Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

1990 Clynelish 21 Year Old Chieftain’s K&L Selection Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($114.99) While many single malts are blends of different types of barrels, some are known to be more sherried than others. Macallan for example is widely enjoyed for its Oloroso sherry character, while something like Ardbeg is decidedly less rich. That being said, it’s not that Ardbeg doesn’t use sherry-aged whisky in its single malt, it’s just that there are far fewer barrels in their recipe. Clynelish, perhaps the most respected single malt in the world by whisky insiders, is a whisky renowned for its light, fruity, Highland character. However, what would happen if one of the few sherry-aged Clynelish barrels were isolated from the recipe and bottled as a single cask selection? The answer is here at K&L. An absolutely stellar, 21 year old sherry cask of Clynelish was sitting right next to our Brora cask at the Chieftain’s warehouse so we pulled the trigger. The heather now mingles with raisined fruit, the citrus fruit now turns candied, the wax turns into dripping oil. The complexity of this whisky is simply astounding and collectors everywhere should rejoice at the price. Clynelish is easily on my top five distillery short list and this is one of the best and most unique I’ve tasted. A single cask of this quality from Clynelish at full proof should easily retail for $150 or more. Grab this one while it lasts. – David Driscoll.

Talisker 25 Year Old Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 12 available ($199.99)

Scotland Pre-Arrival

1981 Brora 30 Year Old Chieftain’s K&L Selection Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($249.99) Your eyes do not deceive you! We have indeed secured a single sherry cask from the most sought-after, most desired, and most elusive of single malt distilleries – Brora. Considered the Holy Grail of single malt whiskies, Brora was the original Clynelish distillery before a new facility was built next door. Because there cannot be two distilleries with the same name, the new building was dubbed Clynelish while the old distillery was changed to Brora. Closed in 1983 after Diageo decided to keep only one of the operations running, Brora stocks have dwindled down to near extinction. Considered one of the best overall single malts by almost every reputable expert in the business, the waxy, oily, sometimes peaty character of the whisky has become the most difficult style to reproduce effectively. The newer Clynelish malts have come close, but nothing has the ethereal complexity of Brora. Our 30 year old selection was aged in sherry barrel for a softer, richer palate that brims with saline flavors, resin, supple viscosity, and an earthy sweetness, with a finish that lingers for minutes. Even more exciting is the rumor that Diageo will not release another Brora until 2020, when their stocks hit 40 years old. This may be the last chance to get any Brora for a reasonable price, let alone a fantastic cask like this one. These will sell out on pre-order so make sure you secure one quickly! -David Driscoll

1990 Clynelish 21 Year Old Chieftain’s K&L Selection Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($114.99) While many single malts are blends of different types of barrels, some are known to be more sherried than others. Macallan for example is widely enjoyed for its Oloroso sherry character, while something like Ardbeg is decidedly less rich. That being said, it’s not that Ardbeg doesn’t use sherry-aged whisky in its single malt, it’s just that there are far fewer barrels in their recipe. Clynelish, perhaps the most respected single malt in the world by whisky insiders, is a whisky renowned for its light, fruity, Highland character. However, what would happen if one of the few sherry-aged Clynelish barrels were isolated from the recipe and bottled as a single cask selection? The answer is here at K&L. An absolutely stellar, 21 year old sherry cask of Clynelish was sitting right next to our Brora cask at the Chieftain’s warehouse so we pulled the trigger. The heather now mingles with raisined fruit, the citrus fruit now turns candied, the wax turns into dripping oil. The complexity of this whisky is simply astounding and collectors everywhere should rejoice at the price. Clynelish is easily on my top five distillery short list and this is one of the best and most unique I’ve tasted. A single cask of this quality from Clynelish at full proof should easily retail for $150 or more. Grab this one while it lasts. – David Driscoll

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

BenRiach NAS ‘Birnie Moss’ (48%, OB, 2011)

Birnie Moss is an area of windswept moorland situated close to the BenRiach Distillery and it is this wild place that gives our single malt its name.

