Here is a new malt maniacs E-pistle by Dr. Lex about data crunching on Alfred Barnard’s distillery descriptions. Some interesting results here…
http://www.maltmaniacs.net/E-pistles/Malt-Maniacs-2012-02-Victorian.pdf
Whisky Review 246 2/2 – three great ways to drink whisky … alive and kicking at www.ralfy.com
Patrick Van Zuidam Masterclass
6th February 2012, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Milroy’s of Soho, 3 Greek Street, London W1D 4NX
Patrick Van Zuidam’s constant search for perfection has led to the creation of an extraordinary range of exquisite Dutch whiskies. This is one of the highlights of our 2012 tasting schedule and a must for all whisky enthusiasts. Book early to avoid disappointment.
To place an order please visit www.milroys.co.uk,call Elizabeth on 020 7437 2385or email Elizabeth.Williams@jeroboams.co.uk
Our mailing address is:
Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London, England W1D 4NX
Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases Fourth Round of Single Oak Project Bourbon
Differences in Aging Warehouses Are Examined
FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Jan. 2012) – Through the years, much debate has taken place in the whiskey industry about the barrel aging warehouses and what effect they have on the finished product. How much does a concrete warehouse offer a different taste than a metal clad warehouse? What about the upper floors vs. the lower floors? In the fourth release of the Single Oak Project Bourbon Whiskey, Buffalo Trace Distillery experiments with some of these questions by focusing on warehouse placement, using two particular warehouses to compare taste profiles.
In this experiment, Warehouses K and L are highlighted. Warehouse K is a brick warehouse built in 1933 with wooden floors. There are nine floors total in Warehouse K and barrels are stored three high in the ricks. It is considered a good warehouse for different ages of bourbons. It has good air flow, with the first floor being cool and damp for slow aging and the top floor being hot and dry, which ages young barrels more quickly.
Warehouse L is also a brick warehouse, but with concrete floors. It was built in 1936 and has five floors. The barrels are stored six high. Warehouse L is considered the best all-around warehouse by some at the Distillery. The windows on the west side of the building bring a consistent air flow. With its slow temperature changes, Warehouse L is great for slow aging wheat bourbons. Its concrete walls and floors create a very concentrated aging environment.
Two other additional variables will be explored in this fourth release, recipe and grain size. Some of the bottles contain bourbon made with rye and others with wheat. The barrels themselves were made from different trees, each with varying degrees of thickness to their wood grain, from fine to average to very coarse. All other variables in the experimental project remain constant, such as the stave seasoning, tree cut, char level and entry proof. “Aging barrels in different environments effects the taste of the whiskey”, said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller. “There has always been much discussion about warehouse placement, even amongst ourselves, so we’re anxious to hear how others rate these bourbons.”
As with the other three releases, Buffalo Trace hopes consumers can continue to rate each whiskey they taste online at http://www.singleoakproject.com/. This feedback will help Buffalo Trace determine which bourbon, and even which aging warehouse, bourbon connoisseurs prefer most. After reviewing a bottle online, consumers will be availed of all the aging details and provenance of the barrel. They can interact with others who’ve also reviewed the barrel, compare their reviews, and even learn for themselves which characteristics they enjoy most, in order to help them select future favorites. Participants online will earn points after each review and most importantly, help Buffalo Trace Distillery create the perfect bourbon!
The Single Oak Project is part of an intensive research project Buffalo Trace Distillery started conducting in 1999 by hand picking 96 trees with different wood grains and then dividing them into a top and bottom piece, yielding 192 unique sections. From there, staves were created from each section and were air dried for either 6 months or 12 months. After all the staves were air dried, a single barrel was created from each tree section, resulting in 192 total barrels. These barrels were given either a number three or a number four char and then filled with either wheat or rye recipe bourbon.
To further the variety of experiments, the barrels were filled at two different proofs, 105 and 125 proof. And if this wasn’t enough, two completely different warehouses were used, one with wooden floors and one with concrete floors. In total, seven different variables were employed in Buffalo Trace’s ultimate experiment.
