The Scotch Whisky Nosing Aroma Kit

The Scotch Whisky Aroma Nosing Kit and accompanying 60 page guide booklet will make scotch whisky nosing and tasting an even more pleasurable experience and dramatically increase your scotch whisky nosing and tasting knowledge!

Let us guide you as we:

Introduce a series of key reference scotch whisky aromas!  Educate you regarding nosing terminology/vocabulary!  Explain the scotch whisky nosing and tasting process!  Identify the key aromas to be found in your favourite single malts!  With the unique Scotch Whisky Aroma Nosing Kit and accompanying explanatory guide!

The Scotch Whisky Aroma Nosing Kit contains;

*24 aroma samples that cover the spectrum of aromas typically found in scotch whiskies
*An explanatory 60 page booklet guide
*Blank aroma strips
*Nosing and Tasting Record Sheet
*All packaged in an attractive wooden box.

Whisky Nosing Aroma Kit – Become a Whisky Connoisseur

SPECIAL PRICE
WAS £129.99 
NOW £114.99

Visit Single Malts Direct at www.singlemaltsdirect.com

November Calendar

November 7th Sunday 4:00 PM Single Malt Tasting, $50 per person “Wee Willie Whiskies” A Tribute to our Handsome and Fearless Tour Leader Willie Wallace. We will taste 8 whiskies from distilleries managed by men called Willie. Old Fettercairn, Jura, Glen Grant, Talisker, Macallan, Glen Craig and Oban are featured.

November 11th Thursday 7:00 PM Arran Vertical Tasting featuring Andy Hogan of the Arran Distillery. We proudly welcome to Nebraska for the first time to introduce whiskies from the lovely island of Arran. One of the newest island distilleries, their whisky is particularly attuned to wine finishes and most are bottled at cask strength, in their natural state. Be one of the first to try their first peated expression, Machrie Moor!   $50 per person and reservations are required. monique@dundeedell.com

November 17th Wednesday 7:00 PM “Whiskies of the World” $35 per person Haven’t decided if you can taste the difference between a Scotch and an Irish whisky? Wonder what differences corn, wheat, rye and barley make on your palate? We’ll taste whiskey from the US, Japan, Ireland, New Zealand, France, Scotland, Canada and Wales.

November 18th Thursday 7:00-9:00 PM “The Art of Scotch Tasting” $50 per peron. This event is a fundraiser for the Omaha Sunrise Lions Club, held at the Hot Shops Art Center on 13th and Nicholas. A great way to learn how to nose and taste scotch in an incredible venue. Looking for an excuse to visit an incredible gallery and taste premium whiskies from Talisker, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, Ardbeg and Glenkinchie? All proceeds go to support the Sunrise Lions Clubs local sight and hearing projects. Please join us at this first-time event and support a worthy cause. And have fun too! www.omaha-sunrise-lions.org

Post-Turkey Day Whisky Tasting???

Monique has a great idea! Anyone have family in town or not necessarily invested in the NE vs. CO game on Friday, November 26th? She’d like nothing better than to do a whisky tasting that afternoon if there’s any interest. We’ve had a crackin’ good time the past two years… (thanks Beha family!). Shoot Monique an email. monique@dundeedell.com

Visit the Dundee Dell at www.dindeedell.com

Borderless Luxury – Transforming the Online Whisky Trade

Today, Wednesday 3rd November 2010, Elitemarket.com officially launches the Fine Malt Whisky Cellar, the first ever virtual platform to offer a fully immersive environment in which users can access some of the finest malt whisky brands on the market.

Supporting this new venture Uché Okonkwo, Executive Director & Founder, Luxe Corp, Author of Luxury Online says: “Elitemarket presents a platform that focuses on an immersive virtual luxury experience, which complements the spirit of luxury. I am pleased that the luxury industry finally has an online destination that befits luxury brands.”

Andrew McErlain, founder and CEO of Elitemarket.com said: “This is a momentous step for the online luxury goods market as well as an important development for the British web industry.

The Fine Malt Whisky Cellar showcases some of the finest brands available on the luxury market. For the first time whisky connoisseurs from around the world can visit dedicated virtual stores, bespoke for each brand, offering an unparalleled choice of fine malt whisky. Furthermore, visitors are presented with tasting notes along with essential information on the product.

Consolidated on one website, the consumer will be able to view, research and purchase multiple brands effortlessly from the comfort of their own homes”.

The Cellar is initially launching with four brands (The Dalmore, Fettercairn, Balblair and Old Pulteney) but will be adding further varieties, including Isle of Jura and Ben Nevis in the next few months.

The excitement is not just about the brands which are represented but also the depth of the range available across each of the brands – for example on Dalmore and Fettercairn this will be the most complete collection of their fine malts available anywhere on the web. Similarly, for Balblair and Old Pulteney, there is a tremendous range available within the virtual stores and visitors to the site will be able to buy the newly released Balblair 1978 vintage which has limited availability elsewhere.

The exclusive launch event will include a tasting of the afore-mentioned brands and presentations by David Robertson, Rare Whisky Director at The Dalmore and Andy Hannah, Brand Manager of Balblair.

David Robertson, Rare Whisky Director at The Dalmore said: ‘We are delighted to be involved in such a ground breaking and stylish partnership. The Dalmore continues to attract discerning consumers globally following our radical make over ~ confirmed very recently when a single bottle of our 64 year old Trinitas was acquired for a world record £100,000!  Proof, if yet more proof was needed, of our whiskies sublime quality and revered status. Visibility in Elite Market with its high end graphics and intimate shopping experience is a match made for The Dalmore.  Delivering a memorable shopping experience is fundamental to our success and allows discerning connoisseurs, epicureans, collectors and investors the chance to truly assess before they acquire.’

Andy Hannah, Brand Manager at Balblair said: “We are delighted to be working with elitemarket.com on this exciting project. As a premium brand with a global reach and a reputation for innovation, it fits well with the brand strategy. Balblair is the only malt that releases Vintages exclusively, so it makes sense for us to have a presence in a virtual luxury world”.

Margaret Mary Clarke, Senior Brand Manager for Old Pulteney commented: “This exciting new partnership provides the perfect platform to reach new international markets within the luxury goods sector. Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky is firmly established as a quality choice for malt whisky enthusiasts worldwide and we are delighted to partner with elitemarket.com to showcase our award-winning expressions to an online global audience.”

Elitemarket.com, brings together the very best luxury products in a visually stunning environment, and can be viewed at www.elitemarket.com

The launch of the Fine Malt Whisky Cellar will be followed by the Luxury Ski Retail area (launch date 25th November), the Marina (with a special focus on Super Yachts), Jewellery and Watches, Fashion and Leather Goods and, of course, wider expansion of the Wines & Spirit Cellars.

Notes:

Elitemarket.com

Elitemarket.com is an innovative website, presenting a selection of the world’s luxury elite brands in a visually exciting high end graphical environment, where visitors can access multiple brands in one location. This unique virtual platform really does justice to the luxury goods and services exhibited.

The web has long been dominated by sites that are based purely on text and images; Elitemarket has been revolutionary in creating a virtual and interactive shopping environment that challenges traditional online marketing and sales.

Visit the Elitemarket website at http://www.elitemarket.com/

The Dalmore

The Dalmore whisky is crafted in small batches using an artisan philosophy that has been passed down through generations. The Dalmore converts crystal-clear water from the nearby river Alness in the Highlands into liquid gold. The small band of stillmen that run the distillery all originate from a handful of local families with years of experience, along with true craft and pride in their work. This ensures The Dalmore whisky’s unique character. The Dalmore is renowned for its loyal admirers and unique, full taste that reflects its deep history and origins.

Visit The Dalmore website at http://www.thedalmore.com/

Balblair

Balblair whiskies are uniquely Vintage, named for the year they were made, not with an age statement.

Every year, Distillery Manager John MacDonald tastes, judges and selects straight from the cask. And at exactly the right moment, when the balance between the age and the character of the whisky is just right, we bottle it. He selects the finest examples of Balblair from the maturing whiskies which he believes best exemplify Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky: rich spices; fruits and a pleasant leathery note. Of the thousands of barrels sampled each year only a limited number of casks which have reached perfection are chosen for release.

Each Vintage represents an exact moment in time. A moment of perfection. It’s the ability to judge that precise point in time that makes Balblair so special.

