This month we are pleased to offer you eleven (11) new bottlings under the OLD MALT CASK label, two (2) from the OLD MALT CASK CIGAR MALT range with (1) OLD MALT CASK CIGAR MALT 20 cl. We have three (3) from PREMIER BARREL plus two (2) new CLAN DENNY OLD GRAINS, and three (3) new DIRECTOR’S CUT releases. There is also the first release of our deluxe EPICUREAN BLEND in ceramic.

Meanwhile tasting notes for OLD MALT CASK follow –

OMC 2089 Glengoyne 14 Year Old
Nose: Barley sugar sweet + dark spices and muscovado sugar.
Palate: Still spicy sweet – now, honeyed, vanilla’d and full of barley.
Finish: Runs drier now, still spiced + oak and light gristiness. (F)

OMC 2101 Macallan 14 Year Old
Nose: Clean & malty – carrying a home baked, sweet character
Palate: An initially sweet quality runs to a fruity, orange zest style
Finish: Long, warmly spiced with a lingering orange pith trait (J)

OMC 2102 Jura 16 Year Old
Nose: Sugary sweet – gristy – citric …. tailing with dry leaves.
Palate: Mouthcoatingly/oily – lightly peated + barley, salt & smoke.
Finish: Sweeter now – barley sugared, vanilla’d and spiced. (F)

OMC 2104 Knockando 17 Year Old
Nose: Opens fruity & sweetly spiced running to a bees wax style
Palate: Rich – carrying a dry spicy quality + a distinct oak character
Finish: Long – still spicy + burnt toast & honey that runs and runs (J)

OMC 2103 Laphroaig 18 Year Old
Nose: Opens sweet & vanilla’d running to soft smoke + flamed orange zest
Palate: Still sweet & softly smoked + more vanilla – burnt home baked style
Finish: Long – with an ashes and burnt wood character + lingering creosote (J)

OMC 2092 Glen Keith 18 Year Old
Nose: Fresh & fruitily sweet + fresh homemade shortbread + sweet melon
Palate: Distinctly barley sugared running to a sweet orange/lime zest style
Finish: Still fresh and fruity – replicating nose & palate + more zest(J)

OMC 2090 Mortlach 21 Year Old
Nose: Fresh – clean and feisty – spiced with late soft orange zest.
Palate: Sugary – malty – lightly vanilla’d with a soft runny honey style.
Finish: Big on camphor cough drops – warming! with late liquorice.(F)

OMC 2091 Glenrothes 21 YEAR OLD Sherry
Nose: Richly spiced – running to a caramelised orange trait + barley sugar
Palate: Mouth coating with toffee and ginger + a warming citrus quality
Finish: Long – carrying an attractive oak, leather & sweet tobacco style (J)

OMC 2095 St Magdalene 29 Year Old
Nose: Carries dry barley – citrus – crunched sugar – oak & spices.
Palate: Initially dry & oaky – before malt + honey and more spice.
Finish: Slightly smoked + sugar sprinkled cappuccino + more spice! (F)

OMC 2094 Imperial 35 Year Old
Nose: Dry cedar wood shavings open to sweet dark fruit tones + ash
Palate: Richly spiced – lightly smoked/peated + old wooden candy boxes
Finish: Camphor and cough drops + warming spices + late soft leather (F)

OMC 2096 Tomintoul 40 Year Old
Nose: Fresh – gristy and buttery ….. running to light oak.
Palate: Dry – indeed drying! – with spices/now citrus + oak.
Finish: Big on spices (camphor) – cough drops + light honey. (F)

Tasting Notes for PREMIER BARREL are:

PRB 0109 Auchentoshan 11 Year Old
An arresting, aromatic – even arousing! Articulation of Auchentoshan, Auchentoshan, Auchentoshan – triple distilled and worth repeating. Fundamentally this frisky, flavourful, festival of fruity fermentation is ffrankly, ffragant, ffabulous and ffull of ffinesse. (F)

