For it second set of new releases in 2021, GreatDrams have put together a diverse range of whiskies, including an Islay single cask, a single grain from Strathclyde, a PX single cask from Craigellachie and a blended malt called The Lockdown Lock-in Dram.
“Who, at the beginning of this decade, would have thought that whisky tastings would go virtual (and work really well!), that we would have no summer programme of events to see and pour our whisky for our awesome customers at,” said Greg Dillon, co-founder of GreatDrams. “This whisky, The Lockdown Lock-in Dram, with its luscious notes of vanilla and honey is a smooth, easy-drinking blended malt whisky created to raise a glass to one another as we move through this challenging time and look forward to brighter times.”
GreatDrams is made up of husband and wife duo Greg & Kirsty Dillon. Their goal is to be really nimble when it comes to what they do with their range, what they release and when they release new limited edition whiskies.
“This was all about doing something a bit different, maybe a bit quirky, but fundamentally the whisky is fantastic with so many layers and depth of flavours. Lockdown was hard for all of us in different ways, this is just our small way of marking this with a whisky to be shared, to bring a smile to those enjoying it and to remind ourselves of the journey we have all unexpectedly been on for the last fourteen months or so”.
The full currently line up in the GreatDrams range is:
The Lockdown Lock-in Dram Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
This whisky features luscious notes of vanilla and honey and is a smooth, easy-drinking blended malt Scotch created “to raise a glass to one another as we move through this challenging time and look forward to brighter times,” says the company.
Bottled at 48.2% ABV, the Lockdown Lock-in Dram is listed as 12 Years Old and was aged in ex-bourbon casks. Only 500 bottles will ever be released.
“We have already seen a lot of movement of this release in the gifting market as people look to buy something to mark the occasion when they get to dram together once again – or even for those who don’t know what to get the whisky lover in their life,” noted Greg. “It is already a crowd pleaser!”
Craigellachie 7 Year PX Sherry Cask Old
Bottled at 48.2% ABV, the 7-year-old Craigellachie Distillery release was driven by participants on the brand’s private virtual whisky tastings. This whisky matured solely in a Pedro Ximenez cask which has given it a meaty flavor profile full of rich fruit and a pang of sweetness, owing to its time in the PX cask. Only 90 bottles will ever be released.
“Yes, only 90 bottles of this one have been produced, and all because of the awesome feedback we received when cask samples of this gem were used on our virtual tastings during the Christmas season,” said Kirsty.
Strathclyde 15 Year Old Single Cask Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 48.2% ABV, the Strathclyde 15 Year Old is GreatDrams’ core Single Cask Single Grain whisky release for 2021. Expect notes of toffee, fudge, stewed apples with a thick, oily mouthfeel evoking cereal and spicy notes whilst being smooth at the same time with honey and burnt brown sugar notes present too. Only 200 bottles will ever be released.
Islay Single Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky
A heavily peated whisky from the mystical island of Islay, matured in a First Fill Bourbon Barrel and laden with balanced, classic Islay peated whisky notes as well as soothing vanilla and citrus fruit notes along with cinnamon and warming spice notes too. It is 7 years old and has an ABV of 48.2% ABV. Only 243 bottles will be released.
For more information, head over to the GreatDrams’ website.
