We are pleased to announce that The Spice Tree is now available in Ontario at LCBO stores around the Province. You can find your local store via searching for The Spice Tree (LCBO #220806) at www.lcbo.com. For those of you not in the immediate area, you can also find The Spice Tree at select stores in Alberta and New Brunswick.

The Spice Tree recently won ‘Best New Scotch Brand of the Year’ in Jim Murray’s 2011 Whisky Bible. For more detailed information on this innovative, unique whisky click here.

See below for a full list of availability in Canada of our range of whiskies.

Alberta – Asyla, The Peat Monster, The Spice Tree, Flaming Heart 10th Anniversary, Double Single 10th Anniversary,  Hedonism Maximus and The Peat Monster Reserve.  
British Columbia – The Peat Monster.
Manitoba – The Peat Monster.
New Brunswick – The Peat Monster and The Spice Tree.
Nova Scotia – Oak Cross.
Ontario – The Peat Monster and The Spice Tree.

Regards,

The Compass Box Team
hello@compassboxwhisky.com

Follow the link below to see the latest blog post on Behind the Blend from Ludo

Single Grain Scotch Whisky

Good evening all,

I can’t find ‘official’ figures to back this claim but simple maths tell me more single grain whisky is produced in Scotland’s seven grain distilleries than single malt is in the country’s 90-odd malt distilleries. After all, 93% of all Scotch whisky sold in 2009 was blended whisky, and blends usually contain more…

http://blog.grantswhisky.com/2011/02/single-grain-scotch-whisky/

Kind regards,
Ludo

Whisky Review 185 – Glasgow’s Innaugral Festival Bottling called Highland Park  (and useful Independedent Whisky sourcing advice too)   …. at www.ralfy.com.

Brown-Forman Releases Collingwood Canadian Whisky

Introducing the only toasted Maplewood mellowed Canadian whisky

February 14, 2011, Louisville, Ky. – Brown-Forman announces the release of Collingwood, a new premium Canadian whisky which is set to hit shelves in February. Collingwood will be the only Maplewood mellowed Canadian whisky available on the market.

Every batch of Collingwood starts with the finest Canadian grains, pure spring water from Ontario’s Georgian Bay and its very own, hand-crafted, Maplewood mellowing process. The whisky is triple distilled for smoothness and then matured in white oak barrels. In Collingwood’s unique finishing step, the whisky rests with toasted Maplewood to complete its smooth character.

“By now, people have figured out fancy bags and bottles don’t make great whisky, it’s what’s inside that counts,” said Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris. “With passion and perseverance, we set out to create nothing short of the smoothest Canadian whisky ever made. Collingwood has arrived to set the new standard for smoothness and to revolutionize the Canadian whisky category.”

The gentle Maplewood mellowing process Collingwood undergoes is something unique in the Canadian Whisky category. It has a refined character that can be enjoyed on the rocks or mixed in a whisky cocktail.

Collingwood’s unique over-cap, flask shaped package was created by the media & design group at Brown-Forman based in Louisville, Kentucky.

“The brand objective was to communicate and personify smoothness to the discerning whisky drinker,” said Webb Blevins, Global Creative Director at Brown-Forman. “We believe Collingwood is the smoothest whisky ever made, and because of this, we wanted the package to really show off the liquid inside. We tried to immediately communicate premium without shouting or trying to impress, because Collingwood is for those who have nothing to prove to anyone but themselves.”

Collingwood will launch an ad campaign to coincide with the product’s release in several trade magazines and out of home billboards in launch markets. Available in Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana and Texas initially, more markets will be added later in 2011. Each bottle is presented at 80 proof with a suggested retail price of $26.99 for a 750ml bottle.

The Whisky Exchange Suspends Shipping to Germany

A message from Tim F at the Whisky Exchange…

Good news and bad news for our German friends today.

The bad news is that The Whisky Exchange is temporarily suspending shipments to Germany while we sort out a tax agent.

A gutted German whisky fan, today.

All is not lost, however.

This is pretty much the same thing that happened with Sweden a couple of years ago.  We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused to our German friends as a result of this bureaucratic hoop that we’re being forced to jump through, but hopefully it’ll be sorted pretty quick – we are working very hard to ensure that normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.  Concerned Germans, such as the above, should email my colleague kiran[at]thewhiskyexchange.com for more details.

On the other hand, it’s not all doom and gloom for our German chums – The Hoff still loves you, and so do we:

Hoffy Valentine’s Day, everyone.

