Dear Customer

On the run up to Christmas we have a big number of new bottlings, being fifteen (15) from the OLD MALT CASK, with four (4) PREMIER BARREL ceramics- three (3) of them with the new labels, four (4) OLD & RARE, two (2) DOUBLE BARRELs, and four (4) CLAN DENNY Grains.

The Tasting Notes for OLD MALT CASK follow:

OMC 1954 Laphroaig 12 Year Old
Nose: Opens to old style hairdressing – warms sweet ‘n’ peaty.
Palate: Distinctly phenolic, tarry, creosoted – still sweet.
Finish: Ashy, rather sooty – as above, still sweetly phenolic. (F)

OMC 1958 Macallan 15 Year Old
Nose: Honey sweet, floral, lightly oaked, gristy.
Palate: Still honeyed – richly fruited + (dark) spices/molasses.
Finish: Smoke trails through spices and a real barley quality. (F)

OMC 1962 Blair Athol 15 Year Old Sherry Matured
Nose: Opens sweetly – carrying a golden syrup + oranges style
Palate: Warmingly spiced – running to a sweet mocha character
Finish: long, still spicy with a tangy – burnt orange peel – quality (J)

OMC 1947 Laphroaig 17 Year Old
Nose : Big, feisty, salty, ozone-y peaty and Islay in style.
Palate: Opens more softly – then the tar, creosote and phenols hit
Finish: Ashy and sooty – now rather sweet (F)

OMC 1961 Littlemill 19 Year Old
Nose: Spices and fruit abound – warms to barley sugar plus citrus.
Palate: More (concentrated) citrus now apparent + cloves + cinnamon.
Finish: All over spicy and warming. Sweet and appealing. (F)

OMC 1957 Lochside 19 Year Old
Nose: Distinctly citric + light oak, spice and dry barley.
Palate: Gristy and peppery – with more mocha and spice than fruit.
Finish: Warmingly spiced plus that initial citrus returns. (F)

OMC 1950 Glen Moray 19 Year Old
Nose: Creamy, spiced, drying as it warms to whisky warehouse style.
Palate: Gristy – still spiced (specifically camphor), dry, lightly smoked.
Finish: Lingers with that same smoke, camphor, and malt quality (F)

OMC 1967 Dalmore 20 Year Old Sherry Finished
Nose: Fruity and gristy in style + polished oak + a fresh herbal quality
Palate: Tingling, sparkling – running to an attractively spiced dryness
Finish: Medium long – warmingly spiced – tailing to a soft dry style (F & J)

OMC 1969 Aultmore 20 Year Old
Nose: Opens clean & fresh – runs to a freshly cut pine tree style
Palate: Spicy + a fruity sweetness with a late dry malty character
Finish: still spicy – long + oak & fruit intertwining + late ashes (J)

OMC 1964 Rosebank 20 Year Old
Nose: Opens with a herbal quality running to a fruity – vanilla style
Palate: Peaches in vanilla syrup + a green malt quality – still herbal
Finish: Medium long & spicy + more vanilla now running drier. (J)

OMC 1945 Linkwood 26 Year Old
Nose: Gentle, sweet spices preface citrus, grist and light peat.
Palate: Still lightly peated, with juicy barley and soft oak/smoke
Finish: The peat is still there with the same barley + dark sugar. (F)

OMC 1956 Port Ellen 27 Year Old
Nose: A smoking malt kiln + a sweet camphor style + flamed lemon peel
Palate: Still sweet runs to a “Fisherman’s Friend” quality + smoking embers
Finish: Long and carries a burnt cocoa chocolate style + sweet liquorice (J)

OMC 1963 St Magdalene 28 Year Old
Nose: Clean & fresh – carrying a spicy & gristy sweet character
Palate: Opens fruitily sweet (peaches) – running to a honeyed quality
Finish: Round & mellow + a sweet malty style + a late orange tang (J)

