English Whisky Company - Future Releases

[Exciseman]

Chapter 5 - 3yr old Single Malt Whisky - Limited edition, bottled in decanters. This is the 1st English Whisky in over 100 years. Sold in engraved decanters, a run of 349 cases will be produced and delivered to our customers in time for Chistmas. Sold out

Chapter 6 - 3yr old Single Malt Whisky - This is our unpeated whisky, made by Iain Henderson. This is our first single malt whisky to be available to the public. Matured solely in Bourbon casks, we thinkthis is a great reflection on the wonderful work done athe the distillery and a real hint of things to come. Bottled at 46% and non chilfiltered. Available Christmas 2009.

Chapter 7 - 3yr old Single Malt Whisky Rum finish - This Whisky is the same age as Chapter 6 but has spent the last 6months in a rum barrel. Availability tbc.

Chapter 8 - 3yr old Single Malt Whisky peated - Limited Edition, bottled in decanters. This is the 1st Peated English Whisky in over 100 years. Sold in engraved decanters, a run of 399cases will be produced and delivered to our customers in summer 2010. Applications available.

Chapter 9 - 3yr old Single Malt Whisky peated - This is our peated whisky made by Iain Henderson. this is our first single malt whisky to be made available with a level of peatiness. Considered by all to be maturing beautifully. Bottled at 46% and non chilfiltered. Available summer 2010.

[r900p]

Didn't realise the futures were to be Chapter 5, i've been wondering whether to get the chapters, but if it ends up going down similar routes to Bruichladdich i'll end up with even more whisky that won't have a chance of being opened.

Plus if i do go down the chapters i'll have to get the peated futures too.

Rob

[Exciseman]

The "Chapter 6" general release of the unpeated 3yo whisky will be available from 16th December at £34.99 per bottle.

[Exciseman]

Well, today's the big day. The bottling of the first English Single Malt Whisky for 100 years. A new kid on the block, so to speak.

Wow didn't the press machine go into overdrive on this one? BBC Breakfast cameras at the distillery, articles on the radio, everywhere online.

Seemingly, the distillery was totally overwhelmed as a result of all the exposure, to the extent that they 'closed down' the online shop and stopped answering the phone.

Of course, if people had listened, they'd have known that the general release (aka Chapter 6) isn't until 16th December. Indeed, I'm told that it isn't even bottled yet.

All that was being bottled today was the 'futures' decanter-style bottles.

[Exciseman]

Unpeated 3yr old - Limited edition - - Chapter 5 - 349 cases of 6 decanters in December 2009 - Sold out !!!!!!!
Unpeated 3yr old - General release on 16th December 2009 - Chapter 6 - Sold out !!!!!!! (No more until Spring)
Peated 3yr old - Limited Edition – Chapter 8 - 390 cases of 6 decanters in Summer 2010 - Sold out !!!!!!!

What a difference a bit of publicity makes. Chapter 8 was £195 a pop in bond. They'd sold 150ish cases in a year. Then, 240ish cases in two days!

[les taylor]

My good friend the Exciseman asked me to post this rare thing of bueaty for him.




Tim It looks well smart. Good work.

[Nick Brown]

Pinched from Wikipedia:

Saint George (ca. 275/281 – 23 April 303) was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, and the Eastern Catholic Churches. He is immortalized in the tale of Saint George and the Dragon and is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. His memorial is celebrated on 23 April, and he is regarded as one of the most prominent military saints.

Saint George is the patron saint of Aragon, Catalonia, England, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, and Russia, as well as the cities of Amersfoort, Beirut, Bteghrine, Cáceres (Spain), Ferrara, Freiburg, Genoa, Ljubljana, Gozo, Pomorie, Qormi, Lod, Barcelona and Moscow, as well as a wide range of professions, organizations, and disease sufferers.

[les taylor]

Nick I'm pretty sure Tim paid for his bottle.

[Exciseman]

Les

Many thanks for 'doing the honours' for me.

Actually, yesterday's visit to the distillery was excellent. We did the tour, then got to sample English Single Malt Whisky for the first time with Andrew Nelstrop (Owner) and David Fitt (Distiller).

I guess that I was probably not the most objective taster. But I thought that it was delicious. Yes, young of course - although tasted far more mature than its 3 tender years. But gorgeously malty, very smooth indeed on the palate, and not a hint bitterness on the finish.

