New from North Star

and Ardnamurchan

Author

The Whisky Company
June 25, 2024

New dr

Hello

We’ve got our hands on some new bottles from North Star and the Ardnamurchan Rum Cask Finish bottling!

North Star Spirits is a renowned independent bottler based in Glasgow, Scotland, known for curating and bottling exceptional single cask whiskies and other spirits. Founded by Iain Croucher in 2016, North Star Spirits quickly gained recognition for its commitment to quality, transparency, and passion for exploring unique casks from distilleries across Scotland and beyond.

The philosophy of North Star Spirits revolves around showcasing the diversity and individuality of single cask expressions. Each release is carefully selected by Iain Croucher himself, who travels extensively to source casks that exhibit distinctive characteristics and exceptional flavour profiles. This hands-on approach ensures that every bottling under the North Star Spirits label is a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of whisky production.

One of the hallmarks of North Star Spirits is their commitment to transparency. Each bottle provides detailed information about the whisky, including the distillery of origin, age, cask type, and other relevant details. This transparency allows whisky enthusiasts to make informed decisions and appreciate the unique journey of each spirit from cask to bottle.

North Star Spirits offers a wide range of bottlings, catering to both seasoned collectors and adventurous drinkers seeking new and exciting flavours. Their portfolio includes whiskies from well-known distilleries as well as lesser-known gems, often presenting limited editions or single casks that are highly sought after by enthusiasts worldwide.

$240

Cask Number: Batch 023
Date of Distilling: July 2012
Date of Bottling: September 2023
Matured In: Oloroso Sherry Cask
Un-Chillfiltered

GlenAllachie Distillery was built in Aberlour in 1967 and was a result of the United States led whisky boom around the world. Following two decades of operation the distillery was purchased by Invergordon Distillers, who then flipped the distillery over to Pernod Ricard after owning it for four years. During this time the distillery was mostly closed. In July 2017 Pernod Ricard was sold the distillery to The GlenAllachie Distillers Company which was owned and operated by former BenRiach Master Distiller Billy walker who has a very impressive resume in the whisky industry. It was then the distillery was given a capital ‘A’ in tradition that GlenDronach and BenRiach had been given a few years before. Bill Walker now has a distillery full of whisky with big fruity characteristics to play with and we are already seeing some spectacular bottlings emerging from the distillery. GlenAllachie’s new core range was released in June 2018 and it has been a hit so far amongst whisky connoisseurs.

North Star Spirits is an independent bottler based in Glasgow, Scotland. They pride themselves on bottling the finest single malt Scotch whisky, blended whisky and blended malt Scotch whisky. Producing artisan single cask whisky from various regions of Scotland as well as bottling rums, gins and Bourbon whiskey. All products are small batch, bottled at cask strength.

This North Star bottling was distilled at the Glenallachie Distillery in July 2012. It was matured in a single Oloroso Sherry butt. Bottled as part of the Cask Series 23 only 662 bottles were produced. Bottled at 56.5% abv.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Vanilla, custard, toffee and a lighter fruity note.

Palate: Rich and malty, with oak spice and more vanilla toffee.

Finish: Long bold finish with lots of spice and sweetness.

$180

Cask Number: Batch 023
Date of Distilling: November 2014
Date of Bottling: September 2023
Matured In: PX Barrel
Un-Chillfiltered

The Royal Brackla Distillery owned and operated by John Dewars and Sons Ltd for Bacardi the Royal Brackla distillery is situated in the Highland region of Scotland. It was build back in 1812 and has always been about capturing esters with long fermentation and still arms angled upwards allowing for plenty of contact with copper and plenty of reflux. The whisky itself was the first Scotch to be granted a Royal Warrant back in 1835 and attached the word ‘Royal’ to its name. King William IV gave the Royal Warrant which led to Brackla being known as ‘The King’s Own Whisky’.

