Mackillop's Single Oak Cask Aged 14 Years 1988 distilled at Longmorn. 750ml |
| "MACKILLOP’S CHOICE" The distillation of whisky in Scotland has been documented since 1494, but the industry as we know it today really started after the Excise Act of 1823. Between 1823 and 1825 the number of legal distilleries rose from 125 to 329. However, a significant number of these closed within a few years. Over the last 30 years about 40 distilleries have either been closed or demolished and currently there are just over 90 distilleries still operational in Scotland. Recently, there has been a considerable growth in consumer interest in Single Malt Scotch Whiskies and a number of distilleries now market themselves as brands. A more recent development has been the growth of Independent Bottlers bottling single casks of Malt Whisky. A distillery bottling is produced by vatting together a great number of casks prior to bottling. As there can be a large difference between the quality of whiskies in individual casks this is necessary in order to ensure a consistent product, which is of paramount importance to the distillery's brand. For me, however, I am looking for the casks which contain only the very best whisky. One of the enchanting mysteries of Malt Scotch Whisky is that even though individual casks of whisky are distilled on the same day and at the same distillery the whiskies' flavours and tastes, after maturation, may differ widely. So the secret of bottling excellent quality whiskies lies in the selection process. The joy of bottling a single cask is that one can choose a whisky that has matured very well and will then have unique characteristics which cannot be repeated. All casks to be bottled as "Mackillop's Choice" have been selected by myself, Lorne Mackillop, after careful tasting. I am a Master of Wine and I use my extensive training and experience in the art of tasting to choose only those casks that have matured with an excellent balance of flavours. These flavours are derived from the original spirit having been tempered by many years in an oak cask. No cask is selected without a sample being taken and tasted, and I reject approximately 80% of the cask samples that I taste as not being of a high enough quality to bear the label of "Mackillop's Choice". Within the "Mackillop's Choice" range are whiskies from 12 to 38 years of age, from distilleries across the various regions of Scotland. These include a number from distilleries that are now closed down or even demolished, thus making these whiskies rarer still. I have also selected various types of casks such as Bourbon, Sherry and Madeira woods. My Single Cask Malt Scotch Whiskies would appeal to the connoisseur who wants to taste unique and individual whiskies. Due to each cask's distinctiveness once the cask has been bottled it cannot be replaced. Also, whiskies from distilleries that are no longer producing are especially demanded by collectors due to there being only a finite and dwindling availability. "Mackillop's Choice" individual cask malt scotch whiskies can be bottled at 43% alcohol, but more predominantly at their natural cask strength, without chill-filtering and without the addition of any caramel colouring, which helps preserve the malts' natural characteristics of aroma and taste. |