– They’re on of course
– Already confirmed: Adelphi, Allied, Amrut, Ardbeg, Benriach, Blackadder, Cooley, Glendronach, Glenfarclas, Glenmorangie, Gordon & MacPhail, Hart Brothers, La Maison du Whisky, Master of Malt, Malts of Scotland, Number One Drinks Company, Signatory Vintage, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Tomatin, Whisky Doris, The Whisky Agency and The Whisky Exchange (as well as some Taiwanese participants).
– Many more to follow
– First samples already arrived at our logistics centre (i.e. Olivier’s)
– Deadline for samples to arrive Sept 26.
– Results Dec 1. 00:00

Visit http://www.maltmaniacs.org/ for more on the Malt Maniacs and http://www.maltmaniacs.org/2008-whisky-awards.html for details on the 2008 Awards

Ralfy at Work

Ralfy has a new single malt scotch whisky video review (#64) online available at  http://www.ralfy.com/ Click on “Whisky Reviews” to view his latest.

Bottled at 40% ABV and chill filtered; not a great start. The nose is at first very light; peated to be sure however there are additional notes of bacon (!), coat rack, green notes (grass, hay etcetera) and mildly perfumed. With water there is not to much of a change for the undiluted sample however there is an mildly unpleasant soapiness. The taste is stronger that the nose, cold unsweetened tea, mildly strong malt, peat smoke, green tea that becomes oily after a short while. Grapefruit. More green characteristics. Malt, Dry. The finish is youngish, maritime, citrus, the grapefruit again and after a short while peat reek, malt, wood and bitterness.  After a few minutes there is some ash along with brassy copper notes. Prawn crisps.

C$125 Out of sync. Odd. Young. Lacking. Watered down. Not to their usual high standard. Nice packaging however.

