Chivas Regal OB Vivienne Westwood 18yo 40%alc.

A limited edition with a special silk jacket designed by legendary punk icon Vivienne Westwood.

Richard likes this a lot.

More info here… https://www.lfw.co.uk/infosheets/Chivas_Westwood.pdf

Chivas Regal Vivienne Westwood 18 year old

Price excluding VAT: £340.83
£409.00 Including VAT at 20%

Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at www.lfw.co.uk

Chris Bunting, who is probably best known among whisky drinkers for his www.Nonjatta.com blog about Japanese whisky, has just published a new guide to Japanese alcohol culture with Tuttle Publishing Ltd.

Drinking Japan is a 288-page guide based on a year and a half spent travelling around Japan exploring its unique alcohol culture.

Bunting says: “Many people may know me for various bits of writing I have done about Japanese whisky, but I have tried to go beyond that in Drinking Japan. It explores the history and development of Japanese whisky and there are detailed descriptions of the best of Japan’s world-famous whisky bars, but the book is also probably the first attempt in English to comprehensively explore the whole of Japanese alcohol culture.”

“Researching Japanese whisky gradually convinced me that trying to it in isolation from its environment, as an odd offshoot of the Scottish whisky, was a fundamental misunderstanding. I came to realise that I had to try to look at it in the context of the whole of Japanese alcohol culture and history, and that is the journey Drinking Japan took me on,” Bunting says.

“I think it really is the first attempt to comprehensively look at this culture in English.”

Drinking Japan offers extensive descriptions of Japanese alcohol’s development from prehistory to the extraordinary diversity it shows today. As well as whisky, there is a long chapter on the history of sake and the contemporary sake world, and the first extensive descriptions in an English-language book of Japan’s indigenous spirits, shochu and awamori. Whole chapters are devoted to the country’s beer and wine industries, offering insights that have until now not been available to readers in English, and there is also discussion of the development of Japan’s unique bar tending culture and its critical role in the postwar flowering of the Japanese bar scene.

The book is also practical guide, offering richly illustrated reviews of 122 of Bunting’s favourite bars in Japan. The entries are written with the newly arrived visitor to Japan in mind, with detailed price guides, language help, advice on food and drink choices, and maps and directions to get visitors to the bars if they go to Japan. There is an appendix offering help to the complete beginner on reading Japanese alcohol labels and tackling other language problems.

Half of the author’s earnings will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society’s earthquake relief effort.

Book site: http://drinkingjapan.com/
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Drinking-Japan-Japans-Drinks-Establishments/dp/4805310545/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303117216&sr=1-1
Publisher: http://tuttlepublishing.com/

Benromach Origins No.1 ( LCBO # 210328) 

Just released on Tuesday morning this is a cunning wee whisky from Speyside’s smallest distillery. A limited edition made from barley grown at Drumin Farm in Glenlivet where it received top honours.

Benromach Origins Batch1 Golden Promise 1999 50% (quite the pedigree eh?) can only be found in 9 LCBO stores in Ontario but, you can order at your local LCBO outlet and have it delivered at a cost of $96.95. I don’t expect this whisky to last very long but I will have three bottles put aside for the Spirit of Toronto show (May 14th), a tasting at Cornwall’s Companions of the Quaich (May 27th) and one for my cellar. 

Tom and Gavin have kindly given me permission to share their independant review of this whisky, see more of their reviews at  http://www.whisky-pages.com/notes/distillery.php?id=benr

Benromach Origins is a new series of bottling’s from the Forres distillery on Speyside, and the first ‘Origins’ release has been produced using locally-grown Golden Promise barley, once ubiquitous in the Scotch whisky industry, but now largely superseded by higher yielding varieties. However, some distillers who are willing to sacrifice yield for what they see as improved flavour have stuck with Golden Promise, with one high profile user being The Macallan. Commenting on the new Benromach expression, David Urquhart, joint managing director of distillery proprietors Gordon & MacPhail, says “At Benromach we are always keen to experiment and try different things. This first release experiments with a different barley variety – Golden Promise – which has undoubtedly contributed to the final flavour profile of the product. Consumers who are intrigued by this first batch of the Origins series have the opportunity to appreciate the complexities of the whisky making process. Future releases in this series will allow consumers to build on this and explore how subtle changes impact the final product.” This initial bottling of Benromach Origins has been matured in first and second fill Sherry casks, and the nose initially offers sour dough bread, with developing malt and Sherry notes. Smokier with the addition of water. Full-bodied, initially spicy on the palate then very malty, with distinctive Sherry and peat smoke. The finish is long and fruity, with spicy smoke and Sherry notes. Ultimately, molasses lingers. 50.0% ABV, 70cl, $96.95 at selected LCBO outlets.

