DramFest’11/12 New Zealand’s Premier Whisky Festival SURVIVES THE CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE

Whisky Galore are delighted to announce the DramFest’11 is now set to continue on February the 24th/25th and 26th 2012 after a delay from February’s Earthquake in Christchurch.

This celebration of all things whisky had to be postponed from its original dates for 2011 as it was the week of the 22nd of February Earthquake.

Michael Fraser Milne, owner Whisky Galore the owners and organisers of the event say he was never in any doubt that DramFest would eventually take place and has told all those for the event who had tickets that all of these tickets will be honoured.

Due the Convention Centre being damaged Fraser Milne and his team have come up with a rather large steel framed Marquee of 1,100 square metres to host most of DramFest in.

 With the classic Ealing Comedy “Whisky Galore” film from 1948 being shown on the Friday night along with a few drams kicks of DramFest on the Friday night

 Saturday hosts the main event from 2pm to 6pm and allows the chance to talk with many experts from over 40 distillers and sample a few of the drams they will have on view.

 Sunday involves the “Sessions” with at least 9 visiting Scotch whisky experts taking the audience through a range of their whiskies many of which will be seen for the first time in New Zealand.

Fraser Milne says that people have been exceptionally supportive and Whisky Galore are proud that they have managed to keep the event going and honour tickets sold prior to February.

Whisky Galore’s DramFest www.dramfest.co.nz

Join us this Sunday (December 4th) @ 4 p.m. for our final 2011 scotch tasting. We’re calling the tasting “Mother always liked you best”. We’re going to taste amazing whiskies (Knockando 12 year, Tobermory 12 year. 1995, Balvenie Port Finish 21 year, Glencadam 15 year and Auchroisk 20 year). Few people know we have these whiskies and they are some of our best, this will be a spectacular tasting! Make sure to make a reservation or call us at 402.553.9501. ($50 per person)

It’s Christmas time and we have some great specials on scotch. These prices are only good until December 31st and then return to regular prices. Scotch makes a great gift for a friend or just to add to your collection. Visit the Dundee Dell at www.dundeedell.com

Hello Fellow Scotch Lovers –

As many of you will recall, this past spring I ventured across the pond to Scotland, to attend the Spirits of Speyside festival, and visit some of Scotland’s great distilleries.

One of my favorite distilleries was The Balvenie, in Dufftown, just outside of Speyside. Balvenie is the only distillery in the Scottish Highlands that continues to operate their own floor maltings, with four men in shifts turning the barley three times a day, seven days a week. The distillery also grows its own barley, and employs a full-time Coppersmith to care for their unique stills and a team of Coopers to care for their casks.

At the end of the tour we were treated to the byproducts of their efforts as you would expect. The entire tasting was one piece of candy after another…but one of the real stand-out whiskies was their 15 YO single barrel bourbon finished whisky.

The Balvenie 15 YO Single Barrel Single Malt Scotch Whisky is drawn from a single bourbon cask of a single distillation. Each cask is subtly different, however, Balvenie Malt Master David Stewart selects only those casks that have the essential characteristics of The Balvenie Single Barrel – particularly honey, vanilla and oaky notes.

Each cask forms a limited edition of hand-numbered bottles – there are a maximum of 350 bottles from any one cask – so each bottle is unique and unrepeatable.

After our Thanksgiving dinner, Nicky “The Neck” and I shared a few drams of this whisky. Reflexively, “The Neck” treated me and the other dinner guests to a series of moans of delight reminiscent of a bad porn film, and then declared his undying affection for this whisky, and his intentions to spread the love.

As always, “The Neck” kept his word, which brings me to this weeks Whisky Wednesday incredible opportunity to purchase Balvenie 15 YO Single Barrel Single Malt Speyside Whisky for $60 (reg $75).

As usual, the product supply at this price is very limited…and once it’s gone, it’s gone. So please purchase your bottle(s) ASAP if you are interested.

Until next week…keep those cards and letters coming!

