Malt Messenger Christmas Gift Guide

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

That time of year is nearly upon us; Christmas day is but two weeks away! Every year I put together the Malt Messenger Christmas Gift Guide to help my subscribers find the perfect gift. I break the whiskies down by price, with my Top 5 recommendations in each price range from under $60 to several thousand. These are all whiskies that I love and believe in, and I know you’ll enjoy them too.

I am at the store straight through Christmas, so you’re almost guaranteed to catch me! The afternoon is the best time to drop by if you require some help selecting the perfect gift, or the right single malt to entertain with. You are always welcome to drop in for a dram and to talk single malts.

Some of you may be interested to know I was profiled by David Parker in the Calgary Herald last weekend. It is a great honour and I am very humbled! If you didn’t happen to catch the article and would like to read it you can view it at:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Right+attitude+lead+passion/2307415/story.html

Our Jack Daniels cask is expected to be in store late next week and we have three new single barrel rums coming in! These last two weeks will be an exciting time.

Finally, I hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year, and that you enjoy the 2009 Malt Messenger Christmas Gift Guide!

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson

Top 5 Whiskies Under < $60

1.       Finlaggan Old Islay Reserve – 94pts Jim Murray, one of our best selling whiskies and an exclusive. Dark chocolate peat! – $50.99

2.       Tantallan 10Yr – Another bargain, but one more geared towards the Speyside lover. Not sure at which distillery this whisky is made, but if I had to guess I’d say Glenturret. – $49.99

3.       Arran 10Yr – A lovely soft and approachable whisky from the only distillery on the Isle of Arran. Honeyed, grassy and malty, perfect for lovers of Lowland and Highland whiskies. – $53.99

4.       Famous Grouse 12Yr Blended Malt – It is hard to beat a bargain like this… you can be assured that some fine single malts found their way into it from Macallan, Highland Park and others. – $37.99

5.       John Black “Peaty” Blended Malt – A fine peaty dram that doesn’t empty your sporran. – $46.49

Top 5 Whiskies $60 – $80

1.       Kilkerran “Work in Progress” – It isn’t often that you have the opportunity to purchase a first edition bottling from a new distillery, and it is rarer still that you don’t take it on the nose for doing so. At only 5 years of age this dram from Glengyle distillery tastes more like a 10 to 15 year old. – $69.99

2.       Ledaig 10Yr – A peaty expression from Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull (Calgary is named after a beach on this island). Sweet, fruity and medicinal with a touch of smoke. – $71.99

3.       Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or – 94pts Jim Murray. Matured 10 years in ex-Bourbon casks and finished for 2 more in Sauternes casks, this dram is spectacular! Sweet and spicy… – $75.79

4.       BenRiach Heredotus Fumosus 12Yr – This peated, smoky Speysider has a chewy sweet backbone. It could fool any Islay drinker into thinking it is from the most famous of Scottish islands. – $71.99

5.       Arran Peacock “Icons of Arran #1” – This new limited edition Arran is the product of 13 ex-Bourbon casks and 7 ex-sherry hogsheads. Only 6,000 bottles produced. – $76.49

Top 5 Whiskies $80 – $100

1.       Bowmore Tempest – This new Islay dram is exclusive to Kensington Wine Market in Canada, and won’t be released in the US for 3 or 4 months. At the moment KWM is the only store in North America with this tasty new dram. It is the product of only first-fill Bourbon casks that matured in Bowmore’s legendary No.1 vaults. The whisky is creamy and buttery with lush tropical fruits and just a touch of salty peat. – $81.99

2.       Benromach Organic Special Edition – Matured in virgin American oak casks this lightly peated whisky has a grassy, herbal backbone with big sweet vanilla notes and soft white fruits. Lovers of the original Organic may find themselves disappointed with this new Special Edition, but I think it’s an improvement. – $84.99

3.       Duthies Cragganmore 15Yr – An independently bottled, unchillfiltered expression of Cragganmore that is very complex and round with notes of milk chocolate, cinnamon, burnt orange and dried fruits. – $94.99

4.       BenRiach 15Yr Madeira Finish – Matured 14 years in Bourbon casks and finished for 1 further year in Henriques Madeira casks. This whisky is soft, sweet and spicy. – $82.49

5.       Bowmore Wine Cask Matured 16Yr 1992 – Like the Tempest this is not your typical Bowmore, it is massive, big leathery and earthy with robust peat notes and firm wine tannins. $98.49

