The joy of six as new whiskies are revealed

Six new limited edition Scotch whiskies have been revealed at Distell’s first annual showcase event, The Malt Gallery.

The new releases represent the four distilleries in the Distell portfolio, from Deanston in the Highlands to its West coast island presence with Bunnahabhain, Tobermory and Ledaig:

Tobermory 2005 (12 YO) Fino Cask Finish, RRP £110;

Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish, RRP £130;

Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) PX Cask Finish, RRP £150;

Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish, RRP £60;

Bunnahabhain 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured, RRP £75;

Bunnahabhain Palo Cortado Cask Finish, RRP £275.

The capital showcase was held at TT Liquor in Shoreditch, London, which was transformed into an art gallery for the evening, treating each of the special new malts as exhibits within a very special collection. Guests were taken on a cultural experience through the three distilleries, as they tasted each of the new expressions.

One-to-one tastings were led across the malts by Distell’s own team of experts, including distilleries manager, Stephen Woodcock, and Bunnahabhain Distillery Manager, Andrew Brown.

Distell launched six new whiskies at the Malt Gallery

Stephen Woodcock said: ‘The Malt Gallery concept provided the perfect platform to bring the malts to life through our tastings, as well as offering an insight into each distillery through some of the sounds, sights and smells. It was an innovative way to engage small groups and bring a taste of our Highland and Island brand stories to London for one night.’

The new releases cover a spectrum of taste profiles. From the sweet, smoky character of Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) PX Cask Finish; to the spicy, chocolatey Tobermory 2005 (12 YO) Fino Cask Finish; the rich, smoky Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish full of dried fruit and sweet oak notes; and the Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish, brimming with spiced fruit and honey flavours.

A distillery first, Bunnahabhain 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured has been fully matured in Bordeaux red wine casks, creating a deep red, golden whisky, which balances the sweetness of toffee with pepper and smoke to provide a truly unique dram.

Rounding off the new releases, Bunnahabhain Palo Cortado Cask Finish spent almost two years in rare Palo Cortado sherry casks to complete the malt. Deep amber gold in colour, the whisky offers flavours of sweet dried fruit, rich oak and subtle hints of cocoa on the palate, with a slightly dry finish with hints of nutmeg.

Derek Scott, brand director for Distell’s malt whisky said: ‘Each of these new releases is unique. They tell their own story of where they came from, by maintaining the flavour profiles known to each of the brands, while having individual enhancements from being finished in carefully selected casks for their final maturation.’