January Outturn: Spiritually Uplifting

Soothe the soul with a dose of our latest tasty tonics. January’s Outturn brings of 12 single cask bottlings along with some healthy offers.

1.162 Perfumed and mouth-watering – eventually
£63.40
Speyside Spey
The intensely inviting nose was slightly chimerical, combining vanilla ice-cream, apple crumble, custard, chocolate, honey and toffee with sweet tobacco, leather, hay, rosewater, glossy mags and forest floors

50.48 Capering on a riverbank
£56.50
Lowland
An attractive nose – lemon curd, peach melba, green bananas, cherries and flowers capered around with desiccated coconut, vanilla and ginger Edinburgh Rock, by grassy riverbanks

29.110 Wild West cowgirl dressed in leather
£48.40
Islay
Sea breezes, shell sand, burnt sticks, embers, smoke, and crispy duck on the barbecue – but also vanilla, liquorice, lime, tobacco and fresh laundry flapping on the clothes-line

105.16 Mulled cider & beef goulash
£77.50
Speyside Spey
Savoury, spicy aromas of beef goulash, Night nurse, cranberry concentrate, maple-cured bacon, nutmeg, root beer, red grapes, Stollen, lamb gravy, caraway and rye bread made us all hungry

January’s HEALTHY Offers

Pick-me up Pair
71.34 & 125.57 for only £89
Speyside Lossie & Highland Northern

Regional Trio: Three times daily
125.57, 1.162 & 23.72 for only £147
Highland, Speyside & Islay

Case Offer: Round ‘Em Up!
125.57, 71.34, 1.162, 23.72, 50.48 & 66.32 only £289
Lowland, Highland, Speyside & Islay

January Outturn 
Browse all bottlings
(60 single casks online)

Society Burns Tastings & Events
Aberdeen Alternative Burns Tasting – Caledonian Hotel, Thu 19 Jan
Keswick Alternative Burns – Middle Ruddings Country Inn, Fri 20 Jan
The Dining Room Burns Dinner – Queen Street, Mon 23 Jan
Girls Burns (the return) – Queen Street, Wed 25 Jan
Traditional Burns Supper – The Vaults, Wed 25 Jan
London Burns Night – The Crypt, Wed 25 Jan
Newcastle Alternative Burns – County Hotel by Thistle, Thu 26 Jan
Glasgow Alternative Burns Tasting – Radisson Blu, Fri 27 Jan

Society Private Burns Celebrations
Book your own authentic celebration of the written Scottish word, the finest fare and our golden nectar in honour of the Bard.

Private Burns Celebrations

2012 Independent Bottler of the Year www.whiskymag.com/awards/ibc/2011/

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society,
The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).

Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES LATEST WHISKEY IN COLONEL E.H. TAYLOR, JR. COLLECTION –
WAREHOUSE C TORNADO SURVIVING BOURBON

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky – It was a Sunday evening, April 2, 2006, when a severe storm tore through Central Kentucky, damaging two Buffalo Trace Distillery aging warehouses. Fortunately, no one was injured and Warehouse “B” was empty at the time. However, Warehouse “C” sustained significant damage to its roof and north brick wall. Warehouse “C” is one of the most treasured warehouses on property, built by Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. in 1881. This historic aging warehouse stores more than 24,000 prized bourbon barrels in its ricks. It is also a favorite warehouse for tourists; its century-old wooden beams and pungent aroma of bourbon make it an ideal stop for the 55,000-plus tourists that visit Buffalo Trace Distillery each year.

Throughout the strong storm that raged across the Distillery, the bourbon barrels stood strong, never budging from their resting spots. Patiently they waited while the roof and wall repairs took place that summer. The barrels sat exposed to the central Kentucky climate for months as the sun and wind took their toll.

Finally in late 2011, those same barrels were tasted and the bourbon was married into a single batch dubbed “Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Bourbon.” It was only fitting this bourbon would be released under the Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. moniker, as he was a bourbon industry survivor himself. Taylor owned and lost more than seven distilleries in his lifetime and built many of the buildings at Buffalo Trace Distillery, including the storm damaged Warehouses B and C.