Doug Stone
Founder
www.ForScotchLovers.com

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BALVENIE 15 YO SINGLE BARREL BOURBON CASK FINISHED SINGLE MALT

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TASTING NOTES – courtesy of John Hansell / The Whisky Advocate

One of the finest Balvenie 15 year olds that I’ve tasted. The flavors are clean, well defined, confident, and beautifully balanced. Full malty foundation (with some ripe barley thrown in). Soft, creamy vanilla, honeycomb, bright fruit (orange, nectarine, lemon peel, hints of pineapple), with emerging dried vanilla, coconut, oak resin, and subtle anise. Polished oak finish. It doesn’t have the depth that the classic older Balvenies have shown in the past, but what it does have, it has in spades. Quite splendid!

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TASTING NOTES – DAVID STEWART, BALVENIE MASTER BLENDER

NOSE – Fragrant aroma of vanilla, honeyed sweetness, hints of heather and dry oaky notes.

TASTE – Rich and complex, suggestive of years of careful ageing, it has a honeyed maltiness with vanilla, oak flavours and delicate spice notes.

FINISH – Long and complex with a touch of liquorice

Mr Ewing at the BenRiach bottling line and in conversation with Mr Walker

 

BENRIACH WELCOMES SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT ENTERPRISE MINISTER FERGUS EWING TO NEWBRIDGE BOND AND HQ

THE BENRIACH Distillery Company was delighted to welcome Fergus Ewing, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, to its headquarters and bottling plant at Newbridge, Edinburgh, today (Monday November 21).

The company, which owns the BenRiach and GlenDronach single malt distilleries, gave Mr Ewing a tour of its premises and a presentation on its activities worldwide.

Acquired last year, the Newbridge Bond, Scotland’s specialist contract bottling company, has five bottling lines including a purpose-built line for low-volume/high-value product and Scotland’s fastest miniature bottling line. Working with some of the world’s leading spirits brands, it has the capacity to produce 2 million cases per year, it can store 3 million litres in its vats and can accommodate up to 150,000 cases in its bonded warehouse.

In April 2004 the company acquired BenRiach, south of Elgin, in a deal worth over £6m.

Four years later, it also acquired GlenDronach near Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

It employs a total of 80 people at its two distilleries, Head Office and bottling plant.

Annual turnover is £15.1m, with net profit of some £2.6m.

The BenRiach Distillery Company Ltd. has three shareholders – industry veteran Billy Walker and two South Africans, Wayne Keiswetter and Geoff Bell.

Its whiskies are available in over thirty countries. Mature markets include Europe, Scandinavia and the USA, while emerging markets are opening up in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, the Phillipines and Vietnam.

Over the years it has won a number of prestigious industry accolades. In 2007 BenRiach won “Distillery of the Year” at the Malt Advocate magazine whisky awards and in 2009 it was “Distillery of the Year” at the Whisky magazine Icons of Whisky Awards. And earlier this year the company won nine awards for GlenDronach and BenRiach – two trophies, and a total of seven gold, silver and bronze medals – at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London.

Last month it augmenting its award-winning range of whiskies by unveiling the new 21 year-old GlenDronach “Parliament”. Matured in a combination of the finest Oloroso and Pedro Ximinez sherry casks, it continues the GlenDronach tradition of offering fruit-laden intensity in its single malts. The new expression is named “Parliament” after the colony, or “parliament” of rooks that have been nesting in the trees overlooking the GlenDronach distillery for almost 200 years.

Born in Dumbarton in 1945, Billy Walker graduated from Glasgow University in 1967 with a BSc Honours Degree in Chemistry. After spells with Ballantine’s, Inver House Distillers and Burn Stewart, in 2004 he set up his own venture – the BenRiach Distillery Company – which led to the acquisition of BenRiach and GlenDronach distilleries.

