Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Port Charlotte PAC: 01 2011 & More [New Releases]

This week’s releases include whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, and the U.S., and most of them are limited in nature. If they catch your eye, you may want to act fast. Read on for full details.

Kilchoman Loch Gorm (2021 release)

Kilchoman Loch Gorm (2021 release)

Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Islay)
Age: 9 year old (minimum)
ABV: 46%
Price: $125
Release: May 2021
Availability: 17,000 bottles worldwide, 2,040 for the U.S.

Need to know:

This is the tenth edition of Loch Gorm, which is named for Islay’s largest fresh water lake, located near the distillery. It is Kilchoman’s only expression matured exclusively in oloroso casks, with the sherry influence taming the peat and smoke to give this expression its signature subtlety and finesse. This year’s release is a vatting of 24 oloroso sherry butts filled in 2011 and 2012.

Kilchoman PX Sherry Matured

Kilchoman PX Sherry Matured

Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Islay)
Age: Not stated
ABV: 47.3%
Price: $125
Release: May 2021
Availability: 12,000 bottles worldwide, 1,500 for the U.S.

Need to know:

A blend of 33 casks, nine of which were fully matured in Pedro Ximénez (PX) casks and 24 of which were finished in PX casks for 12-18 months.

Whisky Advocate says:

We’re always excited to see Loch Gorm come back around, as it has garnered scores of 90 points or above since 2017. It also earned the No. 15 spot on 2018’s Top 20. The PX Sherry Matured expression is a new reason for Kilchoman fans to cheer, as it is the first release of its kind from the distillery, which has long proven itself a master of sherry cask maturation.

Port Charlotte PAC: 01 2011

Port Charlotte PAC: 01 2011

Style: Single malt

Origin: Scotland (Islay)

Age: 8 year old

ABV: 56.1%

Price: $130

Release: May 2021

Availability: Limited

Need to know:

For this effort, the heavily peated Port Charlotte is finished in French oak red wine casks from the Pauillac region of Bordeaux. There are two parcels blended together for this release:

Parcel 1: Aged 6 years in American whiskey barrels and then finished for 2 years in casks that previously held red wine from Pauillac.

Parcel 2: Aged 7 years in American whiskey barrels and then also finished in second-fill casks used for wine from Pauillac.

Whisky Advocate says:

In addition to its permanent Port Charlotte 10 year old expression, Bruichladdich offers vintage releases in its Port Charlotte Barley Provenance Series and its Port Charlotte Cask Exploration Series, the latter focused on maturation techniques that highlight the versatility of the spirit. This latest edition in the Cask Exploration Series succeeds Port Charlotte OLC:01 2010, the oloroso sherry cask finished expression launched in May 2020. We spoke to Bruichladdich head distiller Hannett last September on our Instagram Live series #TasteWithSpace about how he approaches whisky-making while highlighting transparency.

Glenlivet 12 Year Old Illicit Still

Glenlivet 12 Year Old Illicit Still

Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Speyside)
Age: 12 year old
ABV: 48%
Price: $69
Release: June 2021
Availability: Limited edition

Need to know:

This whisky, the first release in Glenlivet’s new “The Original Stories” series, is a throwback to the original whisky that founder George Smith made in 1824, prior to actually licensing his distillery. Illicit stills rose to popularity in Scotland during the mid-1600s thanks to the introduction of taxes, and by the 1820s, there were as many as 14,000 stills being confiscated every year. Producers like Smith handcrafted their whiskies in small copper stills located in “bothies”—small huts or cottages tucked away from prying eyes.

Whisky Advocate says:

Unlike Glenlivet’s other 12 year old whiskies—the flagship 12 year old and Double Oak—this whisky is non-chill filtered, per the way Smith would have made it in 1824, and we’re curious to see how it stacks up against its counterparts. The whisky is available for pre-order on ReserveBar now, though orders won’t start shipping until mid-to-late June.

Orphan Barrel Copper Tongue

Orphan Barrel Copper Tongue

Style: Straight bourbon

Origin: Tennessee

Age: 16 year old

ABV: 44.9%

Price: $100

Release: June 2021

Availability: Limited

Need to know:

This is the second Orphan Barrel to hail from Cascade Hollow Distillery in Tullahoma, Tennessee following the 2016 release of Orphan Barrel Whoop & Holler 28 year old. It is the first, however, to be selected by Cascade Hollow general manager and distiller Nicole Austin. Copper Tongue is named for the copperhead snakes known to populate the area.

Whisky Advocate says:

Cascade Hollow is home to George Dickel, but it produces many other whiskeys, like Sweetens Cove. This is the first cask strength bourbon to come from the distillery, though the ABV is a few points lower than George Dickel Bottled in Bond, which likewise returned recently with a new batch.

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1997

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1997

Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Highlands)
Age: 23 year old
ABV: 43%
Price: $900
Release: June 2021
Availability: Highly limited

Need to know:

This vintage was aged for nearly 10 years in bourbon barrels, then finished in Château Montrose red wine casks from Bordeaux’s Saint-Estèphe appellation. Dr. Bill Lumsden, distillery director of whisky creation, has a knack for innovation and this whisky marks the only time this type of finish has been applied at the distillery.

Whisky Advocate says:

Lumsden joined Glenmorangie in 1995, so this 1997 vintage is one that he created from start to finish. The whisky is available for purchase on ReserveBar starting June 1.

Lagavulin 13 year old Fèis Ìle 2021

Lagavulin 13 year old Fèis Ìle 2021

Style: Single malt

Origin: Scotland (Islay)

Age: 13 year old

ABV: 54.4%

Price: £160

Release: May 2021

Availability: 6,000 bottles; distillery only

Need to know:

This Lagavulin was bottled in celebration of this year’s Fèis Ìle, the Islay Festival of Music and Malt. It was matured in refill American oak barrels and then finished in heavily charred port-seasoned casks.