This fine single malt is the first bespoke whisky to be delivered from the BenRiach Distillery under its current stewardship and heralds a new chapter in production.

An audacious first under the guidance and enthusiasm of the distillery’s new owners, Birnie Moss is a whisky bursting with originality. Different in style for a Speyside malt, this unique expression wields its peaty, smoky character with a precocious vigour.

The nose is indeed intensely peat however it is just less than intensely floral also; this vanishes (mostly) after some time in the glass. There are also some malt moments but these notes are over shadowed by the big peat presence (apologies DL&Co) along with short bread and green peas. With water the nose changes to coal tar and coca-cola. Time in the glass brings out increased grain/malty notes. The undiluted taste is as expected quite peaty and malty; if tasted blind it could be mistaken for an Islay. The diluted taste is significantly different; creamy, still peated and just as good. The finish is once again peated and malty with the floral vegetal notes in the fore and then towards the tail the malt takes over. It’s long and follows through with the other peat notes with a touch of bitterness at the last.

Youthful, vibrant and good but some what a carbon copy of many other peated whiskies.

$70

Score 79 points

Part five of five featuring whiskies that are peated; ‘Peat Week’!

When we decided to hold a Burns night supper and whisky tasting we were really thrilled that our old friend Ian Murray of Balvenie and Glenfiddich volunteered to come along and host the proceedings.  Ian is a Keeper of the Quaich and an exceptionally entertaining and knowledgeable speaker on whisky, and indeed many other subjects, with a great sense of humour so the evening is certain to be a fun one.  The usual Burns Night shenanigans can be expected and what better way could there be to dispel the post-Christmas blues??

See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

BURNS NIGHT SUPPER WITH WHISKIES FROM BALVENIE & GLENFIDDICH DISTILLERIES   
WEDNESDAY 25TH JANUARY 2012  
 
7pm for 7.30pm 

Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren

Details The evening will be presided over by the inimitable Ian Murray and there will be a welcoming dram before the Burns Night Supper commences with Cullen Skink.  Following this, the haggis will be piped in, in the traditional manner, and will then be addressed by Ian before we partake of the ‘Great chieftain o’ the puddin-race’ along with Neeps and Tatties (For non-meat eaters there is a vegetarian option available but this must be booked in advance).  To finish there will be Raspberry Cranachan.  Each course will be accompanied by a suitable dram (wine available at an extra cost) and there will be a ‘going home’ dram.

Stanton House

This is not a black tie event, ‘smart casual’ will be fine, but in keeping with tradition each guest should wear a piece of tartan, and this can be as simple as a tartan tie or sash.  However, for those who have their own kilt this will be a splendid opportunity to bring it out of mothballs!

Tickets are £39.50 per person, and are very strictly limited.  They are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and as they always sell very quickly it is best to book ASAP.  To buy them just log on to whiskyandwines.com and place an order for the number you require, or telephone us on (01793) 765071, or call in and see us at Arkwrights, The Dormers, Highworth, Wiltshire.

Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and most, if not all, of the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared.

March 6th
(Sunday)
Single Malt Tasting 4:00 p.m.

March 10th
(Thursday)
Single Malt Tasting 7:00 p.m.

“20 Degrees of Separation” Single malts that cause huge disagreements among the “experts” $50 per person. Applies to purchase. Reservations are accepted but not required. 402.553.9501 or patg@dundeedell.com

All events held at the beautiful Dundee Dell unless otherwise noted. The Dell is located in Omaha, Nebraska at 5007 Underwood Avenue.  http://www.dundeedell.com/

Hello Fellow Scotch Lovers –

First, I hope each of you had a joyous holidays, and that your 2012 is off to a wonderful start.

My 2012 kicked off with some incredibly exciting news…news that’s made me so proud of what we have accomplished together as a community of whisky lovers. I am really thrilled to share this with you.

I’m certain most of us are, and all of us should be, aware of the amazing content found on the pages of Whisky Magazine. So only you can imagine how my holidays were brightened when Mark Gillespie of WhiskyCast shot me an email letting me know that….

