Whisky Intelligence has added a new category called ‘Vignettes – Moments in Whisky’ which will feature whisky moments as experienced by the readership. If you have a whisky moment please feel free to submit your moment and we’ll do our best to publish it. Go on; you know you want to be famous…
WoW 2012 News
The countdown clock to WOW 2012 reads T-minus 7 months and counting. Launch into fall with our end-of-summer sale and lock down tickets to the grand event at early bird savings before this deal expires on Sept 30, 2011. (See below)
We don’t want to tease you with what’s coming but the WOW staff just can’t resist sharing some tantalizing previews to get your taste buds in the mood:
Diageo presents a complete tour of Scotland with their quintessential Classic Malts. The Classic Malts lineup consists of many of the highest awarded malts from the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) and San Francisco Spirits Competition (SFSC). Dalwhinnie, Talisker, Cragganmore, Oban, Lagavulin and Glenkinchie represent a full range of whisky flavor profiles.
The Bushmills Pipe and Drum Band grace us with the sounds of Ireland and of course Bushmills Irish Whiskey graces our palates.
North America distilleries Crown Royal, Bulleit and George Dickle each bring their fine beverages for your sampling pleasure.
Look out for the new Oban Experience booth for WoW 2012!
Beam Global brings their exciting Mixology booth to dazzle WOW with whisk(e)y based mixed drinks and present samples from their impressive portfolio including Laphroaig, The Small Batch Bourbon Collection and Canadian Club. If you just can’t wait to try some of these before WOW 2012, get up close and personal with the Beam Global Ambassadors and join our dinner in San Jose on Sept 12, 2011!
High West will be releasing its newest Silver Whiskey this October – OMG Pure Rye. Read the fascinating history of American Rye and High West’s quest for bringing back this true American product.
Douglas Laing is here to stay! After their success at WoW 2011 and establishing contacts and distribution across the Golden State, their excellent whisky easily guaranteed itself shelf space in California’s finest beverage emporiums. We anticipate several new and exciting expressions from Douglas Liang.
Part of the Art of Whisky is pairing with foods. Checkout the classic malts Malt-Matcher food pairing section and start preparing for your own Labor Day weekend pairings. Malt-Matcher
Summer Ticket Sale Ends Sept 30
Don’t wait any longer. These will be the lowest prices and tickets are refundable until Dec 31.
13th Annual
Whiskies Of The World Expo,
March 31, 2012
TICKETS ARE ON SUMMER DISCOUNT until Sept 30th.
Regular Price Summer Sale price
General Adm $120 $105
(6:00 pm – 9:pm)
VIP : $150 $130
(5:15 pm – 9:pm)
Dram Club $130 $115
(5:00 pm – 9:pm)
Dram Club Membership $60 $40
(Early Bird Tickets are refundable until Dec 31)
SCOTCH TASTINGS
Sunday, September 4th @ 4 p.m. & Thursday, September 8th @ 7 p.m.
This months tastings “Back to School 201” will be a little bit more advanced than the basics. Rachel is going to start with A = Auchentoshan 21, B = Benrinnes, C = Caol Ila and so on. I think this will be a really fun tasting even if you’re a beginner because you’ll learn a lot from Rachel and everyone in the tasting. Make sure to call and make a reservation 402.553.9501. ($50 per person
5007 Underwood Ave, Omaha Ne 68132 402.553.9501 www.dundeedell.com
Loch Fyne Whiskies Has Stocked A New Item, ‘Port Dundas 1973 38yo DT’
Grain whisky matured in a Sherry cask
Distilled January 1973
Bottled June 2011
Limited to 303 bottles from cask 128322
A Duncan Taylor independent single cask strength bottling.
Port Dundas 1973 38yo (Duncan Taylor)
54.3% abv
£89.90 inc vat
£74.92 ex vat
Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk
Ballantine’s Wins Top Gold at Prestigious International Spirits Competition
Ballantine’s, the No 1 whisky in Europe, has been awarded a Gold ‘Best in Class’ medal by the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2011, for one of its aged range expressions – Ballantine’s 17 Year Old.
Ballantine’s offers the most comprehensive and innovative range of aged blended Scotch whiskies available. Ballantine’s 17 Year Old is an ultra-premium brand with a deep complex flavour and is regarded as the Scotch whisky by consumers in the Far East.
Often recognised for its quality credentials, the expression was named Scotch Blend of the Year 2010 by Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible, which is widely regarded as the world’s most influential book on whiskies from around the world. This years IWSC judges followed suit, referring to it as a ‘charming and refined’ whisky with a ‘gorgeous floral nose’ and ‘long, lingering finish.’
Peter Moore, Global Brand Director, Ballantine’s comments: “This is an outstanding achievement for our Master Blender Sandy Hyslop. His skill and dedication to blending is second to none, and we are delighted that he and his blends continue to be recognised and celebrated by industry leaders such as the IWSC judges.”
