The third of four in Four Days of Tobermory.

The name of Whisky Galore is linked to the famous tale of how a group of Scottish islanders raided a shipwreck for its consignment of 24,000 cases of whisky. Whisky Galore is owned by Duncan Taylor, the independent bottler. Tobermory distillery is located on the Isle of Mull on the West coast of Scotland. The nose of green malt, cut grass, green peas, light solvent, varnish and some banana.  With water the nose opens somewhat and reveals malty white wine notes with some wood notes in the background. The taste is quite strong and warming with malt, barley and a slight hint of a rich cheese (although this later is not unpleasant) there is further white wine notes with a slight fizzy sweet background. With water there is a dramatic change with more malt and bourbon notes along with some oak and a slight pine or resin. The finish is quite long and is very malty with white wine layered in however there is no further evidence of the rich cheese notes.

C$90

Score 80 Points

http://www.thewhiskygalore.com http://www.tobermorymalt.com/index.php

From Federal Wine & Spirits;

Prearrival Offer, 2 Fine, Rare malts; Springbank 18 Y.O. & Longrow 14 Y.O.

Springbank 18 Y.O. New Release
900 Bottles for the U.S.

This is one of the oldest Springbanks we will see for some time, Springbank Distillery is not holding very many casks of older scotch, this was being some of the oldest in the wharehouses. If you like Springbank, grab a bottle. The style of this 18 Y.O. will show like a much more mature and sophistacated fifteen Y.O.
I have just tasted The Springbank 18 Y.O. It is a wonderful Springer, one of the best for some time, It is the kind of scotch that made a cult of Springbank.
This is a beauty with a wonderful nose and a very balanced palate. The mid palate is extreme and elegant with a long, precious finish. The distillery tasting notes in the graphic above are very good and accurate. This is one not to miss.

Regular $194.99; Prearrival $174.99 Only 30 Available

The Longrow 14 Y.O. is going to touch us… Hosanna!

Longrow 14 has been in the U.S. for a couple of years, but never in Massachusetts. After much asking we’re getting the last leg of it.
We did get just one bottle of Longrow 18 Y.O. at $300.00 . The 14 Y.O. is not cheap, but midway in age between the 18 and the ten, it has quality closer to the 18 but the price more like the Ten.
The Longrow is brilliant and and worth all the effort to get it, We are the only store in the state with any, but only 18 bottles.
Tasting Notes: Dark gold, amber color. The full body and sweetness of the nose are represented by rich milk chocolate and cream. Further nosings provides a slight smokiness, and a subtle amount of fresh mint. This whisky is very well balanced on the palate. The initial sweetness soon give way to subtle peat and burnt embers. Satisfyingly smokey finish, without being overpowering. The name of an old Campbeltown distillery, Longrow was first distilled at Springbank in 1973.

Regular $139.99; Prearrival $119.99
Only available in Massachusetts at Federal Wine & Spirits

Visit Federal Wine & Spirits at http://www.federalwine.com/  or contact Joe Howell at  joe@federalwine.com

The Scotch will be here Thursday
Pre-Arrival pricing will be honored until Saturday 7/25/09

The Companions of The Quaich proudly present The Second Coming of Jim McEwan, Iconic Master Distiller & Legendary Lord of The Isles

The Albany Club, 91 King St East, Toronto

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15

Registration  5:45 pm       Dinner  7 pm sharp

Featuring  FOUR marvellous Murray McDavid malts
bottled by Jim at Bruichladdich Distillery,
Isle of Islay, plus a three-course dinner & coffee/tea

Members  $70      ~      Guests  $80

Only prepaid reservations can be accepted
NO payments at door — NO exceptions

Contact Ed Patrick  to reserve your spot(s) via quaich@interlog.com

and visit the Companions at http://www.thequaich.com/

John Swinney: Keen to show Diageo ‘proposals are wrong’.

By TOM PETERKIN
WHISKY giant Diageo’s plans to axe 900 jobs are “wrong” and “very damaging to the Scottish economy”, finance secretary John Swinney said last night.

