From Ralfy himself;
WhiskyReview 148 – An Cnoc 12yo from ralfy’s new/old traditional, craft Bothy on the jewel of the Irsh Sea, the Isle Of Mann.
This Vlog guarenteed free of E150a, chill-filtration and it’s recorded at cask-strength to ensure maximum flavour and reward for your precious viewing time.
… enjoy Barley-buddies.
Take a peek at www.ralfy.com
BOWMORE UNVEILS TWO EXCEPTIONAL LIMITED EDITION WHISKIES
THE ULTIMATE COLLECTABLES FOR THE WHISKY AND OUTDOORS ENTHUSIAST
Bowmore, the first Islay Single Malt whisky, has launched two outstanding limited edition expressions – Bowmore 40 Years Old and the Bowmore 1981. Unveiled at the National Geographic flagship Regent Street store in London, the two rare Single Malts have been lovingly handcrafted for the discerning Single Malt and outdoor lover. Priced at £6,500 and £270 a bottle respectively, the whiskies are true collectibles.
The unique location that is Islay shapes the unique taste and character of Bowmore Single Malt. Both whiskies began life as the finest raw ingredients: water from the Laggan River flavoured by the rich Islay peat, the finest barley, and nature’s miracle worker – yeast. Matured in hand-selected casks below sea level in the legendary Bowmore No.1 Vaults, both whiskies have been nurtured by the Distillery Manager and his specialist team to create the best balanced Islay Single Malt whisky.
Bowmore 40 Years Old
Just 53 bottles of the limited edition Bowmore 40 Years Old will be released for sale worldwide. Priced at £6,500 per bottle, this is the ultimate luxury gift for the Single Malt whisky connoisseur.
Handcrafted to perfection, this remarkable spirit has been maturing since 29th March 1969 in the specially selected American bourbon cask (cask number 2161 to be precise), gently imparting its unique and finest flavours into the malt. Inspired by the rugged Islay coastline, every bottle is a work of art. Painstakingly designed by two of Scotland’s foremost glass-blowers Brodie Nairn and Nichola Burns, each one is hand-blown and sculpted using molten glass and stones collected from the Islay shore – no two bottles are the same.
Brodie Nairn comments on the partnership: “We are delighted to have been commissioned by Bowmore to create the Bowmore 40 Years Old. Our approach to creating glassware is very similar to the approach Bowmore take with their whiskies; hand-crafted and born from the environment. All our work is free-blown and very organic in nature. For us, the Islay coastline was the natural inspiration for the bottle design.”
Hamilton and Inches, Warrant Holder to The Queen and one of Scotland’s most prestigious jewellers, were also enlisted to add the finishing touches to the bottle with a hand-engraved solid silver collar that adorns each bottle. Finally the whisky is presented on a beautifully polished slab of natural slate providing a fitting plinth to display the bottle at its best.
David Wilson, Sales and Marketing Director at Morrison Bowmore, said: “We are extremely proud of the Bowmore 40 Years Old and the Bowmore 1981. They are the result of a huge amount of care and skill by our dedicated and devoted team of craftsmen, and are a valued addition to our unrivalled collection of limited editions.”
On the nose, Bowmore 40 Years Old is smoked oak, sweet vanilla cream, poached pears and a gentle earthy peatiness. The palate reveals wood spice, orange peel, fresh pink grapefruit and sweet pear, with the mild influence of peat smoke, bringing balance to the sweet and fruity characteristics.
Bowmore 1981
Also launched this month is the Bowmore 1981, the first in the Bowmore vintage series. This rare and limited release of only 402 bottles worldwide makes it a collectors’ must-have. Presented in a wooden gift box with a ‘weather-beaten’ brown leather strap and copper buckle, each bottle is also accompanied by a hand-signed and numbered certificate by the Distillery Manager.
On the nose, the Bowmore 1981 reveals treacle toffee, ripe figs, smoked vanilla pods and a lightly fragrant fruitiness. On the palate, anticipate a whisper of earthy peat-smoke, giving way to more fruity notes, perfectly balanced with the tang of Atlantic sea-salt.
Both limited editions will be available at specialist whisky suppliers through October and November.
