JULY 16TH THURSDAY £20

All of the Jolly Toper’s whisky tastings take place on Thursday nights from 7:30pm until approximately 10pm at the Tollbooth Tavern, 167 Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh. 

A wee update:-

Carn Mor is a single Islay malt

Duthies is a blended malt

Auld Reekie is termed a malt

the other one is Smokehead 18yo single malt

Peat Monster describes itself as ‘malt whiskies from Port Askaig, Islay and Kennethmont, Speyside’

The Lagavulin : 18.10.1995 – 2009 54.4% European oak bottled for Feis Ile 2009

Contact the Jolly Toper via http://www.jollytopertastings.co.uk/

TOKYO (Dow Jones)–Kirin Holdings Co. (2503.TO) confirmed Tuesday that it is in merger talks with Suntory Holdings Ltd., but added that nothing has yet been decided and discussions are still at an early stage.

A deal between the two companies would create a formidable competitor to the world’s leading brewer Anhesuer-Busch Inbev N.V.

The Nikkei reported Tuesday that Suntory President Nobutada Saji said that Suntory and Kirin aim to reach an agreement as early as the year-end to integrate operations as equal partners.

“We’re at the stage where we’ve taken half a step,” Saji told reporters early Tuesday, according to the Nikkei.

 -By Yoshio Takahashi, Dow Jones Newswires; 813-6895-7561; yoshio.takahashi@dowjones.com

Wall Street Journal

Crunch talks to try and safeguard hundreds of whisky jobs are due to be held.

Politicians, unions and councils will come together to put forward the strongest case against plans by drinks company Diageo.

The drinks firm wants to shut its Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock and the Port Dundas grain distillery in Glasgow, putting 900 jobs at risk.

Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney will lead the talks at ministerial headquarters in Edinburgh.

He said: “Ever since Diageo’s announcement was made almost two weeks ago, there has been a massive feeling of disappointment.

“With Diageo committed to holding a proper consultation on their proposals, the message they will receive loud and clear is that these proposals and their consequences are simply not acceptable.”

The meeting is expected to involve Scottish Enterprise, Glasgow and East Ayrshire councils, Unite and GMB unions, MPs, MSPs and the Scottish Government.

Mr Swinney has called for financial information behind Diageo’s original decision.

He added: “This evening’s talks are a significant step in the right direction and I am committed to working constructively with all those present to finding the right solution for employees of Diageo and their communities.”

An earlier meeting over the potential job losses will be held in Glasgow with local SNP MSP Bob Doris, union reps and Scottish Enterprise.

From the Press Association http://www.pressassociation.com/

Scottish Enterprise is poised to take on outside help as part of efforts to save hundreds of whisky jobs.

The economic development agency said a decision will be made on Tuesday to appoint consultants to carry out an independent review of Diageo’s closure proposals.

The drinks firm has announced plans to shut its Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock and the Port Dundas grain distillery in Glasgow, putting 900 jobs at risk.

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said the move formed part of discussions held with Scottish Enterprise chairman Crawford Gillies.

Mr Murphy said: “Scottish Enterprise`s role in persuading Diageo is crucial – and they and their external consultants need to formulate a compelling and comprehensive case to be put to Diageo as soon as is practicable.”

Diageo bosses have previously said they were “convinced” their plan to close the Johnnie Walker bottling plant was best for the long-term future of the brand.

A Scottish Enterprise spokesman confirmed outside help would be hired.

“Regarding the appointment of an external consultant to carry out the independent review of Diageo’s business proposals, we can confirm that we are expecting to receive a number of briefs by lunchtime tomorrow and a decision will follow by the end of the day,” the spokesman said.

The move comes as Scottish Finance Minister John Swinney prepares to hold cross-party talks on Tuesday evening aimed at fighting Diageo’s proposals.

Mr Swinney will meet senior figures from Scottish Enterprise, the local councils, trade unions, MPs and MSPs, to discuss what can be done to try to reverse the closure plans. He stressed all those involved were “working flat-out”.

