Companions of The Quaich Malt Whisky Society

September 2009 Ontario Tastings

Monday September 14: Hamilton Chapter

Tuesday September 15:  Oakville Chapter

Monday September 21: Collingwood Chapter

Thursday September 24:  Cambridge/Kitchener-Waterloo Chapter

Sunday September 27:  Orillia Chapter

Monday September 28: Creemore Chapter

Tuesday September 29:  Niagara on the Lake Chapter

Wednesday September 30:  Toronto Chapter

Visit the Companions of The Quaich at http://www.thequaich.com for details of the tastings, information on the Society and how to join.

The Coopers Choice Comes to British Columbia!

The Coopers Choice 46% Mortlach 18yr old, (+747113) Sherry Butt cask, limited to 120 bottles out of 730 will be available in Canada the 15th of October, 2009.  
Nose: Light sherry notes. Dried fruits.
Palate: Sweet and juicy. Roasted nuts. Raisins. Fruity and spicy.
Finish: Well rounded. More spice sweet malt.
Price- $125.00

The Coopers Choice 46% Laphroaig 10yr old, ( +443002) Refill butt cask, limited to 120 bottles out of 730 will be available in Canada the 15th of October, 2009
Nose: Medicinal and phenolic. Salty sea air and thick peat
Palate: Iodine and a little coal tar soap. Heavy peat smoke with sweet malt
Finish: Very long. Waves of smoke. Ashes of the peat fire.
Price – $98.06
 
Once this is gone, there is no more!

The Coopers Choice is represented in British Columbia by http://www.vonalbrecht.com

Ralfy is at it again, this review he has published a review of 73a – Auchentoshan Family Festival & 73b – Auchentoshan’s Ale.

Ralfy at Work

Visit Ralfy at http://www.ralfy.com/ Click on “Whiskyreviews”

Federal Wine & Spirits 
September 4, 2009  
 
Lonach – Glendarroch 42 Y.O. 41.5% Unnamed Distillery ( Speyside)

Some  distilleries, one of my favorites, Glenfarclas comes to mind, do not want their names used by independent bottlers.

This spirit came from one of those. It is an extreme single malt with depth, grace, and elegance. Its 42 years in oak works seamlessly with spirit. It is an elegant malt that deserves to be appreciated, savored, remembered and shared. The value in this bottle is extreme, too!!

Tasting Notes: Toffee apples,polished wood, slightly burnt warm apple pie. Raisons (apple strudle), creme caramel and green bananas.

We have secured the only bottles in the state; there are 11 left in store. You need to be one of the first eleven to order. If this single malt is not for you. I’ll refund your credit card.

Glendarroch 42 Y.O. 41.5% $225.00 In -store only 11 bottles.

Call me at 617 367 8605 or email joe@federalwine.com

Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits

——————————————————————————–

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

UPDATE!

Liquor World of Bardstown will be hosting a number of bourbon tastings and bottle signings during the 2009 Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Sept 15th through Sept. 20th 2009). They are all absolutely free to attend, sample the great bourbons, and meet many of the industry’s master distillers. Hanging out and mingling with other bourbon and whisky enthusiasts is strictly encouraged.

Craig Beam (Master Distiller Heaven Hill) will be tasting the new Evan Williams Honey Reserve, Henry McKenna Single Barrel, and Evan Williams 1783 on Wednesday, Sept. 16th from 3 to 5P.M., as well as signing bottles.

Thursday Sept. 17th is a full schedule of tastings and signings:

Levick Distillery (KY Walker, Boone County, Prestige Bourbon) will be hosting a bourbon tasting from 2 to 3P.M.

Jim Rutledge (Master Distiller Four Roses) will be hosting a tasting and bottle signing from 3:30 to 5 P.M. Jim will be celebrating the release of this year’s Four Roses Marriage, as well as Liquor World Of Bardstown’s Private Bottling of Four Roses Uncut.

Greg Davis (Master Distiller Barton) will be tasting Ridgemont Reserve 1792 and signing bottles from 4 to 5 P.M.

Julian Van Winkle (Pappy Van Winkle) will be signing bottles from 5 to 6P.M.

Parker Beam (Master Distiller Heaven Hill) will be signing bottles and tasting Evan Williams Single Barrel and Elijah Craig from 6 to 7 P.M. Parker will also be celebrating his birthday.

Friday, Sept. 18th

Chris Morris (Woodford Reserve Master Distiller) will be on hand to sign bottles and host a sampling of Woodford Reserve from 3:30 to 5:30 P.M.

