Hints of rose:  Four Roses to release new limited edition bourbon Master Distiller Selects 12-year-old bourbon for latest limited-edition single barrel

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (April 1, 2011) – Bourbon enthusiasts will truly “smell the roses” when Four Roses’ 2011 Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon hits the shelves this spring.

Master Distiller Jim Rutledge specially selected a 12-year-old bourbon that uses Four Roses’ recipe coded OBSQ, one of ten uniquely handcrafted bourbon recipes produced by the Lawrenceburg, Ky.-based distillery.  Among the flavor characteristics, the new bourbon exhibits aromas of fresh rose petals and it will be the first to embrace the OBSQ formula as a stand-alone bourbon. 

“This bourbon is a perfect example of our Q yeast,” said Rutledge.  “During the selection process when I smelled the samples, the first characteristic that jumped out at me was the fragrance of red roses.”

Along with the aroma of fresh rose petals, the special offering also emits notes of apple, ripe pear, caramel and gentle nutmeg.  Each well-balanced sip offers delicate hints of cinnamon, light rye, pear and raspberry finished off with a rich, creamy maple syrup mellowness. 

“The limited edition selection process is truly rewarding in that each year our team discovers truly sophisticated, well-balanced offerings just as gratifying, if not more, as the previous year,” added Rutledge.  “I believe this year’s limited edition single barrel fulfills our goal in selecting the best of the best for bourbon aficionados everywhere.”

Four Roses’ 2011 Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon is uncut and non-chill filtered with approximately 3,600 bottles to be distributed in May to markets where the brand is currently available.

Visit Four Roses at http://www.fourroses.us/home

I am delighted to inform you that a bottle of Gordon & MacPhail Generations Glenlivet 70 Years Old has sold for £15,000 at auction. The successful bidder has asked that the decanter be gifted to the people of Japan.

The special, single item, charity auction was held at Bonhams, Edinburgh on 29 March 2011.  The proceeds from the sale of the bottle, gifted by Gordon & MacPhail, will be donated to the British Red Cross Japan Appeal. Bonhams hosted and managed the sale for free.

Decanter number 1 of 100 was presented for this special event.

Gordon & MacPhail has had trading relationships with Japan for over thirty years and members of our family-owned business felt it was important to show our support and raise funds to aid the relief.  I think we all feel helpless in the face of a tragedy like this so it is good to be able to do something practical.  People have responded very generously and I am delighted that we have been able to support the people of Japan in this way.

Thank you for helping to raise awareness of the auction and supporting Gordon & MacPhail in this worthwhile cause.

Kind Regards

Yours sincerely,

Michael

SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS, WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS

Michael Urquhart | Joint Managing Director

GORDON & MACPHAIL, GEORGE HOUSE, BOROUGHBRIGGS ROAD, ELGIN, MORAY, SCOTLAND, IV30 1JY

www.gordonandmacphail.com

OWNER OF BENROMACH DISTILLERY | www.benromach.com

Special commemorative bottling of a truly unique blended whisky liquid.

Faithful reproduction of the actual Mackinlay’s whisky taken on the ill-fated Shackleton Antarctic expedition to the South pole in 1907. Presented in a replica bottle and wooden case – just as Shackleton left it.

“The most exciting find of scotch whisky since days began”

Tasting notes:

Colour –

Light honey, straw gold with shimmering highlights.

Nose –

Soft, elegant & refined. Delicate aromas of crushed apple, pear and fresh pineapple arouse the senses. The spirit is exciting and vibrant with attractive notes of oak shavings that release hints of buttery vanilla, creamy caramel and nutmeg. A whisper of marmalade, cinnamon and even a tease of smoke, ginger and muscovado sugar completes this spectrum of delight.

Taste –

With a generous strength of 47.3% this gives the spirit plenty of impact on the palate but in a mild warming manner. Harmonious and exhilarating. Whispers of gentle bonfire smoke slowly give way to spicy rich toffee, treacle and pecan nuts. These enticing flavours linger lovingly on the palate but are soon combined by a sensual, complex array of creme brulee, orange rind and freshly baked bread. It is a remarkable tapestry of tantalising taste sensations which truly rewards the palate

 £100.00 inc VAT at http://www.singlemaltsdirect.com/shackleton-mackinlay-s-rare-old-highland-malt.html

As the Inverness Whisky Festival draws nearer, the Festival organisers have today released information on the whisky tasting taking place on Saturday 9th April.  BBC Radio Scotland’s Tom Morton and Whisky Magazine’s Editor, Rob Allanson, will be doing a Malt & Barley Revue with three delicious drams – Springbank 12 year old cask strength, Tomatin 18 year old and Abhainn Dearg’s Spirit of Lewis.  The Malt & Barley Revue is available to all ticket holders on a first come, first serve basis. 
 
