: Vanilla lemon cake.

Palate: Balance of caramel, vanilla, spices and citrus. 

Born in December 1839, William Grant became a cattle herder at the age of 7 in order to supplement his family's income. As a teenager, Grant apprenticed as a cobbler and a clerk, and in 1866, he joined Mortlach Distillery as a bookkeeper. For the next two decades, Grant managed the affairs at the distillery, while secretly learning the art of distillation. In 1886, he resigned from his position as distillery manager and bought a field beneath the towering shadows of Balvenie Castle, which he eventually converted into Balvenie Distillery. Today, Balvenie Distillery, situated in the Speyside region of Scotland, remains one of the most independent and prestigious distilleries in all of Scotland. Balvenie Single Malt Whisky is made from fresh, plump barley grown on Balvenie Mains, a 1,000 acre farm situated adjacent to the distillery (the farm has been the distillery's source for barley for over a century). After the barley is harvested, it is malted at the distillery with spring water sourced from the rolling Speyside hills that overlook the distillery. During the malting process, the barley is turned up to four times a day in order to ensure that it germinates evenly (Balvenie is the only single malt Scotch whisky distillery that continues to grow and malt its own barley). Once the barley has been malted, it is milled and mashed at the distillery before being fermented using a proprietary strain of yeast. Following fermentation, the wash is distilled twice, first through Balvenie's copper-pot wash still and then again through its copper-pot spirit still. "The most important reason for using a copper still,"explains Dennis McBain, Balvenie's coppersmith, "is that it acts as a catalyst. It removes any sulphur which may be carried over from the fermentation process prior to distillation." McBain, who joined Balvenie Distillery in 1959, is one of the oldest coppersmiths remaining in the industry. In addition, the size and shape of Balvenie's stills the stills' necks have unique boil balls that are nicknamed "Balvenie Bowls" results in Balvenie's signature bold and malty flavor profile. "The size and shape of the boil ball allow for the vapors to mix before continuing up the head,"explains McBain. "That helps make The Balvenie special." The Balvenie 17 Year Old Doublewood Single Malt Scotch Whisky was originally made in homage to David Stewart (Balvenie's Master Blender), who celebrated five decades of working at the distillery in 2012. Following distillation, The Balvenie 17 Year Old Doublewood matured in traditional, American oak casks before being double-barreled, or finished, in European oak casks that were previously used to mature sherry. As a result of spending seventeen years in oak casks, the whisky has deep notes of vanilla, green apple, and toffee. Aroma of oak, vanilla and green apple. Notes of dark fruits, raspberries, toasted almonds, coffee and butterscotch lead to a finish that is deep and lush, with notes of fruits mingled with spices. Balvenie 17 Year Old Doublewood earned a score of 95 points from The Tasting Panel Magazine, which said that the whisky had a "long, smooth toasty finish" that was "elegant." 

Triple distilled then matured for over eighteen years for a refined whisky. The result: a refreshing Lowland Single Malt whisky with the added infusion of ripe citrus and green tea, the warmth of toasted almonds and the signature smooth, delicate Auchentoshan taste. Expect a deep golden summer barley colour to each glass of this Single Malt. What gives whisky its colour? Our careful and methodical maturing process over the course of 18 years. As the Single Malt comes into contact with the barrel, a new colour and flavour profile is created over time.

TASTING NOTES

TO THE EYE: Expect a deep golden summer barley colour to each glass of this Single Malt. What gives whisky its colour? Our careful and methodical maturing process over the course of 18 years. As the Single Malt comes into contact with the barrel, a new colour and flavour profile is created over time.

TO THE NOSE: Fresh tobacco leaf, then some sweetness, layered with a hint of caramelised sugar, green tea and almonds. 

TO THE TONGUE: A smooth whisky taste with a floral freshness and a burst of sweet barley at first. This gently ebbs, revealing a tangy zestness of Auchentoshan whisky. The palate is left alive and refreshed. 

TO THE END: A long, lingering well balanced Single Malt. A dram that invigorates the senses. 

Founded in 1836 on the Recherlich Farm in Speyside, Scotland, Glenfarclas Distillery has a storied history. Originally established by Robert Hay, a tenant farmer, it later passed to John Grant, a cattle breeder, and was rescued from bankruptcy by the Grant Brothers. Today, George S. Grant, the sixth generation, manages this independent distillery.

