Exploring the Buffalo Trail at TWE Vinopolis
A new face on the blog this week, with Nic Vaughn from our trade desk taking the reins. When I was asked to write about this particular tasting by the whisky wizards, Tim and Billy [You may contribute to the … Continue reading >>
Hello Fellow WhiskeyLovers –
Those of you who have been paying attention to this newsletter will recall that one of my favorite distilleries is The Balvenie, in Dufftown, just outside of Speyside. You may also recall that Balvenie is the only distillery in the Scottish Highlands that continues to operate their own floor maltings, with four men in shifts turning the barley three times a day, seven days a week. The distillery also grows its own barley, and employs a full-time Coppersmith to care for their unique stills and a team of Coopers to care for their casks.
Following this years Super Bowl beating of the boys from New England, Nickey The Neck and I were guzzling our way through some of the whiskies on my bar, when we came across an unopened sample I was given at the Balvenie distillery when I visited there last spring. The label read “Balvenie Peated Cask 17YO“.
The Balvenie Peated Cask is a bit of whisky hybrid. It is of a mix of 17yo Balvenie finished in New Wood blended with 17yo Balvenie finished in casks that had previously held a so-far-unreleased experimental heavily-peated Balvenie distilled in 2001.
In a flash The Neck wrestled the sample bottle from my hands, cracked it open and emptied it into our glasses, showing his usual favoritism to his own glass over mine. We then indulged ourselves of the luscious liquid inside, and with one look knew we were tasting something very very special.
So I asked The Neck to make a few calls, and see what his friends in the business could do for us…and as always, “The Neck” came through.
Which brings me to this weeks Whiskey selection opportunity: a really wonderful whisky, at an unbeatable price: Balvenie Peated Cask 17YO Speyside Single Malt Whiskey for $102.95/ bottle, a $30 savings (normally $132/bottle)
This is a limited edition whisky, and the product supply at this price is also very limited. So please purchase your bottle(s) ASAP, because as always, once it’s gone…it’s gone.
Coming soon: The return of The Drammies….so STAY TUNED!
Until next week…
Doug Stone
Founder
ForWhiskeyLovers.com
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BALVENIE PEATED CASK 17YO SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT WHISKY
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THE BALVENIE PEATED CASK 17YO WHISKY
In 2001, a heavily peated batch of barley was distilled at The Balvenie Distillery and was allowed to mature until The Balvenie Malt Master, David Stewart, decided it was time to rejuvenate the maturation process and so the whisky was transferred to newly prepared traditional casks.
The casks that had originally held the peated liquid had taken on much of its character and so David decided to experiment by filling them with 17 year old Balvenie for a short period. The result was an intensely peaty whisky. Marrying this liquid with 17 year old Balvenie finished in new American oak casks produced The Balvenie Peated Cask, a complex single malt that is rich and spicy with layers of smokiness.
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TASTING NOTES – DAVID STEWART, BALVENIE MASTER BLENDER
NOSE: Gentle floral aroma with hints of violet and lavender. Delicate smoke beautifully balanced with honeyed vanilla and spicy oakiness.
TASTE: Prominent smoke softens to reveal oaky honey and vanilla. Cinnamon and nutmeg develop with time.
FINISH: Sweet and spicy with a hint of smoke
Ralfy @ www.ralfy.com sends regards and salutations! . . . and a fresh whisky review too with Whisky Review 253 – Compass Box Peat Monster.
Smokehead Reveals Limited Edition Rock Design
29 February 2012, Edinburgh: Smokehead, the rich and powerful Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Ian Macleod Distillers, has released a new limited Rock Edition to celebrate its credentials as the rock n’ roll spirit of choice for 2012.
The limited edition evolves from the design of Smokehead’s existing tactile metal presentation tin, demanding attention with the introduction of a smoking skull, the time-honoured symbol of rock. Cocooned within the skull are the many adjectives that capture the Single Malt’s boisterous, outrageous, and deep peaty flavours.
