Arran Island Single Malt or Arran Single Malt is a Scottish single malt whisky produced by Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd, based in Lochranza on the Isle of Arran. This distillery was opened in 1995, making it one of the youngest distilleries in Scotland. The distillery was founded by Harold Currie, former director of Chivas Regal.
Because the name whisky can only be used after a maturation process that has lasted at least 3 years and 1 day, Arran Distilleries has only been a whisky producer since 1998. From that moment on it was only allowed to be called whisky. To celebrate, a limited edition was released for sale, a traditional custom.
The 'Road to 18' series is the distillery's journey towards releasing their oldest whisky after opening, 18 years later. Two previous editions were released one year and two years earlier. Bronze for the 16 year old single malt, silver for the 17 year old single malt and the masterpiece so far, gold for the 18 year old single malt. The very first and very limited series by Arran. Only less than 10,000 bottles per edition have been released worldwide.
Tomatin Five Virtues Series is a series that focuses on the five elements that are needed in the production of whisky. A series inspired by the natural elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
This series by Tomatin are small works of art to see, the beautiful boxes of the series are made by artist Eva Ullrich. She designed the packaging.
Comprised of five single malts, each with a limited run of just 6,000 bottles, the new range takes inspiration from wood, fire, earth, metal and water. The Wood expression has been aged in French, American and Hungarian oak casks, while Fire is matured in heavily charred oak, giving it “fresh vanilla” flavours. Earth is described as having “rich and intense peaty” flavours as a consequence of maturing in peat-dried malted barley casks and Metal is expressed by the distillery’s 12 copper stills.
Completing the series, Water is made of “naturally pure” soft water drawn year-round from Alt-na-Frith, and combined with a “winter-distilled” spirit to enhance the final flavour.
Only a small amount of Tomatin is marketed as single malt whisky, the largest part is used for the blended whiskies.
From 1637 to 1914, the 'millers' family' Van Breedam milled and distilled grain into jenever on the Molenberg in Blaasveld. In 1872 Louis Van Breedam and his sister left the Molenberg and became brewers in Mechelen (Belgium). To this day, the Molenberg is still in the hands of the family and the tradition lives on.
Charles Leclef grew up in the brewery as a child, but also knows the Molenberg in Blaasveld, where his uncle lives. After Charles modernizes the brewery in 1990, another daring plan matures for him. He wants to distill beer into alcohol in the Molenberg, a Belgian whisky. This whisky distillery will be the perfect marriage between the two family traditions: brewing and distilling.
Over the years, the family farm on the Molenberg fell into disrepair. The preparatory renovation works started in 2009. The installation of the copper boilers in November 2009, an absolute unique moment for Belgium, immediately marked the start of a new tradition. Finally, the first, pure distillate flowed from these stills in October 2010.
Since its first edition in 2014, this series has been celebrating the anniversary of the new distillery and has grown into the distillery's tradition. A limited and highly sought after series.
The Glen Garioch distillery is located in Aberdeenshire on the outskirts of Old Meldrum, northwest of Aberdeen. Glen Garioch comes from old Scots, Glen means "valley" and Garioch is the name of the area. Translated, this is "Valley of Garioch". The distillery was founded in 1798 by a certain Thomas Simpson and has since gone through several takeovers.
This series was distilled directly after the distillery reopened in 1997. Glen Garioch was closed between 1995 and 1997 and peated whiskey was distilled before that. After the reopening, however, the peat has disappeared and generally gives way to more sherry maturations. This Renaissance series is dedicated to the new delightful house style after its revival in 1997.
In 2009, Glen Garioch got a brand new look. One that fits a small but 200 year old distillery that is passionate about making exceptional Single Malts. The 4 part Renaissance collection is completely released in this new look and embodies the distillery's rebirth.
Impeccably crafted, the highly anticipated single malt Scotch whisky collection features eight precious whiskies and debuts this year with an augmented reality experience that reveals the distillery's untold stories in a unique and captivating way.
From some of Scotland's most interesting and legendary distilleries and master mixologists, Dr. Curated by Craig Wilson, based on our ancient fables and myths, depicts the otherworldly creatures that forever and strongly protect the remote Scottish distillery heartland, The creatures come to life and reveal their true personalities. The collection comes from renowned distilleries and references the hidden treasures found in every corner between Scottish lochs and rugged highlands.