Glenfarclas Single Malt Scotch Whisky, made from freshly harvested barley and Ben Rinnes Mountain spring water, embraces tradition with direct-heated copper-pot stills. Glenfarclas 105, a cask-strength expression, originated in 1968 as a Christmas gift. This classic whisky, rated 95 points by Wine Enthusiast, offers an aroma of apples, pears, and dark coffee. With water, it reveals rich spices, oak, and sherry on the palate, concluding with a long, smooth finish and a lingering smoky flavor. Recognized for its almost bourbon-like beauty, Glenfarclas 105 remains a "Best Bang For Your Buck" according to Malt Maniacs.

A wheated bourbon with a full-bodied flavor and a balanced palate. Old Weller Antique is bottled at 107 proof, offering a complex taste and bold finish. It’s certainly a recognizable member of the Weller label, with its own unique characteristics to compliment the high proof.

TASTING NOTES

Sweet and unusual floral notes and coupled with vanilla. The taste is very well balanced with sweet fruit notes, strong vanilla undertone and sharp spicy tones, with a cinnamon finish.

Most Recent Awards

2023 Gold New York World Wine & Spirits Competition
2023 Gold Denver International Spirits Competition
2023 Silver San Francisco World Spirits Competition
2023 Platinum ASCOT Awards

Tasting Notes

Nose : Gristy smoked barley, kippers with a salted butter, peppered bite;

Taste : The delivery is youthful and barely reaching puberty then suddenly an intensely malty ascendancy followed by a healthy dose of drier oaks;

Finish : A sublime finale for its sheer delicacy and elegance; the peat no more than oozes, there are cups galaore of sugarless medium roast Mysore and finally, as a bourbony trail is discovered, soft liquorice and molassed sugar - easily the highlight of the experience: one of the best finishes of the year;

In the early 1800’s, New York produced more than half the young nation’s Barley and Rye and the Hudson Valley was the country’s breadbasket. With abundant high quality grain, local craft spirits flourished and over 1000 farm distilleries produced Whiskey and Gin reflecting the unique terroir of the region. In the 1930’s, Prohibition forced these distilleries to shut their doors and this wellspring of American spirits was left dry.

Hillrock Estate Distillery is changing this. Our mission is to produce the finest hand-crafted spirits made with our own grain, floor malted, craft distilled in our copper pot still, aged in fine oak and hand bottled at our estate in the Hudson Valley Highlands. Crowned by a fine 1806 Georgian house built by a successful grain merchant and Revolutionary War Captain and meticulously restored to its original beauty, Hillrock Distillery overlooks our rolling barley fields and the distant Berkshire Mountains. Like our premier spirits, every detail refined, no expense spared, quality steeped in the tradition of 200 years of rich history.

Hillrock is proud to be one of the few “field-to-glass” whiskey producers in the world and the first USA distillery since before Prohibition to floor malt and hand craft whiskey on site from estate grown grain. Hillrock’s commitment to quality embodies the rich history of artisanal distilling in the Hudson Valley. By controlling every aspect of production from planting & harvesting heirloom grains, to smoking our malt, to crafting whiskies in our copper pot still, to aging in small oak barrels and hand bottling, we are able to create the highest quality whiskies reflecting the unique local terroir.

THE ART OF FINE CRAFT DISTILLING HAS MADE THE JOURNEY HOME…

High West Distillery was founded in 2006 by David Perkins and his wife, Jane. David, a former biochemist, was inspired to open his own distillery after seeing the parallels between the fermentation and distilling process and his own work in biochemistry during a trip to a whiskey distillery in Kentucky. In 2004, David and his family relocated to Park City, Utah to begin their new venture, where they began distilling in 2007. They chose Park City because of David’s love of the Old West and Utah’s little-known whiskey history.

High West began with humble roots, opening a small, 250-gallon still and Saloon in an historic livery stable and garage. What was once a small operation in downtown Park City has grown to be an internationally-recognized, award winning brand.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Brandied cherries, fig jam, sun-dried raisins, dried orange peel, baking spice, French oak toast.

Taste: Quince paste, strawberry rhubarb crumble, vanilla caramel, molasses, toffee, leather.