The Claymore Times

~ All The News That’s Fit To Drink ~

Glen Grant 25 Year Old ( LCBO # 204081) 

Here’s a wee suggestion for St Valentine’s day; buy your significant other a stunning 25yo Glen Grant whisky.  It can be found at 19 LCBO stores in Ontario at a cost of $159 which will make your gift rather special.

Glen Grant Distillery was the first of five to be built in the town of Rothes. It was built by John & James Grant, two brothers who had previously been involved in illicit distilling.

The Glen Grant stills are a unique shape with an almost square section between the pot and the neck, this, together with purifiers on the lyne arms, contributes, to Glen Grant’s light, gentle character. Glen Grant is one of the world’s biggest selling Malt Whiskies, with Italy being a significant market.

TASTING NOTES

WITHOUT WATER:

Nose: Sherry, fruity – bruised apples with rum toffee notes. Polished leather aromas also present.

Palate: Cereal and nutty (almonds and walnuts) elements with burnt flavours, Sherry more evident now.

WITH WATER:

Nose: Fruity as before with developing cherry liqueur aromas. Sherry wood.

Palate: Drying with charred wood, fruitcake and Sherry flavours. Treacle toffee notes.

Body: Medium.

Finish: Clean drying

Cask type(s): First Fill and Refill Sherry Casks.

Colour: Golden brown.

INFORMATION:

Region:                Rothes. Speyside.

Founded:             1840.

Water Source:      Caperdonich Well.

Owner:                 Campari.

Status:                 Operational.

Locations for Glen Grant 25 yo (LCBO # 204081)

1. TORONTO-CENTRAL 10 SCRIVENER SQUARE
 YONGE & SUMMERHILL
 (416)922-0403 
 
2. TORONTO-CENTRAL 2 COOPER STREET
 QUEENS QUAY & YONGE
 (416)864-6777 
 
3. WINDSOR 3165 HOWARD AVENUE
 HOWARD & E.C. ROW EXPWY (ROUNDHOUSE CTR)
 (519)972-1772 
 
4. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 2901 BAYVIEW AVENUE
 BAYVIEW & SHEPPARD (BAYVIEW VILLAGE)
 (416)222-7658
 
5. OAKVILLE 321 CORNWALL DRIVE
 CORNWALL & TRAFALGAR
 (905)845-8100 
 
6. OTTAWA 275 RIDEAU STREET
 RIDEAU & KING EDWARD
 (613)789-5226 
 
7. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 2625D WESTON ROAD
 HWY 401 & WESTON (CROSSROADS)
 (416)243-3320 
 
8. TORONTO-CENTRAL 232 DUPONT STREET
 DUPONT & SPADINA
 (416)922-7066
 
9. KINGSTON 34 BARRACK STREET
 BARRACK & KING
 (613)549-5092
 
10. BRANTFORD 50 MARKET STREET SOUTH
 MARKET SOUTH & ICOMM
 (519)753-0541 
 
11. TORONTO-ETOBICOKE 2946 BLOOR STREET WEST
 BLOOR & ROYAL YORK (KINGSWAY)
 (416)239-3065 
 
12. WOODBRIDGE 7850 WESTON ROAD
 HWY 7 & WESTON
 (905)851-2500 
 
13. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 675 WILSON AVENUE
 WILSON & DUFFERIN
 (416)636-5349 
 
14. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 1838-1844 AVENUE ROAD
 AVENUE & LAWRENCE
 (416)785-6389
 
15. TORONTO-CENTRAL 200 BAY STREET SOUTH,
 FRONT & BAY (ROYAL BANK PLAZA)
 (416)368-9644
 
16. TORONTO-CENTRAL 415 KING STREET WEST
 KING & SPADINA
 (416)598-1482 
 
17. RICHMOND HILL 8783 YONGE STREET
 YONGE & HWY 7
 (905)886-3511 
 
18. TORONTO-CENTRAL 55 BLOOR STREET WEST
 BAY & BLOOR (MANULIFE CENTRE)
 (416)925-5266 
 
19. TORONTO-CENTRAL FIRST CANADIAN PLACE
 BAY & KING (FIRST CANADIAN PLACE)
 (416)594-9040 

NOTES:

I just purchased a 70yo Mortlach (oldest whisky in the world), I’ll keep you posted upon its arrival.

Regards,

Bill Somerville

Global Operations Director

Claymore Imports Inc.

Mail:     bill@claymoreimports.ca

We’ve just added to the site 6 Flora and Fauna Whiskies, these are all from the earlier Wooden Boxed editions.
We have – Caol Ila, Balmenach, Glenlossie, Linkwood, Rosebank, Bladnoch.

http://www.specialistwhisky.com

Take a look today!

