Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

Kilchoman K&L Exclusive 100% Islay Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($109.99)
Our single sherry cask of standard Kilchoman was an easy choice. The malt was simply brilliant, so good that any Islay fan could easily fall in love with its power and complexity. It was the other barrel, however, sitting in the corner of the warehouse that brought out the whisky geeks in David and me. We had heard rumors that Kilchoman was sitting on a small batch of sherry-aged 100% Islay single malt, their ultra-delicious and incredibly-limited whisky made from a small crop of barley grown and malted entirely at the distillery. It’s no secret that the rest of Islay buys their barley from Diageo’s Port Ellen malting facility, but circumventing that route is difficult, not to mention costly. Is it worth it however? The answer to that question is a resounding “YES!” The spice on Kilchoman’s all-Islay whisky is totally different from the standard make – think blanco tequila meets smoky mezcal, with lots of citrus. When you add a sherry barrel to that equation the spice turns to cinnamon red hots, the fruit tropical and hedonistic, the peat to a sweet and vibrant tang. At cask strength, the malt overwhelms the palate, almost like a giant party in your mouth. We had to push hard for this cask, but when you see two young buyers jumping up and down and hugging each other in your warehouse after tasting it, it’s probably hard to say “no.” (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

Faultline 10 Year Old North Highland Single Barrel 100 Proof Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($49.99)
In a single malt market where “value” is becoming a loosely defined word, we at K&L are working harder than ever to find new and interesting whiskies that everyone can enjoy. While many of our exclusive Scotland casks can be quite pricy due to the scarcity, age, and the high alcohol percentage, David and I really wanted to find a few great options that came in well under $75. Part of the problem, however, is that even young whiskies from single barrels are expensive, which is why we often opt for the older ones. It was David OG’s intuition, however, that took us outside of Glasgow to a small producer’s warehouse full of great whiskies at remarkable prices. Inside this tiny storage unit was a refill-sherry butt full of classically-flavored malt from one of the Highland’s most distinguished distilleries – one from which we practically never see independent offerings. After tasting the whisky, we were very impressed, but we felt that, at cask strength, the alcohol simply overpowered the flavor. A few drops of water really mellowed out the heat, bringing forward the fruit and highlighting the grain. The whisky is perfect at 100 proof. The nose offers fresh stonefruit and light vanilla, the palate is deceptively rich with a faint oiliness and incredibly subtle sherry tones that masterfully tame its youthful vigor. What we have here is good old-fashioned Scotch for people who like great whisky at a great price – exactly what the Faultline label is all about. (David Driscoll)

Kilchoman K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($99.99)
Getting to taste fresh Kilchoman, right of the still, was one of the highlights of the trip this year for David and me. Something magical is going on inside this tiny farm distillery. Their formula is so delicious, even as a white dog, that it hardly needs much aging at all. However, we were very curious to see what five years in a first-fill sherry cask would do to soften up some of the spice. Sitting in the warehouse with manager John MacLellan, we tapped into one of the fresh butts and poured ourselves a sample. This malt is loaded with fresh earth, chewy oils, petrol and peat smoke, mossy, dried grass, and a maritime sea air note that really hangs on the finish. It’s a beast of a whisky, showcasing everything we love about both Kilchoman and sherry-aged Islay whisky. Of all the Kilchoman whiskies we’ve tasted, this one by far had the most maturity and was precocious beyond its years. It was only a matter of seconds before David and I looked at each other, nodded, and added another distillery-direct cask to the list. Years from now, when Kilchoman is one of the most sought-after malts in the world, no longer bottling private casks, we’ll look back and say, “We used to buy them right out the warehouse.” These are heady days for Islay fans. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer).

1974 Glencraig, distilled at Glenburgie 30 year old, Duncan Taylor Rarest of the Rare Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 2 available ($199.99)

1992 Isle of Jura 18 Year Duncan Taylor Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($99.99)

2006 Kilchoman 5 Year Old Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 10 available ($75.99)

Johnnie Walker Black Blended Scotch Whisky 750ml – 8 available ($29.99)

Glenlivet 18 year old Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($79.99)

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

The Dalmore Constellation Collection Is 21 Vintages created at the the Dalmore Highland Distillery between the years 1964 and 1992

Consisting of 21 individual releases, these magnificent, bold whiskies have spent their lives finessing in the finest casks from around the world. Bottles at natural cask strength and at natural colour they have endured that none of the collection’s character has been diluted.