OMC 1933 Glenlivet 33 Year Old
Nose: Fresh & lively, gristy sweet with a dried herbal tea character
Palate: Opens sweet & spicy – runs to a milk chocolate & chilli quality
Finish: Llong, still sweet + a dark chocolate & mint style + light smoke (J)

OMC 1953 Auchroisk 35 Year Old
Nose: Wooden fruit box in style + light spice and grist.
Palate: Lightly oaked – still fruity + barley and dry spices.
Finish: Spices dominate the crunched sugar back drop. (F)

Tasting Notes for the CLAN DENNY Grains:

DEN 00056 Invergordon 44 Year Old
The nose is sweetly spiced, carrying a vanilla and milk chocolate quality – reminiscent of a box of pralines plus a fruit box quality. The palate carries a round & mellow sweet character plus light oak, running to honey and spicy flavours. All of these are replicated in the finish and slowly fade out in a moreish way. (J)

DEN 0057 Strathclyde 33 Year Old
The nose carries early fruit with a deep, warming quality plus rich spices and a barley sugar aspect – revealing elements of its sherry heritage. The palate reflects aspects of the nose with a dark chocolate/red fruit style and a leather & spice character. The finish is surprisingly long carrying a sweet, spicy quality. (J)

DEN 0054 Cambus 45 Year Old
Carries old fashioned bubble gum early on the nose – it is at once spicy sweet with even more overtly sweet muscovado sugar tones. Attractively oaked – buttery, even creamy – it carries summer fruit and gentle ginger/spices all on the palate. The finish points towards burnt sugar and dark fudge, before its fast fade. (F)

DEN 0055 Caledonian 45 Year Old
Rich, round and sweet initially on the nose – it heads as it warms to honey – crunched sugar – and a light oakiness. It carries an interesting early palate – with a distinct citric tang – then heads to a Hot Toddy style plus barley sugar. Typically, the finish is short, yet distinctly fruited. (F)

The OLD & RARE Tasting Notes:

OAR 0112 Bowmore 23 Year Old Sherry Matured
Big, phenolic, maritime, smoky, beachy – and self evidently from Islay on the nose – the only hint of Sherry is evident from its colour. Very interesting on the palate by way of its overtly perfumed spiciness – initially dry with even some Wright’s coal tar soap (!) plus yesterday’s ashy bonfire. Its finish starts to show only now – some late sweet Sherry beyond its Islay style. (F)

OAR 0113 Macallan 33 Year Old Wine finished
On the nose this wine finished Macallan carries a dry, red fruit influence – plus some nutmeg, cinnamon and even liquorice – ahead of its sweet barley quality. Palatewise, it opens with a mature fruit “tang” – then turns honeyed, fruity – still with some late liquorice and more malt/barley, all running to a rather spiced finish – camphor in particular – ahead of its ongoing honeyed gristiness. (F)

OAR 0111 Bunnahabhain 36 Year Old Sherry Matured
On the nose detect alcohol soaked in fruit – heavily spiced – plus distinct toffee and orange pith aromas. Palatewise it is still massively spiced – with vanilla evident in its fudge which is lightly salted – also lightly peated – carrying attractive and delicate oceanic flavours too. The finish carries ginger, pepper, light oak, black coffee and more marinaded dark fruit (F)

OAR 0114 Probably Speyside’s Finest 45 Year Old Sherry Matured
Opens warming and richly spiced on the nose, running to toffee and a caramelised, spiced orange character before a soft leather quality appears. The palate is rich and mouthcoating and the orange style returns – now in a sweet & spicy liqueur style – before running drier. Walnuts and chewed leather run on the long and dry finish – think of extra rich dark chocolate. (J)

The PREMIER BARRELs taste something like these fun and “wordy” indications:

PBR 0088 Ardmore 7 Year Old
I ‘arbour, ardent, ardour for this Ardmore! For ‘tis palatewise probably a paradigm of palpably percolating peated panache with pep – yet its seductively sugary swirl symbolises Speyside (F)

