The latest new whisky from Whyte and Mackay and Richard Paterson:

1951 was an incredible year. And while men dreamed of reaching the stars, guided by the brightest of them all, Sirius, it would be another 18 years before that journey took place. But for a whisky in the Dalmore distillery, 1951 saw it it begin on a journey that wouldn’t end until 2009.*

To me, this is one small step for a dram, but one giant leap for dramkind to continue the space theme (and I’ll come back to that later in the week). Coming from the oldest barrel left in the Dalmore distillery, Sirius is distinguished and elegant, age has gracefully finessed this brilliant expression. Aromas of intense citrus and honeyed chocolate are quickly joined by roasted coffee, crushed walnuts and hints of liquorice spice.

Let the spirit gently roll over the palate, holding it long in the mouth to tease out its illuminating flavours. First coffee and bitter chocolate, followed by crushed almonds and ripe apple, then toffee, spicy cinnamon and toasted oak provide the perfect finish.”

Visit the Dalmore Distillery at http://www.thedalmore.com/

A bottling from Duncan Taylor’s NC2 Range (non-chillfiltered and non-coloured). The nose has a problem but there is some sweet malt, mild smoke which is good, however these characteristics are marred by damp funky cardboard. With water the smoke and the sweetness are in the fore and the disappointment comes in the form of some mild soapiness. The soapiness vanishes after a short while and the sweet smoke struggles free, which is nice. Water improves the aroma significantly. The taste is very good with none of the unhappiness of the nose and there is really good integration of the malt, the sweetness and the gentle smoke along with hints of dark chocolate. A huge relief after the unhappiness on the nose. With water it is much the same as the undiluted sample but becomes syrupy, definitely better without the water although perhaps a small amount wouldn’t hurt. Again no further appearances from the unhappy aroma gang. The finish is sweet and smoky with loads of chewy malt and some slight ‘green’ hints along with some dry oak. The finish is quite long and there is loads of malt and smoke.

A malt that saves it self.

C$100

Score 80 Points

http://www.duncantaylor.com/

Press release: Tuesday 6 October 2009

Indian malt rated one of best three whiskies in world

Leading whisky expert, Jim Murray, has named an Indian malt the third best in the world in his new Whisky Bible.

In The Whisky Bible 2010 published this week, Murray awards Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky the title of World’s Third Best Whisky. It gained 97 points in Murray’s most extensive collection of tasting notes ever published, with nearly 4,000 included this year.

Murray said Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky “has to be one of the great whiskies found anywhere in the word this year”. Admitting his No 3 choice  could come as a  surprise to some people, he said: “The fact that it is Indian? Irrelevant, from distillation to maturation this is a genius whisky from whichever continent.”

In his tasting notes, Murray  adds: “It is one of those which command a big mouthful, a chair with a headrest … and silence. You will chew for seemingly hours and never quite get to the bottom of its mystical complexity. It is massive whisky, but its genius is that you get the feeling that there is some almost invisible element keeping the malt together so the proportions are never less than perfect.”

Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky gets its name from the fact that it uses two barleys: Indian and Scottish – with the latter being peated. It comes from Amrut Distilleries, the Bangalore-based company which introduced the first single malt from India to the UK in 2004.

Amrut’s Indian barley comes from the Punjab and the distillation takes place in the tropical garden city of Bangalore at 3000ft. The barley from Scotland is also distilled in Bangalore and both are matured there separately. After they have reached their peak,  the two whiskies are married in the bourbon casks in proportions which give both a subtle peat flavour and a rich fruity flavour from the Indian barley. This is bottled at 50% abv to reflect the depth and finish of the whisky.

This rare combination of Indian and Scottish elements means Fusion has a really excellent mouthfeel and palate, combining oak, a hint of vanilla, fruit and the sublime peat.

The public obviously agreed with Murray when Fusion was launched in June 2009: the first consignment was sold out within few weeks of its release. The next batch was completely pre-ordered before it even reached the UK.

 “This is a great honour for Amrut Distilleries as our special East-meets-West whisky is named one of the best by such a respected whisky expert,” said Ashok Chokalingam, Amrut’s International sales manager. 

“We are proud that our vision to combine Indian and Scottish barleys in a subtle fusion which  produces a malt whisky which is rich in flavour and character has been so well received.  As we see the whisky industry become more global and good single malt whiskies coming from all parts of the world, it is exciting to be at the leading edge,” he added.

