Kentucky Cooperage Tours
Mon.-Fri. ♥ 9:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.
712 E. Main St.
Tel. 270.692.4674
marcia.morgeson@kentuckycooperage.com
Kentucky Cooperage makes the charred oak barrels critical for the production of bourbon. See how “charring” is done, how staves are shaped, how hoops are put in place and how barrels are made leak proof without manmade sealers.
POWERS AND MIDLETON EXTEND IRISH DISTILLERS SINGLE POT STILL WHISKEY PORTFOLIO
Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard is today launching two new single pot still* whiskey brand extensions as part of its initiative to celebrate the provenance and quality of this unique Irish whiskey style, and to showcase the diverse flavour spectrum of the reinvigorated Irish whiskey category.
Powers and Midleton will join Redbreast and Green Spot as brand names in a formidable new portfolio of single pot still Irish whiskeys emanating exclusively from the multi-award winning Midleton Distillery in Co. Cork. The company has also announced a whiskey development programme with the aim of creating and releasing regular new expressions of single pot still Irish Whiskey across its brand portfolio each year.
“Single pot still Irish whiskey is truly the jewel in the crown of Ireland’s rich whiskey tradition; a tradition which we have carefully nurtured over the years at the Midleton Distillery” said Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard Chairman and Chief Executive, Alex Ricard. “There has been tremendous interest in single pot still Irish whiskey in recent times so this is the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate and restore this exceptional whiskey style to its former glory. By adding the prestigious Powers and Midleton brand names to our range of single pot still Irish whiskeys, we will offer more flavour variety and create even more interest among whiskey enthusiasts and aficionados worldwide.”
Powers John’s Lane Release honours the silent distillery and spiritual home of the Powers brand at John’s Lane in Dublin. This new expression features a distillate which is true to the pot still style of the original distillery and bears the distinctive honey and spice style that made Powers famous. Bearing a 12 year old age statement, the whiskey has been matured in first fill bourbon barrels with a contribution of whiskey which has been matured in Oloroso sherry butts.
The first ongoing single pot still Irish whiskey to carry the Midleton name – Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy – pays tribute to celebrated second generation Master Distiller who, more than anyone, has shaped with the world-famous Midleton style. Representing Barry Crockett’s personal selection of first fill bourbon whiskeys with the inspired inclusion of whiskey which has matured in unseasoned American barrels, this expression displays a distinctive pot still complexity yet is refined and poised on the finish.
Both Redbreast and Green Spot benefited from the introduction of upgraded packaging in April 2011. The elegant presentation of both the Powers John’s Lane Release and Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy, similarly reflect the growing stature of the Irish Distillers’ growing single pot still portfolio.
All four brands will also bear the Single Pot Still whiskeys of Midleton quality mark on the back label in order to communicate the unique provenance and heritage of the distillery and of these exceptional whiskeys.
Notes:
* The Irish whiskey industry changed the terminology used to describe its most famous whiskey style in April 2011. ‘Pure Pot Still’ Irish whiskey is now referred to as ‘Pot Still’ Irish whiskey and for those whiskeys originating from a single distillery, the prefix ‘single’ is used, giving rise to the new industry term ‘Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey’.
Irish Distillers Limited, part of Pernod Ricard Group, distils and distributes a range of Irish whiskey, gin and vodka brands globally including Jameson, Powers, Paddy, Midleton Very Rare, Redbreast, Cork Dry Gin and Huzzar Vodka.
Tasting Notes:
Powers John’s Lane Release
Bottled at 46% ABV | Aged 12 years | Non chill filtered
Nose: An abundance of earthy aromas, leather, tobacco with layers of charred wood, dark chocolate and treacle toffee.
Taste: Full bodied spice front followed by vanilla, honey and dried apricot.
Finish: Lingering honey sweetness on toasted oak.
Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy
Bottled at 46% ABV | NAS 12-25 years | Non chill filtered
Nose: Elegant aroma of vanilla and toasted oak complimented by a touch of lime, succulent green berries, pears and green sweet pepper.
Taste: Light pepper carries onto fresh citrus, limes and mandarin orange sweetness. A hint of cinnamon with vanilla and oak reveals its years spent in American oak.
Finish: The full spectrum of flavours lasts well into the finish, slowly fading to expose the clean American oak foundation.
New Exclusive Casks.
6 new single cask bottlings from The Creative Whisky Co Ltd. Each cask has been finished in a Pedro Ximenez cask for 3 months and as you would expect the tasting notes strongly hint to an ex-Sherry maturation. The Macallan is an Exclusive to The Netherlands. Expect them in specialist shops from June onwards.
Bowmore 1995 15 years old 51.3%
Nose: Sweet and salty peat with rich Sherry. Seaweed and a hint of TCP.
Palate: Sweet again at first with a rich flood of peat before a huge surge of fruit flavours.
Finish: Smoky-sweet with lots of fruit and peat-tingle on the aftertaste.
Braeval 1995 15 years old 54.5%
Nose: Stewed apples and prunes. Chocolate gateaux. Rich spices.
Palate: Clean and malty at first with a sudden rush of rich chocolate and cream.
Finish: Heavy, thick finish with rich spice and a long fruity aftertaste.
Clynelish 1995 15 years old 53.1%
Nose: Rich wax with creamy vanilla, soft spice and chocolate éclair.
Palate: Heavy spice at first before the waxy and oak flavours come through.
Finish: An abrupt finish, spicy-rich but a long aftertaste of oak.
Highland Park 1997 13 years old 52.1%
Nose: Rich sherry, malt and sugar barley flavours. Mint and honey.
Palate: Sweet and fruity at first with again a hit of honey and mint.
Finish: Zesty-tangy finish, sweet and fruity with an aftertaste of honey and sherry.
Imperial 1991 19 years old 48.5%
Nose: Stewed fruits and grape skin. Icing sugar and Sherry notes.
Palate: Rich Sherry flavours mixed with lots of fruits (peach, melon, mandarin). Creamy.
Finish: Really creamy with again lots of fruit and a spicy hit of alcohol on the finish.
Macallan 1990 21 years old 47.7% (Netherlands Exclusive)
Nose: Rich mint and sugar with chocolate covered raisins. Orange liqueur and oak.
Palate: Sweet and fruity at first before the rich oak and raisin flavours flood through.
Finish: Superb sweet and fruity finish with a tongue-tingling spicy aftertaste.
Visit The Creative Whisky Company at www.creativewhisky.co.uk
Hello America! I’m back! Anyone up for a dram in Dallas?
After all the Shackleton excitement, I’m packing my bags and heading over to Dallas this week for a few events, some private but many public – fancy coming along for a wee whisky dram? I’m looking forward to catching up with a number of people, including Andrew Chalk from D Magazine, Steven Doyle of CraveDFW.comand Farah Fleurima from The Dallas Diva but I want to meet up with you guys as well.
On Monday, May 9 I’ll be at Sigels, 15003 Inwood Rd, Addison between 6 and 7.30pm.
On the Tuesday, May 10, you’ll be able to catch up with me at Pappas Bros. Dinner, 10477 Lombardy Lane from 7pm until 9pm.
Wednesday, I’m doing some private events but on Thursday, May 11 at Sevy’s Dinner on 8201 Preston Rd I’ll be hosting a dinner starting at 5.30pm. The menu for that looks great and if I can find someone to do it, I’ll get it posted up before the night.
If you fancy coming along to the events, get in touch with the venues (numbers below) to make sure there’s still places – and you can bet I’ll be chatting via Twitters as I go!
Sigels: 972-387-9873
Pappas Bros: 214-366-2000
Sevy’s Dinner: 214-265-7389
Hopefully, I’ll see some of you guys there as there’s been lots happening since my last time in Dallas, so be great to catch up – and have some fantastic cigars!
• 40% OFF SELECTED WHISKIES*
• AT LEAST 20% OFF ALL MALT WHISKIES*
• OVER 40 EXCLUSIVE BOTTLES
Our spectacular WhiskyFest – the toast of whisky-lovers worldwide – is back. And from now until 28th June, for your pure, undiluted pleasure, we’re offering 40% off 22 selected malts and over 40 exclusive bottles.
You’ll also discover at least 20% off all 300 whiskies we have in store, compared to average UK High Street prices*, along with tastings and expert advice, all with the support of our very own Charles MacLean.
For a taste of the experience to come, download your animated brochure and visit us here before you visit us in person at our stores in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Birmingham and Bristol.
Be an exclusive whisky winner ENTER NOW
To keep you in excellent spirits, along with WhiskyFest ’11 we’ve an unmissable competition for you to enter. For the chance to win our ‘not to be found on the High Street’ selection of 10 exclusive malts from whisky regions and countries around the world, take part today.
Visit our Airport stores: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gatwick North and South, Heathrow T1, T4 and T5, Manchester T1 and Stansted. Pre-order collections are available at all our stores, and at Aberdeen and Heathrow T3 (from main World Duty Free stores).
* Saving versus the Average UK High Street Price. We survey over 50 stores including all leading Supermarkets, High Street and Department Stores to calculate the average price.
Irish whiskies once ruled the world, and Dublin was the center of Ireland’s whisky industry. There are no distilleries left in Dublin, but there’s plenty of whisky history to be found, along with a handful of good whisky shops and great pubs. We’ll hear from Michael Hedigan, the latest in a long line of Hedigans to run the Brian Boru pub in Dublin’s Glasnevin neighborhood. In the news, Irish Distillers unveils two new single pot still Irish whiskies from Midleton and a massive expansion plan for Ireland’s largest distillery.
Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com
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 are on sale at http://www.arranwhisky.com/Isle-of-Arran-Distillery-Open-Day-29th-May-2011/ – keep your eyes peeled to www.arranwhisky.com/news where all the latest news from these dynamic distillers can be found.
Forget going ‘Doon the Waater’; Arran’s coming to town!
