Background – Here at TCC, even though we’re not subscribed to every potential newsletter or source of information, we receive around four hundred emails over the course of a month with various promotions, new release information, distillery newsletter, updates etc. Add on social media posts and that amounts to somewhere well over 1000 pieces of information being reviewed per month. The aim of this monthly round up is to provide a summary of the most interesting bits along with upcoming events that can be gleaned from them. The downside to a monthly review is a lot of “special offers” will have come and gone, so therefore we do plan to increase the frequency of this newsletter to weekly, so that you can be aware of all offers. 

June includes Father’s Day so the month started off with numerous whisky gift ideas for dads. June is also the month when many of the new releases for the summer appear. 

Highlights

Keeping up with the times and the rush of celebrities launching their own bottles, Rod Stewart launched a blended whisky, Wolfie’s Whiskey (£35, 40% ABV) made at Loch Lomond Distillery in the UK during June. Rod has personally signed over 1000 bottles prior to release. The release will occur in July in the USA, go to wolfiesiscoming.com to be one of the first to know. Here at The Cask Connoisseur we were rather taken with the label.

For the Medal winners of the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) head to thetastingalliance. The website also lists winners available in shops as well as tasting and pairing notes. 

Congratulations to Loch Lomond distillery who apparently was the most awarded distillery at SFWSC 2023.

Congratulations to Tomatin distillery, their 36 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been named ‘Best in Show’ in the whisky category at SFWSC 2023. It was previously awarded Best in Show in 2017. An annual release of 1200 bottles globally, this year’s edition is 45.1%ABV and retails at £1200.

Cadenheads latest Original Collection release of single malts available through their shops. All bottled at 46% ABV, prices range between £55-£70 per bottle.

Cadenheads release their Summer 2023 Authentic Collection on 7^th July which includes a Brazilian Malt Whisky. To get advanced notice of their releases why not join their Club.

Douglas Laing launches their latest Scallywag bottling (£60, 48%ABV) – The Chocolate Edition. A somewhat limited edition of 4200 bottles.

Whisky Hammer launch a new independent bottling brand, Halcyon Spirits. Their initial offering is a 30 year old Macallan distilled in 1993. This follows the completion of their cask warehouse which can store up to 2000 casks. 

For an annual fee, The Whisky Shop & Loch Fyne (£14.95) and Master of Malt (£19.95) launch an annual “free” next day delivery service. T&C’s apply to both which may make the provided service not worthwhile for you so you need to check. The Whisky Shop has no minimum order value so could be worth it. Master of Malt implies a “fair usage policy” suggestive that they will rescind the scheme if you make lots of small purchases, although they will refund the payment.  

Laphroaig announce an upcoming ballot for the Francis Mallmann Limited Edition of 276 bottles. You will need to be a Friends of Laphroaig to enter and also the annual Friends of Laphroaig Càirdeas has arrived. This year the Càirdeas has been finished in White Port and Madeira Casks.

Glenglassaugh launch a new trio of whiskies as part of their core range, including their first twelve year old after the relaunch of the distillery in 2008.

Berry Bros & Rudd announce their summer spirits release which includes a Brazilian rum and an intriguing blended malt – 1979 Berrys’ Exceptional Casks, Blend 5.

Still to be built, Ardgowan Distillery added a fourth bottle to their limited edition range, Clydebuilt Riveter a single grain whisky (50% ABV, £52.50). 

The Lakes Distillery has a new CEO, James Pennefather, whose focus will be on international expansion. Given the current prices of older Lakes Distillery bottles on the secondary market which have increased markedly in recent months, that expansion is already happening. 

Midleton Silent Distillery Collection Chapter 4 has been released. Described as a 48 year old whiskey containing the finest pot still and grain whiskeys before “being aged to perfection”. There are just 119 bottles available, a snip at around £47,000 a bottle or nearly £2050 per dram (3cl). As one would expect the bottle and packaging look exceptional. The Chapter 3 edition at 47 years old is still available from specialist retailers at around £42,000. 

Malts.com are offering a chance to win a trip for two to the 2023 Islay Jazz Festival (15^th-17^th September). Simply spend £100 on any products. The raffle closes on the 31^st July.

William Grant & Sons Distillers Ltd have obtained planning permission to expand their distillery and increase production at Girvan, Scotland. The family owned business also owns the Glenfiddich and Balvenie distilleries amongst other well recognised brands.

Just Whisky introduces a flat fee for whisky sellers of £7.50 plus VAT per lot and the same for a reserve price. Several other sites offer similar flat rates (see our UK Auction Sites spreadsheet) for sellers. Is this an indication that competition between auction sites is hotting up? Certainly, it indicates that you need to check out not only which sites offer the best prices for your bottles but also what it might cost you. 

