Annabel Meikle does double duty…serving as a sensory whisky expert and educator for Glenmorangie and also serving as a member of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s tasting panel. We’ll discuss everything from training one’s nose to the role of women in the whisky industry in this week’s episode. In the news, Supernova comes around faster than Halley’s Comet, Forty Creek will release a rarity…a Canadian whisky using Canadian Oak, and a question about WhiskyCast advertising and conflicts of interest.

Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com

ANNOUNCING MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY II

INTRODUCING ALBERT WATSON

Today, The Macallan single malt whisky announced that the next photography partnership in their Masters of Photography series is going to be with the legendary Albert Watson.

Scots born, Watson is famous worldwide for his celebrity, fashion and art photography. Photo District News named him one of the 20 most influential photographers of all time. He has shot posters for major Hollywood movies such as ‘Kill Bill’, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’, ‘The Da Vinci Code’, as well as shooting over 200 covers for Vogue and Rolling Stone magazine. In fact, in 2007 one large-format print of his sold for $108,000 at auction. He is also an acclaimed director with over 500 TV commercials to his name.

The Macallan Masters of Photography II will be in an entirely different style to the first edition in the series, shot by Rankin.

The subject of the project must be kept under wraps, for the moment, until shooting is complete but the key ingredients include: a dramatic and yet romantic ‘art noir’ voyage; a stylish couple and the key secret behind The Macallan.

Ken Grier, Director of Malts, The Edrington Group, said: “I am extremely excited about working with the hugely talented and influential Albert Watson. His creativity is fabulous, but not only that, he exudes an aura of charm and quiet confidence that is very much in keeping with The Macallan  

“As part of this unique project, art and whisky lovers alike can follow The Macallan shoot with Albert Watson by following my daily blog.  The blog posts will start from 31st May at www.blog.themacallan.com.

Albert Watson, added: “I am looking forward to working with The Macallan on such a prestigious project. The partnership with a premium, Scottish iconic brand will give me a once in a lifetime photographic opportunity to create a lasting legacy as part of The Macallan Masters of Photography series.”

The final result will be revealed by The Macallan at a series of glittering events later in the year.  Further details will be revealed in the months to come.

-Ends-

Please enjoy our brands responsibly.  www.drinkaware.co.uk

Notes

The first Macallan Masters of Photography was launched in 2008 with Scots photographer Rankin.  Rankin produced 1,000 individual black and white images captured on Polaroid.  Each limited edition bottle of rare 30 year old Macallan Fine Oak single malt displayed a bespoke label featuring one of Rankin’s images, accompanied by the original Polaroid.
 

The array of images featured artistic nude studies of Tuuli, Rankin’s muse and wife, contrasted by shots of the dedicated craftspeople of the distillery, and still life images of the surrounding flora and fauna at Easter Elchies Estate.

The Macallan is ranked number two by value* among the world’s top selling single malts and is recognised as being a leader within the Scotch Whisky industry when it comes to innovation.
*IWSR figures ending December 2006

American Distilling Institute

313 People Attend 2010  Conference at Huber’s  Starlight Distillery

Two teams of five judges evaluated 65 whiskeys in a blind tasting

… and the Winners are:

Single Malt or Malt Category:

    1. Chatoe Rogue Single Malt Oregon Whiskey
    2. Prichard’s Distillery Single Malt Whiskey
    3. New Holland Artisan Spirits Zeppelin Blend

Bourbon Category:

    1. Great Lakes Distillery Test Batch
    2. Tuthilltown Spirits Four Grain Bourbon whiskey
    3. Woodstone Creek Straight Bourbon whisky

Rye Category:

    1. High West Rendezvous Whiskey
    2. Tuthilltown Spirits’ Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey
    Tie for 3rd place:
    3. Finger Lakes Distilling McKenzie Rye
    3. Corsair Artisan Distillers 100% Rye

Wheat Category:

