Archive for June, 2012

FWL Whisky Selection Fathers Day Gift Set: Great King Street Whisky + NEAT Whisky Glasses – Scotch Whisky News

Hello Fellow WhiskeyLovers –   

This week’s email is about your fatherthe guy who wiped your ass for months (some of us, years), taught you to ride a bike, drive a car, gave you the lectures, provided you with guidance and has been there since Day 1 to help you whenever you needed it.
And maybe even taught you, as my father did me, about whisky…
 
So this week, we’ve put together an exceptional gift set for Fathers Day.
The gift set includes a bottle of Compass Box Great King Street Blended Scotch, and two revolutionary and incredibly beautiful NEAT Glasses to hold what comes out of the bottle.
There are good reasons why the blending of grain whisky and malt whisky has been the mainstay of the Scotch business for well over 150 years. Well-made Blended Scotch Whiskies have an elegance and approachability that make them a joy to drink. They are far more versatile than other styles of whisky, equally enjoyable drunk on their own or with ice, soda water, or in cocktails.
More than just a new brand, Great King Street is John Glaser’s personal mission dedicated to reviving interest in one style of whisky only: Blended Scotch Whisky. This is the style of Scotch whisky that combines flavourful single malt whiskies with delicate, elegant single grain whiskies.
The NEAT™ glass combines artisanal craft with scientific aroma technology to take spirits appreciation to new sensory heights. The pot-still shape of the glass relies on Naturally Engineered Aroma Technology. It approaches the nosing and drinking experience from a scientific standpoint, using research that discovered that not all aromas should be collected at the nose. NEAT™ glasses are hand-made, mouth blown in the USA in 100% lead-free Crystalyn ™ crystal.
 
The NEAT Glasses are brand new and have been the buzz at all the recent whisky shows…but good luck finding them anywhere. Fortunately for us, our man Nicky “The Neck” is a bit of a glass collector, and so has secured us some of the very first glasses to come off the glass blower’s mouth.
How great is that?

 
Act now, and make sure your Dad has an amazing Fathers Day…or get a set for yourself.  Your Dad will finally get over all those years of ass-wiping, and I promise you’ll both love the glasses almost as much as you’ll love the whisky.
And until next week…have fun!
Doug Signature
Doug Stone

Founder

ForWhiskeyLovers.com       

PS: Coming soon some extremely exciting news about our parent company: For-Lovers…so STAY TUNED!

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COMPASS BOX GREAT KING STREET BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

Compass Box Great King Street Blended Scotch Whisky  

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GREAT KING STREET “THE ARTISTS’ BLEND” – 5 KEY DIFFERENTIATORS 

Great Grain – First, they start with the very highest quality single grain Scotch whiskies sourced from a renowned Lowland distillery and all of it is aged in ‘first fill’ American oak barrels, which makes the grain whisky much richer and sweeter on the palate than those aged in larger, refill casks.

More Malt – GKS consists of almost 50% malt whisky, far more than the 30 or 40% most blends use. This provides more character and complexity.

Better Oak –  Every cask of whisky used to make GKS is of a much higher quality than is typical in Scotch whisky: first-fill American oak casks, first-fill European oak ex-Sherry butts and, something no other Blended Scotch uses, new oak. In this case, they use new, heavily-toasted French oak.

Bottled Naturally – GKS is bottled at its natural colour and without the chill filtration prior to bottling that most Scotch whiskies go through. This leaves the whisky full of its natural complexity and mouthfeel.

Traditional Strength – GKS is bottled’ at 43% alcohol by volume, a strength traditionally used in Scotland many years ago.

