Just a quick reminder about our online auction. This is a heads up for the spirits enthusiasts out there. In addition to our normal offerings of an amazing selection of rare and vintage cigars, we have a new whisky category. If you were not already aware, you will have a chance of getting your hands on some really special bottles of whisky. Anywhere from rare vintage single malt bottlings to some hard to find American whiskey bottles. Guaranteed to have an array of some very interesting bottles that not many people can say they have on their shelves! Quite a few limited edition Japanese bottlings, like the Yamazaki 18, along with some older bottles of Weller 12 to tug on your bourbon cravings! 

We wanted to give the whisky lovers out there something to get excited about! So starting on the 12th, the lots will be open for online bidding and the actual auction will be held on Sunday the 19th at 10am!

Sign up to register at onlinecigarauctions.com. Our team will also be available to assist with any questions at [email protected]

Let us know on social media if you win anything and Happy bidding!!

Slainte

Anthony

For a little while now Diageo has been implementing different measures throughout the company to build a more sustainable future for the spirit making business. One of the biggest measures is going to be Bulleit Bourbon’s new carbon neutral distillery. Despite the pandemic, Diageo is full steam ahead on the building of the new Kentucky Distillery.

This distillery is going to be one of the biggest and greenest distilleries in North America. Boasting a 72,000 square foot compound putting out 10 million gallons of whiskey per year, all powered by renewable energy! Although Bulleit will be the headlining brand at the distillery, there will also be a variety of not yet announced brands being crafted there.

The use of electrode boilers is one of the biggest implementations, which create a quieter and cleaner product with less emissions. Powered by renewable electricity, the steam used for cooking, distillation, and drying will be created by these boilers. Other greener steps forward include: Solar powered LED lighting, all onsite vehicles (including trucks and forklifts) will be electric, zero waste going to landfills, and water minimization processes. All these steps and more will be essentially like removing 25,000 cars from the roads for an entire year.

As a big fan of Bulleit Bourbon already, it was fantastic to hear all this. It’s great seeing these massive distilleries using technology for good! I look forward to seeing what else is to come!

Until next time

Slainte

Anthony

I had almost forgotten about this whisky until we received some more stock back in!! There are plenty of good ryes out in the world, but Rittenhouse Rye has always been a favourite of mine. A fantastic fan favourite from the Heaven Hill family. This is just a quick rundown of my current tipple!

Heaven Hill produces this whiskey to commemorate Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square, crafting the liquid in a classic Pennsylvania rye flavour profile. That profile tends to be a lot spicier and fruitier than a lot of ryes. Rittenhouse is also Bottled in Bond, which has a lot of stipulations to be labeled that. One distiller at one single distillery, and created from one distillation season. In addition to that, it has to be aged in federally bonded warehouses that are under the supervision of the US Government for at least four years, then bottled at exactly 100 proof or 50% ABV. If that is not enough, the label must clearly state where it was distilled and bottled.

Rittenhouse has won multiple awards and accolades, all which are well deserved. Even though this is enjoyable on the rocks, my opinion is that it shines brightest in cocktails. A definite favourite amongst the creative cocktail bartenders I know.

While the expected rye spiciness is definitely there, the spice most definitely plays second fiddle to the bursting fruit flavours! It’s very clean and mellow, but balances the orchard fruits and peppery bite very well.

If you are in the market for a delicious cocktail rye, grab a bottle now!

Slainte

Anthony

There have been 3 new Teeling Irish Whiskey releases this year, 2 of which were released to coincide with World Whisky Day. Brabazon Series 3 and Teeling 28 year old were released together, along with the 18 year old Renaissance Volume 1 released in the UK this year. As a big fan of Teeling, these releases are quite exciting! Showing what premium Irish Whisky is all about.

The 18 year old is the first release in their Renaissance Series. This series to follow up from their highly popular and highly awarded Revival Series. Matured in ex-Bourbon casks, followed by a further 18 months maturation in ex-Madeira casks. This release is limited to 9,000 bottles, bottled at 46% with no chill filtration.