Tickets are selling quickly – there is a ceilidh on the Friday night, with the exhibition all day Saturday and closing with a superb double header concert on the Saturday evening.  Lunch and dinner is included in the Saturday events. For more information, visit www.invernesswhiskyfestival.co.uk

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

April 9, 2011

Tullibardine 1993 *

Isle of Jura 10 yo

Bunnahabhain 12 yo 

May 14, 2011

Tamdhu 10 yo *

BenRiach 12 yo

Benromach Organic 

June 11 , 2011

Laphroaig 10 yo *

Aberlour 12 yo

Edradour 10 yo

Visit the Miner’s Delight Inn at http://www.minersdelightinn.com/

Bob at work...

Cooley in US Gold Rush

Irish distillery collects 12 Gold Medals at San Francisco World Spirits Competition

This week Cooley Distillery, Ireland’s only independent whiskey distillery, continued its phenomenal strike rate on the international circuit by claiming 12 gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The 11th annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition brought together a panel of 33 judges from across the industry to taste and score a record number of entries, 1,106 products from 61 countries.  The judges awarded Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to the participating brands and special awards to the most outstanding spirit in its class.

Cooley won the top award, the coveted Double Gold Medal for its Connemara Cask Strength Peated Single Malt, Tyrconnell 10 Yr Old Madeira Finish Single Malt, Tyrconnell 10 Yr Old Port Finish Single Malt and topped it off with a Double Gold Medal and Best in Class for the Michael Collins 10 Yr Old Single Malt it produces for US importer Sidney Frank.

In addition, Cooley collected Gold Medals for its Kilbeggan 15 Yr Old, its Tyrconnell 10 Yr Old Sherry Finish Single Malt and for two further expressions of its Connemara brand.

Jack Teeling, Managing Director of Cooley Distillery, commented, “This latest success proves that Cooley is consistently producing some of the finest whiskeys in the world today.

These awards will further elevate the profile of Cooley Distillery in the US which is now the largest market for Irish whiskey in the world and continues to grow by double digit figures year on year. In 2010, we doubled our sales of whiskey to the US and our recent awards will help us continue this growth in 2011.”

Notes

About Cooley Distillery

Cooley Distillery is the only independent Irish whiskey distillery. Established in 1987, Cooley takes its name from the location of its distillery, situated at the foothills of the Cooley mountains, in Co. Louth. Cooley has an awarding winning portfolio of Irish whiskeys including Kilbeggan Irish whiskey, Tyrconnell Single Malt, Connemara Peated Single Malt and Greenore Single Grain Irish whiskey. To learn more about Cooley Distillery visit www.cooleywhiskey.com.

About San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Celebrating its 11th year of awarding spirits excellence, the 2011 Competition was held at the distinguished Hotel Nikko in downtown San Francisco on March 18-20th. A record number of entries, 1106 products from 61 countries, were evaluated by 33 of the finest palates from the spirits industry.

The judging panels were comprised of spirits experts from noted restaurants and hotels, well-known spirits journalists from major national media, spirits buyers for large purveyors, and spirits consultants.

Judging is based on a blind, consensual procedure ensuring competitive integrity, making this competition one of the most reputable and recognized competition in the spirits industry.