Like the original award-winning packaging, The Rock Edition maximises its impact using embossed and debossed techniques to heighten the 3-D ‘reality’ of the new skull design and create a premium feel. The main Smokehead branding is also embossed, while a square letterpress block motif on the rear of the tin, reflecting the bottle label design is joined by a full flavour descriptor that also highlights Smokehead’s connection with music.
Entering its third year as the official drinks sponsor of The Marshall Ultimate Band Contest, the unsigned band showdown, in partnership with legendary Marshall Amps and Lick Library, Smokehead has also established itself as the drink of choice at big rock events including the annual Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards 2009-2011. The must attend event for rock artists and industry heavyweights, previous attendees have included iconic rock legends Slash, Brian May, Jeff Beck and Gene Simmons.
Ian Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers commented: “The new limited edition presentation tin not only celebrates Smokehead’s close affinity to rock music, but reaffirms the brand’s unique position within the Single Malt category. Smokehead is vigorous and unapologetic about its big and intense peaty flavours. Like rock and roll, people must accept it for what it is or not at all. The brand is an enthusiastic supporter of rock music and we have some exciting plans underway to take this even further in 2012.”
A rich, seaweedy and intensely peaty Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Smokehead is not for the faint hearted. With immense fresh and fruity flavours that burst with notes of sherry, iodine, toffee, smoke and sea salt, Smokehead hits the palate like a cannonball.
Smokehead ‘The Rock Edition’ will be available in the UK and international markets throughout 2012. Smokehead is widely available throughout the UK and worldwide, RRP £33.49. Details of some stockists can be found on the website www.smokehead.com
Curious to discover more, visit www.smokehead.com
Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky encourages responsible drinking
Notes:
Smokehead Single Islay Malt Tasting notes:
| Nose: | Heavy smoke and peat. Amazing richness. Lemon, fresh ginger, plum jam. Salty and spicy. |
| Body: | Like a cannonball – hits the palate at once with cocoa, peat and some honey sweetness then explodes with peppery spice and more earthy peat. Spreads to all the areas of your mouth with more peat and light sweetness. |
| Finish: | Even more peat, spice, mandarin – then dries up. When you think it’s all over the peat comes back to hit you again. |
| Impression | A rollercoaster of peat and spice with some delicate sweetness. |
Malt Messenger Bulltetin – Glenmorangie Sonnalta, An Cnoc 16 Year All Back In Stock!
Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,
Some of our most popular whiskies and rums have recently come back in stock. Glenmorangie Sonnalta, last year’s bestselling whisky under $100 ($74.99) and 96.5 pointer from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible is back. We thought it was gone forever, but we’ve gotten a limited quantity of it back. This soft fruity whisky can be had again, exclusively at Kensington Wine Market, while supplies last. More on the Sonnalta below!
Another whisky, the An Cnoc 16 Year, which was also a big hit last year, has also come back and this one’s even more limited… we only have a dozen bottles! This American Oak matured Knockdhu is a Bourbon Montser with Massive Vanilla, Coconut and Honey notes. The Whisky Bible scored it at 91.5pts and called it the “spiciest An Cnoc of all time.” I don’t know about that, but it is very good, and there’s more below on it too!
Highland Park 18 Year is also back in stock after several months of outage. Edrington Whiskies (Highland Park and Macallan) are getting harder and harder to stock in Alberta as global demand snaps them up. A very small amount has come back into the province, and it won’t last long. We’ve snapped up a few cases of it but they won’t last long.
Finally, some news you have all been waiting for, we’ve added seats to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada’s March First Friday tasting (Friday March 2nd 7PM). Come one, come all. Members, guests and all other interested parties. You’ll sample 7 limited, single cask, single malt Scotch whiskies and find out why the Scotch Malt Whisky Society is Canada’s Fastest growing whisky club and the largest worldwide! The Society was also recently named independent bottler of the year. You’ll find more on the March First Friday Tasting below.
Slainté!
Andrew Ferguson
PS – I am off to the Nth Whisky Show in Vegas this weekend. I’ll have a report on it and the Victoria Whisky Festival in the next Malt Messenger. Stay tuned to www.twitter.com/scotch_guy !