Top 5 Whiskies $100 – $150

Tullibardine 1993 KWM PX Sherry Cask 15081 – This is the single best buy in the store under $200, but it will be sold out by the end of the day today. We had 96 bottles from a cask we split with a Calgary law firm, we now have but 10 bottles remaining. Matured 14 years in American oak and finished for 2 years in Pedor Ximenez sherry casks the whisky has a solid foundation of creamy vanilla that is complimented but rich spicy fruits. Beautifully packaged. – $1199.99

Duthies Auchentoshan 19Yr – This whisky won a Gold Medal in Whisky Magazine this fall for independently bottled whiskies. It is wonderful floral citrus notes as well as soft smooth Bourbon notes. – $108.49

Duthies Glen Scotia 17Yr – I have tried few good bottlings from the distillery, likely owing to the fact that it is derelict. But this expression is an exception, fruity and malty with marzipan and a trace of salty smoke. It recently took a Silver Medal in Whisky Magazine. – $101.99

Ballechin 2nd Release – This peated expression of Edradour isn’t for everyone, but as the saying goes, “those who like it, like it a lot!” Matured in Madeira casks this whisky from Scotland’s smallest distillery is dominated by notes of sweet honey, and Cuban cigar ash. – $125.99

Glenmorangie 18Yr – The new 18 year old Glenmorangie is elegantly packaged and a fine expression of whisky. Matured 15 years in Bourbon casks, it is then finished for 3 years in Oloroso sherry casks. – $132.99

Top 5 Whiskies $150 – $250

OMC KWM Port Ellen 25Yr – Bottled exclusively for our store, this is without doubt the cask I am most proud of. The whisky hails from the Port Ellen Distillery which closed in 1983 and has since only been getting older, rarer and more expensive. Our cask was the overwhelming favourite at two blind tastings of Port Ellen conducted this Spring. Only 210 total bottles produced, with but 50 remaining. It is the product of a single refill sherry butt, with balanced notes of spicy caramelized fruit and salty smoky peat. – $249.99

Glenmorangie Signet – Probably the most innovative whisky released in years it is the product of whiskies made from chocolate malt (burn barley), old sherry casks and a selection of other whiskies. Beautifully presented and exceptionally rich on the palate. This whisky is running low! – $199.49

Macallan 18Yr – Always one of the best whiskies in the world, it has been creeping up in price over the years but this sherry casked beauty is still a gem. – $175.49

G&M Strathisla 25Yr – Matured in first and refill sherry casks this whisky is replete with big chewy candied fruit and Christmas cake notes. – $182.99
Bushmills 21Yr – One hell of an Irish whiskey, this whisky was traditionally only available at Duty Free. It is matured in a mix of bourbon and Oloroso casks before finishing in Madeira. 95pts Jim Murray – $202.99

Top 5 Whiskies $250 – $500

OMC Probably Speyside’s Finest Distiller 43Yr – The bottlers Douglas Laing can’t refer to the distillery where this whisky was made—Glenfarclas—by name, by I am under no such constraints; GLENFARCLAS! This whisky is a lovely chewy expression of Glenfarclas and a bargain at under $300, given that an equivalent Family Cask Bottling would be at least $2000.00. – $287.49

G&M KWM Glen Grant 1966 – This 41 year old whisky was bottled for our store and recently scored 90pts in Malt Advocate Magazine. The whisky was noted for its soft, delicate and complex character; something unusual for a whisky of this age. – $499.99

G&M Strathisla 40Yr – Matured in first and refill sherry casks this whisky from possibly Scotland’s oldest distillery is exceptionally smooth with notes of Christmas cake, tobacco and old leather. It is also roughly 1/10 the price of most distillery edition 40 year old whiskies. – $339.99

Macallan 25Yr – The late Michael Jackson—the writer, not the human tragedy—felt this was one of the best whiskies in the world. Until recently it was very rare to come by indeed. Matured in Oloroso sherry, this is a big Speysider. – $497.99

Port Ellen 29Yr 8th Release – Diageo is rumoured to be running out of Port Ellen, and each bottling is rumoured to be one of the last. The 8th release was a good expression and well priced. – $361.99

Top 5 Whiskies $500 and Up!