For eight years the Distillery continued with its tracking process, creating intricate databases and coming up with a potential of 1,396 tasting combinations from these 192 barrels!
The Single Oak Project Bourbon is being released in a series every three months over the next four years until all of the 192 barrels have been released. The first three releases hit select stores in 2011. This fourth release will start showing up at the end of February. Like all the other releases, the quantities are very limited. Every case will contain 12 bottles, each from a different barrel. The fourth release is made up of barrel numbers 10, 14, 42, 46, 74, 78, 106, 110, 138, 142, 170, 174. All releases will be packaged in a 375ml bottle. Suggested retail pricing per bottle is $46.35.
At the conclusion of the Single Oak Project, the Distillery plans to take the top rated barrel based on online consumer feedback, make more of that product and launch it under the Single Oak Project nameplate.
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 http://www.buffalotrace.com/.
Dalmore Cromartie
Cromartie is the third in a series of limited edition releases crafted by Master Distiller, Richard Paterson, in homage to the Clan Mackenzie. It celebrates the ancient lands of Cromartie, heartland of the clan, and home to Castle Leod, the clan’s historic seat. The Mackenzies have held lands in Cromartie since the 1600’s and to this day the clan chief still bears the title ‘Earl of Cromartie’. Stored deep in the heart of the castle and kept safe under lock and key is an ancient map depicting the lands of Cromartie. Drawn up in 1762 as part of the government’s order to map ‘rebels estates’, the map is a work of art in itself.
EXPERT CRAFTSMANSHIP
* Distilled in 1996, The Dalmore Cromartie was initially matured in American white oak casks before being transferred to Oloroso sherry casks from world renowned bodega Gonzalez Byass, Jerez de la Frontera.
TASTE NOTES
* This malt is a complex composition of unashamed luxury with captivating aromas of bergamot, mandarin and lemon grass.
* Exciting notes of dark bitter chocolate, rich Colombian coffee and old English marmalade.
* An intricate infusion of Seville oranges, sun-drenched pedro ximenez grapes and spicy cinnamon reward the palate.
EXQUISITE PACKAGING
* Limited to just 7,500 bottles worldwide.
* Our distinctive bottle has been adorned with The Dalmore’s iconic metal stag.
* Each gift box is graced with the ancient map of Cromartie
£98.99 inc VAT
Glenmorangie Artein 15 Year Old Super Tuscan Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($79.99) Another limited edition release from the folks at Glenmorangie and this one is perhaps their best effort yet. I have to admit that when I read about Glenmo’s new Sassicaia-finished experiment, I yawned. There are a slew of wine cask-enhanced whiskies on the market and here was simply another one to add to the pile. However, I should have had more faith in Bill Lumsden because this is one of the best Glenmorangie whiskies in years. The aroma is full of red berries and sweet grains, but is also very delicate. The flavors on the palate swim with stone fruit and soft caramel before finishing in a melting glaze of cherries and cocoa. An ultra-smooth mouthfeel full of red fruits really warms the finish – this is great freakin’ single malt! The Artein succeeds because the whisky is already of quality to begin with. In this case, the wine simply adds complexity to what was already a great blend of 15 and 21 year old casks. Even better is the fact that Sassicaia isn’t actually written on the label due to legal restrictions. Glenmorangie doesn’t need to trade on the name of Italy’s most famous Super Tuscan. The Glenmorangie malt is the focus here and Dr. Bill has created enough of a reputation on his own as perhaps the best whisky creator in the business. One need not look any further than the Artein as proof. It’s very, very good. This will sell out fast. -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer.
United States – Bourbon and Rye
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon 750ml (Ships as 1.5L) – 6 available ($24.99)
High West “The 36th Vote” Barrel Aged Manhattan 750ml – 9 available ($44.99)
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
New annual awards not for taste but for design. Kick-off in 2012 with an all-time Whisk(e)y Design contest.
The Whisk(e)y Design Awards are not about the content of the bottle(s): whisky, whiskey or bourbon,
it is about the bottle(s) and the packaging. WW WDA is a private initiative, an independent Whisk(e)y bottle and packaging design contest without any costs.
