A message from Michael Traverso and Fred Thumhart of the Sonoma County Single Malt Society

“We are pleased to announce our first public tasting will occur April 1st. (Kind of fitting from the two of us, don’t you think?)”

Here are the details:

Date: Sunday, April 1, 2012
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Where: Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel, Russian River Room
What: We will be tasting whiskies from Amrut, Blackadder and Glenglassaugh.

Please email us if you are interested in attending this event. Include your phone number so we can contact you for payment. info@sonomasinglemalt.com

A New Decade, A New Spirit

Winners of 11th Teacher’s Achievement Awards include:

Teacher’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma
Teacher’s Achievement Award for Business: Ronnie Screwvala, Zarine Mehta; Siddharth Roy Kapur for UTV Motion Pictures
Teacher’s Achievement Award for Communication (Electronic Journalism) : Nidhi Razdan
Teacher’s Achievement Award for Sports : Gagan Narang
Teacher’s Achievement Award for Entertainment: Vidya Balan
Teacher’s Global Indian Achiever Award: Anil Kapoor
People Teacher’s Achiever Award: Anushka Sharma
Teacher’s Youth Achievers’ Club Recognition: Durjoy Datta

All roads in Delhi led to the ITC Maurya as Beam Inc celebrated the spirit of achievement with the 11th Teacher’s Achievement Awards (TAA). The evening commemorated the start of the second decade of the one of the most prestigious, respected and admired Teacher’s Achievement Awards by welcoming into its fold the finest achievers from the fields of Business, Entertainment, Sports and Communication. The awards underwent a stringent evaluation process by a distinguished panel of jury members before the final winners were announced in the national capital today.

Recognizing the tireless efforts of taking India to the global stage, TAA honoured the inimitable Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Sharma has been at the forefront of taking Indian classical music to the international stage while being steadfast attached to the Indian roots. His contribution to Indian music is unmatchable and achievements as an individual, insurmountable. He is credited with making the Santoor a popular Classical Instrument. Sharma is the recipient of various national and international awards, including an honorary citizenship of the city of Baltimore, USA, in 1985, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1986, the Padma Shri in 1991, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001. The award was presented by Shabana Azmi, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Matt Shattock, President and CEO, Beam Inc.

Congratulating winners of the 11th TAA, Matthew J Shattock, President and CEO, Beam Inc said, “The Teacher’s Achievement Awards have come a long way in the past decade. This is a very proud moment for all of us at Beam as we enter the second decade of achievements and excellence with the Teacher’s Achievement Awards. I would like to congratulate all the winners – present as well as past – who have excelled … thanks to their talent … steadfast determination … and winning spirit. It is an honor to be in the company of such a rich spectrum of accomplishment from so many walks of life.”

Anil Kapoor who has received international acclaim for his contribution to Indian cinema was recognised with the Teacher’s Global Indian Achiever Award. Dr L Subramaniam, Ramesh Sippy and Harish Moolchandani, CEO and Managing Director Beam India and ISC gave away the award to Kapoor.

The bubbly and vibrant Anushka Sharma who has been seen playing vivid roles in films like Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Patiala House, Badmaash Company, Band Baaja Baaraat received the People Teacher’s Achiever Award.

The evening opened with a stunning performance of Manasi Scott who performed the Teacher’s anthem to an alluring audience. This was followed with the traditional “Teacher’s Achievers’ Walk” designed and choreographed by the designer duo Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna. The duo crafted a special collection for the past winners, jury members which included – Shabana Azmi, Pankaj Advani, Feroz Abbas Khan, Louis Bankz, Prahlad Kakkar, L Subramaniam, Nagesh Kukunoor, Manish Arora, Michael Ferreira, Prasoon Joshi, Anjali Bhagwat and Boman Irani.

Mr Harish Moolchandani, CEO and Managing Director Beam India & ISC said, “I would like to congratulate all the winners who have not only excelled in their own individual capacity but are in some way anchors for the future of this beautiful country by becoming an example of motivation to the youth of today. Teacher’s Achievement Awards are a symbol of excellence. And we are proud to be associated with individuals of the stature that we see today. Beam Inc welcomes each and every winner of the 11th Teacher’s Achievement Awards into its family.”