The Last Drop – Quite possibly one of the finest blends ever bottled. The whisky is the product of 70 different malt whiskies and 12 different grain whiskies. It has been bottled at a cask strength of 52% and is limited to 1,347 bottles worldwide. – Apprx $2000.00

Bruichladdich DNA – This whisky is the last of the 1960’s and 1970’s vintages from Bruichladdich distillery. Matured in 80% Bourbon, 20% Sherry and finished in Chateau Le Pin. – $793.99

Auchentoshan 1957 – Only 2 casks of this whisky were ever released, and they are exceptional drams. Barely more than 100 bottles produced with only a dozen or so coming to Canada. – $3749.99

White Bowmore 1964 – This is the second bottle in the 1964 Bowmore Trilogy. Matured in Bourbon casks it curiously has the same tropical fruit notes as the Black Bowmore but with sweet round vanilla notes. – $4388.99
Black Bowmore 1964 – One of my top 5 whiskies of all time. Matured in Oloroso sherry casks this whisky is big round and chewy, enormously complex with lush vibrant tropical fruits. – $4099.99

Books, Magazines & Gift Packs – Great Stocking Stuffers

1.       Jim Murray’s 2010 Whisky Bible – The most comprehensive tasting guide to World whiskies updated for 2010. – $21.99

2.       Malt Whisky Yearbook 2010 – The most wide-ranging book on single malts in the world gives a detailed history for every distillery in Scotland and Ireland as well as most of the world’s other single malt distilleries. Easily the most interesting book on whisky. – $29.99

3.       Malt Advocate Magazine – The world’s best whisky magazine covers Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, Bourbon and others. Each issue lists new releases and reviews selected whiskies. – $6.50

4.       Whisky: A Definitive World Guide – The late Michael Jackson (whisky writer) is the editor of this beautiful book on whiskies. It would make a great gift for the coffee table and or whisky library. – $49.99

5.       Glenmorangie Gift Pack – A great little gift pack that includes 100ml bottles of 10Yr, Lasanta, Quinta Ruban and Nectar D’Or beautifully packaged in an LVMH influenced box. – $56.49

6.       Glenrothes Gift Pack – This smart little gift pack includes 3 100ml bottle of Glenrothes, Select Reserve, 1991 and 1994. – $41.99

Tastings – Thoughtful Gifts

3 times a year (Fall, Winter and Spring) we release a slate of classes and tastings which we conduct in store. They are fun and informative, and make great gifts. For a complete list of tastings you can visit: https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php.. I have listed a few of the highlights below!

1.       Whisky Appreciation Level II – The world of single malt Scotch whisky is a little like Alice and the Rabbit Hole, you’re never sure just how deep it will go. Hot on the heels of Level I this class will examine a number of facets of malt whisky in greater depth. Lecture I, American Oak, and Lecture II, European Oak will focus in depth on these cask types and how they influence whiskies.  Lecture III, Finishing, will look at how whiskies can be influenced/enhanced by maturing for short periods in secondary casks. Lecture IV, will tackle one of the least understood aspects of Scotch whisky, The Influence of Peat.  While older whiskies are highly prized, age is not a guarantee of quality, so Lecture V will tackle, The Influence of Time. Finally, the course will conclude with a fun Blind Taste Test. The course fee includes: all course materials, sampling of 6 whiskies per each of 6 classes, a map of Scottish distilleries, a whisky book and a set of 6 Glencairn single malt glasses. Wed Jan 13 20 27 Feb 3, 10, 17 $500.

2.       Scots Wha Hae – Hard though it may be to believe this tradition is now 5 years running: join us for our 5th Annual Robbie Burns Supper on January 25th with special guest Jamie McKenzie of Morrison Bowmore distillers. Every year we take a traditional Burns Supper with poetry, bagpipes, highland dancing and haggis and add to it a casual tasting of six single malt whiskies. This year’s distillery is Bowmore, and we will be sampling through the distillery’s range including the new Tempest. Our Burns Supper is a lot of fun and is reputed to be one of the best in town. Best of all, lassies are more than welcome… – January 25th – $99

3.     The Lowland Distilleries – This tasting will focus on the single malt distilleries of the Scottish Lowlands. You’ll sample whiskies from Rosebank, Auchentoshan, Bladnoch and Glen Kinchie while learning about the region’s history and whisky styles. – February 11th – $60

____________________

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

SOCIETY NEWSLETTER CHRISTMAS 2009

Christmas Greetings to all Society members from the staff of Springbank Distillery.

It doesn’t seem like a year has passed already.   Where does the time go?

As we get ready to wind down for the holidays and get our party frocks on, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our Society members for their support over the past year.

