Whisky Stramash event ‘dram’atically launches

A unique event to shake up the whisky industry has launched.

The inaugural Whisky Stramash – which takes place on 26th and 27th May 2012 at Edinburgh’s historical Surgeons’ Hall – combines the popular spirit with unusual elements and experiences and of course, the opportunity to sample the nation’s favourite tipple.

Whisky favourites such as Dewar’s, Jura and Bunnahabhain, as well as Finnieston, Isle of Mull and Arran Single Malt, have signed up to exhibit at the event, including an array of other top brands. The event challenges the traditional “stuffy” whisky-associated events and promises to be full of mystery, entertainment, comicality and madcap pioneering.

Scott Martin, founding partner of the event, said: “Working on export Scotch, my business partner and I have been to many whisky events all over Europe and we often felt they were a bit predictable and at times even a bit old fashioned.

“We wanted to stage an event that has a distinct point of difference by presenting the spirit in new, different and innovative ways, whilst giving consumers the opportunity to try a wide range of whiskies from around the world; a modern take on traditional fun.”

Enthusiasts of whisky from around the world will encounter many elements and experiences, including a concoction of molecular experiments, a murder mystery drama, whisky cocktails and an insight into the gruesome lives of barber surgeons.

Martin continued: “This is a fantastic opportunity for whisky brands to showcase their products to a group of consumers who are interested in something a bit different.”

More exciting information will be revealed in the run-up to the event.

The Stramash will be held on three sessions over the 26th and 27th of May 2012: Saturday 26th of May 2012: 12pm – 4pm and 5pm – 9pm and Sunday 27th of May 2012: 1pm – 5pm.

For further information, visit the website: http://thewhiskystramash.com  or follow on Facebook and Twitter

For brands interested in exhibiting at the event, contact Scott at scott@thewhiskystramash.com

New Arrivals At

The Park Avenue Liquor Shop.
Just In Time For the Holidays.

“That time of year.”

Get used to the above phrase as you are undoubtedly going to hear hit a lot in the coming weeks. Translation – the Holidays are coming. Luckily, we are here to help you get prepared with great gift ideas for loved ones or even for yourself. We’ve selected some unique new spirits that you’ll need to act fast on due to limited allocation. Keep checking our website as we are getting in new items almost daily.

After all, it’s “that time of year”.

Cheers!
Jonathan & Eric
Park Avenue Liquor Shop
292 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017
212-685-2442
info@parkaveliquor.com
www.parkaveliquor.com

Longrow 18 Year Old
Let’s start with a true rarity. The return of a Campbeltown classic: it’s the Longrow 18! A legend that has totally sold out in previous editions, it’s back again but we don’t know for how long. (really)

Official Tasting Notes:
Nose: This whisky has an incredibly sweet nose with some savory notes peeking through. Marshmallows in abundance – the vanilla variety, with icing sugar and foam bananas adding to the sweetness. Upon further nosing the fruit makes an appearance, brambles, mandarines and over ripe damson fruits. Some savory notes pushing through such as linseed oil.

Palate: This dram coats your palate in a waxy fashion with its continuing sweet flavours as described on the nose. But there is also the familiar, well balanced trace of smoke which makes this a brilliantly complex wee dram that will make you feel right at home no matter where you are.

Finish: The creaminess of this whisky means it doesnʼt go away – you feel the warmth of this Longrow all the way down to your boots, creamy, sweet with a gentle smoke finish.

We only have a few left!

Our Price: $250/btl

Rosebank 21 Year Old
Rosebank 21 year old is a rare triple-distilled single malt Scotch whisky from the famous and long closed (‘silent’) Lowland distillery. This is a limited edition, non-chill filtered bottling at natural cask-strength, drawn from some of the few casks that remain.

Light bodied, this pale gold 21 year old comes from a last golden age at the distillery. Soft, fruity aromas on the nose give way to a delicate, almost rose-scented character.The palate is tongue tingling, clean and fresh, becoming silky smooth with a little water. It then develops a soft, floral sweetness with lemony acidity that leads to a round, drying finish. Only 5886 produced!