SEATS ADDED TO THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY’S MARCH FIRST FRIDAY RELEASE
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada has secured a new venue for its March First Friday Tasting. On the first Friday of every month the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Canadian arm holds a tasting featuring the latest releases. To date the Society has been launching 7 whiskies a month through its exclusive Canadian retailer the Kensington Wine Market. The previous 3 months tastings have been held at the Kensington Wine Market, but demand is now such that we can no longer accommodate all interested parties at the store. So, the March 2nd First Friday Tasting we will be held at the South Calgary Community Association. We have made a total of 100 tickets available to this event, of which there are about 40 still available. Tickets are $45 for the general public, and $35 for Scotch Malt Whisky Society members. They can be purchased through the Kensington Wine Market in store, by phone 403-283-8000 and online:
https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php Society members, guests and all “curious” members of the general public are all welcome. For more information visit www.smws.ca
Deadline to purchase tickets is 12 Noon on Thursday March 1st!
THE GLENMORANGIE SONNALTA IS BACK
The Glenmorangie Sonnalta was Kensington Wine Market’s second bestselling whisky last year, second only to the MacKinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt. At $75 a bottle it was the best bargain in the store and a highly rated one at that 96.5pts from Jim Murray and Malt Advocate 90pts. Fruity and soft the Sonnalta had a huge fan base, and they will be pleased to know that we’ve received a limited shipment of the whisky. Don’t hesitate, because when it’s gone this time, it’s gone forever!
My Tasting Note: Nose: very elegant, soft and complex on the nose-to steal the words of my employer who sampled it briefly “it is very pretty!”-with a fruity, doughy, French bakery character; notes of honey, vanilla, spice and caramelized fruits dance enthusiastically together while kicking up a dust of assorted powdered, rock and granular sugars; as the nose develops tones of Bourbony vanilla, perfume and white fruit notes emerge; supposedly you can smell sweet… the whisky may have something to say about that; Palate: very soft, complex and deep; right off the bat I am amazed by the bewildering depth and layers, sweet fruits and balancing spices in almost perfect harmony; the creamy honey/vanilla backbone slowly emerges with some burnt orange peel and dark chocolate; thick grassy malt and sweet rum notes are also present with some minty tones; overall sweet, rich and multifaceted; Finish: long, sweet and spicy; sugary malt, honeyed oak and chewy grape tones; Comments: this whisky is a bit of Chameleon, its layers are many, and it shifts its character with each and every sip. The touch is deft for a Pedro Ximenez matured whisky, but the effect is superb. Anyone can enjoy this delightful little dram from the neophyte to the experienced connoisseur! Exclusive to KWM – $74.99
AN CNOC 16YEAR IS BACK, BUT IN LIMITED QUANTITIES!!! – $87.99 + GST
In May of this year I had the honour of being inducted into the Keepers of the Quaich, a by invitation only society founded to recognize those who make significant contributions to the global success of Scotch whisky. Standing in a room full of the biggest names in the industry, there I was a humble self-professed whisky expert from a single small retail store in Calgary, the first Canadian retail expert to be so honoured. The generous dram of An Cnoc 16 Year I was handed couldn’t have come at a better time. After a few pulls I relaxed and it dawned on me that this An Cnoc was a lovely little dram and I made a mental note to inquire about it on my return. We launched it as an exclusive this fall, and it was a huge hit, selling out quickly. We’ve managed to get just 12 more bottles!
An Cnoc for those of you who don’t know is a pseudonym for Knockdhu distillery. When the brand was first launched as a single malt, it was felt that the name Knockdhu might be confused with another not too distant distillery Knockandoo. Even though Knockdhu predates Knockandoo by the better part of five years, the latter had gone to market first with its single malt (both being primarily made for blending until a relatively short time ago) and it was felt that single malt from Knockdhu should have a distinct moniker.
