From Sam Filmus at ImpEx Beverages;

“We are proud to announce that ImpEx Beverages, Inc. has been appointed by Ian MacLeod Distillers as the sole importer of Chieftain’s Range Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

All the expressions come in single casks (11 expressions are currently in stock), unchillfiltered and uncolored.” 

Visit ImpEx Beverages at http://www.impexbev.com/ and Ian MacLeod Distillers at http://www.ianmacleod.com/

From Johannes at malt Maniacs World Head Quarters;

“I’m very happy to announce the expansion of our team with two brand new
Maniacs – Chris Bunting from http://nonjatta.blogspot.com and Tim Puett from http://www.ardbegproject.com.”

Welcome to the team!

Brandy Library Islay Brunch: A spirited trip to Scotland’s finest…

A pile of…peat! Come get smoked-out! Have you ever tasted all distilleries’ productions yet? Well, if you’re a Whisky Fan, you probably have…But all in one afternoon? And with your loved one being cool about it? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. All 8 active Islay distilleries represented in one room.

Walk around tasting and spirited brunch food:  Calling all peat freaks!

This Sunday, June 27th at 1pm (until 4pm), Brandy Library is hosting its first ever Islay Brunch, a celebration of Smoke.  Join us for an exceptional and dizzying array of brunch style food, and stories, peated fellowship and inspiration from the mighty island of Islay.  Samples from every distillery will be on hand for your enjoyment, as well as, beer and wines for those folks who do not yet understand the glory of these malts.

Hors d’oeuvres passed and stationed: filet mignon (peppercorn sauce and liquid smoke), smoked salmon toasts, lamb chops, smoked white fish spread canapes, legendary gougeres burgers, guacamole cones, bacon wrapped prunes, bouchee a la reine, steak tartare parmesan cups, lambs in a blanket, spicy tuna rolls, gougeres (of course!), roast-beef wraps, pear and blue cheese peated bacon rolls, sponge cake lollipops, macarons, madeleines, mini eclairs, panna cotta…

$85/person all inclusive. Call now to book your seat: 212-226-5545
 
 …look out for a special contest during the afternoon…

ISLE OF ARRAN WHISKY CELEBRATES WITH SPECIAL BOTTLING

June 29th will mark the 15th Anniversary of award-winning single malt Scotch whisky producer the Isle of Arran Distillery.

To mark the occasion, the distillery is to release a commemorative bottling – a 1999 vintage which has been finished for two years in Amontillado Sherry casks. This has given the Arran Malt a rich nutty character with a complex sweet-spicy finish.
Arran’s Master Distiller, James MacTaggart said: “The quality of these casks from the famous house of Valdespino is second to none and we are delighted with the end result –this is the perfect whisky for toasting our 15th anniversary.

“Bottled at natural cask strength of 54.6% and limited to 5,640 bottles worldwide, demand for this release is sure to outstrip supply.”
No artificial colouring has been added and the whisky has not been subjected to chill-filtration at the bottling stage resulting in a more complex and full-bodied character.

Pale gold in colour, it has an intriguing aroma of hazelnuts, cloves and Parma-violets. This gives it a crisp, briny and lingering spice with a citrus note on the finish.

The whisky has been packaged in a striking design with the wings of a golden-eagle, the symbol of the Isle of Arran Distillery, emblazoned on both the bottle and the bold orange gift box.

Managing Director Euan Mitchell said: “We have come so far in 15 years that it was only fitting we mark the occasion with such a unique bottling of The Arran Malt.

“With this release we mark the past and look forward to great things in the future.”

The 15th Anniversary bottling will be available in 15 markets around the world including the UK, USA, France, Germany, Japan and Taiwan

In the UK, the 15th Anniversary will have a recommended retail price of £55.00 available from leading independent whisky retailers.

The Isle of Arran Distillery will be opening its doors on the 3rd of July and hosting a series of masterclasses finishing the day with a traditional Scottish ‘ceilidh’ with music by the renowned Skerryvore.

