WEEKLY WHISK(E)Y SPECIALS

Southern Comfort 1.75L $19.99
Jack  Daniels  Black 1.75L $34.99
Cutty Sark Scotch  1.75L $19.99
Johnnie Walker Black Label  1.75L $49.99
Bushmill’s Irish Whiskey…$15.99
Canadian LTD 1.75L…$10.99
Dewar’s White Label 1.75L…$29.99
House Of Stuart Scotch 1.75L…$14.99
J & B Scotch 1.75L…$25.99
Jim Beam Bourbon 1.75L…$21.99
Laphroaig 10 Year Old Scotch…$38.99
Seagram’s 7 Crown…$17.99
Seagram’s Crown Royal 1.75L….$36.99

Don’t forget to use your Binny’s Card!
*Prices valid w/Binny’s Card June 9 through June 15, 2010.

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

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales Opens £10m Expansion
at The Glenlivet Distillery

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales opened a new expansion to The Glenlivet Distillery on Friday 4 June during a visit to Speyside, Scotland.

Completed earlier this year, the new facility will deliver a 75% increase in production capacity to satisfy future global demand in the buoyant market for single malt Scotch whisky.  Costing £10 million, the expansion will supporting The Glenlivet’s long term ambition to become the World’s No 1 single malt.

During the visit, Patrick Ricard, Chairman of the Board of Pernod Ricard, and Christian Porta, CEO of Chivas Brothers, invited His Royal Highness to tour the distillery’s facilities, meet key members of staff and unveil a commemorative sculpture.

The construction of the new building was also the first major duty of newly appointed Master Distiller Alan Winchester, a lifelong resident of Speyside who has been a leading light in the industry for 34 years.  Alan commented: “The opening was a momentous occasion in the long and proud history of The Glenlivet Distillery. It was a privilege to be involved with the new building and we are honoured to have such distinguished company to mark the occasion.”

Notes:

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits.  Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky with a portfolio that includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

The Glenlivet is ‘the single malt that started it all’. It was the first licensed distillery in the remote Livet Valley. Created by George Smith, The Glenlivet in turn defined the Speyside style of whisky which became the heartland of Scotch malt whisky production.

From its pioneering Scottish roots, The Glenlivet was the first malt to be promoted in the US, as soon as Prohibition was lifted. Today, it is the USA’s No1 single malt and the world’s No2, and one of only two malts ever to sell more than 600,000 nine litre cases.

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales with Patrick Ricard, Chairman of the Board of Pernod Ricard (right) and Christian Porta, CEO of Chivas Bothers at the opening today of a £10 million expansion to The Glenlivet Distillery in Speyside, Scotland. The new facility will help increase production by 75% as part of Chivas Brothers’ long term ambition for the brand to become the World’s No 1 single malt Scotch whisky.

Glenturret 17yo 1990/2007 (40%, G&M ‘MacPhail’s Collection’)

A final Glenturret for the week and an independent bottling form Gordon & MacPhail (from a refill sherry hogshead). The nose is sweet and sour (honey and something mildly industrial) along with some malt and then something akin to mint and sea breeze (oddly).  With some time in the glass it improves and the mildly industrial notes fade away (thankfully). Also slightly peppery and white wine along with some syrupy notes. The taste is good, malty and flavorful; this is a pleasant surprise after the industrial notes on the aroma. There is also the grape fruit noted in the 8yo, more malt, quite dry in the mouth, slightly floral and quite oaky. The finish is sweet at first and then the dry oak, some really good malt moments and the dry white wine. The dryness theme continues for quite a while until all that is left is some really good malt moments and even hints of cocoa.

http://www.gordonandmacphail.com/

+/- $75

78 Points

Arran – An Island Story
The Red Lion, Crown Passage, London SW1 
Tuesday June 22nd 2010, 7.30pm 

£20.00 / ticket     
 

 
When the opening of the Arran distillery at Lochranza was announced in 1996 there was much excitement among whisky-lovers at the prospect of a new whisky on the market. The only frustrating thing was that there was a long wait to endure before being able to taste mature stock. Thankfully the guys (and gals) at Arran are not without vision and decided to release whisky at a younger age in order to keep everyone happy. They are also not averse to experimenting with different casks…

We are delighted to announce this series of tastings in order that we can taste a whole sluice of their whiskies at different ages and cask types. We will also be exclusively sampling a new bottling that is being released around the same time as this series. At most of the tastings we will be welcoming the very passionate and knowledgeable UK Brand Ambassador, Celine Tetu – definitely an added bonus!

As always each tasting is designed to be fun and enjoyable for all levels of whisky drinker, and is not a lecture. You will almost certainly learn something new every time, but if you don’t walk out with a smile on your face then there we have done something wrong! 
 