Over the last seven years the company has resurrected “sleeping giants” BenRiach and GlenDronach, bringing a range of innovative and ground-breaking malt whiskies to the market. Billy is one of the most recognisable characters in the Scotch Whisky industry where he has now been involved for over forty years. He is a Master Blender and a Master of the Quaich – the highest honour the Scotch Whisky Industry can bestow.

Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing said: “Our whisky industry is a national success story and makes a huge contribution to Scotland. Exports are a large part of this and it’s encouraging to see the latest figures showing that they are up 22% in the first half of the year to stand at £1.8 billion.

“BenRiach is to be congratulated for playing its part in this and developing its brands so well over the last few years – and contributing to Scotland’s sustainable economic growth in the process.”

Billy Walker said: “My colleagues and I were delighted to welcome Fergus Ewing to Newbridge in his capacity as Scottish Minister for Enterprise.

“Mr Ewing took a great interest in our activities during his visit. I took the opportunity to emphasise that whisky is Scotland’s greatest export and vital to the Scottish Government’s number one priority – increasing sustainable economic growth. It plays a critical role in the Scottish economy, with producers employing over 10,000 workers, generating gross income of over £460m and contributing gross value added of £2.7 billion towards Scotland’s economy.”

Isle of Arran 14yo (56.3%, OB, Premium Cask Selection, C#719, 520 Bts., D’09/05/97 B’11/08/11)

A series from the Isle of Arran distillers that reflects that the Premium Cask Selection are their very best whiskies. The undiluted nose is overripe fruit, dried cherries, raisins with hints of vanilla and without a doubt sherry with a little backing from some malt. Enjoyable to say the least. With the addition of a little water the nose opens up but remains true to form. The undiluted taste is vibrant with some good fizz and then the sherry and malt arrive in equal doses and the flavour builds and builds, a cascade of sherry and malt. With water once again it remains true to the undiluted sample however it has been tamed some what (not dulled) and is still quite excellent. The finish is very active, after a moment or two there is some of the really good sherry as previously mentioned, the malt and then some unlit cured tobacco and finally the malt takes over. The finish is very, very long. It is all very good…

A must…

£62 available from Loch Fyne Whiskeis and the Whisky Exchange

92 points

November 2011: Drambuie 15, the premium aged whisky liqueur from the iconic Scottish brand, is to be offered onboard all British Airway’s routes from December. The award-winning Drambuie 15 will be offered as in-flight refreshment for first class and business class passengers, as well as being sold in one litre bottles through the onboard retail outlet, Highlife Shop.

Designed to appeal to discerning malt whisky drinkers, Drambuie 15 is a connoisseur expression of Drambuie, drawn from the company’s finest selection of 15 Year Old Speyside Malts. Selected for their soft, complex fragrance and flavour, the rare Speyside Malts ideally complement and balance the herbs and spicy aromas of Drambuie’s famed secret recipe.

Will Birkin, global travel retail manager, Drambuie Liqueur Co. commented: “With only a handful of the world’s finest spirits chosen to be sold by this prestigious airline this a real coup for the brand. It demonstrates the quality of the spirit and premium reputation of the Drambuie name.

“Drambuie 15 aims to appeal to existing Drambuie customers trading up and malt whisky experimenters, making it an ideal fit with BA’s discerning passengers.”

By January 2012, Drambuie 15 will be listed in the majority of the world’s major airports.

Drambuie 15 is not the only member of the Drambuie family to be enjoying travel retail success with ultra-premium bottling The Jacobite Collection – the Spirit of ‘45, seeing strong sales since it became available in global outlets. Launched at TFWA Cannes 2011, the double award-winning limited edition Collection, which retails for £3,500, has already sold more than 20 units in just two months.

Will Birkin said: “The Jacobite Collection was very well received at TFWA Cannes in September, especially in winning awards for Luxury Drinks Brand of the Year and Best Drinks Launch. Demand for the product has since been incredibly strong.”

