TOASTING THE BARD

Whether you have an invitation to a formal traditional Burns Supper or are planning a simple affair at home with haggis neeps and tatties, choose from the following single malts for a fine dram to toast our national bard on his birthday.

Lauded “the greatest all rounder in the world of malt whisky” by the late drinks writer Michael Jackson, Highland Park 12 year old single malt, boasts a rich full flavour with hints of honey and peat with a soft, long rounded finish. This award winning Orcadian malt is the perfect tipple to serve alongside some haggis. (RRP £28.74, available at multiple retailers including Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons, Co-op, Somerfield and Oddbins or online at www.highlandpark.co.uk).

Balanced with oak and fruit flavours with hints of heather honey, the soft and malty The Macallan Fine Oak 10 Years Old makes an ideal introduction to the range. The award winning Fine Oak range was heralded to be “by far the best range of non-vintage whiskies to be launched by any one distillery for possibly the last decade.” (RRP £27.75, available at multiple retailers including Asda, Tesco, Co-op, Oddbins or online at www.themacallan.com).

Laden with notes of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and hints of spice, The Glenrothes Select Reserve typifies the Speyside distillery house style.  A vatting of casks distilled in different years, Select Reserve is presented in the iconic Glenrothes bottle and is the very essence of The Glenrothes range (RRP £33.45, available at Sainsbury’s, Oddbins, House of Fraser, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Wine Rack, specialist whisky retailers or online at www.theglenrothes.com)

Millennium and Eleven Masters Tasting Series

Join us for a series of tastings featuring “The Masters” of wine and spirits as chosen by one of America’s foremost wine and spirits authorities, F. Paul Pacult, editor of The Spirit Journal.

Monday, January 31, 7:00 p.m.

Robbie Burns Night Celebration:

The Elegant Single Malts

Please join us to celebrate the 252nd birthday of the Greatest Scot. This extraordinary evening will feature nine distinct and perfectly balanced single malt scotches from the spectacular portfolio of Skyy Spirits. Come celebrate the Bard and raise your glass to the immortal “Ode to Haggis” accompanied by bagpipe, Scottish fare and some of the finest single malts in the world.

Master of the Quaich F. Paul Pacult will lead you through this unforgettable tasting which will include:

Auchentoshan Three Wood
Auchentoshan 21 Year Old
Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest
Bowmore Tempest Small Batch Release No. 2
10 Year Old/Cask Strength
The Glenrothes 1998
The Glenrothes 1985
Glen Garioch 12 Year Old
Glen Garioch 1797 Founder’s Reserve
Glen Grant 16 Year Old

$95 per person

For reservations call Keens Steakhouse (212) 947-3636
– Please register early as we expect this event to sell out –

http://www.keens.com/images/Winter2011Tasting_KeensRegistrationForm.pdf

Please fax back to us at (212) 714-1103

Burns Online Savings: £10 off selected bottlings

Join us this January as we celebrate the one and only Rabbie Burns.  Enjoy a £10* online saving on our selection of single casks to toast The Bard.   Order NOW in time for Tue 25th Jan

Offer ends: Mon 24 Jan (subject to availability)

29.91 Bovril and neeps
£50.70 NOW £40.70 inc free p&p

19.47 Dried roses in a shoe -box
£61.50 NOW £51.50 inc. free p&p

9.53 A peppery explosion
£60.40 NOW £50.40 inc free p&p

39.78 Welcome wake-up call
£78.20 NOW £68.20 inc. free p&p

125.33 Tutti-frutti beauty
£86.90 NOW £76.90 inc. free p&p

* Discount added at checkout

Society 2011 Burns Whisky Tasting & Events

Traditional Burns Supper – The Vaults, Tue 25 Jan
Bristol HDV Burns Dinner – The Sugar House, Tue 25 Jan
Dunfermline Burns Tasting – Garvock House Hotel, Thu 27 Jan
Newcastle Burns Tasting – Northern Counties Club, Fri 28 Jan
Glasgow Burns Tasting – Malmaison, Fri 28 Jan
Edinburgh HDV Burns Dinner – Bristo Place, Fri 28 Jan
Harrogate HDV Burns Dinner – Prospect Place, Fri 28 Jan

YOUR OWN Private Burns Celebrations
Did you know you could arrange your own private Burns dinners and suppers at the Society? Including theatrical entertainment and music, delicious food and of course, the finest whisky.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).

