The best new whiskies for a cosy dram this autumn - including Lindores Abbey and Laphroaig
As the weather gets colder, it’s an ideal time to cosy up with a dram or two.
While whisky can be enjoyed any time of the year, there’s something about cold weather and a roaring fire that makes a dram seem like an ideal way to unwind.
With this in mind, toast the new season with one of these newly released whiskies - ideal for a warming drink this autumn.
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Lindores Abbey Thiron
Lindores Abbey Distillery has recently announced the launch of its first bottle in an annual series of limited releases celebrating its historic links with the abbey at Thiron-Gardais, a small town in the Perche region, southwest of Paris. The bottling celebrates 833 years of historic links between Lindores Abbey and l’Abbaye de Tiron.
The spirit has been matured in red wine barriques, bourbon casks, and French virgin oak casks taken from trees grown in the Thiron-Gardais area. This gives it initial notes of mellow vanilla, caramel syrup and baking spices, giving way to ginger and roasted chestnuts.
Lindores Abbey Thiron is priced at £55 and available to buy here.
The Maclean Foundation Glen Scotia 8 year old ‘Alice in Wonderland’ whisky
Glen Scotia has donated a limited-edition single cask for the second whisky release by The Maclean Foundation (TMF). Each of the 210 bottles of the eight-year-old liquid aged in first-fill bourbon (59.1% ABV, RRP £115),has the potential to provide someone with clean water for life.
The charity founded by legendary Scottish whisky expert Charles Maclean MBE and his three record-breaking sons - Ewan, 32, Jamie, 30 and Lachlan, 26 - has already provided clean water for life to nearly 2,000 Madagascans.
The second release by The Maclean Foundation is now available at Royal Mile Whiskies priced at £115. You can buy a bottle here.
Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown 2
Glen Scotia has revealed the second expression in its Icons of Campbeltown collection.
The second release is a 14 Year Old medium-peated single malt (56.8% ABV, £98) that has been produced by master blender, Michael Henry.
Laid down in American oak, Michael decided upon a six-month finish in Barolo red wine casks, resulting in a decadently smoky liquid, complemented by red candied fruits and berries, followed by a long, dry finish. There is a subtle maritime salinity throughout - Glen Scotia’s signature style.
Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown second release is priced at £95 and you can buy a bottle here.
Benromach Contrasts Unpeated
The latest single malt expression from Benromach Distillery challenges drinkers to compare an unpeated variant, released as part of its Contrasts range, to the whiskies in its core range which contain its signature flavour profile – with a subtle wisp of smoke.
The new Contrasts release features unpeated spirit matured for nine years in a mix of bourbon and Sherry casks. It provides sweet and floral aromas on the nose, followed by a fruity palate with underlying liquorice, oak and herbal influences.
With an ABV strength of 46 per cent, the whisky is currently available for purchase via independent whisky specialists at a recommended retail price of £60. You can buy a bottle here.
Laphroaig Strong Characters
Laphroaig has launched the first in a series of limited-edition single malts dedicated to the pioneers who shaped Laphroaig’s history – starting with co-founder Donald Johnston – alongside bespoke illustrations by artist Bill Bragg.
The chosen release has matured for 33 years, in American oak barrels and European oak ex-sherry hogsheads.
With a deep golden hue, the resulting whisky is complex, rugged yet smooth, with notes of sweet fudge, heather honey, freshly baked sourdough bread and a briny blast of sea spray. The gentle sherry influence adds notes of fruit cake and subtle spice.
Laphroaig Strong Characters will be available to purchase exclusively at The Whisky Shop with a RRP of £960. You can buy a bottle here.
Jura Perspective No.1
Jura has recently introduced Perspective No.1, the first in a new series of limited-edition whiskies that reimagine the distillery’s signature island spirit.
The 16-year-old whisky has been matured American white oak ex-bourbon barrels. It is then finished in Oloroso sherry casks, which give a depth and complexity to the whisky with notes of stone fruits, peaches and dried fruits and nuts.
Perspective No.1 is now available at selected spirits stores across the UK at an RRP of £70. You can buy a bottle here.
Ferg & Harris Craigellachie 15 year old ‘sister’ whiskies
Luxury single cask, single malt whisky brand Ferg & Harris has released a collection of five new whiskies, each featuring an inspired cask wood finish for a truly distinctive dram.
The collection includes a Ferg & Harris “first”: a 15-Year-Old Craigellachie matured in an Amontillado Sherry butt which has been divided and used to fill two different finishing casks – one Virgin Oak, one White Port.
These ‘sister’ whiskies share the same fruity warmth of their sherry maturation but have developed deliciously different characteristics.
Both are priced at £129 and you can find out more and buy them here.
Raasay Dùn Cana Sherry Quarter Cask Release: Second Edition
Named after the highest point on the island, Dùn Cana, this new whisky from Raasay is a tribute to the island’s rugged landscape and rich geological history, and is an ongoing annual release from the Hebridean distillery.
The release is limited to just 15,000 bottles worldwide and is available now in selected markets and online priced at £85 per bottle. You can buy a bottle here.
Littlemill cask reflections release no.1
Littlemill has announced a new annual collection, which draws on the remaining liquid of one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries, with a series of rare cask finishes, honouring its innovative past.
The first release, Cask Reflections Release No.1, has been aged for 33 years and was initially stored in refill bourbon barrels, followed by a four-month finish in Japanese Mizunara oak casks.
The result is a fragrant whisky carefully rich in sandalwood spice, perfectly completing the floral elderflower and fruit of the Lowland malt.
Littlemill cask reflections release no.1 is available now priced at £3,800 and you can buy a bottle here.
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