Whyte & Mackay No Age Statement ‘Special’ (40%, OB, “Double Marriage Blend”+/-2009)

This is the key to the blend’s success – time allows the aged malts to amalgamate and harmonise. The ‘vatted malt or blended malt’, as it is now known, is held in sherry butts and left for several months during its first marriage. Once again time is called upon. The blended malt is then mixed with six different grain whiskies and returned to another set of sherry butts to complete its second stage of maturation before it is finally bottled.(This bit was lifted, verbatim, from W&M’s website).

The nose is full grain whisky with some light heather, mint and some vague herbs backed by sweet cereals, raisins, pear, vanilla and sherry. The grain contribution is quite evident and is very pleasant. The taste is at first very much like cereal along with the sweetness and sherry notes; the mouth feel is very soft and at times both malty and of grain whisky. It is very flavorful and gentle. The finish is also gentle and sweet with the malt taking a back seat to the grain whiskies however this does not detract; the grain gives way to fruit and even Christmas cake and a ever so slight hint of cured tobacco and some oak notes.

Hmmm, tasty and well balanced for any whisky, well done.

Score 82 points

C$25

At Whisky Intelligence we do not drag out the garlic juice, 1,000,000 candle power arc lights and wooden stakes at the first sign of a blended whisky and generally celebrate them while recognizing the economics of the situation that without blended whiskies there wouldn’t be any single malts. During the next few days we’ll be examining a few blended whiskies but next week it’ll be back to the malts!

Loch Fyne Whiskies News has stocked two new items:

 Port Dundas 1973 36yo Duncan Taylor
 54.1% abv
 £88.90 inc vat
 £77.30 ex vat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Black Bull 12yo
 50% abv
 £31.50 inc vat
 £27.39 ex vat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ‘…a big, beefy highland style of blend…’

 
Please visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at  https://www.lfw.co.uk/

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

From Gerry Tosh at Highland Park Distillery
  
I’m not entirely sure but I suspect I sometimes suffer from indecision.

I know I always want a Highland Park but which one? Of course I have my favourites; I’m a big fan of the 1977 Bicentenary Vintage so was delighted when we found some additional bottles in Japan recently. The 21 year old is fantastic too.

The point is, if you ever have the same problem, I am delighted to offer a confusion solution; in the Tasting Collection we have packaged together five miniatures of the most popular expressions of Highland Park.

• 12 year old remains the heart of the Highland Park range.

• Highland Park 15 Year Old has a remarkably complex nose.

• Highland Park 18 Year Old has a prolonged, full, smoky aftertaste. The Best Spirit in the World*.

• Be brave and try Highland Park 25 Year Old neat to enjoy an immense vanilla sensation with the characteristic honey sweetness developing into complex aromas of cinnamon, nuts and dark fruit.

• The prolonged maturation of Highland Park 30 Year Old means it merits time and attention; you’ll discover the characteristic fudge sweetness together with complex aromatic spices and dark chocolate orange.
The Tasting Collection is great for sampling with friends and makes a perfect gift too. So, despite my indecision, I’m going to buy two. Or three.

The Tasting Collection comprises five 5cl miniatures and is priced at £42.50.

If you would like to purchase this you can either visit our secure online shop at www.highlandpark.co.uk or if you are in the UK you can call us on 0845 6501798 (local call rates apply) where we will take your order over the phone.

 

 

Gerry
Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year, 2010

Dear All,

It has been a while coming, but here it is finally!

Firstly the news: a mammoth, and unforgettable, 11 night tour of Sweden at the end of October, followed by a weekend at The Aquavitae Fair in Essen and the Whisky Show in London, then a few days of tastings in Holland culminating in the Whisky Fair of Leiden. Finally, a week in Switzerland, and back home to be barked at by the dog…

The 1st December heralded some great news – the Malt Maniac Awards 2009 were published. Every year this entirely independent, international, group of whisky aficionados invite all whisky producers (not just Scotch) to send in a maximum of 5 different whiskies for blind tasting and judging. This year we were thrilled to be awarded 1 of the 7 gold medals, 3 silver medals and 1 bronze medal, and even more delighted that 2 of our entries also won awards. Full details will shortly be posted on our website, but in the meantime, please see below, or check out the MM Awards page http://www.maltmaniacs.org/2009-whisky-awards.html

Bunnahabhain 1974, 35yr old Islay, 56.6% vol cask 4780, Gold Medal and the Ultra Premium Thumbs Up Award (Best Newcomer)…only 4 bottles left £180.00 each

Laudale 12yr old Batch 1, 46.0% vol, Silver Medal and the Daily Drams Thumbs Up Awards (Best Newcomer)…all sold

Breath of Speyside 1991 18yr old, 54.2% vol cask 5145, Silver Medal…about 12 bottles left £66.00 each

Glen Grant 1985 23yr old Speyside, 55.9% vol cask 10197, Silver Medal…in stock £83.60 each

Cameronbridge 1978 30yr old Lowland (single grain), 56.6% vol cask 5, Bronze Medal…5 bottles left £95.00 each

All in all, our best ever outing!

