An Interview with John Scott
Hi all,
If you are a regular reader of my blog, John Scott will be a name you are probably familiar with as I recently wrote about an interview he gave to a South American website. This particular blog generated quite a few comments and a number of requests for a chat with John in English,…
Kind regards,
Ludo
Dear Customer,
This month we are pleased to offer you seven (7) new bottlings under the OLD MALT CASK label, two (2) from OLD & RARE, and five (5) Old CLAN DENNY GRAIN bottlings. There is also an update on BIG PEAT.
Tasting notes for OLD MALT CASK follow –
OMC 1985 Auchentoshan 13 Year Old
Nose: Opens fresh & sweetly – runs to toffee’d apple + vanilla & liquorice
Palate: The round & mellow character carries a caramelised fruit quality
Finish: Replicates nose and palate – now with an attractive orange tang (J)
OMC 2052 Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old
Nose: Opens fresh – runs to an earthy style – a bonfire in a damp forest!
Palate: Surprisingly smoky – softly peated with an attractively sweetly spiced style
Finish: Remains softly smoked – now with burnt orange peel + leather (J)
OMC 1889 Probably Speyside’s Finest 18 Year Old Wine finished
Nose: Opens fresh & sweet and runs to macerated raspberries
Palate: Warmingly spiced, still sweet, chewy – with a mulled wine style
Finish: Long with a spiced/fruit tang – black cherries in dark chocolate (J)
OMC 2077 Laphroiag 19 Year Old
Nose: Opens with a peat and ash character-runs to a flamed lemon zestiness
Palate: Mouth coatingly peated with a rich creosote style plus damp bonfire ashes
Finish: Long – with a lingering soot and burnt wood quality + creosote (J)
OMC 2080 Blair Athol 21 Year Old
Nose: Opens sweetly – carrying a freshly baked pastry style + ripe fruit
Palate: Still sweet with a spicy fruit in syrup quality + an orange pith trait
Finish: Medium long – still fruitily spiced running to a drier gristy style (J)
OMC 2082 Bunnanabhain 21 Year Old
Nose: Opens fresh & honeyed and runs to polished wood & bees wax
Palate: Rich & mouth coatingly spiced, creamy + a liqueur chocolate style
Finish: Medium long – still sweetly spiced in a more-ish kind of way (J)
OMC 2078 Clynelish 28 Year Old
Nose: Fresh, clean & citrusy – very ripe lemons, spiced with cloves
Palate: Round with candied lemon peel + orange flambéed crepes (suzette)
Finish: Medium long carrying a crushed sugar and candied orange style (J)
Tasting Notes for OLD & RARE are:
OAR 0143 Macallan 32 Year Old
Honeyed and spiced initially on the nose – it opens beyond that to a light oak and dried fruit profile. Soft on the palate – then when held there – detect that same light oak and spiced formula plus juicy, chewy barley and a hint of smoke …… all leading to a finish carrying malted barley, camphor, coconut, more spice, honey and drifting smoke. (F)
OAR 0142 Banff 35 Year Old
First impression when nosing this dram is like walking into a damp dunnage warehouse – fresh, spicy carrying an old oak-saturated-with-whisky character plus an attractive citrus style. The richly spiced quality immediately coats your palate with caramelised peaches & cinnamon running to more (now dry) oak. The finish is long and remains oaky and spicy with a pleasantly sweet creamy toffee character – culminating in soft chewy leather, tobacco and cedar wood. (J)
And lastly, Tasting Notes for CLAN DENNY GRAIN –
DEN 0076 Cameronbridge 21 Year Old
Clean and fresh on the nose carrying a fruity (grated lemon zest) character with a sherbet style. The palate is sweet, still zesty with a fresh fruit trait running to a peaches-in-alcoholic-syrup trait. The finish is typically short and remains fruitily sweet now with an attractively spiced quality. (J)
DEN 0077 Port Dundas 33 Year Old
Opens sweetly spiced on the nose with a rich cinnamon and vanilla character. The mellow palate remains sweet carrying a warming and mouth coatingly spiced trait showing the American origin of the cask. The finish is long for a Grain Whisky and runs to an attractive oak and chocolate style. (J)
DEN 0072 Carsebridge 45 Year Old
Beautifully fruity and full on the nose with vanilla, barley sugar and Bourbon all evident. The soft palate warms to spices and Caribbean citric fruits in a sauce – poured over alcoholic vanilla ice cream. The (longer than anticipated) finish on this Carsebridge is spiced, citric and creamy. (F)
DEN 0073 Caledonian 45 Year Old
Sweetly spiced on the nose, running to warm butterscotch sauce on vanilla ice cream. The palate remains sweet & vanilla’d and is reminiscent of hard almond biscuits dipped in mocha. The finish is surprisingly long for a Grain Whisky and has a warming Rum-style character – with honey & spices. (J)
DEN 0075 Dumbarton 46 Year Old Bourbon finished
Massively and sweetly spiced early on the nose – it then softens to a truly fruity mixed bag – beyond which detect sugar and light oak. The palate is BIG, still fructiferous but carries black coffee, sweet spices and vanilla flavours – all neatly (and too swiftly) replicated on the finish. (F)
REALLY BIG PEAT could make a huge impact as his increased stature commands more attention in 4.5 litre capacity – released officially now, together with the first (soon to be the last judging from initial interest) of BIG PEAT@CHRISTMAS. Bottled at cask strength as you can see, he has disguised himself as Saint Nicolas, but his normal big feisty Islay character cannot be hidden – he is straight down the chimney (as he does in Britain) dusted in soot and ash.