Our Price: $275/btl

Knockando 25 Year Old
The first Knockando in Diageo’s special releases line-up and a bit of a swerve from normal. Firstly, there’s no vintage on the bottle, unlike their other expressions, and secondly it’s matured solely in first fill sherry casks, for a heavily rich flavour.

This Knockando 25 year old is a feast for the senses. Magnificent ex-sherry cask aromas and flavors make this an opulent malt. It’s the color of mahogany, has an intriguing nose that yields and variety of fruits as well as Christmas cake, toffee, and raisins. The palate is very well balanced and starts sweet with grape-esque notes. it then dries and with some subtle smoke, ending in a long finish that’s warm with coffee and dark chocolate.

Only 4758 produced!

Our Price: $225/btl

Octomore 3.1: By Bruichladdich
The fourth release in the Octomore series is the most heavily peated in the series. Freshness and heather are still present, with more of a trace of bitter chocolate in this one, which just sits behind and plays in and out of that awesome peat smokiness. As Jim says, “like getting hit by a 20ft wave that has crashed over the peat bogs of Islay!”

– Jim McEwan Head Distiller

Distillery Tasting Notes

Nose: The senses are totally ambushed in a vortex of peat smoke and fire. Iodine, wet seaweed, and soaking sailcloth also make their presence felt. More subtle notes of hawthorn and heather, mint, pine resin and mountain thyme emerge slowly bringing a coolness to the palate.

Palate: A stunning combination of aromatics and flavors. The senses pick up the mellow oak from the sweet bourbon casks coming through like chicory and bitter chocolate which brings balance and subtle smoothness. Also, deep down the Bruichladdich DNA of soft green fruits.

Finish: The palate and olfactory system have been completely seduced, having survived the war of the elements, and the flavors remain long after the storm has passed.

Our Price: $173/btl

Parker’s Heritage Cognac Barrel Finished

The fifth annual edition of Parker’s Heritage is the result of a collaboration between two industry legends – Parker Beam and sixth generation Cognac Master Blender, Alain Royer. Select barrels of ten year old premium bourbon were transferred into 2 – 3 year old imported Limousin oak casks, which previously contained aging Grand Champagne cognac. After nearly six months of aging, the bourbon had been greatly influenced by the cognac barrels – both the nose and palate offer delicate fruit and floral notes, while still retaining the bold character of a premium bourbon. Parker’s Heritage Collection Barrel Finished Bourbon is bottled at a robust 100 proof and not chill-filtered prior to bottling in order to preserve the original texture and flavor

Our Price: $90/btl

Due to ever-changing inventory we cannot guarantee bottle availability. If we cannot fill your order you will be contacted. Please contact us with any shipping questions. We are not responsible if any typographical errors.

SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

Greetings to all Society Members from a grey and damp Campbeltown. It looks as if we are rapidy heading for winter and will soon all be suffering from SAD. I sincerely hope some of you out there are faring better than we are weather wise!!

It has been a very busy ‘summer’ for us and even now some days are extremely busy – just when we think things are slowing down for the off season we have sixty people over the course of the day for tours, tastings, lunch. It’s what makes coming to work so interesting – you can never tell what’s going to happen by the time you go home.

The new shop has been very busy and I have now settled into my new office which used to be the whisky shop so I am near at hand if any of the Society Members visit the shop, it makes it very easy for me to pop in and have a chat with them. There have been quite a few members in the town this year and they have all been very impressed with the shop and the “warehouse” between the shop and the Tasting Room. We have a “cage” in the warehouse with cask samples which are selling very well – our customers take quite a while to browse to try and find something a bit different to take away with them.

We have also started to put our Tasting Room to use a couple of evenings a week for cocktail evenings. We serve cocktails from china teapots in china cups and saucers and also serve sandwiches and cakes to accompany them. It has been very popular since it started in August and is hosted by Donald who also works in the Whisky Shop. His cocktails are all made using our Classic Gin, Rum and Whisky range and at the present time he is working on new cocktails for Christmas with a distinct leaning towards spices – I can hardly wait!

