UK: Scotch whisky protection measures set to become law
6 November 2009 | Source: just-drinks.com editorial team

New legal regulations covering Scotch whisky have been lined up to become law later this month in the UK.

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy confirmed yesterday (5 November) that the measures, which will include the outlawing of the bottling of single malt outside Scotland, will be passed into law on 23 November.

The regulations include:

The compulsory use of category descriptions, such as ‘Blended Scotch Whisky’;  Presentation rules, which are intended to promote understanding of every category of Scotch whisky, Single and Blended, to consumers;
Additional protection for Scotch from unfair competition and deceptive practices within a legal framework;  Rules to require the bottling of single malt Scotch in Scotland;  Protection for the traditional regional names associated with Scotch whisky production and clear rules on product age statements;  Introduction of an enforcement mechanism, with HM Revenue & Customs designated as the Scotch whisky verification authority;
Use of the word ‘Pure’ is to be banned, as it has led to confusion as ‘Pure Malt’ may come across as being superior – the term has been used to disguise the fact that the product is a blend of malts rather than a single malt;  A tightening up of the use of distillery and regional names.

“It is vital that we protect our key industries,” said Murphy. “We cannot allow others to trade off our good name and to pass off inferior whisky as being produced in Scotland. These regulations will help protect whisky customers across the globe.”

The move has been welcomed by trade body the Scotch Whisky Association. “Additional protection helps safeguard Scotch from unfair and deceptive practices,” said SWA chief executive Gavin Hewitt. “The new labelling rules provide a unique opportunity to promote consumer understanding of Scotch worldwide. These regulations have the strong backing of the Scotch whisky industry.”

Bruichladdich 19yo 1989/2009 (51.1%, ‘Black Art’, 6000 Bts.)

In a black bottle which bears a striking resemblance to the famed Bruichladdich Blacker Still and once the first dram is poured the resemblance comes to a shocking end; the colour is bright reddish pink. Quite unlike most scotch whiskies or any whiskies in fact. Anybody who can speak about whisky, these days it seems, is always banging on that colour isn’t important. Time to change your tune and stare at the shocking reddish pink and have a little think about how this happened. The fact sheets talk about bourbon barrels used for maturation but then gooe silent on the subject. Black Art indeed. The nose is at first a little closed but reveals some good malt, brown sugar sweetness, strawberry jam and some fruity sweetness. After a few minutes in the glass the nose changes to reveal some Balsamic vinegar however this is pleasant and does not detract. There is also some spicy wood notes. With water the nose opens to reveal more malt, the various fruit and some brine? The undiluted taste is somewhat different from the nose; warming, some fruit at first and then some mild grapefruit and then in the later stages some more wood notes and malt. An odd collection of flavours to say the least and all in all very unusual but malty. The diluted taste is certainly more drinkable and is somewhat more in the vein of a ‘normal’ whisky (which one suspects was NOT the goal here) with more fruit and dry oaky wood notes. The finish is malty at first followed by some quick flash of fruit and then the spicy oaky wood notes which becomes quite dry rather quickly. The malt seems to grow as does the fruit however the malt is the stronger of the two.

Huh. What a curious whisky; it seems to work however and is quite tasty and after a few minutes it does remind of a good quality Highlander and quite malty.

C$135

Score 84 Points

http://www.bruichladdich.com/

Loch Fyne Whiskies News has posted a new item, ‘Iconic Whisky Tasting Evening’

You may view the latest post at
https://www.lfw.co.uk/blog/2009/11/05/iconic-whisky-tasting-evening/
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Glenfiddich Announces Succession of New Malt Master

Brian Kinsman becomes sixth Malt Master responsible for producing the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky

Toronto, ON (November 5) – Independent, family-owned distiller, William Grant & Sons Ltd. has announced the succession of Brian Kinsman as Glenfiddich’s Malt Master.  He will take up his new post from 1st December 2009.