    1. Dry Fly Washington Wheat
    2. New Holland Artisan Spirits Brewers Straight Wheat Whiskey

Corn Whiskey Category:

    1. Balcones Distillery Baby Blue
    2. Copper Run Distillery Ozark Mountain Moonshine
    3. Colorado Gold Distillery Colorados’ Own Corn Whiskey

Un-aged Whiskey:

    Tie for first place:
    1. Koval Organic Rye Chicago Whiskey
    1. High West Silver Whiskey Western Oat
    2. Corsair Artisan Distillers Wry Moon
    3. Catoctin Creek Mosby’s Spirit

Whiskey Idiosyncratic:

    1. Ballast Point Spirits Devils Share Whiskey
    2. Prichards’ Distillery Tennessee Whiskey
    3. Corsair Artisan Distillers Rasputin Hopped

Moonshine:

    1. West Virginia Distilling Company Mountain Moonshine Old Oak Recipe
    2. Copper Run Ozark Mountain Moonshine
    3. West Virginia Distilling Company Mountain Moonshine

Cask Strength:

    1. Corsair Artisan Distillers Wormwood Wit Barrel Strength
    2. Roughstock Black Label Montana Whiskey
    3. Corsair Artisan Distillers Triple Smoke

Flavored Whiskeys and Whiskey-based Liqueurs:

    1. Prichards’ Distillery Sweet Lucy
    2. Square One Vermont Night
    3. New Holland Artisan Spirits Hatter Royale Hopquila

Blended Whiskey:

    High West Distillery Bourye

Best of Craft American Whiskey:

    High West Distillery Bourye

Packaging Award:

    Tuthilltown Spirits Manhattan Rye Whiskey

After the judging had been completed …

After the judging had been completed, and the judges were able to view the entries, Chuck Cowdery noted a serious problem: High West, the Best of Show winner, had not personally distilled their whiskey. Several whiskies that were submitted were actually blends of whiskies purchased from outside producers. A discussion immediately ensued as to how to resolve this problem.
 
The choices were two-fold: (a) disqualify all of the those entries, or (b) allow them on a one-time basis. Alan Dikty spoke up and observed that no prohibition had been placed on such whiskies in the entry forms, that the entries had been made in good faith, and that the judges had made their decisions in good faith and to the best of their abilities.
 
It was therefore unanimously decided to allow the awards to High West to stand but to make it clear in all ensuing competitions the rules would have to be changed.
 
Subsequently, Jay Erisman noted that, among very high-end and respected wine merchants, a special class of producer is allowed, the négociant[1]. It was therefore decided that a special category for négociant whiskies would be created to accommodate these specialty whiskey producers.
 
Quite simply, the winners did nothing wrong, and they qualify under the published definition of craft producers, less than 40,000 proof gallons a year. Producers and judges alike played by the rules. To re-write the rules on the spot after the fact would be unfair. Blending is also an art in and of itself and should not be discounted.
 
When contacted, High West Distilleries also agreed that the rules changes would create a necessary distinction.
 
ADI will find a way to separate, recognize and reward DSPs who produce their products from grain to bottle without discounting craft producers who finish products. Future judging rules will be changed to reflect varying levels of hands-on production by the DSP.

[1] A négociant is the French term for a wine merchant who assembles the produce of smaller growers and winemakers and sells the result under its own name.

Visit the American Distilling Institute at  http://www.distilling.com/index.html

Scotch tastings at the FMW Whisky shop

Tastings are held regularly, towards the end of each month; at the Stourbridge premises of famed Wine Merchant Nickolls and Perks (3rd oldest UK Wine Merchant; established 1797) tasting visitors seat inside our 16th century vaulted cellars and taste the very best Scotch malt whiskies brought direct from the distilleries. All events are tutored by industry specialists : Distillery managers, distillers, consultants and distributors, there to guide you and ensure an enjoyable evening for all.

