New Releases: Laphroaig, Daftmill, Bonnington

New scotch whisky releases this week embody Laphroaig’s 2024 Càirdeas, a 12 12 months outdated from Daftmill, and a sherry cask expression from Bonnington. 

Laphroaig Càirdeas 2024 Cask Favourites

Islay distillery, Laphroaig, has unveiled the 2024 version of its beloved Càirdeas collection. 

Càirdeas, Gaelic for friendship, is an annual restricted launch by Laphroaig provided completely to ‘Pals of Laphroaig’. 

‘Friends of Laphroaig’ is a free Laphroaig fan membership, in which you’ll be able to earn factors to spend on Laphroaig whisky and merchandise, in addition to claiming your personal sq. foot of Islay. The membership was based in 1994, making 2024 its thirtieth anniversary. 

In celebration, the brand new Laphroaig Càirdeas 2024 Cask Favourites pays homage to the final three many years of friendship, in addition to earlier Càirdeas releases, together with the 2019 Triple Wooden and the 2021 PX Cask. 

Whisky from these beloved casks has been expertly blended by Grasp Blender Calum Fraser and bottled at 10 years outdated. In accordance with the press launch: “Developed in ex-Bourbon barrels, this single malt combines the distinctive peaty taste of Laphroaig with notes of freshly floor ginger, charred citrus fruits, and a whisper of bonfire notes embers by on the end. The celebratory malt is bottled at a set power for a memorable expertise to share with mates.”

The official tasting notes for the brand new Laphroaig Càirdeas are: 

• Daring, pale gold in shade.
• Full of quintessential smoky peat and charred citrus fruit aromas.
• With notes of caramelized sugar and cinnamon dominate the nostril.
• Adopted by delicate notes of hazelnut and honey sweetness.
• A tannic oak paired with earthy peat and refined sea-salt convey the whisky to a end.

The Laphroaig Càirdeas 2024 Cask Favourites is now obtainable for preorder through ReserveBar. The whisky will likely be obtainable within the US on the finish of June 2024 for an RRP of $109.99. 

Daftmill 2010 Cask Energy

Lowland distillery, Daftmill, has unveiled a brand new 12 12 months outdated cask power expression, distilled in 2010. Daftmill, positioned in Fife, is a number one determine within the so-called ‘Lowland Revival’ which has seen quite a few distilleries being constructed within the Lowlands after a interval of serious downturn for the area. 

The unbiased farm distillery has a really small output, which means that its releases are extremely anticipated. This new launch, for instance, is vatted from simply 15 first-fill ex-bourbon casks. Solely 2,400 bottles can be found. 

Daftmill operates on a seasonal schedule, with simply 100 casks crammed per 12 months. 

The Datmill 2010 Cask Energy was distilled between January and July 2010 and matured for 12 years earlier than being bottled at 58.7% ABV. It will likely be the primary Daftmill Cask Energy expression to be obtainable within the USA. 

The official tasting notes for the brand new launch are: 

“Nostril: Lashings of vanilla essence and spiced custard, evolving over time into honeyed beeswax, candy lemon sweet, apricot jam, and hints of contemporary cake dough
Palate: Spicy oak balanced with fruitier distillate notes, giving approach to caramelized brown sugar, toffee and hints of mashed banana and marzipan
End: Dominant notes of wooden spice with waves of warming cinnamon and dried ginger”

The brand new expression will likely be distributed within the US with the assistance of Hotaling & Co. CEO Dan Leese mentioned: “Daftmill is famend for its dedication to authenticity and craft as a real Scottish farm-to-bottle single malt. We satisfaction ourselves on bringing distinctive spirits from world wide to American customers, and this new cask power expression from Daftmill will remember to enchantment to each whisky collector.”

Bonnington Sherry Cask 

Halewood Artisanal Spirits has unveiled a sherry cask expression from Bonnington Distillery in Edinburgh. 

The NAS Lowland single malt was matured completely in Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks. Tasting notes are as follows: 

“Nostril: Candy sugar, choose and blend, contemporary oak and inexperienced wooden
Style: Recent, refined pink fruit, calmly dusted sugar on berries
End: A lot of wooden and tannins, some salty notes.”

The Bonnington Sherry Cask comes on the heels of the profitable Bonnington Inaugural Launch, which hit the market in 2023. 

Talking in regards to the new launch, Distillery Supervisor Jamie Lockhart, mentioned: “I’m delighted to comply with up our inaugural launch with this very good sherry cask launch. The liquid itself is one thing that we’re actually happy with – aged in Pedro Ximénez Casks and reduce at 47% it’s daring, wealthy and stuffed with flavour”.

Bonnington Distillery was in-built 2018, and is known as for the foundations of Bonnington Home which have been uncovered when work started. This has served as inspiration for the model going ahead. Grasp Blender JIll Boyd commented: “Our plan with Bonnington releases is to maintain them small batch. We’ve thrilling concepts for 2024 with additional restricted bottlings deliberate.” 

The Bonnington Sherry Cask will roll out to specialist retailers, together with Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange, within the subsequent couple of weeks. The brand new launch has an RRP of £50-£55.