Bimber Shoulders of Giants
London-based Bimber revealed the first releases from Shoulders of Giants. The distillery pays homage to thinkers, innovators and visionaries who have shaped our world. Each release features artwork and biographical details that celebrate the accomplishments of historical figures.
Three of them are exclusive to the UK (sold through the Bimber website from 26 April): Dickens, Newton and Shakespeare. A second set is only available in Poland through Tudor: Copernicus, Chopin and Curie. They all have a price tag of £ 94.
Timorous Beastie Madeira – Cheese Cellar
Douglas Laing unveiled the second bottling in their Timorous Beastie Cheese Cellar collection, which consists of different cask finishes. This Highland blended malt underwent a finishing in Madeira casks. It comes at 48% ABV with a price tag of £ 60 or € 70, with 4000 bottles available from the Douglas Laing shop or through retailers.
The perfect cheese pairing for this new release is Gruyère due to the complementary flavours, contrasting textures and balanced intensity.
Bladnoch Waterfall – 2024 edition
Bladnoch distillery announced the fifth and final release in the Bladnoch Waterfall series. Released annually since 2020 these expressions build upon the same single malt, further matured creating a waterfall effect. The starting point was a combination of ex-bourbon barrels and Oloroso casks. For year two, the remaining whisky was placed into Oloroso sherry puncheons, then Port pipes and then Hungarian Tokaji wine casks.
The 2024 Waterfall edition matured further in second-fill Oloroso sherry puncheons to round all flavours. It is limited to 1000 bottles which will be sold from 18 May 2024 at a distillery festival. The RRP is £ 140.
Loch Lomond 25 Year Old
For the new Loch Lomond 25 Year Old, master blender Michael Henry brought together three different spirits with a range of flavour profiles. Each whisky matured for 25 years in first-fill, refill and recharred American oak casks. It showcases the fruity, honeyed and softly smoked signature style of the distillery.
This single malt is bottled at 46% ABV and it is priced £ 390. Now available from the Loch Lomond shop or through select retailers.
Fettercairn: updated core range + travel retail
Fettercairn updated its core range and travel retail range. The ‘domestic range’ now includes these expressions:
- 12 Years (40%, reviewed in 2018)
- 16 Years (46.4%, previously a limited annual release, check my review)
- 24 Years (46.5% ABV, a completely new core range expression)
The 18 Year Old will continue to be available in select markets as an annual release.
In global travel retail you will find the Fettercairn 14 Years, 17 Years and 25 Years. The refreshed ranges will be available from April. They mark the beginning of celebrations for Fettercairn who will celebrate their 200th anniversary throughout 2024.
Also interesting
Last but not least, here are some things that grabbed my attention in shops recently…
- Port Ellen 1978 Gemini Set – Original & Remnant Cask
- GlenDronach 30 Years 1993 cask #6753 (UK exclusive)
- Powers 2005 Small Batch for The Whiskey Exchange
- Old School Malt 31 Years (Signatory Vintage)
- Ardbeg 15 Years 2008 (Royal Mile Whiskies)
- Sutherland 13 Years 2010 (Royal Mile Whiskies)
- Islay (LA) 31 Years 1992 (Signatory Vintage)
- Glenburgie 2008 100 Proof (Signatory Vintage)
- Clynelish 25 Years 1996 XOP (Douglas Laing)
- Redbreast Cuatro Barriles
- Compass Box Celestial
- Jura 30 Years 1994 – Infrequent Flyers
- Mystery Macallan 18 Years 2005 (Signatory Vintage)
- Ben Nevis 2013 Reserve Casks Parcel 12
- Kilchoman Batch Strength
- Glen Grant 1958 Mr George Legacy
- Gold Spot 13 Years: Generations Edition
- Cù Bòcan Creation 6: Rum & raisins