The launch of an entirely new range called Loch Gorm is due on the 8th of April! Named after a famously peaty loch on Islay at the end of the Kilchoman drive, Loch Gorm will be the only fully ex-sherry cask matured release from Kilchoman. Loch Gorm will be periodically re-released as a more mature version with each bottling differentiated by distillation and bottling years printed on the label.

You may remember last year Kilchoman Distillery released a Sherry Cask bottling in similar packaging but this is now being renamed Loch Gorm for all future fully sherry cask matured releases. This, the first release of Loch Gorm was matured in Oloroso sherry butts for over 5 years and finished in Oloroso sherry hogsheads for six weeks to give added depth of colour and character.

Loch Gorm is bottled at 46% ABV and will be available at RRP of £56/€67/$90. This is a limited release of 10,000 bottles worldwide. For more info visit www.kilchomandistillery.com

Tag: kilchoman whisky loch gorm

The guys from The Whisky Lounge came to Islay, took some nice pictures, visited five distilleries and created a Youtube video of their whereabouts. They added some interesting music which reminded me of the fantastic movies Red Rock West and, even more so, by Paris Texas. Well done!

Direct link to video

I have a lengthy video for you this afternoon, in fact it's a tv show by Brandon Bartlett and Sonja Magdevski. They have a one hour and eleven minutes interview with Simon Brooking, ambassador for Laphroaig, and John Campbell, distillery manager of Laphroaig on Islay. They cover every aspect of distilling, maturing and drinking of Laphroaig whisky and talk about Islay as well. Very much worth having a look at so enjoy!

Direct link to video on Youtube

Tag: laphroaig video whisky

Beginning in 1779 when Bowmore was established through to the present day, the distillery team has served as guardians of Bowmore's whisky-making traditions and its inventory, safeguarding them so that future generations can continue to experience the unique spirit that is Bowmore. A collection of casks were bottled in 1995 but one in particular was held back because it was a bit more special, a bit more exceptional than the rest. Since 1995, the whisky in that cask has been examined every six months to check the quality, the taste, the developments and changes the spirit was taking on its ageing voyage. It was also closely watched to see how long the whisky could mature without losing Bowmore's signature trait of a sweet/smoky balance.

Today Bowmore Distillery announced the release of their Bowmore 1957 - 54 years old. This is the oldest ever Bowmore and the oldest Islay single malt ever released to the public. Bottles like these are not for sale in the average whisky shop and neither in the top class whisky shops in the country. Bowmore has something special planned for these rare bottles, these bottles will be sold at auctions in Edinburgh and New York City: "Auctions are set for Edinburgh on October 10 (http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19871/) and New York City on October 28 (http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20459/) with bids accepted live in each location as well as live internet bidding. Inquiries regarding bidding can be directed to bids@bonhams.com. The minimum reserve set by Bonhams is £100,000 per bottle, the highest reserve ever set for a Single Malt Whisky."

And now comes the best part: "We have chosen to donate all net proceeds of both auctions to five Scottish charities that encompass a variety of worthy causes: alzheimer scotland (care for people with dementia, their caregivers and families); the beatson oncology centre (care for cancer patients receiving treatment in the west of scotland); chas (children's hospice services); erskine (medical care for armed forces); and marie curie cancer care (cancer care and research)."

Tag: bowmore distillery auction charity