PBR 0089 Laphroaig 10 Year Old
A litany to the lustrous – lusty – laudable – lavish – lovable – lenitively lubricating liquor – the Laphroaig of Lore. What the “L”!?! (Tremendously tarry too). (F)

PBR 0086 Bowmore 12 Year Old
Beware – a boon of a Bowmore! – with its suffusion of sumptuously seaweedy smokiness – saliently and sympathetically spiced – yet full bodied, first rate and frightfully fructiferous! (F)

PBR 0087 Highland Park 12 Year Old
Your Highness – ’tis Highland Park! – with its overtly ozone-y , oceanic overture, overflowing into a cunning conclusion of cultivated credentials ……. a citric, creamy canon of credence. (F)

Quite a big selection we believe for Christmas consideration and we hope they may be seen by you as potentially interesting stock additions. We wish you good luck for some good sales that you will have over the next few weeks and beyond into 2011 with these and our other Whiskies!

Best wishes

Fred Laing

Visit Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd. at www.douglaslaing.com

Greetings from a very snowy Glenfarclas.

Thumbs Up for Glenfarclas 40 Years Old

Earlier this week the Malt Maniacs announced the results of their 2010 Whisky Awards. The 11 judges, from around the world, sampled 262 whiskies blind. The Malt Maniacs, a collective of whisky enthusiasts, have run their whisky competition annually since 2003. The Malt Maniac website attracts a staggering 10,000 whisky loving visitors every day.

Glenfarclas 40 Years Old gained a score of 90, winning one of just 12 Gold Medals. In addition the judges gave Glenfarclas their Thumbs Up award, for being ‘the most exciting new release in the Ultra Premium category’.

To read the results in full please visit;

http://www.maltmaniacs.org/2010-whisky-competition.html

Experience the Festive Spirit of Independence

If you are looking for some last minute gifts, or plan to visit Speyside over the festive season, we look forward to welcoming you to Glenfarclas.

This year the Glenfarclas distillery visitor centre will be open on weekdays, from 10AM to 4PM up until Wednesday the 22nd December. We plan to open for one day between Christmas and New Year on Thursday the 30th of December. Normal winter opening hours will then recommence on Thursday the 6th January 2011. The last tour of the day is 90 minutes prior to closing.

This is all subject to the weather, so if in doubt please call 01807 500345 after 10AM to confirm.

Email: info@glenfarclas.co.uk
Website: www.glenfarclas.co.uk
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/glenfarclas/
Tel: +44 (0) 1807 500257
Fax: +44 (0) 1807 500234
Address: Glenfarclas Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9BD, UK

The Claymore Times
~ All The News That’s Fit To Drink ~

25 year old Benromach (LCBO # 969642)

Originally opened in 1898 this distillery which is located in the ancient market town of Forres in the Speyside region of North East Scotland, went silent in 1983 until purchased by Gordon and MacPhail, renovated and officially opened by Prince Charles 1998 exactly a hundred years after its inception.

One of the smallest distilleries in Scotland keeping strictly to the old ways (you won’t find any computers at this distillery). Definitely worth a visit to the centre where you’ll be met by Sandy, shown around and offered a wee dram, an absolutely wonderful experience!

Matured in refill American hogsheads, Benromach 25 Years Old delivers the fruit and spice characteristics of Benromach balanced with the subtle sweetness of the American oak. 

 “Confident, articulate, and in a mood to talk.” says Michael Jackson

Description

Without water

Nose: Toasted spices with a sharp fruitiness – citrus oils. There is also a subtle vanilla note.
Palate: Spicy, almost peppery with a rounding creaminess. The fruitiness develops with the spices, reminiscent of rich fruitcake

With water

Nose: Floral note more dominant now and the soft fruit element remains. A little toffee and vanilla sweetness.
Palate: Hints of smokiness, charred oak and cinnamon. A rich fruit flavour developing.
Body: Clean and fresh.
Finish: Sweet, spices with a little fruitiness.

