thespiritsexplorer (2024)

01/12/2023

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN

With snow starting to fall in the UK, it’s the perfect time to kickoff my review of the year covering new spirit discoveries alongside my top 2023 new spirits and a few of my long term favourites.

It’ll include a rather special post in the coming week in recognition of their 40th birthday celebrations and where better to start than this exceptional malt

ABV - 56.2%
AGE- 13 years
DISTILLED DATE - 11/3/2008
CASK TYPE - 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel
REGION - Speyside

Head over to their website to buy a membership and access a wonderful world of drams.

Tasting notes courtesy of

‘We enjoyed the sense of balance on the neat nose with this one. Initial notes included yellow fruits, lightly sweetened cereals, freshly laundered linens and Chantilly cream with a sprig of elderflower. Water brought richer notes of pollen-heavy wildflowers, petrichor, greenhouses and cloudy cider. To taste, this one displayed an initial burst of sweetness with dessert wines, plum jam, Turkish delight and lemongrass. Water brought lemon curd, bubble-gum, fruit salad juices a touch of leaf mulch’

29/11/2023

THE GLENTURRET TRIPLE WOOD 2023

Matured in American and European oak sherry seasoned casks alongside Bourbon barrels the 2023 release does not disappoint.

With a flavour profile that includes dark fruits, with a spicy, citrusy long warming finish, this is another exceptional release from The Glenturret Distillery

27/11/2023

THE HEBRIDEAN ISLES

A group of islands bathed in white sands, turquoise seas and a landscape where the colour and landscape is quite spectacular.

The inspiration for so many outstanding spirit brands with a strength of provenance that is exceptional.

Many I’ve been to see on multiple occasions and a couple I’ve yet to visit but that are in my future Spirits Explorer plans.

In a few days time I’ll commence my spirits review of 2023, and these are just a few of the gins I’ll cover from across the UK.

Welcome to the Hebridean Gin contingent🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

25/11/2023

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY

is 40 this year and for those that don’t know the back story to this ‘Maverick’ society, check out their website www. smws.com.

The ‘takeover’ of and is coming soon.

In 1983, Pip Hills founded The Scotch Malt Whisky Society based on an idea that everyone said wouldn’t work. Pip wanted to bottle whisky straight from the cask, unadulterated, because it retained maximum flavour. And he was right: people loved it, and the Society was born. He was a maverick in its truest form.

For now a shot from my trip to the original location of the shipwreck that inspired that classic Ealing comedy Whisky Galore. The stunning Isle of Eriskay.

19/11/2023

WHISKY GALORE

Captured on Prince Charlie’s Bay on the Isle of Eriskay, in September this year, this is the exceptional Rylaw Single Grain Scotch Whisky, the inaugural release from the innovative InchDairnie Distillery.

This is where the SS Politician, a cargo ship, ran aground off the coast of the Hebridean island in 1941. Her cargo included 22,000 cases of scotch whisky and inspired the iconic Whisky Galore film, the true story behind it is a compelling read.

Anyway, back to the subject in hand.

RyeLaw is a single distillery Fife Rye Scotch Whisky made from malted rye and barley. It is hammer milled, mashed, outdoor fermented, precision distilled and matured in new charred oak casks at InchDairnie Distillery in Fife. This is a distillery to watch as they add to this first whisky release in years to come.

The impressive vessel for this incredible whisky is design excellence and features three ripples on the side to illustrate the distillery’s 3Ms philosophy (pushing the boundaries of flavour through the materials, method and maturation)

Bottled at 46.3% abv, aromas of rye spice, mellow oak and a soft underlayer of vanilla bean come through, the palate explodes with spicy pepper, sweet biscuits, cereal and dried fruit, with a finish full of sweet spice. This is a delicate and endlessly sippable rye whisky.

During the month of December I’ll be featuring a plethora of new arrivals, new finds and some incredible spirits on , whilst over on I’ll be sharing Christmas Gins alongside a number of incredible new releases from this year and some firm favourites.