You will learn about the history of Scotch and discover the rogue past of smugglers and the excise men that had to find them, Rabbie Burns the ‘bard’ did a stint at collecting himself you know!

You will also learn the tasting techniques : how to taste, and be shown whiskies from varied locations aroung Scotland and the globe

Venue : Stourbridge Shop Cellars

Time : 7:30 pm start

Duration : 2 hrs

Cost : £25

Next tasting 27th May : Malt Whiskies from bottlers Gordon & MacPhail…..John Eastam from G&M will conduct this tasting :

Highland Park 1970, a 38yo rare casks from 1st fill sherry butt (totally opaque!!) , Aberfeldy 19yo connoisseurs choice JM.95/100 + Convalmore 1984 24 yo…medium bodied well balanced dram from this silent distillery(closed 1985) + Glen Keith 1993 16 yo 46 % from refill sherry casks…from the banks of the river Isla + Royal Brackla 1991 18 yo 46% one of only three distilleries to be granted permission to use the word ‘Royal’ in its name (peaty n nutty from the southern Highlands) + Port Ellen 1982 27yo Islay whisky, closed in 1983 that ticks the boxes.

July 2nd…..Colin Dunn from Diageo help to appreciate the delights of the ‘Select Malts’

On taste : Lagavulin 16yo + 12yo cask strength…..Caol Ila 12 yo + DE (Distillers edition)…..Talisker 10 yo + 18yo (Best in World …2007)

David Gardener
Nickolls and Perks
01384 394518

Visit Nicolls and Perks at http://www.nickollsandperks.co.uk/

WHISKY AN’ A’ THAT VII SATURDAY 29TH MAY 2010
AYR TOWN HALL 1PM-6PM

 
ONLY 12 DAYS TO GO
 
If you haven’t already purchased your ticket for our annual Whisky An’ a’ That Festival, then time is running out and we only have a limited amount of tickets left.
 
For all the details on this years festival, please click on the below link with details on which companies are attending this years event and how to order your ticket for the show.
http://www.robbiesdrams.com/festival_2010.asp
 
Whisky Festival Masterclasses
 
We also have a very limited amount of masterclass tickets left, which are being held throughout the afternoon.
 
MacKillop’s Choice Masterclass 1pm-2pm
 
The first masterclass of the afternoon will be hosted by MacKillop’s Choice which is a brand owned by Angus Dundee Distillers. “MacKillops Choice” is a range of specially selected Single Malt Scotch whiskies drawn from individual casks, and are bottled at either 43% or 46% alcohol, but more predominantly at their natural cask strength, without chill-filtering or the addition of any caramel colouring, which helps preserve the malts natural characteristics of aroma and taste.
 
The tasting will be hosted by Lorne MacKillop (pictured above), who is the heir to the chief of the MacKillop Clan. After seven year’s extensive training in wines and spirits, Lorne became a member of the Institute of Masters of Wine in London in 1984, and at that time was the youngest person to be accepted as a Master of Wine. Lorne will use his comprehensive knowledge of whisky as he talks you through the following six specially selected whiskies in what should be a very interesting and entertaining session.
 
1989 17y/o Benrinnes 43%
1990 17y/o Caol Ila 56.3%
1986 17y/o Dalmore 60.1%
1991 15y/o Highland Park 53.9%
1988 18y/o Macallan 55.5%
1992 15y/o Tormore 43%
 
Balblair Masterclass 3pm-4pm

The second masterclass of the afternoon will be hosted by Balblair which is a Highland Single Malt from Edderton in Tain, Rosshire.
 
Many single malt Scotch whiskies distinguish between their expressions with an age statement, rightly proud of the long maturation their distillates have undergone.At Balblair they pursue a Vintage statement by which to differentiate their various expressions. In doing so, they take a complimentary approach between age itself and the fundamental character of the spirit that is Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
 
Inver House Distillers, Master Blender Stuart Harvey will be presenting this Masterclass with a full range of six Balblair expressions for you to savour.
 