Visit Isle of Arran Distillery at www.arranwhisky.com

Discover the Secrets of The Glenrothes

Join us for a very exclusive tasting led by Ross Hendry, Brand Development Manger and sample a select range of the Glenrothes award winning expressions including the Select Reserves and Vintages.

Date: Tuesday, July 6
Time: 2:30—4:00 p.m.
Venue: Veneto Tapas Lounge – 1450 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
RSVP: Richard Cmajdalka
rcmajdalka@chartonhobbs.com 250.889.9957

Blooming Marvellous Mystery Malts
Cask Ends Sale: Ends Thu 24 June

There’s only 1 day to go before our Cask Ends Sale is over and we wave goodbye to some outstanding single cask malts.  Altho’ the way you’ve been snapping up our Mystery Malts we may run out even sooner. 

If you haven’t got your Cask Ends Parcel, now is the time.  Parcels B & D are still available at £89.50 and we have a new alternative bottle at £29.40.  Buy limited edition 28.22Tongue-tingling wasabi wipe-out
at this very special price with any Cask Ends Parcel.

Parcel B
Highland, Speyside & Grain
£89.50 inc. Free P&P

Parcel D
1 x Highland & 2 Speyside
£89.50 inc. Free P&P

 28.22 Tongue-tingling wasabi wipe-out
Highland Southern
£29.40* inc. Free P&P (*with ANY Cask Ends Parcel)
The unreduced palate drew gasps with its tongue-tingling wasabi wipe-out. It had charred BBQ ribs, salty honey crunch and a big charcoal finish….  Age: 19 years    Cask: Refill ex-sherry butt

SMWS Whisky Tasting & Events
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
Pan-Asian Curry Experience – London, Sat 26 Jun
A night with Richard Paterson – London, Mon 28 Jun
Glenmorangie Tasting – Queen Street, Thu 1 July
World Cup Quarter Final Viewing – Queen Street, Fri 2 July
World Cup Quarter Final Viewing – Queen Street, Sat 3 July
Williams Bros Beer Tasting – The Vaults, Sat 3 July
New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Sat 3 July
New Outturn & Sunday Roast Tasting – The Vaults, Sun 4 July
New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Mon 5 July
World Cup Semi Final Viewing – Queen Street, Tue 6 July

Join the Society at www.smws.co.uk TODAY!

Sip Smoke Savor travels to St. Andrews Restaurant & Bar in New York City for an evening of Scotch & Chocolates on Monday, June 28, 2010.  Join us at 6:30 p.m. to enjoy five single malts paired with fine artisan chocolates for a most indulgent taste experience. Light nibbles will also be available.  Tickets are $45.00 per person + tax and gratuity.  Advanced reservations are required by calling 212-840-8413.  Addition information about the venue can be found in the events section of our website www.sipsmokesavor.com.

NEW BRAND CONTROLLER FOR HIGHLAND PARK
 
The Edrington Group announced today (June 21, 2010) that Matthew Turner has been appointed brand controller for Highland Park.

Matthew, previously marketing controller with The Macallan single malt Scotch whisky, joined The Edrington Group in 2002 having held marketing positions working with Imperial Tobacco, the BBC and Bass.

Commenting on his new appointment, Matthew Turner, said: “I am immensely proud to be working on Highland Park – a brand whose heritage, history, whisky quality and reputation amongst whisky lovers and connoisseurs alike is unmatched.

“My vision for Highland Park is to build on the existing success of the brand and to further establish Highland Park as the world’s most respected single malt whisky. To achieve this ambition will require teamwork, courage and innovation and I am looking forward to the challenge.”

Ken Grier, Director of Malts at The Edrington Group, said: “I wish Matthew every success in his new position as brand controller for Highland Park. The brand has had impressive growth since we set out on an ambitious £18 million master plan for the spirit in 2005. 

“Sales have soared in the past five years, catapulting Highland Park into the world’s top 10 single malt Scotch whiskies for the first time in the distillery’s 212-year history. I look forward to Highland Park’s continued growth with The Edrington Group.”

The Highland Park portfolio is distributed globally with key markets being the UK, USA, Global Travel Retail and the Nordics.

Notes

Highland Park:

Five keystones contribute to making the Best Spirit in the World:

Hand-turned malt adds to the deliciously succulent, balanced layers of aromatic character found in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky. Aromatic peat gives a delectably seductive, luxuriant floral sweetness to Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky. Cool maturation enhances the smooth character of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky. Sherry oak casks contribute to the distinctive richness and multi-dimensional complexity of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky. Cask harmonisation ensures consistency and balance in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world.  For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection.   Its range of 12, 15, 18, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts.  Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently including ‘best new whisky release of the year 2009’ for its 40-year-old single malt and ‘best whisky in the world 2009’ for its 21-year-old expression in the World Whisky Awards, as well as four double gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009.

Highland Park 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky was named the No. 1 Spirit in the World by US author/journalist/critic F. Paul Pacult in the Top 115 Spirits in the World for 2009 in the June 2009 issue of F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal, his advertising-free, subscription-only quarterly newsletter. In 2010 Highland Park 18 year old single malt ranked number one Scotch. 

Upcoming Events

Black Bull at the Royal Highland Show 2010
 
The very best of pedigree Highlanders will be line up at Royal Highland Show, Ingliston, 24-27 June, in a bid to win the most coveted trophy and Black Bull 12yo will be present at the awards’  ceremony.

Black Bull 12yo will also be available at the Stockman’s Marquee Bar by the dram and it will be on sale at Great Grog, stand H in the centre of the Food hall. For those who know a champion, we hope to see you there.
 
Recent Events

Shanghai and Hong Kong

In May Lin  spent most of her time in Asia.  After a jittery start,  her first trip to Taiwan being delayed (due to the volcano erupting  in April), she set off again. Lin had a great tasting event with loyal Duncan Taylor supporters in Taiwan and visited many stockists. Black Bull had a good start in Taiwan with the first shipment  having just arrived in stores.

On the way back to Europe, Lin got stuck in Amsterdam due to volcanic ash again!  So when the flight resumed, she went directly to Shanghai for Whisky Live Shanghai in case the ash wanted to keep pouring! 

Whisky Live Shanghai however proved its weight in gold after all that hard core travelling. Audiences were stunned by Black Bull and Peerless Glenrothes 40YO. Quality speaks!  Duncan Taylor  confirmed their spot as a highlight at the show  and were able to meet up with many old friends and meet loads of new fans.  Euan was invited to host a master class for local whisky fans. 

Once Whisky Live Shanghai finished, Euan and Lin went to Vinexpo Asia in Hong Kong to explore one of the biggest wine and spirits show in Asia. As a lot of people in the industry went to the show, Euan and Lin were able to have a few meetings and catch up’s with existing and potential customers of Duncan Taylor.  Asia is certainly up and coming in their thirst for whisky and knowledge!
 

Whisky Live Singapore
 
Mark had a busy time at Whisky Live Singapore at the end of May. This was the first Whisky Live to be held in Singapore, so it was a great delight for Duncan Taylor to be involved.

Black Bull 12 and 40 made their debut in Singapore, with both going down a storm.

 
New Bottlings

NC2 Craigellachie 1999 10yo Cask Strength 57.1%
 
Nose: Smokey, Orange, Almonds, Marshmallow, Ice Cream Soda, Petrol Mowers Cutting grass
Nose Reduced: Odd-fellows, Perfumed, Smokey grass, Lemons
Taste: Big peat, Ashtray, Lemons, Old Leather, Dry Ash, Salty.
Pallet Reduced: Softer Ash, Sweeter, Bitter Oranges
Finish: Long, Very long!!
Comment: Superb Dram
 
OC Tomatin 1976 33yo 48.2%
Before: Orange, mint, hot spices, dry, chocolate
After: Lime, mint, caramel waffles, pinewood, spiced melon
 
OC Glenrothes 1969 40yo 45.8%
Before: Sweet, Vinilla, Fruity, dry, Creamy, Grassys
After: Fresh, Raisins, Caramel, Cherry cola, long sweet finish.
 