Caol Ila 12 year old Fèis Ìle 2021

Caol Ila 12 year old Fèis Ìle 2021

Style: Single malt

Origin: Scotland (Islay)

Age: 12 year old

ABV: 56.6%

Price: £130

Release: June 2021

Availability: 3,000 bottles; distillery only

Need to know:

This Caol Ila also was bottled in celebration of Fèis Ìle. It was matured in refill American oak casks and finished in high char Muscatel-seasoned casks.

Whisky Advocate says:

This year’s Fèis Ìle, which starts today and runs through June 5, will be held virtually, as it was last year. But thats not stopping Islays distillers from releasing their annual commemorative bottlings for the festival. Selected by the distillery teams, each of these single malts is bottled at high proof (read: more flavor) and treated with special cask finishings. In the case of the Lagavulin, theres even an irregular age statement, with most bottlings at 8, 12, or 16 years old. Unfortunately, these are only available at the Lagavulin distillery (Caol Ila remains closed to visitors) and on malts.com to UK residents.

Balcones Texas Bock

Balcones Texas Bock

Style: Straight malt

Origin: Texas

Age: 3 year old

ABV: 44.9%

Price: $45

Release: June 2021

Availability: At Balcones Distillery and throughout Texas and Oklahoma

Need to know:

Balcones created this whiskey in partnership with Texass Spoetzl Brewery, creator of Shiner beer. Balcones uses the brewerys mashbill and proprietary lager yeast strain and ages the whiskey in American oak barrels. The initial release in April 2020 was aged 2 years, while this iteration spent an extra year in the barrel.

Whisky Advocate says:

The link between whisky and beer remains strong, as all whisky technically starts as beer and many distillers start out as brewers. Some craft whiskey makers are even distilling the same beer you buy on the shelf. We previously gave Texas Bock 87 points and are curious to see how a longer maturation period affects the final flavor.

Walsh Whiskey The Irishman Vintage Cask (2021 Release)

Walsh Whiskey The Irishman Vintage Cask (2021 Release)

Style: Blended whiskey
Origin: Ireland
Age: Not stated
ABV: 54.8%
Price: $140
Release: May 2021
Availability: 2,250 bottles worldwide, 750 bottles for the U.S.

Need to know:

The latest release from The Irishman is a blend of aged single malt and aged single pot still whiskeys, which were matured in first-fill bourbon casks.

Whisky Advocate says:

Past releases of The Irishman Vintage Cask have scored well with our tasting panel, with last year’s edition receiving 91 points and the 2019 version earning 92 points. With that in mind, we’re eager to try the 2021 release.

Berkshire Mountain Distillers Craft Brewers Whiskey Project

Berkshire Mountain Distillers Craft Brewers Whiskey Project

Style: Whiskey
Origin: Massachusetts
Age: 5 year old
ABV: 43%
Price: $65
Release: May 2021
Availability: Limited edition, exclusive to the distillery tasting room for now with an eventual nationwide rollout planned

Need to know:

This is a continuation of Berkshire Mountain Distillers’ Craft Brewers Whiskey Project, which saw its first whiskeys debut earlier this year. The three latest releases are all distilled from Massachusetts beers—Samuel Adams’ Boston Lager whiskey, Berkshire Brewing Company’s Imperial Steel Rail Extra Pale Ale whiskey, and Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers’ Smoke & Dagger Black Lager whiskey.

Whisky Advocate says:

There are six more whiskeys yet to come from this collaboration—hailing from Brewery Ommegang, Captain Lawrence Brewing, Smuttynose Brewing, Long Trail Brewing Co., Two Roads Brewing, and Chatham Brewing.

Treaty Oak Distilling Red, White & Blue Single Barrel Whiskey (Barrel #972)

Treaty Oak Distilling Red, White & Blue Single Barrel Whiskey (Barrel #972)

Style: Straight bourbon
Origin: Texas
Age: 3 year old
ABV: 61.75%
Price: $65
Release: May 2021
Availability: 210 bottles available at the distillery through July 4th or while supplies last

Need to know:

This bourbon was made with three varieties of Texas-grown corn—heirloom Bloody Butcher, Hopi blue, and white—making up 57% of the mashbill, along with 32% wheat , and 11% barley.

Whisky Advocate says:

Red, White & Blue Single Barrel is whiskey with a cause: for each bottle sold, Treaty Oak will donate $5 to the foundation USA Cares, which provides 9/11 veterans and their families with financial assistance. If you’re in the Dripping Springs area, the distillery is hosting an event on May 29th that homes in on Texas traditions: barbecue, live music, hot rods, and, of course, whiskey.

Penderyn 10 year old Ex-Ruby Port Single Cask (No. 178)

Penderyn 10 year old Ex-Ruby Port Single Cask (No. 178)

Style: Single malt

Origin: Wales

Age: 10 year old

ABV: 60.06%

Price: $150

Release: May 2021

Availability: 231 bottles; available exclusively in CA, AK, TX, MA, NY, CO, IL, and mid-Atlantic states

Need to know:

This U.S.-exclusive single cask single malt was filled into cask in 2011, spending 2.5 years in a bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace and 7.5 years in a ruby port cask.

Whisky Advocate says:

Penderyns single casks have done consistently well in the Buying Guide—the 15 year old Bourbon Cask-Matured Single Cask earned 95 points, the 10 year old Madeira Cask-Finished Single Cask earned 94 points, and the 13 year old Rich Oak Single-Cask earned 93 points. Plus, in 2018, Penderyn Celt landed the No.-17 spot in the Top 20. Though there are few bottles to be had of this expression, if previous Penderyn releases are any indication, its worth seeking out.

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