Tickets are £12 per person for both classes and available on a first come first serve basis as numbers are restricted.

To reserve your ticket please phone the  TICKET HOTLINE NUMBER 01292 284279

Alternatively you can call into our shop in the Sandgate or e-mail festvial@robbiesdrams.com

Remember that tickets are limited, and only available to customers who have already purchased tickets for our Festival.

Time is running out.

Regards

Robbie

Supernova is back by popular demand.

The new 2010 expression is out of this world – even deeper, stronger and earthier than the award-winning 2009 edition.

60.1% ABV
Non-chill filtered
70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep gold

Aroma: Big and powerful with peaty, earthy and deep herbal notes.

With the first sniff, encounter deep earthy peat oils and crushed black pepper embedded in the darkest chocolate. Swirl the glass and dip your nose into herbal infusions of juniper, elderflower and agave. Tarry ropes and creosote-soaked elm follow with flowering currants, olives and hot chilli peppers.

Swirl water into the glass, and voyage into the unknown with smoky coal tar, an open box of rolling tobacco, peat moss and roasted malt. A barbeque of smoky charcoal rises above the peat moss, softened by camomile, cedar and heather bloom. A blast of brine, white pepper and smoky asparagus escapes into the atmosphere with a spritely display of gooseberries and greengages.

Taste

Ardbeg challenges the palate with a smoke and salt explosion – hot, sizzling and gristy sensations effervesce and explode on the tongue with a powerful peaty punch. Black and white crushed pepper pop with chilli and chocolate. Chewy sweet rolling tobacco, linseed oil and newly tanned leather roll backwards on a wave of brininess and burst of juicy lime marmalade. Cigar smoke builds up to a crescendo before drying out to bring dark roast earthy coffee, toasted almonds and liquorice root.

Finish

Long, deep and powerful, refusing to fade away – remaining warm and drying with tarry peat, cocoa and chilli.

http://www.ardbeg.com/shop/supernova-2010

Lombard Scotch Whisky is a family owned and managed company. It was established in the mid 1960s, initially as a “whisky broker”, supplying bulk whisky to blenders. To meet market demand, the company had to secure its own stocks.  Lombard contracted “new fill” whiskies at selected distilleries (a practice that remains) and a stock base was developed.  You can read more on the Lombard website www.lombardscotchwhisky.com

Lombard Gold Label Blended Scotch Whisky

The first brand to be released from Lombard, as it diversified into the cased goods market during the early 1980s.  It was an award winning blend and was a good reflection of the company’s mood to produce a whisky that aimed to re-create the pre-war image of whisky and to re-establish traditional whisky values.  It lay specific emphasis on the malts within (predominantly Speysiders).  Harrod’s Book of Whiskies said “Peaty aroma, slightly peaty flavour with a dry finish. A good all round blend.”

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2008 says:

Nose: Chunky with a good malt depth.

Taste: Silky and mouthfilling with the malts weaving beautifully into the grains; honeycomb towards the middle.

Finish: Delicate spice and toffeenut.

Balance: Excellently weighted with some wonderful honeycomb and spice making their mark.

March 2008 Lombard’s Gold Label was awarded Silver Medal in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Gold Label recently had an update on its merchandising and was launched into USA. The brand range consists of 500ml PET, 750ml, 1 litre and 1.75L.

Lombard’s Single Malts

Lombard’s whisky broking, acquired over many years, a formidable stock base of Single Malt Scotch Whisky, predominantly whiskies from the higher rated distilleries (ie, those most sought after by the blending houses). The stocks of aged and rare Single Malts, held by Lombard are wide-ranging and diverse, including whiskies from distilleries now closed and lesser known malts. The 1990s witnessed the malt whisky category develop and Lombard diversify its interests to the cased goods market – the company’s first move to control the utilisation of mature stock.

