Roundup of our Newest Arrivals! - September 2024 by Spirits Buyer Oliver Pinel
19th September 2024
It's been a super busy month with the arrival of countless new (and some returning) products that have finally hit our shelves!
Here's the lowdown and roundup on the latest and greatest we're offering in spirits from September 2024!
Scotch Roundup
New Remarkable Regional Malts from Douglas Laing & Co!
Any new release from Douglas Laing & Co brings not only a bevy of character and colour to our shelves, but also incredible value for money; this drop is no different...
We've taken delivery of 3 deliciously different regional blends to add to our pre-Christmas stocks, the newly launched DOUGLAS LAING BIG PEAT 'Celebrating 15 Years of Big Peat' Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Bottle (70cl) 50%abv which I had the pleasure of tasting early at WhiskyShow 2024 a few weeks back, to say I wasn't disappointed is an understatement!
Next up is a first for the brand... the DOUGLAS LAING The Epicurean 'Calvados Edition' Lowland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Bottle (70cl) 48%abv, with the Epicurean's staple Lowland malts spending their final days resting in Normandy Calvados casks for added apple-y freshness and pear-drop sweetness! Delicious stuff...
Finally, it really is a day of firsts for our final drop! The DOUGLAS LAING SCALLYWAG 'Winter Edition' Orange Wine Cask Finished Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Bottle (70cl) 53.9%abv features the well-known blend of single malts from Macallan, Glenrothes and Mortlach finished in Orange Wine Casks from Jerez de la Frontera (Andalusia, Spain); sparking an explosion of sweet marmalade, zesty orange spices and honeyed malt. A release I suspect would work incredibly well in a Manhattan!
The Unicorn joins the Harpy here at Dunell's!
Following the sweet-Sauternes brilliance of the ARDBEG Anthology 2023 The Harpy’s Tale Very Rare 13 Year Old Single Islay Malt Bottle (70cl) 46%abv launched back in mid-October 2023, in 2024 the Harpy is joined by a Unicorn! The ARDBEG Anthology 2024 The 'Unicorn's Tale' Very Rare 14 Year Old 'Madeira Finish' Islay Single Malt Bottle (70cl) 46%abv is Ardbeg's first foray into the use of Madeira casks for maturation, following a rapid increase in experimentation from this Islay power-house. This marriage of ex-Madeira and ex-Bourbon casks culminate in a single malt oozing punchy smoke, charred cedarwood, key-lime pie and cloves. Bottled at 46%abv without chill-filtration. Don't let this Unicorn fly over your head!
Springbank Single Cask 31 Year Old is one of our rarest arrivals to date...
The quintessential Campbeltown classic, Springbank, has been one of the most highly requested whiskies I've had to date. Trust me, getting an allocation of Springbank is about as easy as finding toilet roll in a supermarket during an autumnal Jersey storm! However, that all changed when our great friends at Douglas Laing & Co got in contact to offer us an exceedingly rare and highly collectable release from part of their 'Xtra Old Particular' range of single cask single malts...
Presenting the DOUGLAS LAING XOP Xtra Old Particular Springbank 31 Year Old Single Cask Campbeltown Single Malt Bottle (70cl) 46.3%abv
Distilled way back in 1992 (the same year the Cold War officially came to a close), this lightly-peated liquid spent 31 years resting in an ex-refill hogshead before being bottled in March 2024; yielding only 176 bottles!
Springbank releases of recent have been creeping up in value, especially the older the bottling; releases between 30-35 years old have been fetching prices of between £1500-£2500 in stores and across auction sites respectively. For £1295 (£1165.50 for Loyalty Club Members), this 31 year old single cask is an undisputed bargain... Snap it up before it's gone!
Bourbon Roundup
Incredibly rare releases from Elijah Craig have arrived...
It's no secret that unlike the rules of the very country producing this gorgeous liquid, you don't need to sell an arm, ear and both kidneys to even be considered for an allocation of high-end bourbon! We at Dunell's believe that everyone should have an equal opportunity to own and savour these incredible releases; that's why these bottles from the Heaven Hill Distillery are available now in store and online!
ELIJAH CRAIG 'Barrel Proof' 12 Year Old (Batch A123) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Bottle (70cl) 62.8%abv is the single purest way to sip, savour and appreciate the Elijah Craig style of bourbon. Unlike typical releases, this bottling is released at its barrel proof of 62.8%abv (punchy I know!) and bottled without colouring or chill-filtration. Mash bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye. As Whisky Advocate puts it:
"It is a mouth-filling, deeply satisfying whiskey, amazingly palatable even at full proof, that will delight many drinkers at a great price. Virutes we can all agree on."
And most importantly...
ELIJAH CRAIG 'Single Barrel' 18 Year Old *Extremely Limited* Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottle (75cl) 45%abv is the very zenith of annual releases from Elijah Craig... Each and every barrel represents the richness that this release has been heralded for year-after-year by discerning drinkers and investors. The embodiment of Heaven Hill's workmanship and craft. This is one of Kentucky's oldest bourbons, so you definitely do not want to miss out! Cigar Aficionado put it best:
"This is a legendary whiskey"
Exciting News!
A Bevy of Brown Forman brands are back in (our) business!
Following an arduously patient wait, brands from the Brown Forman range have finally started to land on our shelves again! I'm super excited to welcome back Diplomatico Rum, Gin Mare, Jack Daniel's, Chambord & GlenDronach!
Tequila Roundup
Welcoming Tequila Arette & Volcan de Mi Tierra!
Our final announcement is for the arrival of 2 new stunning tequilas from brands Arette (NOM 1109) and Volcan de Mi Tierra (NOM 1523)!
VOLCAN DE MI TIERRA 'X.A' Blend of Reposado, Anejo & Extra Anejo Tequila Bottle (70cl) 40%abv stays as true to tradition as possible through the use of brick ovens, tahona extraction and double copper pot still distillation; simultaneously taking advantage of a growing trend of experimental practices, for example through the use of Champagne yeasts for the fermentation. Like the Arette, the X.A is also part of the Additive Free Alliance.
All of these practices culminate in a fantastic alternative to the hugely popular Don Julio 1942, with flavours bursting with sweet cooked agave, baking spices, dried currants and mouth-watering roasted pineapple!
ARETTE 'Blanco' 100% de Agave Tequila Bottle (70cl) 38%abv is a Blanco I've been on the hunt for for a good while now, owing to its incredible value-for-money and for its versatility in cocktails.
This Blanco is bright, boisterous and brimming with earthy agave, cherry soda, lemongrass and a touch of black tea. An absolute steal!