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09/11/2023

SCOTTISH GIN AWARDS 2023

Celebrations galore last night in Glasgow, as the gin industry from across Scotland met for the annual Scottish Gin Awards.

Much more on all the winners soon, (head over to to see them all) but for now congratulations to all of the finalists, it was a world beating line up!

It was a huge privilege once again to join the judging panel for this years awards.

North Uist Distillery

Lanark Distillery

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09/10/2023

THE HARRIS COLLECTION

range with the addition of their Gin bottle upcycled as a candle.

Their bottle and glass range packaging has a level of detail and branding that truly stands out, highly recommended as a gift (or for yourself😊)

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30/09/2023

NEW ARRIVAL - THE HEARACH

Review coming soon🥃

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22/09/2023

‘THE HEARACH’ from launches🥃

Looking forward to tasting what sounds like an exceptional dram….and that bottle looks incredible!

14/09/2023

‘WHISKY GALORE’

My recent trip through the Outer Hebrides took me to the original ‘Whisky Galore’ Isle of Eriskay, where the SS Politician was shipwrecked with it’s precious cargo on board. Sadly the whisky from that fateful event has long since been consumed (so I’m told🤔)

But, It’s pure white beaches were a perfect backdrop for another whisky that is disappearing relatively quickly.

Prince’s Beach is located on the west side of the Isle of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

One of Scotland’s most historic beaches, Prince’s Beach on Eriskay is known as Coilleag a'Phrionnsa, Gaelic for ‘the Prince’s cockleshell strand’.

Prince’s Beach is said to be where Bonnie Prince Charlie first set foot on Scottish soil, and from here he proceeded to Glenfinnan and made his first attempt in taking the crown in the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion.

10 Year Old, that’s been bottled a lot more recently than the whisky that was ‘rescued’ from the SS Politician.

…and a rather pleasant dram it is too, more on that soon

31/08/2023

NEW GIN LAUNCH - IGNEOUS

Launched this week from is a gin that is rather exceptional, and I don’t use that word lightly.

Distilled and the remarkable vessel designed and created to transport it, all in one of the remotest places on the west coast of Scotland, the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.

With my trip to Skye and the Outer Hebrides starting in a few days, I skirt around the beautiful location by around a three hour round trip, this would be a destination to visit all on its own and one for future plans.

But back to the Gin.

This is Igneous West Highland Dry Gin, floral heather, zesty lemon and complemented by fruity Rowan Berries.

On the nose it is distinctly clean and fresh with a well balanced aromas of each of its signature botanicals.

On the palate this a juniper forward gin which is incredibly well balanced with a warming kick that slowly reduces to a long incredibly smoofinish.

This is one of my top three new releases for 2023, with not a huge amount between them if I was scoring.

Expect to see and hear much more about this new brand and release, for now one of these bottles is being safely packed for my trip this weekend.

I’ve just touched the surface on this brands incredible story, to read all about head over to their Social Media or visit them at www.igneous.co.uk.

Finally, this is a gin highly recommend by ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Andrew

27/08/2023

SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY
QUEEN STREET, EDINBURGH.

Another exceptional visit to , and what I’d class as the best table in the house in the members room (booked in advance, take note SMWS members)

Two exceptional drams (which I’ll come back to soon) delicious food and exceptional service.

There is a reason this has been my go to venue when in the city for many years.

Highly recommended for all whisky enthusiasts.

Thank you again to the Queen Street team for their hospitality.

27/08/2023

SCOTTISH GIN AWARDS 2023
JUDGING DAY

It was a privilege last week to once again join the Team and the Taste Awards Judges in Edinburgh to judge a plethora of gins from across Scotland.

Looking forward to finding out the winners and the celebrating all things Scottish Gin related at the Awards event on the 8th November at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.

The awards continue their commitment to charity and have raised over £20,000 since launching in 2016. This year the programme supports The BEN, the Benevolent Society of the Licensed Trade of Scotland.