You will not be sent a ticket through the post. Your details will be added to the event register and all you need to do is print the payment confirmation page and bring it with you to the event.

http://www.thewhiskylounge.com/

Michael Jackson Whisky Companion Book Launch with Dominic Roskow

Monday 14th June 7pm

With the release of the new Whisky Companion, the very knowledgeable and conversant writer, whisky expert, and main contributor to the book, Dominic Roskow will be hosting a press launch at The Whisky Exchange, Vinopolis, on Monday 14th June. Dominic will be discussing the book, while taking us through 6 different Whyte and Mackay whiskies (Dalmore, Jura, Whyte & Mackay Blends). Dominic will no doubt be happy to sign a few copies of the book, which you’ll be able to purchase on the evening, and will of course be available to answer any questions you may have.

This event is absolutely FREE of charge, though places are quite limited. It will take the form of an informal event in the shop (as opposed to our more common seated affairs), and should last no more than around 90min. As stated, the places for this are very limited, so please do not ring and take a place unless you are sure you are coming. We will know who you are….

In order to reserve a place at this event, please call us on +44 (0)207 403 8788 to provide your details.

***LAST ORDERS FOR FATHER’S DAY DELIVERY – WEDNESDAY 16th JUNE***

Think about it. If you had to bring up you, don’t you think you’d need a drink as well?! Father’s Day, Sunday 20th June. Save the socks/novelty ties until Christmas (if you really must…) and show that you really love and appreciate him by buying him something he’ll love and appreciate.

Royal Mile Whiskies
Whisky Magazine’s ‘Retailer of the Year 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010’

Office: 0131 5249380 (all mail order enquiries here please!)

379 Royal Mile
Edinburgh EH1 1PW
Tel: 0131 225 3383

3 Bloomsbury Street
London WC1B 3QE
Tel: 0207 436 4763

info@royalmilewhiskies.com

Buy a bottle of AnCnoc 12 before June 30th and you will be entered into a prize draw to win over £200-worth of An Cnoc!  One name will be drawn out of a hat on 1st July to win one 70cl bottle of An Cnoc 12, An Cnoc 16, An Cnoc 1994 and An Cnoc 1975.

(Competition not open to friends and family of Royal Mile Whiskies staff.)

CHIVAS REGAL HOSTS THE GALLANT AND GLAMOROUS AT 2010 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

 
Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, was Official Partner at the glamorous 63rd Festival de Cannes (12-23 May 2010) for the second consecutive year. Throughout the prestigious two-week event, Chivas Regal hosted more than 170 international VIP and media guests, treating them to a special 24 hours of glamour.
 
Guests mixed with stars including Diane Kruger, Benicio Del Torro, Gael Garcia, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem in the Chivas bars at both the hotel Martinez and at the Chérie Chéri Club on the famous croisette. A Michelin-starred dinner at the Palme D’or was then followed by a red carpet screening of a world premiere. The next day, a private helicopter transfer to the airport was laid on for guests to finish their Cannes experience on a high.

The Chivas Regal ‘Live with Chivalry’ movement had a starring role during the two-week festival, most notably through the presence of ‘Chivalry Expert’ Olivier Bassil, an international lifestyle authority who led a campaign aiming to prove that “Chivalry is back in Cannes, thanks to Chivas”. Chérie Chéri played host to a Chivalry Round Table led by Bassil, where real-life moments of chivalry were discussed, along with a debate about modern-day gallantry, brotherhood and honour.
 
Bassil also aimed to highlight and report on the chivalrous moments of the Cannes Film Festival. He generated an online buzz before, during and after the event via daily Chivalry Alerts and the dedicated Twitter account www.twitter.com/chivalrycannes. He also uploaded in-depth editorials, real-life testimonials and luxurious and innovative digital content through his blog, http://blog.squa.re/.
 
Bassil said: “My global audience of online luxury connoisseurs often tell me that chivalrous values such as honour and passion really matter in their everyday lives, and I was delighted to share with them a wide array of content revealing Chivas as an ambassador of chivalry in Cannes.”
 
At both the Hotel Martinez and the Chérie Chéri Club, VIP guests including Indian actress Deepika Padukone were served luxurious Chivas Regal cocktails, such as the topical Rob ‘n’ Hood and Chivas Chéri Chéri, created by Chivas Regal Brand Ambassador Max Warner.
 
Chivas Regal has historically played a star role at some of the world’s most prestigious events, such as the BAFTA Nominees’ Party and the Césars in France. 
 
Notes:

Cocktails served to guests at Cannes:
Velvet Spritz
Cannes Cosmo
Summer Wind
Gallantry
Rob ‘n’ Hood
Chivas Chéri Chéri
 
About Chivas Regal:

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.2 million 9L cases annually in more than 200 countries (more than a bottle sold every second). Chivas Regal has achieved a strong global performance – No 1 in Europe and Asia, with dynamic growth in Eastern Europe, South America and most emerging markets. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.
 