OC Royal Lochnagar 1986 23yo C.571099 51.9%
Before: Light, Citrus, dry, Grassy, Herbal
After: Almond, Peaches, Orange, Raisins, sherry
 
OC Glen Grant 1972 37yo C.444486 51.8%
Before: Dry, Pears, Dusty, lemons, Grassy
After: Stewed fruit, nutty, olives, grassy, toffee
 
To view more tasting notes, please follow this link:
http://www.duncantaylor.com/products/new_bottlings.html

Hi all,

Hope all is well with you all.

With summer now upon us we have some what I would call summer-orientated whisky tastings for you…

Isle of Arran Distillers
With the Newcastle and Manchester legs of these tastings having taken place, we have three more to complete – all of which take place this week! Celine Tetu is due to be with us for these so a good evening for all is guaranteed! We are going to be sampling some superb whiskies from this young distillery including some rare cask finishes and a couple of brand new bottlings.

The dates remaining are…

Friday 25th June – Leeds – City Inn, Granary Wharf
Sunday 27th June – York – Meltons Too, Walmgate

For tickets and info please click here to be taken directly to the events page. Tickets are £20 each

Bourbon – Four Roses, Yeast and Mashbills
Most people when they think of Bourbon think of a fairly one-dimensional affair in comparison to single malt whisky. I was privy to a tasting by Four Roses earlier this year which opened and blew my mind all at the same time! I have invited Julian Howard from Inspirit to come along to Newcastle and Manchester only – for the time being – to do the same for you. You will be tasting cask sample bourbons from Four Roses demonstrating the difference between using different yeasts and ‘mash-bills’ (grain recipe). This is a fantastic tasting and I hope to roll this out into the other venues later in the year. The dates are…

Friday 30th July – Manchester – The Britons Protection, Gt Bridgewater Street
Friday 6th August – Newcastle – Blackfriars, Friar Street

Tickets and info will be on the website in the next few days so please either email me if you would like me to reserve your places, or check back with the website very soon. Tickets are £20 each.

Sheffield and Newcastle Whisky Lounge Festivals
Lastly, I would like to thank everybody who turned out for these fantastic events. For our first ‘attempt’ in Sheffield I thought it was a great show and as for Newcastle…

If you would like to have a look there is a great video of the Newcastle event and also some nice photos from the Sheffield event on our Facebook page. Follow this link to find them –

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Whisky-Lounge/117227954967292?ref=ts

or you can go to YouTube if you don’t do Facebook

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2jKTYPelEI&feature=related

York Whisky Lounge Festival – 18th September 2010
The date is now announced and you can now buy tickets for this, the oldest and most established of our festival events. Tickets cannot purchased through our website, but through the York Food and Drink Festival site of which we are part. It is a two session event this year due to the popularity of the event and the exhibitor roster is as impressive as ever…
More a little later in the year!

Manchester Whisky Lounge Festival – 2nd October 2010
Not yet ready for full take-off, I can reveal to you the date for this final festival event of the year. It is looking like being the biggest festival yet for us, both in terms of exhibitors and customers so watch this space for updates – or follow me on Twitter.

Autumn/Winter Program of tastings
I am working on this as we speak and will have info for you very soon!

Well that’s it for now, but I am looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you all soon!

Cheers,

Eddie Ludlow
Whisky Evangelist

thewhiskylounge
www.thewhiskylounge.com
eddie@thewhiskylounge.com
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07515 854210
01904 466227
IWSC Spirit Panel Judge 2009-present