MILROY’S OF SOHO MAY NEWSLETTER – Scotch Whisky News
This month, we place the spotlight on Speyside, and the new releases from some of its most loved distilleries. Glenfarclas, The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and Tomintoul are all featured.
If you can make it to London for mid-June, please do pop in to Milroy’s of Soho to taste the latest Compass Box whiskies. Please read on for further details.
MAY WHISKY OF THE MONTH – GLENFARCLAS 15 YEAR OLD
Glenfarclas 15 year old takes the spotlight as our whisky of the month for May. This cultured Speysider matured in a combination of American and European oak. Bottled at 46% ABV without chill-filtration, the whisky pours mid-amber in colour. The nose suggests a generous Sherry influence in the form of toffee, caramel and wood-spice, reflected on the palate, which is full bodied, voluptuous and silkily textured. Glenfarclas 15 year old is a mighty fine malt, especially for those that like their whiskies packed full of flavour.
£39.95 per bottle
Free miniature of Glenfarclas 15 year old with every bottle
GLENFARCLAS 40 YEAR OLD
Kudos to George Grant and the team at Glenfarclas distillery. In an era when greedy brand-owners seem to be outdoing themselves to produce the most expensive mature malt whisky, Glenfarclas has release a new 40 year old expression that is just about affordable to the ordinary whisky lover.
This new addition to the Glenfarclas line-up is bottled at 46% ABV and is everything one would expect of this distillery. Deep amber in colour, the whisky yields a distinctive spice laden, rum-like nose, with hints of demerara sugar. In the mouth, it is sweet, rich and full bodied. The dark rum characters follow through, together with dried fruit, roasted spices and a hint of wood. A drop or two of water brings it to life.
£295 per bottle
Exclusive Newsletter Offer – receive a free bottle of Pol Roger Vintage 2000 with every bottle of Glenfarclas 40 year old.
GLENLIVET TRIUMPHS – THE GLENLIVET NADURRA TRIUMPH 1991
The Glenlivet Nadurra was an extremely welcome addition to the distillery’s core range when launched a couple of years back. Following the success of the cask strength Nadurra bottling, the folks at The Glenlivet distillery have announced the releases of a new expression, Nadurra Triumph 1991.
What makes this new expression different you may ask? Nadurra Triumph is based solely on spirit distilled in 1991, using the Triumph barley variety. In the early 1990’s Triumph barley was highly regarded for its ability to boost alcohol yield. Unlike the cask strength non-vintage Nadurra (which undergoes maturation exclusively in 1st fill Bourbon casks), Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph 1991 is matured in a combination of American and European oak casks.
How does it taste? In response to the most important question, our answer is an unquestionable “Mighty fine!” As always with Glenlivet, the nose is lively and fruity (peaches, pears). The European oak lends a touch of sweet caramel and toffee, reflected on the palate, which is at one elegant and full flavoured. Barley sugar, orange zest and sweet vanilla lead to a long and satisfying finish.
£47.95 per bottle
Exclusive newsletter offer price – £44.50 per bottle
TOMINTOUL STEALS THE SHOW AT WORLD WHISKY AWARDS – TOMINTOUL 33 YEAR OLD
We have a bit of a soft spot for the much under-rated Tomintoul distillery. It is elegant, subtle, gently fruity with a slightly floral edge; perfect as an aperitif for warmer weather drinking or when one wants something lighter.
We were therefore extremely pleased to hear that at the 2010 World Whisky Awards, Tomintoul 33 year old was recognised the Best Single Speyside Malt – 21 years or over. With 30 plus distilleries in Speyside this is no small achievement.
The whisky is very much in keeping with the Tomintoul house style – elegance takes centre stage. In the mouth, the whisky is supple and round, with a touch of toffee and rum-like sweetness, balanced by cedar-wood, vanilla and a touch of spice (cinnamon, nutmeg). It is a great malt, and the price is more than reasonable.
£125 per bottle
Exclusive newsletter offer price – £115 per bottle
GLENFIDDICH RICH OAK
On the back of the very successful Distillery Edition 15 year old Cask Strength, Glenfiddich has launched another new bottling, Glenfiddich Rich Oak. As the name would suggest, Rich Oak is finished in new oak casks, a combination of new American and European oak. Bottled at 40% ABV, Glenfiddich Rich Oak boasts a supple palate of spicy oak, sweet vanilla, dried fruits and roasted nuts. It is very much in the Glenfiddich house style, but is elevated from partial maturation in new wood – a real crowd pleaser.
£31.50 per bottle
Exclusive Newsletter Offer Price – £28.95
ENGLISH WHISKY HAS LANDED – ST GEORGE’S CHAPTER 6, ENGLISH WHISKY COMPANY
We are delighted to welcome to Milroy’s of Soho the only English whisky. Distilled, matured and bottled at the St George’s distillery in Norfolk, this highly anticipated arrival is a fascinating insight into an evolving malt. On tasting St George’s, my colleague and I were mightily impressed by the quality of the spirit. We look forward to following its progress over future releases.
£37.95 per bottle
COMPASS BOX WHISKIES IN-STORE TASTING – MONDAY 14 JUNE
Gregg Glass of whisky innovator Compass Box whiskies will be joining us during the afternoon of Monday 14 June to taste through the range of Compass Box whiskies. This is a great opportunity to taste some of their wonderful distinctive whiskies and perhaps buy a bottle or two. Any purchases from the Compass Box range on the day will be eligible for a 5% discount.
Until next month, slàinte!
Best regards
Philip Shorten
Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London, W1D 4NX
T: 020 7437 2385
F: 020 7437 1345