Score 76 Points

http://www.ardbeg.com/

Arran 10y Anniversary Decanter Aged 10 years
Ardbeg Still Young  1998 – 2006
Ardbeg Almost There  1998 – 2007
Ardbeg Renaissance  1998 – 2008
Ardbeg Lord of the Isles  Aged 25 years
Ardbeg Serendipity  Aged 12 years
Ardbeg 10 Years Old L2 bottle code (L22604ML) (2002) Aged 10 years
Ardbeg Uigeadail old presentation (flip top) bottled 2003
Ardbeg Uigeadail old presentation (flip top) bottled 2004
Ardbeg Mellow Matured white label 1974 / 22y
Ardbeg 1993 white label for High Spirits 1993 / 10y
Ardbeg Connoisseurs Choice old white map label 1974 – 1995
Ardbeg Spirit of Scotland Single cask 1182 1991 – 2002
Ardbeg Vintage 1991 Casks 611-616, bottle No. 1954 1991 – 1999
Ardbeg Prenzlow Collection 1991, single cask, bottle 42/120 1991 – 1999
Balvenie Port Wood Extra matured in port casks Aged 21 years
Balvenie Single Barrel 15y (1980 !) 6.Oct 1980 – 24.Nov 1996, cask 13285 Aged 15 years
Balvenie Founders Reserve Brandy Bottle’ edition from 1980’s Aged 10 years
Benraich Pale blue annual release 10y with ltd ed Art print “North Bridge from Nat. Gallery” B. Rae Aged 10 years
Benromach Centenary Edition (1898-1998) 100y of Benromach Aged 17 years
Benromach Scott’s Selection 1978  1978 – 1996
Bowmore Cask Strength old ‘Clear Label’ presentation NAS
Bowmore 21 years old 1990’s presentation Aged 21 years
Brora Chieftains 20 years, June 1982, Sept 2002. Aged 20 years
Bruichladdich 1986 Dark Sherry Cask No. 494, Picture of Jim with cask. 1986-2006 Aged 20 years
Bruichladdich Flirtation 20y Second edition Aged 20 years
Bruichladdich Islands 20y Third edition Aged 20 years
Bruichladdich Duke of Edinburgh Special (internet only) 15y edition for 50y of DoE Awards Aged 15 years
Coleburn Connoisseurs Choice old white map label 1972
Dallas Dhu Connoisseurs Choice old white map label 1971 – 1994
Dallas Dhu Distilled 1979 (not ‘Conn. Choice’ 1979 – 1998
Glen Flagler Pure Malt Green label, gold lettering NAS
Glen Flagler Rare All Malt Scotch Red label, black diagonal stripe, with red bag Aged 8 years
Glenfiddich Havana Reserve Now obsolete due to USA – Cuba embargo Aged 21 years
Glen Mhor 1969 In wooden box, bottle No. 907 of 2265 1969
Glen Mhor 25 Years old In wooden box, bottle No. 830 of 1926 Aged 25 years
Glenmorangie 100 Proof Special Duty Free edition from 1990’s Aged 10 years
Glenmorangie 18 years Older presentation – distilelry picture / black tube Aged 18 years
Glenmorangie Fino Sherry Fino Sherry, special edition, wood finish NAS
Glenmorangie Tain L’Hermitage 1975, wooden box edition 1975
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) Queen’s Own Camerons (75cl – 43%) 1993 / 12y
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) The Black Watch (75cl – 40%) 1993 / 12y
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) The Highland light Infantry (75cl – 43%) 1993 / 12y
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) The Highland light Infantry (70cl – 43%) 1993 / 12y
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) Argyll and Sutherland (75cl – 43%) 1993 / 12y
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) Argyll and Sutherland (75cl – 40%) 1993 / 12y
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) Argyll and Sutherland (70cl – 40%) 1993 / 12y
Glenugie Connoisseurs Choice old white map label 1967 – 1995
Glengoyne Aged 17 years in wood 1980’s bottling, dumpy style bottle, gold box, plastic front Aged 17 years
Hazelburn First Edition Stills Label one of only 1700 bottles Aged 8 years
Hazelburn First Edition full set of all three – Stills / Malt floor / Cask labels Aged 8 years
Lochside Macnab Famous old Macnab bottling of Lochside Aged 10 years
Macallan 1976, 18y dated classic label 18y from Macallan.  1976 – 1994
Macallan 1977, 18y dated classic label 18y from Macallan.  1977 – 1996
Macallan 1979, 18y dated classic label 18y from Macallan.  1979 – 1997
Macallan 1841 Replica The 1841 edition of the Replica series NAS
Macallan 1851 Inspiration Older presentation with different label & box, shoulder label NAS
Macallan 1861 Replica The 1861 edition of the Replica series NAS
Macallan 1874 Replica The 1874 edition of the Replica series NAS
Macallan 1876 Replica The 1876 edition of the Replica series NAS
Millburn 1980, Cask No. 2021 Bottled by G&M for World of Whiskies (Duty Free UK) 1980 – 1998
Mortlach 1961 (not ‘Conn. Choice’ 1961 – 1995
Rosebank Flora & Fauna (Cask Strength) Bottle No. 1392 1981
Rosebank Zenith  Aged 12 years
Rosebank Zenith Wrapped in plastic film, how I bought it originally. Aged 15 years
Rosebank Distillers Agency Three stills label, complete with original box Aged 12 years
Rosebank Millenium Edition Signatory Millenium Ed. In pale blue tin 1990 – 2000
Rosebank Old Malt Cask One of only 828 bottles 1981 / 20y
Springbank 1974 Private bottling, Cask 1157 1974
Springbank 1974 Private bottling, Cask 2283 1974
Talisker Distillers Edition 1986 Matured in Jerez Amoroso cask wood 1986
Talisker old Western Isles map, 10y Old presentation of Talisker 10y Aged 10 years

And the fine print directly from Keith;

I am offering a selection of the most interesting ones for sale to collectors and enthusiasts world-wide. Most of these being offered are from closed distilleries or are special editions. Some of the gems are older presentations from the 1980’s, like the famous old Talisker 10y edition with the Western Isles map on the box and label.
I haven’t listed any prices as I am willing to negotiate around what I believe them to be worth. Anyone interested can contact me directly on Keith.Wood@Whisky-Emporium.com and I can them point them to online prictures of the actual bottles or supply return pictures by E-Mail so they can see what they may buy.
Almost all the fill levels are excellent, with the exception of just a couple and once again I will state the exact fill level when speaking with interested parties. I am willing to ship world-wide, but any buyers must be aware of any customs issues for their own countries. I will of course mark parcels in such a way as to not make them look like commercial sales (which they aren’t!) and will probably ship them as something like “Collectible Glassware”.
I will not make any money on shipping, but will cover my costs of postage and where necessary, any new boxes or packaging bought. As these really are collectible items of value I recommend shipping by Air Freight which allows for insurance up to 500 Euros. It isn’t the cheapest shipping, but it is the quickest and the most secure! Should anyone in the Munich area wish to purchase any bottles, they are welcome to call at the house, view the bottles and pay directly. I can also personally deliver in the Munich area.