What is the gain for the industry ? Customer involvement. Recognition and visibility for all nominees. Award winners will gain immortality and a place in history by an honourable mention on our website.
Who can enter nominees ?
Anyone, and for free. Whisky producers, brand owners, designers, distillers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, aficionado’s, consumers, bartenders, you name it, from anywhere in the world.
The World Wide Whisky Design Awards are annual awards recognising excellence in pack design. Judged by an international public panel. you?, of whisky-aficionado’s, professionals and consumers, from around the Globe.
Professional or consumer, let your voice count at: http://www.whiskydesignaward.com/
Nominations, ratings and votes can be submitted by members, nonetheless I myself am looking for possible nominees to enter in the contest. If you have a whisky -bottle, -package or label-series, either submit it on the website or send me information about your nominee, such as press-publications, photo’s and links to web-pages.
WHISKY FESTIVAL
Saturday 24th November 2012
Easterbrook Hall
The Crichton, Dumfries
At last our 2nd Drambuster’s Whisky Festival has been booked… get the date in your diaries now! The venue has changed this year to accommodate the expected increase in numbers attending so this year, and indeed for the next few years it has been moved to The Easterbrook Hall at The Crichton, Bankend Road, Dumfries. This is a much bigger venue and will accommodate all our suppliers and a seated area with food and drink in the one room.
The format will remain the same as last year, with attendees able to freely taste as well as having a couple of master classes for those that wish a more in depth lesson on the whiskies.
As it is a mile or so from the town centre, we will be running a free bus from the venue that will ferry festival goers back to the town at the end of the day.
Further details will follow shortly and tickets will go on sale in a few months.
The festival is open to all over the age of 18. You do NOT require to be a ‘Drambuster’ to attend but you are more than welcome to join anyway (if you haven’t already) and be kept up to date with all our news.
CLICK HERE IF YOU WISH TO JOIN
Our mailing address is:
T.B.Watson Ltd.
11/17 English Street
Dumfries, Scotland DG1 2BU
Whiskies of the World San Francisco Update
Hello Whisky Fans!
We hope that you kicked off the New Year in a spirited mood! Don’t be too hard on yourselves for breaking some of those pesky resolutions. The WoW Expo staff only made resolutions we’re guaranteed to keep such as making the fast approaching WoW Expo the best whisky tasting event ever! Tickets are selling briskly and we’re fielding new requests from exhibitors every week so it looks like we’re on track to keep that resolution.
WoW 2012 Expo tickets
If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, we wholeheartedly recommend not waiting any longer! The show will sell out earlier than usual this year. Our friends who already bought tickets should start planning their sampling routes and whisky destinations. Our newsletters and Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible can help guide you. Don’t have a Whisky Bible on your bookshelf? You can buy one on our website or win it in our contest: send us a 25-word narrative on “What’s the best thing about Whisky for you?” Send to contest@whiskiesoftheworld.com . Three lucky winners will score copies of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. It’s a wonderful chance to practice your creative writing! For those of few words but discerning palate, if you buy four or more Expo tickets we’ll send you a free copy of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible while supplies last.
General Admission: $120
VIP (Sold Out) $150
Dram Club: $130 
Dram Club Membership: $60
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Expo Update
Now for an update on some of the amazing spirits and features you will find at the 13th annual WOW Expo in San Francisco, Saturday night March 31, 2012 on board the docked San Francisco Belle. The Expo features three ballroom sized decks full of whiskies, music and food as well as an open air top deck looking over the Bay. While your taste buds anticipate hedonistic pleasures as you browse the current pour list, we’ll tease you with some of the other great fun to be had at the show.
The evening begins with the immensely educational and FUN Masterclasses presented by the stars of the whisky world. Sign up NOW, for no extra charge, on line at the website, to reserve your space at these limited experiences. Get up close and personal with Master Distillers and Blenders of some of the world’s most remarkable spirits. All the Masterclasses are very space limited and should be reserved in advance at the following sign up page. Click through and check out your incredible options…this isn’t fair! It’s too hard to choose!!!