Visit http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join the Society

SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL – 2011 PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

Devotees of the dram from around the world started logging on to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival website last week as details of the 2011 programme were revealed and the online booking system went live.

The Festival programme annually boasts over 200 events, although there’s usually a rush for some of the most exclusive and prestigious events, ranging from the Opening Dinner and the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards to unique distillery tours and masterclasses and the renowned Spirit of Speyside Whisky School.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (28th April – 2nd May, 2011) is one of Europe’s largest whisky festivals and, now in its twelfth year, has established itself as one of the key events on the Scottish tourism calendar.  Last year the Festival generated almost £3/4m for the local and Scottish economy attracting 26,000 visits to the area.

Fans of the traditional tipple are expected to travel from destinations worldwide to attend the event, and recent Festivals indicate an ever-increasing overseas audience, in particular from countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany. One notable Dutch attendee will be the well-known whisky author Hans Offringa, who has selected the festival as the venue for the relaunch of his book ‘The Road to Craigellachie Revisited’, an autobiographical diary tour through the world of whisky and Scotland.

Some of the highlights of the 2011 Festival calendar include the chance for whisky fans to enjoy a rare behind the scenes insight into distilleries which are usually closed to the public, such as Benrinnes, Glenrothes and Mortlach, and to take advantage of in-depth guided tours at iconic distilleries such as Cardhu, Glen Grant, The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, The Macallan and Benromach.

New for the 2011 programme are half and full day Food and Drink Tours, which look closely at the links between Speyside’s signature pouring and other regional produce by exploring the area’s reputation for top quality meats, game and fine foods and the culinary legacy of a lifetime of liquor-making.  Visitors will be able to explore the role of whisky in Scottish cuisine and sample some of the finest food offerings from an area that is also home to big Scottish brands such as Baxters and Walkers.

And unique to the Festival is the Spirit of Speyside Whisky School, which features three days of undiluted and informative malt whisky education of the highest standard and includes seven expert-led technical lectures and seven top level technical site visits conducted by distillery managers. 

Festival chairman Jim Royan said: “We are excited to be revealing the programme for the 2011 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival this week – we know it has been eagerly awaited by whisky lovers everywhere.

“Connoisseurs from all corners of the world travel to Speyside to take part in this unique event each year and we are looking forward to greeting whisky aficionados and non-whisky drinkers and to welcoming newcomers and returning visitors alike.

“Speyside is an outstandingly beautiful region that is rich in history and tradition and the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival offers us a unique opportunity to showcase not only our heritage but also our produce, landscape and hospitality.”

To find out more and book tickets go to www.spiritofspeyside.com, and keep up to date with the Festival programme on www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside.

Notes:

– Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2011 runs from Thursday, 28th April-Monday, 2nd May.  www.spiritofspeyside.com
– Easy access by rail or air, including a number of low-cost airline options to Aberdeen and Inverness airport
– The Festival runs a subsidised dial-a-bus service and taxi voucher scheme
– The Festival also runs several competitions and awards including a Whisky Cocktail Competition, Photographic Competition and the prestigious Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards

– Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2011 has received funding from EventScotland and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners
– EventScotland is the national events agency.  EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors.  For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org

The 2011 Single Malt Whisky Sale at the Park Avenue Liquor Shop.

The Park Avenue Liquor Shop has decided start 2011 off right by having a Single Malt Sale.

