LOCH GORM 2023 RELEASED

 KILCHOMAN LIMITED EDITION LOCH GORM FOR 2023

Kilchoman has done a fantastic job of championing the merits of young whisky. Their first single malt was released in 2009 as a three-year-old. With that success, they looked to the past and revitalised the once-common practice of farm-scale distilling.  Just like 200 years ago, they grew, malted and peated their own barley. All distilling, maturation, and bottling are all done within the farm distillery limits. The intended experience is to transport the imbiber to the midst of their barley fields as they sip.

Their success in the expanding market across the globe forced them to increase volumes while retaining quality. These days 25% of its barley requirements come from Islay (mostly from fields around the distillery). It has two small malting floors and kilns which produce a medium-peated malt – the heavily peated with which it is mixed comes from Port Ellen. Inside the distillery, fermentation is long, helping to create fruitiness to balance the shoreline/shellfish-like phenolics. At the same time, an enlightened (and pricey) wood policy has seen a high percentage of first-fill ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks being used. The result was that Kilchoman hit the start of its mature period at a remarkably young age.   

Loch Gorm is the name given to Kilchoman’s annual sherry matured limited edition.  Named after Islay’s largest freshwater lake neighbouring the distillery, the dark, peat-coloured murky colour of the loch’s water is reflected in the rich coppery tones of the sherry-matured Loch Gorm release. Loch Gorm is also Islay’s biggest freshwater loch with an abundance of wildlife. The Allt Gleann Osamail burn, from which Kilchoman collects their production water, is one of the loch’s major tributaries.

LOCH GORM 2023

Loch Gorm is exclusively matured in oloroso sherry casks from the renowned bodega, Jose Miguel Martin. It is common for distilleries to use a variety of sherry producers but for Kilchoman’s consistent quality and character, it is vital that they source them all from just one bodega. They select a combination of sherry butts and hogsheads from Jose Miguel Martin that provides two separate styles of maturation.

For the 2023 Edition, Kilchoman founder Anthony Willis and production manager Robin Bignal selected a total of 22 casks, 8 distilled in 2013, 6 distilled in 2014, and 8 distilled in 2015. Each cask was chosen for its unique flavour profile which, when combined together with the other 21 casks, creates a beautiful balance of rich fruity character with layers of classic Kilchoman, peat smoke and citrus sweetness.

Rather than dominating, Loch Gorm’s oloroso maturation works in harmony with the natural character of Kilchoman. The 2023 release has a fantastic spectrum of flavour, from rich spices and macerated peaches to fresh citrus, ginger, orange zest and waves of salty peat smoke. Bottled at 46% ABV, the Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2023 limited edition made its debut this March and was almost fully sold out that day.

DISTILLERY	KILCHOMAN
Series	Loch Gorm 2023 Edition
Year Bottled	2023
Alcohol ABV	46 %
Cask Strength	No
Cask Wood Type	Oloroso Sherry
Single Cask	No
Packaging	Original Box
Bottler	Distillery
Country of Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Standard
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level
PPM	50

TASTING NOTES:

Nose: Hints of cacao with an essence of leather, black cherry and light smoke.

Palate: Roasted hazelnuts, dark chocolate and roasted dark fruits give way to light ashy peat smoke.

Finish: Balanced and long with fresh Islay sea breeze.

Privacy Policy

NEW GLENS FROM HTFW

 Glenfiddich - Grand Yozakura 29-year-old Whisky

A HARD-TO-FIND WHISKY SPECIAL

Awamori is the oldest distilled drink in Japan with a history that goes back over 600 years. Awamori means ‘Big Bubbles’ in Japanese, evidently something prominent during the fermentation process. This alcoholic beverage is indigenous and unique to Okinawa, Japan.

It originated from Southeast Asia, in the Kingdom of Siam (currently called Thaïland). This Okinawa alcohol is made from distilled thaï rice called indica, a long-grain rice. It is grown in Southeast Asia, where it comes from. It is also via this route that the first stills arrived in the Far East.