In case you can’t wait for Expo night itself, our next WoW whisky dinner is set for Feb 22 at the Cigar Bar & Grill in San Francisco. If you can’t get enough of the whiskies presented at the Cigar Bar & Grill, just remember that you’ll be able to re-sample them at the Expo in the company of even more whisky enthusiasts. For more details and to reserve your space at this epicurean whisky adventure, click here.
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On to our featured whiskies and some wonderful palate pleasures of the culinary type
Scotland really fires us up this year with more new and unique expressions of highly individualistic single malts bottled by Douglas Laing & Company. At the Expo, take a chance and learn first-hand about the exciting success story of the family run Glasgow-based independent bottler and blender. The extraordinary Laing Brothers talents have been put to remarkable use selecting the finest casks available. This year WOW features the following expressions for your sampling pleasure:
• Douglas of Drumlanrig Breaval 11
• Douglas of Drumlanrig Mortlach 18
• Douglas of Drumlanrig Macallan 21
• Douglas XO Blended Scotch Whisky
• Clan Denny Speyside Malt
• Clan Denny Islay Malt
What else can we add? Every single whisky on the list shouts “WoW”, from the “who said I’m inferior to a single malt” Douglas XO Blended to the “as smoky as a Highlander is allowed to be” Macallan.
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Curious about the micro-distilling explosion in the USA?
Meet and talk with one of the most intrepid gents in the industry, Phil Prichard. He’s the classic tale of a man who followed his heart and a tradition started by his great-great grandfather by building the first new legal distillery in Tennessee in nearly fifty years! He’s made a name for himself, his spirits and his unique distilling process. Prichard’s Tennessee Whiskey, made of high-sugar white corn in a pot still according to true Irish traditions, will be an adventure on the palate for any whisky lover. Phil will talk to you all night, if you let him, about his passion for distilling and life on the US whisky trail! The Expo is proud to say that Phil is one of the many artisan distillers that we brought to the public eye through our support of craft brands! Be sure to ask him about granddaddy Ben’s original recipes and whether you can use his Sweet Lucy Bourbon Liqueur as a home remedy for the common cold (statements not endorsed by the FDA)!
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The Irish
After your sensory tour of Scotland and the US it’s time to move on. Ireland is a major player on the world whiskey scene. The Expo is proud to host Michael Collins Irish Whiskey. Distilled at Cooley Distillery in Dundalk, recently purchased by Beam Global, this whiskey is named for Michael Collins, leader of Irish independence. Michael Collins Irish Whiskey is double distilled for a proper balance of purity and character then matured in bourbon seasoned casks. Both the Single Malt and Blended whiskeys are rich and smooth, characterized by complexity and backbone. Treat yourself to a post St. Paddy’s day sampling of these fine examples of the Irish distiller’s art.
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Looking for a tasty snack between spirits? Back again with the the most delicious condiment this side of Loch Lommond, MacQuade’s Celtic Chutneys compliment all our spirits as well as the food samples you’ll find at the expo such as Californian old-fashioned raw-milk cheeses by Fiscalini and the unusual all natural Krave Jerky. Don’t miss any of these taste delights!
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Cigars any one?
Are you one of the many cigar lovers at the Expo? If so, don’t miss the Masterclass conducted by Ed Trevino from General Cigar Company. A knowledgeable brand ambassador with 20 years of experience in the premium tobacco industry, Ed has traveled to many exotic cigar producing countries and sampled myriads of iconic cigars. Ed is a true cigar lover himself! He likes his cigar, either Cohiba or Partagas, paired with a glass of scotch or bourbon. Did anybody think it would be coffee? We’ll pair Cigars with Douglas of Drumlanrig Mortlach 18 and Richard’s Double Chocolate Bourbon during the Masterclass. All cigar and whisky enthusiasts and experimenters are welcome to join this highly informative and “perfect” pairing session. Remember – you are encouraged to SIGN UP IN ADVANCE at the website to reserve your seats for this limited-seating masterclass.
We’ll leave you here to dream of Expo eve and hope you’ll bring friends and co workers who have never before experienced this greatest of whisky events!
Slainte!
Douglas Smith
