TRY THE NEW AND IMPROVED WHISKY SHELF

Whilst the snow has kept us all indoors here in the UK, we’ve been busy behind the doors of Warehouse 24 improving the Whisky Shelf. We have made significant improvements to how well it works, while making sure to keep the essence of what made the original so popular.

EASIER AND QUICKER TO USE

It’s now much easier to add malts, rate malts and apply your own notes and comments. You should also find it easier to search for malts and see what others have said about them.

If you’re just in for a quick visit you can now add a number of malts to your shelf at one time without needing to rate them immediately. When you do come to appraise them for your records, we have made the Sensory Evaluation section easier and quicker to use – so you can now enjoy fuller details on your malts and learn a bit about nosing and tasting too.

Remember you can also create a wish list of malts you want to try, and share it with your friends by email… very handy as your birthday approaches 😉

MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN

Among the new features is the ability to create some on-screen profile text about yourself and upload a picture to represent you. To do this, login to Warehouse 24 and click on My Details: remember to click UPDATE PROFILE in the bottom right-hand corner when you’re finished.

The Whisky Shelf is a great companion for your malt whisky journey, and it just got even better… why not try it now?

Slainte

David Mair
The Balvenie Ambassador

The Maniacs Monitor is in the final stages of the most recent update and now features 40,000+ scores for 13,000+ whiskies. Expect the final version to be released this coming Sunday.

Visit the Malt Maniacs at http://www.maltmaniacs.org/

Japanese Whiskies
                
            
Hanyu 1991 Cask # 370           
                                           1 of 361 bottles                                                    
                               £105.99 inc. VAT £90.20 ex. VAT                                    

Karuizawa 1985 cask # 7017        
24 Year Old   
£88.99 inc. VAT £75.74 ex. VAT    

Ichiros Malt Eight of Hearts 
1991 17 Year Old
£108.99 inc. VAT £92.76 ex. VAT

Visit Single Malts Direct at www.singlemaltsdirect.com

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JIM MURRAY EXCLUSIVE TO FRIENDS OF THE EMPRESS
Sunday, March 7-3:00pm – 6:00pm – Palm Court

Whisky ‘Guru’ and author of ‘The Whisky Bible’ Jim Murray hosts an afternoon of Whisky at The Fairmont Empress. This prestigious event includes tastings of 12 whiskies where Jim Murray will take you through the path of the production, the distilleries and how each flavour develops. Mr. Murray has selected the top rated, premium whiskies in the world for your pleasure, only to be revealed at the event. Cost is $150 per person, and includes dinner buffet in The Bengal Lounge or an entrée in The Empress Room following the event.

Himself

Then on Wednesday…

Location: The Grill, Union Street, Aberdeen
Date and Time: 7pm for 7.30pm start, Wednesday 17th February 2010 as
What to Bring: Your ticket and cash for pints!

See you soon!

THE GRILL
an unlikely name for a bar, and yet in Aberdeen it is synonymous with all that is best about Scotland’s family-owned traditional pubs.Currently on offer is a selection of over 500 whiskies, some 60 of which are from around the world, including Japan, Ireland and America. The selection includes probably the oldest dram on sale anywhere in the world, a 65 year old Macallan distilled in 1938.

Originally established as a restaurant in 1870 from whence it takes its name, and converted to a pub some time later, it has remained virtually unchanged since 1926, making it one of Aberdeen’s oldest pubs.

ps. Yes it does look a bit dodgy from the outside but its actually very nice inside!

Contact Blair at aberdeenwhisky@googlemail.com

CROWN ROYAL MASTER BLENDER IN VANCOUVER

Joanna Scandella, Master Blender for Crown Royal will be in Vancouver this Friday, February 19th to lead 3 complimentary seminars on Canadian Whisky and Crown Royal. Join Joanna this Friday at the 39th & Cambie BC Liquor Store (5555 Cambie Street), for a chance to further understand Crown Royal’s blending techniques and be taken through the 5 variants of Crown Royal. The three sessions will occur at 4pm, 5:30pm, and 7pm with meet and greet, bottle signing and custom labeling also available. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served.