The first thing you need to know about this sale is:This an in-store sale only! The second thing you need to know is: Although this an in-store sale, we will honor these sale prices on phone and email orders that mention this email blast. We’re sure you’ll find a great gift for a friend, relative, loved-one (Valentine’s Day is coming up!) or possibly a gift for yourself. This sale is the perfect excuse to try something you wouldn’t ordinarily go for. Please be aware that this sale is not indefinite – we can only offer these prices while supplies last.

Thanks for taking a look and as always, if you have any questions please contact  us at the store.

Post-Holiday Cheers!

Jonathan & Eric
Park Avenue Liquor Shop
292 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017
212-685-2442
info@parkaveliquor.com  www.parkaveliquor.com

Lagavulin 12 Year Old, Limited Edition

“Lagavulin 12 year old combines the classic smoke and intensity with complex aromas and delicious sweetness. It’s dry and vibrant on the tongue with masses of smoke, yet also very fragrant and so sweet. Adding water is recommended.”

Price: $100

In-Store Sale Price: $70

Glenmorangie:  The Lasanta

“This elegant non-chill filtered single malt in initially matured in bourbon casks, then extra matured or ‘finished’ in Oloroso Sherry casks, to create the rich, nutty flavour which defines The Lasanta. A 12 year old single malt, The Lasanta is true to its Gaelic meaning of ‘warmth’ and ‘passion’, with a tantalizing marriage of warm, creamy flavours.”

Price: $72

In-Store Sale Price: $52

Glenmorangie: The Quinta Ruban

“Like sipping velvet, this voluptuously smooth twelve year old single malt imparts a complex balance of dark chocolate and mint flavours, with a luxurious hint of port in the long, lingering finish. Importantly, Quinta Ruban in non-chill filtered which imparts added body, taste and texture to the spirit”.

Price: $72

In-Store Sale Price: $52

Glenmorangie:  Nectar D’Or

“Nectar D’Or is first matured in bourbon barrels and then ‘finished’ in exquisite Sauternes wine barriques from some of the most respected vineyards of France. Toasted oak and vanilla are intricately woven with honey, lemon and spices to create a mix of sumtuous flavours, a silky texture and a long, lingering finish. The Nectar D’Or is non-chill filtered and bottled at a strength of 46%.”.

Price: $77

In-Store Sale Price:$58

Glenmorangie: The Original

“The original (multiple)award-winning expression from Glenmorangie is an elegant, floral spirit and the real backbone of the distillery’s range. A ten-year-old single malt, Glenmorangie Original is produced by marrying the delicate spirit that emerges from Scotland’s tallest stills, with first and second fill American white oak casks. The scent of citrus and ripening peaches is softened by the aroma of vanilla.That same vanilla is detected on the tongue before it ripples along the palate bringing a burst of flowery fruitiness.

About a minute after tasting, you are left with a clean and salving aftertaste with hints of orange and peach.”

Price: $45

In-Store Sale Price: $40

Octomore V2_140

The “iron fist in a velvet glove” just got more intense and more elegant. This is the limited edition second release of the world’s peatiest whisky. Already a legend, this remarkable spirit has been dialed up to a whole new level of peatiness. 140  PPM to be exact.Octomore V2 has been made using Bruichladdich’s intrinsic “trickle” distillation and aged 5 years in a bourbon cask. Once again, it is nonchill-filtered and color free.

Price: $198

In-Store Sale Price: $150

Springbank 10 Year Old

The 10 year old from the Springbank distillery in Campbeltown, a mixture of both  bourbon and sherry matured whisky. The nose is big-bodied with oaked aridity. The peat is present and quite pungent with an earthen rootiness. Notes of exotic fruits and a hint of salinity. The palate is full-bodied with a good helping of cereal sweetness. There is a richness to the peat, with a dark nuttiness and whirling smoke. The finish is long and crisp with a coastal tang and a trailing peat with oaked dryness.

Price: $62

In-Store Sale Price: $54

Springbank 15 Year Old

A 15 year old from the Springbank distillery with plenty of sherry notes and spice, dried fruits and nuts. The nose is quite fragrant with a certain richness. Notes  of fruit salad and a hint of caramel, pineapple, guava and passion fruit lurk. There are notes of dried leather and old ropes. A hint of toffee sweetness and some granary toast. The palate is quite full and rich. There are notes of creamy fruit salad and more exotic fruit notes. There is palpable mastication from the oaked tannins with a hint of spice. The finish is quite long with a gentle warmth.