Earlier this year HMS Campbeltown was decommissioned which was very sad for the town. The ship would call here from time to time and the crew were always keen to take part in any activities which were organised during their stay. They asked for a single cask to be bottled to mark the occasion, with a special label, which we duly did, using a Springbank 10 year old which had been matured in port casks and bottled at 50.5% vol. In the end they did not require the entire cask and they have given us permission to sell the remainder of the bottles.

We have a few cases to sell, as have our shops in Edinburgh and London, with a price of £50 per bottle. I will also be putting it on the website.

*

At the present time we are not sending any whisky to other countries in the EU as we have been advised there is an issue with VAT as well as Excise Duty. It just gets more and more complicated. Our importers of course are not affected, it is really just the online and telephone sales – the “distance selling” as they like to call it.

So, if you live in the EU, outwith the UK then I cannot send you any whisky, we can of course send to an address in the UK for you or keep it on the reserve shelf as long as it is paid for, if you are planning a wee trip to the UK,

We don’t have a way round this as yet, but hopefully someone will find a solution sometime soon.

Longrow Burgundy Wood

This has just been received in the shop, so is now available, however, I have not put it on the website as yet, thought I would include it in the newsletter before it ‘goes public’. The price is £59 per bottle, but society members will receive their 10% discount.

Here’s the tasting note for the Burgundy and a wee photograph.

Colour: Blooming heather

Nose: Incredibly rich with wonderful aromas streaming out of the glass. American club soda, creamy chocolate eclairs, butter toffee popcorn, chocolate orange and cloves mix nicely with the dry smoke that is Longrow.

Palate: Like a comfortable feather duvet, this whisky wraps itself around your palate enriching it with flavours of sweet treacle, creamy caramel sauce and highland toffee. It is incredibly oily yet spicy, similar to freshly ground mixed peppercorns, the smoke subtly evident throughout.

Finish: Like a cloud of sweet smoke, lingering for a long while.

Age: 14 Years Old

Casks: 11 Years Refill Bourbon, 3 Years Fresh Burgundy Hogsheads

ABV: 56.1%

Availability: Limited to 7800 bottles

Society Bottle

The next Society Bottle has been chosen, labels done and is now on the bottling programme so should be ready to go from 21st November. It is a Longrow 10 year old fresh sherry and will be bottled at 53.9%, we should get about 610 bottles from the cask. I have a wee sample of it sitting in my office and it smells lush!!!!! The price is £45.00 per bottle plus postage and packing.

Colour: Gold with a copper tinge
Nose: Lush! Rich, dark berries mingle with a touch of liquorice. A drop of water brings out some creamy, sugary old-fashioned Scottish tablet.
Palate: More sweetness with a dry edge. Rich fruits – stewed pears and blackcurrants. With water, gentle nutmeg and cinnamon add a very pleasant spicy element to the dram.
Finish: Creamy, oily and a subtle hint of a smokey warmth.

Hazelburn 12 year old

This year’s release is now available from the shop – this is now going to be part of the standard Hazelburn range.

Springbank 21 year old

I don’t have a release date as yet for the 21 year old but it will be before Christmas and as soon as I have a date and a price I will let you know if you can pre order. It is going to be a limited edition, so I will have to check the allocation for our shop.

Campbeltown Loch 15 year old

Grant has just told me that he has come accross 40 bottles of Campbeltown Loch 15 year old, they are in Leatherette presentation boxes and cost £29.50 per bottle, but you would get 10% discount, so £26.50 to Society Members plus p&p. If you would like one of these please let me know.

Whisky School

The whisky school is running for 10 terms next year, with the first term starting on 16th April and the last week starting on 18th June. It has already started to fill up with quite a few weeks being fully booked already, so if you are interested please get in touch and I’ll send some information and a registration form.

Open Day

Next year’s open day will be on Thursday 24th May with the Golf Competition on Friday 25th May. There will of course be distillery tours and a warehouse tasting, and Masterclasses but perhaps we will do them a little differently next year, we have our thinking caps on. The Tasting Room will of course also host a Cadenhead Tasting but I think next year we will really have to restrict numbers or Grant will stop speaking to me!!! This year’s Cadenhead Tasting was extremely busy and Grant didn’t recover for days after it. (I’m frightened to mention Open Day to him too soon)

We are also planning to have food, of course, and some extra local craft people, music (goes without saying) CASKS!!! the main event. Again we will have a BBQ in the evening if we can keep Donald calm enough to cook – maybe next year he won’t shout at me so much.

