Tomorrow on Whisky Intelligence a review of nine excellent single cask bottlings from the independant bottler A. Dewar Rattray.

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

A Day with Nick Nairn

Hello,

I certainly would not call myself a chef. I can cook basic meals but life on the road (or rather in the air) as a global ambassador often takes me to restaurants and the odd fast food chain. I’ll admit it – I was a tad nervous when I received an invitation from Nick Nairn,…

http://blog.grantswhisky.com/2011/02/a-day-with-nick-nairn/

Kind regards,
Ludo

What is your 2011 supply and allocation?

Below is our Dec ’10 – Dec ’11 preliminary allocation. We will be sending these cases to each market at the beginning of each month. As you can see, we sent nearly 80% of our December allotment to Iowa and will continue to do our best to supply our home state while balancing the future growth for our company. Most people in the industry think we are crazy to allocate this much product to Iowa but it is important to us as Iowa guys and as an Iowa company. Please support us on this fact if you hear folks saying we are “sending all our product out of state.”

Why is Templeton Rye so hard to find in Iowa?

Iowa is what is known in the industry as a “Control State”, meaning the State of Iowa acts as the distributor for spirits in the State. We sell every bottle of Templeton Rye in Iowa to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division or ABD.

The ABD applies a “mark-up” or tax, and sells the product to Licensees, or Spirits Retailers. Please note that despite serious pressure, we have not changed our price to the ABD. The ABD applies a set mark-up and retailers have the liberty to set the final price charged to consumers. The ABD allocates the cases we send them every month to “uniformly distribute” them amongst Licensees. The ABD decides how many cases each licensee can order every month and they begin to fill orders on a certain day. Iowa Licensees order on either Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday with delivery the following day. Depending on what day of the week a Licensee orders and the amount of product sent in that month, they may or may not get any product that particular month.

Each party mentioned above is in a tough spot because of the supply/demand situation. We realize that and truly appreciate their efforts. What we want to make clear is that once we sell product to the ABD we do not control where it ends up or the price on the shelf. We have a lot more influence on those items in other states and quite frankly, if Iowa were not our home state we would probably allocate much less product here.

Visit Templton Rye at www.templetonrye.com

I thought it was time for an update on cask availability. 

I’m looking forward to my first trip to Linköping’s Whiskyexpo (http://www.whiskyexpo.se) where I hope to meet many of Sweden’s whisky enthusiasts who I know by name only at present.

If you have any interest in specific whiskies please send me an email. I am compiling a list of whiskies which I hope are of interest to people.

Last week Carntyne Transport delivered the latest lorry load of casks to Bladnoch. These consisted of 20yo whisky from Port Dundas, North British, more of the excellent value Blair Athol. I’ve uploaded some of the photographs into a new “gallery” page on my website, but by far the easiest way to view all of the photographs is  by visiting the Facebook page given at the end of this email. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF FACEBOOK TO VIEW THIS PAGE!

Still to be delivered are hogsheads of 2009 Bunnahabhain and hogsheads of Cragganmore distilled in 1989 and 1991. The Cragganmore have been priced approximately below, but must be delivered and re-gauged before a final price can be set.

The stock is still growing and I hope that I will soon have something for everyone.

More details on each of the above whiskies can also be found on my website, or by replying to this email with your enquiry.

Please write a comment on the guestbook of my website, especially if you have purchased a cask. Finally, if you have any website related suggestions, don’t hesitate to send me an email.

Martin Armstrong

www.whiskybroker.co.uk

info@whiskybroker.co.uk

Come and Taste a Wee Dram

Isle of Skye – Smokehead – Chieftain’s

SCOTCH TASTING / SEMINAR TO BE HELD AT:

Bin 604 Wine Cellar
604 South Exeter Street
Baltimore, MD  21202
410-576-0444

6:30 PM February 24, 2011

Malts to be presented:
1997 Aultmore, Speyside 12 yr
1995 The Cigar Malt, Speyside 15 yr
1997 Glen Grant, Speyside 13 yr
Isle of Skye, Island 8 yr
Smokehead, Islay

And introducing:

Kilchoman, the newest distillery    on Islay.
 
*Space is limited so please inquire about availability

…Only the worthy are chosen…Naturally!

Hello Fellow Scotch Lovers – 

This week, I am again thrilled to offer you the opportunity to pre-order another highly collectible whisky: Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix 2010.

The story about this incredible whisky is one of, shall I say, divine intervention.  This is an extremely limited edition whisky…it will absolutely not be availabe beyond March, and this may be your only chance to aquire a bottle (limit 2-bottles per customer, please). So if you want a bottle, please purchase your Snow Phoenix ASAP.
  http://for-lovers.com/store/scotch/glenfiddich-snow-phoenix-2010-non-chill-filltered-speyside-single-malt-750ml.html?sid=akae3t5vjfa9rt772u790f2494

Also, for those who live in California, or are looking for a great reason to visit San Francisco in March, I am excited as hell to tell you that ForScotchLovers will have a booth at this years Whiskies of the World Expo on March 26th.  This is a terrific show, and I’m thrilled we’ll be a part of it.  And because we are participating in the show, I’m able to offer you a great discount on tickets (see below).

These are two extremely exciting opportunities…I hope you’ll take advantage of both. And if you do attend the Whiskies of the World Expo, ya better stop by our booth and say hello.

I hope to see you all there,    

Doug Stone
Founder
www.ForScotchLovers.com

12th Annual Whiskies of the World Expo & Artisanal Spirits Fest

March  26th in San Francisco

The Whiskies of the World Expo gathers the world’s most fascinating distilled spirits along with their makers and ambassadors to give its guests an opportunity to sample, learn and experience a night of delicious spirited fun.

By popular demand, the 12th Expo will take place again on the San Francisco Belle Yacht (docked) with its three ballroom-size tasting decks, and an open roof Whisky & Cigar Pairing deck. Come on March, 26th to enjoy a full buffet dinner; meeting and learning from the world’s spirits producers; creators and experts; a live Pipe and Drum Concert; mixology demonstrations, Celtic craft  and whisky gear booths, artisanal food pairings with exclusive whiskies;  live music and more. Learn, celebrate, experience!

And of course, ForScotchLovers will be there too!

For details and to buy your tickets visit the Whiskies Of The World website. 

Enter discount code: WOW2011FSL on the checkout page for an 8% discount on tickets and Dram Club membership.

GLENFIDDICH SNOW PHOENIX NON-CHILL FILTERED WHISKY

THE SNOW PHOENIX STORY

Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix commemorates a moment of drama in the long history of the Glenfiddich Distillery. It all began in December 2009 when it started to snow – it kept snowing for several months. After weeks of record low temperatures and alternate freezing and thawing there were four feet of densely compacted snow on the distillery roofs.

On the evening of Thursday 7th January, in the most remote part of the snow covered distillery, some of the warehouse roofs collapsed, ripped open by the sheer weight of snow, leaving maturing oak casks of Glenfiddich exposed to the winter sky. It was as if some of the distillery angels had finished their ‘share’ and had come back looking for more.

Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman selected a number of casks from the snow damaged warehouse, some of these casks had previously held Oloroso sherry and others were traditional whisky casks made of American oak.

This Glenfiddich is as they found it – a marriage of Glenfiddich single malt Scotch whiskies of different ages and finishes with the strength brought to 47.6% abv by the addition of the distillery’s Robbie Dhu spring water. It has not been chill filtered.

This is a limited edition bottling – one of a kind and only bottled and released in 2010. 
 
TASTING NOTES

Colour – Gold with bright copper highlights

Nose – Creamy vanilla aromas mingle with vibrant notes of apple and pear – the whole complimented by the scent of fresh blossom.

Taste – This is Glenfiddich in the wild – apples roasted in the embers of a campfire, sweetened with heather honey and accompanied by a piece of chocolate, rich and complex with a whiff of burned sugar, coffee and woodsmoke.
 
Finish – An exceptionally long finish – austere sherry notes mellow into a satisfying sweetness.

www.ralfy.com has a new review  –  Whisky Review 184 1/2 – Aberfeldy 1989/2007 Gordon&Macphail (C.C.)
with the emphasis on first impressions of whiskies.

… go enjoy malt-mates !

February Outturn: Red Hot Lovers

Let’s take a look at the single casks getting you HOT…here’s the TOP Five fastest-selling whiskies from February’s Outturn:

    1.     127.7 A sense of elemental freedom

    2.     44.48 Turkish seduction

    3.     29.89 The dark edge of Saturn

    4.     64.28 Lots of ginger (SMWS HOT favourite)

    5.     53.146 A saline gargle, with peanuts   

    Not forgetting our February Offers:

    PAIR: 53.146 & 36.51 for £90 (save £17.70)

    THREESOME: 29.89, 64.28 & 44.48 for £131 (save £26.40)

    CASE OFFER: 53.146, 36.51, 29.89, 64.28, 44.48 & 1.156
    for £259.50 (save £50.00)

Society Tastings & Events (48 Society tastings online)

6 Nations Wales V Scotland Lunch – The Vaults, Sat 12 Feb
6 Nations Wales V Scotland – Queen Street, Sat 12 Feb
Valentines’ Champagne & Whisky Tasting – Queen Street, Mon 14
Dining Room Valentine Dinner – Queen Street, Mon 14 Feb
Valentine Dinner at The Vaults – The Vaults, Mon 14 Feb
Wokingham Preview Tasting – Cantley House Hotels, Fri 25 Feb
Harrogate Preview Tasting – Hotel du Vin, Fri 25 Feb
Brighton Preview Tasting – Hotel du Vin, Fri 25 Feb
6 Nations Ireland V Scotland Lunch – The Vaults, Sun 27 Feb
6 Nations Ireland V Scotland – Queen Street, Sun 27 Feb

SMWS Venue News: If you go down to the Members’ Rooms, be sure of a big surprise…

28 Queen Street: Enjoy Queen Street only Valentine Offers and Treats, more >

The Vaults & London: Sample drams of the Society’s oldest bottling – at 47 years old!