The solid wood presentation box contains a hand-etched crystal replica of the famous Spottiswoode ‘Amen’ glass and a hand-blown crystal decanter, which holds the rare blend of precious 45 year old whiskies, infused with Drambuie’s secret recipe of herbs and spices. The Jacobite Collection is regarded by Drambuie to be the finest product it has ever created and a gift ‘truly fit for a Prince’. Each individual element of the luxurious presentation has been carefully considered to capture The Spirit of ‘45, in liquid, glass and paper.

The Drambuie Liqueur Co. Ltd is an independent, family owned business that has been producing the world-renowned Drambuie Liqueur since 1909.

For more information visit www.drambuie.com

Notes

Drambuie’s The Jacobite Collection – the Spirit of ‘45 won Best Drinks Launch at Cannes and Best Luxury Drinks Brand of the Year in the Drinks International Travel Retail Excellence Awards at the world’s largest travel retail exhibition, TFWA Cannes this week (19-23 September).

DRAMBUIE 15

Drambuie 15 won two Gold Medals in the Drinks International Travel Retail Excellence Awards at its launch in TFWA Cannes 2010.

Tasting Notes

With a nose of Drambuie’s aromatic citrus spice, fragrant grass and butterscotch notes, Drambuie 15 has a velvet soft mouth feel with a tang of lemongrass and warming malty notes, berries and heather. A finish of shortbread, fresh herbs and the unmistakable long afterglow of the Drambuie elixir, results in a refined, drier expression of Drambuie, perfect for sipping and savouring either neat or over ice.

SERVE: To sip and savour, neat or over ice.

NOSE: Drambuie aromatic citrus spice, overlaid with fragrant grassy and butterscotch notes – characteristic of aged Speyside Malt.

FLAVOUR: Velvet soft mouth feel – fragrant citrus lemongrass tang gives way to complex warming malty notes of butterscotch, berries and heather.

FINISH: Shortbread, fresh herbal notes and the unmistakable long afterglow of the Drambuie elixir.

About DRAMBUIE®

The elixir at the heart of DRAMBUIE was created more than 260 years ago exclusively for Prince Charles Edward Stuart of Scotland. It is a unique combination of aged Scotch whiskies, heather honey and a blend of herbs and spices – a recipe kept secret since 1745. In the late 19th century the drink became know as “an dram buidheach” – from the Gaelic the drink that satisfies, and was subsequently registered as Drambuie is 1893. The first commercial production of Drambuie took place in Edinburgh 1909, it became the first liqueur to be served in The House of Lords in 1916 and became popular internationally as it was taken abroad by the Scottish Regiments in the two World Wars.

In the USA post prohibition, it became synonymous with the classic cocktail The Rusty Nail ™. Today it’s enjoyed neat, over ice and as a long refreshing drink mixed with soda, ginger beer or ginger ale. For more information visit www.drambuie.com

Dear Client

On this run up to Christmas we are offering you access to six (6) new bottlings from PROVENANCE.

Tasting Notes follow:

PRV0759 BUNNAHBHAIN SHERRY 9 YEARS
Massively spiced and distinctly Islay on the nose – carrying soft smoke, barley, porridge and an oily richness. On the palate detect a really sweet start, warming to heavy duty spices and tingling peppers plus toffee and a soft peated character. Its finish is softer than anticipated – subtle – with light camphor, sweet malt, and those same warming spices (F)

PRV0758 GLENROTHES 10 YEARS
Opens clean and fresh on the nose running to a sweet, macerated fruit character plus some toffee. The palate remains fresh and fruity (now wine gums in style) and runs to a sweet gristy style. The finish is sweetly spiced and carries a toffee’d apples quality. (J)

PRV0755 LAPHROAIG 11 YEARS
Distinctly Islay and sweetly phenolic immediately on the nose – running through a sugary style to peated malted barley. On the palate it is oily, peaty, sweet, ashy and tarry – all neatly replicated on the warmly spiced finish. (F)

PRV0751 AULTMORE 11 YEARS
The nose is fresh and fragrant – with its sweet and fruity character running to a barley sugar trait. Still fresh, the palate carries a gristy sweet style with an attractive, later citrus and pear drops quality. The finish is medium long with a barley and tangy lemon zest character. (J)