More information through http://www.bcliquorstores.com/event/crown-royal-master-blend-session

Kris Steed
Reserve Brands & Wine Specialist

RESERVE BRANDS GROUP
A division of Diageo Canada

E: kris.steed@diageo.com
www.weareworldclass.com

Loch Fyne Whiskies has Stocked a new item, ‘Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX’

Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX
46% abv
£58.50 inc vat
£49.79 ex vat

Here’s a Glenmorangie, ‘extra-matured’ (aka finished – but no one uses that word these days) in rich Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. What is unique is the restraint ‘Mo have used, the PX effect is quite subtle, they must have checked it every day.

A delicate whisky with powerful sherry notes, iron fist & velvet gloves etc. Rich, vanilla, chewy, Parma violets and deep rooted complexity, a foodie dram with a creamy coffee finish. A great variant for a Macallan, GlenDronach or Macphunn fan.

Sonnalta means generous, well named.

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk
Visit Loch Fyne Whiskie at https://www.lfw.co.uk/

Buffalo Trace is planning something new;

“We’re announcing our new Buffalo Trace Saloon – an interactive site for our fans to hang out and check out all kinds of things they like – sports, music, parties, contests, just to name a few. Membership is on us.”

They have promised more details…

Cooley Named Distillery of the Year by Malt Advocate

Cooley Distillery honoured as 2010 Distillery of the Year by Leading US Publication

Cooley Distillery, Ireland’s only independent whiskey distiller, has been named Distillery of the Year at the 16th Annual Malt Advocate Whisky Awards.

The Whisky Awards run by the Malt Advocate, North America’s leading whisky magazine, recognise excellence in the world of whisky. Now in their sixteenth year, these awards are the oldest and longest-running annual whisky awards program. They honour the world’s greatest whiskies and distilleries, and the individuals who make and promote whisky around the world.

John Hansell, Editor of the Malt Advocate, commented, “The most compelling justification for selecting Cooley for this award isn’t just the variety of the whiskeys they make. It’s the quality. They are now putting out the best whiskey they have ever produced. In an era where hundreds of small distilleries are starting up across the globe, Cooley can be an inspiration to them all.”

Cooley has now made a clean sweep of all major whisky awards.  The 2010 trophy sits beside World Distiller of the Year 2008 (IWSC), European Distiller of the Year 2008, 2009 (IWSC), Irish Distiller of the Year 2007 (Icons of Whisky), and World Best Whiskey 2009 (IWSC). 

The award confirms Cooley’s role and reputation as a world class whiskey distiller. 

Jack Teeling, Managing Director of Cooley, commented,

“The US is now the biggest market for Irish whiskey. Being honoured as Distillery of the Year by the Malt Advocate will elevate the profile of our portfolio of whiskeys right across the US.  This prestigious award is testament to the skill, dedication and hard work of the entire Cooley team.  We will continue to build Cooley’s reputation for being the world’s best distiller of Irish whiskey.”

ENDS

Additional Information:

The Malt Advocate Whisky Awards

The Malt Advocate Whisky Awards exist to recognize excellence in the world of whisky. Now in their sixteenth year, these awards are the oldest and longest-running annual whisky awards program. They honour the world’s greatest whiskies and distilleries, and the individuals who make and promote them. Malt Advocate magazine is America’s leading whisky magazine. It’s the number one source for whisky information, education and entertainment for whisky enthusiasts.

For Additional Information:

 Jack Teeling, Managing Director, Cooley Distillery  

Tel: +3531 8332833

 David O’Siochain, Pembroke Communications

Tel: +3531 649 6322

EPISODE 239: FEBRUARY 14, 2010

English farmers send barley north to Scotland, and sooner or later, the Scots send it back as whisky. The Nelstrop family has been growing barley for decades, and decided to change that formula. The first English single malt whisky in more than a century is now available from the family’s St. George’s Distillery in Norfolk. In the news, the finalists have been selected in the Spirit of Speyside Festival Whisky Awards, Malt Advocate Magazine announces its 2009 award winners, and tasting notes for a rare Glenfiddich single cask bottling.

Visit WhiskyCast at http://whiskycast.com/