Amrut intends to continue with its innovative strategy and has two exciting new releases planned for next year.

Notes to editors

Ashok can be contacted for further comment on 07838 229914

Further information: Amrut Distilleries

Amrut Single Malt Whisky from India is relatively new to the global market, with it only launched officially in Glasgow in 2004. Since then its reputation has grown.

One of the Amrut Single Malt Whisky bottlings by Blackadder International won “The Best Daily Dram” category of this year’s Malt Maniacs Awards. All the Amrut brands entered into the same competition won silver and bronze medals.

Amrut Peated Malt Cask Strength Whisky won Silver  and Amrut Single Malt Cask Strength Whisky a Bronze at the IWSC in 2008

Amrut is now sold widely in Europe (UK, Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Spain) as well as Canada and South Africa. In August it was officially introduced in Australia and it will be launched into the United States this year.

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010

A full account of the 2010 World Whisky Awards can be found in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010, published on 5 October by Dram Good Books priced at £10.99 www.whiskybible.com
 

Images

high res images of Amrut Fusion and Ashok are available from Fiona Laing

Contact details

Ashok Chokalingam, General Manager – International Operations

The Grainger Suite, Dobson House, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 3PF.

Tel: + 44 191 233 6316.

Fax: +44-191 233 6346.

Email: ashok@amrutdistilleries.com

 Issued on behalf of Amrut Distilleries

by Fiona Laing, Communications Consultant

0794 665 4451 or flaing@btinternet.com

Global Brand Ambassador Unveils Latest Masterpiece
Limited release Balvenie Madeira Cask to be available only in Alberta and New Brunswick

Toronto, ON (October 5, 2009) – David Mair, the Global Brand Ambassador for The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky, has travelled from Scotland to Alberta to unveil The Balvenie’s latest hand-crafted creation The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old.

Matured in traditional oak and finished in casks previously used to make fortified Madeira wine, The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old, will be made available in Canada exclusively in New Brunswick and Alberta starting in November. 

“We are particularly proud of this year’s Limited Edition 17-year old,” said Brand Ambassador, David Mair.  “It has just been released and already it is drawing praise and excitement from whisky connoisseurs around the world.  The Balvenie distillery is unique in the world for its tradition of handcrafting which is a key factor in the distinctive taste of our product.” 

A real treat for the Scotch whisky enthusiast, The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old is an exceptionally rich and rewarding mature single malt, whose deep luxurious aromas translate into an equally rewarding flavour of spice and dried fruit. 

Created by the whisky industry’s longest serving Malt Master, David Stewart, The Balvenie Madeira Cask follows the 2008 release of the award-winning The Balvenie Rum Cask and is the latest in a series of six 17 Year Old limited edition releases by The Balvenie Distillery.  Drawing upon his unmatched expertise when crafting The Balvenie range of single malts, Stewart has continued in the tradition of quality and craftsmanship.  Each year, by using different cask types and mature spirit he has expertly crafted a new expression of The Balvenie’s uniquely honeyed character for limited release.

The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old is a limited release that will go on sale in Alberta in November 2009. 

(more)

 
Notes to editors:

• The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old tasting notes:  Nose – A rich, deep and complex nose.  Spicy, earthy oak notes with subtle hints of vanilla and honey.  Soft fruit aromas, a slow baked apple infused with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.  Taste – The deep, luxurious aromas translate into an equally rewarding flavour.  Initial sweet vanilla oak notes gradually develop into rich spices and dried fruits (apricots, figs, dates).  Finish -exceptionally long and an intriguing balance of sweetness and dry oakiness. 

• The Balvenie is a unique range of single malts created by David Stewart, The Balvenie Malt Master.  Each has a very individual taste, but each is rich luxuriously smooth and underpinned by the distinctively honeyed character of The Balvenie. 

• Produced in Speyside in the Scottish Highlands, the exceptional quality of The Balvenie Single Malt is due to the fact that The Balvenie Distillery retains and nurtures a high level of craftsmanship that other malt whisky producers no longer employ: nowhere else will you find a distillery that still grows its own barley, still malts in its own traditional floor maltings and still employs coopers to tend all the casks and a coppersmith to maintain the stills.