Cask Type: Matured in refill American hogsheads.

You can order directly from any LCBO store quoting LCBO# 969642 at a cost of at $174.95 or pick up at one of these locations.

Also arriving very soon: Benromach 10 yo, Dhallas Dhu and a Glen Grant, we`ll keep you posted.

Regards,

Bill
Claymore Imports Inc.
Mail: claymoreimports@rogers.com

TALISKER & LAGAVULIN WINNING STREAK CONTINUES

Lagavulin 16 year old has won the IWSC Trophy, 1993; IWSC Gold Medals, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 IWSC Gold – Best in Class 2008. ISC Gold Medal 2004, 2005, 2007. IWSC Silver Medal 2006. San Francisco Double Gold 2006, 2007, 2008, Gold 2009. Scotch Whisky Masters – Master 2008, 2009.

In the last 6 years, Lagavulin 16 year old has earned itself 21 Gold Medals or higher in major international competitions. In 2010 alone, this iconic and much adored Islay malt took

• a Gold Medal at San Francisco
• a Master at the Scotch Whisky Masters
• a Gold – Best in Class at the IWSC
• a Gold at the International Spirits Challenge

and now the Non Plus Ultra Award 2010 in the Malt Maniacs 2010 Whisky Awards ‘Daily Drams’ category.

Talisker 10 year old has won IWSC Trophy and Gold Medal, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004; IWSC Gold Medals 1998, 2003; IWSC Gold – Best in Class 2006, 2007, 2008. IWSC Silver – Best in Class 2005. ISC Gold Medals 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008; San Francisco World Spirits Competition Gold Medal 2006, Silver 2007, Double Gold 2009, Gold 2010. Scotch Whisky Masters – Master 2008, 2009, 2010.

In 2010 Talisker 10 year old won Golds or higher at San Francisco, the Scotch Whisky Masters (London), and at the IWSC (Gold – Best in Class). In the last six years, Talisker has won 18 Gold medals for its 10 year old expression alone.

And now the “Best Natural Cask Award 2010” (i.e. whisky matured exclusively in regular casks) in the Malt Maniacs 2010 Whisky Awards ‘Daily Drams’ category.

Malt Maniacs Silver Medals (scores of 85-89) were awarded to Lagavulin™ Distillers Edition™ 1991/2008, Talisker™ 1994/2009 The Manager’s Choice, Lagavulin™ No Age Statement – Distillery Only Bottling 2010, Talisker™ 57° North™, Oban™ 2000/2009 The Manager’s Choice, and Lagavulin™ 16 year old.

DIAGEO WELCOMES MALT MANIACS WHISKY AWARDS 2010

The resolutely independent judges for the Malt Maniacs 2010 Whisky Awards, announced on 1 December, have given Lagavulin™ 16 year old their top award (“the Non Plus Ultra Award 2010”) and Talisker™ 10 year old their “Best Natural Cask Award 2010” in the ‘Daily Drams’ category.

The ‘Daily Drams’ category focuses on whiskies that are widely available at attainable prices (under €50), whereas many winners in other categories are esoteric expressions or offered at much higher price points (€50-150+).

“These non-professional but highly dedicated and discerning enthusiasts devote a vast amount of time and painstaking effort to reaching their decisions and deserve every whisky lover’s respect and thanks”, Dr Nick Morgan, a Diageo spokesman, said.

He added: “What is illuminating – and comforting – is that in granting these high awards to Lagavulin and Talisker, the Malt Maniacs are confirming the track record of the major professionally-run international competitions such as the IWSC, which have also regularly awarded their highest medals to Lagavulin and Talisker – single malt whiskies that have attracted such consistent praise yet remain eminently affordable.”

http://www.maltmaniacs.org/2010-whisky-competition.html

Wemyss 5yo ‘Peat Chimney’ (40%, OB)

A young bottling from the independent bottler Wemyss Malts (pronounced weems). A blended malt (more than one distillery but only employing single malts in the mix) without chill filtration.