‘Apprentice’ Malt Master for the past eight years, Brian Kinsman succeeds David Stewart who has held the post for 35 years – the industry’s longest serving Malt Master. Brian becomes only the sixth Malt Master since the company was founded in 1887.

As Malt Master, Brian will be in charge of the time-honoured Glenfiddich whisky making tradition; from careful cask selection and overseeing the marrying process – a Glenfiddich speciality which ensures consistency in the quality – to the maturation process within the Dufftown warehouses, where every new year imparts different qualities to the liquid.

His predecessor, David Stewart, is one of the industry’s most loved and respected craftsmen. Working alongside him for the past nine years, Brian has not only learnt his craft but inherited an unrivalled passion for whisky and a deep respect for time-honoured techniques and tradition.

Brian studied chemistry at The University of St Andrews and first joined William Grant & Sons in 1997 to carry out analysis of spirit quality and study the maturation processes, having been attracted by the tradition, skill and craftsmanship within the worlds most awarded and distinguished distillery. Eight years ago he became David Stewart’s apprentice, embarking on a complex journey of learning about the production of single malt whisky which traditionally can take anything up to a decade to complete.  Although no formal qualification is required to be Malt Master, Brian’s scientific background comes in useful when understanding the character of a whisky and the effect of maturation. 

Brian said: “It’s an honour to join the exclusive roll call of Glenfiddich Malt Masters. Not only to be taking on the responsibility for producing the ‘best dram in the valley’, but to be taking over from David, who is the best nose in the business and has been for a long time.  I’ve been lucky enough to have learnt and benefited from David’s knowledge and years of experience in much the same way David did from his predecessor, Hamish Robertson. He learned from Gordon Ross and Gordon from John Grant. John learned from his father, William Grant, our founder.  My apprenticeship may be complete, but you never stop perfecting and exploring new possibilities for the time-honoured techniques that have been passed down – this is a lifetime of work and one I am looking forward to.”

David Stewart, who firmly remains part of the William Grant & Sons family, but will now dedicate his time to his Malt Master role at the company’s renowned Balvenie distillery in Dufftown, said: “I recall when I first took over the reigns as Malt Master in 1974 when I felt a personal responsibility for ensuring a continuity of skills and time-honoured techniques to ensure all our whiskies were as complex and characterful as the last. Having spent a significant period of time with Brian, helping him to refine his Glenfiddich ‘nose’ I am confident that he will take up the mantle with the passion and commitment required to guarantee excellence in all of our award winning single malts.”

William Grant & Sons Ltd:

William Grant & Sons is an independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today still controlled by the fifth generation of his family.  The Company distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie® single malts and one of the world’s best loved blended Scotches, Grant’s®, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick’s® Gin, and Sailor Jerry® Spiced Rum

Click on www.williamgrant.com for more information on the Company and its brands

 
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For further information or images, please contact:

Stephanie Charlton

Jesson + Company Communications

T: (416) 323-7828 ext. 22

E: scharlton@jessonco.com

Whisky 4 Movember

Bottling Note
We’ve released a special 11 year old Orkney blended malt in honour of Movember – the yearly month-long event that raises awareness for men’s health.

This a limited release of 984 bottles, with artsy labels exhibiting some classic moustaches. There are 5 different labels to collect, and the moustaches include such time-honoured favourites as the handlebar and the Dali.

All profits from the sale of Master of Malt’s Secret Movember Edition bottlings will go directly to Movember UK.

www.uk.movember.com
www.whisky4movember.com

From Richard Paterson (The Nose)….

“Fireworks? I’ll give you bloody fireworks. I’ve got a Tweeter impersonator.
I’m told imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I’m also told by large-dram-pourer Craig McGill (in between him laughing his head off at this) that I’ve joined the ranks of Steve Jobs and Darth Vader with this… a Twitter impersonator and it’s a great thing.

