Bruichladdich 18+30, Starward Lagavulin, Glencadam

Bruichladdich 18 Years / Bruichladdich 30 Years

Bruichladdich Eighteen / Thirty

This week Bruichladdich launched the first whiskies in a new high-age statement range: Bruichladich Eighteen and Thirty.

The Re/Define 18 Years is fully traceable, from the specific harvest and barley varieties to the exact barrels. It is made with the first harvest of Islay-grown barley, alongside organically grown barley from mainland Scotland. It aged primarily in ex-bourbon casks (and a small number of Sauternes and Port casks) and comes at 50% ABV. Available from Master of Malt or TyndrumWhisky among others.

The Re/Define 30 Years celbrates the resurrection of the distillery. It closed 30 years ago in 1994, so this whisky captures a pivotal moment for Bruichladdich. The whisky comes from ex-bourbon barrels and is released at 43.2% ABV. Available from Master of Malt or TyndrumWhisky among others.

Not only are these interesting for their age, they also have a bespoke sustainable outer packaging made of recyclable paper pulp. Lightweight, plastic-free and made with 100% green electricity. A modern interpretation of premium aesthetics.

Glenmorangie 12 Years Calvados

Glenmorangie came up with a 12 year old single malt finished for almost two years in Calvados casks. The spirit was distilled in Normandy (France) from apples and partly from pears and the barrels had previously been filled for 20 years. It is a first for the distillery to enhance their whisky with this spirit.

Now available from the Glenmorangie website and next week from retailers.

Glencadam 17 Years Reserva PX / 15 Years Reserva de Madeira

Glencadam launches two limited edition cask finishes:

15 Years ‘Reserva de Madeira’ 2008 (5826 btl.) – see Master of Malt
17 Years ‘Reserva PX’ 2006 (quarter cask, 4188 btl.) – see Master of Malt

After an initial maturation in ex-bourbon casks, the whisky moved to these fortified wine casks.

Starward Lagavulin

Starward X Lagavulin

Islay meets Australia. Melbourne’s Starward distillery surprises with a single malt finished in Lagavulin casks. The first maturation took place in the characteristic red wine barrels, followed by a further 18 months in these peated Islay casks. It is said to combine tropical fruits with rich, coastal peat and dry oak. Even the box has the typical Lagavulin green colour.

Only 2000 will be sold, now also available in Europe for around € 125.

Glen Moray redesign: 12 Years / 15 Years / 18 Years

After the redesign of the packaging for its Explorer range, Glen Moray distillery is now applying the same style to its core range. The Glen Moray 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old and 18 Year Old get bold colours and golden accents. Strengths, compositions and other elements seem to be identical so it’s only a visual change.

Also interesting

Last but not least, here are some things that grabbed my attention in shops recently…