• The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons Ltd, an award-winning independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today run by his direct descendants. 

• For more information, please visit: www.thebalvenie.com
For more information, please contact:

Stephanie Charlton
Jesson + Company Communications Inc.
T: (416) 323-7828 ext. 26
M: (416) 727-9048
E: scharlton@jessonco.com

The Dalmore distillery has launched a new limited edition 18 year old.

Visit the Dalmore Distillery at http://www.thedalmore.com/

Loch Fyne Whiskies News has posted a new item, ‘Whisky Bible 2010 by Jim Murray’

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010
£10.99

You may view the latest post at
https://www.lfw.co.uk/blog/2009/10/05/whisky-bible-2010-murray/

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

MAKE EVERY YEAR COUNT. OPEN THE DOOR TO RICH POSSIBILITIES.

Glenfiddich invites you to a very special tasting experience – the second in a series of fascinating “Taste and Talk” events. Join Glenfiddich’s Global Brand Ambassador, Ian Millar, as he takes you through an exclusive tasting of our distinctive range of single malt Scotch whiskies. See the value of a year come to life when you meet with Richard Poplak, writer, traveler and pop culture enthusiast who will share anecdotes from his own personal journey towards excellence.

WHERE:   One Up Restaurant & Lounge
130 Dundas Street West, 2nd Floor, Toronto ON
WHEN:  Thursday, October 22nd, 2009; 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
RSVP:   glenfiddich@ddbcanada.com / 416-963-4297

A DAY IS A THOUGHT. A YEAR IS A PHILOSOPHY.

Richard Poplak truly embodies the Glenfiddich philosophy. His deep appreciation and understanding of the value of time was put to the test when, in 2006, he set out on a two-year odyssey throughout the Middle East to research and writeThe Sheikh’s Batmobile: In Pursuit of American Pop-Culture in the Muslim World. The purpose of his journey? To see what becomes of his, and North America’s, pop culture obsessions when they make their way into the Muslim world. Every day brought a new challenge and adventure, allowing Richard to experience life and providing him with a wealth of extraordinary stories to share.

A DAY IS A TASTE. A YEAR IS APPRECIATION.

Originally crafted in 1887, Glenfiddich’s philosophy is to make every year count by making the most of the possibilities that every year brings. Each aged Glenfiddich expression provides a taste of the rich experience that a long history produces.

Dear All,

Due to the forthcoming Whisky Show in November (see www.thewhiskyshow.com for details) we’ve decided to play it a little quieter in the tastings department for October, so here’s what’s on offer…

On Monday 12th October at least 3 of the reprobates (possibly all 4) that masquerade as Whisky Exchange staff will be putting their reputations on the line by picking 6 whiskies that have slipped ‘under-the-radar’ for many of you. Most will be (relatively) new releases or Travel Retail Only bottlings and the exact line-up is subject to Queensbury Rules in the car-park, but we’re pretty darn confident that they won’t be disappointing!

There will be a maximum of 30 places for this event and tickets will be £25 each with a limit of 2 per person. These will be available by ringing us on Monday 5th October at 3pm and will only be confirmed with payment.

———————————————————————-

Also throughout October we’ve got the following company to do the Saturday ‘Barrel-Tops’, so feel free to call in for a chat and a taster or two..

October 17th      Connemara: – A heavily peated Irish Whisky! Stephen Teeling will be her to show off the new look and convert a few Islayphiles

We hope that there’s something there for everyone and look forward to seeing you very soon

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:- www.thewhiskyexchange.com

From Richard Paterson;

Say “hello, how are you,” to the latest Jura. Jura Prophecy. We’re proud of this one. Even before being officially launched, at the recent prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition Prophecy won a silver medal. So why don’t we get better acquainted…

It’s heavily peated, 46% ABV, without chill filtration (let’s see what the moaners when I blogged over at John Hansell’s place say about that), it’s the latest limited release from Jura.

The name’s got a cracking back story to it and some of you may have already tried it (especially if you’ve caught up with me on my recent travels), but knowing you lot you want to know what it tastes like first, so here we go with the tasting notes first, then some details on what others have said, then the backstory and then where to get it from…

Tasting Notes for Prophecy:

Colour: Rich, amber gold with shimmering highlights. A lustrous copper gold and cherry wood hue.

