Bowmore 36yo 1972 (45.4%, Signatory, C#3890, 540 Bts., +/-2009)

An aged Bowmore from the famed Islay distillery. On the nose there is an immediate waft of peat smoke and sherry however the combination does offer some calming influence on the peat smoke. The two together are a sublime combination evoking memories of glistening Christmas cake and sherry wine while the oak influence presents as some really good dark chocolate and a lumber yard strewn with wood chips. Very, very rich and quite an excellent collection of aromas. The taste is a sensational facsimile of the nose with some really good black pepper thrown into the mix and some dryness however the heady combination of peat smoke and sherry are a success story. Late hint of coal smoke and some really good sweetness in the form of warm Lychee (right off the tree) and Bing cherries in syrup. The finish is slightly austere and dry but then the chocolate and the peat smoke come rushing in quickly followed but some oak spice. An excellent finish here, all points of the compass represented.

Many thanks to Andrew Ferguson of Kensington Wine Mart Calgary for the sample, Andrew describes this whisky as the poor man’s Black Bowmore and fault cannot be found with this description.

Score 93 points

$635

EARLY TIMES MINT JULEP NAMED “OFFICIAL DRINK OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY®”

Consumers will have chance to submit artwork to be featured on 2012 commemorative bottle
 
Louisville, Ky (April 26, 2011) – For the past 24 years, the Early Times Mint Julep has proudly served as the “Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby®.”  In celebration of this, Early Times Kentucky Whisky continues its tradition with the release of the 2011 commemorative Kentucky Derby bottle.

The 2011 Early Times Mint Julep commemorative bottle features the artwork of Marita Walizer from Oklahoma City, OK. Walizer won a national artist search contest conducted by Early Times to find the artwork featured on the 2011 Kentucky Derby bottle. Her painting, “Derby Cheers”, was selected from hundreds of entries from across the country. She also received $5,000 and a trip for two to the 2011 Kentucky Derby.

“It’s an incredible honor to have my artwork selected to be on the Early Times Mint Julep commemorative bottle,” said Walizer. “I grew up in Louisville and have been around horses my whole life so this really is a dream to have my painting chosen and to attend the Kentucky Derby.”

From now until May 8, 2011, fans can text the keyword ETDERBY to 68405 from their 2-way text messaging capable wireless phone for a chance at winning one of 10 reproduction prints of the 2011 Early Times Mint Julep Bottle label designed by Walizer. Consumer may also enter online by visiting www.earlytimes.com/etderbysweeps.

Early Times is once again giving consumers the opportunity to submit their artwork for the chance to be featured on the 2012 Kentucky Derby bottle. Beginning May 2, consumers can log on to www.earlytimes.com/etmjartistsearch to submit their artwork, as well as to see official rules and contest details.  The winner will win a VIP trip for two to the 2012 Kentucky Derby, $5000 in cash, along with having their artwork featured on the 2012 Early Times Mint Julep bottle. All submissions must be received by June 28, 2011 at midnight.

During this year’s Derby week, more than 120,000 Early Times Mint Juleps are expected to be served at Churchill Downs®. Over the past 24 years, more than 2.5 million Early Times Mint Juleps have been served between Kentucky Oaks® and Derby Days at Churchill Downs. This year’s Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands will take place Saturday, May 7, 2011.

The newly labeled Early Times Mint Julep commemorative bottle is available now in limited quantities throughout the United States for a suggested retail price of $14.99.

About Early Times Kentucky Whisky:

Early Times Kentucky Whisky, 40% ABV, is the “Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby” made at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. Early Times Kentucky Whisky is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by Brown-Forman Corporation, a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality consumer products, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Tequila Herradura, el Jimador Tequila, Woodford Reserve, Canadian Mist, Old Forester, Fetzer Wines and Korbel California Champagnes.  Early Times reminds you to drink responsibly. For more information on Early Times Kentucky Whisky visit www.earlytimes.com.