Visit Balblair at http://www.balblair.com/

Old Pulteney

The Pulteney Distillery is found in the heart of ‘Pulteneytown’, the town created to house fishermen during Wick’s ‘herring boom’. The most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland, the spirit crafted here is a distillation of this unique location.

Founded in 1826 by James Henderson at the height of Wick’s celebrated herring boom, the Pulteney Distillery is the most northerly on the British mainland.

Over time, the distillery has passed through the hands of various owners, and even closed during times of trouble for the industry in 1930. However, throughout this history what has endured is the quality of the whisky. Traditional craftsmanship and the distillery’s windswept location continue to contribute to the award-winning whisky that is Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch.

Visit Old Pultney at http://www.oldpulteney.com/

Ledaig 10yo (46.3%, OB, 2010)

The new presentation for the Isle of Mull distillery Tobermory; Ledaig is their peated single malt is called now bottled at 46.3% and “un-chillfiltered”. The higher bottling strength and the lack of chill filtration are significant move in the right direction and demonstrated that they have been listening to their customers.

The nose is indeed ‘wonderfully peated’ as the label states; coal smoke, distant creosote train ties and ocean washed beaches (not low tide) along with some really good spice in the back ground. Very nice and a little different from Islay peat smoke, a little more akin to some of the better peated whiskies from Speyside. A late arrival of a little citrus adds to the whole collection of aromas and nicely ties them together. The taste is strong, warming and very peated; very different from Islay peat, it is consistent in this regard. There is also some malt (heavily toasted), lots of dark chocolate and lemon citrus (think of lemon zest). The malt grows in stature and the whole package is very good. The finish is of toast, malt and then the peat smoke with the lemon taking a back seat to the other characteristics. It is a long finish and it is good; some late surfacing of the malt in lock step with the peat smoke.

It’s really good. A small amount of shock at the dramatic change from previous bottlings of Ledaig. No complaints and lots to be happy about. Well done!

£29

Score 84 points

Visit Tobermory Distillery at http://www.tobermorymalt.com/

Award-Winning BUSHMILLS® Single Malt Irish Whiskies Get Stunning New Pack

Today BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey unveiled new premium packaging for its 10, 16 and 21 Year Old Single Malts which is guaranteed to drive awareness of the multi-award winning Irish Whiskies.

The new packaging was unveiled to global media at a special event at London’s famous Irish bar, Waxy O’Connor’s. Hosted by Helen Mulholland, Master Blender for BUSHMILLS, the exclusive gathering had the opportunity to be the first to taste from bottle number one of the new look BUSHMILLS 21 Year Old Single Malt.

The bold redesign looks set to bring the BUSHMILLS range of Single Malt Irish Whiskies to the attention of a wider audience, at a time when Irish Whiskey is outperforming all other International spirits categories¹.

The new packaging features striking imagery of the Old Bushmills Distillery, embossing of the 1608 original licence to distil date and a prominent display of the trademark BUSHMILLS Pot Still – features which are testament to the heritage, authenticity and quality of the entire range of BUSHMILLS Single Malt Irish Whiskies.

In March this year, the BUSHMILLS 10, 16 and 21 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskies all won gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while, in February, BUSHMILLS 21 Year Old Single Malt was also named the World’s Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards in London.

Helen Mulholland, Master Blender for BUSHMILLS, said: “We’re immensely proud of our Single Malts and it’s great to see their quality recognised around the world this year. The new packaging builds on that sense of pride and helps us tell a unique story about the 400 years of local Malt distilling expertise which has led BUSHMILLS to be voted the world’s best Single Malt Irish Whiskies*.”

BUSHMILLS Global Brand Director, Sam Reader, added: “Irish Whiskey is outperforming the market growing at 7% year on year, faster than any other International spirits category¹. This is a great opportunity for both BUSHMILLS and the trade to drive sales of Single Malt Irish Whiskies in a growing and competitive market.

“We know that today’s consumer wants to know, more than ever before, that what they’re buying has real heritage and roots. When they buy BUSHMILLS they know that they are buying a whiskey with a unique history and provenance. As we designed our new packaging we wanted to create something that would tell that story and emphasise the authenticity of BUSHMILLS Single Malts. I believe it’s something we can all be very proud of.”

