Chris and Gregg from Compass Box will be in on June 5th and 19th with some more magnificent blends/blended malts for Father’s Day (or just for you!).

And on top of this the Whisky Exchange Team will have the pleasurable company of Malcolm Waring, Distillery Manager at Old Pulteney around the end of June, so do keep a look out for further information on Whisky Intelligence.

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/Vinopolis

EXCLUSIVE SINGLE MALT WHISKY BOTTLING SERIES CONCLUDES
Diageo completes single-cask bottling of all its malt whiskies

Following earlier batches launched in September, January and April, Diageo are now launching the fourth and final set of their highly exclusive single-cask collection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.

Among the seven expressions that feature in this fourth release are some single malts familiar to many malt whisky drinkers  – notably Clynelish™, Knockando™,  and the iconic award-winning Islay malt,  Lagavulin™
But Auchroisk™, Benrinnes™, Blair Athol™ and Linkwood™ normally enjoy only very limited availability.

Each of the whiskies is drawn from one individual oak cask, picked after a careful examination of distillery stocks, and bottled at its natural cask strength.

So now for the first time ever, this ambitious collection encompasses all 27 of Diageo’s Single Malt Scotch Whiskies  –  never before has Scotland’s biggest estate of Single Malt distilleries issued a comprehensive series of single-cask bottlings. Labelled The Managers’ Choice because of the way the whiskies were selected, each distillery is represented by a special bottling of its Single Malt Whisky.

The rare limited-edition series is aimed at collectors and connoisseurs who 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 a unique take on each of the 27 distilleries’ distinctive distillery character.

The releases have been staged in four batches over several months, starting in September 2009 and concluding with this final release in May 2010.
For each Single Malt, the cask was nosed, tasted, discussed and finally chosen as a highly distinctive expression of that distillery’s Single Malt by a judging panel of acknowledged experts, including leading maturation experts and the distillery managers themselves.

In many cases, unusual cask woods will have had their influence on the final result. Perfect maturation and spirit quality have been the criteria, resulting in a bottling that delights with original and sometimes unexpected flavours whilst allowing the distillery character to still shine through.

Depending on the size of the cask and the rate of evaporation over the years since it was filled, the volume of bottles obtained from the chosen casks can vary between approximately 640 and as little as 200. These are, consequently, extremely rare and distinctive whiskies.

Classic Malts Selection™ spokesperson Nick Morgan said: “ This unique series of bottlings has provoked a great deal of interest and favourable comment. This last selection of whiskies has been much anticipated because it includes a cask from the renowned Lagavulin distillery on Islay. But as before, each of the bottlings offers unexpected insights into the character of each distillery.

“Taken as a whole they offer an unrepeatable opportunity to explore some of Scotland’s finest whiskies, all of which intrigue and delight, and some of which are simply outstanding.”

Full details, including tasting notes, are displayed on the Classic Malts Selection™ website www.malts.com. The updated website content 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 early notice of the launch.

Bottling Details

Auchroisk  Cask 11323 Speyside 8th October 1999 622 @ 61.0%
 Bodega sherry European oak Butter scotch nose, with sweet, deep burnt flavours.

Benrinnes  Cask 8994 Speyside 26th August 1996 328 @ 59.7% Refill American oak Light Speyside flavours with a sweet, delicate yet fresh taste.

Clynelish Cask 4341 Northern Highland 10th April 1997 232 @ 58.8% First fill bourbon American oak Oily, nutty with a hint of vanilla.

Glendullan  Cask 12718 Speyside 13th December 1995 635 @ 59.2% European oak Rich and sweet with a gentle almond butter finish.

Glenlossie  Cask 14098 Speyside   15th December 1999 207 @59.3% abv First fill bourbon American oak Light and fresh with a lemon zest.

Knockando  Cask 800790 Speyside 11th July 1996 599 @ 58.6% Spanish sherry European oak Gentle and smooth  with honeyed fruit.

Lagavulin  Cask 4447 Islay 25th October 1993 597 @ 54.7% Bodega sherry European oak Smooth rich fruit aroma. Smoky with a gentle warm finish.

Prices The UK RRP are as follows:

Lagavulin £300
Clynelish  £250
Knockando £250
Auchroisk £200
Benrinnes £200
Glenlossie £200
Glendullan £200

Website

See www.malts.com for full details of the release, including interviews with many of those involved in the selection process.

Previous releases

September 2009 saw the first release of six malts: Cardhu™ (1997), Glen Elgin™ (1998), Linkwood™ (1996), Mortlach™ (1997), Oban™ (2000) and Teaninich™ (1996).

The second release in January 2010 comprised Blair Athol™ (1995), Cragganmore™ (1997), Dalwhinnie™ (1992), Dufftown™ (1997), Glen Spey™ (1996), Strathmill™ (1996), and Talisker™ (1994).

