With Black Friday approaching, Old Forester, America’s First Bottled Bourbon and the brand who celebrates “Firsts” with you, has created the “Official Cocktail of Black Friday”. Old Forester encourages you to be the FIRST shopper out the door in the morning and the FIRST person home in the afternoon who has their shopping completed for the holiday season so you can then sit back and relax with the Old Forester Black Friday Cocktail. Cheers!

The Black Friday

1.5 oz Old Forester Bourbon

1 oz Ginger ale

2 oz Cola

Squeeze of lime

Garnish with crushed lime.

Note that the green lime represents your money that has been crushed from shopping.

Love life. Sip responsibly.

Old Forester Straight Bourbon Whisky, 43-50% Alc. by Volume, Brown-Forman Distillers Company, Louisville, KY 2010

Cooley Named Best Distillery in Europe for Third Consecutive Year

Chairman John Teeling hails export industries as key to Ireland’s recovery

Cooley Distillery, Ireland’s only independent distillery, has been named European Distiller of the Year for the third consecutive year at the annual International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) banquet held in London.

Cooley Distillery Founder and Chairman, John Teeling believes that Cooley’s achievements throughout the downturn are proof positive that the exporting and marketing of quality Irish produce will drive the recovery of the Irish economy.

John Teeling, Chairman, commented, “While the state and the economic commentators work to rearrange the chairs on the deck of the Titanic, the rest of us are getting on with what needs to be done to bring us back from the brink.

This award, Cooley’s for the third time in a row, demonstrates three things; the value of Irish businessmen building world class internationally competitive businesses; the indisputable fact that Irish workers can produce products of the highest quality and the ability of young Irish road warriors to market our products and gain market share in tough markets around the world.

Our sales in over 40 countries around the world clearly illustrates that the future lies in the exports of Irish owned wealth producers. This award proves it can be done.”

Cooley’s continuing international acclaim has been driven by its commitment to innovation and its focus on exporting its portfolio of award winning whiskeys to over 40 countries around the world.

Despite the downturn, Cooley’s focus on export markets has enabled the company to continue to be profitable and has invested €6.5 million in the infrastructure of their two distilleries – Cooley Distillery in County Louth and the Old Kilbeggan Distillery in County Westmeath.

This latest accolade follows 10 gold medals from the IWSC in July of this year and Cooley Distillery being named Distillery of the Year by Malt Advocate, the leading whisky magazine in North America.

To date Cooley has won the European Distiller of the Year title three times (2008, 2009, 2010), been named World Distiller of the Year by the IWSC (2008) and in 2009 Cooley’s Kilbeggan 15-year-old blended whiskey collected the prestigious Brown Forman Trophy for Worldwide Whiskey of the Year.

List of Gold Medals at the 2010 IWSC

§ Gold Medal & Best in Class, Kilbeggan 15 Year Old Blended Irish Whiskey

§ Gold Medal & Best in Class, Tyrconnell Single Malt

§ Gold Medal & Best in Class, Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Sherry Finish Single Malt

§ Gold Medal & Best in Class, Tyrconnell 15 Year Old Single Cask Single Malt

§ Gold Medal & Best in Class, Connemara Sherry Finish Peated Single Malt

§ Gold Medal & Best in Class, Connemara 12 Year Old Peated Single Malt

§ Gold Medal & Best in Class, Greenore 8 Year Old Single Grain

§ Gold Medal & Best in Class, Greenore 15 Year Old Single Grain

§ Gold Medal & Best in Class, Lockes 8 Year Old Single Malt

§ Gold Medal, Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Madeira Finish Single Malt
 
For More Information

Jack Teeling

Managing Director

Cooley Distillery

Notes

Cooley Distillery is the only independent Irish whiskey distillery. Established in 1987, Cooley takes its name from the location of its distillery, situated at the foothills of the Cooley mountains, in Co. Louth. Cooley has an awarding winning portfolio of Irish whiskeys including Kilbeggan Irish whiskey, Tyrconnell Single Malt, Connemara Peated Single Malt and Greenore Single Grain Irish whiskey. To learn more about Cooley Distillery visit www.cooleywhiskey.com.