Thank you again to the team at KD Media for inviting me to join the panel of judges again in 2023.

18/08/2023

40 YEARS OF THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY

Back in 1983 when I’d just hit double figures, Pip Hills founded The Scotch Malt Whisky Society based on an idea that everyone said wouldn’t work.

Pip wanted to bottle whisky straight from the cask, unadulterated, because it retained maximum flavour. And he was right: people loved it, and the Society was born.

Pip was a maverick in its truest form, and I do love it whenever someone break the mould. If you always do what you’ve always done etc etc…

Enter ‘Maverick’, a Single Malt Scotch Whisky in an image I captured on the shores of Loch Earn a few weeks back, just inside Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park in central Scotland.

ABV- 50.0%
AGE - 12 years
DISTILLED DATE - 21/6/2010
CASK TYPE - 1st, 2nd & refill hogsheads Spanish oak oloroso, Spanish oak PX & bourbon.

It’s described by the team in their usual inimitable style as follows

‘This expression is a celebration of the iconic sherry cask. For its creation, we selected some bourbon hogsheads of Speyside single malt. We moved the whisky to a selection of oloroso and Pedro Ximenez-seasoned hogsheads, all made from Spanish oak, for varying length of additional maturation; between two and three and a half years. We then blended the casks together to create this dark and rewarding dram’

‘The aromas of freshly waxed, natural marble floors, mosaics and terrazzo tiles were followed by a fruity scent from apricots, peaches and plums, before a cup of Assam tea and fig, apple and raisin bread pudding joined the party. On the palate, we found American-style blueberry and banana pancakes with lemon juice and maple syrup, as well as cardamom and orange-spiced rhubarb on top of fluffy French toast. Following dilution we discovered dark chocolate, marshmallows and a sherry mango trifle. To taste, a traditional ‘blood & sand’ cocktail, named after a 1922 film about a Spanish matador, using equal parts of Scotch, sweet vermouth, cherry liqueur and orange juice’

An exceptional dram in every respect. The bottle artwork was created by Glasgow-based artist and graphic designer Andy Rogerson.

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05/08/2023

RUM ON THE JETTY

Five of Scotland’s finest rums joined me this week by the calm shores of Loch Earn, enjoyed neat over ice all have a depth of flavour and boldness perfect for sipping over ice.

Watch this space over the coming months as I kickstart my rum reviews on

Also, check out Rum Subscription, so far I’ve received three exceptional rums and mixers. No gimmicks just quality drinks.

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04/08/2023

ABOVE THE LOCH

Walking shoes on and a climb up the hill directly behind the house and the jetty took me here 😍

High above Loch Earn, with a rucksack and three bottles🥃

More on Triple Wood 2023 release and my visit to the distillery (11 miles from this spot) very soon.

24/07/2023

NEW ARRIVAL FROM THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY

Winner of Double Gold medal in the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this is Whisky Baba Blended Scotch Malt Whisky from

ABV - 58.6% AGE - 12 years DISTILLED DATE - 20/1/2010 CASK TYPE - Bourbon hogsheads and ex-rum french oak barriques

Using barriques Crafted from French oak that had previously been used to mature Jamaican rum in the Cognac region of France, they were then filled them with a selection of Speyside malts for a period of 28 months of additional maturation. They then blended selected casks together to create this incredibly fruity and rich dram.

So how do the infamous tasting notes describe it:

“On the neat nose we poured golden syrup and honey on to wheat biscuit breakfast cereal. Some indulged in chocolate-coated marzipan and slices of rich madeira cake, while others baked a golden syrup sponge that was heavy on orange peel and dried papaya.

The taste was an explosion of rum-soaked pineapples while the French oak contributed spices such as anise and cinnamon. A satisfying toasty oak note evolved into vanilla pods, mace, nutmeg, orange oil and mango. With a splash of water we could smell a bowl of sugar-coated puffed rice, varnish and resinous oak, ginger cake, orange zest and barley sugars.