Dalmore Constellation Collection 1966

The special refinement of the whisky is matched by their presentation in hand blown crystal decanters housed in a bespoke lacquered presentation cabinet engraved by hand and adorned with a solid silver stag, each decanter is as unique as the spirit within.

Tasting notes for 1966 Constellation Vintage: Distilled in 1966 Cask number 7, 45 year old, bottled at 41.7% volume.

Colour: Mahogany Gold

Nose: Blood oranges, crushed apples and pear followed by Ogen melon, walnuts, Jamaican Jerk and cinnamon. Whispers of Bulgarian roses and jasmine coupled with coriander and cocoa powder complete the experience.

Taste: Ripe mandarins, kumquats, blackforrest fruits and pineapple tease, before a wave of ortaniques, ginger, black treacle and chewy liquorice follow with hints of vanilla, creamy caramel and Swiss Chocolate

Click Here To See The Full Range

Dalmore Master Blender Richard Paterson On The New Launch

“These single cask whiskies are a truly remarkable piece of craftsmanship. Each expression glows in its own natural brilliance to create a kaleidoscope of colour across the collection. As you would expect from Dalmore, each unique cask follows time honoured methods of artisanship, slowly maturing in our dark warehouses, naturally cooled by the damp maritime winds rolling in from the North Sea”.

The Whisky Shop Tel 0141 440 0600 info@whiskyshop.com www.whiskyshop.com

Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks, ‘Kilchoman Machir Bay Miniature’

Kilchoman Machir Bay is now available in 5cl miniatures.

Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

AUCHENTOSHAN PRESENTS…

A series of classically modern events that will exercise the brain with a mix of Single Malt Whisky served with a good measure of intelligent ideas and perspectives from some of the UK’s leading creative experts. 

2010 and 2011 saw the birth of Auchentoshan Presents… a series of exciting and innovative parties with forward-thinking music promoters that smacked a punch into a laid back Sunday with acts including SBTRKT, Optimo and Jaques Renault (DFA). For 2012, Auchentoshan Presents… has evolved. Scotland’s only triple distilled Single Malt Whisky is proud to announce partnerships with a collective of advocates who are contemporary experts in a variety of creative fields. Each one personifies the character of Auchentoshan by taking a traditional craft or idea and made it their own with a unique and modern attitude. This classically modern approach is what makes them stand apart, and why they fit so well with Auchentoshan.

This year’s activity follows on from a successful experiential campaign in 2011, which introduced Auchentoshan to over 3,000 advocates and influencers. Thisseries, which will be supported with PR and social media, will bring to life the Classically Modern platform by working alongside partners who have, like the whisky, mixed the very best of the past with the very best of the future.

Kirsteen Beeston, Head of Brands Marketing at Morrison Bowmore Distillers, said, “We’re really excited to be taking Auchentoshan Presents into its third year with such a great team of advocates. The aim was to evolve the series by stepping up the sharing of intelligent ideas and conversation to create the perfect backdrop to introduce both new and traditional whisky drinkers to the world of Single Malts.”

Nick Barker, Cellar Trends Brand Manager for Auchentoshan, commented, “Auchentoshan continues to gain popularity in the on-trade, with the Three Wood expression fast becoming the bartenders favourite to use in classic cocktails such as the Old Fashioned alongside modern and innovative new serves. The Auchentoshan Presents series will continue to help drive momentum by increasing awareness of Auchentoshan and its positioning with both a new and existing customer base”.

The events, which will take place across the UK from July-October, will combine a unique whisky tasting with innovative workshops in the advocates’ field of expertise. These will include advice on gentlemen’s grooming with a pop-up barbershop, to a hidden dinning experience in a secret location, to how to make a classically modern Old Fashioned and how to start a fashion label.