The International Wine and Spirit Competition is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. All wines, spirits and liqueurs are blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage. Awards are made on a points system and sponsored trophies are presented in selected categories. Technical analysis is carried out on Gold, Gold (Best in Class), Silver (Best in Class) award winning wines, spirits and liqueurs to ensure that all products are technically sound and will be of the same high quality when they reach the consumer as they were when the judging panels originally tasted them. For more information visit: www.iwsc.net

Balblair NAS 1989 (43%, OB, +/-2010) 

The 2nd edition 1989 batch made up of 37 casks of 2nd fill ex-bourbon.

The nose is of tinned fruit cocktail & hints of vanilla, syrup,  and pears. Once again an extremely pleasing collection of aromas that work well together. After some time in the glass a little tobacco comes through (cured but not lit). The taste delicious! Oak notes and sweetness all backed by a little tobacco & a hint of citrus hovering in the back ground. The 2nd sip confirms the 1st & still very good the extra oompf from the wood notes adds another dimension. Dusty malt and tobacco backed by some fruit (pineapple or grapefruit). The finish the wood notes 1st, then the sweet fruit in syrup and then malt & the tobacco notes delicious! The finish is quite long & very good, very complex, active certainly NOT a boring dram, exceptional.

Another cracker from Balblair.

£44

Score 89

Visit Balblair Distillery at www.balblair.com

Whisky Weekend II (WWII)
Don’t mention the…Whisky Weekend.
I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it all right!

£70(tbc) = 3 Days in Speyside!!!

DETAILS OF WWII:

Departure will be 9.30am on Friday 3rd December. Back on Sunday 5th Afternoon. £35 deposit required. (by Wednesday 24th be ideal). Very limited seats (12 seats).

Regular members will be first to get tickets. Over 18s only. We are also going to try and have 50/50 female-male ratio (this is just to simplify the hostel booking). Please book if you are 100% sure of coming. 5-6 distilleries to visit, nights out in Inverness + Baxters. One minibus. 2 nights in Inverness. Total will be £70(tbc) – Full amount by Wednesday 1st December. Cost of trip will be for accommodation, visits and Saturday Dinner!! (lunches, drinks and bottles of whisky will be at own expense).

Miss it. Miss out.

University of Aberdeen Malt Whisky Society
The Butchart Centre
University Road
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire AB24 3UT
aberdeenwhisky@googlemail.com

DRAMFEST 2011 is ready to go!

New Zealands Premier whisky fest is ready to kick off on Feb 25th 2011, after a succesfull start in 2007 with a great event in 2009, 2011 has come around fast and tickets are flying.

Join us for DramFest’11 www.dramfest.co.nz

Thanksgiving & Christmas entertaining this year?

Did you know….

…that you’ll really impress your guests by serving a different whiskey with each course, instead of serving wine, when entertaining this Thanksgiving and/or Christmas?

A suggested seasonal menu would look something like this:

Organic Smoked Irish Salmon on Brown Soda Bread

served with

The Irishman Single Malt

Roast Turkey & Ham with Brussels Sprouts,

Carrots and Creamed Potatoes

served with

The Irishman Original Clan or The Irishman 70

The Irishman Irish Cream Liqueur Cheesecake

served with

The Hotirishman Irish Coffee

The Irishman Cask Strength

(with a nice cigar)

Sláinte!

www.thehotirishman.com

WILLIAM GRANT & SONS CROWNED DISTILLER AND INTERNATIONAL DISTILLER OF THE YEAR

Pioneering distiller scoops two prestigious titles, 33 medals and one trophy at IWSC Awards

18 November 2010: Independent, family-owned distiller William Grant & Sons has been named 2010’s ‘Distiller of the Year’ and ‘International Distiller of the Year’ at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) Awards, which took place at Guildhall in the City of London, last night. 

William Grant & Sons has reclaimed the IWSC’s title of ‘Distiller of the Year’, the third time it has been awarded this highly sought-after title since 1999, having received distiller accolades from ISC and IWSC an unprecedented eight times in the last 11 years.