Hopefully all these releases will be useful for you to consider.
Yours sincerely
Fred Laing
Visit Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd. at www.douglaslaing.com
BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES 2011 ANTIQUE COLLECTION
FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (August, 2011) The long wait is over! Buffalo Trace Distillery will release its 2011 Antique Collection in September. The much anticipated collection will once again feature five limited-release whiskeys of various ages, recipes and proofs. Here’s what ardent fans can expect:
Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old
Last year’s release was given a liquid gold award and a 97.5 rating in Jim Murray’s 2011 Whisky Bible. This 2011 rye whiskey release is described as “intense spice with underlying sweetness and dry finish.” Hopefully critics agree this batch is just as good, or better!
Eagle Rare 17 Year Old
The previous edition of this bourbon was honored with a Gold Medal at the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The 2011 edition was distilled in the Spring of 1993 and has been aging on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th floors of Warehouses I and K. After 18 years and 7 months of aging under its belt, it brings to the table notes of leather, vanilla and tobacco.
George T. Stagg
The 2010 release of this long-time favorite was named “Spirit of the Year” by F. Paul Pacult in the 2011 Spirit Journal. The 2011 George T. Stagg was found in Warehouses H, I, and K. This uncut, unfiltered bourbon was distilled back in the winter of 1993 and weighs in at 142.6 proof—some bold stuff! This whiskey tastes of espresso, chocolate and vanilla.
William Larue Weller
William Larue Weller is the Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered, wheated recipe bourbon. The previous edition was named “Bourbon of the Year” in Jim Murray’s 2011 Whisky Bible. The 2011 offering was distilled in the summer of 1998 and aged on the fourth and fifth floors of Warehouses N, O, and P. This William Larue Weller release registers in at 133.5 proof – a lot stronger than last year! It tastes of honey, caramel, light toffee and pipe tobacco.
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye is an uncut and unfiltered straight rye whiskey. The 2010 edition was named “Rye Whiskey of the Year” by Jim Murray in his 2011 Whisky Bible. This year’s Handy was distilled in the spring of 2005, aged on the sixth floor of Warehouse K and weighs in at 128.6 proof. The flavor has been described as “Christmas cake and allspice. Bold and yummy.”
The Antique Collection was introduced more than a decade ago and has become a cult favorite among whiskey connoisseurs. Since 2000 these whiskeys have garnered numerous awards from such notable publications as Malt Advocate Magazine, Spirit Journal and Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.
“It will be hard to top last year’s batch of awards,” said Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “But we think this year’s collection has just as much to offer. I’m anxious to hear if everyone else agrees.”
These Antique Collection whiskeys will be available in limited quantities starting in late September. Suggested retail price is $70 each. For more information visit www.greatbourbon.com or contact Kris Comstock at kcomstock@buffalotrace.com.
About Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Malt Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotrace.com.
Balblair Single Malt whisky and WIRED Magazine collaborated to create an exclusive photography competition for Balblair fans and WIRED readers, with exceptional prizes to be won. In September and October we will be encouraging talented amateur photographers to submit their work to the WIRED team. The brief for entrants is Balblair’s motto: timed to perfection. Entries will be judged by WIRED picture Editor Steve Peck and Editorial Photographer of the Year 2010 – Edmund Clark.