What a year this has been for us,  we had a visit from the Hairy Bikers and their film crew, and were included in their T.V. programme,  we also had our very first open day at Glengyle Distillery, which was a great success and saw us running around like mad people for part of the day until we settled in to enjoy ourselves.

This year also saw a crop of local barley being gathered for future use.   We had a few new releases this year, as well as two Society bottles, one thanks to our tasting panel made up of Society members.

We could not have asked for a better end to the year than the two fabulous awards from Whisky Magazine, one for Young Brand Ambassador of the year 2010 and the other for Distiller of the year 2010.    Pete and Stuart will be first at the bar at the Christmas party to buy everyone a drink to celebrate their success.

All in all a great year for Springbank.

Next year we hope to continue the practice of selecting a tasting panel for Society Bottles – watch the forum for these announcements.   We will also have a competition or two, just to keep everyone invlolved.   Hopefully we will have more than two entries for the next competition, although I’m sure the two who entered the poetry competition are delighted there were no more entries as they both won a prize.

We will also be hosting another open day, this time at Springbank Distillery on Thursday 20th May.    There will be a cask of Springbank on that day, as well as another cask, yet to be decided.    During the day there will be masterclasses by Stuart Robertson and Frank McHardy, ticket prices to be announced later, as well as free distillery tours.

Hopefully we will also have Food from Argyll and music to keep you entertained.   Details will be announced in newsletters and on the website nearer the time.

The new releases planned for next year are:

January Springbank 18 y/o and Springbank CV
March    Springbank 12 y/o and Springbank Claret
May       Kilkerran Work In Progress
Sept      Hazelburn 12 y/o

We will of course also have at least two Society bottles.

We also have Glencairn whisky glasses with the Society logo etched on them,  for sale to Society members at a cost of £5 per glass, or £25 for a box of six.   We did send out a free glass with the last Society bottle as it was approaching Christmas. 

All that remains is for us to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.    We look forward to a busy 2010,  so get in touch,  keep us on our toes.   Give us your ideas for the Society and we’ll try our best to accommodate you.

Merry Christmas from all at Springbank.

Slainte

Janet
 
For the Springbank Society

J & A Mitchell and Co Ltd, The Tasting Room, 9 Bolgam Street, Campbeltown, Argyll, PA28 6HZ
Registered in Scotland, registration number 3582
Tel :   + 44(0) 1586 552009   Fax :  + 44(0) 1586 553232  website  http://www.springbankwhisky.com 

Please contact Janet to join the Springbank Society

Loch Fyne Whiskies has stocked a new item, ‘Glengoyne Scottish Merchants’
Choice’

Not often you get yer monika on a bottle…

Glengoyne Scottish Merchants’ Choice 12yo
57.8% abv
£99.00 inc vat
£86.09 ex vat

Distilled 16 December 1996

Bottled November 2009

Limited to 284 bottles from a Sherry hogshead.

Joynson speaks;

Way back in August “some of the best known and highly regarded whisky merchants’ (sic apostrophe) in Scotland” gathered at Glengoyne Distillery. Their task was to choose a cask good enough to be this year’s only release of Glengoyne’s Choice series. A rare privilege for us as we follow on from the various distillery workers’ Choice bottlings. There was a lot of squabbling but in the end we elected for a 12yo sherry hoggie with a yield of just 284 bottles and I’m very happy with this one. We also argued about it’s name, packaging and price. (Thankfully we all agreed we did not want our picture on the label!).

We did agree to put on the label:

Appearance: Golden Amber

Nose: Great first impression, butterscotch, cloves, leather, spice. Seville oranges with an underlay of chocolate, fabulous balance.

Palette: Elegantly rich with sundried fruits, pears, hints of pepper, fresh.

Finish: Plays nicely as it finishes.

My own contemporary notes just say: “This one, ace!”

You may view the latest item at
https://www.lfw.co.uk/blog/2009/12/16/glengoyne-scottish-merchants-choice/

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

Johnnie Walker
Blue Label $159.99

Dewar’s White Label
1.75L $27.99
 
Canadian Club
1.75L $14.99
 
Canadian LTD 1.75L

$10.99

Johnnie Walker Black Label

$24.99

LIQUOR GIFT SETS ON SALE WHILE QUANTITIES LAST

Jack Daniels Black

$19.99

Johnnie Walker Black Label

$24.99

Seagram’s Crown Royal

$19.99

Visit Binny’s at http://www.binnys.com/

Shopping

HIGHLAND PARK REVEALS NEW BOTTLING THE EARL MAGNUS EDITION 1

The internationally acclaimed and award winning distillery, Highland Park announces the launch of its latest premium single malt whisky, The Earl Magnus Edition 1 – a perfectly-balanced natural strength bottling taken from hand selected casks from the turn of the last century.