The distillery was mobbed. There wasn't actually any "whisky" on sale, but that didn't stop the assembled masses from buying everything branded in sight - glassware, clothing, new spirit, 18-month spirit, etc.

One bloke amused me. We watched him whilst having coffee. About every two or three minutes, he wandered over and took another sample. This went on for a goodly while, then he left without buying anything.

Just one of the first release decanters has made it to E-Bay - empty lol. The seller cheekily did say that there might be a drop at the bottom lol).

A lovely pint of Iceni Brewery at Eleveden Farm on the way back.

Tim

[les taylor]

Tim sounds like a good day. You didn't pick up any extras by any chance did you?

[Exciseman]

Les

Obviously, I picked up my case of 6 pre-paid decanters (as pictured).

Other than that, I bought very little. A 20cl bottle of 18-month unpeated spirit, on request for a colleague. A 70cl bottle of 18-month unpeated spirit, in case anyone at work wanted to try English. A G&M Coleburn 1981 for my closed distilleries collection. £80 the lot.

Tim

[Bud Light]

That is one pretty bottle.

[Mark C]

There was a queue yesterday!

http://www.thetfordandbrandontimes.co.u ... 3A57%3A343

[Nick Brown]

I am so pleased this has succeeded. Much of the most interesting whisky developments right now are happening outwith Scotland and that can only be good for consumers. I have been lucky enough to taste whiskies from many countries now, and increasingly I approach new ones with a sense of expectation, not hope. Sure, they don't all taste like Scotch - why should they? But once you accept that the weird flavours are supposed to be there, many of them are really rather good. We can mock Jim Murray for much but in recognizing the quality of overseas whiskies he is certainly ahead of the game.

[C57]

We can mock Jim Murray for much but in recognizing the quality of overseas whiskies he is certainly ahead of the game.

You're right Nick. And I too am glad it has been a success

[Exciseman]

I think that it is really brilliant for the owners, who took a real 'leap of faith' with this venture.

I wasn't surprised that the inaugural release ("Chapter 5") decanters pre-sold. What's staggering though is seeing such awesome queues for the general release ("Chapter 6").

What's also good to see is that it appears to all be ending up with drinkers/collectors, rather than speculators. I'm genuinely heartened that not a single (full) bottle has ended up on E-Bay.

[Mark C]

The bottle's freezing cold so the whisky is rather frothy and cloudy.

[The Craw]

Mark, you have went waaaaay down in my estimation, ya bloody sassenach!

This does no good whatsoever for the Scottish economy and our employment prospects.

You can take our oil, but you'll never take our whisky........ Albu gu brath

Seriously tho, it looks great and well done to all at St George's, but it'll never be as good as Scotch

[Exciseman]

Andrew Nelstrop was telling me that these decanter bottles cost him in the region of £8 each. Basically, the difference between the £43 a decanter that we paid and the £35 for a 'bog standard bottle.

The first one's made it to E-Bay. I'm guessing though that it'll be a 'lone ranger'. Many will be destined for Christmas Day tables

[Mark C]

The first empty one, it seems...

[Exciseman]

Mark

It is weird. There was definitely a full one on E-Bay at lunch-time. It must have been fairly new, as it had a week to run. Bidding was up to £77 (reserve not met). The seller was from Ely. My guess is that he/she was made an offer that was too good to refuse and so withdrew the auction.

Our trio collected three cases last Monday. Not a single decanter's been passed on or opened.

Where did you get yours. Was it a Rob/Les/Mark split?

Tim

[Mark C]

Where did you get yours. Was it a Rob/Les/Mark split?

It was indeed! Many thanks to Rob once again for the organisation and delivery!

[les taylor]

Where did you get yours. Was it a Rob/Les/Mark split?

It was indeed! Many thanks to Rob once again for the organisation and delivery!

Oh Yes. Good work Rob and Mark. And what a joy to see the DHL man on his yellow sleigh pull up outside this morning.

[r900p]

Oh Yes. Good work Rob and Mark. And what a joy to see the DHL man on his yellow sleigh pull up outside this morning.

Wasn't it a kayak Les, or is all that sorted now!

[r900p]

There are tow bottles of Chapter 6 on ebay now, i fancy getting some Chapter 6 (unlikely in time for New Year when my stock will be depleted), anyone know if this will hit general retail at some point.

Rob