Simon Wittenberg takes a look at some of the latest news and launches making the headlines in the world of whisky.

Ardnahoe Inaugural Release
Ardnahoe Inaugural Release, priced at £70, is a limited edition five-year-old single malt from the Ardnahoe Distillery on the Isle of Islay. It is also the first whisky from a new distillery on the island since 2009, and with Islay peat smoke on the nose, custard, ginger, lemon zest and baked apples on the palate, coupled with a long, smoky finish, the Inaugural Release is a classic, sophisticated Islay single malt.

Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-oloroso Sherry casks and bottled at 50% ABV, the signature Islay characteristics of peat and smoke are balanced with a sweet fruitiness and real depth of flavour. The expression is available from the distillery and through retailers across the UK and in more than 20 countries worldwide.

For further information, visit www.ardnahoedistillery.com.

Bowmore Whisky Oyster Luge Experience
For Father’s Day in the UK on 16th June, Caviar House has partnered with Bowmore for its exclusive Bowmore Whisky Oyster Luge Experience at its Piccadilly flagship and Selfridges Seafood Bar in the heart of Central London.

Priced at £70 for two diners, the unique experience includes a dozen oysters presented alongside two 50ml servings of the exquisite Bowmore 12-Year-Old expression. This exciting combination offers a harmonious spectrum of flavours, showcasing the delicate brininess of the oysters and the smooth richness of the whisky, which comes from one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland.

To make a reservation, visit www.caviarhouse-prunier.co.uk.

CALLUM 003 by Annandale
CALLUM, the British design and engineering business, has teamed up once again with the award-winning Annandale Distillery in Scotland to create the second in a series of six collectable single-cask whiskies. In the glass, CALLUM 003 by Annandale has a pale, straw-like golden appearance. On the nose, it delivers hints of steeped dried fruits, toffee, black treacle and salted caramel, where the sweetness is joined by medicinal smoky notes.

Featuring a ‘Pearl White’ glaze, CALLUM 003 by Annandale whisky is housed in a bespoke ceramic bottle created by CALLUM and features the same striking design as its limited edition sister whisky, CALLUM 529 – unveiled a couple of years ago in May 2022.

To pre-order this whisky (58% ABV), costing £350, visit www.callumdesigns.com/callum-003.

Glenglassaugh sponsors Scottish Traditional Boat Festival
Whisky brand Glenglassaugh has announced that it is the headline sponsor of this year’s Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, which is taking place on the weekend of 22nd to 23rd June.

The annual event on the shores of Sandend Bay, which is set to welcome 12,000 visitors, celebrates its 31st anniversary in 2024.

The initiative features several heritage vessels alongside entertainment, Scottish cuisine, and a demonstration of age-old crafts.

For more information, visit www.glenglassaugh.com and www.stbfportsoy.org.

New Cooper joins Irish Distillers
Irish Distillers has announced only the second newly qualified cooper at Midleton Distillery in more than 45 years. Derek Cronin, from Ardmore in County Waterford, successfully completed his four-year apprenticeship under Master Cooper Ger Buckley.

Prior to joining Irish Distillers, Derek trained as a carpenter and spent seven years living in Australia, honing his craft. Upon his return, he worked as a carpenter with PJ Hegarty & Sons in Cork before joining Irish Distillers as a General Operative in 2019. Eager to return to his passion for craftsmanship, Derek commenced his apprenticeship to become a cooper in 2020.

A cooper is trained to make and repair wooden casks that play an important role in the whiskey production process, as the contribution from the wood has a significant influence on the flavour profile of the final liquid.

For further details, see www.irishdistillers.ie.

The Glenlivet Caskmakers
In the 200th anniversary year of The Glenlivet, the renowned distillery has launched The Glenlivet Caskmakers, a travel retail exclusive on sale in selected duty-free shops across the globe.

This distinguished Scotch whisky is the result of a remarkable feat in craftsmanship, in which two hand-selected barrels (ex-Spanish Sherry and freshly charred European oak) have been meticulously deconstructed and recrafted – combining alternating staves of the two – to create one new cask.

Whisky connoisseurs will be treated to hints of ripe orchard fruits, fresh honey, warming spices, and charred pineapple.

The Glenlivet Caskmakers is at an RRP of US$225 (around £180) per bottle. For more details, visit www.theglenlivet.com.

The Waterford – Cuvée Koffi
Ireland’s Waterford Distillery has introduced its new flagship bottling, named The Waterford – Cuvée Koffi. It has been created by layering 24 individual single-farm origins between six and seven years of age. Each one has been distilled separately using 100% local Irish barley grown on individual terroirs across the southeast of Ireland.

Bottled at a robust 50% ABV and six years of age, the amber gold-coloured Waterford – Cuvée Koffi uses four distinct cask types: 36% First Fill American oak, 17% Virgin American oak, 21% Premium French oak, and 26% Vin Doux Naturel. The result is a taste of red apple on homemade brown bread, washed down with a cup of tea, and a long and dry, gentle, spicy finish.

Waterford Distillery collaborated with rising star of the French art scene, Nathanaël Koffi, to create a strikingand packaging design, hence the name of this new expression.

The Waterford – Cuvée Koffi is available to purchase from the Waterford Distillery’s website and from retailers worldwide at a cost of US$91.50 or £73.

To find out more, visit www.waterfordwhisky.com.