The nose is sweet (honeyed) at first with some green notes quickly followed by some gentle peat and hints of the ocean. The peat smoke is quite gentle but it is present and it is nice. There is also some hints of Weetabix and the green notes. The taste is good, warming, some peat smoke, fruit and hints of raisins followed by a good dollop of malt. There are also some good dry oak spice notes and a little bitter green something but this does not detract. The malt charges back after a few moments. The finish is slightly bitter, with peat smoke and some malt. The bitterness may be a bit much for some people however it quickly changes to a dryness. After a few minutes (perhaps 10) there is a really big blast of peated malt. Where did that come from??

Very old and very young at the same time, some what pulling in two directions at once, an interesting dram and a good one to share with friends (who know nothing of whisky and won’t be biased).

£23

Score 80

Visit Wemyss at www.w-v-m.com

Dear Customer

This month we have thirteen (13) new bottlings under the PROVENANCE label.

The PROVENANCE Tasting Notes are:

PRV 0675 Ardmore 7 Year Old
The nose takes you immediately – and wrongly – to a lightly peated Islay Malt. Still with a sweet phenolic style on the palate – detect also a light camphor background and a hint of its own youthful spirit. Then its finish is spiced, still sweet but now in a more barleyed and gristy style. (F)

PRV 0679 Longmorn 8 Year Old
On the nose – early, it is fruity, malty and lightly spiced with later oak and smoke. Palatewise – it is very sweet – more spiced than its nose – barleyed and sugary. All this runs to a finish with a cough drop and peppery style. (F)

PRV 0650 Craigellachie 10 Year Old Sherry Matured
The fresh and lightly spiced nose carries a cookie dough sweet character that runs to a freshly varnished boat quality. The palate is round, still spicy, now sweetly toffee’d plus a caramelised fruit character. More spices linger on the finish, still fruity (is it mango ?) and sweet. (J)

PRV 0667 Bowmore 10 Year Old
Self evidently from Islay on the nose – beyond the initial peated back drop hard fruit candy boiling then appear masked by hot dry sand smell. Palate wise – it is distinctly peaty and lightly ashy initially – the heads more to the same sweet fruits hard candy taste – all replicated (plus light tar and spiciness) on the finish. (F)

PRV 0666 Tamdhu 11 Year Old
The nose opens with a fresh and gristy sweet character running to a fruit and honey style. The sweet palate is still fresh carrying a milk chocolate quality and runs to sweet vanilla – “American Cream Soda” style. The vanilla and honey sweet quality runs through on the finish before a soft oak tang appears. (J)

PRV 0065 Glen Moray 11 Year Old
Opens clean and fresh on the nose carrying a fruity – floral character. The palate carries a sweet barley then crushed sugar style, running to a candied orange quality. The finish is fresh with a sweet malt character running to an orange pith style. (J)

PRV 0672 Glen Ord 11 Year Old
Very clean – fresh and gristy on the nose – with a sugary late twist. On the palate detect that same crunched sugar quality – plus light spices – barley and a hint of citrus. That is well replicated on the finish which may now be a shade creamier. (F)

PRV 0676 Jura 11 Year Old
Attractively/sweetly scented on the nose – it warms to hints of toffee and dry spices. Palatewise – it is now more distinctly spiced with an earthy quality – running to a finish which is very dryly spiced initially – tailing more sweetly. (F)

PRV 0657 Allt-a-Bhainne 12 Year Old Sherry Matured
The nose is fresh (almost mentholated), sweetly spiced and carries an orange liqueur quality. The palate is mouthcoatingly rich, warming, still distinctly spicy and carries an orange pith character.
More spices on the medium long finish run to a dark chocolate and orange tang. (J)

PRV 0674 Highland Park 12 Year Old
Honey and ozone appear early on the round full nose – which then turns to soft sweet spices. On the palate there is definitely a wee hint of peat – interacting with barley, vanilla, and the same spices. All are wrapped together very neatly in an attractively long finish (F)