About Churchill Downs®:

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875.  Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 7, 2011. The track’s 2011 Spring Meet is scheduled for April 30-July 4.  Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a record seven times and the event will return to the track for its next renewal on Nov. 4-5. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

Churchill Downs®, Kentucky Derby® and the Twin Spires design are registered trademarks of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

Boston’s Best Whisky Event.
Boston’s Best Whisky Event? You be the judge.
Whisky Tasting and Dinner Cruise
Aboard The Spirit of Boston
May 18th 7:00-9:30 PM

A Big Boat

The Whisky Guild and Jeff Karlovich return for this special annual event. In under a month we’ll embark upon a spectacular harbor cruise with nearly 200 different whiskies available to taste – and a buffet dinner. This is one of the best events to come to Boston. It promotes whisky; yet in my eyes this is an event for consumers, novice to aficionado, to not only taste and talk about malts, but to engage with ambassadors, distillers, blenders, and distillery managers. They attend not just to promote their wares, but to get the chance to hear what you are looking for. They take the input you give them very seriously, so speak up, ask questions, and get your money’s worth.

VIP access gives an extra hour to sample the offerings and more of them beginning at 6 PM. This was a great time in the past and one we’ve been anxiously anticipating all year.

We’re extremely grateful to Jeff for bringing this superlative event with a broad range of whiskies to our neighborhood. We believe that our customers in particular will appreciate and enjoy this unique event. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to be out on the water, sipping scotch, and enjoying a cigar (smoke ’em if you got ’em) on the deck of a luxury cruiser. Did you miss Whiskyfest Chicago? Whisky-Live New York? No worries, you have this- every bit as good, -no, better: – you’re out on the harbor.

Tickets may be purchased directly from  The Whisky Guild Federal customers will receive at 10% discount with the code: federal.

The boat leaves from 200 Seaport Boulevard at 7:30, please bring a valid ID.
Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits
Email: joe@federalwine.com
Phone: (617) 367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/

Whisky Magazine names Federal Wine & Spirits National ‘Retailer of the Year’

Whisky Magazine is based in the UK, but is the international journal of record for scotch whisky. We’re proud (and I’m humble) that they have given us this honor, the first time to our knowledge for a Massachusetts store. It was against some pretty impressive competition, too: Park Ave in New York, Town in Rhode Island, Party Source in Kentucky etc., but Whisky Magazine was probably impressed that we could fit so many malts in so small a space. If you haven’t already, this might give you a reason to come in to see us.

…and so we enter the 21st century

In an effort to remain on the cutting edge in these fickle times we are pleased to announce that we have a Twitter. Also a facebook. We would really appreciate it you would “like”, “friend”, and “follow” us on these exciting new platforms such that we are better able to communicate with you, our friends whom we like and follow. We will be using these fancy mediums to increasingly keep you up to date on events, new arrivals, and to answer any questions you may have. The addresses for these thingies are as follows:

Twitteh
and
facebook

We look forward to traveling with you on the information super-highway, I guess we get to use the carpool lane!

Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits
Email: joe@federalwine.com
Phone: (617) 367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/

The First Annual Springbank Society Golf Competition

Friday 20th May 2011

8.30 am Shotgun Start

Reception and Trophy Presentation to follow golf

£64.00

Round of golf at Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club “the world’s most natural golf course” www.machrihanishdunes.com

Transport between Springbank & The Village at Machrihanish Dunes

Buffet Reception following golf with presentation of prizes

Competition open to non Society members

For special Society Member Rates for The Ugadale Golf Cottages, including breakfast £79 per person based on 4 guests to a cottage, and to book golf please contact laura@machdunes.com

IF YOU WOULD LIKE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ME

JANET

For 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  website  http://www.springbankwhisky.com 

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

Isle of Jura 18yo (40%, OB, +/-2010)

Matured in a combination of American white oak and Oloroso sherry casks. The nose show some green, slightly solvent notes followed by some good malt along with apricot, heather and roses. Palm olive sap, furniture polish and brown sugar., a whiff of the farm yard. A little hand warming helps and brings out some welcome richness. The taste is quite good, vanilla, some caramel, a good dollop of malt and lots of notes from the oak side of the house along with the welcome sherry. Some light varnish, cinnamon and short bread however the sherry notes bind things together nicely. Mandarin orange. The finish is Hessian cloth, the Mandarin orange, some really good malt and short bread (light on the butter) and lots of happiness. Quite a long finish, mildly extravagant and pleasing. Later moments of malt and none of the industrial. After a few minutes a good moment or two of dark unsweetened bitter chocolate.