Boman Irani, who has been associated with the Teacher’s Achievement Award since 2003, co-hosted the evening with Vir Sanghavi. Irani was honoured with the Teacher’s Achiever of the Decade in 2010. The evening also saw mesmerizing acts by Eric Luna and Georgia Ambarian. After performing in Hong Kong, Germany, Poland, Canada, Mexico, South Africa and all over the United States, Eric and Georgia stunned the Indian audience with their extraordinary ballroom dancing skills. The grand finale saw a splendid performance with solo acts followed by a jugalbandi between Anoushka Shankar, Medieval Punditz, Karsh Kale and Angaraag ‘Papon’ Mahanta.

The evening saw past winners, jury members and key stakeholders of the Teacher’s Achievement Awards join the celebrations at the Nandiya Gardens at ITC Maurya. Those present included Ramesh Sippy, Jacqueline Fernandes, Kavita Subramaniam, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Vinod Mehta, Kashi Memani, BS Nagesh and Pablo Bartholomew among others.

Nominees for the 11th Teacher’s Achievement Awards included:

Business

Ronnie Screwwala and Zarine Mehta for UTV
Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor for Balaji Telefilms
Yash Chopra for Yashraj Films
Kishore Lulla & Sunil Lulla for Eros Entertainment
Shahrukh Khan & Gauri Khan for Red Chillies Entertainment
Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar for Excel Entertainment

Communication

Vikram Chandra – NDTV
Sonia Verma Singh – NDTV
Nidhi Razdan – NDTV
Shereen Bhan – CNBC
Anuradha Sengupta – CNBC

Entertainment

Farhan Akhtar
Anushka Sharma
Vidya Balan
Hrithik Roshan
Imran Khan

Sports

Gagan Narang
Vijender Singh
Jwala Gutta
Arjun Atwal
Saina Nehwal

The event was managed by Wizcraft International.

As a precursor to the TAA, Beam Inc commissioned a special television series, “Achiever’s Club”, a 14-part series that showcased the glittery, glamorous and fabulous lives of self-made achievers of India. The Achievers’ Club is an exclusive series where India’s most celebrated achievers like KP Singh, Vidya Balan, Rajeev Chandrashekhar, Naveen Jindal, Manish Arora, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and many more share their success mantras and millionaire lifestyle with the host Vir Sanghvi. The series currently AIRs on Star World on Saturday @ 8pm.

Instituted in 2001, the Teacher’s Achievement Awards recognise the true potential of human endeavour. Over the years, the awards have welcomed into its family, achievers who are the nation’s most respected names in the realms of business, sports, entertainment, literature, fashion, lifestyle and communication. Today, it stands as the most definitive platform of recognition for India’s finest, most trailblazing achievers. Now in its 11th edition, the awards greet the decade ahead by saluting the achievers who have made their ‘mark of achievement’.

The Teacher’s Achievement Awards, in partnership with KPMG and the Advisory Board oversee a stringent selection process and grade the nominees before the Jury takes over. The nominees are evaluated on the basis of specific criteria – proven track record, originality, innovation, peer recognition and significant milestones achieved in the chosen area of expertise. The final winners chosen by the Jury members are then felicitated at the grand finale.

Beam Inc is using the online and offline space very aggressively to promote the 11th Teacher’s Achievement Awards. Information is being shared using multiple communication channels, including the official website of the awards, www.teachersachievementawards.com. Regular updates, interesting information and latest developments on the awards will also be made available on Twitter. Users can follow the awards on the official TAA page on facebook – www.facebook.com/TeachersIndia  and on twitter at http://twitter.com/TeachersIndia . Internet users can view event videos by subscribing to the official channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TeachersIndia/featured

Ralfy @ www.ralfy.com launches an exciting (and uniquely innovative/exclusive/never-to-be-repeated e.t.c. e.t.c.) Vlog about Scotch with no Malt in it …Whisky Review #255 – Carsebridge Grain Scotch Whisky

Here is the link to the catalogue fortheir first major whisky auction taking place in Glasgow on March 28th, 2012.