Now, on to the Christmas offer. Since I haven’t been in touch for a couple of months, this year you have 2 choices, in addition to any of the medal winners still available above:

1. Breath of Speyside 1991 18yr old, 54.3% vol cask 5142 (this was bottled 3 months after the one above) £62.70
1 of only 612 bottles from cask no. 5142

Hot on the heels of its sister cask (no. 5145), this is the 4th sherry butt in the Breath of Speyside range from Adelphi.

A rich amber hue, we were immediately struck by how clean this whisky was. A lovely nose of well-aged balsamic vinegar with marmalade, plums and Maraschino cherries in the background. The whisky keeps opening, now revealing prunes, marinated in Armagnac; then hints of Calvados and plenty of brown sugar.

To taste, the sugar is now more burnt and caramelized, with a thread of dark chocolate and Christmas cake wrapper. A rich, viscous texture to finish with Old English marmalade, and no tannins. Christmas in a glass.

2. Balblair 1990 18yr old Highland, 53.0% vol cask 739 £62.70
1 of only 158 bottles from cask no. 739

Balblair is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, and has recently been brought into a prominent role by its current owners, Inverhouse. From our records this is only the 2nd time we have bottled the make.

A rich, deep golden colour thanks to an active ASB maturation, this is a complex dram. Walnut fudge drying to fruit cake with a lovely set, flowery honey nose. Apples, pears and dried apricots follow, finishing with a delicate hint of Palma violet and kiwi fruit.

This perfume continues to the taste, now becoming more spicy with cinnamon and walnuts. Keeping it unreduced, the palate soon sweetens to marshmallow fudge with tinned fruit salad and melted marshmallows on the finish. A truly special pre-dinner whisky.

Please let me know if you would like anything.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year from us all at Adelphi.

Alex.

Alex Bruce

Sales & Marketing Director

Adelphi Distillery Ltd.

Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1383 842 912

Mobile: +44 (0) 7795 424 838

Skype: alex.bruce

Email: alex@adelphidistillery.com

Web: www.adelphidistillery.com

Dear Society Member,

As many of you will know, we have been trying to find a way to work around the US customs and postal service restrictions to allow our members in the USA to enjoy the full benefits of their Society membership – essentially the opportunity to get your hands on our regular Society bottlings.

After a long period of wracking our brains – we have a very slow pace of life here in Campbeltown – and talking to potential partners we believe that we are on the way to a successful outcome.

Our US distributor Preiss Imports has agreed to help out by teaming up with selected retailers to import a batch of each Society bottling. At first, we will be working with retailers in California and Texas and if the partnership is successful we will roll the scheme out to other states. We appreciate that this plan might not be perfect for some of you but we hope you will agree that it is a lot better than the current situation. When we have full details of the retailers and timescales involved you will be the first to know.

We have also been working to expand our Society activities in the USA. In June of this year the first Society tasting in north America took place in Dallas, Texas, thanks to the input of members Mark Monfrey and Jeff Daniels and their friends. Ranald Watson from Springbank travelled to Dallas for the event and we had an excellent turnout of both existing and new members.

We were so impressed with the attendance in Dallas that we have agreed to provide a fantastic opportunity to anyone who attends the next “Texas Tasting” early in 2010 – the chance to choose the next limited edition Springbank Society bottling.

Mark and the gang in Dallas are hosting a tasting for Society members only at 7.30pm on 12th January 2010 at the Trinity Hall Irish Pub, 5321 E. Mockingbird Lane, 250, Dallas, Texas. To take advantage of this one-off opportunity to have your say on the next Society bottle, telephone Mark Monfrey (214) 887-3600 or email monfrey@artisanal-beverage.com to book your tickets.

In addition to helping to choose the next bottle, you will also have the chance to try the latest Society whisky at the tasting, as well as a number of other whiskies from the Springbank range. We are also led to believe that Mark might even have a special gift to give to all members who attend!

Hopefully all this good news will provide some festive cheer for everyone and help to get 2010 off to an excellent Springbank start! If you have any queries about any of the above news, or any suggestions about how we can help to make the Society work for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Wishing you a happy Christmas and best wishes for 2010,

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

Tasting with Jimmy Russell

Jimmy Russell, Master Distiller of Wild Turkey will be at Exit 9 Wine & Liquor Warehouse in Clifton Park, NY on Friday December. 11th from 3PM to 7PM.