This limited edition expression provides lovers of this award winning single malt liquid with the opportunity to experience or collect a very distinct bottling that captures a time in history through its tasting and the story that is told.

The bottling celebrates the life of Earl Magnus, an 11th century Christian; a man of peace and great authority who shared the rule of the Orkney Earldom with his   treacherous cousin Haakon.  Envious at the increasing popularity of his cousin, matters between the two reached a crisis and in a bitter twisted rivalry, Haakon had his cousin slaughtered.  Magnus’s body was laid to rest on Egilsy and later at Birsay it was said that miracles of healing were experienced around his tomb.

The story is legendary as is the new edition from Highland Park.  Bottled at 52.6% abv this unique 15 year old full natural strength expression delivers a beautiful balance of ginger and lemon notes, cumulating with delicate aromatic blends of ginger and vanilla, combined with the signature heather peat smokiness of Highland Park.  Distinct in taste, the bottling and gift box combines current artisan design elements of the classic Highland Park style and these have been skilfully maintained and blended with historic drawings taken from preserved archive bottles at the Highland Park distillery. 

Key design elements include the composition of the light brown glass itself.  With natural looking flaws, bubbles and an unusual orange peel texture the glass making reflects the techniques used over 150 years ago. 

The bespoke light brown glass bottle is offset with an archive inspired label that depicts Earl Magnus in a stained glass window.  It is sealed with a black stopper, coated in black wax stamped with the classic Highland Park ‘H’.  Stoelze Flaconnage, the specialist bottle makers have created this ancient looking bottle that consumers can keep long after the liquid has been savoured.

The bottle is presented in an open window wooden gift box that is simple in design and etched with modern Highland Park branding and the historic tale of Earl Magnus – the story of his remarkable life, how he came to his brutal and tragic death and how years later his life was eternally remembered through his canonisation and the building of St Magnus cathedral, a magnificent structure that stands not far from the distillery – the home of Highland Park.

Jason Craig, Global Controller of Highland Park, said: “Orkney has a wonderful and magical heritage born out of an incredibly colourful history; with troubles, strife, heroism and a lasting legacy of historical structures and ancient and mysterious standing circles on our island.  We hope our Highland Park drinkers and collectors will love this limited edition bottling that captures a period of remarkable history, delivers a full strength 15 year old and is big on flavour and aroma which is succinct and distinguished in taste.”

 Earl Magnus Edition 1 will be available from late December in the UK from specialist independent whisky retailers throughout the UK, the Highland Park distillery and www.highlandpark.co.uk at a RRP of £85.00.

Earl Magnus Detail:

Age:                       15 year old from 1994 and earlier years

Strength:             52.6% abv

Appearance:      Golden honey, clear and bright

Aroma:                 Cedarwood and lemon.  Mango chunks with hints of ginger and cinnamon bark

Palate:                  Vanilla, balanced smokiness, milk chocolate and crystallised ginger

Aftertaste:          Medium sweet with lingering spiciness

 – Ends –

 Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of Highland Park

For further information or photography, please contact:

Sarah McDonald/Linda Edstrand, The BIG Partnership

Tel: 0131 555 5522

Email: sarah.mcdonald@bigpartnership.co.uk or linda.edstrand@bigpartnership.co.uk 

Please enjoy our brand responsibly.
www.highlandpark.co.uk

www.drinkaware.co.uk

Notes to Editor:

Highland Park:

Five keystones contribute to making the Best Spirit in the World:

Hand-turned malt adds to the deliciously succulent, balanced layers of aromatic character found in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
Aromatic peat gives a delectably seductive, luxuriant floral sweetness to Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
Cool maturation enhances the smooth character of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
Sherry oak casks contribute to the distinctive richness and multi-dimensional complexity of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
Cask harmonisation ensures consistency and balance in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
 

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world.  For over 210 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection.   Its range of 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts. 

Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, recently including ‘best new whisky release of the year 2009’ for its 40 year old single malt and ‘best whisky in the world 2009’ for its 21 year old expression in the World Whisky Awards, as well as four double gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009.

Highland Park 18 year old recently being named ‘best spirit in the world’ for the second consecutive time by leading US independent whisky expert Paul Pacult in the Spirit Journal’s Top 115 Spirits in the World in June 2009 and in his last Spirits Journal rating in June 2005.   