Go see what you think. http://twitter.com/the_conk_whisky

if I find out this is someone at Whyte and Mackay…”

An update of the stock available in our warehouse for those still looking to purchase these for the whisky season.

CSPC    COLLECTION PACK PRICE   CASES REMAINING
743914  Classic Malts Strong Gift Pack   $  88.95       40 CASES      
580688  Classic Malts Gentle Gift Pack   $  89.99       40 CASES      
804575  Talisker Gift Pack       $  95.00       13 CASES      
562041  Islay Gift Pack  $254.95        SOLD OUT      

Just in time for the whisky release are four gems that are perfect for the coming gifting season.

CLASSIC MALT GIFT PACKS!

Four gift packs that are ready to order now.

Three gift packs that offer a three pack sampler of the classic malts while one offers a five pack sampler.

Extremely limited quantities!
Just in time for whisky season!
Excellent for gift giving during holiday season. Your customers will love having something new to give this holiday season.
Offers customers a chance to try a collection of whiskies for the price of one making it a great way to find a new favourite!
Your customers will come in looking for these limited release gift packs.

CLASSIC MALTS “STRONG” GIFT PACK

  
A collection of our richer and smokier malts. Cragganmore from Speyside, Talisker from the Isle of Skye on the Western Coast, and the infamous Lagavulin from Islay.

Includes 3 x 200 ml bottles per pack. 8 gift packs per case.

Cragganmore 12 Year old
Talisker 10 year old
Lagavulin 16 year old

AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Cragganmore 12 year
“89 POINTS” – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2008 (not rated in 2009)

Talisker 10 year
“DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL” – San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009

Lagavulin 16 year
“BEST IN CLASS” – GOLD MEDAL” – International Wine & Spirits Competition 2009

PRICE: $88.95
CSPC: +743914
LISTING STATUS: Specialty
Only 50 cases of each pack available province-wide!
8 gift packs per case.

CLASSIC MALTS “GENTLE” GIFT PACK

 
A collection of our lighter and more delicate malts. Glenkinchie from the Lowlands, Dalwhinnie residing in the Highlands, and Oban, a coastal highland malt.

Includes 3 x 200 ml bottles per pack. 8 gift packs per case.

Glenkinchie 12 Year old
Dalwhinnie 15 year old
Oban 14 year old

AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Glenkinchie 12 year
“SILVER MEDAL” – San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009

Dalwhinnie 15 year
“95 POINTS” – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2009

Oban 14 year
“BEST IN CLASS – GOLD MEDAL” – International Wine & Spirit Competition 2009

PRICE: $89.99
CSPC: +580688
Listing Status: Specialty
Only 50 cases of each pack available province-wide!
8 gift packs per case.

CLASSIC MALTS “TALISKER” GIFT PACK

A collection of malts from the one and only distillery on the Isle of Skye. Talisker’s multi-award winning malts are legendary amongst whisky drinkers.   .

Includes 3 x 200 ml bottles per pack. 8 gift packs per case.

Talisker 10 year
Talisker 18 year (currently unavailable in Canada in any other format!)
Talisker Distiller’s Edition

AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Talisker 10 year
“DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL” – San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009

Talisker 18 year
“94 POINTS” – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2009

Talisker Distiller’s Edition
“BEST IN CLASS – GOLD MEDAL” – International Wine & Spirits Competition 2009

PRICE: $95.00
CSPC: +804575
Listing Status: Specialty
Only 25 cases of each pack available province-wide!
8 gift packs per case.

CLASSIC MALTS “ISLAY COLLECTION” GIFT PACK

For the true aficionado of Islay, this collection will be one of the most sought after gift packs for years to come. This pack includes whiskies from 3 distilleries on Islay including Port Ellen, a distillery long gone since 1983 with only a few drams remaining.

Includes 5 x 200 ml bottles per pack. 5 gift packs per case.