PRV0754 BALMENACH 11 YEARS
Opens light & fresh on the nose carrying a citrusy fragrant quality – then runs to a gristy & softly vanilla’d style. The palate opens fresh with a creamy sweet character then develops to a drier, spicier (cloves?) quality. The finish is short, still attractively sweet with an orange tang. (J)

PRV0723 GLEN GRANT 12 YEARS
Honeyed initially on the nose – it runs onto Scottish tablet/fudge and then to soft juicy barley. Palatewise it is both sweet (mixed spices with citrus) and dry (oak with ginger) – running to a finish lightly tobacco’d – still honeyed and attractively/warmly spiced. (F)

We hope this selection running through Hogsheads to Sherry casks will work for you – and being the last monthly email to you for 2011 – we want to thank you for your much appreciated support through 2011. We never take that for granted – and now we want to be amongst the first to wish you a healthy (above all!) and wealthy 2012.

Yours faithfully

Fred H Laing
Managing Director

Visit Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd. at www.douglaslaing.com

Bowmore Unveils Islay Taste Map With Martine Nouet

The ultimate companion and guide to Islay Single Malt whiskies

The interactive taste map is now live and can be viewed here: http://www.islaytastemap.com/

This autumn, Bowmore, the first Islay Single Malt whisky, has collaborated with esteemed whisky writer Martine Nouet to create the Islay Taste Map. In a bold move to support the Islay category as a whole, the map, which is the first of its kind, is the ideal guide to the complex and very varied characters of Islay’s eight magical distilleries: Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Bowmore. Launched as an educational tool for both the on- and off-trade, the map will also be available for consumers to access online from November.

Bringing to life the ancient elements Earth, Air, Fire and Water that make up Islay’s mild yet uncompromising climate, the map uses colour-coordinated taste profiles to illustrate how each of the elements is reflected in the whiskies from each distillery. From the peaty and mossy cues of EARTH; the floral notes of heather and sweet meadow in AIR; the smoke, bonfires and burnt wood of FIRE; to theocean air, sea salt and wet sand of WATER – each distillery has a unique taste profile. The map also explains how the whiskies taste indoors and out alongside a character profile and tasting notes.

In development for over a year, the map has been created in collaboration with esteemed whisky writer and Islay resident Martine Nouet. Known as the ‘The Queen of the Still’, Martine was carried away by Islay’s distinct yet varied fragrances when she first visited the island 20 years ago.

Founded over two centuries ago in 1779, Bowmore is the first recorded distillery on Islay and one of the oldest in Scotland. As with all Islay Single Malts, Bowmore whiskies are renowned for its peaty smokiness. The Distillery carefully smokes its own malt just as their ancestors did centuries ago, using skills handed down from generation to generation. Nurtured and matured in the legendary warehouses below sea level, the No. 1 Vaults, Bowmore Single Malt is widely acknowledged to be amongst the finest and most perfectly balanced in the world.

UK Distributor: Cellar Trends on 01283 217703 or enquiries@cellartrends.co.uk

Bowmore

The best-balanced Islay Single Malt whisky is the perfect reward after your outdoor experience.

Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldestDistillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles, which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; we carefully smoke our malt and use skills handed down from generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.

Bowmore’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our

Single Malts. We’re one of only a few distilleries anywhere which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. For our whiskies we draw water from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones, and it’s the same Islay peat that fires the malt drying kiln.

Bowmore Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of our spirit. The legendary Bowmore No. 1 Vaults is where most of our whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, dampcellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the Vault’s sea-facing wall.

They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours.

It’s this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Whiskies.

The Bowmore domestic product range:

· Bowmore Legend
· Bowmore 12 Years Old
· Bowmore Darkest 15 Years Old (sherry cask finished)
· Bowmore 18 Years Old
· Bowmore 25 Years Old

Islay

Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, and is also known as “The Queen of the Hebrides.” Its mild climate and rich peaty soil make it ideal for creating whisky, and despite having a population of not much more than 3,000, it’s home to no fewer thaneight distilleries.