First prize in the competition is a VIP trip for two to Balblair distillery and a bottle of the oldest and most exclusive Balblair vintage, the superb 1965 (worth £1,500)
Runner-up will be treated to bottles of each of the vintages from the Balblair core range, currently including 2000, 1989 and 1978.
Additionally, the winning entries will be presented in the January 2012 issue of WIRED (available from 8th December).
Not-so-dry facts
• Competition runs from 1st September to 14th October
• Entrants are asked to submit photographs (their own work) which encapsulate the phrase timed to perfection
• All the entries should be sent to WIRED magazine at wiredcompetition@condenast.co.uk
• Photographs will be judged by an expert panel including an award-winning editorial photographer Edmund Clark
• For full entry details and T&Cs please visit WIRED Insider at www.wired.co.uk/wiredinsider2011/balblair
Dalmore Distillery
Producing single malt whisky since 1839, The Dalmore Distillery is located deep in the magical Scottish Highlands. Dalmore single malt whisky is regarded by many experts and connoisseur’s around the world as one of the most prestigious single malts produced in Scotland.
Below are three very limited and rare examples from this amazing distillery.
Sláinte!
Abbey Whisky
Dalmore Distillery Exclusive / 1991 / Cask 446
The Dalmore Distillery Exclusive is a vintage 1991 single malt whisky drawn from cask 446. Available only at the distillery itself, this single cask release of 450 bottles is rather special as Dalmore very rarely release a single cask bottling.
A very tasty dram that makes for great investment.
£230.00
Dalmore 1974, Matusalem Sherry Finesse
This sensational malt has been drawn from a single, Spanish oak, sherry butt which once held 30 year old Matusalem Sherries from Jerez De La Frontera. Aged for long periods in barrels such as American Oak, this fine malt was further aged in Apostoles and Amoroso Oloroso sherry wood. The last five years were spent, finely maturing to perfection in Matusalem sherry butts resulting in an unbelievable Highland malt whisky.
Awarded a Platinum Medal – 99 Points – 2011 International Review Of Spirits
£550.00
Dalmore Clan Mackenzie / 17 Year Old / 1992
Whilst out hunting in 1263 an ancestor of Clan Mackenzie saved King Alexander III from being gored by a stag. To show his gratitude the King granted him the right to bear a stag’s head in his coat of arms. Still to this date Dalmore distillery proudly shows off this emblem on every bottle of single malt whisky released. Dalmore was long owned by the Mackenzie family.
£130.00
Abbey Whisky
07890 983 844
enquiries@abbeywhisky.com
The keenly awaited Alligator Ardbeg release has arrived at Nickolls and Perks Wines & Spirits Merchants. A scaled down price of £55 gets you a bottle of the Islay-gator if you happen to be one of the first 12 people to call us for it!
Call 01384 394518.
NEWS : You will find Ardbeg Alligator at the Midlands Whisky Festival LVMH stand on Saturday 24th September. www.whiskyfest.co.uk
Ralfy has a robust Indi-malt-moment with Whisky Review 216 – Glenrothes (Signatory Vintage 1994) including some Independent bottle-purchase advice.
See for yourself at www.ralfy.com
BenRiach’s Rare 1978 Firkin Cask yields just forty sublime bottles.
Speyside’s BenRiach Distillery has announced its most exclusive bottling ever, the BenRiach 1978 Firkin Cask.
Only forty bottles of this exquisite 32 year old single malt will be available, making this an ultra-rare BenRiach expression.
The bottling follows the discovery of an unusual “Firkin” cask at the Elgin distillery.
BenRiach’s Managing Director Billy Walker takes up the story: “It’s always exciting to discover exceptionally rare and unique casks in our warehouses, and BenRiach has more than its fair share!
“Upon unearthing this Firkin, we knew we had found something truly extraordinary and sublime which will delight even the most demanding of BenRiach whisky aficionados.”
Mr Walker explained Firkin casks were traditionally used for the maturation of fine ale and the name is derived from the Middle Dutch word “vierdekijn”, meaning ‘fourth’ – in other words, a quarter of a full-size barrel.
“Because a Firkin’s size is smaller than that of a standard barrel, there’s a greater surface to liquid ratio when the spirit undergoes maturation, and this imparts a more intense, fuller flavour,” he added.