A bit of a tussle here and there but it all comes together nicely in the end.

Score 79 points

$67

BEST IN FIELD

Black Bull 12yo awarded Best Blended Scotch at World Whisky Awards

BEST BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY 12 YEARS AND UNDER

Rob Allanson, Editor

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky are proud to announce that Black Bull 12 year old, our award winning deluxe blended scotch whisky has been crowned ‘Best Blended Scotch Whisky aged 12 years and under’ at the World Whisky Awards 2011.

Tenaciously fending off the comcompetition, Black Bull 12yo impressed the judges with its robust, powerful yet sublimely balanced character to be recognised as the very best in its field, globally.

Stoically Independent and without compromise, Black Bull 12yo is blended at an unusually high ratio of 50% malt to grain whisky. Released at a muscular 50% abv the blend offers a unique sensory experience and delivers indulgent, uncompromised depth. Like all Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky, Black Bull 12yo celebrates nature; unfettered by chill filtration and artificial colouring, it allows the character of each carefully selected malt and grain whisky to shine through.

The Black Bull brand has been synonymous with quality and innovation since 1938 when it became the first ever 100 proof blend to be sold in the US. Following a rebranding in 2008, Black Bull’s stature and range has grown, winning critical acclaim and a plethora of awards including the International Wine and Spirits competition, Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible and the New York International Wine and Spirits contest.

WWW.BLACKBULLWHISKY.COM

Arran Releases 2011

Arran have announced their forthcoming releases:

Premium Single Cask Range

Sleeping Warrior – Vintage 2000 Cask Strength in association with The National Trust for Scotland

Machrie Moor II

12 Year Old Cask Strength Batch #1

Visit Isle of Arran Distillery at www.arranwhisky.com

Ralfy @ www.ralfy.com has an Official Announcement to make concerning an exclusive-inclusive ulta-premium one-of-a-kind deluxe Event ! …whisky review 197 – Glengoyne 12 yo, up and running ! … hurray ! (and sorry for farting during the recording)

Come and Taste a Wee Dram

The worlds leading malt whiskey specialists host “Single Malt whiskey- The taste, History and Mystique”

Get Answers To The Questions:

Why is Scotch whisky made only in Scotland?

Why does Scotch whisky taste smoky?

Why are single malts more expensive?

Why do single malts differ in taste?

Is older whisky always better?

Does water really intensify the whisky flavor?

Why are single malts so popular now?

How long can single malts be stored?

Why do single malts vary in color?

What does “cask-strength” mean?

What is Malt? The aging process & blending concept?

Textural and Taste Differences Between Blends and Single Malts

What is the “proper” way to drink Scotch?

The presentation and tasting of Popular Single Malt Scotches of different ages. Discussion of the maturation process of the Scotch and factors, including the effects of geography, cask type and length of maturation is included.

WINEGLOBE invites you to a Single Malts Scotch Tasting & Seminar on Thurs. May 5th, 2011 India Community Center at 6:30PM in the 525 Los Coches St. Milpitas, CA 95035  (Banquets Hall)

The following Representative Single Malts Scotch will be presented:

Auchentoshan (Signatory) 11 Yrs
Tulibardine 1993, 15 Yrs
Edradour 10 Yrs
Islay of Skye
Ardmore 1992, 18 Yrs
Highland Park 1991, 19 yrs
Amrut Fusion Indian Single malt
Smoke Head Islay
Teaninich Cask strength, 28Yr

and many more……

TASTING TO BE HELD AT:

India Community Center (Banquets Hall) 525 Los Coches St. Milpitas, CA 95035 Tel: 408-416-0215. For information and reservations. Please contact India Community center Map
WHEN: Thurs. May 5th, 2011, TIME: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, FEE: $35.00 (Includes sumptuous appetizers… ) $35.00  for ICC members $25.00. Inquire about large groups and corporate discounts (650-298-8548).

DISCOUNT: Special Discounts offered at Tasting.  For Information and reservation, click here or call 650-298-8548 Email: tony@wineglobe.com. Don’t forget to bring a designated driver with you. (Sumptuous snacks to accompany tasting). Visit Wine Globe at www.wineglobe.com