Dear All,

Following on from our stunning night with John MacDonald from Balblair, who pretty much blew everyone away with the 6 vintages from their range ( 2 of which aren’t released until later in the year and we can’t wait for the 1978 to become available!), we’re now ‘sounding out’ the potential take-up for our August tasting.

Willie Tait (Distillery Manager) will be here to show a whole range of new expressions from the Isle of Jura distillery on TUESDAY 11^TH AUGUST. The line up will include one or two expressions from the current range, before moving through all three of the new ‘Mountain’ (Paps) expressions. These are all 15 year old whiskies that have been ‘finished’ on different red wine casks and were launched at the Islay Whisky Festival a couple of weeks ago. To round out the evening we’ll be tasting the very rare 1974 vintage (anything that gets 91 points from Malt Maniac Serge Valentin is never to be sniffed at) AND a brand new expression which won’t be released until later in the year. We can’t tell you anything about this one as yet, so you’ll just have to turn up to see what it’s all about!

 Now it’s your turn…..

We suspect that many of you are away on holiday at this time of the year (slackers!) but the consequence is that we need to get an idea of how many people are likely to attend this evening. Put simply, we need to know if we’ll need to get a big room for this tasting OR whether we make it a more niche event that we hold in the shop, but that does limit us to a maximum of 30 guests.

Please let us know if you’d like to come along to this by dropping us a quick e-mail and we’ll take it from there. We’re not asking for a commitment, just trying to gauge the size of room that we’ll need.

Kind regards

The Team, The Whisky Exchange,Vinopolis,1 Bank End,London,SE1 9BU

Tel:-  +44 (0) 207 403 8688 Fax:- +44 (0) 207 403 8788

e-mail:- vinopolis@thewhiskyexchange.com

website:- http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/

For immediate release
Tuesday, 30 June 2009       

Old Pulteney Reveals their Oldest Whisky

Old Pulteney single malt whisky has announced the launch of their oldest and most exclusive super-premium whisky. This very rare 30 year old single malt was distilled at the most northerly distillery on the UK mainland and embodies the wind-swept and rugged character of the far north.

Matured at the distillery for 30 years in American White Oak, it offers connoisseurs of fine spirits and luxury scotch whisky enthusiasts an intensely complex single malt.

 Already renowned for its 12, 17 and 21 year old whiskies, Old Pulteney’s 30 year old is perfect as an after dinner dram or to celebrate a special occasion. It is presented in a lacquered walnut burr box which is lined with sailcloth, reflecting the brand’s unique maritime heritage.

Old Pulteney’s senior brand manager, Iain Baxter: “We are really excited about the launch of our oldest ever Old Pulteney. This whisky has been looked after at the distillery for 30 years and the age contributes a huge amount of complexity. It has all the hallmarks of Old Pulteney; spice and green apples, and sweet vanilla and coconut notes from the American Oak. But unusually for such an old whisky there’s a remarkable touch of tropical fruit on the nose – some people have picked up guavas and mangos! I’d say that for a malt whisky with so much age and depth, it’s still incredibly approachable.”

To tie in with the launch of the whisky, Old Pulteney is running an online competition where visitors can win a bottle of this exclusive whisky. Each month for the next six months, visitors to the Old Pulteney website can guess where they think bottles of a missing crate of the 30 year old went missing around the coast of Wick where the distillery is based. You can find the competition at http://www.oldpulteney.com/30yearold/

Old Pulteney 30 year old retails at £250 in the UK, and due to limited supply it will be available from specialist stores only. 

-ends-

For further information please contact Janice or Ines at Burt Greener Communications on 0141 248 6007 or janice@burtgreener.co.uk or ines@burtgreener.co.uk

Note to Editors

The Old Pulteney portfolio also includes:

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old (40%)  £24.49
Old Pulteney 17 Year Old (46%)  £45.00 
Old Pulteney 21 Year Old (46%)  £65.00

Inver House Distillers http://www.inverhouse.com/   has been globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and will drive the production, distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

International Beverage Holdings http://www.interbevgroup.com/ was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the distillation, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Those brands include:

 Chang Beer: one of the most popular beers in Thailand with an increasing presence throughout Asia and the rest of the world.
 Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
 Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
 Mekhong: the ‘the Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941

The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network.  Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of more than 12 nationalities speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.

Privately owned Islay distiller Bruichladdich has appointed Blavod Extreme Spirits to distribute Bruichladdich Islay single malt whisky and a selection of its other brands in the UK

Blavod Extreme Spirits plc, the AIM-listed drinks company based in London, is the owner of Blavod Black Vodka and Blackwoods Gin and Vodka.

It represents spirit brands Mickey Finn’s Schnapps, Molinari Sambuca, Cockspur Rum and Fernet Branca and wine agencies Château Lafite Rothschild, Royal Tokaji and Matariki.

The company is to change it’s name to Blavod Wine & Spirits Plc. to reflect the developing portfolio of prestige brands the company now distributes in addition to its own spirits.