English Whisky Jubilee Decanter

Today, the Queen will begin a tour of the UK as part of celebrations to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

The English Whisky Company have launched a collectable, yet affordable expression celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years as our Monarch.

A unique one-off single malt whisky never to be repeated, with only 2000 bottles available in the UK .

This bottle will attract a huge audience of whisky collectors, royalist souvenir collectors and novelty buyers worldwide.

English Whisky Comapny created a special bottling of single malt to celebrate the wedding of Will & Kate last year and they sold very quickly with us……

£59.99
*PRE-ORDER ONLY*
CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

GLEN GRANT 60 YEARS OLD

 QUEEN ELIZABETH II DIAMOND JUBILEE (1952-2012)

A 60 year old malt Single Malt Whisky has been launched today (6th February 2012) in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubillee by one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialist.

Gordon & MacPhail – the Elgin based and family-run Single Malt Whisky specialist – has released only 85 bottles of Glen Grant 60 years old.

On the 6th February 1952, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and became Head of the Commonwealth. Four days earlier on the 2nd February 1952, on the instruction of George Urquhart, two First Fill Sherry Hogsheads – cask numbers 465 and 466 – were filled at Glen Grant and left to quietly mature at the distillery.

Cask 465 was transferred to the Bonded Warehouses of Gordon & MacPhail on 26th March 1968. On the 2nd February 2012, exactly sixty years after the whisky was distilled, the instruction was given to carefully empty cask number 465 and bottle the precious contents at cask strength.

In honour and celebration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee, the Directors at Gordon & MacPhail have released just 85 decanters of Glen Grant 60 Years Old.

The single Malt is presented in a pyramid shaped crystal decanter adorned with a diamond shaped stopper. Each decanter is expertly engraved – the script in-filled with silver – and uniquely numbered.

The decanter carries an engraved crown with a sparkling Swarovski crystal, set at the meeting point of the crowns two arches. A silver collar, placed around the neck of the decanter completes the presentation.

The decanter is packaged in a hand-crafted box made of Scottish Elm, felled a short distance from Holyrood House, the Queen’s official Scottish residence. The decanter nestles in the box with luxurious, purple Harris Tweed and a dust jacket made from the same material protects the box an the precious contents.

£7,999.99 inc VAT

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

Single Malts Limited | 36 Gordon Street | Huntly | Aberdeenshire | AB54 8EQ | Scotland

This month we have selected five (5) PROVENANCE bottlings.

PROVENANCE Tasting Notes follow:

PRV 0764 Ardmore 8 Year Old
Peated (and somewhat Islay in style) as the nose opens then crunched sugare, leafy smoke and damp green grass appears. Palatewise – it is sweet, softly peated – mouthcoating oily and carries a barley/biscuity quality.T

PRV 0775 Glen Ord 11 Year Old
Opens clean and fresh on the nose, grassy, running to a fresh fruit (pear and banana) character. The palate is gristy sweet then runs to a “poached pears in vanilla syrup” quality. The finish remains fruity throughou the
long finish is warmingly spiced, still softly peated, still lightly smoked (F).

PRV 0779 Glendullan 12 Year Old
The nose opens with an apparent vanilla and crushed sugar quality and develops to a fruity sweetness. Initially the palate is sweet carrying a soft spiced quality plus more fruit – now macerated. This all runs to a dry finish – still spicy and with an oak tang. (J)

PRV 0774 Ben Nevis 14 Year Old
“Warm honey sweet” initially on the nose – as if the honey is dropped into a first stage Hot Toddy plus vanilla pods and citrus. Palatewise – it is nicely “chewy”, toffee sweet with fresh summer fruits and only late can you
catch some gentle spices – which are now more warmly reflected in the finish. (F)

PRV 0776 Caol Ila Young and Feisty
Opens fresh and grassy on the nose, carrying a buttery sweet character then runs to a smoky quality – burnt home bake style. The palate opens sweetly then warms to soft coal tar and sweet smoke – all running to a long
dry finish carrying cigar ashes and a late camphor character. (J)

As always – we are at your service for any enquires you may care to send on to us.