There were deep notes of dunnage warehouse, apple cubes, and hints of buttery rancio topped off with desiccated coconut.

The palate was now silky and mouthcoating, with tangerines and dark chocolate, and a whisky baba pudding. Melon and mango were drizzled with floral honey, and we ate chocolate orange cake mix straight from the bowl”

A whisky well worth purchasing for its complex flavour profile alone.

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22/07/2023

WOLFCRAIG CRAIG

For the first gin featured on thespiritsexplorer I’ve selected something rather special….

Earlier this year a new Scottish Gin arrived on the market from Wolfcraig and I’ll get straight to the point and confirm that it’s quite exceptional.

This a gin that stands out for all the right reasons, yes the bottle looks stunning but when you get past that to the heart of the matter……

On the nose you first experience a subtle juniper then citrus profile that entices you in…

On the palate juniper wakens the tastebuds followed by lemon, orange and subtle all perfectly balanced and orchestrated to open up at the optimal time.

The finish is long, warming and exceptionally smooth leaving you simply wanting to experience it all over again.

Crafted by a number of legendary connoisseurs of the spirits industry in Scotland including Richard Paterson OBE and Ian Macmillan this is a gin that stands out for no other reason than it’s quality and craftsmanship, the brand on it’s own would entice you in but that quickly becomes secondary.

Richard is a firm believer that whisky is in his blood. Following in the footsteps of his beloved Grandfather and Father, Richard has forged an unparalleled career as a Master Blender in the scotch whisky industry over the course of 50 wonderful years. There are few more decorated than Richard “The Nose” Paterson.
He has been awarded the Icon of Whisky Lifetime Achievement Award, the “Spirit of Scotland” trophy, inducted into the Whisky Hall of Fame and most recently was named on the Queen’s 2021 Honour List

Ian Macmillan is an award winning Master Distiller, boasting a 40 year long career in distilling critically acclaimed Scotch Whisky and Gin.
Ian created some of the industries most recognised Single Malts with Bunnahabhain, Tobermory and Deanston to his name. As well as globally celebrated gins such as Tanquerey and Bombay Sapphire.
A master of his craft, Ian is a member of the Worshipful Company of Distillers and a Master of the Quaich.

In summary this is the gin connoisseur’s gin, complex like a malt whisky you share to watch the faces of those who first try it.

One of my highlights of 2023 so far

21/07/2023

GATEWAY TO THE ISLES

A throwback to 2021 and day two of the Scottish Distiller Tour……the next tour is in early September, but I’ll be in Oban in the very near future😊

This is Oban, the Gateway to the isles and the start of my Island hoping

I had a relaxed and chilled out tasting session hosted by the enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable Paul distillery in the centre of Oban earlier today, which included four samplings, two of which were limited edition bottling’s that were simply exceptional. The other two were as always go two whiskies for me.

One of these ‘Oban Old Teddy’ has been released in honour of the Maclean family, three generations of which have served at the west coast distillery.

‘Old Teddy’, after whom the expression is named, worked at Oban as master distiller in 1953. His son, ‘Young Teddy’, joined in 1985, followed by grandson Derek in 2017.

Derek Maclean, senior operator at Oban said: ‘This unique bottling is a celebration of our heritage and pays homage to my grandfather, whose fine craftmanship has been preserved in the heart and soul of the distillery at Oban.

‘This bottling is inspired by Old Teddy’s warm and gentle nature, physical strength and pride as dedicated maltster. It is a dram he would be proud of.’

Matured in ex-bodega Sherry casks and refill casks, Oban Old Teddy is described as having notes of ‘dried fruits, gentle vanilla, citrus peel… honey and sticky toffee pudding’.

The expression is bottled at 51.7% abv without an age statement.

Just 3,960 bottles are available to purchase exclusively at the distillery.

A huge thanks to the very small team for an exceptional stay! If you stay in Oban. Stay here!!

📷 Images Copyright

20/07/2023

A RUM VOYAGE

Just five of the new rum arrivals that I’ll be featuring over the coming weeks, alongside a number of other exceptional spirits.