Slainte
Craig

The 17th annual Malt Advocate Whisky Awards will be presented in the Spring 2011 issue of  Malt Advocate magazine, due out March 1st. However, we will be announcing the award winners in advance on the Malt Advocate blog, “What Does John Know?” beginning February 16th.
 
As the awards are announced, they will automatically be published to Malt Advocate magazine’s Facebook page and Publisher & Editor John Hansell’s Twitter (@JohnHansell) account.
  
The advantage of publishing the awards on the Malt Advocate blog is two-fold:

The awards can be announced more quickly via social media than in print media, and it will help to reach a wider audience.

Announcing the awards in a blog platform allows for further discussion and interaction between whisky enthusiasts, press, and trade.

“We are always trying to be as progressive as possible,” notes Hansell. “We look forward to using social media more in the future to provide Malt Advocate readers with the best whisky experience possible — one that is complementary to Malt Advocate magazine.”

The dates the category winners will be announced are:

February 16th:  Best Buy Whisk(e)y of the Year

February 17th:  Artisan Whisky of the Year

February 18th:  American Whiskey of the Year

February 19th:  Canadian Whisky of the Year

February 20th: Irish Whiskey of the Year

February 21st:  Scotch Whisky Blend of the Year

February 22nd:  Scotch Whisky Single Malt of the Year

February 23rd:   World Whisky of the Year

February 24th:  Pioneer of the Year

February 25th:  Industry Leader of the Year

February 26th:  Distillery of the Year

February 27th:  Lifetime Achievement Award
 
February 28th: Top Ten New Whiskies

Be sure to tune in to What Does John Know? beginning February 16th.

Compass Box
‘A Tale of Two Decades’ Tasting
Monday 21-Feb, 7:00pm

We’re going to be kicking off this year’s tasting calendar with an evening under the tutelage of the esteemed John Glaser, Master of all things whisky in the world of Compass Box. John and his excellent team have a long history of making real headlines in the whisky world since they burst onto the scene a decade ago, and we felt it was high time they graced our humble little tasting evenings again. The last tasting we hosted with these Chiswick champions was, unbelievably, way back in 2008, and proved to be a roaring success. We’re certain that this event will be even more spectacular.
 
For this tasting, we shall be revisiting some of the company’s legendary past bottlings (most of which are now too rare or sought-after to even think about trying to buy), alongside a selection of the more recent stars from the Compass Box stable. We will be covering about 7 different expressions or so in total, including the highly acclaimed 10th Anniversary bottlings, a certain “illegal” release from a few years back, and a very Magical whisky indeed!

Tickets for this enthralling evening of entertainment and education are priced at £30 per person, and are strictly limited to 2 places per booking. As we suspect many of you will be very eager to join us for this first tasting of 2011, we expect tickets to disappear fairly sharpish. They will go on sale from 3:00pm on Monday 14th February, available by calling us with payment details on +44 (0)207 403 8688.
 
Sláinte,

The Team

Eades Double Malt and Great Cigars — Another Great Pairing for a Great Cause
 
For our Eades Enthusiasts in DC and Northern Virginia

We are very happy to invite you to join us at Signature Cigars in DC this Thursday, February 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. for an evening of Eades Double Malt whiskies, fine cigars and relaxation…all to benefit charity! We will be pouring our Eades Double Malt whiskies for free, and there will be specials on premium cigars such as the Edicion Limitada series by Romeo and Julieta, H. Upmann, Montecristo and Trinidad. The event is free; Signature Cigars only asks that you purchase cigar(s) meeting their daily lounge minimum.

Signature Cigars and the Virginia Distillery Company are joining together for the National Power Tool Drive to support the Second Annual Plumbing Brigade trip to Cuba. Bring a new or used tool, or sponsor a new tool with a  donation. These tools will be used to provide training, renovation assistance and general collaboration with the plumbers of Cuba.

We hope to see you Thursday!

Signature Cigars of DC
4835 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
202.244.6040

Suggested Tools to bring:

– Pipe threaders (1/2″-2″)
– Galvanized Pipe cutters
– CPVC Pipe cutters
– Pipe wrenches (14″,16″,18″)
– Power Drills
– Chipping Hammers,
– Levels (8″,12″,18″)
– Tape Measures (3, 5, 7, 10 Meters)
– Basin wrenches (1/2″-2″ pipe)
– Pipe Vises
 
 Pat Jones
Virginia Distillery Company