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THE NATURALLY ENGINEERED AROMA TECHNOLOGY (NEAT) GLASS 

THE NEAT GLASS  

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE NEAT GLASS   

The NEAT Glass is scientifically-designed to let “the alcohol smell” escape, and emphasizes only the pleasant aromas of the whisky. Aroma is paramount when it comes to experiencing whisky, and the shape of the glass makes a big difference. Most glasses are wide at the bottom and narrower at the top, to allow the aromas to rise and meet the nose.  In glass science this type of design is called “convergent rim”, and it does almost nothing to facilitate the upward movement of the spirit or to enhance the nuances of the whiskey’s aroma. Rather, they collect and focus significant alcohol  directly to the nose, interfering with the wonderful aromas of the liquid. For  example ethanol, the “alcohol smell” in whisky is disagreeable, numbs and kills the olfactory neurons and obscures the desirable and pleasant aromas which occur naturally.  The NEAT glass’s pot-still shape approaches the nosing and drinking experience from a scientific standpoint, meticulously researched.  The NEAT glass’s widely flared lip, and its proximity to the surface of the liquid, allows the ethanol to escape before nosing, and positions the nose directly over the concentrated vapors of the spirit.

D&M California “Last Call, Grab these before they’re gone” – Scotch Whisky News

Last Call!

Either our inventory or availability is getting low on these products so we wanted to give everyone a last chance to buy them before they are gone. These are some of our top-selling whiskies that also happen to be staff and customer favorites. If you haven’t tried them already, don’t miss your chance.  

 
Chateau d’Yquem Casks. Distilled: 1999. 2300 Bottles 46% ABV. Honey, toast, melon, peach, guava, marzipan, vanilla, mocha, peat smoke.

Distilled: 2002. 1700 Bottles. Finished in Chateau Latour Casks. Peat smoke, lemon rind, red cherry, spice, plum, fruitcake, ginger 46% ABV.

The initial aromas convey heather, flamed orange peel, brine, and hints of stone fruit. There is a slight oily texture with flavors of anise, cake batter, smoke and oil. The palate progresses to apples and pears with good wood spice, hints of dry oak, and banana bread. The finish is long and pleasant, evolving into flavors of papaya and guava with some herbs and wood. This was bottled at 50% ABV, Cask Strength. D&M Tasting Notes
 
The nose brings forth a complex grouping of flavors – brown sugar, rum, vanilla, and some nuttiness. It is a mélange of peated (10%) and un-peated malted barley matured in New American oak first and then further matured by spending time in ex-rum casks, ex-sherry and ex-brandy casks. Even with the five steps in the aging process and the variance of casks used, the whisky actually really displays each type of wood. It is creamy, with some caramel sweetness, citrus, golden raisins, and honey. Toasted coconut and citrus hold the palate. Even with all the caramel and fruit notes, this single malt is not cloyingly sweet and is very well balanced. 50% ABV D&M Tasting Notes
 
The nose has brine, heather, a touch of leaf smoke with lychee and coconut in the background. An oily texture with pear and more toasted coconut lingering on the back palate. The brininess stays strong, but the smoke gives way to ripe fruit, flowers and a wonderful finish. This just reaffirms why I love Highland Park. D&M Tasting Notes

Douglas Laing OLD MALT CASK, OLD AND RAREs,PREMIER BARREL, DOUBLE BARREL & ADVANCE SAMPLES for June 2012 – Scotch Whisky News

1 June 2012 

Dear Client 

This month we have a wide ranging selection of five (5) different OLD MALT CASK bottlings – two (2) OLD AND RAREs – not forgetting two (2) from PREMIER BARREL,  one (1) DOUBLE BARREL together with six (6) ADVANCE SAMPLES

Tasting Notes for OLD MALT CASK

OMC2162 GLENLIVET SHERRY 16 YEARS

NOSE:     Sweetly spiced + runs to a dark chocolate character + tobacco
PALATE:                 Opens with a nuts & dried fruit style + a flamed orange zest quality
FINISH:   Now runs drier carrying a polished oak character + rich tannins (J) 

OMC2166 DAILUAINE 15 YEARS

NOSE:     Clean – runs to a sweet, buttery character + home baked style
PALATE: Opens sweetly carrying a vanilla tablet quality + sweet spices
FINISH:   Long, very mellow, still softly spiced + a gentle oak tang (J) 

OMC2167 AUCHENTOSHAN 14 YEARS

NOSE:     Clean & fresh + a sweet creamy character + a dusting of cocoa
PALATE:                 Carries sweet ripe fruits + crushed sugar + a gentle citric quality
FINISH:   Still sweet – now softly spiced + an attractive orange pith style (J) 

OMC2178 LAPHROAIG 11 YEARS

Nose:    Opens with oily rags + soot – then – sweet barley & sweet peat.