The IWSC was founded in 1969 to promote and reward the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. Winners are selected following a rigorous two-stage judging process of professional blind tasting and a detailed technical analysis. The competition is backed by a group of vice-presidents made up of the most influential individuals in the trade and a judging panel of industry experts. This year’s competition received entries from almost 80 countries.
Notes:
Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.
In July 2010, Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.
For further information visit: www.chivasbrothers.com
1975 Banff K&L Exclusive 35 Year Old Duncan Taylor Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($224.99) Getting to roam the warehouses of the Scottish Highlands, in search of forgotten treasures, was an experience that David OG and I will never forget. Finding a hidden barrel from one of Scotland’s most undervalued and unknown mothballed distilleries was just icing on the cake. Banff was a Highland institution that was dismantled and demolished back in 1983. Destined to become the next Brora or Port Ellen, malt enthusiasts are only now beginning to understand just what exactly we’ve been missing. A good Banff whisky will usually exhibit some strong grainy notes, bright stone fruits, and a kick of vanilla on the finish. The 35 year old single cask we found at the Duncan Taylor estate is the best Banff we’ve ever had the chance to taste. The initial flavors are saline and subtle (think Clynelish at its best) before transitioning into a mouthful of vanilla cream with cereal grain and white peach accents. The finish is ultra-delicate, almost transcendent in its grace, and at 45.2% there’s no need to water it down. Just sit back, pour, and enjoy one of the finest barrels we were lucky enough to stumble across. Banff is gone and it will never produce any whisky again which adds to the collectability of the bottle, but you’ll want to drink every drop of this, trust us. Along with the Ladyburn, this was one of the top whiskies from our trip, hands down. -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer
Four Roses K&L Single Barrel OESQ Cask Strength Kentucky Bourbon 750ml ($59.99) We’re back to the OESQ formula again, 70% corn and the same yeast strain as our first Four Roses barrel. This time around, however, the banana is more subdued (yet, still present) and the bold spices come alive. The nose is glorious – an undulating wave of carmelized vanilla, cinnamon, and, when a few drops of water are added, some sweet banana. Water makes all the difference to the palate as well. You would think that water would open up the fruits, but instead it brings out the wood. The toasty oak flavors are brimming already at cask strength, but those extra drops of water cause them to overflow and permeate the entirety of what’s left. I can’t decide if I like it more at cask strength or proofed down a bit. Either way, it’s a beautiful whiskey, worthy of any bourbon lover’s time. It finishes with a lovely hint of baking spices with dark red fruits. -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer
K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA
… it gets a bit ‘different’ when a peated Malt drops the peat-bit in whisky review 215 – Caol Ila 12yo (unpeated) Ralfy @ www.ralfy.com approves of the results and recommends to the malt-adventurous!
Noorman’s Kil is a new knock-your-socks-off whiskey bar at 609 Grand Street in Williamsburg. A selection of over 200 whiskies will celebrate the age-old art and craft of distilling scotch, bourbon and rye. Whiskey lovers of all types are sure to expand their palettes.
More than a place for libations, Noorman’s Kil will host regular tastings and other events that spotlight the many facets of whiskey heritage to introduce a younger generation to this ancient tradition. An assortment of grilled cheese sandwiches will be on the menu to balance the belly and 12 rotating beers will be available on tap along with other spirits for the non-whiskey inclined.
Located in the old Art Land space on Grand Street, the bar’s gut renovated interior has been handcrafted by its four owners, who are alumni of Barcade and The Gutter. A salvaged 19th-century bar paired with a mix of modern and traditional millwork and metal fixtures effuses a classic American spirit. Noorman’s Kil also boasts a large, garden backyard.
The bar’s name is derived from the creek that once flowed through northern Brooklyn. Noorman’s Kil also references the importance of water in the distillation of whiskey, which, when translated from the Gaelic term usquebaugh, means “water of life.” (The creek was rechristened Bushwick Creek before development swept the area in the mid 19th century. The mouth of Noorman’s Kil, Bushwick Inlet, is still present today.)
Read more here
Noorman’s Kil
609 Grand St, btwn Lorimer and Leonard St;
Williamsburg, New York
347.384.2526
Loch Fyne Whiskies Now Stocks ‘Black Bull Special Reserve’
Black Bull Special Reserve Blend #1
46.6% abv
£91.50 inc vat
£76.25 ex vat
Limited release of 978 bottles of this excellent blend.
Official Tasting Note:
Colour: Pale Amber
Nose: Honeycomb, buttered brown bread, cashew nuts, some mossy, grassy notes and quite oily.
Taste: Olive bread, then heavier fruity notes, plums, raisins – maybe grapefruit and a brief encounter with soft smoke. With time more syrupy citrus notes emerge along with a little bitter chocolate orange.
Finish: Growing sweetness in the finish, a touch nutty.
Comment: An outstanding whisky
Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk
