SPRING SINGLE MALT FESTIVAL – Thursday June 9th – $60

From Andrew Ferguson at Kensington Wine Mart Calgary Alberta;

80% of the tickets have already sold for what is without doubt one of the city’s finest whisky festivals. The event is restricted to 100 participants and almost as many whiskies. Participation entitles you to try a huge selection of whiskies, some great deals and you get to keep your whisky glass! I also throw in a range of whiskies not available for purchase in Canada or which have already sold out to tempt the most well drank of you. This year I have set aside a Highland Park St. Magnus, a couple of different sherry cask Yamazakis and a curious Canadian Rye Whiskey(?) bottled in Vermont called Whistle Pig. The festival is an event not to be missed, and the following night I will be having a special dinner at Buchanan’s Chop House  that we are calling the Peat Monster Dinner. It is another don’t miss event! For more information or to register for these events call the store at 403-283-8000 or visit our website: https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php 

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. The very first Vignette – Moments in Whisky will be published on Monday May 30th and was submitted by Joe Barry of South Africa.

Whether you’re a whisky enthusiast, a bartender or a journalist, you might be interested to know that we have a team of ambassadors working in countries around the world.

Pictured below with yours truly and Kate, our Global Brand Director, are Kaloyan (Bulgaria), John (Ecuador), Anastasia (Russia), Mateusz (Poland), Luis (Peru), Salim (Lebanon), as well…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

http://blog.grantswhisky.com/2011/05/meet-our-team/

Kind regards,
Ludo

Dewar’s 12yo Special Reserve (40%, OB, +/-2009)

The Official Line. Dewar’s 12 is a perfectly balanced marriage of carefully selected 12 year old malt and grain Scotch whiskies, created by Dewar’s seventh Master Blender, Stephanie Macleod . This perfectly balanced taste is achieved through the marrying process, originally pioneered by the first Master Blender, A J Cameron. Only malt and grain whiskies of the highest quality are used to create this rich, fruity and delightfully mellow whisky.  The Marrying Process; The Dewar’s marrying process takes fine Scotch whiskies at their peak of perfection and improves upon them. Having created a blend of the finest Scotch whiskies from the different regions of Scotland, Dewar’s Master Blender then allows them to rest for a further period in exclusively reserved vintage oak casks, ensuring that their individual flavours and aromas harmonise to achieve the perfectly balanced and exceptionally smooth Scotch that is Dewar’s 12. Marrying these superb whiskies adds a smoothness that science cannot explain, but which your taste will at once discern. Limited Edition. Each and every bottle is numbered and stands as a mark of exclusivity, with Dewar’s guarantee of quality.

The nose very much presents as a blended Scotch whisky at first however a short time later some good toffee notes arrive nicely backed by the grain notes. All very pleasant. Some good oak spice is also in the mix  along with some heather. Again, the oak spice really adds some back bone to the whole collection of aromas. The taste is very much like the nose with some very good grains followed by the oak spice and then a wonderful dry maltiness that really makes it. Intertwined with these characteristics are some good toffee. The finish is much like the taste with the dry maltiness, now some really good Fry’s unsweetened cocoa and more of the malt tussling with the oak spice. A surprisingly long finish that does not fall apart over time and the dry malt arrives at the very tail end.

Well, well, another surprise. One is forced to conclude that it would be a real belter unchillfiltered and at 46%. But they are correct, it’s very well balanced.

Score 86 points

$22 in some USA markets and $45 in Canada

Ballantines Special Reserve 12yo (43%, OB, +/-2010)

Another blended Scotch whisky from the justifiably famous House of  Ballantine’s (did you know that as well as having a NAS, 12yo, 17yo, 21yo, Special Reserve and 30yo blends they also have a 12yo blended (vatted) malt?). But no mention of their 12yo Special Reserve, just the 12yo blend. What’s the difference? Quite frankly we don’t know; however it says 12yo Special Reserve so we’ll confine our selves to what’s on hand. And it comes in a blue box which says it contains over 40 different malts.

On the nose it’s slightly smokey with some ‘green’ notes that quickly vanish along with some good influence from the casks (slight hints of leather and tobacco) and also some little hints of orange. But all very gentle; this is not a giant whisky but still very pleasant. A little hand warming brings out some honey, a little more of the smoke and some hints of grain whisky (as opposed to malt). All in all it’s a very pleasing collection of aromas. The taste very much shows the peat smoke but in a very subtle manner and then the cask(s) influence shows with some really good cocoa (Fry’s) and then followed by the honey notes. Some dryness binds it altogether quite nicely. Hints of cold unsweetened black tea (without milk) and all very nice together. The finish is pretty much a mirror image of the nose and the taste and it’s consistent and towards the very end some good malt and further dry sweet notes arrive and more malt. Quite a long finish (a little tobacco too).