North Star Spirits is an independent bottler based in Glasgow, Scotland. They pride themselves on bottling the finest single malt Scotch whisky, blended whisky and blended malt Scotch whisky. Producing artisan single cask whisky from various regions of Scotland as well as bottling rums, gins and Bourbon whiskey. All products are small batch, bottled at cask strength.

This North Star bottling was distilled at the Roayal Brackla Distillery in November 2014. It was matured in a single PX Sherry hogshead. Bottled as part of the Cask Series 23 only 272 bottles were produced with a much smaller amount making it to Australia. Bottled at 55.3% abv.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Cherry Ripe bars, summer fruits, almonds and a soft vanilla.

Palate: Bold and chocolate forward, more vanilla, with a nuttiness and a touch of treacle.

Finish: Long with Espresso, dark chocolate, fudge and baking spices.

$210

Cask Number: Batch 023
Date of Distilling: 2019
Date of Bottling: 2023
Matured In: Refil Hogshead
Un-Chillfiltered

The Milk & Honey Distillery was established in 2014 and is located in Tel Aviv, Israel’s first city and the heart of Israel’s culinary and drinking scene. It is here the owners of the distillery collect their inspiration and passion for their whisky and strive to make world class spirits. It’s no secret that the climate in the middle east os hot and dry with an average 300 days of sun recorded each year.  The climate is used in this instance to create a whisky which takes on specific terroir and challenges centuries old techniques and traditions. With a minimum of three years maturation the whisky is graceful. The distillery hired the late Dr Jim Swan, one of the world’s most accomplished Master Distillers and an expert in hot climate distillation and maturation, as an advisor. With its own custom made traditional copper still and the use of exceptional barrels which include but not limited to, ex-Bourbon, ex-red wine and kosher sherry barrels the Distillery produce some excellent whisky.

North Star Spirits is an independent bottler based in Glasgow, Scotland. They pride themselves on bottling the finest single malt Scotch whisky, blended whisky and blended malt Scotch whisky. Producing artisan single cask whisky from various regions of Scotland as well as bottling rums, gins and Bourbon whiskey. All products are small batch, bottled at cask strength.

This North Star bottling was distilled at the Milk & Honey Distillery in 2019. It was matured in a single refill Hogshead. Bottled as part of the Cask Series 23 only 198 bottles were produced. Bottled at 64.2% abv.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Shortbread and tropical fruits lead softer barley notes

Palate: Lots of fruit and malt followed by black pepper and honey.

Finish: Long lasting finish, barley, spice heavy.

$89

Cask Number: NA
Date of Distilling: November 2010
Date of Bottling: April 2023
Matured In: Refill Butt
Un-Chillfiltered

North Star Spirits is an independent bottler based in Glasgow, Scotland. They pride themselves on bottling the finest single malt Scotch whisky, blended whisky and blended malt Scotch whisky. Producing artisan single cask whisky from various regions of Scotland as well as bottling rums, gins and Bourbon whiskey. All products are small batch, bottled at cask strength.

This North Star blended bottling ‘The Magician’ has been matured for 12 years since 2010  Bottled in April 2023 at 45.5% abv.

$149

Located on the most westerly point of the British mainland sits the Ardnamurchan Distillery. Probably one of the most sustainable distilleries in the United Kingdom if not the world, plenty of thought has been given to the environment before designing and developing this distillery. There’s a local hydro-electric generator that provides the cooling water and local forest wood chips that are used to heat the hot water for mashing. The draft left behind after the mash is used to feed local cattle and the pot ale is used for fertilising local fields. Owned and operated by Adelphi the distillery it boasts 2 stills and 7 wash backs. The owners of the distillery are also a very well know quality independent bottler.

An amazing expression from the lads and lassies at Ardnamurchan, finished in Caribbean Rum casks.

Bottled at 55.0% ABV

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Peat smoke, caramel, pineapple fritters, slight grassy notes and a touch of spice.

Palate: Orange peel, peat, baking spices and banana toffee.

Finish: Medium length finish, smoky with tropical fruit.