PBR 0104 Craigellachie 12 Year Old Sherry
The creative craft of this creamy Craigellachie is a creditable criterion to crave. It portrays palpably peachy panache AND pepper! – supporting supplementary sweet spices with stylishly satiating Sherry. (F)

PBR 0110 Blair Athol 12 Year Old Sherry
A balanced buxom and buoyant beacon of a Blair Athol! Saliently and salubriously spiced – sustaining a substantial sugary swirl of syrup ….. plus a forté of fresh fragrant fructiferousness. (F)

Tasting Note for DIRECTOR’S CUT –

DIR 0003 Macallan 18 Year Old Bourbon Cask
Nose: Honey sweet –lightly barleyed – gently oaked – vanilla toffee’d
Palate: Soft/ mellow – spiced/citric + candyfloss and crunched sugar
Finish: More honey, barley, sugary fruit – and peppery spices appear (F)

DIR 0002 Caol Ila 21 Year Old
Nose: Totally Islay! With a tarry, oily, sweet and phenolic style
Palate: Soft initially – builds to sweet peat, barley, rock pools and ash
Finish: As big now as before – with creosote, cinders, and more peat (F)

DIR 0004 Dalmore 21 Year Old MONTILLA CASK FINISH
Nose: Sugary – vanilla’d – distinctly fruity and softly malted
Palate: Still fruity – with more (crunched) sugar + spices/sweet barley
Finish: Warmly – now dryly spiced + a hint of liquorice + honey (F)

Tasting Notes for CLAN DENNY Old Grain follow below:

DEN 0078 Carsebridge 30 Year Old
Heavily spiced and oaky initially on the nose – it warms to a character of vanilla ice cream with warm fudge sauce. More fruited now as it open on the palate, it is still very spicy….. ..and water softens it all to a softer coffee and chocolate style. Still spiced and warming on its longer than normal Grain finish. (F)

DEN 0079 Girvan 46 Year Old
Carries a sweet cereal character that runs to muscovado sugar and soft spices. The palate is sweet & spicy with toffee and vanilla carrying an attractive, yet surprising, sweetly marinaded grilled meat quality. The finish is long for a Grain Whisky and remains spicy throughout – with a late suggestion of salt. (J)

Tasting Notes for OLD MALT CASK CIGAR MALT follow below:

OMC 2106 Laphroaig 10 Year Old
Nose: Distinctly Islay + sweet tar & bbq ashes
Palate: Rich & smoky – ashy/tarry & chocolate-y.
Finish: Peated, smoky, sooty, earthy & sweet . (F)

OMC 2027 Blair Athol 12 Year Old Sherry
Nose: Richly spiced – dried fruit character
Palate: Sweet & warming running to a nutty quality
Finish: Long, still spicy now drier + cedar wood (J)

OLD MALT CASK CIGAR MALT 20 cl.

SMC 0405 – Laphroaig 10 Year Old

Sorry – that is a lot of reading for a lot whiskies, many of which we hope will interest you. There are 2 new items which merit special highlighting. The DIRECTOR’S CUT have been released to back up last month’s first release, all colour co-ordinated by region and last but not least, the EPICUREAN BLEND has been developed with a 90% plus Malt content designed to be an intriguing, well priced, ceramic gift or self indulgence, presented in Gift Bags.

Yours sincerely

Fred H Laing
Managing Director

PS – You may already have seen that Jim Murray awarded our CLAN DENNY Cambus 47 as Best Scottish Grain Whisky, in his 2012 Whisky Bible – now long sold out. However a sister cask will follow shortly, now aged to 48 years.

Whisky Magazine announced its U.S. Icons of Whisky Awards this week in Louisville, and I was on hand for the ceremonies. Four Roses won Distiller of the Year honors for the second year in a row, and Balcones Distillery in Waco, Texas was named Craft Distiller of the Year. We’ll hear from winners Jim Rutledge and Chip Tate. In the news, a French family-owned wine company has bought Tullibardine, ghost hunters search Buffalo Trace for spirits of the ethereal variety, and much more!

Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com

1994 Bruichladdich 16 Year Old K&L Exclusive Hart Brothers Single Ardbeg Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky ($105.99) One of our good-natured business deals from Scotland ended up providing us with the chance to secure a single barrel of something quite special and unbelievably rare – an unpeated Islay whisky aged inside the cask of another peated Islay whisky! This 16 year old Bruichladdich spent its first 13 years in hogshead, lending it the standard vanilla and sweet grains the malt is known for. For the last 3 years however it sat soaking up the flavor from a barrel which had formerly held some super-smoky Ardbeg whisky. The residue left inside the wood was enough to turn a mild-mannered Bruichladdich into something smoky and aggressive. Very light in color, the nose is a combo of fresh malted barley and vegetal peat moss aromas. The palate is lean and mean with spicy pepper and wisps of smoke meandering in between the salty vanilla notes inherent in the malt itself. The finish is all peat smoke, but it’s an unfamiliar smoke – not peated Bruichladdich, but not Ardbeg either. As a fan of both distilleries, I find this marriage of the two styles exciting, delicious, and utterly fascinating. This will be a big hit with Islay fans and collectors everywhere. -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer.

Other New Arrivals

2011 Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey 750ml – 9 available ($134.99)

Springbank 15 Year Old, Hart Brothers Single Malt Scotch 750ml ($104.99)

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

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old by Vivienne Westwood Scoops Top Design Award

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old by Vivienne Westwood, the innovative limited edition combining two British luxury brands, has won a coveted design award from the French marketing publication, Stratégies Magazine.

The limited edition, created by one of the world’s most acclaimed fashion designers, picked up the Packaging Design award in the Event Design Category at the 25th Annual Grand Prix Stratégies du Design awards, held in Paris on October 5th.

Launched in February 2011, Chivas Regal 18 Year Old by Vivienne Westwood is now available in more than 25 markets. The distinctive bottle proudly appears cloaked in a luxurious and unique three-piece coat featuring Vivienne Westwood’s Union Jack print, as first seen in a Gold Label collection in Paris. The pattern was particularly fitting for Chivas Regal, with the current design of the Union Flag dating back to 1801 and whisky brand owner Chivas Brothers’ roots also being traced back to this iconic year.

Organised by France’s most respected marketing title, the coveted Grand Prix Stratégies du Design is judged by leading professionals in design, including chief executive officers and directors of some of the world’s top design agencies. It recognises significant design innovations across fields as broad as packaging, product design, merchandising, web design, signage and interior design. The awards are frequently credited as being among the first to highlight emerging trends in marketing and communications and identifying designs that become reference points in their field.

James Slack, International Brand Director for Chivas Regal, said: “We are delighted that this innovative limited edition has been recognised by leaders in the field of marketing and design. This limited edition has struck a chord with luxury consumers who recognise the strong British heritage and luxury craftsmanship that serve as the foundation to both Chivas Regal 18 Year Old and Vivienne Westwood. The skill and dedication of our Master Blender, Colin Scott, is in many ways the same as that of a fashion designer – there is a true art to what they do.”

The collaboration with Vivienne Westwood marked an important step for Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, following previous work with leading fashion houses such as Christian Lacroix.

Notes

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.6 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.

Vivienne Westwood began designing in 1971 along with her partner Malcolm McLaren, when London was at the forefront of cultural trends. By the end of the seventies Vivienne Westwood was already considered a symbol of the British avant-garde and for Autumn/Winter 1981 she showed her first catwalk presentation at Olympia in London. It was her Pirate collection which launched the New Romantic movement.