Lombard’s range of Single Malts is named ‘The Jewels of Scotland’ – an apt name given the heritage possessed by the whiskies offered under this name. These range from 46%al.vol (92 US proof) to cask strength – however, the benchmark bottling strength is 50%alc.vol (100% US Proof).  These whiskies are never tampered with, ie, not chill filtered, not caramelised and not artificially coloured. At the bottom of each face label there is a colour coding for the distillation area. This gives a greater understanding of what to expect from the accompanying whisky – especially when the bottled whisky has a Distillery name or heritage that is unknown to the consumer. Every face label provides tasting notes and gives advice on what to look for when sampling.

May 2010 Bottled Stocks

Jewels of Scotland

Aberlour 1970 46% 700ml
Balblair 1964 43% 700ml
Balmenach 1979 50% 750ml
Bruichladdich 1991 50% 750ml
Bunnahabhain 1979 50% 750ml
Caol Ila 1984 50% 750ml
Clynelish 1982 50% 750ml
Dailuaine 1973 50% 750ml
Deanston 1977 50% 750ml
Edradour 1968 50% 700ml
Glen Elgin 1975 50% 750ml
Glen Grant 1964 46% 750ml
Highland Park 1988 50% 750ml
Littlemill 1990 50% 750ml
Lochside 1981 50% 750ml
Macallan 1989 58% 700ml
Mortlach 1990 50% 700ml
Springbank 1991 50% 750ml
Springbank 1965 46% 750ml
Tamdhu 1989 50% 750ml
Tobermory 1972 46% 700ml
Tomatin 1966 46% 700ml
Tomatin 1965 46% 700ml
Tullibardine 1989 50% 700ml

Lombard Single Malt

Caperdonich 27yr 46% 750ml
Speyside 8yr 43% 750ml
Teaninich 12yr 43% 750ml

Lombard Scotch Whisky Ltd.
Bourne House, College Street.
Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 1JW
British Isles
Tel + 44 1624 814345
www.lombardscotchwhisky.com

Benriach 15yo Dark Rum Wood Finish (46%, OB, +/-2008)

A BenRiach finished in dark rum barrels, unpeated, non chill filtered, natural colour and bottled at a higher strength of 46%. The nose is vibrant, clean with hints of grapefruit, honey and some light freshly cut grass.  The taste has more depth than one would expect from the nose and then becomes very honeyed backed by some good weight and malt. After a few moments in the mouth it opens up and presents a much larger profile but the rum is now showing its influence to great effect. This is working well. The finish is thick, fruity and powerful (bit not overly so) along with the honeyed sweetness and some really good moments of malt and cocoa. It is also very long and mouth smackingly good.

The finishing has added some layers of flavour, it works out very well.

$83

Score 86 points

Visit BenRiach Distillery at http://www.benriachdistillery.co.uk/

Photographs of the 2010 Spirit of Toronto can now be viewed at

http://www.spiritoftoronto.ca/photos.html

The Spirit of Toronto returns in 2011!  Saturday, May 14th, 2011.

Updates wll be posted in the new year……

Your chance to sample The Irishman Rare Cask Strength

Following the very successful take up of our offer to whiskey clubs for St. Patrick’s Day in March of a miniature (50ml) of The Irishman Irish Whiskey (Superior Blend or Single Malt) to let you nose and taste our excellent whiskey, we would now like to offer you the chance to sample The Irishman Rare Cask Strength. A limited number of (unlabelled) miniatures of our Rare Cask Strength have been hand filled at the bottling plant. If you’re interested, drop us an e-mail with full mailing address and the name of your whisk(e)y club (you’ll understand that, as before, we need to limit this offer to one miniature per whisk(e)y club for logistical, packaging and postage cost reasons).

And the Winner is….

Did you know….

…The Irishman Single Malt has been rated as the 3rd best Irish Whiskey in the U.S. by rating agency Proof 66?

…The Irishman Irish Cream has recently won a Silver Medal at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirit Competition (Cream Liqueur Category)?

Sláinte!

www.thehotirishman.com