AUCHENTOSHAN THREE WOOD WINS OVERALL BEST IN CLASS AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRIT COMPETITION

Auchentoshan, the only triple distilled Single Malt Scotch Whisky, is delighted to announce it has been awarded Best in Class Trophy for Single Malt Scotch Whisky 15 years & under for its Three Wood expression at the prestigious Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC Awards.

Auchentoshan Three Wood is a unique Single Malt Whisky that pioneered three cask maturation. Maturing first in North America oak (ex Bourbon casks) then Oloroso Sherry (European Oak) and finally Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks – Three Wood is a rich, complex whisky with incredible toffee and dark fruit flavours.

Dating back to 1823, Auchentoshan is renowned for its smooth and delicate flavor. The only Single Malt to consistently triple distil every drop, Auchentoshan produces the highest new make spirit of any Scottish distillery, which results in an ultra light distillate, absorbing more flavor from the oak casks within which it matures.

This award highlights Morrison Bowmore’s commitment to the Asia Pacific region, a key growth market for single malt Scotch whisky. Auchentoshan is one of the fastest growing single malt brands in Asia Pacific, with 45% growth forecast in 2011.

Kirsteen Beeston, Head of Brands Marketing, said “This competition is intent on recognizing the quality of products available within the Asian market and naturally we’re delighted Auchentoshan Three Wood has won this extremely prestigious award”.

“This win demonstrates the perfect suitability of Auchentoshan’s expressions to the Asian palate. They are discerning customers and we are delighted the quality and provenance of our brand is finding a place in the hearts of the Asian consumers”.

Notes:

Auchentoshan

As Glasgow’s closest Distillery, Auchentoshan is truly unique as it is the only distillery to use a third still in the whisky making process. It means Auchentoshan is the only Single Malt Scotch whisky to triple distil every single drop. This third distillation takes the new spirit to 81.5% ABV making it the highest distillate of any Scottish distillery. This strength removes the impurities and harshness often associated with single malts and produces an extremely light spirit,allowing Auchentoshan to extract maximum flavours from the wood. The result? A delicate, smooth malt with each expression strongly showcasing the character of cask or casks it was matured in.

At the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Auchentoshan 12 Year Old, Auchentoshan Classic and Auchentoshan Three Wood were all awarded a Silver Medal in the Spirits category. At the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Auchentoshan 18 Year Old also won a coveted Double Gold Medal.

Auchentoshan Domestic Product Range – Tasting Notes

Auchentoshan Classic

Nose: Rich vanilla and coconut with a hint of green apple and a tang of citrus zest.
Palate: Sweet vanilla cream, fresh green apple skin and a little mint.
Finish: A fresh floral zestiness.

Auchentoshan 12 Year Old

Nose: Crème brulee, a burst of citrus and the signature nuttiness and green leafiness of Auchentoshan.
Palate: The palate is smooth and sweet with hints of tangerine and lime.
Finish: Gingery and slightly drying with a pleasant lingering nuttiness.

Auchentoshan Three Wood

Nose: Blackcurrant, brown sugar, orange, plum and raisin.
Palate: Fruit and syrup. Hazelnut with hints of cinnamon and lemon. A butterscotch sweetness adds to the overall complexity.
Finish: Fresh and fruity with long lasting oaky sweetness.

Auchentoshan 18 Year Old

Nose: Fresh tobacco leaf then sweet with a hint of caramelised sugars, green tea and toasted almonds.
Palate: At first the palate has a floral freshness with sweet barley sugar, this gently ebbs to reveal a tangerine zestiness that leaves the palate alive and refreshed.
Finish: A long, lingering and well-balanced dram that invigorates the mouth.