All of the 93 Tornado Surviving Bourbon barrels were located on the top two floors of Warehouse C, and were at least 9 years, 8 months old when dumped; many of them were as old as 11 years, 11 months old. Like the previous two E. H. Taylor, Jr. releases, the Tornado Surviving Bourbon is “Bottled in Bond” at 100 proof.

This Rye Mash #1 recipe bourbon has the aroma of dried fig and cloves that jump from the glass initially along with plenty of baking spice. An oaky dryness provides balance, which quickly builds the anticipation for a taste. A small sip fills the mouth with jam-like cooked fruit, vanilla, and a touch of smoke. The finish quickly builds in dark spices until the end as hints of tobacco leave you with the final impressions of this bourbon.

During the summer of 2006 the sun and weather inevitably contributed to increased evaporation, wood interaction and rich flavors in this bourbon whiskey. The angel’s share amounted to an astonishingly high 63.9% loss.

“A robust and flavorful palate from beginning to end. This bourbon is unusually rich” said Kris Comstock at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “Typically bourbons at this age from upper floors will have a woody flavor due to the higher temperatures. These Tornado Surviving barrels are well rounded and quite tasty.”

The Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Bourbon is the third in the line of the E. H. Taylor, Jr. collection of whiskeys to be released over the next few years. It joins the Old Fashioned Sour Mash Bourbon and the Single Barrel Bourbon, which Buffalo Trace Distillery released in 2011. Like the other two releases, this Tornado Surviving Bourbon will have very limited availability and will be packaged in a similar vintage label and canister, which are reminiscent of Taylor’s bottles nearly one hundred years ago.

Taylor is widely considered one of the founding fathers of the bourbon industry, fighting for the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, nearly three decades after he purchased the now Buffalo Trace Distillery. During his time, Taylor implemented several innovative methods still used today by Buffalo Trace, such as climate controlled aging warehouses. In addition to his bourbon interests, Taylor had political ties. He was the great-nephew of President Zachary Taylor and elected the mayor of Frankfort, state representative to the Kentucky General Assembly and a member of the State Senate.

The E.H. Taylor, Jr. Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Bourbon will be available for $69.99 per 750ml bottle.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Malt Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotrace.com.

INVITATION – COME IN FROM THE COLD

WHISKY AND CHEESE PAIRING EVENT
with Head Barman, Cesar Da Silva

19th January, 6.00pm to 7.45pm

The Capital Hotel’s award winning Bar Manager, Cesar Da Silva, has created London’s only Whisky and Cheese pairing menu.

Truly passionate about all things whisky, Cesar has scoured every distillery in the land, hunting out the rarest whiskies to augment the The Capital Hotel’s unrivalled collection.

Not surprisingly, Cesar’s passion has resulted in him being awarded the honour of ‘The Keeper of the Quaich’ by a global society of whisky distillers. As well as the youngest keeper in the UK, he collected Campari Barman of the Year award in 2004.

Join Cesar for his one off showcase and discover how to make an intelligent stab at detecting a Benromach from a Balvanie – and the perfect cheese to serve it with. Stretching the tastebuds further as a one off event, Cesar will pair whisky with salmon and chocolate. What better way to celebrate Burns Night! (25 January 2012)

6pm – Arrival for a vintage style whisky cocktail and introduction at The Capital Bar

6.15pm – Get the nose: Sample a selection of rare whiskies with three food types – demonstrating the subtleties of choosing a complementing whisky for:-

• cheeses
• salmon – poached and smoked
• chocolate

7.45pm – Ends

Biography – Cesar Da Silva

Remarkably in an industry not known for high rates of staff retention, Cesar has spent his entire working life at The Capital Hotel Group. Leaving his native Portugal in 1996 to stay with relatives in London, he managed to secure a part-time position in the hotel’s room service department.

Combining work with studying for a diploma in hospitality, Cesar was eventually appointed Assistant Bar Manager of The Capital on a three month trial. Two years later, at the age of just 24, he was promoted to Bar Manager.