He was speaking after hosting a summit in Edinburgh of council, union and government leaders, as well as MPs and MSPs, who are “absolutely united” in their determination to stop the proposals.

The company wants to shut its Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock and the Port Dundas grain distillery in Glasgow, threatening 900 workers with redundancy. Diageo said it would “offset” the cuts with 400 new jobs at its Fife packaging plant.

But campaigners hope they can bring about a U-turn, with an alternative business plan to the closures being drawn up. Mr Swinney said last night’s meeting brought together representatives of the “Scotland-wide” campaign to fight the job cuts.

He said: “All of these different interests are absolutely united in working to persuade Diageo to change its proposals. We’ve got the people of Scotland behind us in this campaign – that is a voice that Diageo must listen to.”

The fresh talks on how to bring forward the strongest possible case against the potentially devastating redundancies at Diageo were also attended by Scottish Enterprise, Glasgow City Council and East Ayrshire Council, MPs and MSPs.

Mr Swinney added: “We have made good progress towards working up an alternative business case. We have now commissioned consultants who will underpin that on our behalf through Scottish Enterprise, and we therefore have the ability to work very swiftly to put an alternative proposition to Diageo.

“What is crucial is that we have got to make sure that Diageo realise that their proposals are wrong, that they are very damaging to the Scottish economy and that we want to ensure that different proposals are brought forward. Diageo have to be mindful of the significance of their brand reputation and we are determined to apply the pressure and also the substantive business case to ensure we win this argument.”

Kilmarnock and Loudoun MSP Willie Coffey, and Labour economy spokesman David Whitton were also present.

Douglas Reid, the leader on East Ayrshire Council, said: “We’re absolutely united and determined that the story’s not finished. Every tier of government and every political party is united on this. I don’t think Diageo realised the impact of it in Kilmarnock. It’s not just about 700 jobs – it’s more than that, important though they are. They’re writing off our town, and we’re determined they’ll not get away with it.”

However, Scottish Enterprise was last night accused of “dragging its feet” over the job losses and was urged to publish a business plan to save the employees at risk.

The agency has said that concrete plans will only be produced once Diageo’s plans have been reviewed independently by an external consultant.

Des Browne, the Labour MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, has already made it clear that the business case must be ready for next week, when Alex Salmond meets Paul Walsh, the Diageo Group chief executive.

“The feeling is definitely growing in some quarters that Scottish Enterprise are dragging their feet on this,” a Labour spokesman said. “It must be an absolute top priority.”

“Of course the business base needs to be robust, but we only have 12 weeks for the consultation period. The clock is ticking. It is vital that Scottish Enterprise supports both plants properly.”

Today, Mr Salmond will sign a “Keep Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock” petition urging Diageo to save the jobs. Scottish Enterprise refuted suggestions that it was not working quickly enough.

The full article contains 604 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.Page 1 of 1

Last Updated: 14 July 2009 11:48 PM
Source: The Scotsman
Location: Edinburgh
Related Topics: Scotsman Whisky , Scottish Enterprise

http://www.scotsman.com/

Roll Out the Barrels WhiskyFest San Francisco Arrives  Oct 16, 2009

Please join us at Malt Advocate’s 3rd annual San Francisco event, we will have a table showcasing our very own D&M whisky bottlings. Purchase your tickets today and be sure to stop by and say hello!

America’s largest whisky celebration returns to San Francisco for the 3rd year with over 200 of the rarest – and most expensive – whiskies from around the globe available for tasting. Put on by Malt Advocate, the premiere magazine for the whisky enthusiast, WhiskyFest will again feature an educational focus that will let distillers not only explain how whisky is made, but also how to identify, sniff, swirl, and enjoy one of the most revered spirits in the world.

Event Details
The 3rd Annual WhiskyFest San Francisco will take place at the
San Francisco Marriott on Friday, October 16, 2009 from 6:30pm – 9:30pm.

Tickets
Regular Admission: $95 (includes Scottish crystal tasting glass, 1-year subscription to Malt Advocate magazine, event program with tasting notes section, all seminars, gourmet buffet and beverages throughout the evening) until September 15th; $105 after

VIP Admission: $150 (includes all of the above plus one hour early admission with limited ticketing, special VIP hour only whiskies, and canvas tote bag).

