SPRINGBANK SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
Greetings to all Society Members.
Summer is here, but as usual in Scotland we are still having four seasons in one day on a regular basis.
The tourists don’t seem to be put off by our weather as they still keep coming. The shop has been very busy with people wishing to tour the distillery and taste the whisky. Lea, our summer tour guide is getting plenty of practice, and is also out and about like a tourist herself, taking in the sights of Davaar Island, St Columba’s footprints at Southend, all the local beaches and, of course, the pub at night. She has fitted right in and seems to be enjoying her time so far in our wee community.
Customs & Excise
We are just about there with the customs problems. We have been advised that we have to ensure that the duty is paid on whisky in the country of final destination in the EU member states before we can dispatch orders. This means that we have to send out an invoice to our customer, who then has to go to their customs & excise and pay the duty then send the original receipt to me for dispatch with the order. We will of course deduct the UK duty so that these customers are not paying two lots of duty.
This will hold up orders a little and will entail some more admin work, but as long as you don’t mind waiting a little longer for your whisky, I certainly don’t mind the extra work. The invoices will be e mailed to you so that will speed up the process a little. At the present time we have a little “trial” going on with a few members to see how things work out. We really apprecialte your help in this and also appreciate the members’ patience with us at this time.
Society bottle
We still have a little of the Springbank 14y/o Society bottle – this is the only one available now, but if you ordered any of the others before our dispatch “crash” then they should still be on the reserve shelf for you and we will get them out as soon as we are back to full “distance selling” mode. Invoices to follow!!!
Open Day Bottles
The Springbank open day bottle, as you might know, sold out very quickly. However, we have a little of the Longrow open day bottle left, so if you are interested please let me know. The price is £45 plus p&p.
We also have some Glencairn Open Day glasses, £5 each or £25 for six plus p&p. We don’t have too many of these left, so if you fancy one or two or even six, let me know and we’ll get them out to you.
Of course we still have some of the Society Glasses, again Glencairn, available only to Society members at the same price as the Open Day Glasses.
Upcoming events
Tiree Music Festival 24th & 25th July
World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow Green 14 August
Whisky Fringe 14th & 15th August
Campbeltown Music Festival 19th to 22nd August
Whisky Live Glasgow 11th September
New Releases
The new Kilkerran Work in Progress is now available from our shop, you can e mail me or buy online if you would like to sample this year’s release.
Hazelburn 12y/o will be available in August this year. As soon as possible I will let you know the cost and send you the tasting notes.
New Distillery Manager
Gavin has been working closely with Frank McHardy and seems to be taking to his new post like a duck to water. I am sure Frank will be a great support to Gavin while he settles in to his new role as DA BIG BOSS.
Whisky Bar of the Year
Dram Magazine have awared Whisky Bar of the Year 2010 to Ardshiel Hotel in Campbeltown. We are delighted for Flora (who is a Society Member) and her business partner Marion. They have both worked very hard to build up their business and their popular whisky bar. www.ardshiel.co.uk
Whisky School
As well as everything else he’s up to Frank is busy organising the Whisky School for this year and next year. The dates for this year are w/c 28th November and w/c 5th December.
Next year the school will run for six weeks from w/c 15th May 2011. If you are interested in joining the whisky school please e mail me at whiskyschool@springbankwhisky.com and I will send you the relevant information and registration form.
If this year’s school is anything to go by, you will have a great time, working with our friendly team and making new like minded friends.
Well, that’s about it for now. I am still on the case for the hip flasks, I am trying to get a sample made up so that I can send photographs of how it will look. The Society bottle will soon be in the USA and I will e mail the details to our American members so that they can order their bottles.
Right now the sun is shining over Campbeltown – which is unusual, the last few weeks have been very bleak. Here’s hoping for a nice sunny, warm week end.
Slainte
Janet
See all that you’re missing by not being a member of the Springbank Society? Contact Janet at society@springbankwhisky.com for information on how to join and the many benefits!
SCOTTISH INDEPENDANCE
Thursday, August 19, 7:00-8:30pm
Longtime Scotch importer and expert Ed Kohl will be teaching us the art of single cask selection and demonstrating the quality of whisky available from independant bottlers. This seminar will feature cask selections from Signatory and newly introduced Chieftain’s Choice, as well as showing of the sublime, peated delight of Isle of Skye and Smokhead. $15 W/Binny’s Card / $20 non-members.
Call 630-654-0988 or email willowbrook@binnys.com for reservations.
Willowbrook Store
6920 Kingery Hwy | Willowbrook | 630-654-0988
Gold Medal Marketing Inc an importer of Single Malts into Alberta, Canada has now gone live with their new website….
Please check out: www.goldmedalmarketinginc.com
Gold Medal Marketing represents The Last Drop, Benromach, Gordon & MacPhail, Tullibardine, Celtic Heartlands, Kilchoman, Praban Na Linne, Springbank Distillery, Spencerfield Spirits, Glengyle, Cooley Irish Whiskey and Macmyra Swedish Whisky.