A spooks tour is also in the plans AND it’s to be bigger and better and scarier than this year.

So, we will be working on getting things rolling for next year’s open day and we will try to be organised, but not Tooooooo organised or that will spoil the buzz we get on the day.

That’s about all the news for now, I will send out a quick notification when the release date and price for the Springbank 21 year old is known, and of course when I have a date for the Society Bottle release.

Until then I hope you are all well and look forward to hearing from you.

Slainte
Janet
For the Springbank Society

Contact Janet via society@springbankwhisky.com  for details on how to join the Springbank Society

J & A Mitchell and Co Ltd, The Tasting Room, 9 Bolgam Street, Campbeltown, Argyll, PA28 6HZ
Tel : + 44(0) 1586 552009 Fax : + 44(0) 1586 553232

Visit Springbank Distillery at http://www.springbankwhisky.com

NEW PRODUCTS

BIG PEAT CASK STRENGTH CHRISTMAS MALT WHISKY

One of our favourite Islay characters has become even more muscular for the Festive season and has also donned his Santa hat (well, until the Islay ‘breeze’ blew it off…).

Joking apart, this fabuous blended malt whisky from Douglas Laing contains whisky from Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore and Port Ellen and can now be tried in all its full unfettered cask stength glory. Any peat head would be delighted to find this one in their Christmas stocking.

£ 43.00

MIDLETON BARRY CROCKETT LEGACY

One of the most exciting new whiskies we’ve had in is this Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy. Only available in very limited quantities in England we were lucky enough to try this at our recent Midleton whiskey tastings (thanks go to Ed McAvoy for that), and can really recommend it.

Midleton are starting to expand their single pot still range and this special edition was named after Midleton’s Master Distiller. A complex, fresh and fruity whiskey – a great dram that is receiving many accolades.

£149.99

BENRIACH 1995 16 YEAR OLD PX FINISH SINGLE MALT

BenRiach do a fabulous job with their various finishes and the Pedro Ximenez ones are always popular with our customers. This particular bottling was initially matured in American bourbon before being finished in a single PX Sherry Puncheon.

A beautiful presentation and the fruity, oaky, cinnamony flavours in this make it a very seasonal dram that few could resist. Ideal if you don’t know the tastes of the person yo’re present buying for (or to keep for yourself!)

£58.00

GLENDRONACH 21 YEAR OLD ‘PARLIAMENT’

This new release from GlenDronach is going to be part of their core range going forward and is named after the ‘parliament’ of rooks that have been nesting in the trees overlooking the distillery for over 200 years.

Another single malt whisky that is easy to love, this was matured in both Oloroso and PX casks and what could be more appropriate at this time of the year than flavours of fine Oloroso sherry and bitter chocolate sauce, which has been spread liberally over homemade plum pudding – all infused with fabulous spicy notes of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Luscious…

£67.99

CAOL ILA 12 YEAR OLD 2011 RELEASE SINGLE MALT

This is one of this year’s Special Releases from Diageo and, like last year’s, this is an unpeated Caol Ila. A what?? I hear you say. But wait, this is an absolute delight. Here are Ken’s tasting notes:

‘The nose gives delightful hints of honey and vanilla whereas the palate is fuller than expected, fruity, apples with a hint of malt and a vein of salt, it has a velvety mouthfeel! A touch of water brings out more apples, cream and a hint of honey’.

Give it a try and see just why Diageo included it in their Special Releases.

£70.00

GLENGLASSAUGH 1976 35 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT – ‘THE CHOSEN FEW’

This lovely old Glenglassaugh was matured in an Oloroso sherry butt and has been bottled at cask strength. It is No 1 in a series of single cask releases from the distillery, each one of which will be chosen by a different member of the distillery team.

The honour of starting the ball rolling has gone to the lovely Ronnie Routledge and, in his own words, is an ‘exceptionally good expression of Glenglassaugh’. There are only around 100 bottles of this available in the UK.