Production takes place in two phases: a fermentation of long grain rice that enables an 18 - 20% alcohol rate to be reached, then basic distilling that takes place in a traditional still. The fermentation process is very efficient and is the origin of the name Awamori. That name means ‘big bubbles’ in Japanese, which can be seen during this phase of production.

The island from where Awamori originated is called The Island of Yonaguni. It is the furthest island in the whole Japanese archipelago as it is situated 2000 km southeast of Tokyo, and only 100km from Taïwan! It belongs to the Kingdom of Ruykyu which regroups the islands that make a junction between Japan and the Chinese continent.

Grand Yozakura is that magical moment of fleeting beauty when Japanese cherry blossoms are admired under the light of the moon. Awamori from Okinawa is exquisite in its rarity and indelible in memory. It’s for this reason, that 29-year-old Glenfiddich Grand Yozakura is finished in these rare Awamori casks, to give an unforgettable taste.

A surge of ripe fruits and caramelised almonds fills the nose, before indulgent layers of toasted oak and creamy vanilla mingle with spice and sherbet rippling on the tongue. A final crescendo of oak on the finish lingers gracefully.

It’s delicate, distinctive and just like Yozakuru, once experienced it’s never forgotten.

DISTILLERY	GLENFIDDICH
Series	Grand
Year Bottled	2023
Age	29 year old
Alcohol ABV	45.1 %
Cask Strength	No
Cask Type	Japanese Awamori
Single Cask	No
Packaging	Gift Packaging
Bottler	Distillery
Country Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Standard
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level
HTFW Cat. No.	LP17882

                        Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18-Yr-Old Azuma                                                                  Makoto Single Malt Scotch Whisky

                                 YET ANOTHER HARD-TO-FIND WHISKY SPECIAL

What images come to mind when you think of single malt Scotch whisky? Dark, smoky bars, the lush Scottish Highlands, or perhaps classic cut-crystal glasses? With a new limited-edition release in collaboration with floral artist Azuma Makoto, Glenmorangie turns the 'classic' image of Scotch upside down.

Makoto Azuma is a famous Japanese floral artist. This expression is a collaboration between Glenmorangie and the artist who was drawn to the whisky's floral profile.

"It begins with rich, rounded aromas of dried fruits and honey, then unfurls into a bouquet of geranium, tuberose and jasmine. They dance on the tongue with honeysuckle and sweet pea, figs and nuts until the blossoms fade into a sweet and lingering finish," says Azuma of the 18-year-old spirit.

In the world of whisky, change takes time. Dr Bill Lumsden said that he always wanted to change the 18 Years Old Single Malt, which he thought was too sherry-focussed and heavy. "I wanted the 18 Years Old, essentially, to be much more like the big brother of our 10 Years Old, our original," he said. "I wanted it to display the same level of complexity and finesse, but to be a little bit more full-bodied."

He first began experimenting with a new blend in the late 1990s, and we are just now beginning to see the full expression of his vision. This particular spirit ages for 15 years in ex-bourbon casks, then a portion is transferred to Oloroso sherry casks for three years. Finally, the whiskies were blended together and the stunning 18-year-old single malt bottled at 43% ABV.

The result is a whisky with a deep golden colour and a nose full of complex botanical and floral notes alongside dried fruits, nuts, caramel, vanilla, and honey. The 18-year-old is described as being the Chanel No.5 of malt whisky, given its beautiful perfume bouquet.

Glenmorangie scoured the world to find the right partner to tell the story of this floral fragrance. Its search ended in Japan at the door of botanical sculptor Azuma Makoto.

As Azuma Makoto translated the whisky’s delicious bourbon cask softness and sweet, Oloroso sherry cask hints, he drew on the beauty of almost 100 different blooms from across the world. He coaxed each one into blossom at his Tokyo studio for his floral masterpiece Dancing Flowers of Glenmorangie, which is shared in this wondrous limited edition.

The first 15 years were spent in bourbon casks, then a portion of the whisky was transferred into Oloroso sherry casks for another 3 years.