An Cnoc 16 Year – 46% – American Oak – My Tasting Note: Nose: floral, bourbony and citric; dandelions, geraniums and rose petals; barley sugars, firm toasted oak and roasted coconut chips; citrus notes include shades of lemon and lime zest; Palate: is massively bourbony with vanilla icing, shredded coconut and more firm toasted oak; the citrus notes are much more prominent on the palate with lemon drops, candied orange and lemon/lime zest; there is a soft creamy component to it too but the whisky retains a soft character and is far from over the top; Finish: drying and toasty with burnt orange, a late wave of lemon drops and more vanilla icing; Comments: this whisky will be forever linked to Keepers of the Quaich inauguration in May of this year. It was our welcome dram, it was three fingers deep and it cut my nerves just before the ceremony. This is the first An Cnoc which has really impressed me, and I’m sure it won’t be the last! – Exclusive to KWM – $87.99
If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.
All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com . All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change.
Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger!
Slainté!
Andrew Ferguson
KWM Scotchguy
888-283-9004
403-283-8000
www.kensingtonwinemarket.com
ENGLISH WHISKY CO.
11 bottles left from cask #763
(From the EWC);
“Just a quick note to let you know that whilst stocktaking yesterday we discovered a couple of boxes of Founders Reserve 2011!! This only amounts to 11 bottles, but we thought you might like the chance to get your hands on one.” More info on-line. www.englishwhisky.co.uk
Founders Private Cellar Cask #763
This is a complete one off cask. We found that cask #763 had leaked over the years and as a result only gave us 119 bottles. This heavily peated rum cask single malt is delightful to drink and beautiful to look at. We are also including a miniature with each decanter so you don’t have to open the decanter. Each bottle is signed and numbered and comes with a certificate.
Sold Out
“Just to let you know our Founders Private Cellar Cask #763 has now sold out – in record timing!
Well done to the people who managed to get their hands on one.
We are expecting another Founders bottling in early Summer this year. Please keep your eyes peeled for that.”
The English Whisky Company St.George’s Distillery Harling Road Norwich Norfolk NR16 2QW
Spring is quickly approaching us with the longer days becoming more inviting. Why not stock up on some of our newly bottled Dimension range that includes a Mortlach 1997 14YO at 46.0% which has been described as a ‘Whisky Margarita!’ and a classic speyside number from Aultmore, with it’s fresh pallet to take you out of the hibernation mode of winter!
Dimensions Cask Strength
Dimensions Bunnahabhain 1991 20YO, C5342, 52.7%
Description: Bunnahabhain is often overlooked for the big Islays. If this distillery was on the mainland it would be a star attraction
Tasting Notes:
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Runny toffee, quite herbal, sage and rosemary. Becomes a little bit waxy with whole limes and grapes. With more time becomes more creamy with a cold meats
Taste: More toffee initially and then a faint medicinal note. A big yet delicate mouth feel. Brown bread and salted butter and then a toffee yoghurt note.
Finish: Slightly salty with lots of creamy overtones, right at the end there id s hint of bubblegum
Comment: An outstanding Bunnahabhian.
Dimensions Cragganmore 1986 25YO, C1488, 54.6%
Description: The distillery character is influenced by many things including the unique flat topped spirit stills
Tasting Notes:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Strawberries, fresh oranges juice and hard boiled sweets. Open up to reveal more toffee and a little lemon grass
Taste: Rich and warming, lots of orange oil, marshmallows and a touch of nutmeg. Some olive oil notes and then dry roasted peanuts
Finish: Lingering honey – faint saltiness and growing peaches and pears halves in syrup
Comment: Perfected balance – Cragganmore at its best!!
Dimensions Clynelish 1990 21YO, C3229, 51.4%
Description: Clynelish water source is the Clynemilton burn. Always a favorite whisky of those in the know!
Tasting Notes:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Typical waxy fruits, white chocolate, cream and a little marzipan. Tangerines and a little celery salt. But bursting with fruits
Taste: Lots of bitter oranges (in a goods way) melted dairy milk chocolate. Gets more toffee like and then some passion fruits.
Finish: Lots of grapefruits, watermelon and them some vanilla custard!