Celtic Whiskey Shop celebrates its 20^th anniversary this month. Shipping to 40 countries, it is an ideal shop and online retailer for those of you who like Irish Whiskey.

Suntory celebrate 100 years of whisky distilling in Japan. Owners of the Yamazaki and Hakushu brands amongst others, you might want to seek out the 18 year old 100^th anniversary limited releases from both distilleries. The Yamazaki retails at £1600, The Hakushu at £1275.

Lagg Distillery releases their first core range bottle – Lagg Kilmory Edition (46% ABV £49.99). The Corriecravie Edition (55% ABV £64.99) to be released in early summer will become the second. 

Glenallachie Distillery opens their upgraded visitor centre with a new Whisky Bar and Tasting Lounge. There will be a launch event for the bar on Thursday 13^th July, 5.30pm to 7.30pm, which is open to all.

Edrington, the makers of Macallan exceeded £1 billion in core revenue for the first time for the year ending 31^st March 2023. This represents a 22% increase compared to the previous year. Their brands also include The Glenrothes, Highland Park, Naked Malt and The Famous Grouse.

Until midnight Monday 3^rd July Abbey Whisky are offering 10% off the Kilchoman Distillery range.

For those of you who love cheese and whisky, Douglas Laing have announced the first of the Timorous Beastie “Cheese Cellar Collection” designed to accompany cheese.  The first is a blended highland malt finished in Port casks at 48% ABV, Timorous Beastie Port Edition. 

Upcoming Whisky Events

Those without full dates, have already occurred in 2023 without releasing 2024 dates at present.

1st July – National Whisky Festival, Inverness

21^st-22^nd July Southport Summer Whisky Festival, Churchtown & Southport

22^nd July – Summer Fest, English Whisky Co, Norwich

21^st-29^th July – Belfast Whisky Week, Belfast

4^th-5^th August – A Club Whisky Festival, Edinburgh

18^th-20^th August – Whisky Fringe, Edinburgh

26^th August – Spirit of Alba Festival, Kirkintilloch

2^nd September – Whisky Indy Love Fest, Newcastle upon Tyne

2^nd-9^th September – The Hebridean Whisky Festival, held at distilleries along the Hebridean Whisky Trail

9th September – Scottish National Whisky Festival, Aberdeen

9^th-10^th September – Midlands Whisky Festival, Birmingham

15^th-17^th  September – Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival

16^th-17^th September – The Whisky Lounge: Liverpool Whisky Festival, Liverpool

1^st-2^nd September – Spirit of Speyside: Distilled, Elgin

22^nd September – The Hearach, Isle of Harris Whisky Launch

22^nd September – Cadenhead’s In the Courtyard, Campbeltown. An opportunity to try some special Cadenhead’s bottlings.

29^th September – 1^st October – Whisky Show, London

7^th October – The Whisky Lounge: York Whisky Festival, York

14^th October – Falkirk Whisky Social, Larbert

14^th October – Edinburgh Whisky Festival

20^th-21^st October – Manchester Whisky Festival, Manchester

27^th-29^th October – The Dornoch Whisky Festival

28^th October – Whisky Social Belfast, Belfast

4th November – National Whisky Festival, Newcastle

4^th November – Stirling Whisky Festival, Stirling

11th November – Glasgow Whisky Festival, Hampden Park, Glasgow

18^th November – English Whisky Festival, Birmingham

25th November – Drambusters Festival, Dumfries

25^th November – The Whisky Affair, Reading

1^st December – Kendal Whisky Festival, Kendal

3rd December – Inverkip Hotel Christmas Market, Inverkip

9th December – National Whisky Festival, Edinburgh

2024 Dates

27^th January 2024 – Scottish National Whisky Festival, Glasgow

1^st-3^rd March 2024 – Fife Whisky Festival, various locations in Fife.

1^st-6^th May 2024 – Spirit of Speyside

17/18^th May 2024 – Whiskey Live Dublin

2^nd March 2024 – Whisky Birmingham – Birmingham

18^th May 2024 – Bladnoch Waterfall release day. This is the last release of the series.

22^nd June 2024 – Stoke Whisky Festival – Stoke on Trent

January

Southport Whisky Festival (Winter)

Harrow Whisky Festival

February

The Whiskey Affair: Haslemere

March

The Whisky Lounge: Newcastle Whisky Festival

Leeds Whisky Festival

April 

The Whisky Lounge: Bristol Whisky Festival, Bristol

Clackmannanshire’s Whisky Festival, Alloa

Croydon Whisky Festival

Whisky Live London

May

Campbeltown Whisky Festival

Fèis Ìle, Islay

June

Arran Whisky Festival, Arran

The Whisky Lounge: Edinburgh Whisky Festival, Edinburgh

The Whisky Affair: Guildford, Guilford