“This cask, number 6337, is one of the only two Firkins in our possession. Distilled and filled to cask on June 26, 1978, and bottled at 40.1% earlier this year, the style of the whisky is classic Speyside. Due to the size of the cask, and the age of the whisky, it has generated only forty bottles, so it’s bound to become a much sought-after collector’s item.”
The packaging has been designed to reflect the super-premium nature of the whisky, with the bottle silk-screened and the closure sealed via a wax dip, all of which is housed in a beautiful hand-crafted wooden box.
The forty bottles will be available from September 2011.
Mr Walker’s tasting notes indicate just how special this 1978 single cask bottling is, see below.
BenRiach 1978 Firkin Cask Tasting Notes
——————————————————————————–
Producer’s Tasting Notes:
Colour: Clear and bright. Light gold.
Nose: Fresh summer fruit aromas are accompanied by bold floral notes, in particular daffodils and freshly cut rosehips. Honey and subtle oak add to a tremendously complex whisky.
Palate: Full, complex and long. Incredibly well-developed with smooth, creamy vanilla married with a delicate yet clearly-defined fruit base. Apricots, peaches and nectarines drizzled with honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
The packaging has been designed to reflect the super-premium nature of the whisky, with the bottle silk-screened and the closure sealed via a wax dip, all of which is housed in a beautiful hand-crafted wooden box.
The forty bottles will be available from September.
Miner's Delight Inn
Second Saturday Scotch Sipping at Six
2nd Saturday each month 6 – 9 p.m. no reservation required
Enjoy 5 half-ounce samples of single malt Scotch whisky: $20
♦ We feature 3 single malts, including a Malt of the Month *
♦ You roll a die then pick a whisky from one of the six Scotch regions
♦ You pick your Connoisseur’s Choice from our menu of 73 single malts
Peruse our whisky library. Learn about our single malts in our menu book: distillery info, tasting notes, & more. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres. Non-whisky drinkers welcome.
Featured malts:
* 10% off bottles of the Malt of the Month
September 10, 2011
anCnoc 12 yo *
Cragganmore 12 yo
Arran Machrie Moor
October 8, 2011
Benromach 10 yo *
GlenDronach 12 yo
Highland Park 12 yo
November 12 , 2011
Glen Grant 10 yo *
Longrow CV
Glenkinchie 12 yo
December 10, 2011
Glen Moray 12 yo *
Smokehead
Kilchoman Winter 2010
Visit the Miner’s Delight Inn at http://www.minersdelightinn.com/
Bob at work...
Dear Customer
We have six (6) new PROVENANCE bottlings this month, whose Tasting Notes follow –
PRV 0690 Ardmore 7 Year Old
Distinctly and sweetly peated on the nose …. detect also some damp hay and oak. On the palate there is an early “tang” – plus a peat hit, rather sweet with a bonfire aspect, beyond its barley and pepperiness. That is pretty much replicated on the finish. (F)
PRV 0721 Bunnahabhain 9 Year Old Sherry
The nose opens with a sweetly spiced quality and develops to a rich, dried fruit trait. Still warmingly spiced, the palate carries a mouth coating chocolate character with macerated fruit. The finish is long and remains sweet, with a lingering spiciness. (J)
PRV 0722 Laphroaig 10 Year Old
Opens with a sweet and buttery quality, like freshly baked biscuits and run to an attractive smokey character. Initially sweet and still biscuity (now burnt), the palate quickly runs to a rich sooty quality. The finish is long, with a lingering salty liquorice and soft tar trait. (J)
PRV 0730 Braeval 11 Year Old
The nose is reminiscent of opening a box of chocolates with toffee and sweet coconut throughout. The palate is sweet and warmingly spicy with more chocolate and now even some caramel creams. The finish is long, spicy and neatly replicates the nose and palate. (J)
PRV 0686 Tormore 11 Year Old
Lightly toffee’d, citric, and even honied on the nose – particularly as it warms. Palatewise, detect that same vanilla chewy toffee style plus some dark runny honey, all neatly replicated on the finish plus spices – but distinctly warming – spices. (F)
PRV 0715 Ben Nevis 12 Year Old
Opens fresh and sweet on the nose – running to an alcoholic fruit salad style – plus a home baked biscuit quality. The palate is full and round, sweetly spiced, still fruity, carrying a grist and honey style. The finish is long, with an attractive butterscotch character running to a toffee sponge finale. (J)
Hopefully all these releases will be useful for you to consider. We hope so and are at your service!
Yours sincerely
Fred Laing
Visit Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd. at www.douglaslaing.com