Both Makoto and Lumsden hope that this limited-edition release will delight whisky lovers and introduce whisky to a new audience. While Makoto is himself a whisky connoisseur, he learned quite a bit through the collaboration. "Before, I had an impression that whisky was kind of an exclusive drink. But after I worked with Dr. Bill Lumsden and through this collaboration, I found that whisky can be more free to enjoy," Makoto said.

Hopefully, as the world begins to open up even more, we'll be able to enjoy a dram of Glenmorangie 18 Year Old alongside Makoto's artwork in real life.

Glenmorangie 18 Years Old is priced at £249.95 and is available for purchase online and in stores.

DISTILLERY	GLENMORANGIE
Description	Azuma Makoto Ltd Edn
Year Bottled	2021
Age	18 year old
Alcohol ABV	43 %
Cask Strength	No
Cask Type	Bourbon & Oloroso
Single Cask	No
No. Bottled	30000
Packaging	Special Packaging
Bottler	Distillery
Country Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Standard
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level

 Privacy Policy

INDIAN WHISKIES BUILDING UP STEAM

 THE MADE-IN-INDIA WHISKY MARKET

India consumed 237.22 million cases of whisky in 2021 and judging by the volume of sales reported across the country, 2022 saw a major increase in its consumption. North and East India together constitute roughly 27% of the offtake of whisky in India.

Consumer preference for quality whisky is driving the demand for premium whisky at a CAGR of 15.66% over the next lustrum. The super-premium range of whisky is highly priced and in low demand, as it is confined to only the upper-class people of the country. The average price of premium whisky in 2021-22 was INR 1750 and super-premium Rs 3,500.

Malt whisky, made from a fermented mash consisting primarily of malted barley and made exclusively at a single distillery, is the most consumed whisky in India. Single malt whisky is expected to grow rapidly at a CAGR of 22.92% over the forecast period as people demand more flavours that are available in this type of liquor.

Single malt whisky has grown a reputation for being a higher quality spirit than blends. Scotch whisky is the second most demanded whisky type in India with a 19.88% market share in 2021-22 and is expected to be in demand over the forecast period. The urban population in the age group of 35yrs to 50yrs consumes more whisky than the rural population and generally prefers to buy a full bottle of 750 ML. Liquor is preferably bought from a retail shop in India rather than other distribution channels.

What remains a closely guarded secret is that new make in Scotland that may not reach stringent quality levels is sold off at the 1.5-2.5 year stage and freely exported. Given the stringent restrictions emplaced by the Scottish Whisky Association (SWA), it may not be called whisky in Scotland, but there is no such bar in India. Such malts are blended with ethanol from molasses and sold as ‘Whisky with Scottish Malts’. Better brands use reputed grain spirits to add to the malts.

The innovation in the category is helping Indian whisky carve out its own identity. Indian whisky exports tend to follow the path of the large Indian expat communities, particularly in the Gulf. They have also attracted a following in some African markets, serving as entry-level brands for those consumers wanting to upgrade from the illicit spirits market. The next generation of high-end Indian-made malts is already showing that they are of a sufficient standard to capture an audience in Western markets.

Drinkers in India, the world’s most lucrative whisky market – worth $18.8bn (£15bn) last year – have traditionally clinked glasses of blended whiskies or imported single malts. Now several Indian single malts that were launched internationally a few years ago are grabbing a major share of the domestic market. It is a seismic shift for the global whisky industry. Prominent names are Paul John, Amrut, Rampur, Indri Trini, GianChand and Godawan. They are expensive and remain in the elite group.

Currently, the Indian Whisky category is strong and its innovation is bringing new consumers into the category and is building its profile among whisky purists, both internally and externally. Whether this trend will continue with the ever-present threat of federal or state disruption remains to be seen; the category is prone to taking one step forward and two steps back following government regulation or tax changes.

The Indian Whisky Brand Champion 2022 title was given to Sterling Reserve, which achieved the biggest growth among the million-case sellers. Sterling Reserve sales grew by 28.6% to reach 3.6m cases, an impressive feat for a brand that is only four years old.