For more information visit www.bowmore.com
UK Distributor: Cellar Trends or enquiries@cellartrends.co.uk
Notes
Bowmore
The best-balanced Islay Single Malt whisky is the perfect reward after your outdoor experience.
Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest Distillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; we carefully smoke our malt and use skills handed down from generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.
Bowmore’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our Single Malts. We’re one of only a few distilleries anywhere which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by traditional wooden malt shovel. For our whiskies we draw water from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones, and it’s the same Islay peat that fires the malt drying kiln.
Bowmore Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of our spirit. The legendary Bowmore No. 1 Vaults is where most of our whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the Vault’s sea-facing wall.
They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours.
It’s this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Whiskies.
The Bowmore domestic product range:
• Bowmore Legend
• Bowmore 12 Years Old
• Bowmore Darkest 15 Years Old (sherry cask finished)
• Bowmore 18 Years Old
• Bowmore 25 Years Old
Islay
Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, and is also known as “The Queen of the Hebrides.” Its mild climate and rich peaty soil make it ideal for creating whisky, and despite having a population of not much more than 3,000, it’s home to no fewer than eight distilleries.
Dallas Dhu 26yo 1979/2006 (58.2%, MMcD Mission Gold, Bourbon / Marsanne, Guigal St. Joseph Blanc Casks, 240 Bts.)
Another single malt from a closed distillery (intact and a whisky making museum but not producing) with an extraordinary provenance; distilled in Speyside, matured at an undisclosed location, matured in ex American bourbon casks, enhanced in Guigal St. Joseph Blanc Casks and finally bottled at Bruichladdich in 2006. However the provenance is not complete; “Not coloured, Not Chill Filtered, Casks Selected by Jim McEwan and cask Strength’. Well. The color is deep red but with a slight pinkish hue, almost a ruby red. The nose is strong with cold unsweetened black tea, lashings of brown Demerara sugar and Christmas cake. This is doing an excellent impersonation of a whisky matured in a really good sherry cask. Extraordinary. Are Bourbon/Marsanne, Guigal St. Joseph Blanc Casks the alternative expensive sulphur tainted sherry butts? Not likely, but it does give pause as it was so unexpected. (Just source some good sherry butts). After some time in the glass some fragrant notes emerge, juniper and heather. The taste is strong and then very dry, however some sweetness emerges along with some Amontillado sherry notes (the creaminess that comes from this type of sherry) along with some depth in the form walnut shells, linseed oil and clove. This is quite complex with layers of flavour. One is forced to conclude that the ‘distillery character’ has been obliterated but it’ a fine dram if you can move past that point. The finish is more of the Amontillado sherry notes and then a blast of oak spice and black pepper before leveling off to sweetness and some more dryness. The finish is long and good. A late arrival of the cold unsweetened black tea and finally, finally some really good black liquorice.
Well worth the experience. A special thanks to Dr. Jane Cameron for this generous gift.
$unknown
Score 89
Sample Image
The second in series of Scotch whisky reviews this week that feature samples from 24 years of age to 41 years of age.
Tobermory OB 10yo 40%alc. [NEW STYLE]
(LFW Comments) Released in September 2010, the new style of Tobermory is not chillfiltered and bottled at 46.3%alc.
This gives what was once the feeblest of whiskies a new vigour such that it is now light and zestful.
The aroma has a sea-air freshness laced with wild berries and orange, cinnamon and cloves with some woody notes, we’re talking a punch here? The taste carries the cinnamon and cloves with added vanilla and the extra strength gives a buzzy, butterscotch finish. Water adds further freshness. Overall it’s light and elegant.
On the Flavour map I reckon it lurks in square A3, on the light side of light and delicate.
Tobermory 10 year old
Price excluding VAT: £22.64
£26.60 Including VAT at 17.5%
Visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at www.lfw.co.uk
Our NEW Whiskies of Scotland range has already picked up several awards in the Whisky Magazine Independent Bottlers Challenge 2010. Each whisky is tasted blind by the judging panel of experts and in each category a gold, silver and bronze medal is awarded for the top scoring whiskies. Check out our award winning malts below! A FREE Whisky Magazine with any Whiskies of Scotland bottle.