2012’s Auchentoshan Presents advocates are:

Murdock London – leader in traditional grooming for the modern gentleman

DJ Ivan Smagghe – globe trotting and genre defying DJ

Shacklewell Nights – pioneer of hidden dining experiences

D.S.Dundee – premium menswear brand and tailors, Scotland born and London based

DunneFrankowski – coffee creators, focusing on design, cafe culture and concepts

Soulshakers – leading mixologists who have been at the forefront of cocktail design in the UK

In conjunction with this series of events Auchentoshan has created a ‘Classically Modern’ handbook with designers Herb Lester Associates www.herblester.com. The handbook offers an informative yet easy to follow guide to Single Malt Whisky and Auchentoshan. There are also tips on grooming, a classically modern playlist, cocktail instructions and other sartorial gems given by the advocates. These will be available to everyone who attends the AuchentoshanPresents…events.

Auchentoshan, pronounced ock-un-tosh-an, is a traditional and authentic Single Malt, distilled three times and matured in the finest wood, producing a smooth and delicate spirit; a complex, modern expression of a classic Single Malt Whisky. It is a whisky that’s been produced with passion and enriched with heritage.

Auchentoshan Presents…National Tour:

Auchentoshan Presents… Murdock London & their pop-up classically modern barbershop and gentleman’s grooming workshop

GLASGOW – Friday 13th July – The Corinthian (6-10pm)

LONDON – August tbc – Zetter Townhouse

Murdock was established by Brendan Murdock in 2006 to offer unique barbering services, classic grooming products and artisan accessories. They have firmly established themselves as a primary destination for the new gent-about-town. Alex Glover, Master Barber at Murdock in Liberty, will be hosting a pop-up barbershop and grooming workshop as part of Auchentoshan Presents…The night will include a talk on traditional grooming for the modern gentlemen, how to shave, and what products to use. Those that arrive early will be booked in for a complimentary barber experience of a wet shave, beard trim, express trim or hot towel facial. Consumers can then sit back and relax with Auchentoshan cocktails, tasting and sartorial delights.

Auchentoshan Presents… Soulshakers classically modern cocktail workshop

LEEDS – Sunday 26th August – The Wardrobe

Soulshakers will host a cocktail workshop and teach how to make a classically modern Old Fashioned.

Soulshakers have been in the vanguard of the cocktail renaissance since 2002. They havebeen responsible for some of the most successful bars, clubs and restaurants open today, raising the standard of drinks made on planes, at home and at music festivals around the world.

Auchentoshan Presents… Ivan Smagghe, Q&A and classically modern DJ Set

MANCHESTER – Sunday 9th September – Common

Ivan Smagghe belongs to the top table of DJs that journalists like to describe as “The DJ’s DJ” He has created “genre-defying/defining” mixes for Bugged Out!, Death Disco, Fabric, Paris concept store Colette and the label Kill The DJ, which he founded and continues to A&R. He will be playing a classically modern set and taking part in a Q&A for Auchentoshan Presents…

Auchentoshan Presents… D.S.Dundee tailoring and classically modern fashion workshop & DunneFrankowski coffee workshop

BRIGHTON – October date TBC

D.S.DUNDEE is a premium menswear brand, Scotland born and London based. Inspired by British and Scottish heritage, sartorial style and casual classics, DSD creates a contemporary wardrobe – a one-stop shop for the discerning modern man. D.S.Dundee will be bringing down their founders and tailors to talk about how to set up a fashion label and tailoring tips. They are joined by DunneFrankowski who will be holding a coffee and whisky workshop Victor Frankowski is certified as a sensory judge for coffee competitions; he runs DunneFrankowski with Rob Dunne, teaching coffee-tasting and exploring links between coffee,design, and business.

Auchentoshan Presents… Shacklewell Nights classically modern Hidden Dining experience

EDINBURGH – October 28th– Secret location

Claire Roberson is one of the pioneers of London’s secret dining scene with Green Onions Secret Supper Club and more recently with Shacklewell Nights, both of which have received huge praise and sell out in hours. Claire will be creating a pop-up dining experience with whisky and food matching for Auchentoshan Presents…

All events will be complimentary except Shacklewell Nights event where there will be a charge; people can sign up for a place through the Auchentoshan website or Facebook.

