Spice

Craigellachie 13 Year

Craigellachie 13 Year

Though the village of Craigellachie may be more famous as the home of The Macallan, as well as the confluence of the rivers Spey and Fiddich, it is also home to the Craigellachie Distillery. It has generally flown under the whisky radar due to the fact that its output has always gone into blends, specifically Dewar’s (the distillery is owned by Bicardi but managed directly by Dewar & Sons). Thankfully, a few single malt expressions have been put out as part of Dewar’s Last Great Malts series, which focuses on new expressions and malts never released before. Aside from being uncompromising in taste, the distillery is also known for the use of the unique worm tubs, a call back to an earlier time in whisky production.

Ardbeg “Dark Cove”

Ardbeg “Dark Cove”

Taking a page from the illicit beginnings of whisky production in a long ago Scotland, the 2016 Committee Release by Ardbeg is called the Dark Cove. This hearkens back to before the official founding of the distillery in 1815, specifically to a time when excise men from the government found and raided the secret cove from whence the smugglers had long been using as a base of operations. With that illegal arm of whisky distribution disbanded, the site was soon occupied by the McDougall family, who were the founders of Ardbeg. Legend has it John McDougall’s own sons, Alexander and Alan, were arrested for smuggling years before the distillery was born. Ardbeg held many events under the cover of night upon this release, along with aging the spirit in dark sherry casks.

Paul John Bold

Paul John Bold

While a new entry into the American market (June 2016), Paul John Single Malts have been a large presence in India for over twenty years. Founded in 1992 by Paul P. John, the company makes brandy, whisky and wine. Nestled in the district of Goa along the ocean, Paul John Whisky has been gaining steady ground with a large international roll out over the past few years. Indians like whisky and there are many kinds made for their domestic market, even if the only malt produced there most people have heard of is Amrut.