Caol Ila 12 year
Caol Ila Distiller’s Edition (pictured is the 18 year old but we are offering the Distiller’s Edition in this pack)
Lagavulin 12 year
Lagavulin 16 year
Port Ellen 29 year

AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Caol Ila 12 year
“89 POINTS” – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2009

Caol Ila Distiller’s Edition
“GOLD MEDAL” – International Spirits Challenge 2009

Lagavulin 12 year
“GOLD MEDAL” – Scotch Whisky Masters 2009

Lagavulin 16 year
“BEST IN CLASS – GOLD MEDAL” – International Wine & Spirits Competition 2009

Port Ellen 29 year
“BEST SINGLE MALT WHISKY” – San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009

PRICE: $254.95
CSPC: +562041
Listing Status: Specialty
Only 10 cases of each pack available province-wide!
5 gift packs per case.

Order now before they are gone!

Kris Steed
Reserve Brands & Wine Specialist

RESERVE BRANDS GROUP
A division of Diageo Canada

P: (604) 928-7959
F: (604) 542-9400
E: kris.steed@diageo.com
www.weareworldclass.com

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

The next full Malt Messenger is out early next week. But some news just can’t wait. So in the meantime I thought I’d give you a little taste of what to expect. I’ve kept it short and sweet, enjoy!

Malt Whisky Yearbook 2010 is here! – $30

Whiskey: The Definitive World Guide by the late whisky writer Michael Jackson is here! – $49.99

Springbank 1996 KWM Manzanilla Cask – Do you remember our exceptional cask of Springbank? You know, the one that sold out about a two months ago (600 bottles in 5 months!)? Well, its not quite sold out yet. The distillery held back six cases (36) bottles from the order shipped to us in February, and when we selected our follow up cask (due to land in late November) the existence of these six cases came to light. We requested that they be sent too, and they quietly arrived in store last Wednesday. There are now only 30 bottles left. If you’d like to sample our Springbank 1996 Manzanilla Cask before it truly sells out, don’t delay! Full tasting note and description to be included in the next Malt Messenger! $109.99

Bruichladdich Organic 2003: Following in the wake of the Benromach Organic is Bruichladdich’s crack at organic whisky! My initial thoughts: Nose: light, honeyed malt, very grassy, buttery creamy notes underlie it all with olives and almonds; Palate: surprisingly big mouthfeel given the nose, apple juice, sweet & bitter vanilla oak notes and malted milk; Finish: sweet, more vanillans and licorice root. Available in limited quantities: $77.99 + GST

Bruichladdich Black Art 1989: Aged 19 years in bourbon casks with a wine cask influence, Jim’s not saying much more than that. The whisky was rumoured to be similar in style to the legendary Blacker Still of years back, but that comparison does a disservice to both the Blacker Still and Black Art. People will be talking about this dram not least because of the mystique surrounding its creation, but also because once poured from the black opaque bottle they won’t know what to make of it. I don’t often talk about colour, unless it is exceptional or unusual, and it is both in this case. It looks like a young tawny port or rose wine; I’ve never seen anything like it before in the world of whisky. Nose: like a nice young tawny port with a balance of caramel and fruit, caramelized, grapey, dark orchard fruits, fruit syrup, fresh cherries and much more going on; Palate: very grapey, lots of wine notes, some soft tannins, very earthy, strawberry, more dark orchard fruits, cooked plum, toffee cake with a blueberry sauce; Finish: very drying, lots of oak tannins and traces of fruit syrup! This is the kind of dram which people will either love or hate. I think it’s both interesting and fun… Available in limited quantities. – $132.99

Also just in this week:

1.       Duthies Cragganmore 15Yr – 94.99

2.       Kilchoman Innagural Release – $89.99

3.       Signatory Bomwore 1972 – This stuff is the colour of mahogany and is a baby brother to the legendary black. – $634.99