….(drumroll please)….

Whisky Magazine has named ForScotchLovers.com “Whisky Retailer of the Year Online” in the Icons of Whisky America 2012.

Y-O-W-Z-A! How pumped was I? <hint: There hasn’t been so much fist pumping in one room since Black Sabbath broke up.>

Needless to say, it was a very nice way to end 2011.

And if this isn’t enough, we are now 1 of 3 regional finalists (I believe the EU/UK and Asia the other 2) vying for global domination, the awarding of which will be announced this March…my mother is out of her mind with anticipation, as you would expect.

I really hope each of you feel as proud about this news as I am (and my mother is), for this would never have been possible without the community we have created together…and there is no community without each of you.

So this Whisky Wednesday email, our first for 2012, is all about congratulating ourselves, and my personal thanks to every one of you for being an integral part of making ForScotchLovers.com the success it has become.

As a sign of that appreciation, from now until Sunday we’re giving a 10% discount on any purchases of $50.00 or more in our store. Just enter code “Icon2012” in the coupon/promotion field of the shopping cart as you check out. The code will be good until this Sunday, January 8th.

So a big thank you to each of you, and “Cheers!” to us all. I hope we continue our success in 2012, and beyond.

Until next Wednesday….

Doug Stone
Founder
www.ForScotchLovers.com

WHISKY NAMES FORSCOTCHLOVERS.COM:

Bowmore 14yo (54.8%, A. Dewar Rattray for Bevmo!, Bourbon, C#2873, 239 Bts., D’ 27/03/96 B’ 04/08/2010)

A private bottling by A. Dewar Rattray for Bevmo! in California; the nose is very rich and very good right out of the gate, dusty malt, peat reek, oak spice and some very good fruit leather. Hints of maple and oranges. Oh joy what a collection of aromas to encounter, let’s hope is all holds together throughout. (with water it holds together very well) The taste is very good; some brine, loads of peat smoke, cocoa, black pepper and a little of the citrus/orange and maple although the later is some what diminished. A little cinnamon perhaps? No matter, it’s all very good. (again, with the addition of water all is well; much the same as undiluted but slightly muted) The finish is much as the nose and the taste with the added surprise of some increased brine characteristics but the glorious peak reek is ever present and some good malt. The finish is very long.

A lovely dram indeed. Excellent balance.

$80 or only $60 as a ClubBev! member

Score 90 points

Part four of five featuring whiskies that are peated; ‘Peat Week’!

Many thanks to Duncan for samples 1,2 & 4 featured in ‘Peat Week’ 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your enthusiasm and support since we launched in October. Your curiosity has been overwhelming and we hope that your Society experience has been a rewarding one.

We’re looking forward to a busy 2012 as we prepare to take The SMWS on tour! We’re currently working on hosting tastings in Edmonton, Victoria, Vancouver and further afield. Keep an eye on www.smws.ca  for updates.

In the meantime, we’re putting the finishing touches on the January Outturn, which will have seven great new whiskies available on Friday, Jan. 6, including a rarity – two consecutive bottlings, in this case from distillery number 35:

35.61 Just so-ooh nice

21 year old; first fill barrel

The palate was immediately big, stimulating and fab; lots of juicy fruits, sherbet and woody spices. Just so-ooh nice!

35.62 Creamy ginger beer

21 year old; first fill barrel

A slight nose prickle soon gave way to warmth and wonderful aromas of cinnamon-toasted marshmallow-bananas. Creamy and fruity!

It’s never our intention to send unwanted mail. If you’re receiving duplicates or would prefer not to receive Society news, simply let us know.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
104-1240 Kensington Road NW, Suite 160
Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 3P7
Email – curious@smws.ca  

Happy New Year!

Hopefully you’ve had a nice break over Christmas and New Year and are looking forward to the year ahead. At the beginning of December I received my approvals as an Authorised Customs & Excise Warehousekeeper, with my own approved warehouse. This offers greater potential to sell casks and bottles to customers outside the UK, as it is relatively straightforward to ship alcohol between countries when you have your own warehouse.