Cooley Distillery San Francisco World Spirits Competition award winning whiskeys: Double Gold Medal & Best in Class, Michael Collins 10 Yr Old Single Malt Double Gold Medal, Connemara Cask Strength Irish Whiskey Double Gold Medal, The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Madeira Finish Double Gold Medal, The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Port Finish Gold Medal, The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Sherry Finish Gold Medal, Connemara Peated Irish Whiskey Gold Medal, Connemara 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey Gold Medal, Kilbeggan 15 Year Old Irish Whiskey Silver Medal, Connemara Turf Mor Irish Whiskey Silver Medal, Greenore 15 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Silver Medal, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey Silver Medal, The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Bronze Medal, Greenore 8 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Highland Park 1998/2010 (40%, OB)

“Created Exclusively For Global Travel Retail” and in a 1 Litre bottle. Big. The math says a 12 year old (1998/2010). The nose is quite gentle at first quickly followed by some rich earthy & wood notes.  After a minute or two in the glass the smokey notes begin to emerge along with hints of citrus. The more time in the glass the more it opens up and improves with some really good gentle smoke and (now) some malt.  There are also some hints of unlit cured tobacco lurking in the background. The taste is indeed smokey and malty with the citrus. And the smoke does grow quite quickly but the citrus really does throw its weight around a fair amount. Again a gentle start however this changes quickly. Vibrant, malty, smokey and the afore mentioned citrus.  Also some really good wood spice and a tinge of unsweetened cocoa. The finish is malty along with the smoke (which is not so much of a contributor) but the citrus plus the malt work well together. The finish is quite long but once again quite restrained in some ways but all very nice. Lashing of more smoke and malt after 5 minutes.

An enjoyable dram and a little different from many Highland Park but still enjoyable.

£36.99 at World of Whiskies

Score 85 points

Paul and Mark

Paul McLean recently interviewed Mark Watt of Duncan Taylor, Speyside, a friend of MCLEANSCOTLAND and Angels Whisky Club. Over a dram or two they chatted away asking hard questions on what he does, what he likes and where does he see whisky in years’ time!  In this exclusive interview, Mark gives us a good insight into what he thinks and what he does and how he does it! 
 
When did you first get involved in the Whisky Industry and why… “I got into the industry by several strokes of luck! I grew up at Macallan distillery so was always surrounded by whisky but it wasn’t until I turned 18yo that I got a job behind the bar at the famous Craigellachie Hotel – Quaich bar which at the time had around 800 whiskies in the bar.  It was then just a short (6 year) jump from their via Edinburgh and Royal Mile Whiskies, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and Napier University to working for Duncan Taylor where I have been now for nearly 7 years.”

Read the full story at http://angelswhiskyclub.com/awc/markbiginterview.asp

Hello Fellow Scotch Lovers –

We spent this past weekend in San Francisco, at the Whiskies of the World Expo.  This was really an exceptional evening tasting some amazing whiskies, catching up with my FSL friends who I normally interact with via email…and meeting new people and making new friends…just a terrific time.

Next up: Whisky LiveNew York 2011. For those of you in the New York City or who are looking for a great reason to visit, I urge you to attend this years event on April 6that Pier 60/ Chelsea Piers. From what I here there will be over 170 different whiskies this year, including Amrut from India.

There will also be whisky cocktails at several different booths, and Ward III will have the Ward III Lounge;  Iron Bartender Competitions, cocktail demonstrations and great atmosphere.

And as you would expect, ForScotchLovers will be there again this year, and since we will have a booth we can offer you great discounts on tickets (see below).

I hope you’ll attend Whisky Live New York, and stop by the booth to say hello, and have a taste or two of Wasmunds Single Malt with us.

Doug Stone

Founder

www.ForScotchLovers.com

Whisky Live New York 2011, during New York Tartan Week, in its 7th year, returns to the spectacular Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, 23rd Street on the Hudson River, in the heart of the city, on Wednesday, April 6, 2011.  

Whether you are a seasoned whisk(e)y lover or a novice, you can expect to experience an incredible and in-depth insight into the world of Scotch, Bourbon and Whiskies (Irish, Kentucky, Japanese, Canadian and American) along with great food and fantastic entertainment. Whisky Live New York will bring the world of Scotch, Bourbon and Whiskies to life, increasing your knowledge of whiskies and a chance to meet the whisk(e)y experts.

Book your tickets in advance, and use the special ForScotchLovers discount code “fsl2011” to receive 10% off normal ticket prices for Whisky Live New York 2011 http://www.whiskylive.com/usa/21/new-york-2011

Whisky Intelligence will publish their own tasting notes for Gordon & MacPhail “Private Collection Glenlivet Decades” (Glenlivet 1954 50.6%; Glenlivet 1963 40.6%; Glenlivet 1974 50.1%; Glenlivet 1980 48.5%; and Glenlivet 1991 54.4%.) and Glenlivet Generations 70 year old on Sunday April 3rd, 2011.