Don Outterson (Owner / Distiller Woodstone Creek) will immediately follow Chris Morris in hosting a tasting of his unique bourbon as well as signing bottles from 5 to 7 P.M. Don will be helping Liquor World celebrate the release of Woodstone Creek Barrel #1, which was previously only sold at the distillery, and will now be sold exclusively at Liquor World of Bardstown.

Drew Kulsveen (Owner Kentucky Bourbon Distillers) whose small distillery produces many great bourbons (Old Bardstown, Rowan’s Creek, Noah’s Mill, Willett, Johnny Drum, and the Vintage Bourbon line) will be hosting a bourbon tasting and bottle signing on Sunday, Sept. 20th. from 1 to 2 P.M. Drew will be helping Liquor World celebrate the release of their new exclusive Willett Single Barrel which will be Uncut and Unfiltered.

Whiskey River and Rogue Dead Guy Whiskey will be following Drew with a joint whiskey tasting from 2 to 3 P.M.

Also expected to stop by throughout the week to sign bottles are Fred Noe (master Distiller at Jim Beam), Tom Bulleit (Bulleit Bourbon), and potentially Bill Samuels (Master Distiller Maker’s Mark).

Also, a tasting of Jim Beam’s new Red Stag is yet to be scheduled.
Liquor World of Bardstown is located at 93 N. Salem Dr., Bardstown, KY 40004. Please call (502) 349-7560 for more information. Must be 21 or older.

Liquor World of Bardstown has just added a few more things to their schedule of tastings during the 2009 KY Bourbon Festival.

Preston Van Winkle will be joining his father, Julian, on Thursday, Sept. 17th from 5 to 6 P.M. for a joint bottle signing. This will present a unique chance to meet both generations of distillers at one time.

Also, Rick Wasmund (Wasmund’s) has just committed to do a bottle signing and whisky tasting on Saturday, Sept. 19th from 1 to 3 P.M. Rick’s product is a unique Virginia Single Malt Whisky. Wasmund’s also produces whisky making kits which come with either rye or malt spirits, a charred oak mini barrel, and instructions so that you can age you own whisky. We will be tasting from one of the kits that Rick has been aging himself so that everyone can see how it progresses.

It is completely free to attend these signings and to sample the bourbons. Mingling and talking with other bourbon enthusiasts is encouraged. Please call (502) 349-7560 for more information.

Distillery Live 2009 – live from Maker’s Mark, Loretto, Kentucky!

Enjoy a unique tasting session in one of the world’s top distilleries

Chat date: 26/09/09 (25/9/09 EST, USA)

Chat time: 01.00 BST (20:00 Eastern Standard Time, USA)

The world of whisky is varied and fascinating – with the top distilleries employing centuries of exacting standards to ensure each bottle tastes like a dream. For those who know their Bourbon from their Malts, the history and provenance of their favourite dram adds a flavour of authenticity to the rich aromas and complex, smoky notes that assault the senses in such a seductive way.

This painstaking pursuit of perfection can reveal itself in unexpected and wonderful ways, like the link between Maker’s Mark Bourbon and Laphroaig. From the Ozark mountains from which Makers Mark source their oak to the special “air drying” techniques used in preparation of their barrels (after maturing Makers Mark to perfection) they are shipped nearly 4,000 miles from Loretto, Kentucky to the Laphroaig distillery on the south shore of the Isle of Islay to enjoy a second life creating the unique taste and world-class reputation that Laphroaig expressions are so famous for.

In 2007 Laphroaig held the world’s first ever live online whisky tasting in London garnering one of the highest online broadcast audiences ever, this was followed up by last year’s  live broadcast direct from Laphroaig’s home on the Scottish island of Islay gaining an even larger audience.

This year we’ve gathered together some of the world’s top whisky experts and Master Distillers for Distillery Live 2009 direct from the Maker’s Mark distillery in Kentucky. We’ll be tasting Maker’s Mark and a few of the different Laphroaig expressions, exploring how they can be enjoyed in cocktails and even add their subtle flavours to food in cooking. However, there will of course be time to appreciate the glory of both Laphroaig and Maker’s Mark straight.

Joining us for this not-to-be-missed opportunity is President of Maker’s Mark Bill Samuels Jr and their Master Distiller Kevin Smith, as well as John Campbell, Distillery Manager for Laphroaig and famous whisky writer John Hansell.

John Campbell, Kevin Smith and John Hansell join us live online at www.distillerylive.us.com on Saturday 26th September at 01.00 BST (20:00 EST) to take part in this fascinating story of Laphroaig and Maker’s Mark.