The Capital, 22-24 Basil St, Knightsbridge, London SW3 1AT
Telephone: 020 7591 1202
www.capitalhotel.co.uk 

Bruichladdich Sherry Classic (46%, OB, 2010)

When war with France brought an end to the supply of wine casks for whisky maturation, Jerez became the favoured source. Sherry cask maturation has long been a favourite with the whisky connoisseur, and this dram is classic Bruichladdich, with extra maturation in casks from legendary Jerez producer Fernando de Castilla – a marriage made in heaven! Fino, Palo Cortado and Manzanilla casks co-exist beautifully with the vanilla sweetness of Bourbon barrels. (Brucihladdich.com)

The nose is light at first and then some middle weight sherry aromas come forth, not heavily rich like Oloroso or Pedro Ximenez but lighter with citrus, cherries, brown sugar and hints of brine. Deep in the glass the brown sugar is much more evident and the aromas are quite nice indeed. Time is the glass allows for the rich sweetness to push aside the citrus notes and some really good buttery notes appear. On to the taste which is once again filled with sherried goodness along with a hefty dose of leather and black pepper with a late arrival of some malt. The combination of the sherry, the leather and the black pepper work well together. The finish is much like the nose and taste; nothing untoward pops up; the sherry, leather and black pepper are also in evidence along with a late return of the citrus notes and tad a! A little malt just to round thing up quite nicely.

Some times ‘extra maturation works and some times it does not. This time it worked. Huzzah!

£37

Score 86 points

New Arrivals…

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

1997 Bunnahabhain 13 Year Old Murray McDavid Port Finish Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($65.99)

1999 Laphroaig 11 Year Old, Murray McDavid, Lafite Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($69.99)

Back in Stock…

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

1999 Bowmore 11 Year Old Murray McDavid Yquem Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($59.99)

1999 Bowmore 11 Year Old Signatory Unchillfiltered Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 8 available ($54.99)

2002 Bowmore 8 Year Old Murray McDavid Latour Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 5 available ($49.99)

Clynelish 11 year old, Unchillfiltered Signatory Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($49.99)

1971 Macallan Speymalt 38 year old Gordon & MacPhail Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($359.99)

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

Ralfy at www.ralfy.com has uncovered a hidden Whisky-Gem in Whisky Review 242 – Sheep Dip Old Hebridean 1990 . . . Ralfy recommended!

Polo Crowd Celebrate the Ultimate New Year in India

Royal Salute, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, marked its third year as title sponsor of The Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, with its largest and most international crowd watching the Central Academy team win the impressive tournament.

The annual New Year’s Eve Procession, lead by His Highness the Maharaja of Jodhpur, marked the end of the five day polo event with the Central Academy team taking the title, outshining the Yuvraj Knights on the day with some scintillating polo.

The tournament attracted a high quality field including India’s Samir Suhag and Argentina’s Andres Weisz, both 5 goal players. Guests of nobility such as Prince Carl-Eugen Oettingen-Wallerstein and his wife Princess Anna of Bavaria also took part.

Set in the majestic shadows of Umaid Bhawan Palace, guests of Royal Salute were hosted from 26 – 31 December by His Highness with guest of honour, the 13th Duke of Argyll, the Hereditary Master of the Royal Household in Scotland. VIPs from every continent enjoyed the five days of international polo which culminated in the exclusive Royal Salute Golden Jubilee Ball.

Neil Macdonald, Global Brand Director for Royal Salute, commented: “There is no event quite like the Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup. Set within one of the world’s most majestic cities, guests have been treated to breathtaking experiences and a world-class polo tournament. This has truly been a spectacular event.”

The Maharaja’s famous New Year’s Eve procession and celebration at Mehrangarh Fort provided an unforgettable conclusion to the Jodhpur polo season, with an extraordinary spectacle of traditional dance, music, fireworks and festivities, ending on the rooftop above the blue city with a party under the stars.

The Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup further highlights Royal Salute’s growing commitment to international polo, with sponsorships of some of the world’s most prestigious polo events across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Royal Salute World Polo Series continues in January 2012 at the Royal Salute Nations Cup in Dubai.

Royal Salute
The pinnacle of Scotch whisky, award-winning Royal Salute was first created as a tribute by Chivas Brothers to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II upon her coronation in 1953. This defining luxury whisky has a very powerful and sophisticated style, and has become the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky brand.