How to Enjoy
We recommend that you enjoy this special spirit neat, due to its many layers of complexity, next to a warm fire as the snow piles up on the window sill. It also pairs beautifully with fig cookies!

In 1805, the Mitchell & Sons Wine Merchants Company was established in the heart of Dublin, Ireland. By the turn of the 19th century, the Mitchells sold a range of Irish whiskeys under the name "Spot." This name originated from the company's practice of marking casks of different ages with a spot of colored paint. As a result, Mitchell & Sons sold whiskies named Blue Spot, Green Spot, Red Spot and finally Yellow Spot, which was last seen in the mid-to-late 1960s. Today, Yellow Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey continues to be crafted in the heart of Ireland. The whiskey is made from malted and unmalted barley, which are milled and mashed before being triple-distilled through a traditional pot still. Following distillation, the whiskey is matured for 12 years the Yellow Spot brand was always aged for this amount of time in a combination of American Bourbon casks, Spanish sherry butts and Spanish Malaga casks. The inclusion of the single pot still spirit aged in Spanish Malaga casks gives Yellow Spot its famously sweet character. After the various casks have been blended together, Yellow Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is bottled at 92 proof, just a bit higher than other traditional Irish whiskies which are bottled at 90 proof. "Pot Still Whiskeys define the traditional flavor character of Irish whiskey and we have seen a renewed interest and growth in the category over the last few years," says Brian Nation, the master distiller at Midleton Distillery, which makes Yellow Spot Whiskey. Yellow Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey has an aroma of red bell peppers, nutmeg, green tea and sweet peaches from the Malaga casks. On the palate, there is a honey sweetness accented by cloves, baked apples, milk chocolate, coffee and creme brulee. The finish is dry and complex, with notes of toasted oak, red grapes and barley. Yellow Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey was released in the United States in 2015 in extremely limited quantities. The whiskey was named Irish Whiskey of the Year by Whisky Advocate in 2016, in addition to winning Gold in the Wizards of Whiskey competition that same year.

In the 18th century, John Shenk, a Swiss Mennonite farmer, settled in Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain Valley. He worked tirelessly and harvested more grains than he could sell locally. Shenk decided to distill the excess grains into whiskey, establishing Michter's, the first distilling company in the United States. Prohibition in 1919 led to the closure of Michter's and other distilleries. In the early 1990s, Joseph J. Magliocco and Richard Newman revived the brand, focusing on creating exceptional whiskey. Michter's US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey is crafted from plump rye grains, fermented, distilled, and aged in charred American oak barrels. The heat-cycled warehousing process enhances the mingling of whiskey and wood, resulting in marmalade and light caramel notes.

Michter's Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is the limited, overproof version of their Single Barrel Rye, with a bold aroma of butterscotch, golden raisins, and vanilla. The palate offers flavors of morning toast, maple syrup, and fresh fruit, followed by a spicy finish with hints of mint, cinnamon, and honey.

Situated on a ridge above the banks of the River Spey, the Easter Elchies House has been the spiritual home of The Macallan for over three centuries. In 1820, Alexander Reid began renting the home from Sir Lewis Grant of Grant. Reid was a farmer, and soon after he sowed the fields surrounding the home with barley, Reid established the first licensed distillery on the estate, which he named Macallan after an ancient church that had been destroyed by fire during the 15th century. In the winter when there was little activity on the farm Reid would ferment and distill his excess grains into whisky, which was often drunk straight from the still or sold to travelers passing through the town. Today, the Macallan Estate encompasses 370 acres, 95 of which are devoted to the production of the Macallan Estate's Minstrel barley (a single acre produces about 2.5 tons of barley each year, enough to yield 1,800 bottles of The Macallan). In addition, the distillery contracts with farmers to purchase barley that is low in nitrogen and high in starch, resulting in a rich and oily whisky. After the barley is harvested in late August and early September, it is malted before being mashed in one of The Macallan's two mash tuns, a process that takes between four and eight hours. Then, the barley is fermented with a specially cultured yeast before being distilled twice through The Macallan's copper-pot stills. The copper comprising the stills acts as a catalyst, and enhances the formation of sweet esters while minimizing impurities such as sulphur. In addition, the curiously small stills some of "the smallest stills within the Scotch whisky industry," according to production manager Alexander Tweedie produce a whisky with a heavy, oily flavor. The Macallan M Single Malt Scotch Whisky was crafted from a marriage of seven unique casks of Macallan, each of which was personally selected by Macallan's Master Whisky Maker after more than two years of searching through the Macallan's vast cellars of over 195,000 barrels. Each cask (the oldest whisky was distilled in 1940) was previously used to mature Oloroso sherry. As a result, the whisky as a deep copper color, along with an aroma of dried fruits, vanilla, green apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Rich, viscous wood spices dominate the palate, and are complemented by undertones of leather, cedar and violets. 