Palate:  A feisty big ashyIslay– astringent – tarry & sooty in style.

Finish:   Wamingly spiced with liquorice then more (damp bonfire) ash.  (F) 

OMC2180 TAMNAVULIN 25 YEARS

Nose:      Clean, gristy – soft citric now + “old linen cupboards”.

Palate:    Still clean – zesty – ever so lightly peated + sweet barley.

Finish:    Softly camphor in style + liquorice, more barley & spice.  (F)

The 6 Advance Samples are as follows: 

SMC0417  Speyburn 7 YEARS

SMC0415 Balmenach 9 YEARS

SMC0421 Jura 9 YEARS

SMC0414 Dailuaine  Sherry 12 YEARS

SMC0413 Glen Moray 12 YEARS

SMC0419 Inchgower 12 YEARS 

Tasting Notes for PREMIER BARREL

PBR0113 CRAIGELLACHIE SHERRY 12 YEARS

A celestially cracking Craigellachie!…. choc-a-bloc with capricious citrus testifying to a titillatingly tantalising tally of transfixing toffee’d  taste . (F) 

PBR0114 LAPHROAIG 11 YEARS

Love liberally this luminary – this lustrous, laudatory lusty Laphroaig and extol its enchantingly efficacious earthy extracting with its mystifying manifestation of maritime mirth and merriment.  (F) 

Tasting Notes follow here  for OLD AND RARE 

OAR0171  BOWMORE 25 YEARS

Vanilla toffee and chocolate marry with softly smoking peat – morphing into cedar-cigar boxes – hairdressing, liquorice, mothballs? and ozone.  The palate is maritime (big time!) with a salty briny style – rather “different” –  aged and softened  by oak, barley (sugar) and liquorice.  The finish is more phenolic now with ginger plus mixed spice, aniseed and seaweed (F) 

OAR0168 PORT ELLEN 30 YEARS

Salty, briny and oceanic fresh on the nose initially – it then warms to a soft leather armchair style with later citric tones.  Palatewise it is spicy – still maritime plus a soft peated character which develops the longer it is held and “chewed”.  The finish is lightly ashed – still somewhat phenolic and gently smoked.  (F) 

DOUBLE BARREL Tasting Note: 

DBS0035 ARDBEG/GLENROTHES – 7th RELEASE 

NOSE:     Opens with sweet spices and a floral character from the GLENROTHES and runs to toffee, burnt sugar and cigar ashes delivered by the ARDBEG

PALATE: The palate evolves from GLENROTHES with a mellow, sweetly spiced character to peat smoke, creosote and tar coming from the ARDBEG

FINISH:   Here the ARDBEG lingers with damp ashes, tar and peat smoke softened by the toffee character from the GLENROTHES 

Just as these are enjoyable Tasting Notes to write – so we hope they are of interest and validity to you when reviewing stock requirements.  We believe this month we have offered you a truly wide range of noses/palates and finishes which will intrigue you and your clientele.  We hope to be of service to you and look forward to hearing from you after review.  

Yours faithfully 

Fred H Laing

Managing Director

www.douglaslaing.com

NEW CANADIAN WHISKY BOOK – CHAPTERS-INDIGO PICK FOR FATHER’S DAY – Canadian Whisky News

NEW CANADIAN WHISKY BOOK – CHAPTERS-INDIGO PICK FOR FATHER’S DAY

Father’s Day shopping for the man who has everything is a whole lot easier this year thanks to Chapters and Indigo bookstores. Canada’s nationwide bookseller recommends Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert for Dad this year.

Forget the joke socks and blaring neckties. The most difficult member of the family to shop for will spend hours pouring over this new book about North America’s most popular whisky.