Royal Salute has a long legacy of paying tribute to nobility and leadership; it is part of the brand’s DNA
• 1953: Royal Salute created to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation
• 2003: Royal Salute 50 Year Old launched for the 50th anniversary of the coronation, also paid tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary’s and Sir Tensing Norgay’s on the anniversary of their successful ascent of Everest
• 2005: Royal Salute 38 Year Old launched – a tribute from Scotland, inspired by the Stone of Destiny
• 2010: Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute launched paying tribute to the craftsmanship of the four master blenders who have safeguarded the Royal Salute legacy since 1953
• 2011: Royal Salute Tribute to Honour launched, the Honours are most notable and compelling symbols of Scottish royalty

Royal Salute World Polo
In addition to the Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, Jodhpur, India, the Scotch whisky is proud to support some of the world’s most prestigious and luxurious polo tournaments.
• China Royal Salute Tang Polo Cup, Beijing
• China Royal Salute China Open, Beijing
• UAE Royal Salute Nations Cup, Dubai
• Brazil Triple Coroa Tournament, Helvetia Polo Club, Sao Paulo
• Australia Sydney Gold Cup, Sydney
• Korea Country Polo Club, Jeju

In 2011, Royal Salute World Polo was proud to support several charity polo tournaments, supporting charities whose patrons include the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
• U.S The Foundation Polo Challenge 2011, Santa Barbara, California in aid of the U.S Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry
• UK The Sentebale Polo Cup 2011, Coworth Park, Berkshire,
• UK Bernard Weatherhill Polo Cup, Tetbury, England

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.

Let other poets raise a fracas
“Bout vines, an’ wines, an’ drucken Bacchus,
An’ crabbit names an’stories wrack us,
An’ grate our lug:
I sing the juice Scotch bear can mak us,
In glass or jug.
Taken from Scotch Drink , Robert Burns 1785
 
As we approach Burns Night, around the globe a glass will be raised to toast the Bard and his poetry. The above translates nicely after a few Duncan Taylor drams – contact us now for replenishments! 

New Dimensions Bottlings Available:

Dimensions Glen Elgin 1999 12yo 46.0% Batch 1
Colour:  Gold
Nose:  Gooseberries, lime becomes thicker. Beeswax, lemon sherbet and then some menthol notes.
Taste: Lots of fruits, touch of chocolate and faint aniseed notes.
Finish: Becomes a little grassier, touch of cinnamon stocks, grated nutmeg and slightly bruised bananas.
Comment:  A lot going on, mainly fruit and grassy – I like it!!
 
Dimensions Glenlossie 2000 11yo 46.0% Batch 1
Colour:  Pale Gold
Nose: Rhubarb & custard. Pine nuts and a touch of dry smoke.
Taste: Crisp and robust. Very rounded. Fruit and spices with a buttery coating.
Finish: Long and citrusy becoming dry right at the end.
Comment:  A well-balanced delicious dram!!
 
Dimensions Glen Moray 1994 17YO 46.0% Batch 1
Colour: Bright Gold
Nose: Fresh mint, lime cordial and candy cane (or have I been over-indulging on the Christmas goodies!)
Taste: Wow – Rich, fruits, pistachio nuts, barley, sugar and a juicy oakiness.
Finish: Light spices, white pepper and caramel chews.
Comment:  This is Delicious!
 
Dimensions Glentauchers 1996 15yo 46.0% Batch 1
Colour:  Gold
Nose:  Sweet vanilla, strawberries, cream and some kiwi fruit. Touch of ground ginger, butterscotch, honey and then toffee.
Taste: Vanilla, orange zest, some grassy notes emerge with coconut milk, lemon grass and more ground ginger.
Finish: Soft, whisps of lemon bon bons and crème brulee.
Comment: Lots of fruit with slight Thai notes.
 
Dimensions Linkwood 1997 14yo 46.0% Batch 1
Colour:  Pale Straw
Nose: Iced gingerbread. Lovely creaminess, vanilla essence.
Taste: Lemon grass. Chewy and thick mouth feel. Apples, green bananas. A veritable fruit salad.
Finish: Lingering fruitiness with buttery shortbread.
Comment:  A juicy dram!
 