Bruichladdich’s sales director Andrew Gray said: “Blavod is an exciting company with a  similar ethos to our own: it’s fast growing, innovative, premium and extreme – an ideal fit.”

“Amongst several imminent new releases is the second bottling of the world’s most heavily peated whisky, an even peatier Octomore; and the world’s first ever organic Islay whisky.”

Blavod’s turnover reported to March 2009 has increased by 45% in value to £6m, while growing  35% in volume over 2008. Principal shareholders include Barclays and Aviva.

Notes For Editors:

Contact:
Blavod CEO Richard Ambler on 44 (0)207 352 2096  or by email: richarda@blavod.com
Sales: Phyllis Taylor, customer services manager: 0207 3522096

Blavod Extreme Spirits plc 202 Fulham Road London SW10 9PJ www.blavodextreme.com

Bruichladdich Distillery Co. Ltd, Isle of Islay, PA49 7UN         Trade Information

Bruichladdich brands include: Links and heavily peated malts Port Charlotte and Octomore – the world’s most heavily peated whisky. Murray McDavid independently bottled range of single malts. Renegade Rum,

High Resolution Images: http://www.bruichladdich.com/trade/distillery.htm

Both companies were started in  2000 http://www.bruichladdich.com/

Some times the roll of the whisky dice brings up 4 bits & bobs of Canadian whisky news in a day….

Upcoming Events

August 23rd  – Sunday!  – 7pm

Cost: $100  

After a little break over the Summer can you think of a better way to spend a late August evening than to surround yourself by good food, great company and stellar whisky? I always welcome feedback on these events but as far as I can tell if it ain’t broke…… well you know the rest. In a purely scientific and rational approach we’ll dissect 5 different whiskies and rate them on the scale of “…I’ve had better…pretty good stuff….damn good…probably the best I’ve had in days…so good I can’t think straight and I forget my own name…”. Very serious stuff.

As always a pint and food are included in the price. 

To book a space call Andrew at 604-562-6026 or by e-mail http://andrew@caskstrength.ca

Slainte!

Andrew

‘unfiltered’ July 2009, the news letter of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society is now available for Society members. To aquire your own copy and to join the Society (and to have access to the excellent Society single cask bottlings) please visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/

At last, the final details and rules of the evening!

Rules

1. Strictly first confirmed by email to christopherdoll@shaw.ca, first allotted a chair at the table (beginning now);

2. All payment made at the event by cash or personal cheque payable to Christopher Doll;

3. No limit to the number of guests you wish to bring: but if YOU commit, YOU agree to pay;

4. No refunds on cancellation, unless we are able to substitute a guest;

5. No fragrances.  Please tell your guests.

Details

$165 per person, includes 4 superlative whiskies plus 5 course dinner menu designed by David Foot as follows:

~Watermelon and Blue Cheese salad

~Arctic Char Sashimi – Cherry Tomatoes Shallots and Basil

~Seared Scallops and Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

~Soy Glazed Short Ribs w/Apple Jalapeno puree and rosemary crumbs

~Green Tea Opera Cake

If you wish to have cocktails or wine with dinner, that must be ordered at the table and is not included.  Many wines are available by the glass.  There is also a good selection of beer, cidre, etc.

Arrive at the Shangri-La hotel by 6:30.  We have a private banquet room.  The aperitif whisky will be served at 6:30.  Dinner will be at 7:00 or 7:15, subject to the will of the kitchen.

The remaining three malts will be served after dinner.

Please note that the Shangri-La bar has a good selection of premium malts for those of us who wish to linger.

ASSORTED BRANDS

GLENMORANGIE ELEGANCE IN BOX 750ML
GLEN GARIOCH  DECANTER GREEN  800ML
ROBYN HOODE S/M HORN DECANTERS 750ML
BLACK IN BOX
WHITE IN BOX
GREEN IN BOX
VINTAGE WHITE HORSE 1LT IN VINTAGE TIN
GLENTURRET GOLD JUG 1966  700ML
BALVENIE 21YR IN TUBE  750ML
BALVENIE 25YR IN TUBE  750ML
CROWN ROYAL XR canadian whisky IN BOX 750ML
OLD BLUE LABEL 750ML
 BLUE LABEL  200ML BOX STILL SEALED
BELLS ROYAL RESERVE IN BOX  700ML
SS POLITICAIN INBOX WITH FIRST ADDITION BOOK OF  “WHISKY GALORE ” BY SIR COMPTON MACKENZIE ALSO BOOK ON THE SHIP &MOVIE (( WHISKY GALORE ))
FULL SET OF BELLS “”  XMAS DECANTERS “” 1988–2000
 BELLS  SET OF THE ROYAL FAMILY DECANTERS  INCLUDING  CHARLES /DIANA 13 DECANTERS
 MANCHESTER UNITED  DECANTER OF EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY
                