Today, the Vivienne Westwood brand offers 4 clothing ranges – Gold Label, Red Label, Anglomania and MAN plus seasonal accessories, jewellery, bags, eyewear and footwear collections. Vivienne Westwood is now recognized as a global brand and Westwood herself as one of the most influential fashion designers in the world today.

Chivas Regal Launches Heraldic Limited Edition Gift Tin by Dan Funderburgh

Chivas Regal, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, is continuing its association with contemporary design by teaming up with award-winning New York illustrator, Dan Funderburgh, to launch a limited edition gift tin for its 12 Year Old expression.

The dark grey tin features a striking gold image of the lion emblem which appears on all Chivas Regal packaging, encapsulating the brand’s values of masculinity, regality, bravery and luxury. The image is made up of many elements of texture representing the rich layers and flavour in the whisky. The gift tin will be available in more than 70 markets world-wide.

James Slack, Brand Director for Chivas Regal, comments: “Known for contemporary, baroque designs inspired by historical ornamentation, Dan was the perfect artist to reflect the distinctive style and rich heritage of Chivas Regal. His bold, masculine design will appeal to the brand’s largely male consumer base, with increased on-shelf visibility, further strengthening Chivas Regal’s position as the most dynamic brand in the super premium Scotch whisky category.”

Funderburgh added: “Heraldic crests have always appealed to me aesthetically so I wanted to utilise this element of Chivas Regal in my design. Within the lion I included patterns that are relevant to the Chivas brand – some Scottish thistles and checks, interspersed with more contemporary geometric and global patterns. The aim was to achieve an end result that was bold, but with delicate details and a contemporary approach to the tradition of chivalry.”

Chivas Regal has long embraced the design community and has previously partnered with high profile names such as Christian Lacroix, Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood.

Chivas Regal continues to invest in its Live with Chivalry campaign which launched in 2008 and has struck a chord with consumers in more than 60 markets.

Notes

About Dan Funderburgh
New York illustrator Dan Funderburgh was born in Seattle in 1978 and received a BFA from the University of Kansas in 2001 with a focus in illustration. After moving to New York in 2001 Dan established a partnership with the now Brooklyn based wallpaper studio Flavorpaper where his designs are hand screen printed. The wallpapers have been featured at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, Pulse Miami and are a part of the Cooper-Hewitt’s permanent collection.

Occasional collaborations with companies like Brooks, Furni, and Gravis have allowed his work to live on bicycle seats, furniture and luggage. Dan’s personal and gallery work includes letterpress and screen prints, sculptures and installations that play off of historical ornamentation. He is known for his intricate baroque patterns, laced with contemporary reference and dry wit. He currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York and has recently completed his first international solo show in Barcelona, Spain.

For further information visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

Chivas Regal Breaks the Mould with Innovative Short Films

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, has teamed up with Academy Award® winning short filmmaker, Joachim Back, to create two beautifully shot and engaging short films, as part of its latest consumer campaign designed to connect with discerning modern gentlemen.

The films depict a group of sophisticated male friends in their early 30s enjoying quality time together over a glass of Chivas Regal in a bar setting, while reminiscing over legendary moments from their shared past that truly affirmed their friendship. Their memories are brought to life for viewers with stunning backdrop visuals and entertaining, comical scenes.

Trailers of the films, entitled Here’s to Big Bear and Here’s to Twinkle, have been created in both 30 and 60-second executions to be aired as TV commercials in Brazil and Mexico from late-October. The trailers will direct consumers online to Chivas.com, where the full versions can be viewed. Print advertising in key consumer titles in each market will use QR codes to drive consumers to the films online.

To support the launch, a campaign on Chivas.com, will encourage consumers to recall and share their own friendship-affirming memories. Using state-of-the-art technology, consumers can upload their story onto the site, adding pictures and setting it to their chosen song. Users can ‘tag’ their Facebook friends into the storyboard, which will then appear on their Facebook pages.

James Slack, Global Brand Director for Chivas Regal, says: “With this hugely innovative project, we have moved away from a traditional TV commercial and created a platform that will appeal to modern, discerning consumers who enjoy film and popular culture.