 Linda Edstrand
Account Manager

The BIG Partnership

Suite 4/3, Great Michael House, 14 Links Place, Edinburgh, EH6 7EZ

Tel: 0131 555 5522
Mob: 07717 875 227
Fax: 0131 554 3742
www.bigpartnership.co.uk

Single Malt Sale featuring the incomparable Speymalt Macallan 37 Y.O.

 
Ours is older

What a year we’ve had! Now it’s time to give a gift to those have been naughty and nice and while you’re at it, think of something a little special for yourself – because you are.

Whisky Magazine voted us #2 as best retailer in the country. We’re smaller than the others in the running but we try harder because we think you are the best customers.

We worked really hard to come up with the list below of fine malts at every price range. When you spend your dollars for a gift to please, we dont want to just sell you a bottle. We want the person to to enjoy it and think of the you who bought the bottle. It has to be be very special. The whiskies below are.

Speyburn 10 Y.O. $29.99

G & M Tamdhu 8 Y.O. 43% $34.99

G & M Highland Park 8 Y.O. $34.99

Highland Park 12 Y.O. 43% $46.99

Benromach 10 Y.O. 43% $48.99 – A wonderful old style Speyside single malt, with a touch of peat smoke.

Pebble Beach 12 Y.O. Speyside – – Reg. $63.99 Special $53.99 Another gem from Speyside. Sad to say, it will no longer be sold in this state.

Aberlour 16 Y.O. 43% A precious whisky with great balance, and very palatable to the for many tastes. Extreme value!!! $64.99

Scapa 16 Y.O. 40% – An Orkney treat from a less well-known distillery, it took over a year of begging the wholesaler to bring it in. $81.99

Highland Park 18 Y.O. 43% Reg. $104.99 $87.99 – This just took a price increase, we have a little left at the old price. Paul Pacult from The Spirit Journal branded this gem as The Best Spirit in The World!!!!! A Great Value even with the price increase!!

Glenfarclas 17 Y.O. 43% The Grants of Glenfarclas produce wonderful whisky and they sell it a great pricing, all sherry casked whisky and the only distillery working the traditional sherried single malts. One of the few Scottish family owned distilleries left. $99.99

Glenfarclas 21 Y.O. 43% A Great Single malt, the older brother of the 17 Y.O.
$124.99

Benromach 21 Y.O. 43% another elegant single malt with great finesse and very palatable. $129.99

Macallan 18 Y.O 43% Always a great gift. $162.99

Laphroaig 18 Y.O. 48% Replaces the 15 Y.O. … a beauty from Islay. $163.99

Classic of Islay 21 Y.O. A stunning classic … Islay peat with finesse.
Islay in a glass! A real Gem!! $189.99

Blackadder Teaninich 24 Y.O Raw Cask 54.3% A highland distillery not seen enough!! $215.00

Bruichladdich 1973 40.2% A stunning example of a 30 Y.O. Bruichladdich.
….only a few bottles left. $325.00

Glenmorangie Tain l’ Hermitage – 28 Years in oak (24 in American and 4 years in Chapoutier Hermitage casks.)a stunning whisky and a great value.
… the last few bottles. $ 340.00

Speymalt Macallan 37 Y.O. 53.3% – The last of a very very special Macallan, which was not supposed to be in Boston,. But after I tasted it, I knew I had to make sure our customers could get this Macallan. Precious! The distillery’s bottling would cost $3500 to $4000. – Amazing Whisky – Amazing Value Don’t miss it while it’s here!!!!
Reg. $450.00 Special $399.99

Brora 30 Y.O. 55.7% (2007) One of the Best Broras I have tasted ….very little left from this closed cult distillery. $415.00

Port Ellen 8 Release 29 Y.O. 55.3% A treasure from another closed cult distillery. Spectacular The Quality is Outstanding. $415.00

Laphroaig 25 Y.O. 51.2% $ 550.00 If you wanted but did not get a 40 Y.O. Laphroaig , the BEST Whisky that I have tasted from this distillery with many of the same characters of the forty Y.O. but with more strength and depth.

Glenfarclas 1953 54 Y.O. 45.8% A fifty-four Y.O. from one of the finest distilleries.(Talk to Me)

We also have some of the best Bourbons, Cognacs, and Armagnacs and other fine spirits. Call or email if you would like help finding that special gift.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

Please pass this on to any friends who are scotch enthusiasts.

Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits

——————————————————————–

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

Glengoyne Launch Limited Edition 40 Years Old Highland Single Malt

For the first time in its 175 year history, award-winning Glengoyne Distillery has released its oldest, most valuable, and very best, Highland Single Malt: the Glengoyne 40 Years Old.

The embodiment of Glengoyne’s famed unpeated and authentic ‘Real Taste of Malt’, the natural strength 40 Years Old Highland Single Malt is regarded by the distillery to be one of the finest whiskies they have ever produced. Its superior quality and flavour reflecting Glengoyne’s long standing commitment and enthusiasm for their craft and heritage.

Every detail of the design and presentation of the Limited Edition Single Malt was carefully considered to reflect the outstanding character and craftsmanship of the Glengoyne 40 Years Old. Even the producer of the stunning hand blown crystal decanter, Glencairn Crystal, a well-respected independent Scottish family company, was specially selected for its shared values with Glengoyne.

The shape of the crystal decanter creates a strong visual feature of the 40 Years Old Single Malt’s dark copper colour, complemented by gold engraving. Each decanter’s individual number, engraved in the base, is accompanied by an etching of Scotland’s most beautiful distillery, reflecting up through the malt itself. 

The 11 times lacquered piano-finished solid oak wood presentation box, complete with gold plates on the front and hand-stitched cream leather interior, further reinforces the excellent quality and showcases the rich, natural colour of the 40 Years Old Malt.  An accompanying cream leather and gold foil traditionally bound book, personally signed by Distillery Manager, Robbie Hughes, provides tasting notes and detailed background on Glengoyne’s long and illustrious history as an independent distillery since 1833.

With a nose of red apples, crème brulee and strawberries and cream, the Glengoyne 40 Years Old offers a complex and oily mouth feel of ripe bananas, spiced plums, honey and cereal, before drying into grapefruit and soft oak, with a long and lingering dry finish.

From August just 250 crystal decanters of this unique and treasured Malt from Glengoyne’s rare whisky reserves will be available from specialist whisky outlets in the UK and worldwide, Domestic RRP £3,750.

Stylish diamond display plinths, designed to complement the bottle design and create maximum standout, will also be used to showcase the Glengoyne 40 Years Old in opinion-leading international luxury outlets.

Glengoyne Highland Single Malt is one of the leading premium malt whiskies in the world and has been distilled at Glengoyne distillery since 1833. The 40 Years Old Highland Single Malt joins a multi gold award-winning range, which includes the Single Malt 10 Years Old, 12 Years Old Cask Strength, 17 Years Old and 21 Years Old, as well as a number of limited edition single casks released each year.

Curious to discover more visit: www.realexcellence.co.uk
Buy online at the Glengoyne shop: www.glengoyne.com

“One for the road” the final bottling from the Douglas Laing 60th Anniversary single cask series.

Glenfarclas 18 Year Old, 54.9%.

Matured in a wine finished cask.

Just 195 numbered bottles…

£98.99 (£86.08 ex VAT)

Short and Sweet

Peated Whisky

We are just finishing off the distillation runs of our week of mashing using peated barley. The next stage is to fill this spirit into a mix of refill casks and fresh ex-bourbon barrels. We will monitor this spirit as it matures and are likely to carry out further production periods using peated barley at the end of next year, using our experience of this year to refine the process, if necessary.

New Apparel

For those cask owners who ordered a rugby shirt or polo shirt I can tell you that they have now arrived and we will be despatching them this week. For those of you that now own a cask but didn’t receive the option to buy one of these garments, we will be repeating the offer in the New Year.

Mhairi Leaves

Mhairi MacDonald left us at the end of November to take up a post with Diageo in their process support team. She is a young lady with a great deal of knowledge of the process and passion for malt whisky and will have a good future in the industry. We wish her all the best for the future.

2010

We have started planning for 2010 but are not yet in a position to share everything. However we are anticipating increasing our distributor network globally and are hoping to launch in several key markets including the USA and South Africa, early in 2010.

We are also hopeful that we will finally get our off-sales licence approved by Aberdeenshire Council and so should be in a position to sell direct from the distillery from the start of next year. At the same time we will be modifying the web site so that there is an on-line shop where you will be able to order all bottled products and other merchandise which we sell.

Our range of brand merchandising will be increased and in particular there will be a greater range of clothing available. These items will reflect the values of the brand and will be of high quality and made by reputable, well-known manufacturers.