From the Press Association http://www.pressassociation.com/

The first tasting note in four days of Tobermory Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The official bottling of Tobermory from the Isle of Mull in a dumpy green bottle with a white stenciled label. The nose …hmm slightly off track here; varnish, wax, damp canvas, acetone and wet dog. Fighting for attention are some sweet sherry notes intermingled with malt and marmalade but the damp canvas and wet dog are the dominate aromas. Oddly hand warming brings forth a pleasant sweet richness followed by warm white wine (think of the aroma of wine splashed into a cooking pot). With water there is immediate improvement revealing malt, summer fruit, oak and gentle pine resin; the off notes are very much muted. The taste is a surprise over the initial bad news on the nose, it’s warming and sweet with malt, marmalade, apricots and a slight hint of smoke (very faint) along with the resin.
The finish is quite long and unusual with a slightly bitter almond and coating mouth feel. Oily, resinous, varnish, oak and honey. Quite different. After a few minutes the malt is all that’s left.

This has actually improved quite a bit from what I remember of this single malt from a number of years ago. Some disconnect between the nose (which show some flaws) and the taste and finish. Most definitely needs water however lacks balance; like a three legged hippo (but fun to watch & all over the shop).

Score 75

£23 at https://www.lfw.co.uk/ 

Tobermory Distillery http://www.tobermorymalt.com/

Tobermory 10 Year Old Official Bottling

Loch Fyne Whiskies News has posted a new item, ‘Glenglassaugh New Spirit – The spirit that blushes to speak its name’

Glenglassaugh New Spirit – The spirit drink that blushes to speak its name 50cl
50% abv
£28.90 inc vat
£25.13 ex vat

You may view the latest post at
https://www.lfw.co.uk/

Best regards,
admin
http:/ship@lfw.co.uk/
Loch Fyne Whiskies

Loch Fyne Whiskies News has posted a new item, ‘Glenglassaugh New Spirit – The spirit that dare not speak its name’

Glenglassaugh New Spirit – The spirit that dare not speak its name 50cl
50% abv
£28.90 inc vat
£25.13 ex vat

You may view the latest post at
https://www.lfw.co.uk/

Best regards,
admin
ship@lfw.co.uk
Loch Fyne Whiskies

Loch Fyne Whiskies News has posted a new item, ‘Glenglassaugh 21yo’

Glenglassaugh 21yo
46% abv
£144.00 inc vat
£125.22 ex vat

You may view the latest post at
https://www.lfw.co.uk/blog/2009/07/13/glenglassaugh-21yo/

Best regards,
admin
ship@lfw.co.uk
Loch Fyne Whiskies

Glenglassaugh 21 Year Old

Glenfiddich is the world’s most popular single malt Scotch, and Hans-Henrik Hansen knows more about Glenfiddich’s history than almost anyone. In fact, he has what may be the world’s largest collection of Glenfiddich malts. He’ll tell us about what prompted him to start collecting Glenfiddich expressions in this week’s episode. In the news, more fallout over Diageo’s plan to close plants and cut jobs in Scotland, a Canadian province rolls back its spirits tax increase, Bruichladdich plans to close its Whisky Academy, and new whiskies from Old Forester and Berry Bros. & Rudd.

To listen to Episode #208 visit http://www.whiskycast.com/

An independent bottling from the famed Elgin based company Gordon & MacPhail featuring the single malt scotch whisky of a mothballed distillery. The cask(s) were a refill sherry hogshead and bottled at 43%. The nose is both very green and positively reeks of banana skins and not a significant amount of anything else. After a few minutes it becomes sweeter with some sherry notes. With water there are some hints of cask and wet bung cloth, very light sherry and fruit. The taste is at first mildly buttery followed by a sweet meatiness and fruit; pear, apricot, raisins and muted banana. Quite pleasant. With water it’s much as described however the mouth feel is a little more subtle and it has lost the meatiness. The finish is a good mixture of malt and sweet sherry with a back bone of malt, oak and sweetness. Intriguingly a hint of smoke at the very tail end of the finish.

Overall a very nice dram.

Score 82 points.

http://www.gordonandmacphail.com/