Whisky Production Begins at The Orkney Distillery

The Orkney Distillery is entering a new era. The first-ever whisky distillation at the distillery will occur today (March 27th) to coincide with International Whiskey Day. Founded in 2016, The Orkney Distillery, located in Kirkwall on Orkney, has long harbored ambitions to diversify its spirits profile with whisky and rum. Until today, the distillery has exclusively produced Kirkjuvagr gin.

The Orkney Distillery

Prior to The Orkney Distillery’s first official single malt scotch release (for which we will have to wait at least three years), the distillery will release two small batch whiskies, one peated and one unpeated, named Hoy and Fara. These whiskies will constitute The Orkney Distillery’s first foray into the whisky market.

“Over the past seven years, The Orkney Distillery has become well established within the Scottish drinks sector, with our award-winning range of Kirkjuvagr gins a firm favourite in the marketplace. Our single malt Scotch whisky will be a fantastic addition to the distillery’s product range and will be crafted with the same commitment and attention to detail that we’ve applied to our gin production. We’ll share more details in the coming weeks and months but suffice to say we’re determined to create a single malt of exceptional quality and provenance, one that reflects our values as a business and celebrates the long tradition of whisky making in Orkney.” - Stephen Kemp, Managing Director of The Orkney Distillery

The distillery has also begun rum distillation as of January 2024.

Whisky Distilling on Orkney

Orkney has a long and fascinating history complete with Vikings. This is the Skara Brae UNESCO World Heritage site, a preserved Neolithic settlement on Orkney. In recent years, budding whisky makers have turned to Orkney to establish new distilleries. In the last eight years, Kimbland Distillery, Deerness Distillery, and The Orkney Distillery have been founded on the islands. These new distilleries join Orkney institutions Highland Park and Scapa in whisky making in the far north of Scotland.

Orkney Islands

As such, it seems that Orkney is quickly establishing itself as a new whisky region. Whether it is given official classification, of course, is another matter. However, there is no doubt that Orkney scotch whisky has its own distinct character as well as a history that is deeply rooted in the islands’ Viking heritage.

The Macallan Releases Tales of the Macallan Volume II in Celebration of 200 Years

The Macallan has launched a limited edition single malt whisky, Tales of the Macallan Volume II, to mark its 200th anniversary. This release pays tribute to Alexander Reid, the founder of the distillery, and the standards of excellence he established for the brand.

Tales of the Macallan Volume II

The whisky is presented in a bespoke handcrafted crystal decanter, designed by Lalique, housed within an almanac. The almanac features illustrations by British illustrator Andrew Davidson and tells the story of Alexander Reid.

This release is highly exclusive, with only 344 decanters available for purchase from select retailers starting January 26, 2024. In addition to the whisky, 100 limited edition folio sets, each comprised of three 30.5 x 46.4cm prints, have been created for the release.

15 Stars Releases First West Bourbon

15 Stars won two major awards at the New York Wine & Spirits Competition last summer: Its Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon took home Best Bourbon, and its First West Rye Whiskey was awarded the top honor of Best in Show. And now this non-distilling producer just announced the details of its latest release, a blend of bourbons sourced from three different states called First West Bourbon.

15 Stars

The brand, which is named in honor of Kentucky being the fifteenth state to join the Union, was founded by the father and son team of Rick and Ricky Johnson. As we previously reported, the pair is working with Bardstown Bourbon Company to make bourbon from heritage and heirloom corn that they use for their popcorn brand, Black Jewell. That whiskey won’t be ready for a few years, but in the meantime, they are sourcing and blending whiskey, and clearly, they are doing something right based on the results of last summer’s wins.

The new First West Bourbon is a blend of bourbon—15-year-old from Kentucky, nine-year-old from Indiana, and seven-year-old from Tennessee (just 5 percent of the blend). It was bottled at 106 proof and official tasting notes describe brown sugar, toffee, rye spice, rich oak, and tobacco notes on the palate.

This is not the only new release from 15 Stars. Just a few weeks ago, the brand launched Batch 2 of its award-winning First West Rye, a blend of straight rye whiskeys from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee aged for nine, seven, and six years and bottled at 105 proof. In addition to that, a new edition of 8&15 YO Private Stock Fine Aged Bourbon came out, a blend of Kentucky bourbons that includes one component that is a year older than what was in the previously released 7&15 Private Stock.