‘Arran in the Square’ will be one of the final events in Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink and over the weekend of the 14th and 15th of May Glasgow’s George Square will be transformed into a ‘virtual’ Isle of Arran!
The Isle of Arran lies in the Clyde just off the Ayrshire Coast. Despite being just 20 miles long but has more artisan producers than anywhere else in Scotland and boasts a diverse range of food and drink –from traditional dairy ice cream to single malt whisky, oatcakes, cheeses, mustards and fabulous fresh salads and herbs, and award winning real ale – this island has something to suit all tastes!
‘Arran in the Square’ will be a showcase for island producers and visitors will have plenty of opportunity to sample Arran food and drink throughout the two days, and can also get some inspiration at the Cookschool Scotland Cookery Theatre where Head Chef Phil Lewis will demonstrate some exciting ideas for using Arran produce in the kitchen.
As well as the great food & drink, there will be lots of going on to delight all your senses and keep the whole family happy – just like being on your favourite island: Radio Clyde will be on hand to keep the party going and you’ll get a sneak preview of the Arran Folk Festival with some great Arran bands lined up over the weekend. Why not have a go at rock climbing or what about trying your hand at golf and with lots going on to entertain the kids, you can relax with an Arran Aromatics massage and enjoy some retail therapy Arran-style.
To top all that, VisitArran will be giving away more than a dozen short breaks to the island and there will be plenty of chances to win with competitions running online and throughout the event itself.
Scotland really is a land of food & drink and this event will encourage people in Glasgow to experience the great produce, and the wonderful island destination, they have on their doorstep.
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer, EventScotland said “Arran in the Square’ is an exciting event which we are delighted to be supporting as part of Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink initiative that showcases the diversity and quality of Scotland‟s larder. It is a fantastic example of the Isle of Arran‟s contribution to making Scotland the perfect stage for events. ”
We can’t wait to welcome you all to the Isle of Arran Distillery tasting bar!
For more information about Arran in the Square find us on facebook and for your chance to win a trip for two to Arran, visit http://www.visitarran.com/.
This event is supported by EventScotland, Caledonian MacBrayne, Scotland Food and Drink , LEADER , North Ayrshire Council
THE ARRAN MALT SHOP
From the Isle of Arran web shop web site;
“We are pleased to let you know that we are now able to ship orders to the USA, Canada and Australia! Please contact our Mail Order Department on 01770 830 264 for postage and packaging costs.
Should you require any assistance with your order, please contact our Mail Order Department. Email: mailorder@arranwhisky.com Tel: +44(0)1770 830264 Open 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday”
Visit the web store at http://www.arranwhisky.com/ShopHome/
Isle of Arran ex-Bourbon Cask #94
Another single cask offering from the Isle of Arran distillery and from an ex American bourbon cask (the scotch whisky industry would be very different without American casks…). The undiluted nose shows some really good biscuity malt and it’s very clean and vibrant. Some mild citrus (hints of grapefruit and lemon) along with hints of varnish, a little marzipan, a little pear and apricot. Very complex (the word ‘complex’ is the last refuge of the over whelmed so use it sparingly) along with some good wood notes, some time in the glass opens it up a little. Still for 57.3% is quite gentle. With a little water there is the predictable rounding out of the aromas and some sweetening. The undiluted taste is strong (shock) and very malty with really good moments from the cask influence (both from the former contents and the oak). Sweet and then quite dry right afterwards. Very, very good. With water there is a significant departure from the diluted nose and it improves with the addition of water, a little less aggressive but still has lashings of character. The finish is a continuation of the malt, then the bourbon influence and then the dryness along with the biscuits all in that short order. The finish goes on forever with some good interplay between the malt ad the dryness of the oak.
Another cracker from the Isle of Arran distillery.
$85
Score 88 points
Isle of Arran 'McCulloch' 8yo Cask #772
Isle of Arran 8yo McCulloch (49%, OB, C#772 B’ 01/09/2010)
A single cask bottling only available from Chester Whisky located in Chester, Cheshire in the United Kingdom www.chesterwhisky.com The colour is a deep red tinge with dark brown highlights (WI rarely comments on the colour of whisky however this is quite pleasignt o the eye). The nose is blasts of really good dried fruit (think of prunes, raisins and cherries), sensational oak spice, warm toffee, sherry and yes, Christmas cake (the really good dark kind aggressively introduced to some really good alcohol) and some citrus. There are also some hints of malt and wet cotton, much like some Springbank single malts. The total effect is quite fantastic. The taste is very fruity in a strong fashion along with some really good spice and the malt and wet cotton. Some good dryness and hints of cocoa powder (unsweetened). It’s all very, very good. The fruit, oak spice and the malt (a little shy at this point), all work very well together to produce a phenomenal combination and a sensational dram. The finish is warming, quite dry and now tobacco and leather notes arrive but nicely intertwined with the sweetness from the fruit. It’s quite long and very consistent.
Buy a bottle or two while they are still available…
£45
Score 90 points