Comment: More fruit than I thought possible for Scotland!!
Dimensions Glen Elgin 1985 26YO, C1526, 46.1%
Description: Distilled in 1985 – a year after the distillery was completely refurbished
Tasting Notes:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Huge stewed fruits and then some grassier notes. There is then almost a smoky note – Smoked almonds, with time turns chocolaty
Taste: A Soft ashy smokiness with big fruity flavors, Lots of cherries, figs and prunes, gives way to some citrus notes – in particular lime zest.
Finish: For a thick whisky the finish is much fresher than expected. More creaminess comes through and a faint medicinal notes
Comment: There should be more whiskies like this!
Dimensions Glen Moray 1994 17YO, C4802, 55.3%
Description: Originally a brewery it was converted to a distillery in 1897
Tasting Notes:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Lemon, olives oil – Sponge cake, almonds and icing sugar. Very creamy with lots of fruit syrup.
Taste: More lemon sponge cake. Very nutty and a touch of brown sugar, with time some oranges bitters and grapefruit.
Finish: Faint traces of salted caramel
Comment: A real fruit and nut bar whisky!!
Dimensions Mortlach 1995 16YO, C7287, 51.3%
Description: One of the most consistent spirits there is – The Caol Ila of speyside.
Tasting Notes:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, heavy fruits. Thick heavy sherry notes with a toffee background. With time praline and stewed figs. Lots of leather and black cherries
Taste: Thick and chewy, lots of typical sherry note, raisin, sultanas and oranges oil, Hints of strawberry plants moving towards orange sherbet and liquorices.
Finish: Initially juicy fruits giving way to a hint of spice. Lots of blackcurrants and a touch of cinnamon.
Comment: Succulent Mortlach – More please!!
Dimensions 46.0%
Dimensions Aultmore 1997 14YO, Batch 0001, 46.0%
Descriptions: Aultmore means big burn in Gaelic
Colour: Pale Gold
Nose: Sweet, creamy lots of vanilla and hints of coffee beans. Some rich fruity notes emerge. Bubblegum and bananas
Taste: Lots of toffee, mashed bananas, honeycomb and chocolate oranges. Traces of kiwi and lime pickle. Very fresh
Finish: Gentle oiliness gives way to bursting citrus fruits
Comment: This is a classic Speyside.
Dimensions Mortlach 1997 14YO, Batch 0001, 46.0%
Descriptions: The original and some would say the best distillery in Dufftown
Colour: Straw
Nose: Rich and warming, with thick meaty notes and then ripe peaches and nectarines. A faint medicinal note emerges along with a touch of grassiness
Taste: Lots of Gooseberries and a touch of Liquorices. Soft oakiness wraps around white chocolate and raspberry sauce.
Finish: Soft dry grassiness fades to leave a slight salty tang. Some marshmallows and pineapple chunks
Comment: Fruity and Salty – A Whisky Margarita!!
Visit Duncan Taylor at http://www.duncantaylor.com/
Established in 1948, Amrut Distilleries Ltd. has grown out of its locale in Karnataka to an all-India presence. Painstaking selection of malt and grapes, rigid quality control, and one of the finest maturation facilities in India are all factors that have turned Amrut into a respected producer of quality liquors. With limited distribution in the US, the Dandelion is honored to carry these products.
Please join us for an amazing dinner pairing Amrut’s incredible line of single malt whisky with the delicious cuisine of chef Robert Aikens. Brand Ambassador Ashok Chokalingham will be on hand to share his passion and insight on each of the offerings.
$70 PER PERSON includes tax & tip. For reservations call 215.558.3500. Limited seating available.
1 2 4 S o u t h 1 8 t h S t r e e t | P h i l a d e l p h i a , PA 1 9 1 0 3 | www.thedandelionpub.com
Nominations and discussions blog-post
To submit your nomination(s) You are requested to first check if your nominee is not already in the applicable category-album. Either supply a photo (preferred minimum width or height 600px) or a URL to a photo, and the minimum information … Continue reading →
The Cold Blast of Winter before the Spring Revival
While the rest of Europe, including England, was recently freezing in arctic like conditions and plummeting temperatures the Moray Firth coast escaped the snow and sub-zero temperatures of the last two winters. I would like to think that it is due to the heat that is being generated by all the hard work that we are doing at Glenglassaugh, as you will read about below, but alas I don’t think that we are having such a significant effect on the weather.