Dimensions Macduff 1997 14yo 46.0% Batch 1
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose:  Sweet grass, Fresh oak, lemongrass, creamy toffee notes and toasted almonds.
Taste: Sweet apples, hint of ginger, lemon. Touch of aniseed, creamy.
Finish: Initial fruity notes gives way to oaky creaminess.
Comment:  A refreshing dram!
 
Dimensions Braes of Glenlivet 1989 22yo 55.4% Cask 979
Colour: Pale Straw
Nose: Touch of menthol, buttered brown bread. Ground ginger, some toffee notes with light hay and greenhouses!
Taste: Sweet, lots of vanilla with a hint of bitter chocolate. Some fresh cut grass still stuck in the mower (Warm grass)!  Touch of mint and faint coconut.
Finish: Medium to long with honey, ground almonds and a trace of pistachios.
Comment:  Braeval/Braes of Glenlivet? Whatever you call it this is a great 11am dram!
 
Dimensions Glen Moray 1991 20yo 54.8% Cask 9408
Colour: Gold
Nose: Spearmint, vanilla and orange zest. Jelly beans.
Taste: Vanilla spices, creamy fudge. Touch of cinnamon, sprinklings of icing sugar.
Finish: Tremendous length. Lush!
Comment:  A “Cracking” Dram!!
 
Dimensions Glen Moray 1986 25yo 51.6% Cask 2311
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Cocoa powder, oxo cubes, flat cola, orange blossoms and candy floss.
Taste: Honey, some more fruits, honeycomb. Touch of saltiness and then some ginger root (whole) and all spice.
Finish: More grassy notes emerge – touch of cranberries and iced sponge cake.
Comment:  Perfect for a crisp winter morning!
 
Dimensions Glenlivet 1981 30yo 44.3% Cask 9624
Colour:  Warm Gold
Nose: Almonds, leather, peaches, liquorice, cream rhubarb, soft pickles and grain mustard.
Taste:  Caramel, gooseberries, soft oakiness and then some heavier fruits. Figs and dates, and then mint. Toffee sweets gets bigger and bigger.
Finish: Lots of toffee, traces of wood smoke and lots of raisin butter.
Comment:  Glenlivet really does age well – toffee and fruits all the way!!
 
Dimensions Teaninich 1983 28yo 48.0% Cask 6717
Colour:  Bright Gold
Nose: Fresh mint, sugar coated almonds and a dollop of vanilla custard.
Taste:  Greengages, lime, lemon zest. Hint of aniseed and a touch of juicy oak.
Finish: Long and refreshing with the fruits lingering.
Comment:  A fresh vibrant dram.
 
Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Limited

Glenfarclas NAS 175th Anniversary (43%, OB, 2011)

A conflicted no age statement Glenfarclas; a lack of clear age statement on the label however 1836 and 2011 also on the label. No matter this bottling is to celebrate their 175th Anniversary, well done indeed. The nose is very big and very sherried with some leather and tobacco (representing wood notes) in the back ground but the sherry is center stage and it’s very good. Rich and sweet, this is all very nice and very seductive. The taste is gentle and the wood notes arrive first, a little dryness and then the sherry arrives, once again very rich and sweet. Quite excellent! Dried fruits (apricot, raisins, black currents) and of course some Christmas cake. The finish is very spicy and dry at first and then dry sherry arrives along with more of the oak spice and it continues to for quite a while and remains very good to the end.

What an excellent dram! A sherry bomb that fits the bill very nicely indeed.

£80

Score 89 points

Join Us for a very special event!

5007 Underwood Ave
Omaha, Nebraska 68132
402-553-9501
http://www.dundeedell.com/

Hello Dell Friends! We hope everyone had a safe and Happy New Years!  We are having a very special scotch tasting this month, Ed Kohl is presenting the tasting on Thursday, January 19th @ 7 p.m.  Make sure to make a reservation before it sells out (http://www.dundeedell.com/ / 402.553.9501).