GOLD Caol Ila 30 Year Old
Excl. VAT:£68.93 Incl. VAT:£80.99
SILVER Teaninch 13 Year Old
Excl. VAT:£28.08 Incl. VAT:£32.99
BRONZE Aberlour 16 Year Old
Excl. VAT:£47.22 Incl. VAT:£55.48
BRONZE Auchroisk 10 Year Old
Excl. VAT:£24.67 Incl. VAT:£28.99
phone: 0845 6066145
email: info@singlemaltsdirect.com
web: www.singlemaltsdirect.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW 50ML FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST SINGLE GRAIN WHISKY
Following the successful launch of South Africa’s first single grain whisky late last year, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky will now be available in accessible 50ml packs.
Made from recyclable PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) the bottle is light and moulded in the distinctive square shape synonymous with the larger 750ml design.
Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky recently made its debut in the international competitive arena and in the space of just two weeks it received a gold and best-in-class at the 2010 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) and a silver award at the 2010 International Spirits Competition, both held in the United Kingdom.
According to brand manager Liezl Dippenaar, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is the only South African produced whisky available in a 50ml at this stage.
“Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is a uniquely South African product and immensely popular, which is why we wanted to extend its reach to more people and by doing so increase the usage occasion for consumers. The handy 50ml format is perfect for hotel and lodge rooms and to serve aboard airplanes. In-store, it is also an ideal single size for someone looking to try the brand or for a more convenient serving.”
Created by master distiller Andy Watts at The James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, the whisky is made from the finest quality South African grain. Double-matured in specially selected oak casks, the whisky spends an initial three years maturing before being released from wood and then re-vatted for a further two years’ maturation to continue the distinctive extraction of flavours.
The whisky shows an exceptional interaction between spirit and wood to produce a mix of toffee, floral and vanilla aromas and flavours with a hint of spice softened by sweet undertones. The result is a warm and extended mouthfeel with an exceptionally smooth finish.
Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky takes its name from the Bain’s Kloof Pass, opened in 1853, and according to Watts the pass harmonises seamlessly with its natural surroundings.
“At its base the road cuts into the mountain slopes and winds its way through pine forests and fynbos where many protea species grow on the higher mountain slopes. The whisky pays tribute not only to one of the most picturesque and magnificent passes in South Africa but also honours Andrew Geddes Bain, the creative mind behind its construction.”
The leopards on the crest represent the Cape Mountain leopards which have lived in and roamed the area of Bain’s Kloof Pass for hundreds of years. Regal and agile, these reclusive predators keep to the steep, inaccessible slopes of the rugged mountains. Today, the numbers of these endangered cats have been dramatically reduced but rare sightings are reported from time to time.
ONLINE WHISKY GIZMO TO TICKLE TASTEBUDS
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has launched The Spirit Cellars, the world’s first bespoke whisky selection engine which gives users a unique and quirky way to discover the wealth of exclusive Society bottlings.
A magical world of discovery located deep within the dark vaults of the SMWS’ website (www.smws.com/the-spirit-cellars) The Spirit Cellars combines advanced algorithms with colourful tasting notes to help customers identify their perfect SMWS malt whisky whatever the mood, place or occasion.
With an ever-changing range of single cask, single malt bottlings on offer the Society recognised that both experts and emerging enthusiasts would enjoy a new way of discovering the right choice for them.
Using technology developed for the computer dating industry, a range of engaging widgets such as MoodBot, Palate Equaliser and the Phrenology Lab assess frame of mind, personality, palate preferences and favoured flavours to introduce Society members to their ideal dram.
Single cask malts to suit specific occasions are also recommended. With tasting notes to complement fish and chips to an evening of tapas with friends, The Spirit Cellars whisky selection engine aims to pick out the perfect whisky for any occasion.
By providing feedback on how they choose whisky, users will have the chance to develop their own signature online gadget and win an exclusive bottle from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s wide range of single cask malts.