TASTING NOTES

Body: Medium.

Finish: Long and balanced

Cask type(s): Sherry casks

Colour: Dark golden

INFORMATION:

Region:                Speyside, Forres.

Founded:             1898

Water Source:      Chapelton Springs in the Romach Hills

Owner:                 Gordon and MacPhail

Status:                 Operational

LOCATIONS for Benromach Origins (LCBO # 210328)

1. TORONTO-CENTRAL 2 COOPER STREET (416)864-6777 

2. TORONTO-CENTRAL 232 DUPONT STREET (416)922-7066  

3. PETERBOROUGH 879 LANSDOWNE STREET WEST (705)743-9955 

4. TORONTO-CENTRAL FIRST CANADIAN PLACE (416)594-9040

5. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 675 WILSON AVENUE (416)636-5349 

6. LONDON 3050 WONDERLAND ROAD SOUTH (519)471-4930 

7. OTTAWA-GLOUCESTER 3-2016 OGILVIE ROAD (613)745-9906 

8. TORONTO-CENTRAL 200 BAY STREET SOUTH, (416)368-9644

9. TORONTO-CENTRAL 10 SCRIVENER SQUARE (416)922-0403 

Don’t forget to say hello at the Spirit of Toronto where Michael Urquhart will be hosting the master’s class.

Regards,

Billy

Global Operations Director
Claymore Imports Inc.
Mail:     bill  [AT] claymoreimports.ca

“Oh dear, Oh dear! I shall be too late!”

The clock is tick, tick, ticking for those that haven’t grabbed a holiday bargain…our Easter Sale ends this Good Friday (Fri 22 April)

Majestic Malt:
35.54 Bubbly, buoyant and up-beat
Speyside Lossie
ONLY £40.00 inc free p&p (SAVE £8.50)
The nose is buoyantly aromatic, with sherbet lemons, fudge, vanilla, honey and a whole patisserie shop vanilla sugar

The Royal ‘We’: 76.80 & 9.61
ONLY £82.50 inc free p&p (SAVE £18.70)

76.80 Tantalisations of spring and summer: The nose, velvety and inviting, has mocha coffee, golden syrup sponge, pineapple, puff candy and scorched heather

9.61 A hot summer’s day among the gorse: Fresh and floral, with lemon-sherbet and lemon puffs, flowering hawthorn, rowan and whin blossom, a a hint of steam

Mystery Malt Hoilday Pack
ONLY £105 inc free p&p (SAVE £40+)
We’re giving some of our favourite casks a right royal send-off with this red-carpet of Mystery Malt parcels. Enjoy the last few remaining bottles from some outstanding and never to be repeated casks

SALE ENDS: Fri 22 Apr
Available online & telephone
*See in-venue for Members’ Room Easter Sale

Society Tastings & Events (32 Society tastings online)

Easter Chocolate Tasting – The Vaults, Sun 24 Apr
A Taste of History – London, Thu 28 Apr
Society Whisky Dinner – Winchester HDV, Thu 28 Apr
Newcastle Preview Tasting – Northern Counties Club, Thu 28 Apr
Glasgow Preview Tasting – Radisson Blu, Fri 29 Apr
Whisky & Cheese Tasting – Queen Street, Fri 29 Apr
Music with Andy Johnstone – The Vaults, Sun 1 May (FREE EVENT)
New Outturn Tasting – The Vaults, Sun 8 May
Champagne Cocktail Masterclass – Queen Street, Thu 12 May
Stewart’s Beer Tasting – The Vaults, Fri 13 May

Society Whisky Tastings

Whatever and wherever our tasting or event, the main focus is to give members an informal, enjoyable and relaxed night out..with a taste of the single cask good stuff!

Events range from step by step instruction in how to get the most from tasting single cask, single malt whisky to more adventurous couplings of whisky with food.

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. 

Are you excited about the return of Whisky Society?
Tickets on sale NOW! (from Butchart Centre)

Morrison Bowmore Tasting

When: Wednesday 20th April – 7pm SHARP
Where: The Butchart Centre, University Road
Bring: Ticket + Membership Card + Ca$h for raffle
 
Tickets are still AVAILABLE.