He will be tasting Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel as well as signing bottles.
Please join us in welcoming Jimmy Russell to upstate NY.
This is a free event.

Feel free to call Mike at 518-688-0153 if you have any questions regarding this event.

Dewar’s No Age Statement (40%, “White Label”, +/- 2009)

What to expect? Especially from the point of view of a malt head…the bottle is embossed with the phrase “Never Varies” and the bottom label is adorned 14 Gold Medals awarded between 1896 and 1930…. and the label is actually almost white… The nose reveals some nice grain notes that one always finds in blends however it is not harsh but is fragrant and sweet along with some light citrus (think grapefruit and oranges) and some spicy wood notes. It is not a hugely complicated nose but is pleasant which is a damn fine start after all. The taste is almost a mirror reflection of the nose along with a back ground of sweetness and also some bitter chocolate and honey, vanilla and some slight hints of raw tobacco, cereal, fresh hay and some ever so slight hint of peat reek (that’s a surprise). The finish is warming, sweet and reasonably long, malty and smashingly good. After a few minutes you’re left with some nice chewy malt.

There’s nothing wrong with this whisky and it’s actually quite good. The absence of off notes is both a surprise and welcome and it’s quite vibrant. Serve it blind to your friends and see what they think.

C$25 which is cheap as chips

Score 84 Points

At Whisky Intelligence we do not drag out the garlic juice, 1,000,000 candle power arc lights and wooden stakes at the first sign of a blended whisky and generally celebrate them while recognizing the economics of the situation that without blended whiskies there wouldn’t be any single malts. During the next few days we’ll be examining a few blended whiskies but next week it’ll be back to the malts!

Proof positive that membership in the Vancouver chapter of the Companions of the Quaich has some extra benefits!

Hello Everyone,

First, the best of the season to you and hope that everyone made it through 2009 and looking forward to 2010!   Lots of activities happening with the Olympics, the Victoria Whisky Festival January 22-24 and we are putting on a dinner on  January 26th at Chill Winston!

Anyways, I have the private bottlings available and if you are interested, send me an email and I will arange getting it to you.   Remember, this price below is for the scotch club only.

 Retail is additional 35%

Laphroaig 1999 – 10 Yrs Old (46% Vol)  $98.00  720 bottles

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.

Mortlach 1990  – Speyside – 18 Yrs Old (46% vol) Sherry   Butt Cask  $125.00  720 bottles

Nose: Light sherry notes. Dried fruits.

Palate: Sweet and juicy. Roasted nuts. Raisins. Fruity and spicy.

Finish: Well rounded. More spice sweet malt.

As these are a private bottling and not available anywhere but in BC, I hope you take advantage of this opportunity.  Let me know if your interested!

Happy Holidays!

Slainte

Marcus

http://www.thequaich.com/

The End of 2009 Travels?

Well after my travels of the last few months I have no other trips planned for the next few week and so I should be back at the distillery for most of the time between now and Christmas.

Last week I was touring Sweden visiting Habost WF on Sunday 29th November, Mönsteräs Malt Club on Monday, Ronneby Whiskey Company on Tuesday 1st December, Black River Whiskey Society on Wednesday and finishing with Beatha Friends on Thursday. It was a great tour and I met many people who have bought octave casks from us and many others who are interested in purchasing one. Hospitality was fantastic and after consuming 3 Christmas dinners in 3 days I now realise that December can be a long, and enjoyable, month in Sweden.

In 1875, when Glenglassaugh was originally started, peat was used for drying the malted barley, as it was in all malt distilleries at that time. However the practice stopped at most distilleries, including Glenglassaugh, and we currently use un-peated malt. We felt that since we have been producing for a year, 4th December was the anniversary of the first spirit run from the refurbished distillery, we should take the opportunity to try and make spirit closer to that which would have been produced 100 years ago. We are therefore producing spirit using peated malt, for 1 week , which will be carefully matured and monitored. We will let you know how this progresses over the coming months.

I saw an advert for another whisky company who is selling Octaves, in Whisky Magazine this month while in the middle of the year, just after we had successfully launched “The Spirit Drink that dare not speak its name” a well-known distillery canvassed its customers on whether it should start bottling its new make spirit. Now I am not saying that we were the first company to develop these products but I do think that our success in these areas is making others think that there are opportunities to develop similarly. I will take it as a sign that we are doing some things right, especially as I have the highest regard for the 2 companies and the individuals involved.

As usual please feel free to comment.   

Stuart                  

Please visit Glenglassaugh Distillery at  http://www.glenglassaugh.com/

SCOTLAND MIXES IT UP WITH  THE GLENROTHES ULTIMATE GENTLEMAN’S COCKTAIL CONTEST

Mix it, swirl it, zest it up – 17 of Scotland’s elite bartenders showcased their cocktail culinary skills last week as part of The Glenrothes Ultimate Cocktail Contest; the first national competition of its kind held at the award-winning Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh.