What a surprise…

$65

Score 86 points

SENTEBALE POLO CUP SPONSORED BY ROYAL SALUTE

Luxury Scotch whisky Royal Salute is proud to announce its official support as title sponsor of the Sentebale Polo Cup, which will take place on Sunday 12 June 2011 at the stunning Coworth Park in Berkshire, England.

Playing at the Sentebale Polo Cup sponsored by Royal Salute will be the co-founder of the charity, Prince Harry and his brother the Duke of Cambridge. The brothers will play on opposing teams in what promises to be a thrilling and closely fought contest attended by distinguished guests from all over the world.

A keen follower of polo, His Grace Torquhil Ian Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll will also join the crowd during the three-game round robin which will be followed by a VIP dinner and after party hosted by Royal Salute.

Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO, Chivas Brothers says, “We are delighted to be welcoming such an esteemed group of guests at Royal Salute’s first partnership with Sentebale. Royal Salute is honoured and delighted to be partnering with Sentebale so that they may continue their noble work for the people of Lesotho.”

Sentebale was founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso from the Lesotho Royal family in response to the plight of the neediest and most vulnerable of Lesotho’s people.

The Sentebale Polo Cup sponsored by Royal Salute further highlights the whisky brand’s growing commitment to international polo, with sponsorships of some of the world’s most prestigious polo events currently spanning China, India, Dubai, Brazil, and the UK.

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.

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.

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

In keeping with the modern tradition of anCnoc we’re giving away an Amazon Kindle, the eBook that has reinvigorated the old age passion for the written word.

To be in with a chance to win 1 of the 12 Kindle devices we’re offering in our monthly prize draw you must enter your on pack code from one of our promotional bottles and answer the literary question on the online registration form.

Codes can be found on the promotional leaflet of every bottle of anCnoc 12yo and are unique to each bottle purchased.

Terms and Conditions apply

Have you already got a code?

Register now

Want to win an Amazon Kindle but don’t have a code?

Search for your nearest anCnoc stockist.

Alternatively, you can also now purchase a bottle of anCnoc 12yo from our online shop and have it delivered to your front door.

June Previews: 121.46 & 28.23 only £93.50 (save £16.30)

Our June Outturn preview bottlings bring two distinct woody characters. Buy 121.46  & 28.23 together for £93.50 and save £16.30

121.46 Exotic fruit and scented wood
Highland Island
£45.30 inc free p&p
The palate was tasty (if you like apricot) verging on decadent – lovely texture, decent length – a slightly tannic, scented wood mouthfeel – the Whisky Scientist was humming ‘Norwegian Wood’

28.23 Attention-grabbing spicy wood
Highland Southern
£64.50 inc free p&p
The nose had hay, grass, wood-sap, sawdust, some delicate floral notes, peppery spice, blackcurrant jam and lots of nuts. The palate had toffee, chocolate and treacle, but it was the spicy wood that grabbed our attention

June Outturn Released: Thu 2 June

Society Tastings & Events

York Preview Tasting – Bedern Hall, Fri 27 May
Liverpool Preview Tasting – Malmaison, Fri 27 May
Cardiff Preview Tasting – Novotel, Fri 27 May
Champions League Final – Queen Street, Fri 27 May
‘Classic’ Malt Tasting – Queen Street, Sat 11 Junee
Whisky Dinner  – Bistro du Vin, London, Sat 18 June

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. 

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. The very first Vignette – Moments in Whisky will be published on Monday May 30th and was submitted by Joe Barry of South Africa.

Bushmills Irish Whiskey…$15.99
Canadian Club 1.75L…$16.99
Canadian LTD 1.75L…$10.99
Canadian Mist 1.75L…$16.99
Crown Royal…$17.99
Dewar’s White Label….75L $26.99
Early Times 1.75L…$16.99
Jack Daniels Black 1.75L…$32.99
J & B Scotch 1.75L…$26.99
Jim Beam Bourbon 1.75L…$21.99
Johnnie Walker Black Label…$25.99
Johnnie Walker Red Label 1.75L…$27.99
Maker’s Mark Bourbon…$22.99
Seagram’s 7 Crown 1.75L…$15.99
Southern Comfort 1.75L…$19.99

Prices valid W/Binny’s Card through May 31, 2011. Not responsible for misprints or typographical errors. Sizes 750ml unless otherwise stated. Advertised items limited to quantities on hand.

Visit Binny’s at www.binnys.com