£299.99

Arkwrights Whisky & Wines. Phone No. 01793 765071 Fax No. 01793 764860  The Dormers, Highworth, Wiltshire, SN6 7PE

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

Caol Ila 20 Year Old Hart Brothers Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($149.99)

Glenrothes 12 Year Old Hart Brothers Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($69.99)

Isle Of Skye 12 year old Matured Scotch Whisky 750ml ($36.99)

2000 Talisker Distiller’s Edition Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($79.99)

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

Royal Salute Continues To Support World-Class Polo in China

Royal Salute, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, strengthened its association with international polo this month through its prestigious title sponsorship of the Royal Salute Gold Cup 2011 China Open Polo Tournament in Beijing.

Hosted in the luxurious Tang Polo Club near the Wenyu River in Beijing, the 10 day tournament saw some outstanding polo with four, 10 and 16 goal tournaments held over 10 days, but it was the Royal Salute team who came out on top, triumphing over AMG Ireland in a closely fought final. Lead by team captain and founder of Tang Polo Club Liu Shi-Lai, the Royal Salute team received the Royal Salute Polo Gold Cup with a score of 7 to 6.

Neil Macdonald, Global Brand Director for Royal Salute, commented, “Through our Royal Salute World Polo initiative, we have sponsored and supported polo events in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Royal Salute and polo have a natural affinity as ultimate expressions of power, skill and nobility of character.”

Sanctioned by both the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Equestrian Association, the Royal Salute Gold Cup is China’s most prestigious polo tournament.

The latest title sponsorship further underlines the quality of the Royal Salute’s World Polo programme, which supports events in China, Brazil, India, Dubai, the US and the UK. Most recently, Royal Salute sponsored the Duke of Cambridge’s team at The Foundation Polo Challenge at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, California.

NOTES:

About Tang Polo Club
The Tang Polo Club, Beijing, was established on 10th of October, 2010 and through its positioning as China’s premier Polo and Equestrian Club, “Membership by Invitation” policy and the hosting of international tournaments, it is at the forefront of the renaissance of polo in China.

Additionally to be in line with international standards, the club is a member of the International Polo Association and the Hurlingham Polo Association. It is connected with the world’s best known polo clubs and its name is growing on the international stage as a true Polo Club.

About Royal Salute
The pinnacle of Scotch whisky, award-winning Royal Salute was first created as a tribute by Chivas Brothers to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II upon her coronation in 1953. This defining luxury whisky has a very powerful and sophisticated style, and has become the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky brand.

Royal Salute has a long legacy of paying tribute to nobility and leadership.

• 1953: Royal Salute created to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation
• 2003: Royal Salute 50 Year Old launched for the 50th anniversary of the coronation, also paid tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary’s and Sir Tensing Norgay’s on the anniversary of their successful ascent of Everest
• 2005: Royal Salute 38 Year Old launched – a tribute from Scotland, inspired by the Stone of Destiny
• 2010: Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute launched paying tribute to the craftsmanship of four master blenders who have safeguarded the Royal Salute legacy
• 2011: Royal Salute Tribute to Honour launched, the Honours are most notable and compelling symbols of Scottish royalty

Royal Salute World Polo
In addition to Royal Salute Tang Polo Cup, the Scotch whisky also supports some of the most luxurious polo tournaments in the world, staged in the grandest venues, including:

• Bernard Weatherhill Polo Club Charity Day, Gloucestershire, UK, previously titled The Chakravarty Cup
• The Sentebale Polo Cup, Coworth Park, UK
• The Foundation Polo Challenge, Santa Barbara, California, US
• Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, Jodhpur, India
• Triple Crown Tournament, Helvetia Polo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

About 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.

Ballantine’s Releases its Premium Seasonal Blend in Time for Christmas

Ballantine’s, the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe, will be supporting the festive trading period this year with its seasonal expression, Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve. The ideal gift, this exceptional limited edition blend will attract new and existing customers during the festive season and help to strengthen the brand’s position in its key markets.

Created by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is an exceptional blended whisky of superior quality which is available annually for a limited period. First launched in 2010, the expression was a Scotch whisky category first, with its luxury seasonal aromas including cinnamon, orange, raisin, candy apple and pear.