Two of these came from the newly launched Craft56 monthly rum subscription alongside accompanying mixers which I would highly recommend if your either a rum connoisseur or relatively new on your rum journey.

For now, from left to right.

Matugga Distillers
J. Gow Rum
Ninefold Distillery
Mapmakers Rum
Cabezon Beverage

On first taste neat post photo shoot, these are all very different with complex and bold flavour profiles. This is a spirit I’m going to enjoy delving much deeper in to as part of

20/07/2023

A RUM VOYAGE

Just five of the new rum arrivals that I’ll be featuring over the coming weeks, alongside a number of other exceptional spirits.

Two of these came from the newly launched Craft56 monthly rum subscription which I would highly recommend if your either a rum connoisseur or relatively new on your rum journey.

For now, from left to right.

Matugga Distillers
J. Gow Rum
Ninefold Distillery
Mapmakers Rum
Cabezon Beverage

On first taste neat post photo shoot, these are all very different with complex and bold flavour profiles. This is a spirit I’m going to enjoy delving much deeper in to as part of thespiritsexplorer

17/07/2023

THE GLENTURRET 2022 RELEASE

With a trip to and a break at this stunning lochside location pending, time to look back on this multi award winning whisky.

Set in the stunning Perthshire countryside, The Glenturret Distillery is Scotland's oldest working distillery where Malt Whisky is hand crafted today as it was over two centuries ago using the only remaining hand operated mash tun in Scotland.

The 2022-release of Glenturret 12 Year Old was matured in a combination of American and European oak casks and bottled in 2022.

On the nose caramelised apples, vanilla custard and spices, come through in equal measure.

On the palate cherry pie, baked apples, cinnamon, vanilla and subtle spiced oak come though, followed my a clean, long warming finish.

The jetty pictured is fifteen minutes from the distillery and the perfect location to sit and enjoy a dram.

📸Image copyright

14/07/2023

NEW ARRIVAL - ARDNAMURCHAN AD/SHERRY CASK RELEASE

From a distillery I’m planning a long overdue visit to on the September road trip, this is one of the latest limited releases from Ardnamurchan Distillery

Matured entirely in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, it’s a highly recommend addition to your whisky shelves!

Nose: Rich dried fruit notes alongside bonfire smoke, with hazelnut praline.

Palate: Smokehouse, caramelised bacon, and smouldering bonfires, with sweet sherry character tying it together.

Finish: Lingering smoke, woody spices, and salted caramel

08/07/2023

WORLD RUM DAY

From the founder of The Gin Guide Paul Jackson, comes

A day to celebrate a spirit that is growing within the UK craft distilling community and one that has produced some exceptional new spirits in the last few years. The next twelve months will I’m sure be just as
intriguing.

From left to right are a few new arrivals thespiritsexplorer in the last 12 months alone that I’d highly recommend.

Left to right…

Beaufort Spirits Company
North Point Distillery
Declaration Gin
Biggar Spirits
Wild Oxen Spirits Abingdon Distillery
Cabezon Beverage
J. Gow Rum
Crusty Juggler Rum
Mapmakers Rum
Rum Bothy
Rosemullion Distillery
Trevethan Distillery

A couple of these were monthly deliveries from the newly launched Craft56 Rum Club which I’ll share much more about next week! A hugely exciting gimmick free subscription service that I’d highly recommend.

For now I hope you had a fantastic 😊

08/07/2023

WORLD RUM DAY

It’s so I thought I’d start with this new release from

Whitby RNLI Dark Spiced Rum was created to honour the dedication and courage of the RNLI volunteers who have been saving lives around the U.K.'s seas and coastline since 1824. 10% of every bottle sale is donated to the RNLI.

Distilled with cassia bark, cloves and sea buckthorn, It is then laid to rest in Madeira wines casks. The result is a dark spiced rum with rich fruit overtones, molasses and treacle murmurs.

07/07/2023

SMWS - MAVERICK CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF DELECTABLE DRAMS

Over to for the full story and tasting notes behind this incredible whisky.

Words courtesy of

“The definition of a maverick is an unorthodox or independent-minded person. In 1983, Pip Hills founded The Scotch Malt Whisky Society based on an idea that everyone said wouldn’t work. Pip wanted to bottle whisky straight from the cask, unadulterated, because it retained maximum flavour. And he was right: people loved it, and the Society was born. He was a maverick in its truest form”

“This expression is a celebration of the iconic sherry cask. For its creation, we selected some bourbon hogsheads of Speyside single malt. We moved the whisky to a selection of oloroso and Pedro Ximenez-seasoned hogsheads, all made from Spanish oak, for varying length of additional maturation; between two and three and a half years. We then blended the casks together to create this dark and rewarding dram”

“The aromas of freshly waxed, natural marble floors, mosaics and terrazzo tiles were followed by a fruity scent from apricots, peaches and plums, before a cup of Assam tea and fig, apple and raisin bread pudding joined the party. On the palate, we found American-style blueberry and banana pancakes with lemon juice and maple syrup, as well as cardamom and orange-spiced rhubarb on top of fluffy French toast. Following dilution we discovered dark chocolate, marshmallows and a sherry mango trifle.

To taste, a traditional ‘blood & sand’ cocktail, named after a 1922 film about a Spanish matador, using equal parts of Scotch, sweet vermouth, cherry liqueur and orange juice.

The bespoke Maverick artwork was created by Glasgow-based artist and graphic designer Andy Rogerson. This unique bottling is part of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

06/07/2023

NEW ARRIVAL - LAGG SINGLE MALT KILMORE EDITION

A new delivery this week, Lagg Kilmory Edition is the flagship Single Malt and the first core range expression to be released from Arran Whisky Lagg Distillery Lagg Whisky

This is another island destination to add to my visit list.

Distilled with Concerto malted barley, the influence of the peat combined with the vanilla and creamy influence of the american oak results in a bold Smokey flavour profile and long warming, smooth finish. This is an exceptional dram🥃

The distillery tasting notes sum it up perfectly.

Nose - Heather smoke and charred citrus
Palate - An initial burst of fruit gives way to subtle bonfire smoke and a long lasting finish
Finish - Citrus, Smoke, Vanilla, Long lasting.

📸 Copyright thespiritsexplorer

02/07/2023

NEW ARRIVAL - WILD OXEN RUM

gifted

In April I was invited to a launch event for the new range of Wild Oxen Spirits Rums from the small team at the multi award winning Abingdon Distillery

This is a brand that I have followed intently as a huge fan of their extensive gin range where they have produced a number of multi award winning spirits, I discovered them as part of The Gin Guide Awards Blind Tasting Panel where their Aged Gin stole the show.

As a Rum fan I was clearly intrigued and what followed on the launch night was an exceptional night of tasting their new rum range neat and in cocktails led by master distiller Jordan, an event that truly showcased their range.

Wild Oxen make their own rum from scratch in their distillery in Abingdon, with their white rum fermented & distilled from raw cane sugar from Guyana which results in cleaner & sweeter style of rum compared to molasses based rums.

After a 7 day open top fermentation process in their wash to create the unique flavour profile, they distil the rum with their 650L copper hybrid still, named Big Phil.

To create their gorgeously smooth Chocolate Rum they use cacao shells sourced from the Marañón Canyon in Peru, home to the Pure National cacao tree. The shells are then crushed and then soaked in their white rum.

The end result is a silky smooth rum, rich in flavour with a long warming finish that is simply exceptional.

Tasting Notes:�Nose: Dark chocolate�Palate: Rich cacao & salted caramel�Finish: Silky chocolate

Serve neat on the rocks (this is a favourite), try it in a rum hot chocolate on a cold day, or make an espresso martini twist.

The Spiced Rum is created by macerating their white rum with seven island spices to create a delicious premium spiced rum that is full of tropical flavour.