“These films, which celebrate true friendship, will further strengthen the emotional connection between Chivas Regal and our contemporary consumers, appealing to our current drinkers but also attracting new consumers to the brand.”

In line with Chivas Regal’s ongoing Live with Chivalry campaign, which launched in 2008, the films feature men who embody the masculine values that the brand embraces such as loyalty, brotherhood, honour and a sense of passion and luxury.

Notes

The new short films can be viewed at www.Chivas.com from 31 October 2011

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.6 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.

Chivas Regal delivers innovative added value with ‘The Art of Hosting’ campaign

Original luxury Scotch whisky Chivas Regal is launching an innovative campaign in Travel Retail to reward travellers with genuine added value. In partnership with private nightclub Le Baron, ‘The Art of Hosting’ campaign includes a limited edition gift-pack, in-store displays and an exclusive website which brings entertaining at home to life, as a sensory, 360 degree, virtual party experience.

The Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Le Baron limited edition gift-pack launches this November in Travel Retail outlets across Europe, Asia, the Gulf and will reach the US in March 2012. It will retail at the standard Chivas Regal 12YO price and in some markets the bottle will come with a digital card containing a unique code that will allow travellers access to locked content and the ability to download an exclusive ten track playlist, selected and mixed by the Le Baron Club DJ. The site also showcases seven short films featuring the Le Baron gentlemen, Andre and Lionel, advising users on how to be the ultimate host.

James Slack, Global Brand Director, Chivas Regal said, “Capitalising on the global trend for entertaining at home, Chivas & Le Baron will attract attention and inspire our customers in The Art of Hosting. We also want to communicate in an engaging way and this is why we have created a strong digital platform to support the travel retail campaign. We are confident travellers will be as excited by the promotion as we are.”

Using highly visual in-store displays which combine quality, originality and creativity, the activation will captivate travellers and offer inspiration on generating the right atmosphere and experience when entertaining at home.

In addition Chivas Regal 12 YO has produced 20 bespoke trunk bars – the ultimate hosting package, which will be used wholly for travel retail competition prizes. Created by prestigious French luxury trunk company Pinel and Pinel, the trunk bar includes a bottle of Chivas Regal 12YO, four branded glasses, cocktail shaker, music docking station and iPad 2. Other activities include a gift-with-purchase of a branded trolley bag or holdall.

Notes

Chivas Regal
Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.6 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.

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.

Le Baron
Le Baron is a private nightclub and now the most exclusive after dark spot in Paris. Not only does it entertain the French capital; the spirit of Le Baron travels well too, with clubs in Tokyo and soon New York and London. It’s also exported for contemporary art fairs and film festivals, from Miami to Cannes. André Saraiva is a nightlife impresario and renowned graffiti artist, amongst other pursuits. Lionel Bensemoun is a world famous party and event host. Together they create the mood. They set the trends. And they’re always one step ahead.

BALBLAIR 2001: NEW VINTAGE, NEW LOOK, NEW HOME

Rarely has a small Highland distillery so many exciting things to communicate at once! First and foremost, Balblair Single Malt is proud to announce the launch of its new vintage expression, Balblair 2001. The whisky, presented in an updated packaging, has been unveiled earlier today at Balblair’s Brand Home – a stunning new visitor facility at the distillery.

This first release of Balblair 2001 (bottled 2011) is a natural progression from previous expressions but three significant changes have been introduced and will from now on become a standard throughout the range.

• Balblair 2001 is bottled at 46% ABV
• Balblair 2001 is non chill-filtered
• Balblair 2001 in bottled at its natural colour

Distillery Manager John MacDonald commented on the changes: “We are delighted to be introducing this expression at a higher strength, uncoloured and non chill-filtered. Much time and care has gone into creating this malt and I am confident that whisky enthusiasts the world over will really enjoy this latest Balblair.”