The Company also took home the Trophy prize for ‘Single Malt Scotch Whisky Over 15 Years Old’ for the The Balvenie PortWood, 21 YO Single Scotch Whisky, and 33 medals for its spirit portfolio.

Brian Kinsman, William Grant & Sons’ Malt Master and Malt Blender, commented on the win; “We’re absolutely delighted to be named Distiller of the Year and International Distiller of the Year.

“Having won the 2010 title of Distiller of the Year at the Whisky Icon awards, it’s fantastic to have this recognition reinforced by last night’s IWSC awards. It is truly testament to the hard work the whole team puts in to produce the very best dram in the valley – it’s been quite a year for us in Dufftown.”

William Grant & Sons wins these awards fresh from its victory at last week’s ISC event, where it scooped the ‘best single malt’ award for the Glenfiddich 40 Year Old.

2010 IWSC Awards

William Grant & Sons Ltd:

William Grant & Sons is an independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today still controlled by the fifth generation of his family.  The Company distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie® single malts and one of the world’s best loved blended Scotches, Grant’s®, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry® Spiced Rum and Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey®
 
Click on www.williamgrant.com for more information on the Company and its brands

A message from Raj Sabharwal of Purple Valley Imports (The agents for the English Whisky Company)

Many of you will recall that last year I wrote lamenting about the TTB’s decision to not allow Amrut to be designated as a “Single Malt Whisky”. After appeals and clarification they relented allowing US consumers to enjoy another Single Malt Whisky.

At Purple Valley Imports we are focused on bringing world class Single Malts to US consumers and have been working to offer the English Whisky Company Single Malts to the US market.
 
Well, the powers that be are up to the old tricks again.

We recently presented The English Whisky Company’s Chapter 6 and Chapter 9 to the TTB Beverage Lab ( http://www.ttb.gov/ssd/index.shtml ) for analysis. (Any “Whisky” not from Scotland, Ireland, Canada or the US must go through lab testing).

Although the English Whisky distilled spirits taste, smell and drink like Single Malts the TTB department has deemed that we may call these “Whisky or Whiskey” but not “Single Malt”. Their reasoning? Well, the spirits are not aged in “new oak charred barrels”. 

As all of you are aware the majority of distilleries in Scotland use ex-Bourbon barrels. Bourbon is aged in new oak charred barrels and can only be used once. So, technically whisky is being aged in “new oak charred barrels that have had bourbon pass through them”.

The English Whisky Company, is the first new distillery in England in over a century. Located some 250 miles from Scotland they produce “Single Malt” Whiskies using barley grown and malted in England. (By the way some 60% of the barley used for Scottish Malt Whiskies is grown in England).

Andrew Nelstrop, Managing Director of The English Whisky Company commented: “We use only English barley, malted in England. The whisky we are producing at present was also peated in England. I am not aware of any distillery that can claim they use 100% barley, water and yeast produced in their own country other than ourselves”.

So, here is a small Distillery producing a wonderful dram (can I  call a whisky that isn’t from Scotland a dram?), that the US will not allow to be labeled as “Single Malt”.

Yet, they will allow whiskies from a distillery in Wales (which is much further in distance to Scotland then the English Whisky Company is) to do so.

Well while the rest of the world enjoys The English Whisky Single Malts, the consumers in the US can only dream. 

We are appealing this from here and from the UK. As always we appreciate your support and comments

Cheers

Raj

http://purplevalley.tv/

MILROY’S OF SOHO DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
 
December’s newsletter carries information about four new single cask releases from Speyside’s GlenDronach distillery, as well as a unique bottling from Glenfiddich – Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix.

It is also, I am sad to report, my last newsletter.  At the end of November, I’ll be finishing up at Milroy’s of Soho, and heading to Australia (with a tour of the sub-continent en-route) to put down roots.  I am delighted to report, that the running of Milroy’s of Soho remains in good hands.   To that end, I’d like to introduce Lee Tomlinson.  Lee is based at Milroy’s of Soho full-time and will take over the responsibility of drafting the monthly newsletter.