Nose: The tarry bonfire notes slowly give way to hints of soft liquorice and nutmeg.

Taste: Meticulously crafted from a selection of the finest and rarest aged Jura single malt whiskies, Prophecy is a profoundly peated spirit. Powerful flavours of peat smoke, fresh cinnamon and spicy sea spray lead the first assault. Finally the tarry bonfire notes slowly give way to hints of soft liquorice and nutmeg. Some say Jura Prophecy contains earthy notes of damp moss and peat coupled with bonfire smoke and Arbroath kippers too.

Bottled in a traditional style without chill filtration to preserve the true character and deliver an authentic taste of 1938.

What Others Are Saying:

Whisky Reviews

I thought Jura Prophecy was lovely. Ash, smoke, a hint of oranges in the body and sweetness and cinnamon in the finish. Very good!

And a little more on Jura Prophecy – do add water, as it brings the sweetness out and really reveals the Limousin oak influence.

The Backstory

A curse, a mystical seer and a fortune that came to pass 200 years later is the inspiration behind the newest edition to the award-winning Isle of Jura range, Jura Prophecy – a heavily peated single malt that harks back to the whisky that was brewing on the mysterious island centuries ago.

The single malt is inspired by one the island’s most compelling tales – the true story of the wise old ‘seer’ who predicted the downfall of the illustrious Campbell clan who held reign on the Isle of Jura in the early 1700s.

During this reign, the Campbells evicted the seer – who was believed to have the gift of “the third eye” and the ability to see the future – from the island.  As she left she foretold that the last Campbell would leave the island, one eyed and with all his worldly possessions held in one cart drawn by a solitary white horse.

More than 200 years later, in 1938, Charles Campbell, the last Campbell left… with only one eye after being shot during World War 1, and with a cart drawn by a white horse.

This makes our current range for Jura the Jura 10, Superstition and 16 years old, 1974, 40 years old, Elements, Paps and now Prophecy. But you might not be able to get Prophecy for that long. There’s only 1800 cases worldwide selling for an RRP of £56 per bottle. The whisky will be available to order direct from the distillery, see www.isleofjura.com or call 01496 820 385 for further details (there’s also an email address on the site).

If you try it, let me know what you think.

4th October 2009

Jim Murray’s World Whisky Awards 2010
Straight Rye Whiskey, the spirit of choice in pre-prohibition America and immortalized in Humphrey Bogart films, has been given top billing in the coveted Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible World Whisky Awards for 2010.

International whisky authority Jim Murray has named Sazerac Rye 18 year old as the finest whisky in the world after tasting almost 1000 new whiskies since April. It scooped the World Whisky of the Year title by gaining 97.5 points, only the second time such a score has been achieved.

Announced to coincide with the publication of the 2010 edition of ‘Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible’, which contains tasting notes on over 3,850 of the world’s whiskies, Sazerac’s success marks the return of a whiskey style that all but disappeared from the marketplace. Following the repeal of Prohibition, American drinkers had developed a taste for lighter spirits, resulting in a boom for bourbon and Canadian whiskies, while straight rye fell by the wayside.

Jim Murray comments, “A decade ago I wrote that it was likely that there would be a renaissance in rye whiskey.  I recognised that the combination of big, bold flavours and subtle, delicate fruity notes would be appreciated by connoisseurs, especially those who prefer smoky Islay single malts. Now American distillers can’t make enough of it. And in this particular bottling of Sazerac 18, we have a rye that is not just at the top of its game, but reaching previously unknown heights. In beating all other world whisky types, Sazerac 18, has set the bar for rye whiskey and it will be fascinating in forthcoming years to see what is bottled to try to at least match it.”

Distilled at Buffalo Trace distillery Kentucky, Sazerac 18 pipped into second place one of the smokiest whiskies ever produced, from the Ardbeg distillery on Islay.

Another Award winner likely to cause a surprise was an Indian Single Malt, which was awarded the title of World’s Third Best Whisky.  Distilled in Bangalore, Amrut Fusion scored an outstanding 97 points. “It makes no matter where in the world a whisky is made. If it is magnificent, then it stands a chance of being recognized in the Whisky Bible Awards. Amrut have been bottling astonishing whisky for a few years now. But this particular bottling just made my hairs stand on end. It is hard to find a whisky with better balance. India has unquestionably arrived as a whisky nation” added Murray.
 