For more information on ticket sales or event information, visit:
http://maltadvocate.com/docs/whiskyfest/san_francisco/default.aspx

Ezra Brooks Generations 7
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
$12.99

Nut brown color with a molasses, horehound and sassafras nose. This whiskey is just plain fine; it offers a sweet, nougat-laced palate with real softness to it. Very pleasant, with a long, easy finish.

Ezra Brooks is a genuine sour mash; aged naturally in new charred white oak barrels and charcoal filtered for a mellow flavor. Through seven generations it is, and will always be, the bourbon for those with a rugged spirit and a taste for adventure.

Visit D&M at http://www.dandm.com/

From the Dalmore;

You’ll enjoy the same sumptuously rich liquid, from casks that are amongst the oldest in the world. Distinctive new packaging will light up fine spirits outlets around the globe. Look out for our iconic stag which proudly adorns each bottle.

Available now is our superlative new range: The 40, The King Alexander III,
The 1974, The 15, The Gran Reserva, and The 12.

For more information, visit www.thedalmore.com/book

Thursday, July 23, 6:30-8:30pm
Join Binny’s and Ardbeg Brand Ambassador Davinia Small in an exploration of the history of one of the most sought-after Islay distilleries, Ardbeg. We will be tasting the 10 year old, Uigeadail Cask Strength, 1991-16 year old Airigh nam Biest, and the rare Committee Release Supernova, one of the most heavily peated whiskies ever produced in Scotland. $20 W/Binny’s Card / $30 non-members. Reservations are required.
Call 312-768-4400 or email southloop@binnys.com for reservations.
Binny’s Chicago – South Loop
1132 S. Jefferson Street | Chicago | 312-768-4400

Day Two of Four in the ‘Four Days of Tobermory’.

A multi cask bottling from the independent bottler Murray McDavid and without the addition of caramel for colouring or chill filtration. The nose is heathery and malty, buttery, sherried but still slight closed. A little hand warming reveals more sweetness and just the slightest hint of smoke plus some oak. Black tea (cold). The taste is sweet with a back ground of malt, chocolate, fruit and then further malt. Some heavier notes of cured tobacco before it has been lit. The finish is straight forward; fruit (berries, plump raisins, dried apricots) and chewy dry malt and cocoa. The ever slightest of palm oil at the very end of the finish.

Actually quite a pleasant dram.

C$70

Score 83 points

Visit Tobermory Distillery http://www.tobermorymalt.com/index.php

Visit Murray McDavid http://www.murray-mcdavid.com/

By John Hansell;

Willie Tait of Isle of Jura single malt scotch is bringing one bottle of a very special whisky to WhiskyFest San Francisco on October 16th.

As many of you know, we have a charity table at WhiskyFest where we feature rare whiskies. To be able to taste a wee dram of the whisky, you must make a small donation to charity.  (This time we have chosen “Meals on wheels” as our charity.)

Well, Willie is bringing something very special. I’ll let him tell you all about it in his own words. (I love Willie’s sense of humor!)

I put a hogshead of Jura down 0n the 23rd Nov 1989, on my daughters 13th birthday.  This was my legacy for my children, as they have already taken all my money.

When you hear people say that they made this particular whisky, as we all know it’s not always true. I was the Manager at Jura at this time and when I thought about laying down a cask, what better if I did actually go and make this Dram.

I started Milling, then Mashing, through for Fermentation and then I did the Distillation, finally filling the new spirit into a fine sherry Hogshead. I am going to draw enough for a bottle from the cask and give it a special label and package.

Will keep you informed on the work in progress.

At this year’s WhiskyFest San Francisco, we have asked six different “Whiskymakers” to create one unique bottle of whisky for charity. In the very near future, I will be telling you about the other five. You will be amazed!

You didn’t need another reason to come to WhiskyFest San Francisco, because it will already be a great event. But now you have an even more compelling reason to attend.

What Does John Know/Malt Advocate;

http://blog.maltadvocate.com/2009/07/13/rare-jura-whisky-at-whiskyfest-sf/