PRV 0677 Arran 12 Year Old
Opens fresh and fruity (ripe banana?) on the nose, running to a sweet, creamy vanilla character. The palate is amazingly spiced, even lightly smoked (surprisingly!) – carrying a burnt toast and honey quality. The finish is long – still spicy and runs drier now. (J)

PRV 0678 Linkwood 12 Year Old
The nose opens with a fresh, clean, floral quality running to a sweet vanilla and grist character. The palate is still fresh & sweet with more vanilla (creamy custard style) apparent. The finish is medium long carrying a tangy maltand- orange quality. (J)

PRV 0646 Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old
Opens sweetly on the nose with candied apples and candy floss then a Brylcreem type quality appears. The sweet palate carries vanilla and caramel (waffles?) before a light smoky character appears. The finish is refined, still fruity, with smoked spices and dried orange zest. (J)

Quite a big selection we believe for Christmas consideration.

Best wishes

Fred Laing

Visit Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd. at www.douglaslaing.com

UK SHIPPING £6.99 UP TO 12 BOTTLES

SOME OF OUR SPECIAL OFFERS FOR YOU

Aberlour A’Bunadh SPECIAL OFFER: Now £36.99 Save £3.00
An Cnoc 12yo & FREE Glass SPECIAL OFFER: Now £24.99 Save £4.00
Ardmore Traditional SPECIAL OFFER: Now £21.98 Save £10.00
Balvenie 12yo Doublewood SPECIAL OFFER: Now £26.99 Save £6.00
Dalmore 12yo SPECIAL OFFER: Now £32.99 Save £5.99
Glenlivet 12 Year Old SPECIAL OFFER: Now £24.99 Save £5.99
Glenmorangie 10yo SPECIAL OFFER: Now £24.99 Save £5.99
Isle of Jura 10 Year Old SPECIAL OFFER: Now £19.99 Save £10.00
Macallan 10 Year Old Original SPECIAL OFFER: Now £22.98 Save £5.01
Miltonduff 10yo SPECIAL OFFER: Now £17.99 Save £5.01
Strathisla 12yo SPECIAL OFFER: Now £24.99 Save £3.00

Majesty 30 Year Old SAVE £25

Majesty 30 years old is the oldest and rarest expression of Highland Queen, with only 2000 bottles produced. It has exceptional elegance and softness on the nose, with the sweetness golden syrup, butterscotch and creamy toffee. Long and elegant tothe end the finish has amazing finese with gentle nut notes, hints of dates, citrus notes and the softness of vanilla creams.

Visit Single Malts Direct at www.singlemaltsdirect.com

Douglas Laing Independent Bottlers

Thurs 9th December

Jan Beckers returns once more to refresh our palates.

£25/person

 ———————————————

Jura & Dalmore Distilleries  –Mr Willie Tait

Friday 10th December

The main man himself is coming down to teach us Jura speak…mostly he’ll be serving up some great island malts :

Superstition, Prophecy & Jura 21 yr + a Dalmore special.

£15/person

 —————————————————-

 Tickets 01384 394518

Venue : The Cellars

Start : 7:30pm

David at Nickolls and Perks

Tickets 01384 394518

Venue : The Cellars

Start : 7:30pm

david@nickollsandperks.co.uk

Ralfy’s to be found over at the Daftmill Farm with Farmer Francis for a three part tour of one of Scotlands most mysterious little Distilleries. You can’t even buy this whisky yet ! Some say we never will ! I hope their bluffing. whisky review 170 1,2 & 3 – Daftmill Distillery @ www.ralfy.com WhiskyReviews … lovely….

December 6, 2010, Ottawa, ON. – Canada’s top whiskies of 2010 were honoured today in the first annual Canadian Whisky Awards. The winning whiskies were announced on the World’s foremost Canadian whisky website: www.canadianwhisky.org. There are six awards in all. The winners of three awards were decided following extensive tastings, while the others were selected based special contributions that individual whiskies make to expanding consumer interest in Canadian whisky.