Helen Mulholland added: “Our Single Malts have a great taste and there’s something for everyone in the range – even for those who have never thought about drinking a Single Malt before. They’re triple distilled for extra smoothness and unlike Scotch Malts they have no smokiness, allowing you to get straight to the unparalleled taste of Malt.

“We’re delighted that the new Single Malt packaging continues to match the undoubted quality of our whiskey.”

The new packaging is available now in global travel and key Bushmills markets.

The new BUSHMILLS Single Malt Irish Whiskey packaging:
• Features the Old Bushmills Distillery on the outer case to reflect the brand’s heritage and authenticity
• Highlights the taste created by the fine casks used in the maturation process at the Old Bushmills Distillery
• Features 1608, the date of the original licence to distil granted to the area now known as Bushmills, embossed on the front of the glass bottle, making it more tactile
• Includes the original BUSHMILLS trademark Pot Still device, an indication of the quality of the brand.

About BUSHMILLS:
BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey is made at Ireland’s oldest working distillery in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. The brand portfolio includes six multi-award winning whiskeys: BUSHMILLS Original, BLACK BUSH, BUSHMILLS 10 Year Old Single Malt, BUSHMILLS 16 Year Old Single Malt and BUSHMILLS Malt 21 Year Old Single Malt. BUSHMILLS is the only distillery in Ireland to make triple-distilled Malt Whiskey. This is at the heart of all BUSHMILLS Whiskies and creates a unique combination of smoothness and richness.

Loch Fyne Whiskies has stocked a new item, ‘Singleton of Dufftown 15yo’

Singleton of Dufftown 15yo
40% abv
£33.50 inc vat
£28.51 ex vat

Official Tasting Note:

‘Appearance: Deep amber or burnt orange.

Nose: Slightly spicy nosefeel and drying, overall. Toffee apples. Hints of honeycomb balanced by remnants of youthful zestiness – linseed oil and scented tea. Becomes fruitier: ripe autumn fruits combined with red berry sharpness. Malt and cereal notes. Some golden syrup sweetness. Reassuringly well balanced. Adding water brings up a waxier note initially, with traces of sweet chestnut and glace angelica, and then a whiff of smoke or charred wood.

Body: Medium, coating. Pleasing.

Palate: Without water, the flavour is sweet to start then drying in the finish. Warming, light and smooth; tending to delicate. Malty and oaty base notes. Fresh fruit salad, with spicy and floral top notes. With water added there’s a pleasant mouthfeel. Some sweetness, though the overall effect remains balanced and dry.

Finish: Drying. Pears and digestive biscuits, then delicately, and sweetly, spiced. Some lingering high notes of aniseed.’

Flavour Map Ref: H6
Complex / Rich

Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at www.lfw.co.uk

Ralfy reviews in whisky review 162 – George Dickel No: 12     …. a good Whisky, and not from Scotland.

Visit ralfy at www.ralfy.com

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

It’s time for our annual fall Super Sale! This one always creeps up on me; I can’t believe its November already, and time for some bargains on single malts and other whiskies.  All in-store whiskies are 5% off, some are 7% and a select few and all of our exclusives are 10% off, with a couple at 20%. It’s time to stock up and look for those early Christmas presents.

The sale begins tonight at 7PM on the web, and in store Friday morning (Nov 5th). With the exception of our exclusive products the sale applies to only in stock items. Sale items can be purchased in store, online at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com or requested by e-mail: scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com. All sales are final.

Also, the Finlaggan Old Islay Reserve and the Finlaggan Cask Strength are back in stock. Finlaggan Old Islay Reserve is the Kensington Wine Market’s best whisky bargain and has been one of our best selling whiskies over the last few years. The regular bottling at a little over $50 is quite possibly the best buy in Canada and scored 94pts in the Whisky Bible. The Finlaggan Cask Strength which I prefer is $85.99 is a little sweeter, a bold rich, chocolaty dram. Both are back in stock… more info will be available in the next Malt Messenger!