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is displayed on Father’s Day tables in Indigo and Chapters bookstores and is featured on-line in Indigo’s Father’s Day brochure.

Thank you Chapters/Indigo for thinking about Dad.

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is available on line from Indigo here 

Willie Napier Pure Pot Still 44yo (40%, IB, 114 Bts., 1989) – Irish Whiskey Tasting Note

Willie Napier Pure Pot Still 44yo. Distilled by B. Daly, Tullamore Distillery, Co Offaly, cask “acquired” in 1945 by W. Napier, The Central Bar,Lisburn,Northern Ireland (possibly distilled prior to 1945). Bottled 1989. 40% 114 bottles. 

“One of the best Irish Whiskeys ever released. Distilled in 1945 at the old Tullamore Distillery and aged for an incredible 44 years. Sadly the distillery closed for good in the 1950’s and this is one of just a few remaining bottlings from that era. This whiskey was drawn from a cask originally bought by the owner of the Cellar Bar in Lisburn. After being forgotten about it was finally bottled in 1989 and then only released for sale in the last decade. It is named after the former owner of the Cellar Bar, Willie Napier”. – Celtic Whiskey Shop 

On the nose there is an immediate sense of age, dusty grains, oak spice and a touch of vanilla at the last; all very nice and very pleasing. After some time in the glass there are hints of some good sweetness (further to the vanilla). The taste is slightly aggressive, diesely malt, some good black pepper and then some fruit along with the oak spice. All very pleasant and warming and quite unlike Irish whiskies of today (which, to be fair, are much younger). The finish is black pepper, grain and oak spice in equal measure with the diesely notes supporting the other characteristics. After a few minutes the grain rises to take the pole position and that is the final memento of a sensational old dram. 

A nice treat to try such a rare sample; many thanks to Joel Mullin for the generous sample. 

€499.99 at the Celtic Whiskey Shop http://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/  

90 points

Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America ‘June 2012 Outturn Offerings” – Scotch Whisky News

June 2012 Outturn Offerings 

Boiled sweets and grapefruit peel 

Cask No. 17.32                     

Highlands, Orkney 

Bubble-gum and vanilla sponge, with boiled sweets (pear drops and lemon sherbets); apple & elderflower cordial, white wine jelly; after a while a light soapiness. Fresh and clean overall. The taste is sweet, sharp and hotgrapefruit and lemon peel; powdery, with a pinch of salt. The scent of grapefruit skins increase at reduced strength, and the other aromas remain intact – vanilla, lemon sherbets, pear drops, washing powder. The taste is now sweeter and more salty, with light acidity and an aftertaste of lemon bon-bons. A fresh young aperitif from Orkney’s second distillery. 

Drinking tip: A springtime aperitif 

Colour: Pale gold                                              

Cask: Refill barrel                                            

Age: 9 years                                         

Date distilled: January 2002

Alcohol: 56.2% 

$90 

Powerful, elegant and atmospheric 

Cask No. 33.112                   

Islay, SouthShore 

Youthful, powerful – yes – but also elegant and atmospheric – the nose seemed quintessentially Islay – peat fire smoke and bog myrtle – as well as chocolate, beeswax, salty earthiness, tar and carbolic. The unreduced palate had a tongue-shriveling attack, yet with amazing toffee sweetness; birch tar and waxy textures. Water altered the nose to combine seafood saltiness, herbal, pine resin and citrus elements and something savoury (someone suggested lobster and chorizo). The reduced palate evoked lobster or crab from the grill, some leather, plenty of sweetness and a juicy, youthful energy – we thought it stunning. From the distillery that Glenmorangie re-awakened in 1997. 