Yours sincerely
Fred Laing
Managing Director

Visit Douglas Laing & Co at www.douglaslaing.com

Royal Salute Launches Majestic Advertising Campaign In China

Royal Salute, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, has unveiled a new television advertising campaign in China to further underline the brand’s luxury status. The ‘Today’s Kings’ commercial is part of Royal Salute’s global communication platform, ‘Noble Leadership’, which aims to explore new dimensions of luxury and redefine the top end of the whisky category.

With a long legacy of paying tribute to nobility and leadership, the brand commissioned consumer research among whisky connoisseurs in China, to define how and why noble leadership is relevant to them. The results helped inspire this latest campaign, which identifies a select group of bold leaders, each with three key attributes – they are visionary and dare to go beyond; they have the boldness, courage and self-belief to grasp their visions; and their actions are not driven by self-interest, but by a belief in a greater good.

The 45 second television commercial, now on air in China, sees four men who are leaders in their respective fields, whose conviction, talent and vision inspire their journey to fulfil their goals. After following them on their respective journeys, the advert concludes with the four men coming together to share a toast with Royal Salute 21 Year Old. The commercial ends with the tagline ‘Royal Salute – the journey begins where others end’.

Neil Macdonald, Brand Director for Royal Salute, said: “We’re delighted with this stirring, masculine new TV creative for the Chinese market. It truly reflects the brand’s power and luxury and will help cement Royal Salute’s position at the highest end of the whisky category.”

The advert was shot in Queenstown, New Zealand, by well-known commercial director Jeff Darling, and features original scored music.

Notes:

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 and this 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 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

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.

For further information: www.chivasbrothers.com

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

1993 Ardbeg 10 Year Cadenhead’s Cask Strength Single Malt 70cl (Elsewhere $250) – 1 available ($169.99)

1994 Ardbeg 11 Year Cadenhead’s Single Malt 70cl (Elsewhere $200) – 1 available ($159.99)

1993 Ardbeg 12 Year Cadenhead’s Cask Strength Single Malt 70cl – 2 available ($179.99)

1994 Ardbeg 12 Year Cadenhead’s Single Malt 70cl – 1 available ($154.99)

1991 Ardbeg 15 Year Old Malt Cask Single Malt 700ml – 1 available ($199.99)

2001 Ardbeg 21 Year Old Committee Release Islay Single Malt Whisky 70cl (Elsewhere $1200) – 2 available ($999.99)

1975 Ardbeg 25 Year Old Malt Cask Single Malt 700ml (Previously $1000) – 1 available ($599.99)

Ardbeg Committee Reserve Islay Single Malt Whisky 700ml – 2 available ($799.99)

1994 Ardbeg Spirit of Scotland Cask Strength Single Malt 70cl – 1 available ($129.99)

1995 Ardbeg Spirit of Scotland Single Malt 700ml – 1 available ($144.99)

1990 Ardbeg Spirit of Scotland Single Malt 70cl – 1 available ($99.99)

Bowmore 10 Year Old (Glass Printed Label) Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 1 available ($59.99)

Bowmore 12 Year (Glass Printed Label) Old Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $100) – 1 available ($69.99)

Bowmore Cask Strength (Glass Printed Label) Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $100) – 2 available ($99.99)