Price: $105

In-Store Sale Price: $97

Tomintoul 27 Year Old

Excellent value for a 27 year old single malt, a gentle Speyside whisky from Tomintoul. The nose is quite full and well-balanced. There are notes of freshly cut fruit salad; notes of crème anglaise with muscavado sugar; hints of burnt sugar and winter spice with buttery aged Haitian rum and a touch of chewy oak with a soft grape note. The palate is of medium-body and quite viscous. There are notes of pineapple, guava and apple with a touch of lemon juice. There are notes of vanilla spice and fudge with a touch of Demerara sugar and thick cream. The finish is quite full and long with a good sweetness.

Price: $227

In-Store Sale Price: $160

Sale prices are only available while supplies last. Due to ever-changing inventory, we cannot guarantee bottle availability. We are not responsible for typographical errors. Please contact the store with any questions regarding shipping.

The Park Avenue Liquor Shop | 292 Madison Avenue | Between 40th and 41st streets | New York | NY | 10017

Loch Fyne Whiskies has stocked a new item, ‘Arran Machrie Moor’

Arran Machrie Moor [Peated]
46% abv
£38.50 inc vat
£32.08 ex vat

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Ralfy publishes whisky review #177 part 6 of 7 of his Springbank Odyssey,  with respect to all maltsters! visit Ralfy at www.ralfy.com

WhiskyCast LIVE This Weekend from Victoria!

Join us this Saturday for the first LIVE webcast of WhiskyCast on location at the Victoria Whisky Festival in British Columbia!  

We’ll have all of the usual WhiskyCast features, along with a special live blind tasting of whiskies selected by fellow Malt Maniac and VWF Chairman Lawrence Graham. The panel will include whisky pros and amateur whisky lovers, and only one person knows what we’ll be tasting until the secrets are revealed. 

The fun starts at 2:00pm Pacific Time live from the Hotel Grand Pacific on Victoria’s Inner Harbour. That’s 5:00pm on the East Coast, and 2200 GMT, and you’ll find the link for the live webcast at the Victoria Whisky Festival’s web site www.victoriawhiskyfestival.com  

If you can’t join us for the live feed from Victoria, the entire show will be available as a podcast later that night, and we’ll have a special second episode featuring highlights from Victoria on Sunday!

Slainte!

Mark Gillespie

www.whiskycast.com

 The link on the Victoria Whisky Festival website is at the top of the home page and looks like this;

Latest News from the Isle of Arran Distillery about the 2011 Open Day!

The Isle of Arran Distillery Open Day has been confirmed as Sunday 29th May and this year’s event is shaping up to be as dramtastic as last year’s event!

There will be the usual warm island hospitality with plenty of fantastic vintage drams straight from the warehouse, and expert tasting guidance from Master Distiller James MacTaggart and some well known whisky noses….! The full island gourmet experience will be on offer, with fellow producers coming out in full force to show the best that they have to offer.  From ice cream and handmade chocolates to cheese and crumbly oat cakes, there could be no better way to spend the May bank holiday weekend! There will be plenty of activities for everyone, including the little ones, so don’t hesitate to make a family day of it. Arran Adventures will be there to showcase some of their outdoor activities, plus face painting, bouncy castle and bird displays. The day will be rounded off by the traditional Scottish ceilidh in the evening, complete with live band and more than a barrel of laughs. And for those already attending the annual Islay Music and Malt Festival, the short hop over to Arran on the Sunday is the ideal way to round your ‘whisky weekend’ off by joining the only Distillery on Arran in their annual celebrations.

Tickets will be on sale in the next couple of weeks – keep your eyes peeled to www.arranwhisky.com/news where all the latest news from these dynamic distillers can be found.

www.arranwhisky.com