For more details on events and to reserve a place visit www.auchentoshan.com / or www.facebook.com/auchentoshan

UK Distributor: Cellar Trends on 01283 217703 or auchentoshan@cellartrends.co.uk

Notes:

Auchentoshan – The Modern Classic

A traditional and authentic single malt, distilled three times and matured in the finest wood

A whisky produced with passion and enriched with heritage

Favours the classic but with a nod to the contemporary

It’s a combination of two worlds; old and new

It’s a throwback to the future

It’s style not fashion

The very best of the past with the very best of the present…

Auchentoshan Classic is available to buy from a wide range of retailers including Asda, Waitrose, and a range of on line retailers and ßwhisky specialists with a RRP approx £27.00.

As Glasgow’s closest Distillery, Auchentoshan is truly unique as it is the only distillery to use a third still in the whisky making process. It means Auchentoshan is the only Single Malt Scotch whisky to triple distil every single drop. This third distillation takes the new spirit to 81.5% ABV (not 70% which is achieved through only distilling twice) making it the highest distillate of any Scottish distillery. The result is a light and delicate single malt of unmistakable smoothness.

Awards 2011

IWSC

Gold Medal, 1975 Bourbon

Best in Class Silver, 18YO

Best in Class Silver, Classic

International Spirits Challenge

Silver Media, 1975 Bourbon

Silver Medal, Valinch

Silver Medal, Three Wood

Scottish Design Awards

Best Packaging – Auchentoshan Travel Retail Award

Awards 2012

San Francisco Spirits Competition

Double Gold Medal, Three Wood

Silver Medal, Classic

Silver Medal, 12YO

World Whiskies Awards:

Best Lowland – Auchentoshan 1999 Wine Matured

Ultimate Spirits Challenge:

94 points/Excellent-Highly Recommended – Auchentoshan Three Wood

Ultimate Cocktail Challenge:

Chairman’s Trophy – Best Scotch Whisky in a classic Rusty Nail cocktail – Auchentoshan Three Wood

Tomatin 10yo ‘Single Malt Collection’ (40%, Trader Joe’s, +/-2010)

Exclusively bottled for Trader Joe’s, ‘rare aged scotch whisky’ and ‘matured in oak casks’. On the nose there are hints of marzipan; ‘green’ notes (think green peas and uncooked raw grains) and some warm sugar or caramel. After some time in the glass things begin to change and it becomes much more solid and a little fragrance inter mingled with some good oak notes (leather and dry unlit tobacco). It’s rather quit nice. After about 15 minutes in the glass some very enjoyable malt comes to the fore. The taste is a little more towards the leather and tobacco and very ‘solid’ with some good heavy notes and lots of active flavours. Only a little of the fragrance now shows which is a nice backing to the heavier notes (think Oxo or beef tea). Again quite nice and a pleasant surprise. The finish is active and quite long with the heavier notes and the Ox0 working well together to produce a very good finish. After a minute or two there’s some very good malt which is a really good way to end.

Quite drinkable however there’s a slight suspicion that somebody has been playing with spirit caramel….

+/-$40

Score 82 points

Part one of the ‘Z’ of the whisky alphabet as we take a look as whiskies that begin with “T”

Zuidam Distillers Whisky Tasting – Wednesday 8th August 2012

Our August tasting will be a triple delight as not only will it feature both malt and rye whisky but also a selection of aged Dutch genevers that Patrick van Zuidam and his family produce at their distillery in the Netherlands. These are quality spirits produced with skill and passion, and if you’ve not experienced aged genever before you will find it dangerously addictive!

Being independent means that Zuidam Distillers have the freedom to innovate in ways that would not be viable for large distilleries and they have used this to great effect to experiment with various stages of the production process. Patrick’s tremendous knowledge of what influences the way flavours are formed combined with a dry sense of humour make him a very entertaining speaker and the ideal person to take us through this great range of whiskies and genevers. When else will you get the chance to taste whisky where the barley has been milled by a real Dutch windmill?

See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

Stanton House Hotel

UPCOMING EVENT
Name Zuidam Distillers Whisky Tasting
Date Wednesday 8th August 2012

Time 7pm for 7.30pm
Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren
Details We will be tasting a selection of Dutch single malt and rye whiskies plus some fabulous aged genevers.