Once again if anyone has any comments or questions then please add them below or email me direct.

Stuart

http://www.glenglassaugh.com/

Bonhams New York
580 Madison Avenue
NY, NY 10022

212-644-9001
212-644-9009 fax
www.bonhams.com/us

Press Release

For immediate release
November 23, 2009
New York City…

Dalmore 50 Year Old

The Willard S. Folsom Collection of Old and Rare Whiskies
To Be Offered At Bonhams New York This December

Aficionados of fine, rare Whiskies will be presented with an unparalleled collecting opportunity when the renowned Willard S. Folsom Collection goes to block on December 17th at Bonhams New York.

A sports fan, football handicapper, race car driver, master of finance, scuba diver, skydiver, and salsa dancer at various times in his life – Folsom began his love affair with Whisky in 1988 while reading a list of the best bars in the United States for Single Malt. Included in the list was a restaurant ten minutes from Willard’s home in Burlingame, California. After attending his first Single Malt Scotch tasting he immediately became a devotee of the Whisky arts.

For the next 18 years Willard amassed his private collection. Starting with establishing relationships within San Francisco’s Scotch community it was not long before he began travelling the world in search of rare bottles. Having toured the Highlands, the Lowlands, Speyside, Islay, and Orkney, he purchased whisky from all over Scotland and the rest of the UK- resulting in a collection of over 3,000 bottles.

Following the successful sale of a portion of the vast collection in Edinburgh and another sampling to be offered on November 27th in Hong Kong, part three of the sale will take place at the New York galleries of Bonhams and consists of nearly 900 lots of premier Single Malt Whisky. The meticulously selected collection ranges from Single Malts distilled in the 70s and 80s to a 1924 Royal Brackla 60 year old estimated at $2,400-3,300 (pictured, left).  The New York sale is being held in conjunction with Bedford Wine Merchants.

Undoubtedly one of the most sought after lots will be the Dalmore 50 year old (pictured, top). It is beautifully presented in a crystal decanter along with a hand crafted wooden presentation case. Carrying an estimate of $6,500-7,300 it is sure to draw serious collector attention.

Also of great interest is the Dalmore 30 year old. This 150th Anniversary issue is offered in an Edinburgh Crystal decanter with sterling silver labelling. Bottle 37 out of a limited run of 50 and never for sale on the open market, the  lot is estimated at $2,400-3,300.
 
The Balvenie 50 year old is also highly anticipated. Distilled in 1937 and bottled 50 years later, the bottle is designed to replicate the bottling style of the 1930s when it was originally distilled. This nostalgic lot is expected to fetch $4,900-5,700.

Another lot certain to attract bidders is a group of limited edition Springbank whiskies. Bottled for the millenium at five year intervals from 25 to 50 years maturation in the cask, the lot is comprised of Springbank 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 year old. The six bottle lot carries an estimate of $3,000-5,000.

Two 1940s Macallan’s will also highlight the sale. Accompanied by a miniature for sampling purposes, the 1948 Macallan Select Reseve 51 year old is estimated at $3,500-$4,500 (pictured, right). The 1946 Macallan Select Reserve 52 year old is numbered 536 and is expected to bring $2,000-2,300.

Also cause for excitement is an 18 year old Bowmore. Estimated at $3,300-4,100, this rarely seen bottle was distilled and bottled by Sherriff’s Bowmore Distillery in the 1950s. 

Other notable lots to be offered are a rare, limited edition 1963 Laphroaig 40 year old (est. $1,100-1,500); a limited edition Aultmore Centenary 16 year old only available to employees of the distillery (est. $900-1,200); and a 1963 Bowmore, bottled especially for a dinner at Chateau La Grange marking the 30th Anniversary of Morrison Bowmore’s ownership of the distillery (est. $900-1,200).

“We’re extremely excited to present this collection,” states Director of Whisky, Martin Green. “Not only is it the largest collection ever to come to auction; it is also distinguished by the fact that Folsom bought multiples whenever possible, which allowed him to take pleasure in actually drinking many of these bottles- highly unusual for a collector.”

 The sale will take place on December 17th at 4PM EST. The illustrated auction catalog for the sale will be online at www.bonhams.com/us in the weeks preceding the auction.  For more information about the department, please visit www.bonhams.com/newyork.
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-End-

Press Contact:   PRNY@bonhams.com, Staci Smith, 917-345-5157
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further seven throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, France, Monaco, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 50 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com. (January 2009)