                                                   GLENFIDDICH
 
LTD  WILLOW PARK 1976  # 21 OF CASK 16389   WOODEN BOX
LTD  CRAIGALLICHIE HOTEL # 34OF CASK #3672  WOODEN BOX
40YR RARE COLLECTION  #456 of 500   YR 2007   WOODEN BOX
LTD QUEEN MARY 2  #183  of 279..FROM CASK 21229  WOODEN BOX
PRIVATE BOTTLING OF 15 yr TO  “” ERIC LINNELL ”  # 50 FROM CASK  6 IN WOODEN BOX
HAVANA RESREVE 21yr  TUBE
GRAN RESERVA  21yr  TUBE
LTD  VINTAGE RESERVE  “” DOM RAMSEY 1991
LTD MILLENIUM RESERVE  21yr TUBE
GLENFIDDICH 30yr BOXED
BONNIE PRINCE CHARLIE JUG BOXED
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS  JUG BOXED
GLENFIDDICH CLASSIC BOXED
18yr EXCELLENCE BOXED
GLENFIDDICH CENTENARY BOXED
21yr WEDGEWOOD DECANTER WITH MINI BOTH BOXED
18yr RESERVE JUGS …BLACK,BLUE.GREEN.and the RARE GOLD ALL BOXED
8yr UNBLENDED JUG BOXED
 
                                                                  BOWMORE

30YR DRAGON  CERAMIC BOXED
12yr BROWN STUBBY BOXED WITH MINI
37yr   #692 of  708   1968  BOXED
21yr   BOXED  old label
25yr BOXED   old label
30 yr  KRANNA DUBH BOXED
10yr  BLACK JUG  BOXED
10yr GARDEN FESTIVAL 1988 WITH MINI  TUBED
7 yr “”FEIS ILE 2007# 327  of 700 TUBED
16yr   1989,1990,1991, ALL BOXED
12YR OLD LABEL TUBED
17yr  OLD LABEL  TUBED
15yr OLD LABEL    MARIENER TUBED
LEGEND  OLD LABEL 700ml TUBED
LEGEND  OLD LABEL 750ml: TUBED
VOYAGE PORT OLD LABEL TUBED
SHERRIFF BOWMORE  26 2/3 OZ
DUSK OLD LABEL   TUBED
DARKEST OLD LABEL..TUBED
CLARET OLD LABEL TUBED
DAWN OLD LABEL..TUBED
MARINEIR CLEAR LABEL TUBED
8yr OLD LABEL TUBED
CASK STRENGTH OLD LABEL TUBED
LTD  1984 VINTAGE OLD LABEL
17yr CLEAR LABEL TUBED

For prices, shipping and photographs please contact Eric Linnell at elinnell@loganlake.net

An official single cask bottling of Tullibardine exclusively for Kensington Wine Mart in Calgary Alberta;

Released in June of 2008 this cask of Tullibardine 1987 matured in a Refill-Sherry Hogshead was bottled exclusively for Kensington Wine Market. 191 bottles were produced by cask No. 632 at a natural strength of 54.6%; approximately 50 still available.

The nose is quite strong and very full of rich fruit cake, heavy sherry, Christmas cake, brown sugar and raisins. Butt heads rejoice. There is also oak and very mild tobacco and just a hint of coffee. The taste is not overly strong and is both sweet and woody with a slight hint of tea and sourness however these last two are very faint. There is also some wood notes, oak, brown sugar, toffee and a slight fizziness in the mouth along with a delicate oily/waxy mouth feel. Dry woody notes, a bit of the tea pops up again. Mild spearmint and a meaty quality. The finish is quite long sweet and dry (very dry to the sides of the mouth), a little one dimensional and at the very end the Tullibardine character of distinct maltiness pops through the sherry over tones.

A great example of a single cask offering from Tullibardine. The overall picture is very sherried and quite so for a refill Hogs Head.

C$185

Score 84 Points

http://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/
http://www.tullibardine.com

An independent bottling from The Coopers Choice (The Vintage Malt Whisky Company) and bottled without chill filtration. The nose reveals is clean with spiced malt (wood notes and malt) with a back ground of light vanilla and honey. With water the nose changes and become very green and sweet (pizza dough and honey) but after a few minutes this changes to become much more sweet. The taste is strong and oily (buttery) with light sherry, tea and oak well integrated. There is also some fruit in the form of apricots, orange zest and fruit cake. Later stages of leather or dark black tea. Very much in the fruity and woody slice of the flavour pie. With water the taste improves quite a bit and the mouth feel is smoothed out and much more pleasant. A nice surprise. The finish is long with malt, dry oak and toffee and is quite pleasant. Not an aggressive whisky that jumps up and grabs you by the throat but most definitely improves with both time and water. After a number of minutes the malt character is quite dramatic and is very pleasant.

Great value for the price; malty and winey.

$C115                      

Score 83 Points

http://www.csnwine.com/

http://www.vintagemaltwhisky.com/product-cooperchoice.html