Peter Moore, International Brand Director for Ballantine’s, comments: “Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve stands out as a unique category offering during a highly competitive sales period. The exclusive blend caters to those consumers who trade up when purchasing gifts and products to enjoy over the festive period and perfectly encapsulates the flair and blending expertise that defines Ballantine’s.”

Available from October to December 2011 in key markets such as Spain, France and Taiwan, Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is presented in a superior white presentation box, decorated with snowflakes and elements of gold foil that add a premium festive feel. The packaging also differentiates the product from the traditional blue packaging that is synonymous with the brand, ensuring maximum shelf stand-out for Ballantine’s during the busy sales period.

Tasting Notes

On the nose, Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is rich, deep and fruity with hints of moist raisin fruitcake and sweet candy apples perfectly balanced out by caramel toffees and soft ripe pears. It tastes sweet with succulent tangy orange and a superb liquorice root and ginger flavour. The finish is very long, round and sweet.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No 1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling more than 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 80 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

www.chivasbrothers.com 

Kilchoman Launches 2006 Vintage

Kilchoman, Islay’s Farm Distillery, is delighted to announce the release of its 2006 vintage; the first 5 year old from the first distillery to be built on Islay for over 120 years.

Matured from 80% first fill and 20% refill bourbon barrels and reduced to 46%abv; the 2006 Vintage is a limited release and available in mature malt markets around the world at a  UK RRP £49 per bottle.

Anthony Wills commented, ‘This is another milestone for Kilchoman, the additional two years of maturation has given the 2006 vintage an extra dimension and depth of character’.  

Tasting Notes

Colour- Light beech darkening nicely with age.

Nose – Peaty aroma, nice soft cooked fruits, Christmas cake.

Palate – Cloves, butterscotch, soft citrus, mouth –filling with a lasting sweetness.

Finish- A classic Islay Malt, now showing the benefit of ageing; peaty, fresh and clean at the end.

DRAM LOVERS ARE IN ‘GOOD COMPANY’ WITH THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY

One of the UK’s most discerning members clubs, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, has unveiled its freshly distilled corporate membership package with a one-off membership reduction for companies who sign up before 31 November 2011.

The Good Company Membership will see corporate members enjoy a variety of new benefits. Among its most appealing new features is the Company Sharecard, which can be passed between staff, providing access for the entire organisation to the Society’s three exclusive Members’ Rooms.

The Society is relaunching the corporate membership with an extra special offer, waiving the £150 joining fee, allowing corporate members to enjoy the host of new benefits for the annual renewal fee of £260 alone. This exclusive offer is only available until 31 November 2011.

Membership of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society allows anyone within the company to host a bespoke private event at SMWS or another venue of their choice and benefit from a new discounted rate, on top of existing preferential member rates. And for those with plenty of business travel, or simply an excuse to get spoilt, membership further includes access to special Society rates at all 26 Hotel du Vin and Malmaison hotels across the UK.

Celebrated the world over for its unique approach to providing members with the best single cask, single malt whiskies – The Scotch Malt Whisky Society decided to expand its corporate offering and provide membership for businesses with an unrivalled access to its exclusive offerings.

Mark van der Vijver, UK Sales Manager at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society says: “Our members join the Society to sample from the world’s finest selection of single cask, single malt whiskies. With greater access to our Members Rooms we offer a unique and welcoming atmosphere for them to enjoy with guests, whether it’s for business or pleasure.

“After a nip here and a tweak there, we’ve now ensured corporate members have even greater access for their entire organisation to our special malts and hospitality services with improved savings.

“With members dating back to the early eighties, the Society has a reputation for offering incredible malts and service to match. Our Good Company Membership is a shining example of this.”

Corporate members will also receive three luxury welcome packs comprising four different 10cl single cask bottles in each and named membership cards, as well as discounts on events services for everyone within their company.

All members have full access to the three society venues – two in Edinburgh and one in London – as well as opportunities to purchase rare single cask, single malt whiskies and Society gifts.

Further, all members will receive a personal invitation to the Good Company Soiree which takes place only once a year.