Are you going???

The Butchart Centre
University Road
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire AB24 3UT

Contact: aberdeenwhisky@googlemail.com

… a discovered treasure from www.ralfy.com !

whisky review 196 – Springbank 12yo single cask for Oddbins 2009

THE MACALLAN RELEASES ROYAL WEDDING COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

As the excitement mounts for the first Royal Wedding in 12 years, The Macallan has announced the release of a limited edition of 1000 bottles celebrating the Royal Marriage of Prince William to Catherine (Kate) Middleton on 29th April 2011.

The unique and collectable edition will feature exceptional single malt whisky taken from two casks, both filled on 29th April – one from 1996 and one from 1999. Bottled at 46.8%, the single malt gives abundant wood spices combining with orange zest, floral and barley to produce a creamy overtone.

The creation of this special bottle follows the release of a commemorative edition to mark the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.  This comprised two casks, one from each of their birth years.  At the time, the bottle sold out and today is a highly sought-after item for collectors of The Macallan around the world.

Commenting on the release of this special commemorative edition, Patricia Lee from The Macallan said, “Having created a limited edition to mark the wedding of his parents in 1981, we wanted to follow this with a special bottling for Prince William’s own marriage.  Our Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno, has excelled himself once again by selecting two exquisite casks, each filled on 29th April, to create a whisky which brings together cinnamon, ginger and spice with toffee apples and vanilla giving a soft, full and long lasting finish.”

In keeping with this original bottling, The Macallan has commissioned the creative force behind the 1981 bottle, David Holmes, who was also one of the architects of the brand’s advertising campaign in the 1980s and the early 1990s, to create the label and packaging design.

The label design incorporates striking duck egg blue, featuring interwoven monograms and silver roses, whilst the bespoke silver coloured presentation box is designed with a ‘viewing window’ to show off the stunning bottle.

The 1000 bottles are available from The Macallan Distillery Visitor Centre and online for UK only at www.themacallan.com at a price of £150.

Tasting notes

•      Colour – Golden Amber

•      Nose – Cinnamon, ginger, clove, toffee apples, layered in vanilla. Chocolate orange flits in and out, along with summer fruits. Lightly floral and barley notes all come together in a delightful creamy overtone.

•      Palate – Abundant wood spices deliver an initial hit to the palate, giving a slightly oily texture. Fruits develop, balanced with soft oak tones. Orange zest, floral notes and barley all make an appearance later in the journey.

•      Finish – Soft, full, long lasting

*FORTHCOMING WHISKY TASTINGS AT ARKWRIGHTS WHISKY AND WINES*

Arkwrights are pleased to announce that in May we will be hosting a Bruichladdich whisky tasting and in June there will be another of our popular Ladies only whisky tastings (with a little bit of champagne and chocolate to add to the delights!)

Details are as follows:

*BRUICHLADDICH DISTILLERY WHISKY TASTING – THURSDAY 26TH MAY 2011*

Bruichladdich whisky is, we know, a favourite among many of you and so we are pleased to be able to tell you that David Keir will be visiting us on Thursday 26th May to present a tasting of expressions from this independent and innovative distillery.

At Bruichladdich traditional production methods, using original Victorian equipment, combine with the skill of the distillery workers to produce an elegant spirit that is allowed to retain its purity and character by being non-chillfiltered and with no added colour.  Bruichladdich’s Master Distiller, the legend that is Jim McEwan, then uses his long years of experience to take the whisky one step further.  His innovative use of cask selection allows the creation of a variety of expressions that can suit different moods and tastes but yet each of which still retain the essential DNA of the pure Bruichladdich spirit.

For existing ‘Laddie’ fans this is an evening not to be missed, and if you’ve yet to try Bruichladdich then this tasting is a must.  With both peated and unpeated malts produced at the distillery then there will be something different for all to try.

*LADIES ONLY WHISKY TASTING – WEDNESDAY 8TH JUNE 2011*

Phil Huckle, brand ambassador for Pernod Ricard and Chivas, will be returning in June to present a Ladies only whisky tasting with a twist.  As it’s summertime (in theory!) then we will kick off with a champagne and whisky cocktail and them move on through a selection of single malts from the Chivas Brothers portfolio of distilleries – finishing up with a pairing of whisky and top quality chocolate.  Mmmm…..