1965 Caledonian 45 Year Old K&L Exclusive Sovereign Single Barrel Cask Strength Grain Whisky 750ml ($169.99) Closed forever in 1988, Caledonian was a Lowland grain distillery that was once famed for having Europe’s biggest patent still. The nose is salted caramel and sticky Sauternes with rich and enticing aromas of sweet goodness. The palate however is grain all the way – lean and herbal, odd and exciting, crazy cool and super fun – truly a difficult malt to truly explain. It almost tastes peated! Knowing this was going to be for the true whisky nerds out there, we originally decided to pass on this cask even though we loved it. However, when the owners let us deal via our own importer, we were able to work out a ridiculous price for such an ancient collectable (the closest comparison we could find was a 45 year Caledonian selling in the UK for more than $200). Similar grains of this age have sold at K&L in the past for over $300. While this bottle isn’t for everyone, it is meant for the curious collector looking to branch out and understand the various styles of Scotch. Grain whisky has always been an important element of blended whisky and continues to provide the backbone to legends like Johnnie Walker Blue and Chivas Regal. While it has recently fallen out of “style,” there is a strong grain whisky revival festering once again and we’re glad to be, as usual, at the forefront of all whisky movements. -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer

Dalmore Cigar Malt Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($129.99)

1990 Girvan 20 Year Old K&L Exclusive Sovereign Single Barrel Cask Strength Grain Whisky 750ml ($82.99) The home of the old Ladyburn distillery, this is the perfect sister bottle to our “Rare Ayrshire” cask (which unfortunately is now sold out). Girvan once housed the now defunct Ladyburn, but was more known for its role in creating the Black Barrel brand available in Scandinavia and Latin America. This is another whopper of a whisky that is difficult to describe. Dry, herbal, grainy on the nose, but the palate is expressive and clean, loaded with vanilla and oak on the front end, but finishing dry with apples and pears in a fruity flurry of flavor. So much fun, but more for the experienced drinker than the novice. We loved the complexity of this whisky, but were very afraid about consumer interest due to its esoteric character. When we learned that we could work with an importer of our choice, we were able to negotiate an amazing price making this deal a no-brainer. Other prices on Girvan of this age (if you can even find a bottle) fester around the $100+ range, making our cask the equivalent of a closeout bargain. David OG and I felt a duty to import this barrel for the super whisky geeks out there, those who are never satisfied with the limited selection of most stores -the uber-curious, adventurous whisky connoisseurs everywhere. Compass Box’s John Glaser told us we were making him proud! -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer

1963 Glenmorangie 22 Year Old Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $1600) – 1 available ($1,299.99)

Laphroaig 40 year old, Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $5400) – 2 available ($2,999.99) Very old and Rare bottling of Laphroaig. This is one of a kind in the USA and sells overseas for upwards of $3500.

1970 St. Magdalene 23 Year Rare Malts Selection Single Malt Whisky 70cl (Elsewhere $700) – 1 available ($549.99)

1979 Talisker 13 Year Old Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection 150th Anniversary Bottling Single Malt 70cl – 1 available ($249.99)

1979 Talisker 15 Year Old Cadenhead’s Cask Strength Collection Single Malt 750ml (Elsewhere 600) – 1 available ($399.99)

BACK IN STOCK…

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

Bowmore Claret Finish Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $300) – 2 available ($149.99)

Bunnahabhain 18 year old Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($94.99)

Dalmore King Alex Single Malt 750ml – 1 available ($199.99)

Dalwhinnie 15 year old Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 11 available ($49.99)

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

Shiver me timbers!

Cask No. 4.151                     

Highlands, Orkney

The nose was just fabulous – orange, pomegranate, dried fruits, crystallised ginger, Madeira wine, crème brûlée, black tea, honey, treacle toffee, balsamic – endless suggestions. On the palate, exotic fruits (kumquat, star-fruit) cavorted behind a curtain of honey and perfumed smoke; we also found red wine reduction and roast pork residue – ‘shiver me timbers!’ someone exclaimed. The reduced nose was burnt sticks dipped in honey, with medicinal elements and Old Holborn rolled in liquorice papers. Liquorice allsorts, roasted chestnuts and toasted marshmallows gave us wonderful closure on the rich and dreamy reduced palate. The distillery is on the ‘high land’ aboveKirkwall.