For more information visit www.laphroaig.com/live or http://www.distillerylive.us.com

Loch Fyne Whiskies News has posted a new item, ‘The Managers’ Choice’

The Managers’ Choice Single Cask Selection is a collection of whiskies from each of Diageo’s 27 distilleries in active production. To be released in 4 batches over the next 9 months.

https://www.lfw.co.uk/blog/2009/09/03/the-managers-choice/

Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Diageo launches first ever complete collection of single-cask malt whiskies

03 September 2009

Diageo has announced the launch of its first single-cask collection of single malt Scotch whiskies.

This is the first time that Scotland’s biggest estate of single malt distilleries has issued a comprehensive series of single-cask bottlings.

Labelled The Managers’ Choice, the rare limited-edition series is aimed at collectors and connoisseurs who will enjoy owning and exploring an unusual expression of their favourite single malt or even a whole anthology of highly individual single malts, chosen to represent each of 27 distilleries’ distinctive but authentic whisky signature.

The releases are being staged in batches over the next year. September 2009 sees the first release of six malts:

Cardhu™ distilled 1997  –  252 bottles

Glen Elgin™ distilled 1998  –  534 bottles

Linkwood™ distilled 1996  –  480 bottles

Mortlach™ distilled 1997  –  240 bottles

Oban™ distilled 2000 –  534 bottles

Teaninich™ distilled 1996  – 246 bottles

Full press release available for download along with pack shots and images capturing aspects of the selection process. Full press release also has price details along with quote from spokesman Nick Morgan.

Each distillery is represented in The Managers’ Choice by a bottling of its single malt whisky drawn from one single cask, selected after a careful examination of distillery stocks. The cask was nosed, tasted, discussed and finally chosen as the most distinctive expression of that distillery’s single malts by a judging panel of acknowledged experts, including leading maturation experts and the distillery managers themselves.

The single cask challenge

Diageo whisky specialist Craig Wallace explained the challenge of selecting a single cask for a bottling that will be made available to a discerning and knowledgeable consumer audience:

“When you’re selecting casks for a bigger bottling, you can work with a wider variation of maturity, distillery character and wood influence because you can even it out and aim for consistency. But when you are bottling a single cask, you can’t do that: you have to get the balance totally right when selecting the cask. And it’s highly unlikely, whatever single cask you choose this time, that you’d ever be able to replicate that precise flavour profile the next time you look for one. So finding a single cask with just the right balance is actually very challenging.”

Full details, including tasting notes, are displayed on the Classic Malts Selection website. The new website content (available from 4 September) includes the story of The Managers’ Choice and the selection process, a “Meet the Managers” page where they talk about The Managers Choice collection & questions related to the world of whisky, whisky tasting notes & audio, Q&A with a Sensory Expert, and details of where to buy the whiskies.

Whisky enthusiasts registered as Friends of the Classic Malts™ have been given advance notice of the launch.

http://www.malts.com/fr-be/home/home.htm

Images available for download here. Hires images and other information from Cognis Public Relations: cognis.pr@zen.co.uk or +44 (0)7774 424 410. See also www.malts.com.

Finlaggan is very much the SECRET Islay, as the name of the distillery from which it comes is a closely guarded secret and known to only a select few. So says the Vintage Malt Whisky Company website. The nose is of peat smoke and brown sugar of the Demerara variety, warm honey, some very mild orange aromas and malt dust and woody oak notes. After a few minutes there is also some mild coal smoke and some hints of cereal grains (not breakfast cereal) and very mild pine resin and further spicy oaky wood notes. A nice Kildalton nose and over all very pleasant although one shouldn’t be misled by the image of the castle ruins on the box. The taste is heavily peated and strong with a good background of …peat smoke, wood notes, bung cloth, coal smoke, dessert wine, apricots, iodine and some very nice maritime notes. The finish is very much of cereals and peat smoke with some later stages of green with a really good delivery of bitter cocoa right at the end. Very dry and peated.  After a short while there is a mild oiliness that is not entirely pleasant however it is very brief and is followed by the dry peat smoke. After 10 minutes there is some really good dry malt and peated. The finish is very long and may cross time zones.
 
Score 83

C$110

http://www.vintagemaltwhisky.com/product-finlaggan.html

A new range of single malt whiskies and packaging from Glen Garioch.

‘Leading with the 1797 Founders Reserve at the heart of the range, Glen Garioch will periodically release hand select individual casks. Launched as ‘Single Batch Releases’, this year will see Glen Garioch 1990 Vintage and the Glen Garioch 1978 Vintage will join the 1797 Founders Reserve.’

Visit Glen Garioch Distillery at http://www.glengarioch.co.uk/