Distilleries that will be included on the night include Speyside favourites Aberlour, Glenlivet and Longmorn plus Scapa from Orkney – and don’t worry if you came along to Phil’s recent tasting because as well as the addition of the whisky cocktail we have swapped a couple of whiskies for different expressions so you’ll get to try something new. 

Whisky, champagne, chocolate…..  the perfect way to spend a summer’s night!

Stanton House Hotel

HOW TO BOOK

The tastings will be held at Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren (www.stantonhouse.co.uk), and will commence at 7.00 for 7.30pm.  Tickets are £10.00 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting.

Tickets are very strictly limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and, as most of you already know, these tickets always sell very quickly so it is best to book ASAP.  To buy them just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com and place an order for the number you require, or telephone us on (01793) 765071, or call in and see us at Arkwrights, The Dormers, Highworth, Wiltshire.

Admission to the tastings are by ticket only, and most, if not all, of the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared.

These evenings are a great chance to try some new whiskies that you might not encounter otherwise, and to be educated and entertained at the same time.  Come along and join us!

Slainte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

Exclusive Malts
New Bottlings!

Distilled at Bunnahabhain Distillery
1988 Aged 22 Years
Whisky from the Bunnahabhain Distillery is often described as the gentler spirit from Islay, although this expression from a first or second fill ex-Sherry butt is not gentle but is not peaty like the distilleries neighbours. Instead expect rich fruit, heavy spice and oak flavours.

Distilled at Caol Ila Distillery
1980 Aged 30 Years
Caol Ila is the lesser known of the peaty-seaweed infused malts from Islay. This does not make it any less spectacular as the others as this 30 year old cask demonstrates – full of sweet oils, fruits aggressive peat and sea-salt. A real mouthful even after 3 decades in oak.

Distilled at Glenburgie Distillery
1995 Aged 15 Years
Glenburgie is not normally found bottled as a single malt being a large component of some famous blends. This cask shows us what we are missing with oodles of fruit and vanilla-creaminess on the nose with an equally pleasing palate and a real vanilla-laden finish.

Distilled at Macduff Distillery
2000 Aged 10 Years
A lesson in young, sherry-casked whisky. This butt from Macduff Distillery in the North-East highlands is nothing short of exceptional bursting with sweet raisins, sherry and fruit. The strong Macduff spirit shines through making this a perfect marriage of ex-Sherry cask and Whisky.

Distilled at Benromach Distillery
1999 Aged 11 Years
Benromach Distillery, situated outside Elgin, is gaining a solid reputation for producing some outstanding expressions. This cask demonstrates why with its full and rich body, slightly peaty with cured meats and smoked cheese. A real palate turner!

Distilled at Laphroaig Distillery
1990 Aged 20 Years
Laphroaig whisky is often billed as one of the strongest flavoured whiskies in the world and from the contents of this 20 year old cask it is difficult to argue! A huge surge of peat and seaside flavours, mixed with a rich oakiness and even a drop of vanilla on the finish.

Exclusive Malts

Single Cask whiskies bottled at Cask Strength and usually wholly aged in one cask. The Exclusive Malts are casks as young as 8 years old and as old as 40 but carefully selected; each year less than 24 casks are chosen for this range. Originally presented in a Saltire (Blue with White stripes) carton, these whiskies are now beautifully adorned with paintings of Birds of Prey. The birds share no connection with Scotch whisky or any preference within the company; we just liked them.

Visit Exclusive Malts at http://www.creativewhisky.co.uk/malts.html 

A Dram Come True

The Vancouver International Writers Festival presents the ninth annual A Dram Come True Single Malt Scotch Whisky Sampling

Enjoy the superb, complex flavours of a variety of rare and distinguished single malts. Rare malts and other select items will be available at auction. May 13, 2011, 7:30 – 10:00 pm in a Shaughnessy heritage home(location will be provided upon ticket purchase).

Tickets: $100 or four or more tickets for $95 each The Vancouver International Writers Festival presents the ninth annual A Dram Come True Single Malt Scotch Whisky Sampling. Proceeds benefit the Vancouver International Writers Festival. A tax receipt for a portion of the ticket price will be issued. To order tickets online, visit writersfest.bc.ca, or call 604 681 6330 ext 109.

Further details at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/dramcometrue