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson

Exclusive Single Malts and Whiskies on Sale

1.       G&M Glen Grant 1966 41 Year – Regular $449.99 – Save 20%

2.       Springbank 1996 KWM Oloroso Cask – Regular $109.99 – Save 20%

3.       Amrut Double Cask – Regular $124.99 – Save 10%

4.       BenRiach 15 Year Henriques Madeir Finish – Regular $82.49 – Save 10%

5.       BenRiach 15 Year Jamaican Dark Rum Finish – Regular $82.49 – Save 10%

6.        BenRiach 15 Year Tawny Port Finish – Regular $82.49 – Save 10%

7.       BenRiach Arumaticus Fumosus 12 Year – Regular $57.99 – Save 10%

8.       BenRiach Heredotus Fumosus 12 Year – Regular $57.99 – Save 10%

9.       BenRiach Importanticus Fumosus 12 Year – Regular $71.99 – Save 10%

10.   Bowmore Tempest 10 Year = Regular $81.99 – Save 10%

11.   Brora 30 Year 2009 – Regular $459.99 – Save 10%

12.   The Dalmore MacKenzie – Regular $189.99 – Save 10%

13.   Duthies Auchroisk 20 Year – Regular $96.99 – Save 10%

14.   Duthies Bowmore 17 Year – Regular $90.99 – Save 10%

15.   Duthies Caol Ila 13 Year – Regular $87.49 – Save 10%

16.   Duthies Clynelish 14 Year – Regular $91.99 – Save 10%

17.   Duthies Cragganmore 15 Year – Regular $94.99 – Save 10%

18.   Duthies Glen Scotia 17 Year – Regular $101.99 – Save 10%

19.   Duthies Hazelburn 9 Year – Regular $84.99 – Save 10%

20.   Duthies Laphroaig 11 Year – Regular $98.99 – Save 10%

21.   Duthies Ledaig 13 Year – Regular $79.99 – Save 10%

22.   Duthies Longmorn 19 Year – Regular $96.99 – Save 10%

23.   Edradour Cask Strength Decanter – Regular $96.99 – Save 10%

24.   Finlaggan Old Islay Reserve – Regular $ – Save 10%

25.   Finlaggan Old Islay Reserve Cask Strength – Regular $ – Save 10%

26.   Glendronach 14 Year Virgin Oak Finish – Regular $82.49 – Save 10%

27.   Glendronach 14 Year Sauternes Finish – Regular $82.49 – Save 10%

28.   Glendronach 15 Year Moscatel Finish – Regular $84.99 – Save 10%

29.   Glendronach 20 Year Port Finish – Regular $124.99 – Save 10%

30.   Glendronach 1996 KWM PX Sherry Puncheon – Regular $114.99 – Save 10%

31.   Jack Daniels KWM Cask – Regular $49.99 – Save 10%

32.   Kilchoman KWM Fresh Bourbon Cask – Regular $114.99 – Save 10%

33.   OMC Probably Speyside’s Finest 41 Year – Regular $275.99 – Save 10%

34.   Signatory Bowmore 1972 – Regular $634.99 – Save 10%

35.   Signatory Dufftown 1984 – Regular $209.99 – Save 10%

36.   Signatory Glencraig 1976 – Regular $252.99 – Save 10%

37.   Signatory Glenlossie 1984 – Regular $209.99 – Save 10%

Single Malt 10% Off

1.       Amrut Single Malt Peated Cask Strength – Regular $102.49 – Save 10%

2.       Compass Box Oak Cross – Regular $57.49 – Save 10%

3.       Glenglassaugh 21 Year – Regular $256.49 – Save 10%

4.       Mackmyra Special ’03 – Regular $91.49 – Save 10%

5.       Pittyvaich 20 Year – Regular $289.99 – Save 10%

6.       Port Ellen 30 Year – Regular $449.99

Single Malts 7% Off

1.       Arran 100 Proof – Regular $74.99 – Save 7%

2.       Arran Moscatel Cask– Regular $77.49 – Save 7%

3.       Caol Ila 10 Year Unpeated – Regular $103.99 – Save 7%

4.       Glen Elgin 16 Year – Regular $99.99 – Save 7%

5.       Glendronach 12 Year – Regular $61.99 – Save 7%

6.       Glenkinchie Distillers Edition – Regular $98.49 – Save 7%

7.       Glenmorangie Lasanta – Regular $67.99 – Save 7%

8.       Glenrothes Select Reserve – Regular $58.49 – Save 7%

9.       Hazelburn 8 Year – Regular $79.99 – Save 7%

10.   Macallan 12 Year – Regular $69.99 – Save 7%

11.   Macallan 18 Year – Regular $174.99 – Save 7%

12.   Macallan Cask Strength – Regular $71.99 – Save 7%

13.   Macallan Fine Oak 10 Year – Regular $54.54 – Save 7%

14.   Provenance Port Ellen 25 Year – $218.49

15.   Oban Double Matured – Regular $143.49 – Save 7%

16.   Royal Lochnagar Distillers Edition – Regular $85.99 – Save 7%