A carefully selected collection each year highlights the diversity of our most prized Scotch whisky reserves. Each whisky comes to life visually with carefully crafted illustrations and design work by renowned digital illustrator Ken Taylor. His bold, iconic style and interpretations of mythical creatures draw on his portfolio of pop culture artwork.
Activated through an on-pack QR code, a multi-sensory experience begins with a narration of the cask-strength Single Malts’ tale. Enthusiasts are then guided through a mixed reality tasting experience, designed to captivate their senses and bring a taste of Scotland to their homes.
In the beginning of the 9th century, when Viking boats left the coasts of Denmark and Norway in looking for new lands to conquer, they arrived at Orkney, home of Highland Park. And so these islands were drawn into a huge Viking kingdom. The Vikings arrived as intruders but quickly established as farmers, traders and craftsmen, impressing their culture and character of the islands.
The Fire and Ice editions of Highland Park together form a small series in honor of this Norse history and mythology. It's not the first Highland Park series to be dedicated to ancient Norse mythology. The Valhalla Collection is the previous series of four editions.
Like the previous series, the Fire & Ice Collection is also designed in the wooden frame packaging. Even the bottles are finished in the typical colors to live up to the name of the series. These two beautiful creations make it a very exclusive and luxurious series in the typical Highland Park style.
Although the Isle of Arran was once a hotbed of illegal distilling activities, there were no distilleries on the island for much of the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1995 the Isle of Arran Distillery opened their first distillery and quickly became the most popular. Since 2019 the distillery has changed its name to Lochranza, but the single malt brand is still known under the old name Arran.
This limited edition collection pays tribute to the dark history of the smuggling and trade of illegally distilled whisky. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the island was the site of illegal whisky production. The smugglers used to use small barrels for this because they were easy to transport. For that reason, this series has also been stored in small barrels.
Three volumes were released, shown in hollowed-out books to hide and smuggle the merchandise.
This is the complete trilogy. A beautiful and very rare series that is also a feast for the eyes with its unique appearance due to hollowed-out books.
Introducing The Portuguese Collection, a limited edition series dedicated to and inspired by Portuguese wines!
The Portuguese Collection expressions were each distilled on 8th September 2006 and laid down in traditional Scotch Whisky oak casks for over 8 years. On 23rd April 2015 the whisky was then moved into Tawny Port, Moscatel de Setúbal and Madeira Wine casks for a further 7 years, resulting in a magnificent triad of single malt Scotch Whiskies.
The Port Edition showcases an initial aroma of Black Forest gateau with warm spices and deep forest fruits – blackberries, raspberries and cherries, but the sweeter notes of peach and apricot to finish.
The Moscatel Edition offers sweet aromas of marmalade, honey and salted caramel, combined with a hint of citrus balanced perfectly with ginger and star anise.
Completing the collection, The Madeira Edition presents pronounced aromas of honey and lemon, which move into flavours of butterscotch and stewed apples – finishing on a treacle note.
Scottish independent bottler Douglas Laing has collaborated with The Dutch Dram Masters to release three exclusive whiskies, each bearing a unique character influenced by Dutch history. The partnership between these esteemed entities has birthed a series of remarkable bottlings, showcasing the essence of Dutch heritage through the lens of fine Scotch whisky craftsmanship.
The first in this collection is the Caol Ila 2007 Dutch Dram Masters. This expression encapsulates the marriage of Scottish distillation expertise with a touch of Dutch finesse, resulting in a whisky that embodies the essence of both cultures. Its flavors carry nuances that reflect the rich tapestry of Dutch history, making it a truly distinct offering.
Following this remarkable release is the Bunnahabhain 15 Years Dutch Dram Masters. Aged for a significant duration, this whisky showcases the meticulous care and attention to detail that characterizes both Douglas Laing and The Dutch Dram Masters. With every sip, one can discern the depth of flavor and complexity, a testament to the artistry and expertise involved in its creation.
Completing this exceptional trio is the Glenrothes 17 Years Dutch Dram Masters. This expression bears the hallmarks of maturity and sophistication, reflective of the time-honored traditions of Dutch heritage and the artful craftsmanship synonymous with Douglas Laing. Its complex yet harmonious profile invites enthusiasts to embark on a sensory journey through the depths of flavor.
The collaboration between Douglas Laing and The Dutch Dram Masters stands as a testament to the shared passion for whisky and dedication to crafting exceptional spirits that honor both Scottish and Dutch legacies. Each bottling within this series not only represents a unique flavor profile but also serves as a celebration of the enduring cultural ties between Scotland and the Netherlands.