Kilkerran “Work In Progress”: will hit the shelves next week. This first release of Kilkerran single malt is very collectible, and there are only 300 bottles available in the province. Kilkerran is a whisky from Campbeltown’s newest distillery, Glengyle. Glengyle was opened by Springbank distillery in an effort to refurbish the town’s distilling heritage and give it its own regional classification again (you need 3 distilleries). I’ll have much more on this next week, but for now a tasting note of mine: Nose: creamy and salty, sea breeze on a stormy day, soft vanillans, gentle oils, and jasmine; Palate: sweet buttery vanilla, so soft it caresses your palate, gentle oils which softly coat your mouth, briny with clean smoke. This whisky  tastes older than its 5 years, and was clearly selected from superior casks! Finish: clean and sweet, some smoky oils and soft briny sea notes. – $69.99

Also coming in next week is a new line of independently bottled whiskies called Duthies which are exclusive to Kensington Wine Market. We selected four whiskies from the eight available for our first release. They are: Auchentoshan 19Yr, Caol Ila 13Yr, Cragganmore 15Yr and Glen Scotia 17Yr. I’ll have more info on all of these next week in the Malt Messenger, including tasting notes and pricing.

Finally, don’t forget we still have some incredible fall events coming up:

1.       Fall Single Malt Festival – Thursday November 12th – This event is 80% sold out. It is your opportunity to sample more than 80 premium single malts including many old and rare whiskies, some of which aren’t available in Alberta. The cost to attend is $60 which includes your own crystal single malt glass.

2.       BenRiach Cask Release Party with Alistair Walker – Tuesday November 17th – This is the release party for our eagerly anticipated exclusive single cask bottling of BenRiach finished in a Madeira barrel. On Tuesday November 17th special guest Alistair Walker from BenRiach will be on hand to help us celebrate. Alistair is the distillery’s Brand Ambasador and is also the son of its director and Master Blender. He will give us our first taste of this latest cask as well as talk about the other incredible whiskies from BenRiach and Glendronach distilleries (all of which will be open for sampling). Special deeply discounted prices will be available this night only on all BenRiach single malts including pre-orders of our new cask. This event is limited to 60 people, and a crystal whisky glass is included in the $40 admission!

I hope you enjoyed this Malt Messenger bulletin!  Keep your eyes open for the next full edition later in the week!

____________________

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com.. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change!

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
KWM Scotchguy

403-283-8000
888-283-9004
1257 Kensington Rd. NW
Calgary, AB, Canada
T2N 3P8

scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com

Allt A’Bhainne 15yo 1992 (46%, MMcD, Bourbon, 350 Bts., +/-2007)

An independent bottling of a Speyside single malt that was matured in Bourbon barrels and unusually for a Speyside single malt it was bottled on Islay at Bruichladdich distillery. The nose is mildly pungent and sweet at the same time, with banana and mildly vegetative, followed by an aroma that has not been encountered in a long time; bubble gum. After some nosing is it ascertained that water is needed, this brings out some pleasant malty notes and a meaty back ground along with some heather and brown sugar. The taste is slightly unremarkable at first but good followed by a brief period of Bovril followed by some good malt that the Bovril soon banishes. There are also some wood notes (varnish, spice and burnt cake) and a mild soapiness. Curious. The finish is at first of hard boiled eggs just out of the shell followed by some struggling malt and tobacco (raw, before it is smoked) and some sourness. The finish is quite long and mildly industrial along with the soapiness.

Different and saved by the malt.

C$115

Score 77

http://www.murray-mcdavid.com/

Scotch Tasting
Gordon & MacPhail with Michael Urquhart
Wed November 11th.
5:00 P.M. & 6:00 P.M.

Joe writes,

Michael Urquhart will be here to host the tasting,focussing on Benromach, a closed distillery bought and refurbished in 1994 by Urquhart family. We will have the pleasure of being the first store in the state to taste the new Benromach 10 Y.O. and we will have a great line up of single malts to taste. Michael will sign bottles if you like, A very Special evening, you would not want to miss!!!!

Email: info@federalwine.com
Phone: (617) 367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/