Balblair 2001 was matured entirely in top quality White American Oak, ex-bourbon casks and therefore typical Balblair aromas of pineapple, pear and citrus are beautifully rounded off by vanilla and exotic spices. The palate is richly sweet and bursting with fresh orchard fruit. It finishes slowly and smoothly.

Speaking about the new Balblair vintage, Brand Manager Andy Hannah made a reference to the updated packaging: “The new look Balblair represents an evolution of what is already a stand-out piece of packaging within the malt category. Improved brand visibility and enhanced material finishes will help support the brand’s continued growth. The distinctive and colourful Balblair box remains, although slightly reduced in width – this means that we use less packaging and it is more convenient for trade and consumers alike.”

Balblair 2001 has been unveiled today at Balblair’s Brand Home. The new facility occupies old malting barn at the distillery and offers a tasting and brand education experience enhanced by audio-visual presentations. A small brand shop is now also operational and offers a rare opportunity to fill your own bottle of Balblair straight from the cask.

More generally about Balblair (Notes)

• Balblair is the second oldest working distillery in Scotland. It was established in 1790 by John Ross.
• Today, over two centuries later, four of the nine Balblair Distillery craftsmen still have the surname Ross.
• At Balblair only Vintages are ever released. Whiskies that have reached their absolute peak of perfection.
• Currently available Balblair Vintages include: 2000 (now being replaced by 2001!), 1991 (USA exclusive), 1990 (travel retail), 1995 (Swedish exclusive), 1989 (2nd release), 1978 and 1965.

Loch Fyne Whiskies  ‘Scotch Whisky Deals! 2011’

 That’s all our Deals! online now. Click below to download our Deals! Sheet (which is also in the post to our UK regulars).

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

This Thursday (November 10, 2011) the new iWhiskyWhiskey app for the iPhone and iPod touch was released into Apple’s App Store. Since 2009, the iMalt app has been the single malt whisky lovers’ prefered app for keeping track of whisky collections and tasting notes. The all new iWhiskyWhiskey app has the same great features as the iMalt app, but the focus is on all other whisky and whiskey types than single malt.

The iWhiskyWhiskey app includes more than 200 whiskies and whiskeys devided into categories based on their type. For example you will find Scotch blended malt whisky from Chivas, Irish pure pot still whiskey from Jameson, Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey from Jim Beam, Tennessee whiskey from Jack Daniel’s, Canadian blended whisky from Canadian Club and Japenese single grain whisky from Nikka. All bottles are beautifully illustrated and described in detail. You can easily add more whiskies and whiskeys yourself or you can receive them by subscribing to the iTasteNote Cloud Service.

The iWhiskyWhiskey app is also an excellent tool for keeping track of your tasting notes. A detailed and easy-to-use tasting note guide will help you to determine the color, nose, body, taste and finish and you can give each whisk(e)y an overall rating. You can add written notes as well. It is also possible to group a set of whiskies/whiskeys by a tasting event that you have attended or you can group them by the store you have bought them in. Off course you can also mark bottles that are in your collection and you can maintain a whisk(e)y wish list

The iTasteNote Cloud Service, which first came to the iMalt app, is also available to iWhiskyWhiskey users. The main features of this service is sharing of ratings and tasting notes and regular updates of brands and their whiskies/whiskeys. The iTasteNote Cloud Service does also provide online backup and it enables synchronization of data between your iPhone, iPad (when iWhiskyWhiskey HD comes out) and iPod touch. Subscribing to the iTasteNote Cloud Service gives you access to extra features and content in both the iWhiskyWhiskey app and the iMalt app.

The iWhiskyWhisky app will be offered for free in Apple’s App Store for a limited period of time. The iTasteNote Cloud Service is offered as an in-app-purchase and costs $9.99 / 7.99 € for 90 days access, $14.99 / 11.99 € for 180 days access and $19.99 / 15.99 € for 360 days access.