On to the whiskies…

GLENDRONACH BATCH 3 SINGLE CASK RELEASES

GlenDronach distillery is very much “on form”. When the team behind BenRiach distillery acquired GlenDronach a few years ago, they set out to re-establish GlenDronach as one the premier sources of fine Sherry matured whisky.  On evidence thus far, they are well down the track to achieving their goal.  This success is thanks in no small part to the limited release single cask whiskies, bottled at cask strength.   In our view these single cask releases are a must buy for lovers of richly Sherried malt whisky.  They represent excellent value for money, and possess an intensity of flavour not seen in standard distillery releases.  Sadly, quantities are tiny.  Do act quickly to secure a bottle.

GLENDRONACH 1990 Pedro Ximinez Puncheon, Cask #3059, 54.9% ABV

Deep mahogany and teak in colour, with an amber edge.  Intense Pedro Ximinez aroma at the beginning followed up by ripe berry fruits with brambles and ripe plums.  The palate displays ripe berry fruits and rich cocoa/chocolate, verging to sweet sugar syrup.

£79.99 per bottle

GLENDRONACH 1990 Pedro Ximinez Puncheon, Cask #3068, 52.6% ABV

On the eye, dark gold combined with russet bronze rim.  The nose is dominated by ripe raisins and dates, together with allspice and Pedro Ximinez notes of sweet toffee.  The mouthfeel is creamy and smooth.  Flavour-wise, the whisky is intensely Sherried with pronounced dark chocolate sauce, sweet cinnamon and clove.  It is an exotic whisky that will bring out your inner hedonist.

£79.99 per bottle

GLENDRONACH 1991 Oloroso Sherry Butt, Cask #2512, 51.9% ABV

This Oloroso Sherry-matured GlenDronach delivers powerful rancio characters of walnuts, roasted hazelnuts and freshly polished timber, all underpinned by sweet toffee and just a hint of demerrera rum.    In the mouth, it is vibrant and unctuous, a veritable treacle tart of rich Sherry spirit; dark chocolate, roasted spices and fudge.

£70.99 per bottle

GLENDRONACH 1996 Oloroso Sherry Butt, Cask #202, 58.3% ABV

Younger than the other release, this bottling displays a fruitier edge, with a distinct note of morello cherries and stewed plums on the nose, intermingled with raisins and allspice.  The palate reveals sweet plum pudding and chocolate coated raisins.  What could be better than luxuriating with a dram of this heavenly nectar on Christmas day?

£52.99 per bottle

GLENFIDDICH Snow Phoenix, 47.6% ABV

Now here’s a whisky with a story behind it!  Snow Phoenix was born in the middle of last winter, when a roof on one of the warehouses at Glenfiddich distillery collapsed under the weight of snow.  With the support of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, distillery staff worked around the clock to clear the snow.  Inspired by this event, Brian Kinsman of Glenfiddich bottled Snow Phoenix, a blend of cask strength whiskies ranging from 13 years old to 30 years old, matured in American oak barrels and Oloroso Sherry casks.  The result is a “one-off” rare and collectible Glenfiddich.  Bottled at cask strength, without chill-filtration, it should appeal to drinkers and collectors alike.

£49.99 per bottle retail price

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FESTIVE TREATS

With this being my last newsletter, it would be remiss of me to sign off without making some recommendations of whiskies to enjoy over the forthcoming weeks.   The last couple of months have seen some truly outstanding whiskies hit the shelves, though many are limited releases and are not likely to hang around for long…

ARRAN 15th Anniversary

This 11 year old cask strength whisky has been out for a while now.  Finished in Amontillado Sherry casks, it delivers a wonderful combination of sweet stonefruit and subtle saltiness on the finish.  Sadly, there is but 1 bottle left!

£53 per bottle

YAMAZAKI Puncheon

My malt of the year thus far – elegant, creamy, sweet and malty with a touch of fruity complexity.  Hats off to Team Suntory.  This is selling quickly and won’t be around for long.

£65 per bottle

HAKUSHU Heavily Peated

Although “heavily peated” is a misnomer for this rather elegant malt, we were bowled over by its impeccable balance.

£65 per bottle

COMPASS BOX Flaming Heart 10th Anniversary Edition

John Glaser does it again!  Each edition of Flaming Heart gets better and better.  This 10th Anniversary bottling marries bright fruit with sweet peat.  Presented in a very slick perspex box (for collectors out there).