It’s been a busy year at GlenDronach and BenRiach distilleries…the investor group led by Billy Walker added GlenDronach to their portfolio less than a year ago, and are already revamping the entire range. Their BenRiach malts have won 17 medals in competitions over the last few weeks…and Alastair Walker brings us up to date in this episode. In the news, the Scottish Government may offer Diageo public funding to keep the Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock open, Heaven Hill unveils the latest release in Parker Beam’s Heritage Collection of bourbons…and tasting notes for some new spirits.

To listen to WhiskyCast Episode #210 visit http://www.whiskycast.com/

A multi cask bottling from the independent bottlers who are closely affiliated with Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay, a limited edition bottled without the addition of coloring or chill filtration. The nose is light, fragrant and fruity with a back bone of wine notes that are quite sweet (honey and heather, light vanilla). Very clean and pleasant, some later arrival of malt. The taste is strong at first with banana, pear, oranges and sweet wine notes (think of a light sherry) followed by malt, oak,  rich dried tree fruits, in particular dried apples followed by a hint of peat smoke. Very delicious. The finish is a follow on of the fruit, malt & mild peat smoke, the whole effect carries on for some while. After a short while sweet malt becomes the predominate characteristic. Very nice. Well balanced without any off notes. A pleasure; Bourbon/Viognier, finishing that works.

Score 85 Points
http://www.murray-mcdavid.com/

MEDIA INFORMATION
Glenglassaugh Distillery, Portsoy. 21st July 2009.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
 Glenglassaugh Distillery scoops top Trophies
 Leading international spirits competition awards Glenglassaugh 30 & 40 years old single malt Scotch whisky flagship Trophies and Gold Medal (best in class) at Anniversary Awards.
The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company is delighted to announce that on 16th July the world’s premier independent spirits competition, the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), awarded Gold Medals (Best in Class) to its 30 and 40 years old Highland single malt Scotch whiskies.
Remarkably, at the first time of entering the renowned competition, the whiskies achieved additional awards winning the IWSC’s flagship award for the best 40 year old Scotch whisky while the 30 year old expression collected the Trophy for best cask strength Scotch whisky.
IWSC awards are keenly contested. The judging is blind and conducted by a highly qualified and internationally renowned panel of independent judges. To achieve gold medal status each whisky must undergo a series of sampling with only the top-scoring products in each category achieving ‘best in class’. Only the highest ranked whisky is awarded the prestigious Trophy. For 2009 a special Trophy for 40 Year Old Whisky was created to mark the IWSC’s 40th Anniversary and this was keenly contested.
The prestigious, signature award was the only whisky trophy presented at a special 40th Anniversary Celebration Dinner at Hopetoun House, near Edinburgh and was collected by Glenglassaugh’s Managing Director, Stuart Nickerson. He said: “One of the reasons behind the decision to purchase and re-open Glenglassaugh was our evaluation of the outstanding quality of the whisky. We’re absolutelydelighted that the IWSC have endorsed our judgement with their flagship award for Scotch whisky and we look forward to further success with our new products.”
“To win 2 Gold (Best in Class) was a significant achievement. To collect both of the major whisky trophies is an exceptional accolade for Glenglassaugh.”
 Glenglassaugh 40 year old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Trophy winner for Best 40 Year Old Scotch Whisky and gold medal (best in class)
 Glenglassaugh 30 year old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Trophy winner for Best Cask Strength Scotch Whisky and gold medal (best in class)
Glenglassaugh 30 & 40 years old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskies are available internationally from selected specialists at a RRP of £400 (30yo) and £1,500 (40yo) per bottle. Also available from the distillery’s aged stocks is a 21 years old expression. All are also available directly from the distillery
Glenglassaugh also recently offered consumers the chance to buy an Octave cask (50 litres, £500) of new make spirit and a Limited Release of 8,160 individually numbered 50cl bottles of new make spirit under the title “The Spirit Drink that dare not speak its name™”, as well as “The Spirit Drink that blushes to speak its name™ “ which is new spirit matured for 6 months in Californian red wine casks both are available internationally from leading specialists at a RRP of £30 for a 50 cl bottles at 50% abv.

For more information Visit the Glenglassaugh Distillery at http://www.glenglassaugh.com/

August Outturn Preview
August Outturn isn’t released until Friday 7 August. Be amongst the first to sample its delights with our special preview selection:

82.18 Rubber truncheons and bargepoles
Highland Eastern
£42 inc P&P
“Phwwooahh!”

7.52 Art school whisky
Speyside Lossie
£59 inc P&P
“…candy floss, nougat and Oddfellows spice”

August Preview Pair
Buy 82.18 & 7.52 and save £5
£96 inc P&P

Offer Ends: Thu 6 Aug

Available: Web and telephone (0131 555 2929, Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm)

Enjoy!

Whisky twitcher: “one who will travel long distances to seek out the rarest, new single cask malt whiskies before they fly away”.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Macdonald House, 18 Westerton Road, Broxburn EH52 5AQ
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).

To join the Scotch Malt Whisky Society visit them at http://www.smws.co.uk/

Exclusive Bottles From Macallan

The Macallan Estate Reserve 45.7% (exclusive to the Macallan visitor centre) – £235.00
Estate reserve is a dram of real character, conjuring up memories of times past. It draws on casks selected for their maximum intensity and depth of flavours, including some small sherry seasoned hogshead casks especially reserved for this expression. Estate reserve is non-chill filtered and bottled at the old-style strength, more commonly known as 20 under. These traditional practices ensure that every ounce of flavour and character is drawn from the cask and captured in the whisky. On the nose, a delightful combination of soft fruits, underlined with notes of ginger, vanilla, fudge and citrus. The palate is rich and fruity with an intense depth of oak wood and spiced orange. The finish is memorably long with sweet citrus and oak wood notes.

The Macallan Select Oak 40% litre (exclusive to the Macallan visitor centre) – £65.99
As renowned masters of spirit and wood, the Macallan have for centuries ensured that its new make spirit is matured only in the finest oak casks and today continue to invest more in their casks than any other single malt.
Select oak’s journey from acorn to glass has taken over 100 years and spanned three cask types. It is a uniquely complex combination of first-fill European oak casks seasoned with sherry, and American oak casks seasoned with either sherry or bourbon. Tasting note: Effortlessly balanced, sweet dried fruits and a hint of spice. The finish is luxuriously long.

Duncan Taylor 3 x 200ml Regional Malt Selection Gift – RRP £29.99 – Offer Price £19.99 SAVE £10.00
 
A regional blended malt selection pack containing 3 x 200ml 46% bottles of Speyside, Highland and Islay malts, each blended to represent the true flavours of their representative regions of Scotland. Also contains an interactive tasting guide. An ideal birthday gift or a nice wee selection for yourself!!

Isle of jura 10 Year Old plus Hip Flask Gift Pack – £22.99

Federal Wine & Spirits 
July 24, 2009  
 
Gordon & MacPhail Scotch Tasting
Tuesday July 28th. 5:00 P.M. & 6:00 P.M.
with importer Matt Chivian

With weather like Scotland, why not have a Scotch Tasting!!!
This Tuesday we will show some of the best priced, best values in Single Malts of this Year.
We will taste three very good eight-year-old single malts, all Great Values$$

Plus
A single malt three years shy of forty, called by some “The Rolls Royce of Single Malts!”

This is one you do not want to miss!

Glenrothes 8 Y.O. 43% Reg. $34.99 – Sale $31.99

Tamdhu 8 Y.O. 43% Reg. $34.99 – Sale $31.99

Highland Park 8 Y.O 43% Reg. $34.99 – Sale $31.99

Craigellachie 15 Y.O. 43% Reg. $78.99 – Sale $63.99

Isle of Jura 14 Y.O. 46% Reg. $75.99 – Sale $62.99

Especially for the tasting we have gotten in some very hard-to-find Glencarn Single Malt Scotch Glasses. People at the tasting ,or who order before it can add one at $5 for each bottle of scotch ordered.
If any are left after the tasting, we will offer them at their regiular $12.99 price on a first come, first served basis.

And the Bonus:

Macallan 37 Y.O. 53.3% Reg. $450.00 – Sale $399.99

You will not find many Sherried Macallans out there, even from the distillery itself. This Amazing single malt is precious. It is a Scotch that will not be replicated or forgotten or.
It is an elegant, well balanced malt with great depth, very multi layered, and a long , gracious finish. If this were a distillery bottling the price would be at least $2500. Don’t miss it.

Buy your malts now…
Massachusetts sales tax on spirits goes into effect August 1!

Please pass this on to any friends who are scotch enthusiasts.

Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits

——————————————————————————–

Email: joe@federalwine.com
Phone: 617-367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/