Drinking tip: With oysters and lemon wedges in the Harbour Inn; fishing boats bobbing outside… 

Colour: Sunlight on Islay                                 

Cask: Second-fill Sherry butt                            

Age: 5 years                                         

Date distilled: December 2005

Alcohol: 60.8% 

$85

Eve’s pudding in a glass 

Cask No. 50.46                     

Lowlands, Borders 

The room was instantly filled with sweet fruity scents – bruised apples, pineapple, set honey; mellow, rich and opulent: Eve’s Pudding (apple topped with soft sponge), or even tarte tatin. The taste at full strength was not so rich: sharp, after a sweet start – one panellist was reminded of ‘strawberry flavoured cornflour’. Water raised soft pastry, tinned pineapple and baked apple, with some dry straw and boiled sweets (travel sweets dusted with icing sugar), and the taste is now much improved: soft and smooth, with light sweetness, a spicy finish and an overall taste of fresh mandarins. A-typical of the make from our southern-most distillery. 

Drinking tip: Chilled, with Eve’s pudding 

Colour: Full gold                                              

Cask: Refill hogshead                                       

Age: 21 years                                        

Date distilled: May 1990

Alcohol: 54.6% 

$145 

Fascinating and inspiring 

Cask No. G7.2                      

Grain 

We found the nose both fascinating and inspiring – lightly varnished wood, then honey, toffee popcorn and marzipan sweetness; fruit cake (raisins and cherries) and Italian sponge (lemon and vanilla). Typical of grain whiskies, the taste lagged slightly behind – but definitely pleasant – peach and apricot, lemonade, manuka honey, toffee, vanilla, scorched wood, almonds and a lemon peel finish. The reduced nose was light and bright – like sunshine on barley; pineapple, pear, marshmallow, meringue, crème brûlée and sugared rose petals! The palate benefited from water – scented wood, incense, Demerara and a little frisson of nutmeg. The distillery is near the Ayrshire coast. 

Drinking tip: Add a touch of water and take time to enjoy the fabulous nose 

Colour: Brassy gold                                           

Cask: Refill hogshead                                       

Age: 27 years                                        

Date distilled: May 1984

Alcohol: 60.3% 

$175

Please visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America at www.smwsa.com

Ralfy Publishes Whisky Review #278 – Scotch Whisky News

www.ralfy.com suggests a few good options for that malt-moment with Whisky Review 278recommended malt whiskies for 2012

New Arrivals at K&L California – Scotch Whisky News

Scotland Blended Scotch

Bank Note Blended Scotch Whisky 1L ($19.99)

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

A.D. Rattray Cask Islay Blended Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($47.99)

Bruichladdich Black Art 2nd Edition 21 Year Old Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($169.99)
Always one of Bruichladdich’s more esoteric offerings, yet by no means less brilliant, the Black Art series alludes to Jim McEwan’s almost devilish ability to conjure up flavors never-before seen in single malt whisky. Using a combination of various wine casks, this 21 year old whisky undergoes a transformation that takes the rich, oily textures of old Bruichladdich and combines it with cherries, blackberries, currants, and a melee of other red-fruited delights. The vanilla and oak come smoothly on the finish. It’s a decadent whisky and it’s always quick to sell out. Grab it while it’s here. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

Bruichladdich Organic Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($59.99)

Bunnahabhain 20 Year Old A.D. Rattray Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($125.99)

Glenkinchie 20 year old, Distillery Bottling 750ml – 4 available ($179.00)

Octomore 3 152 ppm Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 7 available ($159.99)

Octomore 4.1 Heavily Peated Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($169.99)

Octomore 4.2 Comus Heavily Peated Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($189.99)
Peated at 167 ppm and run at a slow drip through the still, the Octomore from Bruichladdich is the peatiest whisky in the world. At a whopping 61%, this new 4.2 Comus release has been finished in Chateau d’Yquem casks, adding richness to the bright, almost cinnamon-like peat of the Octomore whisky. Rich golden raisins with a peaty punch in the face. Tropical fruits smoked and caramelized to high heaven. This is not for the faint of heart, yet it’s something everyone should try at least once (and perhaps several times for the truly hedonistic).