Drinking tip: For best friends, or when you need reminded that life can be good

 Colour: Deep vibrant orange                             

Cask: Refill sherry butt                                    

Age: 26 years                                        

Date distilled: December 1984

Alcohol: 53.1%

$170

************************************

Leather sofa seduction

Cask No. 63.26                     

Highlands, Speyside

The interesting, dynamic nose suggested fruit (schnapps, Armagnac, Victoria sponge); also caramel, spicy sweets and cough syrup; then descriptions began to emerge involving cigarette packets, perfume and leather (for one panellist it conjured up ‘a leather sofa, a hot guy and some cologne’). The palate, quite hot in its own right, contained dried papaya, orange, star-fruit and grappa, with big, manly wood and leather astringency. With water the nose found fruit pastilles and ‘masculine’ perfumes (spicy, woody, musky). The palate now balanced its leather and tobacco depth, with elegant, exotic, perfumed mango fruitiness. The distillery is between Keith and Dufftown.

Drinking tip: Best enjoyed on a leather sofa with a hot guy – obviously! (unless you ARE the                           hot guy)

Colour: Apricot gold                                          

Cask: Second-fill hogshead                               

Age: 21 years                                        

Date distilled: December 1989

Alcohol: 52.6%

$140

************************************

A lady of the night

Cask No. 85.22                     

Highlands, Speyside (Lossie)

Dark scents beset us: date loaf with Pecan nuts, rum truffles, Jamaican ginger cake, fudge with raisins, and a waft of (unlit) menthol cigarettes. At natural strength the taste is sweet with a light bitterness like burnt toffee (‘salt-water taffy’ commented one), dark chocolate in the finish and Kendal mint-cake in the aftertaste. Water conjured a leather couch against a backdrop of dripping candles, Pecan pie, treacle tart and Caramac, with a smooth texture and a centre-palate taste, sweet overall, with hints of spice and camphor in the finish. The malt comes from the last distillery to be built in the 19^th Century.

Drinking tip: Reclining on a leather Chesterfield with a special friend

Colour: Pale amber                                           

Cask: Refill sherry butt                                    

Age: 12 years                                        

Date distilled: September 1999

Alcohol: 60.0%

$105

************************************

Shockingly comfortable

Cask No. 127.12                   

Islay,LochIndaal

A powerful, prickly nose, with charred wood, machine oil and tar to start, and old crepe bandages, becoming smoky ‘Bacon Bits’, soya and smoked duck with plum sauce. Water reinforces the medicinal notes with Savlon cream; the smoke has receded slightly – now tarry vanilla-infused cigars. The taste is hot, sweet, smoky and very salty at natural strength, softening with water and reminding us of burnt carrots and turnips before the warm smoky finish. A ‘shockingly comfortable’ example of the heavily peated malt named after anIslay distillery which closed in 1929, but which may soon be rebuilt.

 Drinking tip: To accompany an Oriental meal

Colour: Full gold                                              

Cask: Refill barrel                                            

Age: 8 years                                         

Date distilled: June 2002

Alcohol: 66.3%

$85

************************************

A model-maker’s dram

Cask No. G6.2                      

Grain

A complex nose – beeswax furniture polish, green grapes, gooseberries, tinned peaches and fresh puffball mushrooms; with its freshly sanded balsa wood and glue it also appealed to the model-makers. The palate was a complete surprise – vanilla, syrup, clear toffee, chocolate, roasted peppers and a stunning, light oakiness (almost with leaves on) – ‘Brilliant!’ someone exclaimed. The reduced nose became sweeter and more perfumed – vanilla, orange blossom, roasted vegetables and after sitting a while, a Chinese takeaway! The reduced palate was simple, but very quaffable – blossom honey with a slightly bitter lick-stick of oak. This grain distillery is near Springburn inGlasgow.

Drinking tip: A dram for pottering around in the shed

Colour: Pale yellow summer wine                                 

Cask: Refill barrel                                            

Age: 18 years                                        

Date distilled: February 1993

Alcohol: 55.2%

$130

Please click on the LINK to read further and visit the SMWS of America at www.smwsa.com  for information on how to join.