Auchentoshan 21 Year Old

Nose: Ripe gooseberry notes together with sweet vanilla and oak combines with a freshly cut barley flavour.
Palate: Light chocolate and soft green fruit,with a twist of old oak and honey.
Finish: A long and lasting finish demonstrating real depth of character.

* Recommended retail price. Available from all leading whisky specialists and selected retailers

Auchentoshan Three Wood

Nose: Blackcurrant, brown sugar, orange, plum and raisin.
Palate: Fruit and syrup. Hazelnut with hints of cinnamon and lemon. A butterscotch sweetness adds to the overall complexity.
Finish: Fresh and fruity with long lasting oaky sweetness.

Cyber Monday Specials! Discounted rates available now until close of business on Tuesday. (This arrived after publication on Monday)

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The bright honey/topaz color shows sparkling bronze core features impeccable purity; the early aromas include gentle grain, toasted honey-wheat bread, and tobacco leaf with aeration, the aroma quickly transforms into a pedal-to-the-metal Bourbon bouquet as evolved scents of ripe banana and charcoal tweak the olfactory sense in the middle stage whiffs — fragrances of lanolin, almond butter, melon, and oil accent the toastiness beautifully — it’s a somewhat restrained, or better, understated aroma but I sense lots of power lying just beneath the surface; my, my, my, what have we here — in the mouth, this oily, toasty beauty seduces the taste buds at palate entry with dry flavors of cereal grain and mild oak resin — the mid-palate tastes explode on the tongue in unabashedly sweet and oily flavors of black raisins, grape- fruit, charred oak, and candied almonds; the finish is long, corny sweet, moderately fiery, and lasciviously oily; easily one of the most tactile yet assertive and expressive Bourbons I’ve tasted in the last two years; fasten your seat belts. 45% ABV. Paul Pacult, The Spirit Journal
was $29.99 – now $19.99

Benriach 18 Year Old Moscatel Finish Scotch
was $129.99 – now $79.99

Benriach 18 Year Old Moscatel Finish D&M Exclusive Bottling Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Distilled: 1991, Bottled: Bottled: January 2009. Cask# 4491, 251 Bottles. 57.5% ABV. This whisky was aged for 18 years and finished in a Moscatel cask #4491. Reddish walnut color with thick legs. There is a slight hint of mint and pepper to the nose. Very pretty with soft malt, candied fruits- pineapple and cherrieswith heather notes. There is sweetness right before a fiercely hot finish. A couple of drops of water really tames the heat. D&M Tasting Notes.
History

Benriach is located in the ‘Heart of Speyside’, mid-way between the village of Rothes and the town of Elgin, in the North-East of Scotland. The distillery was built in 1898 a quarter of a mile from its sister distillery Longmorn. Following the Pattison Crash in 1900, Benriach was mothballed after just two years of production. It however contnued to provide malt for the Longmon distillery. Benriach was rebuilt by the Glenlivet distillers and went back into production in 1965.

After having various owners over the years the distillery was once again mothballed in August 2002 by its then owners, Pernod Ricard. It did not stay closed for a long this time as it was taken over in early 2004 by an independent consortium. Production was re-commenced immediately, meaning that the inventory was effectively uninterrupted. The distillery sources its water from the Burnside Springs located underground, deep below the distillery, and has the capacity to produce over 2 million litres of pure alcohol per year. Approximately 10% of new production is peated / 90% unpeated. BenRiach Distillery is one of the last remaining malt distilleries to maintain traditional operational floor maltings, characterised by its classic pagoda style chimney. Although inactive since 1999, the new owners plan to re-activate the maltings in the near future as the BenRiach Distillery Company continues its quest to return to the more traditional methods of production. The distillery is managed by Alan McConnochie, who has worked at Tobermory, Laphroaig, Bunnahabhain and Ben Nevis malt whisky distilleries, and also at the Plymouth Gin distillery. In October 2008 Benriach distillery was crowned Whisky Distiller of the Year

D&M Fine Wines and Spirits | 2200 Fillmore St | San Francisco | CA | 94115