About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky with a portfolio that includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

www.chivasbrothers.com

Glenturret 8yo (40%, OB, +/- 2009)

A minor expansion of the Glenturret recent official bottlings (the others being the 10yo 40% and the 14yo cask strength 59.7% at £87.50!). The nose is fruity, malt and gently honeyed with some mildly aggressive pungent notes in the back ground (think of grape fruit & leather). Black pepper. There are also some hints of varnish, heather and lightly burnt cake. Moments that are good and moments that are challenging. The taste is surprisingly assertive at first, the grape fruit & leather quickly followed by the heather, honey, malt and the oaky notes. Uncomplicated but good which is a bit of a relief after the close call on the nose. The finish is malty and honeyed with some of the black pepper smacking the taste buds around. A bit of a rough edge which is good, you know you’ve had a dram. The finish is quite pleasant with none of the challenging moments in the nose.

Improves from start to finish; the taste and finish are good.

£27.50 at Loch Fyne Whiskies

Score 80 points

June Outturn: 10 little honey-bees perfect for summer seduction

It’s all about those sweet, sweet single casks this June Outturn.  Be transported to the fairground with the candyfloss memories of 123.5.  Enjoy the buttercup, honeysuckle and passion-fruit in 63.25 or a highly potent kick in the diaphragm with 23.64 (if you’re that way inclined).

31.19 Night-shift in the canteen
Highland Island
£56.20 inc. Free P&P
A grubby, industrial background – diesel oil, exhaust fumes, bus stations, ship yards – with scents of food in the foreground – glazed ham in a roasting tin, omelette, egg custard
Age: 21 years            Cask:  Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

23.64 Potent and assertive
Islay
£40.20 inc. Free P&P
We thought the nose very unusual, with lots going on; charred apricot, delicately cured ham, machair (cotton grass, flowers, salty, fresh), oaky white wine, honey, barley sugar
Age: 7 years            Cask:  Refill ex-bourbon barrel

Summertime Sweethearts:
Buy Sweetheart Pairs 1.153 & 27.80 OR 123.5 & 63.25 for only £86
(save £10.40)

1.153 A cornucopia of mellifluous sweetness
Speyside Spey
£42.20 inc. Free P&P

27.80 Old hemp ropes in a fishing boat
Campbeltown
£54.20 inc. Free P&P

123.5 Feisty but fun
Highland Southern
£40.20 inc. P&P

63.25 The magic of flowers
Speyside Spey
£56.20 inc. P&P

SIX June Outturn
@ Aberdeen Mal & Birmingham & Brighton Hotel du Vin
Sample SIX new June drams behind the bar at Aberdeen Malmaison and Birmingham and Brighton Hotel du Vin. 

Enjoy: 123.5, 4.141, 31.19, 44.44, 23.64 & 33.86

SMWS Whisky Tasting & Events
New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Sat 5 Jun
New Outturn & Sunday Roast Tasting – The Vaults, Sun 6 Jun
New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Mon 7 Jun
Whisky & Gems with Nicholas James – London, Wed 9 Jun
Whisky & Diamonds with Eric Emms – London, Thu 10 Jun
Taste of Islay London Cruise – Edwardian Cruise Boat, Thu 17 Jun
Two Distilleries, One Day Tour – The Vaults, Sat 19 Jun
Blend Your Own Whisky Lunch – The Vaults, Sun 20 Jun
South African Dinner – 28 Queen Street, Wed 23 Jun
Wokingham Preview Sensory Tasting – Cantley House, Thu 24 Jun
Dundee Preview Tasting – Hilton Hotel, Fri 25 Jun
Inverness Preview Tasting – Kingsmills Hotel, Fri 25 Jun

Join the Society today so you too can enjoy thses bottlings http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships

Dallas Dhu 29 Year Old, Duncan Taylor Rare Auld

Single cask #388. Bottled May 2010, a cask strength bottling of the closed and very collectable Dallas Dhu distillery from the award winning Duncan Taylor, Rare Auld series.

271 numbered bottles.

Distillery: Dallas Dhu

Historic Scotland maintains this mothballed, Highland distillery as a museum which allows visitors to inspect the inner workings, to the very guts, of a distillery but without the noises, heat or smells. Rather an eerie sense to the place and a tad naked without its own stock in its own warehouses, but at least it is still standing, stills intact. Founded 1898, closed 1983.

Product Details

Age: 29 Year Old
Vintage: 1981
Volume: 70cl
ABV: 53.0%
Bottler: Duncan Taylor

New single cask releases…

Bowmore 22 Year Old, Old & Rare Sherry £174.99 £148.93 ex VAT
Caperdonach 37 Year Old £121.99 £103.82 ex VAT
Coal Ila 9 Year Old £43.99 £37.44 ex VAT
Port Ellen Rarest of the Rare 27 Year Old, 1983 £189.99 £161.69 ex VAT
Port Ellen Provenance 27 Year Old, 1983 £144.99 £123.40 ex VAT
Hanyu Noh 1988 Cask #9306 £124.99 £106.37 ex VAT
Hanyu 1990 Cask #9305 £104.99 £89.35 ex VAT

Visit The Whisky Barrel at www.thewhiskybarrel.com