Make Notes

First released in 2006, Flaming Heart was the first whisky to combine the rich, complex spice of Scotch aged in new French oak with the evocative peat-reek smoke of Islay malt whisky. It created a genre-defying style that was smouldering, spicy, complex - and so popular that we’ve re-released it five more times in the years that followed.

This is our seventh edition of Flaming Heart, the whisky that revels in the harmonies between heavy peat and toasted French oak. Imagine Metallica with a backing orchestra, and you’re getting close.

With the best bands, each album is an opportunity to explore and experiment; every record is an evolution from the one before. For fans of Flaming Heart, we always seek to evolve the ‘sound’ and have introduced a deep fruitiness to the arrangement for the 2022 version.

FLAVOUR PROFILE
A high-energy nose with smouldering peat embers, cigar wrapper and candied ginger. The palate is oily, smoky, rich and savoury.

The second release of the Booker’s Bourbon 2023 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2023-02 “Apprentice Batch.” This batch pays homage to the early days of my dad Booker Noe’s career – far before he was the Sixth Generation Master Distiller – when he first learned the art of making bourbon under the guidance of his cousin Carl Beam.

When Booker started working at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont in 1952, Carl became like a mentor to him. Back then, they didn’t have official titles like Master Distiller, but everyone knew Carl was in charge. He didn't put up with any foolishness and made sure Booker was set straight. But even if Booker did mess around sometimes, he was a fast learner and was ready to be put to work, and that quickly got him Carl’s approval.

Two years after Booker started, we purchased a distillery in Boston, KY to increase our production capabilities. Carl and Booker worked closely together to get it up and running, and eventually, Carl handed the reins over to Booker. This is where he was able to experiment and master the bourbon- making process, and later on, the location was renamed the Booker Noe Distillery.

Carl showed Booker the ropes at the distillery, but from there, his approach was sink or swim and it was just the push Booker needed. His apprenticeship under Carl helped him become the Master Distiller and legendary innovator we all remember him as today.

The liquid is a medium amber color from the seven years spent aging in the white oak barrels. The oak-forward aroma is well-balanced with notes of vanilla and toasted nuts, and all together the result is really pleasant. After the first sip, you’ll find the long finish doesn’t overpower the warm taste.

In 1805, the Mitchell & Sons Wine Merchants Company was established in the heart of Dublin, Ireland. By the turn of the 19th century, the Mitchells sold a range of Irish whiskeys under the name "Spot." This name originated from the company's practice of marking casks of different ages with a spot of colored paint. As a result, Mitchell & Sons sold whiskies named Blue Spot, Yellow Spot and Red Spot, although Green Spot emerged as their most popular brand. Today, Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey continues to be crafted in the heart of Ireland. Green Spot Chteau Loville Barton Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is made from malted and unmalted barley, which are milled and mashed before being distilled through a traditional pot still. After an initial aging in ex-bourbon (75%) and ex- sherry (25%) casks for approximately eight to nine years, Green Spot Chteau Loville Barton Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is finished for 12 to 24 months in casks that previously contained Bordeaux wine from Chteau Loville Barton. In addition to being very highly-regarded, the Barton house is unique in that it's named after famous Irish winemaker Thomas Barton, whose descendants still run Chteau Loville Barton today. Green Spot Chteau Loville Barton Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey has an aroma of wild raspberries, French oak, gingerbread and banana that gives way to notes of vanilla, green apple, lemon peel, honey and marshmallow on the palate. The finish is smooth with a pleasant chewiness, with hints of cereal, wine and Christmas spice. Green Spot Chteau Loville Barton Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a limited-time expression of the whisky Jim Murray author of the Whisky Bible called, "unquestionably one of the world's greatest whiskies."