Other Items On Sale

Black Grouse – Regular $28.99 – Save 7%
Famous Grouse – Regular $29.49 – Save 7%
Tullamore Dew 12 Year – Regular $39.49 – Save 7%
Crown Royal Cask No. 16 – Regular 102.49 – Save 7%
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon – Regular $39.99 – Save 7%
Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey – Regular $36.49 – Save 7%
Amrut Old Port Deluxe Rum – Regular $26.46 – Save 7%
Cadenhead Laphroaig Cask Demerara Rum – Regular $83.99 – Save 7%
Cadenhead Panama Green Label Rum – Regular $65.99 – Save 7%
El Dorado Single Barrel EHP – Regular $94.99 – Save 7%
 ——————–

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com.. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change!

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
KWM Scotchguy

403-283-8000
888-283-9004
1257 Kensington Rd. NW
Calgary, AB, Canada
T2N 3P8

Far Flung Flavours show the Society’s pioneering side
 
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has always done things differently, from the dogged determination to uncover the most fascinating whiskies for its members to the curious and distinctive tasting notes that accompany each bottling. It’s adventurous, brave and, most of all, pioneering.
 
To reflect this pioneering spirit, the Society is making three outstanding single cask malts available for its members around the world to buy, each of which takes inspiration for its names and labels from particularly playful tasting notes. These rare and unusual bottlings are part of the Far Flung Flavours series, a celebration of the unique nature of the Society.
 
They’re still single malts and they’re still single casks but the Society feels that these are bottles that embody the enormous diversity of flavours that members can discover. So, this year the Society has created three wonderful bottles that are just a little more pioneering than all the rest; Clint Eastwood, Sweet Innocence Sacrificed on the Bonfire (Joan of Arc) and Hansel and Gretel.
 
Available for UK Society members to buy from November 5 this collection focuses on the pioneering characters hidden in the tasting notes. Clint, Joan and the witch-baiters – adventurous characters one and all, just like each whisky.
 
The bottles will only be sold as sets of three and stocks are limited. 209 full sets are available world-wide with only 30 of those destined for the UK. The trio of bottles will sell for £220. The three bottlings/casks come from distilleries in Islay (53.142 ‘Sweet innocence…’), Campbeltown (27.84 ‘Clint Eastwood’) and Speyside (76.77 ‘Hansel & Gretel’).
 
Paul Miles, Managing Director of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, said: “We don’t release many Far Flung Flavours but when we do we know they’ll cause much debate with our members. We’ve put a few cats amongst the pigeons with Far Flung Flavours before but the cats have grown sharper claws and the pigeons should be looking worried.  Far Flung Flavours will provide whisky lovers the chance to sample something new, exciting and truly unique.  We can’t wait to hear feedback from our thrill seeking members.”

TASTING NOTES
 
Springbank 1997 (cask no. 733)
27.84 Clint Eastwood in the saddle
The nose was meaty (lamb with lemon and herbs) and medicinal, with tar, treacle, tobacco pouches and ropes on a boat. We also got some chocolate, heather and vanilla. The palate was fantastic – big, sweet, salty, citric, spicy and smoky, “like chewing a lit cigarette”, with pleasant brown sugar after-tastes. The reduced nose evoked figs, green grape, machair, honey, lanolin, leather – we imagined a meerschaum-smoking fisherman’s woollen jumper, after one inadequate wash. The reduced palate had enough masculine weight (leather, tobacco, wool) to guarantee interest; “Clint Eastwood in the saddle” someone said. This 1828 distillery is still in private hands.
 
Colour – deep honey gold
Cask – refill barrel
 
Drinking tip
An ideal Father’s Day dram
 
Bottle note
The nose is meaty and medicinal, with tar, treacle, tobacco, hints of vanilla and chocolate. Figs, honey and leather appear later. The palate is big, spicy, smoky and sweet, (chocolate, brown sugar) with enough weight (leather, tobacco) to command respect
 
Caol Ila 1989 (cask no. 5427)
53.142 Sweet innocence sacrificed on bonfires
The complex nose suggested seashores, smoked fish, bacon, space hoppers, mouthwash, Elastoplasts, pine-resin, lemon, herbs, barley sugar and toffee. The palate drew particularly positive comments; “A class act!” and “Scotland in a glass – the bottom line!” The balance, between nutty toffee sweetness and smoke, tar, ash and soot, was impressive, with touches of mint and spice rounding it off. The reduced nose was salty, lemony, floral and waxy (one panellist imagined a girl wearing a PVC coat, smoking in a bar). The reduced palate – honey, vanilla and ashes – sweet innocence sacrificed on bonfires. The distillery was built by Hector Henderson.
 
Colour – august sunset on corn fields
Cask – refill hogshead
 
Drinking tip
A sipping whisky for special moments
 
Bottle note
The nose is definitely complex – seashores, bacon, Elastoplasts, lemon, pine-resin, toffee and barley sugar; salty, floral and waxy with water. The palate impressively balances nutty toffee, honey and vanilla against smoke, tar, ashes and soot; sweet innocence sacrificed on bonfires.
 
Mortlach 1994 (cask no. 4848)
76.77 Hansel and Gretel
The panel enthused about autumn scents on the nose: an oak forest with wet leaves and mushrooms; yet there was sweetness throughout – orange marmalade and candy, Oddfellows dipped in butterscotch, spiced Madeira cake and dark chocolate.  The neat palate was rich with sweet and spicy combinations; Terry’s chocolate orange and clove oil, Nepalese tea and cinnamon, gingerbread and Demerara.  The reduced nose was of dried fruit (raisin and sultana), and there was a toasted aroma, perhaps cinnamon toast, a chocolate pop tart and burnt caramel.  The reduced taste reminded the Malt-meister of Mon Cherie chocolates (dark cherries dipped in chocolate). Cherry blossom brought a floral and elegant finish to the taste. The distillery was the first to be licensed in Dufftown in 1823, and was completely rebuilt in 1963.
 
Colour – amber jewel
Cask – 1st fill sherry butt
 
Drinking tip
One to savour in the late autumn sun – on a romantic walk in the woods.
 
Bottle note
The nose has deep oak and orange (marmalade and fudge), with candy, butterscotch and chocolate; more sherry-like with water (raisin and sultana, cinnamon toast). The palate is sweet and spicy (cloves and tea, gingerbread and Demerara); later, cherry blossom and chocolate.
 
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

Tobermory 10yo (46.3%, OB, 2010)

The new presentation for the Isle of Mull distillery and wisely now bottled at 46.3% and “un-chillfiltered”. The higher bottling strength and the lack of chill filtration are significant move in the right direction and demonstrated that they have been listening to their customers.

The nose has a depth and heaviness to it right away with some richness and sweetness working well together. There is also lime, vanilla, wood spice, fruit cake (not Christmas cake), warm bananas with buttered brown Demerara sugar. This is very nice so far and still has other oak notes and some cold unsweetened black tea. The taste is lemony (like the icing on a lemon cake) along with some sherbet fizziness along with the oak spice and the heaviness (think of brandy and coal) and in the back ground some smoke is just identifiable which gives added depth to the whole taste. The finish is malty (finally!) and then the lemon zestiness along with some bitter dark chocolate and it’s very long, the malt struggles back from behind the lemon and bitter dark chocolate but never actually dominates.

This is a dramatic improvement over the previous Tobermory 10yo (in the dumpy green bottle with the name stenciled on with white paint). However the lemon zestiness might be too much for some people but others will love it. A great summer time dram and appreciated here.

£27

Score 81 points

Visit Tobermory Distillery at http://www.tobermorymalt.com/