Over the bar: What’s new in July

This is a list of new whiskies selected, tasted and released weekly by our passionate team. We put around 10 whiskies on the bar each week, so our menu is forever changing and evolving and includes a broad selection of new, vintage and independently bottled whiskies.

Here we bring you our line up, and we hope these bottles inspire you to explore the world of whisky further, and give you some great ideas about what to look for the next time you visit the bar.

Old Kempton Tokay cask, Sullivan’s Cove Special Cask, a new duo from Benromach, 1990’s Aberlour, Archie Rose Chocolate Rye Malt and Spring Bay Virgin oak.

Pictured above: New whisky on pour at Whisky & Alement from Monday 1st July 2019.

New arrivals from Japan and USA including Yoichi Bourbon Wood 2018, Weller 12yr, Eigashima single oloroso cask by Blackadder and Fuji Gotemba’s Blender’s Choice 2015. Rare Scottish malts also feature with the release of 1970 Plenary Royal, new Samaroli Glen Moray and Aultmore Exceptional Cask.

Whats caught our eye in June / July – Top five and five stars

1.Springbank 15 year old bottled between 2000 and 2005 (orange label), Campbeltown, 46%
Tasting notes – Gentle yet complex, milky coffee loaded with sugar, old fur coats, subtle wood fire peat, Trinity Library Dublin, crisp malt, creamy, fresh tropical fruits, barley sugars.

2.Aultmore 18 year old Cask no. 91351 Manzanilla sherry finish bottled 2015 by Chieftain’s, Speyside, 55.3%
Tasting notes – Bubblegum, plums, rancio, jam on toast, juicy fruit chews, fizzy, gummy chews, fruit salad lollies, tinned fruit and butter.

3. Caol Ila 22 year old Feis Ile 2019 Sherry-treated American oak casks, Islay, 58.4%
Tasting notes – Brown sugar, grill scrapings, deep heat, rum and raisin, Creme de Cassis, tinned fruit syrup, golden syrup, slightly metallic, garlic grissini.

4.Westland Peat Week 5th Annual Edition American single malt 50%
Tasting notes – Hazelnut cream, burnt toast, peanut brittle, jellies, trifle, pink Tic toc biscuits and fruit pickles.

5. Scotch Malt Whisky Society 36.157 ‘Mad Wax: beyond thunder dram’ 21 year old refill barrel / ex-bourbon cask, Speyside, 60.6%
Tasting notes – Macadamia butter, peach skins, cashew cream, wax, baked tart base.

Runner Up: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 12.20 Martini in a trenchcoat 8 year old 1st fill barrel / ex-bourbon cask, Speyside, 59.8%
Tasting notes – Chocolate tart, brown apple, chicken noodle soup, peanut butter and lime jelly.

Other five star endorsements (in no particular order):
a) Glentauchers 21 year old by Maltbarn
b) Glen Moray 10 year old by Liquid Treasures
c) Scotch Malt Whisky Society 39.129 ‘Forbidden fruits’ 26 year old, Speyside
d) Bruichladdich Laddie Valinch 41 First fill oloroso cask
e) Scotch Malt Whisky Society 138.1 ‘All in the game’ 4 year old, Taiwan
f) Spring Bay Virgin Oak cask
g) Tyrconnell 16 year old First fill American oak
h) Teaninich 19 year old by The WhiskyFind for Kyoto Whisky Party
i) Bowmore 13 year old Burgundy cask finish by Cadenhead
j) Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple wood cask strength