“Canadian whisky is one of Canada’s greatest ambassadors,” said canadianwhisky.org publisher, Davin de Kergommeaux. “Every year, millions and millions of whisky lovers around the globe buy more than half a billion dollars worth of Canadian whisky.” But, as de Kergommeaux explains, the awards celebrate more than successful sales figures. “Canadians appreciate the contribution Canadian whisky makes to our economy, but we never stop to recognize the excellent quality of these whiskies. All of that now changes with these awards.”

The Canadian Whisky Awards recognize the very best tasting new Canadian whiskies released in 2010, along with special contributions of highly successful individual whiskies that have garnered favourable attention to Canadian whisky in 2010.

Virtually every Canadian whisky introduced in Canada or the U.S. in 2010 was tasted. The best was chosen in one of three categories: the Canadian market, the export market, and multiple markets. Awards of Excellence were also conferred for accomplishments in innovation, brand extension, and notable success in raising the profile of Canadian whisky in general.

The Connoisseur Whiskies:

Best Canadian Whisky – Domestic Market: Wiser’s Legacy

Wiser’s Legacy is a new, ultra-premium rye whisky from Corby Distillers. This rich, complex, and flavourful whisky has been compared favourably to high-end single malts. Although demand has become strong to release it in other markets, Wiser’s Legacy was initially available in the Canadian market only.

Best Canadian Whisky – Export Market: Caribou Crossing

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel whisky was released early in 2010 to high acclaim from whisky writers and connoisseurs. They were all impressed with this complex and richly flavoured new whisky. As a single barrel whisky, Caribou Crossing introduces a new Canadian whisky in a style much admired by connoisseurs.

Best Canadian Whisky – Multiple Markets: Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve

This is an iconic Canadian whisky matured in Canadian oak barrels made from trees that sprouted at the time of Canadian Confederation. Made in a winemaker’s fashion, by John Hall, Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve earns this award for its creamy, rich and robust flavours. Confederation Oak is available in Canada and selected U.S. markets.

The Awards of Excellence:

Innovation of the Year: Highwood Distillery, White Owl Whisky

White Owl Whisky has no peer in Canada or anywhere else in the world for that matter. The first ever fully oak-matured white whisky, White Owl retains the flavours of Canadian rye whisky, while adding the cocktail-mixability of white spirits. In so doing, it successfully introduces the flavours of Canadian whisky to a whole new demographic.

Award of Excellence – Brand Extension: Crown Royal Black

When a distiller can’t keep up with demand everyone takes note. This new, more robust version of Canada’s best selling whisky, Crown Royal Black was welcomed so enthusiastically by American whisky drinkers that Diageo was faced with the challenge of having a truly runaway success on its hands.  To the average American whisky drinker, Crown Royal Black was THE big whisky news of 2010.

Award of Excellence – Canadian Whisky Profile: Canadian Club

Viewers of AMC’s Emmy and Golden Globe-winning television series, Mad Men, will not be surprised by the winner in this category. As Don Draper’s whisky of choice, Canadian Club was featured prominently throughout the series, attracting the attention of a new generation of Canadian whisky consumers. Canadian Club reached yet another new audience in 2010 with its featured role in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.

Notes:

About the Canadian Whisky Awards

The Canadian Whisky Awards are presented annually to the best Canadian whiskies by the publisher of Canadian whisky website: www.canadianwhisky.org. The Awards are fully independent of the Canadian whisky industry and operate on a not-for-profit basis.

About the canadianwhisky.org website

Canadianwhisky.org is an independent, Canada-based website that features news, commentary, and in-depth reviews of Canadian whiskies.

About Davin de Kergommeaux

From his base in Canada, de Kergommeaux is a much sought after whisky judge internationally. His professional training as a sommelier, and his independence from the industry, make him a popular and authoritative presenter at whisky festivals across the country.