Two iconic scotch whisky distilleries have expanded limited edition collections this week. Glengoyne has launched the most recent batch of the famed Teapot Dram, and Tomintoul has continued to experiment with cask finishes.
Let’s take a look at these exciting new scotch whisky releases.
Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch No.10
Glengoyne Distillery, which is nestled just south of Loch Lomond, has unveiled batch number 10 of its popular limited edition expression, Teapot Dram.
The Teapot Dram whisky pays homage to an old Glengoyne tradition which saw workers given three fingers of whisky twice a day from Monday to Thursday, and three times on a Friday. Whilst most distilleries offered their workers new make spirit from the stills, Glengoyne workers were given whisky drawn from first-fill sherry casks.
Those who did not finish their six (or nine) fingers of whisky would pour the remnants into a copper teapot that sat on the canteen windowsill. More seasoned workers could then enjoy the rest of the whisky later in the day.
In keeping with teapot dram tradition, the expression is richly sherried, matured exclusively in first-fill European and American oak sherry casks. This expression is bottled at 59.4% ABV, and provides “boozy raisins and candied pecans with decadent hints of Battenburg cake and shavings of dark chocolate dram,” on the nose. The palate delivers “rich and velvety caramel sauce with dates and spices reminiscent of Christmas.”
Duncan McNicoll, former Glengoyne Head Stillman and Teapot Drammer, said: “We’re pleased to share the tenth edition of Teapot Dram – it truly bottles up how we do things at Glengoyne.
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“What you are getting with the Teapot Dram is something that replicates what we drank back in the day— natural strength and heavily sherried. The long notes of dried sherry, Christmas cake, and the softness from the vanilla took me right back to those dramming days and it feels fitting that Batch 010 feels celebratory with hints of sweet cake.
“A fan favourite, it is always an exciting time at the distillery when the latest dram is unveiled, and we look forward to hearing what our community thinks of this decadent dram.”
Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch No.10 is limited to just 3,600 bottles and is available via the Glengoyne website and distillery shop for £140 (~$180).
Tomintoul 15 Year Old Tawny Port Cask Finish & Tomintoul 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask Finish
North of Glengoyne, hidden in the Cairngorms National Park, you will find Tomintoul Distillery. Tomintoul has recently announced the expansion of its Cask Finish Collection.
Each expression in this collection is matured in American oak ex-bourbon before being finished in an experimental cask which is hand-selected by Master Distiller, Robert Fleming.
The Tomintoul 15 Year Old Tawny Port Cask Finish (RRP £108) was distilled in 2008 and finished in Tawny Port barriques. The resulting whisky is “sweet and fruity, with a wash of baked strawberry, stewed rhubarb and vanilla custard, married with sweet nougat, candied almonds and cocoa powder.” The run is limited to just 6,072 bottles.
The Tomintoul 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask Finish (RRP £98) was finished in selected PX casks sourced from Spain following distillation in 2009. Tasting notes for the expression include “deep aromas of chocolate fudge cake, maple syrup and cedarwood, leaving impressions of tiramisu, dark chocolate and Brazil nuts lingering on the tongue.” Only 4,380 bottles have been produced. Both whiskies are bottled at 46% ABV.
Both new Tomintoul expressions can be purchased from specially selected retailers in the UK. To find out more, visit the Tomintoul website.