Alcademics

Blue Hanger Blended Scotch Whisky, Second Edition

This new variant of Blue Hanger, which is exclusive to the U.S., is comprised of one butt of Bunnahabhain 1987, one hogshead of Bunna Moine 2007, Mortlach 1997 and Bunnahabhain 1988, two hogsheads of Westport 1996, and three butts of a 2007 blended malt comprised of Bunnahabhain, Glenallachie, Glenfarclas, Glengoyne and Tamdhu.

Blue Hanger was originally a blended Scotch whisky intended for the diplomatic export market in 1934, but disappeared for a period of time until 2003 when Doug McIvor, spirits manager, began his experiments in vatting malts.

As with every expression of Blue Hanger, the strength is 45.6%. Blue Hanger 10 is only available in the United States at SRP $99.99.

Five Rare New Whiskies from William Grant

William Grant & Sons announces three new expressions: Kininvie, Ladyburn Single Malt Scotch Whisky and The Girvan Patent Still Single Grain Scotch Whisky. 

Kininvie: a single malt fom Dufftown, distilled 23 years ago in July 1990. Each half-bottle will display the year of distillation, batch number, and individual bottle number. The Kininvie 23 Year Old – Batch #2 will be available in a 375 ml bottle with a SRP of $150.

Ladyburn Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Created at a Single Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky distillery that was closed in 1975, having been operational for just nine years, Ladyburn was the shortest working distillery in the history of Scotch whisky. The 2014 release of Ladyburn Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 41 Years marks the first of an exclusive number of releases. Only 400 750 ml bottles will be available in the United States this year with a SRP of $2,000.

The Girvan Patent Still Single Grain Scotch Whisky launches three expressions including the no age statement expression No. 4 Apps, utilizing a first-of-its-kind patented vacuum distillation technology, in addition to two aged expressions, a 25 year old and a 30 year old.

The first apparatus installed at the Girvan distillery, known as No. 1 Apps, continues to make whisky today and over the last 50 years, has been joined by four other stills including a new type of patent still introduced in 1992 by Master Distiller John Ross. This unique process of vacuum distillation known as No. 4 Apps. 

Both distilled in the original No. 1 Apps installed in 1964 and matured in American white oak casks, the 25 year old and the 30 year old Girvan expressions present unprecedented character and flavor. No. 4 Apps will have a SRP of $45, the 25 year old, SRP $399, and the 30 year old, SRP $599.

Haig Club Single Grain Whisky

Haig Club was developed in partnership with David Beckham and British entrepreneur Simon Fuller.

The rise of Single Grain Whisky has been both predicted by whisky experts in recent years. Made at Scotland’s oldest grain whisky distillery – Cameronbridge in Fife – Haig Club is aged in Refill, American Oak and Rejuvenated casks and bottled at 40% ABV for a suggested retail price of $70 in the USA beginning in November.