For more information on the Good Company Membership, visit www.goodcompany.smws.com , or alternatively call the Membership Team on 0131 555 2929.

Notes:
• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society began 27 years ago when a group of discerning friends shared the price of a single cask of fine malt whisky.
• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society recently scooped 12 awards in Whisky Magazine’s Independent Bottler’s Challenge including the overall Icon of Whisky title for the Independent Bottler of the Year.
• The Society bottles over 300 single casks of malt whisky a year for its members and selects them from a range of more than 128 distilleries.
• The Society also has an exclusive partnership with the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin group, with various benefits for members and the opportunity for potential members to sample SMWS malts at 17 of their locations.

Good Company Membership offers corporate entertaining with a difference along with some rather nice perks… Access
• The use of three superb venues in Edinburgh, Leith and London, including exclusive Member lounges and award-winning Dining Room restaurant.
• Three named Membership Cards, presented in luxurious welcome packs including four different 10cl single cask bottlings.
• NEW company ‘ShareCard’, with flexibility to be circulated to ensure access for all staff to all services.
• Option to acquire up to two additional ‘ShareCards’

Bespoke Services
• Seven unique and impressive private function rooms for corporate entertaining.
• A dedicated team of Event Experts to manage your bespoke Private Dining, Whisky Tasting and Meeting events.
• Personal corporate gifting services and special offers, on the rarest single cask, single malt whiskies and Society gifts.
• Attendance by invitation-only to the annual ‘Good Company Soiree’

Savings
• NEW additional 5% discount* for private events, on top of existing preferential member’s rates.
• Good Company rates available to everyone within your company hosting private events with SMWS.
• Further reduced rates for block bookings of events.
• Complimentary roomhire for your first event each year, valued at £168.
• NEW special overnight rates at all 26 Hotel du Vin and Malmaison luxury hotels.

Good Company Membership costs £410 to join, with an annual renewal of £260 after the first year. For more information visit www.smws.com  / www.goodcompany.smws.com

Loch Fyne Whiskies is delighted to advise the naming of our BOTTLING OF THE YEAR for 2012.

(From LFW) The nomination comes as a result of our many customers’ reaction after an in-shop taster. The most democratic possible of all recognition by those who actually buy it, a reflection of the quality, wide appreciation and value of the whisky.

BRUICHLADDICH’s new 10 years old whisky “The Laddie Ten” was a clear choice, a complex single malt with a great flavour experience that changes over time and stays in the mouth and memory for a long time.

Bruichladdich 10yo The Laddie Ten OB 46%Abv. LFW’s Bottling of the Year 2012

LFW’s Bottling of the Year 2012

(From the Joynson) It’s taken me six weeks (so far) to write this tasting note – it’s been important to nail the emotion and joy of this particular bottle of whisky.

Long ago, I really-really rated the 15yo, 40% Bruichladdich bottled by the various previous owners (LFW price £32.90 in 1993). One of my top-top favourites. Despite being an unloved offering from a neglected distillery, produced by a variety of owners, all of whom were hard to like, or hate – or have any feelings for. Nonetheless the mature single malt from Bruichladdich was absolutely delicious, sitting in the complex category of single malt flavours.

For ten years we have watched the new management bugger-about with umpteen-and-then-some expressions; with wine, with wood, with smoke and with mirrors. My fear was that this, their new standard offering, their benchmark and my old talisman, would reflect some of that hither-and-thither stumbling.

My fear was unfounded. And with hindsight should never have been considered much, who could possibly forget the reason why they buy a distillery if that reason is because the whisky is bloody good?

And this is bloody good! Extra strength at bottling gives the impression of additional maturity and allows me to let myself consider that this Laddie Ten is as good as my inflated memory of the 15yo of old.

I’m so happy!

Tasting notes? Jumble up these any way: Complex, delicious, lightish, aromatic, warm, gotta-take-a-sip, mixed, exciting, varied, oiliness, hints, fresh, whiff, breeze & now drink.

An ace dram, oh joy!, whisky emotion, join in.

Same Flavour Map square as Clynelish; E5 Complex.

Price excluding VAT: £26.58
£31.90 Including VAT at 20%