£66 per bottle

GEORGE T STAGG, 70.3% ABV

It’s Bourbon and it’s big.  No it ain’t cheap, but at over 70% ABV it’s effectively two bottles for the price of one, and the whiskey is superb; rich, complex and with a finish that goes on and on.

£100 per bottle

BRUICHLADDICH 1984 Golder Still

Gently sweet, creamy, fruity and malty…Bruichladdich as god intended!  Glorious stuff.  Just 2 bottles left.

£125 per bottle

COMPETITION – “GLASGOW BOYS” EXHIBITION AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS

I am delighted to announce the two winners of tickets to see “Glasgow Boys” exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts were Mr. Dan Brown and Mr. Warren Reid

Thanks to all those who entered.  For those interested in attending, the exhibition runs through to 23 January 2011.

That brings to an end the December newsletter.  I sign off with our founding father John Milroy’s words….Happy Drams!
 
Best regards

Philip

Philip Shorten
Milroy’s of Soho

3 Greek Street

London, W1D 4NX
T: 020 7437 2385
F: 020 7437 1345
W: www.milroys.co.uk

November BIG Outturn: 41 single cask bottlings

Daylight is dwindling and the nights drawing in.  The geese grow fatter by the day.  Summer may be a distant memory, but we couldn’t be happier.  Whisky Season is here.

And how else would we mark the occasion, than with an outstanding selection of the very best single cask bottlings to be found. November BIG Outturn brings 41 winter warmer whiskies.

With no less than 10 Islay malts, including:

10.72 A hawker market in Singapore
Islay, £45.70
Buttery egg custard, vanilla, syrup, doughnuts, light smoke, struck matches, dried flowers, plus pork char siu, duck and hoisin sauce

23.67 Islay twinned with Algarve
Islay, £40.20
In reduction we found this nose sexily seductive, with sweet tobacco, sherbet straws, vanilla and mimosa flowers nodding in the warm breeze

53.145 Hebrides in a glass
Islay, £63.40
Salt spray and rock pools, enhanced by pine needles and herbs, and a trace of cider vinegar

And of course it wouldn’t be our Christmas Countdown List without a few festive recommendations and offers:

Regional Trio: buy together for £129 (save £22.70)

27.85 Manly and penetrating £53.20
121.38 Sumptuous and stunning £39.20
36.48 Waves of pleasure lapping the tongue £59.30

Best Buys: buy together for £81 (save £9.90)

3.42 Explosion in a honey factory £42.10      
29.91 Bovril and neeps £48.70

November Nosey Pair: buy together for £110 (save £14.70)

3.169 Pagoda reek drifting over Loch Indaal £60.30
125.41 Everything under the sun£64.40

What’s one plus one minus £5?

Another stonking offer! Pick two bottlings from the same distillery (from our BIG list) and save £5.  Why? To compare the dram-atic differences.

A distillery is borne…128

And lo, from the val-lees, a new distillery has come unto the Society.  These first Welsh casks are available, one bottle per member, on Fri 19 Nov, 10am.

128.1 A string quartet of flavours £49.50
128.2 Caribbean breeze  £49.50

All prices include free P&P
 
Love a particular bottling? Don’t forget to leave a review or comment for fellow members
                                                                                              
SMWS Whisky Tasting & Events

Tis the season to be jolly well-entertained.  And the Society once more is bringing you a wintery wonderland of events to warm your fingers, tongues and toes…..
Christmas Outturn Tasting – Queen Street, Thu 25 Nov
Winchester Preview Tasting – Hotel du Vin, Thu 25 Nov
Glasgow Preview Tasting – Malmaison, Fri 26 Nov
Pan-Asian Curry Experience – London, Sat 27 Nov
Christmas Parcels Tasting – London, Thu 2 Dec
Newcastle Christmas Tasting – Northern Counties Club, Fri 3 Dec
Christmas Drinks 101 – Queen Street, Fri 3 Dec
New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Sat 4 Dec
New Outturn & Sunday Roast Tasting, The Vaults, Sun 5 Dec

Visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships