Loch Fyne Whiskies Issues Warning, ‘WATCH OUT… ‘

It’s now a whole year since we decided it’s time we had a ‘proper’ website; rather than this that grew from a homepage cobbled in 1998. The last known glitches in the new LFW.co.uk have been frowned into submission and we expect to go live during next week…

Brace yourselves…

Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Greetings whisky lovers! 

Where is this year going? It’s spring already and we’re fast approaching our 3^rd festival of the year. As the months are flying by we thought we would fire an email to you all and give you a heads up on our latest ventures and Whisky Lounge related news. 

TASTINGS

First up is our latest series of tastings. As usual we’re heading far and wide across the country to deliver some of the very best whiskies to a venue near you. Our new range is here – cask series three – and they’re set to amaze and indoctrinate you all into the vast and incredible world of (mostly) single cask, cask strength whiskies. This line-up will deliver some of the most exciting and best whiskies you’ll taste this year. All of this for only £15 – plus a £5 voucher off a purchase on the night! Just click on the date and venue you are interested in to be taken directly to the page on the website.

Manchester – Friday 11th May, Britons Protection, Manchester

Newcastle – Saturday 12th May, Blackfriars, Newcastle

London – Monday 14th May, The Red Lion, St. James’s, SW1

FESTIVALS

Our next Festival is London which is running this Friday the 20^th and Saturday the 21^st at the Royal Horticultural Halls. We still have some places left for the Friday session (5pm-9pm) for anyone looking for a dram in or around the capital this weekend, however the Saturday sessions are completely sold out. For those of you who were lucky enough to get tickets we still have places available for workshops for the Saturday sessions. Click here to find out more. 

Midlands Whisky Fest!

We’ll be setting up our 2^nd festival in Stratford on the 19^th of May in the Shakespeare Centre with our carnival of Distilleries in tow, to deliver yet more amazing whisky to the people of the Midlands. Click here to find out more.

Leeds Whisky Festival!

Our first festival in the city of Leeds is on the 2^nd of June at the o2 Academy. This is set to be one of the biggest events outside of the capital and will be giving Manchester a run for its money with more whisky related fun and games than ever before. Leeds Whisky Fest is set to be a real celebration of our favourite and much loved spirit. Not one to be missed! Click here to find out more.

Liverpool Whisky Festival!

Calm down, Calm down! (sorry, couldn’t resist!) The much anticipated 2nd Liverpool whisky fest is now live and on the website – details of exhibitors and classes will appear very soon, but we can confirm that the event will be taking place on the 8^th of September at the Camp & Furnace. Featuring the usual galaxy of drams with their kaleidoscope of flavours, click here for the website link

As with all our festivals you can expect the latest and most sought after whiskies under the sun. So don’t hang about get on board if you’re not already and let’s taste some amazing whisky!

Other News

In other news our latest festival in Brighton went down a storm click here to take a look at how The Whisky Lounge’s trip to the sea side went down. 

Also the very latest innovation in whisky entertainment is here in our Whisky Mission #3 part 2. Click here to see Joe shouting the good word of whisky to a square full of Londoners at lunchtime near Soho – yes he appears to be quite mad, but very entertaining nonetheless. He’s also been hitting the website with reviews of some interesting releases – click here for Joe’s Whisky Review.

Finally if you’ve not already given us a like on Facebook or checked us out on Twitter then seek us out on @TheWhiskyLounge @TWLEddie @TWLAmanda @TWLJoe. This really is the best way to be kept bang up to date with all our latest events and you’ll also be able to enter our whisky related competitions that we’ll be running in the near future. 

So there we have it – I think that’s everything for now hope to see you all for a dram in the near future.

Slainte!

CHIVAS PRESENTS THE ART OF HOSTING

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, has teamed up with the founders of Le Baron nightclubs, to create a limited edition pack for off-trade retailers to capitalise on the growing trend for at-home drinking.

Available in April 2012, in more than 20 markets globally, the ‘Chivas & Le Baron’ limited edition gift pack is designed to provide consumers with the tools to perfectly master the art of hosting at home.

The striking limited edition pack features a contemporary graffiti design by Le Baron co-founder and renowned artist, Andre Saraiva. Each pack contains a bottle of Chivas Regal 12 Year Old and a membership card that gives consumers access to exclusive content at the new microsite, www.chivas.com/artofhosting, including tips from Andre and Le Baron co-founder, Lionel, on how to throw the perfect party. Videos on the site show the duo guiding their audience on everything from drinks to invitations and users can also download a bespoke music playlist exclusively curated for Chivas by Le Baron.

James Slack, Global Brand Director for Chivas Regal, says: “The Art of Hosting is aimed at people who are embracing the global trend to entertain at home. By teaming up with Le Baron, we are positioning Chivas as the perfect spirit to enjoy at home and raising brand awareness among modern, discerning drinkers who enjoy hosting sophisticated, social events.”

Chivas Regal & Le Baron will be available globally from April 2012 and will retail at approximately 10% premium to Chivas Regal 12 Year Old.

Notes

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.6 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.

About 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 visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

When it rains it pours… The next full edition of the Malt Messenger is a week away, but who can wait until then when you have news like this: Firstly, the Bowmore Laimrig is back. This enormously fruity, seductively smooth and bargain priced Bowmore was a hit at Christmas, selling out in little more than a month. Little wonder why, its amazing and a no-brainer at less than $90/bottle. If you missed out on the Laimrig the first time around or are interested to know more, details on this delicious dram follow below! 

Secondly, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada is now 6 months old, and to celebrate they’re throwing a special promotion. Sign up for a Society Membership between now a April 22nd, and you’ll receive two Society glasses! The Society is the worlds largest whisky club, and the hottest new whisky brand in Canada right now. Curious? There’s more below and at www.smws.ca . 

Thirdly, we have an excellent Glendronach Vintages tasting coming up on Tuesday night, which will very likely be your last chance to sample our excellent 1972 cask, 711. We will also sample 6 other Glendronachs (7 total) including the new 21 Year Parliament, 1993, 1991, 1989, 1978 and another 1972 cask, 716. Participants will also get a Glendronach logo glass for attending! 

Finally, there are new whiskies coming in this week too, including a Kilchoman, three new Springbanks ( Rundlets and Kilderkins, 21 Year 2012 and Longrow 14 Year Burgundy Finish) as well as a new KWM exclusive the Glenrothes Alba Reserve. Some details are available on these whiskies below, and there will be much more in the next full Malt Messenger.  

Slainté! 

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market’s Scotchguy 

PS-Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/scotch_guy , and on Facebook and LinkedIn.   

The Bowmore Laimrig Is Back In Stock – $88.99 

The Kensington Wine Market launched the Bowmore Laimrig as an exclusive whisky in late November of this past year and it sold out before Christmas. Why was the Laimrig so popular? Firstly, because it is a cask strength version of the 15 Year Old Darkest (43%), but at cask strength for less than $5 more… Secondly, because it is massively fruity, lightly peated and smooth, almost shockingly so! And finally, because its a Bowmore, and its hard not to fall in love with Bowmore. Well it is finally back in stock… in limited quantities.  

Laimrig is Scots Gaelic for jetty or pier, which is a curious name for a whisky and I’m not 100% clear why the distillery named the whisky thus. What is clear is that it was originally bottled for the Swedish market. The Laimrig is in short a limited edition cask strength version of the 15 Year Old Darkest, but this description doesn’t really do the whisky justice. It is a massively fruity Bowmore with big sherry cask notes colliding with Bowmore’s signature salty peat. Laimrig is exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market in Alberta and is making its mark. The first 60 bottles sold out in just 9 days and I expect it will continue to boom in popularity as more and more people have the opportunity to sample it.

Bowmore Laimrig 15 Year – 54.4% – Sherry Cask Finished – 15,000 Total Bottles Released – My Tasting Note: Nose: Sun-Rype Fruit Source bars, figs, raisins and other dark fruit notes; dark milk chocolate, a newly tarred roof in the distance with a neighbouring camp fire; with patience some classic grassy peat notes start to emerge along with salted fish and briny kelp drying on the beach; the nose has a lot of layers to it with a treacle sauce, Panda brand black liquorice and dense chocolate cake; Palate: sweet, nutty and chocolaty with salty smoke; brunt fruits and a mix of nutty Oloroso and sweet Pedro Ximenez sherry notes; teriyaki beef jerky with cloves, black pepper and sea salt; there is depth to the fruit notes with jujubes, braised strawberries and more Fruit Source; Finish: drying and yet moist with soft dark fruits, leather, tobacco and drying salty smoke; Comment: this whisky has so much depth to it and yet it is all in balance; the nose is deep and enticing, the palate satisfying and the finish rich, long and soothing! – $88.99 

Glendronach Vintages Tasting 

If you haven’t sampled our spectacular 1972 Glendronach single cask bottling, this could be your last opportunity. Fewer than 40 of the original 300 bottles selected by and bottled for Kensington Wine Market remain unsold. And what better opportunity to sample our Glendronach, than in a vertical tasting with 6 other Glendronachs? We’ll sample 6 different vintage bottlings of Glendronach: 1993, 1991, 1989, 1978 and two different 1972’s Cask 716 and our amazing single cask 711. Add to this the Glendronach 21 Year Parliament with which we will wet our lips, and you’ve got one exceptional whisky on your hands. And as an added sweetener, participants will receive a Glencairn whisky glass with the Glendronach logo. Call 403-283-8000 to register or visit https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php . 

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada 6 Month Anniversary Promotion 

IT’S OUR SIX MONTH ANNIVERSARY! 

SIGN UP TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY BETWEEN FRIDAY, APRIL 13TH AND TUESDAY APRIL 22ND AND RECEIVE TWO SOCIETY TASTING GLASSES (A $24 VALUE)! 

CURIOUS? READ ON… 

The world’s largest selection of single cask, single malt whiskies has arrived in Canada – straight from the cask, to the bottle, to you. Unfiltered. Undiluted. Unrivalled.  

Capturing rarity and perfection in a glass, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s single malt whisky attracts curious and discerning whisky lovers from all corners of the globe.  

Only ever bottled from a single cask and selected from a range of over 125 whisky distilleries every Society bottling is exceptional.  

As a member you gain exclusive access to the world’s best selection of fabulous and interesting malt whiskies right here in Canada.  

Discover why the Society is the world’s premier destination for the true malt whisky lover. 

READY TO INDULGE YOUR CURIOSITY? 

www.smws.ca 

New Whiskies Coming in this Week 

1. Springbank 21 Year 2012 – The Legend Continues? Only 48 bottles coming into Alberta! – $389.99 + GST
2. Springbank Rundlets & Kilderkins – Whisky Matured in 60 and 80L casks – Only 300 bottles coming into Alberta. – $92.99 + GST
3. Longrow 14 Year Burgundy Finish – 11 Years in Refill Bourbon and 3 Years in Burgundy Hogsheads. – $95.99 + GST
4. Glenrothes Alba Reserve – A new KWM exclusive matured only in Refill Bourbon casks, or American Oak, Quercus Alba, which is also the Greek word for Scotland. Check out the price… – $64.99 + GST
5. Kilchoman 2006 Vintage Release – Technically this came in lat week, but it is well worth a try at 5 Years (the oldest Kilchoman to date)! – $80.49 + GST

New Arrivals

United States – Bourbon and Rye

Balcones Brimstone Corn Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($49.99)

Back in stock

United States – Bourbon and Rye

Tuthilltown Hudson Baby Bourbon (375ml) – 12 available ($42.99)

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

Celebrating DIY in the US

Hi Everyone,

As many of my readers live in the US, I thought I should flag up the fantastic competition Grant’s is currently running out there. Grant’s DIY Dream Sweepstakes is in its third year, and offers do-it-yourself enthusiasts the opportunity to make their dream DIY project a reality. Following on the success of previous years, the…(please click on the link to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

Kind regards,
Ludo

Bell’s Diamond Jubilee Decanter 2012 Now In Stock! – April 2012 The latest Bell’s Decanter has arrived and it look… (please click on the link to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

Kind Regards

The Whisky Shop
www.whiskyshop.com

AWARD WINNING CANADIAN WHISKY HITS THE SHELF

Concord, Ontario, April 10, 2012 – Still Waters Distillery announces the exclusive LCBO Vintages release of their award winning blended Canadian Whisky, Saturday April 14, 2012. A blend of four- to six-year old whiskies, sourced from other producers, plus up to 10% from their own production, was used to create their “Special 1+11 Blend”. (Vintages 273565, $34.95)

At the recent Ultimate Spirits Challenge in New York, held in March 2012, this whisky placed as a finalist in the Canadian Whisky category with an amazing 91 points, 1 point off the Chairman’s Trophy winner. The Still Waters Special 1+11 Blend Canadian Whisky finished above offerings from legacy brands like Gibson’s, Wiser’s, Crown Royal and newcomer Collingwood.

Distiller and company co-founder, Barry Bernstein, said, “While waiting for our single malt and straight rye whiskies to mature, we wanted to release a traditional Canadian blended whisky. We personally selected the whiskies in this blend and are quite proud of the international recognition it has already received.” Their own-distilled whiskies will start to be released early 2013 as single barrel offerings. There award winning Single Malt Vodka is also currently available.

Still Waters Distillery is Ontario’s first grain-to-glass craft distillery. Its Single Malt Vodka is pot distilled from 100% Canadian two-row malted barley. Similarly, their Single Malt whisky is made from barley grain, and their corn and rye whiskies are being made from locally sourced Ontariogrown grain. All products are made by hand in small batches using artisanal distilling techniques.The whiskies are maturing in oak casks, on site. Bottling and packaging is also done by hand at their facility.

Still Waters Distillery
www.stillwatersdistillery.com

The perfect excuse for an outing

If you have been looking for a good reason to visit the distillery then Friday 20th April is the perfect day. The Flying Sotsman car rally is stopping off at St. George’s distillery, NR16 2QW. You will have the chance to see 80 cars all pre-war and of course some of the rather eccentric owners.

The cars will start arriving at about 11am and the final ones will be disappearing by 12:45 latest, assuming no breakdowns.

Bunnahabhain 21 Year Old Jubilee Malt II

TheWhiskyBarrel.com Exclusive

Extra Regal second release! Matured in a fresh sherry butt cask #3 TheWhiskyBarrel.com presents a limited edition Islay Malt commemorating the Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee (1952-2012).

Featuring a rather splendid Crown Jewel only 200 bottles are available bottle at natural strength 54.5%.

£64.99 (£54.16 ex VAT)