Summer Ticket Sale!
Early bird ticket sale from Aug 15 – Sept 18. This will be the best price for tickets and is your reward for acting early. It’s time to start planning your itinerary now for the week ending on March 26, 2011, or as we like to call it WoW Week.
Purchase tickets at http://www.whiskiesoftheworld.com/store/index.php?cPath=17
(This arrived on the 16th and too late to be published on Monday or even Sunday which was the 15th)
HIGHLAND PARK LAUNCHES THIRD BOTTLING FROM THE ORCADIAN VINTAGE SERIES
Highland Park, the creators of the Best Spirit in the World*, have launched the third bottling from the distillery’s Orcadian Vintage Series – a 1970 Vintage.
First launched in autumn 2009, The Orcadian Vintage Series draws on the distillery’s connections with Orkney’s rich cultural heritage and the islands’ intriguing myths and legends, which the distillery has come to be a part of since it was established in 1798.
Matthew Turner, Global Controller of Highland Park said: “Following the success of the 1968 and 1964 Vintages, up to ten exclusive limited editions will be released over the next four years. The 1970 Vintage demonstrates the skilful hand-selection process carried out by our Whisky Maker Max McFarlane, to find casks from a specific year that, based on their maturity and exceptional character, will deliver consistency and Highland Park’s inimitable balance.”
Specifically chosen by Max McFarlane, the whisky has been created from seven casks which were laid down with new make spirit in 1970. All were refill casks comprising both butts and hogsheads, producing a total of just 1,800 bottles at natural cask strength of 48% abv.
According to Max McFarlane: “The refill casks used to create this Vintage have allowed the quality and delicate fragrance of the original new make spirit to shine through without being dominated by the wood notes.
“The bottling bursts with aromas of caramelised pineapple and lemon peel as well as Highland Park’s trademark balance of aromatic peat and heather honey sweetness. At natural strength it has an intriguing mix of vanilla and coriander seeds but a drop of water brings hidden peat smoke and cedar wood to the top. This single malt has a satisfyingly long sweet and spicy flavour that hangs on the palate.”
The liquid is bottled in a unique jet back glass adorned with a specially crafted silver embossed Pictish knot which circles the necker and banding. The distinctive pewter ‘H’ amulette completes the design.
The 1970 Vintage is presented in a naturally coloured oak wooden box finished to high specification cabinet quality. The box illustration celebrates Orkney’s Scandinavian heritage, inspired specifically by a carving in the Ringerike style on an 11th century tomb. The illustration is a combat motif featuring a dragon-like creature which is shown seizing a lesser beast.
The Highland Park 1970 Vintage is available in the UK from specialist independent whisky retailers, RRP £2,250.
Notes:
Tasting notes
Colour
A wonderfully rich and deep burnished gold still showing its clarity and brightness after all these years.
Nose
First nosed straight, the 1970 Vintage gives the signature honey sweetness you would expect from Highland Park. Next is a burst of caramelised pineapple quickly followed by a citrus kick from lemon peel. When water is added the sweet oak notes come through followed by the scent of nasturtium petals and spicy woodsmoke.
Palate
At natural strength it has an intriguing mix of vanilla and coriander seeds but a drop of water brings hidden toasted peat smoke and cedar wood to the top.
Finish
A satisfyingly long sweet and spicy flavour hangs on the palate before the palate dries making a long finish into exceptional.
1970
FIFA World Cup began in Mexico, often thought of as the finest tournament of all. The final was a triumph for free-flowing attacking football as the Brazil of Pelé, Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Rivelino and Tostão won 4-1 against Italy. As this was the third occasion on which Brazil had won the World Cup they were allowed to keep the Jules Rimet trophy permanently.
It was also a politically important year, as the Conservative Party won the UK General Election. Ted Heath became Prime Minister and subsequently took Britain into the EEC. In the USA, Richard Nixon signed an act making television cigarette advertising illegal; the act came into force the following year. Anwar Sadat became President of Egypt.
The Nobel Prize for Literature went to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn “for the ethical force with which he has pursued the indispensable traditions of Russian literature.” Patton dominated the Academy Awards with ten nominations and seven wins, including Best Actor for George C Scott, Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Ali McGraw in Love Story won Best Actress.
Highland Park
Established in 1798, Highland Park is one of the oldest Scotch whisky distilleries. More important than age though, is the combination of traditional whisky-making techniques with obsessive attention to detail that has made Highland Park arguably the most respected single malt in the world.
Five keystones contribute to making the Best Spirit in the World:
· Hand-turned malt adds to the deliciously succulent, balanced layers of aromatic character found in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
· Aromatic peat gives a delectably seductive, luxuriant floral sweetness to Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
· Cool maturation enhances the smooth character of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
· Sherry oak casks contribute to the distinctive richness and multi-dimensional complexity of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
· Cask harmonisation ensures consistency and balance in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
Its range of 12, 15, 16, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts. Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio.