The third release in April 2010 comprised Caol Ila™ (1997), Dailuaine™ (1997), Glen Ord™ (1997), Glenkinchie™ (1992), Inchgower™ (1993), Mannochmore™ (1998) and Royal Lochnagar™ (1994).

Diageo’s distilleries

Diageo has 28 operational single malt whisky distilleries, but spirit distilled at Diageo’s new distillery at Roseisle is not available yet.

Craig Wallace

Full interview with Craig Wallace, and other details of the first Managers’ Choice releases, can be read and downloaded from: ResponseSource: http://tinyurl.com/lawdxf

Distribution

The Managers’ Choice bottlings are available from specialist retailers in the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Benelux only.

About Diageo

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

The Classic Malts, The Classic Malts Selection, Auchroisk, Benrinnes, Blair Athol, Caol Ila, Cardhu, Clynelish, Cragganmore, Dailuaine, Dalwhinnie, Dufftown, Glen Elgin, Glen Ord, Glen Spey, Glendullan, Glenkinchie, Glenlossie, Inchgower, Knockando, Lagavulin, Linkwood, Mannochmore, Mortlach, Oban, Royal Lochnagar, Strathmill, Talisker and Teaninich words and associated logos are trade marks. © 2010

The Peat Monster Wins Again!  
 
Our friends at Malt Advocate Magazine last month awarded The Peat Monster ‘Best Blended Whisky of the Year’, a category that included both blended Scotch whiskies (made of malt & grain whiskies) and vatted malt whiskies (that is, 100% malt whiskies) which is, of course, what The Peat Monster is.

What John Hansell, Malt Advocate publisher, said underscores our premise for carefully blending whiskies from different distilleries and different cask types:

“This whisky demonstrates the layered complexity that can be achieved by marrying whisky from different distilleries… . I particularly enjoy the rich maltiness and oily texture that provide firm bedding and flavor contrast to the classic Islay notes—tar, boat docks, brine, smoked olive, seaweed, and kiln ash. More subtle cracked peppercorn, mustard seed, and citrus fruit add complexity, leading to a long, warming finish.” 

You can find The Peat Monster at your local specialist Scotch whisky retailer or via our online shop in the UK:

http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/

Glen Elgin 16yo (58.5%, OB, 9000 Bts, +/-2008)

A bit of a rarity; an official bottling from Glen Elgin and also at a higher strength of 58.5%.  The undiluted nose is sharp at first but then shows mild citrus, honey, bees wax, hints of pine resin, some slight hints of malt and oak spice. It’s pleasant. As it spends more time in the glass it opens up further. With water the nose changes considerably and becomes meaty with hints of Bovril followed by some fruit (Lychee) but the Bovril/maltiness remains in the back ground. The undiluted taste is strong, resin-y, fruity with a solid firm back ground plus some good sweetness and then the Bovril which upsets the apple cart some what. Some honey saves the day however. The diluted taste is meaty, sweet and fruity. Very much unlike the undiluted sample. Hints of the Bovril in the back ground. It unclear if the Bovril is helping or hindering. The finish shows malt and a creaminess that is quite pleasant, long and warming at first but then some unhappy bitter notes creep into the picture.

All in all mildly confused; some good, some challenging moments.

£55 at the Whisky Exchange London http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/

Score 80 points

NEW: THE BALVENIE FORTY

Malt Master David Stewart has revealed that 2010 will see the debut of a new expression, the first 40 year-old ‘marriage’ from The Balvenie. Produced in a small batch of 150 bottles, The Balvenie Forty will be available in selected Duty Free outlets from July.

http://www.thebalvenie.com/

John MacLellan, former manager of Bunnahabhain distillery has now accepted the postion of manager at Kilchoman distillery, also on islay.

Anthony & John & Bottle

Visit Kilchoman Distillery at http://www.kilchomandistillery.com/

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America Introduces New Membership Benefits

Members gain access to the largest selection of single cask, single malt whisky in the world.

Sunrise, FL, May 17, 2010:  The Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America (SMWSA) today announced its new Membership Program.  Membership in this unique whisky Society now comes with added benefits. Membership is a must for those serious about their whisky. From the novice to the most sophisticated connoisseur, it is a perfect gift for Father’s Day or any other day.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was founded in 1983.  The Society’s Tasting Panel, a group of independent whisky connoisseurs and experts, meets regularly to nose, discuss and score each whisky sample brought before them.  Rigorous and impartial, the Panel only elects to bottle whisky that meets its highest standards. Individual casks are bottled at cask strength.  Undiluted and not chill filtered, these bottles are offered exclusively to members and cannot be purchased commercially either in liquor stores or restaurants.  Since no two casks are alike and each cask yields only about 250 bottles, once the contents of a cask are consumed, the distinctive flavor and character of its whisky can never be replicated. 