“The new range marks five years down the line. Five years ago we were at a stage where it was the revival of Irish whiskey and now we’re at a stage of the renaissance.” Said Stephen Teeling.

Taste: Silky richness accompanied by toffee apple, dried fruits and rosewater notes with cinnamon and clove spice on the tongue.

The Brabazon Series 3 release sees a 10,000 bottle limited release. The Brabazon series was created as a unique collection of Irish Single Malts to capture the full impact of using fortified wine casks in the maturation. Series 3 is a 14 year old that was finished in Pedro Ximenez casks, which were supplied by a small family run winery.

Taste: Dark chocolate, toffee apples, dates and cinnamon.

Released with Brabazon Series 3 was this magnificent 28 year old! This bottling is a continuation from the much beloved 21 and 24 year old releases, of which took home World’s Best Single Malt! All three come from the same 1991 distillate, this 28 just spending an additional 4 years maturing in Sauternes casks, making a total of 8 years in Sauternes. This expression is limited to 4,000 bottles and is bottled at 46% ABV.

Taste: Velvety smooth with a slight smokiness, fresh picked peaches, and fresh honey.

With all that is going on in the world, Teeling has been doing what it can to help numerous charities during the pandemic. That just makes me like them that much more! It shows their true caring for the community around them.

“We all feel helpless at times like this so do your part by buying some Teeling Whiskey swag with all proceeds bar the tax man’s take going to support the heroes at the front line of the battle against COVID 19. From the people caring for our elderly, vulnerable community to those in the trenches in hospitals around the country, we wanted to do something to support in some way. We chose to create the Teeling Front Line Heroes website to try our best to give back to people who are making huge sacrifices on a daily basis. As we have all been forced to step back they are stepping forward day after day tackling this crisis head on and this website is a small gesture of our appreciation for these true front line heroes.”

Teelingfrontlineheroes.com for more.

Slainte

Anthony

With Father’s Day coming up, we thought a list of some of the team’s current favourite American Whiskies would do everyone some good! Whether you are looking for the spiciness of a rye, the sweetness of a Kentucky bourbon, or the wonderfully unique taste of an American single malt from the Pacific NorthWest! We have some options for you! Grab a bottle for the father in your life… or just yourself.

Westland Sherry Wood

A delicious American Single Malt from Seattle, Washington. Westland uses six different styles of malted barley, four different casks, and Belgian Brewer’s Yeast in the creation of this unique whiskey. Wonderful flavours of maple syrup, stewed fruits, oatmeal, and a mellow spiciness.

Sazerac Straight Rye

A multi-award winning rye from the Buffalo Trace Distillery is tasty and affordable! Named after the Sazerac Coffee House in New Orleans, this rye is aged 4-6 years in the Kentucky heat and bottled at 45%. Great cinnamon notes, carmelised fruits, black pepper, and cloves. Hard to keep on the shelves.

Rowan’s Creek

A fantastic small batch boutique bourbon from Willett Distilling Company. Named after the water source that runs through the distillery grounds. Easily the best seller in the Willett family’s lineup! For good reason too, this is a true Kentucky bourbon. Aged for 12 years and bottled at 50.05%. A very velvety bourbon which hosts oodles of caramel sweetness, slight citrus, and a nice oaky spice.

Weller Antique 107

A wonderful full flavoured wheated bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distilling. The high proof pairs very well in cocktails, creating a bold backbone to the chosen drink! A well balanced bourbon with smooth vanilla, cinnamon apples, and a sharp spiciness.

High West Campfire

A real favourite for something truly outside the box. This one of a kind whiskey hails from the picturesque High West Distillery in Utah. This bottling is a combination of 3 different whiskies; a straight bourbon, a straight rye, and a peated Scottish malt whisky. A big mouthful of rye, raisins, rich honey, smoked almonds, and a bit of peat on the back end.

Slainte

Anthony