Sterling Reserve, a brand of premium blended Indian whisky from the house of Allied Blenders and Distilleries (ABD) is a unique blend of imported Scotch malts and the finest Indian grain spirits. It has two editions, the Sterling Reserve Blend 10 and Sterling Reserve Blend 7. It displays a logo of Jardine Crescent, a famous market in Hong Kong, where Alexandre Jardine first took his wares before coming to India.

Legend has it that Bordeaux-born Alexandre Jardine first set foot in Scotland in 1810. There was an instant camaraderie between the Frenchman and the Scottish Highlands. He found a place and purpose to enrich the skills he was known for, a discerning palate for food and drink, and his good taste. Fond of Scotch whisky and the tales surrounding it, the connoisseur in Alexandre took it upon himself to understand the fine tastes of a wide variety of whiskies. His curious nature led him to learn the art of blending. Combining craft, care and love, each of his blends was distinct in its nose, palate and finish. With a smooth and rich taste, every small batch of Alexandre Jardine's creations had a select clientele. Stories of his legendary blends spread, and demand grew till it often ran out of stock. This enabled him to assign his masterful signature on each of the blends, which the consumers happily lapped up, even at a premium. That's how a legacy was born and brought to India, to show forth as Sterling Reserve.

The Sterling Reserve Blend 10 is a blend of imported Scotch malts and the finest Indian grain spirits. The Scotch malts are from different barrel origins including bespoke bourbon oak casks. The blend is chill-filtered to perfect balance with a smooth finish and ten unique tasting notes. 42.8% ABV, 75 Cl

Nose: honeyed sweetness, nuttiness of the barley, fruity & heathery
Palate: mouthfeel of rich oak, citrus, vanilla and berries.
Finish: smooth, crisp and lively.

The price segments where Sterling Reserve participates are driving maximum growth. This is driven by consumers, especially young adults, premiumising across consumer categories or entering this segment directly. The brand is planning to expand in key markets across India, including Mumbai, and globally.

Looking across the other million-case-selling Indian whisky brands, many of them recorded double-digit growth last year after a pandemic-affected stretch of time.

The only brands to decline were United Spirits’ Director’s Special Whisky and Old Tavern, while several brands managed to exceed their best volumes with double-digit growth, including Royal Stag, 8PM, Hayward’s, and Blenders Pride.

There have been several developments in India that could affect local producers in the coming year. The UK and India are currently discussing a free trade agreement that could axe the 150% import tax on spirits, allowing international brands to compete with the dominant Indian whisky sector in the country.

SALES: 9L-CASES IN MILLIONS

Brand	Owner	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	%+/-
McDowell’s No.1 Whisky	United Spirits	26.4	29.0	30.7	25.7	30.1	17.2%
Imperial Blue	Pernod Ricard	19.0	22.7	26.3	21.3	24.1	13.4%
Officer’s Choice	Allied Blenders & Distillers	32.0	34.0	30.6	20.8	23.2	11.5%
Royal Stag	Pernod Ricard	18.7	21.6	22.0	18.5	22.4	20.8%
Hayward’s	United Spirits	8.5	9.4	9.6	9.7	12.0	24.2%
8PM	Radico Khaitan	7.1	8.0	9.2	9.4	11.4	21.2%
Blenders Pride	Pernod Ricard	6.4	7.3	7.7	6.6	8.0	20.8%
Bagpiper	United Spirits	5.8	5.6	6.1	5.3	5.6	6.0%
Royal Challenge	United Spirits	4.5	5.6	5.5	4.3	4.7	8.8%
Sterling Reserve	Allied Blenders & Distillers	N/A	1.2	2.8	2.8	3.6	28.6%
White & Blue	Alcobrew	1.6	2.1	2.4	2.0	2.4	19.0%
Signature	United Spirits	2.0	2.3	2.3	1.9	2.0	6.5%

  Privacy Policy