The new Membership Program begins with the Society’s exquisite membership kit, which contains four carefully selected 100ml single cask, single malt Society offerings. Chosen by some of the most knowledgeable whisky experts in the world, these four whiskies are just a taste of the finest and widest range of single cask, single malt whiskies to be found anywhere and are only available to Society members.  The membership kit also contains an elegant Members’ Handbook, Society Notebook and copper lapel pin.

The membership kit is only the start of member benefits.  Members, and up to three guests, will receive a warm welcome at Members’ Rooms in Leith, Edinburgh and London as well as the opportunity to stay at the original home of the Society in one of its flats at The Vaults in Leith.  Members also receive Unfiltered, the Society’s innovative and informative magazine which contains a wealth of information and news about Scotch malt whisky, the people who make it and those who drink it.  In addition, members are invited to one-of-a-kind events throughout the United States including Members’ Tastings and The Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza®.

Of course, the biggest benefit of all is that members have exclusive access to the largest selection of single cask, single malt in the world.

Alan Shayne, president of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America, Ltd. said: “Within the whisky category, single cask, single malt whisky offers the widest variety of flavor available.  The type of wood, how many times the cask has been used, where in the warehouse the cask is stored, how long the whisky is aged—all these factors and more go into making each cask a unique work of art.  Tasting single cask, single malt whisky is a constant adventure.”
 
For those experts and devotees who wish to learn more about the pleasures of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, visit www.smwsa.com.

The initial fee for membership in the Society is $229 which entitles the member to all benefits for the first year, and includes the beautiful Society membership kit with four 100ml single cask, single malt Society offerings. Annual membership dues thereafter are $60 and entitle members to all benefits of the Society including access to the special offerings of the Society’s whiskies throughout the year.

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

In the mid-‘70s, a group of friends in Edinburgh gathered to sample and savor single malt whisky, drawn straight from the cask.  The friends filtered the cask’s contents through muslin and poured the liquid into old whisky bottles.  To their delight, they discovered that single cask whisky had more character and flavor than the whisky they routinely knew.  Also, the influence of the wood was immediately and abundantly clear.  The group went on to compare and contrast more single malt whiskies.  The amazing revelation was that even casks that had been filled with the same spirit, from the same still run, revealed their own unique characteristics.  The group realized that the spirit in each cask was one of a kind and could never be repeated.  Once the contents of a cask were consumed, the unique whisky would be gone from the world forever.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was formally founded in Leith in 1983.  The Scotch Malt Whisky Society offers its members exclusively the widest selection of single cask, single malt whisky found anywhere in the world.  The Society has now grown to 13 international branches, reflecting its worldwide following. 

In 1993, Alan and Madeleine Shayne launched The Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America, Ltd., which now has members in every state. Their goal was to introduce Americans to the world of single cask, single malts and raise awareness of the amazing variety and expressions available in the category of Scotch whisky. Many years ago, their family owned one of the premier distilleries in Scotland. Today, they have brought a rare opportunity to members of the SMWSA.

Help Colin Sinclair set up The Whisky Tasting Company; he’s participating in the The Shropshire Star’s Star Idea Competition 2010.

He needs your vote!

VOTE WHISKY! VOTE COLIN!

http://tinyurl.com/WhiskyTastingCo

Caol Ila 12yo 1992/2005 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, C#1830, 388 Bts., D10/’92 B05/’05)

Another single cask bottling by Douglas Laing & Co, without chill filtration and ‘no colouring’ and from a refill hogshead. The nose reveals good peat smoke, burnt twigs, hints of Dettol and iodine. So far it’s an Islay lovers delight. There is also cocoa, wafts of a lumber yard (think of piles of saw dust and freshly cut cedar), malt dust, sweet vanilla and some hints of junipers. Nice and solid. The taste is a crescendo of peat smoke backed by the juniper and then the sweetness along with some apples, the burnt twigs an then some more peat smoke. Excellent! Some water creates whirls and eddies in the glass and changes the whisky some; smoother and sweeter but the peat smoke is still the dominate characteristic and it’s very good. A little water goes a long way and improves it quite a bit. The finish is creamy at first, peated and then wood spice along with Fry’s unsweetened cocoa and then the creaminess once again. It is big, long and warming. There is loads of peat smoke for those that want it. After nearly 10 minutes the finish is still quite evident but has now changed to elastoplast bandages. 

A cracker of a Caol Ila and shows the brilliance of a refill hogs head and peat smoke.

Score 88 points

Many thanks for the sample Rich!

… www.ralfy.com ‘whisky reviews’ now on Episode 131 Part  B which focuses on a walk through Kilchoman Distillery, Islay, under the guidance of new Manager John Maclellan.

This is an interesting insight into Islay’s smallest and most recent ‘craft’ Whisky maker.