Tasting Notes:�Nose: Baked spices with golden syrup & coconut�Palate: Clove, vanilla, marzipan�Finish: Warming with caramelised orange

Signature Serve – Serve tall over ice with ginger beer to make a Dark & Stormy or pair with a premium cola & lime wedge.

Two exceptional rums that I’d highly recommend

With Whisky well on the way this is a small distillery to watch VERY closely.

01/07/2023

🥃WHISKY GALORE🥃

The was the Tasting Room set up for a few weeks back, a plethora of stunning whiskies I’ll share more about in the coming weeks.

There have been a plethora of stunning and exciting new whisky releases over the last twelve months (and indeed since) from around the world but for World Whisky Day I narrowed the tasting selection down to the following:

- Commandaria
- Maclean’s Nose Blended Scotch
- 30 Year Old Premium Blended
Kidara Canadian Island Triple Pot Stilled
Ryelaw Fife Single Grain
Triple Wood 2022 Release
Maverick

Whatever your choice, Sláinte🥃

30/06/2023

thespiritsexplorer DESTINATION: THE ORKNEY ISLES

It’s the weekend 🌞

Back in August 2022 I enjoyed an incredible few days
on the Orkney Isle, the warm sunshine and blue skies
lit up the landscape and it was easy to see how these
islands have inspired so many incredible award
winning spirits from only a handful of distilleries.

During that trip I visited a brand I’d known for many
years Orkney Gin Company, in their custom built family
distillery on the shore of Orkney’s famous Scapa Flow.

This is small business that has created a range of
exceptional spirits that have rightly won a plethora of
worldwide awards, and are a brand I recommend on a
regular basis.

Fast forward to 2023 and the team have newly
released their Orkney Vodka, and have once again
produced an incredible spirit.

Orkney is a grain Vodka, crafted in small batches, and
alongside their other clear spirits, is distilled eight
times. The result is an incredibly smooth, creamy,
velvety finish with a long warming finish.

I found it perfect in with a standard mixer and also as
part of a Vesper Martini Cocktail.

A vodka I’d highly recommend!

26/06/2023

Welcome to the Spirit Explorer and the start of a new sibling blog to the long established The Gin Den, where I’ll be sharing new releases and long established spirit discoveries.

For the launch a rather exceptional first release whisky that was launched in April by Wolfcraig distillers.

A Gold Medal Winner in the Spirits Business Global Scotch Whisky Masters Awards 2023 in the 19-30 Year Old Blended Category, this is Wolfcraigs iconic first release and is simply exceptional.

Crafted by two legends of the spirits industry, Richard Paterson OBE and Ian Macmillan this is a whisky that stands out for no other reason than it’s quality and craftsmanship, the brand on it’s own would entice you in but that quickly becomes secondary.

Richard is a firm believer that whisky is in his blood. Following in the footsteps of his beloved Grandfather and Father, Richard has forged an unparalleled career as a Master Blender in the scotch whisky industry over the course of 50 wonderful years. There are few more decorated than Richard “The Nose” Paterson.
He has been awarded the Icon of Whisky Lifetime Achievement Award, the “Spirit of Scotland” trophy, inducted into the Whisky Hall of Fame and most recently was named on the Queen’s 2021 Honour List

Ian Macmillan is an award winning Master Distiller, boasting a 40 year long career in distilling critically acclaimed Scotch Whisky and Gin. He created some of the industries most recognised Single Malts with Bunnahabhain, Tobermory and Deanston to his name. As well as globally celebrated gins such as Tanquerey and Bombay Sapphire. A master of his craft, Ian is a member of the Worshipful Company of Distillers and a Master of the Quaich.
�With a flavour profile that features all five whisky regions in Scotland, in particular the Highlands and Speyside, to provide an additional level of pure elegance and refinement, it is the. Aged in Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks from Bodega San Andres in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain before being bottled.

A simply exceptional whisky to be opened and enjoyed, this is an investment to savour and share (albeit sparingly)

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