Kai Ivalo, Sales & Marketing Director of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society commented on the Society’s latest development: “Choosing the right whisky is a personal experience, with a myriad of factors affecting the final decision. The Spirit Cellars whisky selection engine offers a guiding pathway through a minefield of choice, enabling us to pair whisky fans with the right single cask malt and ultimately ensure they get the most from their membership.”
Notes
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society began 26 years ago when a group of discerning friends shared the price of a single cask of fine malt whisky.
The Society has over 26,000 members around the world with branches in 14 countries. It bottles over 300 single casks a year for its members from a range of more than 125 distilleries.
Members can choose from the world’s widest selection of single cask, single malt whiskies with only the very best selected and approved by the Society’s respected Tasting Panel.
Exclusive Members’ Rooms are located in Edinburgh and London for tastings, dinners, meeting and presentations.
www.smws.com
Caol Ila 25yo 1979/2005 (58.4%, OB) Bottle #4332
A limited edition bottled 5 years ago at cask strength (but no hint of the total number of bottles) and not to be confused with the current Caol Ila 25yo which is bottled at 43%. The undiluted nose is varnish and peat smoke, smoked banana, sour cherries, orange honey and hints of cinnamon. It’s very rich. With water it immediately becomes sweeter; toffeed and mildly over ripe fruit. It’s significantly more vibrant without water. The undiluted taste is good, sublime, peat smoke, sweetness (toffee) and then for good measure some more of the same. Exceptional taste undiluted but strong, be prepared! There are hints of malt and something vaguely maritime. Caol smoke and light tar. Very nice. The undiluted taste is not the same whisky at all however it is still enjoyable. Mellower and gentler. Sweeter but no off notes pop up. Ground black pepper. The finish is long, very strong, head filling, lashing of cocoa laced peat smoke, lime and then coal smoke drenched malt. Warming and extremely enjoyable.
An excellent Caol Ila and a bonus at cask strength.
£150.00 at the Whisky Exchange http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-1627.aspx
Score 87 points
The first in series of Scotch whisky reviews this week that feature samples from 24 years of age to 41 years of age.
Loch Fyne Whiskies has stocked a new product;
Benromach Origins Optic Barley 2000 50%Abv.
Batch 3 – Optic Barley
Distilled: 1999
Bottled: 2010
Cask type: Sherry casks
Phenol level: 2ppm
‘Benromach Origins is a series of special bottlings crafted to highlight how subtle changes to the art of whisky making can help shape the character of the final single malt.
Created using the finest Optic barley, this fine single malt has been matured in hand-selected Sherry casks and displays zesty citrus flavours, softly infused with spicy aniseed and menthol notes.’
Benromach Origins Optic Barley 10 year old
Price excluding VAT: £33.96
£39.90 Including VAT at 17.5%
Visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at www.lfw.co.uk
THREE UNIQUE VENUES
‘Delectable food and drink served in three unique settings…’
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society offers the perfect venues to entertain and delight this festive season. With three impressive properties, each provides a unique backdrop for a memorable Christmas.
With acknowledgments from The Michelin Guide and The Scotsman, the Society executive chefs create delicious food on par with the quality of our world-famous single cask whisky.
Whether it’s period luxury or authentically Scottish, our experienced team will create a one-of-a-kind event for your festive celebration.
So make your own choice this Christmas.
28 Queen Street, Edinburgh
Luxuriate in our beautifully restored Georgian townhouse with its high ceilings, classical details and stunning views over the exclusive Queen Street Gardens.
Christmas at 28 Queen Street
The Vaults, Leith
If you’re dreaming of an authentic Scottish White Christmas look no further than the spiritual home of the Society – The Vaults. Our Members’ Room lounge can now also be exclusively hired from Mon to Wed.
Christmas at The Vaults
19 Greville Street, London
For a secluded Christmas feast indulge in the perfect private whisky tasting and dinner, in partnership with the award-winning Bleeding Heart Restaurant.
Christmas at 19 Greville Street
Early Elf gets the …
Book your memorable Christmas event for ten or more persons before 31 Oct and receive a complimentary Society gift for each guest.
Call the team now on 0131 555 2266 or email events@smws.com
Join the Scotch Malt Whisky Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Macdonald House, 18 Westerton Road, Broxburn EH52 5AQ
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).