Tickets are £12.50 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting. Tickets are very strictly limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and as there is only one night of tasting available for this particular event it is best to book ASAP. To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com and place an order for the number you require, or telephone us with your payment details on (01793) 765071, or call in and see us at Arkwrights, The Dormers, Highworth, Wiltshire.

Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies/genevers tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared.

N.B. We have negotiated special rates at the hotel for anyone who wants to stay overnight after the tasting – contact us for further details of rates.

Ali’s Old Lorry

Hi everyone,

Visitors to Dufftown may have spotted the lorry, pictured below, while on a tour of our distilleries. It belongs to one of our longest-serving employees, Ali Buchan who started his career in our cooperage 39 years ago. After spells in the bottling plant and the engineers’ team, Ali started working shifts in our malt…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

Kind regards,
Ludo

Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks ‘Brora 1981 30yo Chieftain’s

‘Brora Chief 1981 30yo 50%alc.

(These notes by the Joynson himself)…Output from Brora in its final years was very variable; typically peaty; there are also many offerings with no peat. I suspect it was unloved because it was due to be condemned and the workers treated it with some disdain. Nowadays no distillery is loved more than Brora and, like Sid Vicious’ terminal career move, it’s closure may have been the best thing that happened to it. Discuss.

Anyway how about this Chieftain’s bottling from a sherry butt? Well it’s amber in colour, we can see that.

I have copious tasting notes to transcribe for you: Peat, then sulphur notes (as fishy exhaust fumes) and then peaty again. Once the peat is assimilated, estery notes rise as raisins and banana particularly comes to dominate. With time the peat returns as definite yet light; my notes say ‘roasting fires’, perhaps someone can explain that to us all? The aroma with water added changes it dramatically, starched, fresh linen, peat and cocoa, a low level but nice peat.

Tasted it is surprisingly sweet!! It’s soft and well balanced with a caramel syrup. Adding water releases the peat into the embouchure.

To surmise: a sweet and softly peaty dram that engages the drinker to have some more. Please enjoy, responsibly.

G8 on the Flavour Map, Complex, Rich and Smoky.

Distilled: December 1981
Bottled: April 2012
Limited to 553 bottles from Butt # 1525

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

TRY THE GLENDRONACH TASTE AVALANCHE THIS SUMMER!

AN AVALANCHE of raisins and spices awaits visitors to GlenDronach this summer!

For the award-winning Aberdeenshire distillery has just bottled its latest Distillery Exclusive which once again promises to leave an indelible impression on the taste buds.

Distilled on the 24th of September 1993, and matured in an Oloroso sherry butt, cask number 1607 was bottled this June as an 18 year-old, at cask strength (56.1% vol). The whisky is rich ruby mahogany in appearance. On the nose, there’s the aforementioned avalanche of raisins and spices supplemented with cedar wood notes, while on the palate it offers the taste of fruit cake and sweet spices laced with figs, raisins and lashings of currants.

This exclusive GlenDronach expression is now available, but only to visitors to the distillery shop. It retails at £74.99, and with the cask generating just over 600 bottles, it is very much a limited release.

Also new at GlenDronach this summer is the latest outstanding Distillery Manager’s cask. Personally selected by Alan McConnochie, GlenDronach 1993 cask # 1616 is a classic, richly-sherried 18 year-old single malt redolent of all the wonderful things you associate with GlenDronach – raisins, chocolate, spices and dates. Visitors can hand-fill their own bottle at the distillery with a personalised label and take home a little bit of heaven.

The GlenDronach Visitor Centre is open seven days a week in the summer from 10.00am to 4.30pm. It offers regular guided tours (The ‘Discovery Tour’) throughout the day – at 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

The distillery also offers the ‘Connoisseur’s Tour’ – a more comprehensive, in-depth experience – which can be arranged by appointment only.

More information from the Visitor Centre visit www.glendronachdistillery.co.uk  or email info@glendronachdistillery.co.uk  

www.ralfy.com celebrates the water of life with water ! . . . Whisky Review 287 – Water with your whisky.

This Vlog is a watered down version!