Awards and accolades
2010 Global Whisky Ambassador of the Year – Gerry Tosh, Icons of Whisky Awards, Whisky Magazine
2005 & 2009 Best Spirit in the World – Highland Park 18 year old, F. Paul Pacult, Spirit Journal
2009 World’s Best New Release – Highland Park 40 year old, World Whisky Awards, Whisky Magazine
2009 Single Malt of the Year – Highland Park 21 year old, World Whisky Awards, Whisky Magazine
2007 Distiller of the Year, San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Malt Maniacs Awards Update
August 16, 2010
The annual Malt Maniacs Awards began in 2003, in reaction to the large number of “chocolate medals” being awarded to everyday whiskies in commercial competitions. Not that they were bad whiskies, but the Malt Maniacs knew there were a lot better ones out there that simply had not been entered into competition.
From the beginning the Awards have been a little bit different. Johannes van den Heuval and Serge Valentin began with the germ of an idea. A lot of these competitions were held just to make money, they thought. “You pay me 500 dollars, and I’ll give you a double gold medal” seemed to be the modus operandus. So right from the start the Malt Maniacs Awards were free to enter. To ensure they send only their best, distillers are limited to three entries, while independent bottlers may enter up to 5 bottles from various distilleries.
Entries are received at a central location in France, then split into samples which are dispatched to judges, literally, around the world. No clues are given as to what is in the bottles and the judges are strictly forbidden to talk among themselves until their scores are in.
Once the twelve judges have submitted their scores, awards are decided and on December 1 they are announced to the world. Past winners range from everyday affordable whiskies such as Glendronach 15yo, Benrinnes 13yo, and Clynelish 12yo (turns out some of them really ARE very good), to the more esoteric independent releases. Entries are divided into three price ranges to ensure every pocketbook can find affordable whiskies among the winners.
With the industry already showing so much interest in Malt Maniacs Awards 2010, consumers can look forward to knowing what whiskies really are the best of the best, just in time for Christmas shopping.
And to the judges … Gentlemen, start your noses!
The Malt Maniacs have once again thrown down the whisky gauntlet. Preparations are well underway for the eighth annual Malt Maniacs Awards. And though the deadline for receipt of bottles is September 27, already more than 40 companies from six countries have committed to enter more than 125 bottles. With judges coming from four or five continents this is truly an international whisky competition.
Some Malt Maniacs at lunch
Please join us on Thursday 26th August at Edinburgh’s Bramble Bar to sample our new Spirit Drink range and try some exciting Bramble cocktails, using one of our four innovative Glenglassaugh Spirit Drinks. Challenge your perceptions and your tastebuds with creations from the cream of Scotland’s mixologists. Drop in from 2.00pm to 4.00 pm and meet the team while soaking up some Edinburgh Festival atmosphere!
RSVP to ronnie.routledge@glenglassaugh.com or stop by on the day – the doors will be open.
Glenglassaugh Sprit Drinks & cocktails
@ Bramble Bar & Lounge,
16a Queen Street,
Edinburgh
EH2 1JE.
The Whisky Shop Dufftown’s First Bottling
Mortlach 1998
Working with Gordon & MacPhail The WSD has produced it’s first bottling and it’s a real stunner. Being based in Dufftown our first bottling had to be a Mortlach. This cask strength non coloured non chill-filtered Mortlach is from a Refill Sherry Hogshead. It was selected by The Whisky Shop Dufftown owner Mike Lord. We’ve nicknamed it ‘The PM’ , the peated Mortlach (well it is election time in the UK), as it has a defined smokiness which was described by one expert as like cigar smoke. Until the end of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival it will be on offer at £40.00 per bottle (price after that £45.00).
We hope to work with other companies in the future to make available exclusive single cask malt whisky which is a bit different!
Tasting Notes
Nose: A complex noise of fruit cake and freshly baked chocolate cookies with further layers of plums, raisins, spearmint, menthol and hint of smoke from a heather bonfire.
Taste: Very rich and creamy in the mouth with flavours of chocolate fruit and nut, rum and raisin ice cream, honey and in the background definite phenol notes.
Finish: Long with a dark chocolate and raisins with a smoked chipotle chilli edge.
Visit The Whisky Shop in Dufftown at http://www.whiskyshopdufftown.co.uk/ and the Mortlach bottle at http://tinyurl.com/39txk5o
There’s no doubting that Kentucky makes great bourbons, but a single malt? That hasn’t happened since 1919…until now. Dr. Pearse Lyons is the CEO of Alltech, which makes yeasts and animal feed supplements in Kentucky. He comes from generations of Irish coopers, and since Alltech already owns the Kentucky Brewing Company in Lexington, he decided to honor his heritage with a single malt. We’ll also get the latest on Shackleton’s whisky from Nigel Watson of the Antarctic Heritage Trust and learn more about Charity: Water from CEO Scott Harrison
Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com