PC8 – Port Charlotte Ar Duthchas Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 7 available ($99.99)

Port Charlotte “An Turas Mor” Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($59.99)

Big Peat Islay Vatted Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml – 12 available ($59.99)

Oban 18 Year Limited Edition Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $149.99) ($99.99)
91 points Malt Advocate: “Drier, less toffee and fruit, more dried spice and oak when compared to the standard Oban 14 year old. A beautiful combination of rich, nutty toffee balanced by polished oak, salt, pepper, seaweed, distant smoke, and dried fruit. Somewhat oily in texture. Wonderful depth, too! An improvement on what is already the biggest-selling Diageo single malt scotch in the U.S. Very exciting and dynamic. (Vol. 17, #4, by John Hansell)” K&L Notes: Always tough to find – this is a limited edition bottling for the US only. As the cannister states, “only so much can be made, it is never enough.”

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

The Dalmore Introduces New Packaging – Scotch Whisky News

The Dalmore Introduces New Packaging

The Dalmore is introducing new packaging across its core range designed to reinforce its luxury credentials and give the bottle and packaging greater prominence “on shelf”.

Each and every bottle of The Dalmore will now feature a solid silver stag, which proudly represents the distillery’s iconic heritage and links with the notable Mackenzie clan, who were awarded the use of the 12-point royal stag emblem upon saving the life of King Alexander III in 1263.

Clean and contemporary lines, labels and communication feature heavily in the new range which increases clarity and brand stand out, meaning consumers can easily identify with the brand, the expression and its maturation statement.

The cartons will have a textured dimension to add a sensory experience to purchase and the King Alexander III expression will be in a front reveal style carton which can be opened up to display the bottle on shelf. The colour palate used across the new designs are deep heritage inspired colours chosen to reflect the rich history of the brand and also the colours in the famous painting ‘Fury of a Stag*’ which depicts the event in which the Mackenzie clan saved the King.

The new pack design will be applied across the core Dalmore range – 12, 15, 18, Cigar Malt Reserve and King Alexander III – and will demonstrate a clear progression of a luxurious look and feel between the core range and the prestigious rare Dalmore range, which includes gems such as Trinitas, Aurora and Candela.

Packaging will be rolled out across markets from May 2012.

* The ‘Fury of a Stag’ painting by Benjamin West which depicts Colin Mackenzie (Fitzgerald) saving the King’s life can be viewed in the National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh.

Chris Watt, The Dalmore Head of Brand:

“Our distillery has been producing exceptional single malts since 1839 and we have some of the rarest aged whisky stocks in the world. Our malts exude quality, craftsmanship and liquid excellence and we feel that the new packaging introduction brings our image proudly in line with that.”

About The Dalmore

The Dalmore is home to some of the rarest and most exclusive whiskies in the world, including The Dalmore Trinitas which was the first whisky to break the £100,000 barrier. Situated on the banks of the Cromartie Firth, Scotland, the distillery has been producing exceptional single malts since 1839.

The legend that surrounds The Dalmore harks back to 1263 when a member of the Mackenzie clan saved King Alexander III from being gored by a charging stag. The grateful King granted the Mackenzie clan the right to bear the 12-point royal stag in their coat of arms. The Mackenzie clan was long owned by The Mackenzie family which is why every bottle of The Dalmore is adorned with the proud stag emblem, reinforcing its royal pedigree.

www.thedalmore.com 

Scapa 16yo (40%, OB, 2010) – Scotch Whisky Tasting Note

Scapa 16yo (40%, OB, 2010) 

The replacement for the official bottling of the much loved 14yo (which was priced some what lower). None the less on the nose there is some very nice maltiness (lots of grain notes and very much the malt barn memories or even sweeping up split grain at Springbank; up on the top floor where the pigeons roost). There’s also a herbaceous note behind the malt and some nice sweetness, perhaps from some ex- American cask influence? The sweetness is quite fruity; lychee and marmalade. The taste is much like the nose but leans a little more to leather and tobacco with the ever present malt, the sweetness has vanished some what but what’s left is very good. All in all very enjoyable. The finish is an even mix of the malt and the leather and tobacco with some good black pepper and what not towards the end. Lots of mouth smacking malt and some bourbon notes and even a few hints of juniper. Long. 

Very nice, much drier than the 14yo which was very sweet but no complaints. 

C$110 (in some markets) 

86 Points


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