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 the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

Tickets on Sale Monday, April 4th!

After an excellent start to 2011, Spirit of Toronto is excited to announce that tickets for this year’s show go on sale Monday, April 4th at 10:00am. As in years past, tickets will be available from Roy Thomson Hall’s box office online, by phone or in person. Tickets for the show are $129 HST included and a reminder will go out on April 3rd for those of you subscribed to this list.

Planning for this year’s Masterclass Series is well underway and will be published by mid-March. Last year’s scheduling of pre-show masterclasses at 5:30pm was a resounding success and will be repeated again in 2011. Updates will be emailed as new details for both the show and masterclasses are confirmed.

In the meantime, please read on to find out more about two very special guests for 2011.

Special Guest: John Glaser, Compass Box

I’m not sure what’s more incredible: that it’s been 10 years since John Glaser founded Compass Box Delicious Whisky… or that it’s been 4 years since he last graced Spirit of Toronto in person.

To commemmorate ten years of blending small batch Scotch whiskies, it seems only fitting to have John return to Spirit of Toronto and host a retrospective tasting of the Compass Box range from past to present.

John’s visit will also give him a chance to launch his latest magnum opus in person, The Spice Tree, a blended malt whisky being released in Ontario stores this month, not to mention a redux of the controversial whisky that found him at loggerheads with the venerable Scotch Whisky Association in 2005.

For those interested in learning more about John Glaser and how he breaks with convention to create fabulous Scotch whisky, an excellent video interview can be found online at www.connosr.com

Special Guest: Willie Tait from Isle of Jura

Spirit of Toronto is honoured to be welcoming one of Scotland’s most distinguished master distillers to this year’s show, the affable and inimitable Willie Tait from Isle of Jura. Fans of island whisky, distillery lore and devillish charm will not want to miss the opportunity to sample this growing range with one of Scotch whisky’s most respected statesmen.

Like the island itself, Jura’s whisky is singular and one of quiet appeal, “a Highland malt made on an island” according to Willie, and a whisky converting its accolytes one at a time without pomp or fanfare. In addition to the fantastic Jura Superstition, a few cases of the recently launched Jura Prophecy still remain on store shelves and provide an excellent counterpoint for those who enjoy gentle depth and complexity in their peated whisky.

Now I have yet to meet Willie in person, but am told that to know him is to love him. With this in mind, please continue for a brief introduction…

Q&A with Willie Tait

What is the first whisky you remember tasting?

Well, like most young people it was from my dad’s collection, sorry to say it wasn’t Jura!

What is your fondest memory from the distillery? Do you miss the hands on work of making whisky on a daily basis?

Fondest memory is walking home from doing a night shift—that walk along the sea shore was like heaven itself. And yes, I miss the chat from the boys every morning.

Where have your travels with Whyte & Mackay taken you so far and what has been your favourite location?

I have travelled all over Canada, the US and Europe, but my favourite location is where I am at the time.

Islay gets all the attention these days but what sets Jura apart from its Hebridean neighbour?

Well, I tell people the nicest thing about Islay is the view over to Jura—Jura is much more remote and I like it that way.

Have you ever actually climbed the Paps of Jura?

Yes, many times, and not always in the best of weather. Like all mountains they draw you to them.

Best whisky being made outside of Scotland at the moment in your opinion?

I love Bourbon and Forty Creek. I say to people we showed them how to make it and they still got it wrong!

If you had to choose: haggis or black pudding?

I like both but at different times.

New York or New Zealand?

Never been to New Zealand; I do love NY but my heart says New Zealand.

If you were stranded on a desert island and a case of Jura washed up on shore… which expression do you hope it would be?

Oh, I thought you said woman! I would love to find a case of Jura 16 Year Old… and a woman to help me drink it.

www.spiritoftoronto.ca

www.ralfy.com WhiskyReview 183 – Caol Ila 30yo Mackillops Choice      ….. runs on for over 14 minutes, bnut the reason is to discuss more fully the benifit of extended tasting notes and how very old Whiskies can offer more of a ‘conversation’ to the malt-fan.