Using The Glenrothes Select Reserve as the base spirit the bartenders from well known drinking haunts including Bramble Bar, Tigerlily and Blythswood Hotel were tasked with creating a top class, top notch tipple.

Contestants were given only three minutes to create a cocktail which contains at least 30ml of The Glenrothes and a maximum of six other ingredients. They were marked on name, balance of flavour, simplicity of ingredients, taste, originality, creative presentation, delivery and performance.

Don’t Marry her and Fantastic Mr Fudge were just two of the more usual concoctions mixed by the contestants with the winning pour, The Last Gentleman Standing, coming from the established bartender, May Kongsrivilai at Bon Vivant on Thistle Street in Edinburgh. A mix of The Glenrothes Select Reserve, Green Chartreuse, 2001 Noval Tawny Port and Kirsch Vassser guaranteed the top prize that includes an all expenses paid VIP trip to The Glenrothes Distillery in Speyside, Mixxit Ultimate Bartenders Kit and a bottle of The Glenrothes Vintage 1985.

With flat caps, finest tweed and all things refined, cocktails from second and third place came from Treacle’s Adam Neal and Blythswood Hotel’s Dean Evans, both of whom won trips to The Glenrothes Distillery in Speyside and a bottle of The Glenrothes Select Reserve each.

Hosted by The Glenrothes’ own mixologist Andy Gemmell, the competition brought together a diverse judging panel including Simon Difford, editor of drinks industry publication CLASS; Tom Bruce Gardyne, independent whisky writer; Gaby Soutar from The Scotsman Magazine; and Ronnie Cox, Global Brand Ambassador for The Glenrothes.

Said winner May Kongsrivilai: “I love classic cocktails and mixing up new variations on old themes.  I was able to use my interest of the classic serves and my love of whisky to good effect creating something quite unique that I hope customers to Bon Vivant will make a special request for.  I look forward to mixing it up again with The Glenrothes.”

The Glenrothes, introduced in 2005, is a popular tipple amongst whisky connoisseurs. The Select Reserve is a versatile yet unique malt laced with notes of ripe fruits, juicy citrus, creamy vanilla and hints of spice – making it the perfect liquid to partner with cocktails.

1st Place: May Kongsrivilai’s The Last Gentleman Standing

40ml The Glenrothes Select Reserve

12.5ml Green Chartreuse

20ml 2001 Noval Tawny Port

1 barspoon (5mls) Kirsch Vassser (which was steeped with Morello cherries)

Stired and garnished with orange zest (discarded) and three Morrello cherries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd Place: Adam Neal’s The Perfect Gentleman

60ml The Glenrothes Select Reserve

10ml dandelion and burdock reduction

10ml Mixed berry syrup

Dash Aztec chocolate bitters

Blazed into an antique Goblet without garnish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3rd Place: Dean Evans’ Chevelier Sangaree

40ml The Glenrothes Select Reserve

5ml Creme de Poire

5ml Maraschino

5ml Simple Syrup (1 part water and 1 part sugar)

25ml Cinzano Bianco

Shaken and strained over cracked ice into a small toddy glass or goblet garnished with mint sprigs, small chunks of orange and nutmeg.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Ends-

For further information please visit www.theglenrothes.com 

For press enquiries or photography, please contact:

Linda Edstrand / Sarah McDonald, The BIG Partnership

Tel: 0131 555 5522

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

Notes to editors:

About The Glenrothes

·         The Glenrothes was founded in 1879

·         The Glenrothes is available from Sainsbury’s, Oddbins, Thresher and whisky specialists nationwide and on The Glenrothes website www.theglenrothes.com.

·         Little more than 2% of the distillery capacity is bottled as Single Malt to ensure exceptional quality

·         Of the 16 Vintages released to date, 12 have entirely sold out

·         It is matured in a combination of Spanish and American oak casks – the best of both worlds

·         The Glenrothes Select Reserve was voted Best in Class at the World Whiskies Awards 2008 and won two Double Golds at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2007

·         The Glenrothes 1978 Vintage was voted Best Speyside Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2008

·         The Glenrothes 1975 won a Double Gold award at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2008

·         “I have always felt that Glenrothes deserved to be more widely appreciated. Beautifully rounded, sophisticated after-dinner malt.” Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion

·         Jim Murray, in his Whisky Bible 2007, refers to The Glenrothes Select Reserve as; “One of the softest deliveries on Speyside, the silky barley and citrus caress the tastebuds with rare tenderness” and scores it 24 out of 25

 

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