Octaves – What is Your Favourite Cask Type
I am never sure if we should listen so closely to customers suggestions but we do aim to please so when I was asked if we could find ex-Port Octaves and ex-Fino sherry Octaves then I at least had to try.
The result is that we have now managed to locate a number of additional options for Octave cask maturation. In addition to the original refill casks in 2011 we added ex-Oloroso sherry and ex-PX sherry and subsequently ex-Bourbon. These casks will form the basis of our core range for future sales.
However we have managed to obtain around 50 ex-Port Octaves, which will be the only ones of this type purchased in 2011 and I cannot guarantee that we will manage to get them again next year. The first 30 arrived yesterday and the aroma from these is fabulous.
We will also, in around 2 months time, take delivery of a very small number, around 12 of each, of ex-Fino, ex-Amontillado and ex-Manzanilla Octaves.
We have already changed the order form on the website with details for the ex-Port Octaves and the price for the other new sherry options is the same price as the Oloroso and PX Octaves.
Earlier in the month we filled 5 ex-Bourbon Octaves for a group of animators from a certain animation studio in California, who were just completing work on a forthcoming film, which is based in Scotland. We had great fun with the cask filling as you see in you tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-ideR9DAhQ&context=C3b6c0fdADOEgsToPDskL8Th2tp4nPWMgkckRiIo65
Visitor Centre
Progress continues to be made with a new disabled access ramp installed and a small piece of decking at the front entrance. The internal work is progressing well but there is still a lot of work to be done to complete the work although we are still hopeful of it being ready to open at the end of March.
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
Yes I know that we are not in Speyside but a proud Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, nether the less we are very close geographically and one could say a fringe neighbour.
Anyway once again we will have several events taking place including “Behind The Scenes” tours, “Fill your own cask” and “Bottle your own Glenglassaugh whisky”.
You can also spend a luxury weekend at our very close neighbours, Durn House, and enjoy a special tour and tasting of some of our very special whiskies with Ronnie Routledge.
Details of all the events can be found at http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/events.php
Out and About
We are just finalising our plans for attending events around the UK during the year but we will once again be visiting a number of locations including, for the first time, The Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh in June.
The RHS coincides with The Traditional Boat Festival in Portsoy so we will be very stretched that weekend and the current plans mean that Ronnie and I will be in Edinburgh while Mhairi will be mustering a team from the distillery to manage the stand in Portsoy.
I will be heading further afield over the next few weeks and months and having already been at the Finest Spirits Festival in Munich, I will shortly be visiting our importers in Netherlands, Belgium and France and then heading to Moscow for a view days.
At the end of March I will be at WhiskyFest in Chicago and the following week at the Whiskies of the World fair in San Francisco, while at the start of May I am planning to go to Banff, not the one in Scotland but the one in Alberta, Canada.
Production
We have also been busy at the distillery with production back on stream while in the warehouse there has been a lot of activity including a large number of Octave cask fillings.
January is normally a quiet month in bottling but not this year for us as we received a very significant order from one customer which has kept us busy.
Later in the year we are planning to extend and alter our small bottling facilities so that we can continue to meet the growing number of orders which we are receiving.
Revival
We have completed the final designs for our forthcoming new product called Revival, and are now eagerly awaiting the delivery of the packaging materials.
Revival will be the first whisky produced at Glenglassaugh since the distillery was refurbished and has already been featured in whisky tastings in Linkoping in Sweden and in Munich and on both occasions was extremely well received. A number of you will also have tasted a “nearly Revival” as a miniature of this was included with The First Cask Bottling.
We expect to have the bottles available for shipping by the end of March but will provide more information before that.
That’s all for now.
Slange
Stuart