  
20 yo Islay Malt with Christmas Label. 21yo available now.
  
 Customers not wanting an entire cask can also now opt to buy whisky from my bottled stock range, which is ever expanding or in a 60 litre drum for certain whiskies. With these additions to my business, I’m looking forward to another exciting year!

Complications

The above approvals might not seem like much to get excited about, but with applications to be a Registered Owner, a Duty Representative, an Excise Warehousekeeper with an Approved Excise Warehouse, receive a Movement Guarantee Bond and most recently, extend the list of warehouses that I can store whisky in— it can be difficult to find time to actually sell the product!

An example of red tape in action: to own casks in a specific distillery’s warehouse, I must be approved by HMRC. In order to gain approval, HMRC require that I ask the warehouse to confirm “if I should gain approval from HMRC, will you permit me to own goods in your warehouse?”, to which they reply “We cannot confirm anything until HMRC approve you to store goods in our warehouse.” An impossible system!
 
Casks Available Now

As the new year begins, I’ll be bringing in new stock, with increasing frequency. Casks which have been available for some time on my website are continuing to mature in the warehouse, and unfortunately some prices will increase on the anniversary of the date of distillation.

Bottles Available Now

www.whiskybroker.co.uk/acatalog/shophome.html

On special offer for January only is 17yo Glen Grant, 55% vol., 70cl bottles, for only £35. A limited number of about 170 bottles each of 1968 Tomintoul and 1974 Strathmill will be coming in January. The Tomintoul should be around £60 with the Strathmill around £50. I should also be bottling one of the 20yo Bunnahabhain and a Port Dundas when it turns 21 years old on 31st January (This whisky is available in shops at around £110 while my anticipated price is closer to £40).

Martin Armstrong
www.whiskybroker.co.uk
info@whiskybroker.co.uk

Burns’ Night(ish) Tasting
Thursday January 26th 2012, 7.00pm

The Red Lion, Crown Passage, London SW1
If you were to say Robert Burns’ birthday is just an excuse for us to break out the good stuff, we would say ‘No, no, no, no!’…and then we might soften a little and say, ‘well…maybe’.

The truth be told, is somewhere in-between, with a respectful nod to the Bard but with the emphasis very much on the whisky aspect of the evening.

Funny that with a company name like ours…

What you can be sure of is that we will be bringing some of our favourite drams and you can be sure we only drink the good stuff…

As always each tasting is designed to be fun and enjoyable for all levels of whisky drinker, and is not a lecture. You will almost certainly learn something new every time, but if you don’t walk out with a smile on your face then there we have done something wrong!

If you would like to order tickets for this tasting as a gift, we can email you a PDF with ticket/s for you to print and pop in a card. Just email us at info@thewhiskylounge.com after placing your order.

The Red Lion, Crown Passage, London SW1

Sample Image

Bunnahabhain 4yo 2005/2009 (57.7%, Creative Whisky Co., C#28, 257 Bts.,)

Distilled 21st, December 2005 and bottle by the Creative Whisky Company with an owl on the label but bottled under the “Exclusive Malts” range and purchased from the Chester Whisky Company. Good peat reek on the nose which is extremely vibrant and engaging, further notes of juniper, cedar and some hints of unspecified grain. All very nice. Water changes the sample somewhat and brings out further sweet richness; diesel and peat reek. The diluted taste (just a splash) is gentle at first and then there’s a sedate rush of the peat smoke and some good sweetness, again all very nice. The undiluted taste is steel cut rye, oats and chocolate malt followed by rich aggressive peat reek. Big! The finish show cases the arrival of the malt (peated naturally) and then some dry oak spice but not over whelming and still some hints of juniper and cedar. The diesel is in the also, milling about. After a few minutes the malt really does emerge and again it’s very good. Creaminess shows late in the finish…and then lashings of malt.

Tastes significantly older than 4 years and it all works quite well.

£45

Score 88 points

Part three of five featuring whiskies that are peated; ‘Peat Week’!