Category winners:

Scotch Whisky of the Year – Ardbeg Supernova
Single Malt of the Year (Multiple cask) – Ardbeg Supernova
Single Malt of the Year (Single cask) – Glenfarclas 1962 (3rd release)
Best Scotch New Brand – Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX
Scotch Blend of the Year – Ballantine’s 17 Years Old
Scotch Grain of the Year – Duncan Taylor North British 1978

Single Malt Scotch

No Age Statement (Multiple cask) – Ardbeg Supernova*
No Age Statement (runner up) – Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX
10 Years and Under (Multiple cask) – Octomore 5 Years Old*
10 Years and Under (Single cask) – SMWS 77.17 (Glen Ord)
11-15 Years Old (Multiple cask) – Tomintoul 14 Years Old
11-15 Years Old (Single cask) – Isle of Arran Sherry 353*
16-21 Years Old (Multiple cask) – Glen Grant 1992*
16-21 Years Old (Single cask) – Glendronach 1992 Cask 401
22-27 Years Old (Multiple cask) – Brora 25 Years Old 7th Release*
22-27 Years Old (Single cask) – Cadenhead’s Benriach 23YO
28-34 Years Old (Multiple cask) – Highland Park 30 Years Old*
28-34 Years Old (Single cask) – Douglas Laing Glendcadam 32YO
35-40 Years Old (Multiple cask) – Glenglassaugh 40 Years Old*
35-40 Years Old (Single cask) – Whisky Fair Glen Grant 36 YO
41 Years and Over (Multiple cask) – Glenfiddich 50 Years Old*
41 Years and Over (Single cask) – Glenfarclas 1962 Release III

Blended Scotch
No Age Statement (Standard) – Ballentine’s Finest*
No Age Statement (Premium) – The Last Drop*
5-12 Years – Johnnie Walker Black Label*
13-18 Years – Ballentine’s 17 Year Old*
18 & Over – Chivas Regal 25 Years Old*

Irish Whiskey of the Year – Redbreast Aged 12 Years*
 
American Whiskey
Bourbon of the Year – George T Stagg (144.8)*
Rye of the Year – Sazerac 18 Years Old (Fall 2008)*
 
Bourbon
No Age Statement (Multiple barrel) – Parker’s Golden Anniversary*
No Age Statement (Single barrel) – Blanton’s Single Barrel 316
9 Years & Under – Jim Beam Black Aged 8 Years*
10-12 Years – Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve*
13-17 Years Old (multiple Barrels) – George T Stagg (144.8)*
13-17 Years Old (Single Barrel) – Buffalo Trace Experimental Course Grain
18 Years & Over – Evan Williams 23 Years Old*

Rye
10 Years & Younger – Jim Beam Rye*
11 Years & Older – Sazerac 18 Years Old (Fall 2008)*

Canadian Whisky of the Year – Wiser’s Red Letter*
Japanese Whisky of the Year – SMWS 116.4 (Yoichi)*

European Whisky
European Whisky of the Year – Santis Malt Highlander Dreifaltaigkeit*
European Single Cask Whisky of the Year – Penderyn Port Wood Single Cask*

World Whiskies
Indian Whisky of the Year – Amrut Fusion*

(* denotes category winner)
 
To mark the sheer quality and standard of whisky making around the world Jim Murray has created a new Liquid Gold Award for all whiskies scoring 94 points and above.  Representing 10% of all the whiskies featured in the ‘2010 Whisky Bible’ they are, says Murray “the elite; the very finest you can find on whisky shelves around the world. Rare and precious they are liquid gold”.

A full account of the 2010 World Whisky Awards can be found in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010 published today (5th October 2009).  And with nearly 4000 tasting notes, including 946 of the very latest releases, the ‘Whisky Bible’ remains the definitive and most up to date guide available.

Published by Dram Good Books priced at £10.99, the ‘2010 Whisky Bible’ is available through online retailer Amazon and other good book stores. Signed copies by the author can be obtained from www from www.whiskybible.com.
~Ends~

For more information please contact:

Mark Hunt
Director of Communications
Dram Good Books Ltd
Email: mark@whiskybible.com
Tel:  07768 145583