A Taste of Kilchoman with Anthony Wills

We’re having a little break from tastings down at TWE Vinopolis, although we’re still catching up with the write-ups here at HQ. I’d like to say that it’s so that we can have a rest over the summer, recharge our … Continue reading >>

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and Edgemont Fine Wines, Spirits & Ales are extremely excited to announce our new partnership!

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is the world’s foremost single malt whisky club, with over 26,000 members in 16 branches around the world. It has bottled from just under 130 distilleries thus far, with the bottlings available exclusively to Society members. The Canadian branch of The Society, launched in Alberta in October 2011, is expanding to BC and come the fall, Edgemont Fine Wines, Spirits & Ales will be the exclusive retail home in Vancouver and for the BC Mainland. The SMWS has the world’s largest selection of single cask, single malt whiskies, with the Canadian branch releasing seven new bottlings every month! Unfiltered. Undiluted. Unrivaled.

We’re thrilled and looking forward to adding their unique whiskies to our whisky wall and sharing them with you! So starting in the fall, we’ll be letting you know how you can become a SMWS member through Edgemont and gain exclusive access to their limited bottlings as well as The Society’s award winning magazine, Unfiltered and Society venues around the world. Keep an eye on our emails for more information in the coming months and, in the meantime, check www.smws.ca for more information.

Until then, if you wish to learn more, email curious@smws.ca or ourselves. We’ll make sure you get all the updates!

Isle of Arran 12yo Cask Strength (54.1%, OB, 12,000 Bts., Number 1, 2011)

Batch #1 of the new 12 year cask strength edition bottled at 54.1% without colouring or chill filtration. On the nose there are traces of the cask heritage; a good dollop of ex- American bourbon notes, the welcome characteristic Isle of Arran malt and then some lovely honey sweetness (dare it be called ‘Manuka’? – earthy, oily, herbaceous and florid, rich and complex so say Wikipedia).  A heady combination. The taste strong with rich earthy notes and also some good red cedar and oak spice; very vibrant, raisins, dark dried fruits and even a hint of fruit cake. Coffee grounds, honey, again. Very nice. The finish is slightly herbaceous with good chewy malt and then the dry notes resembling cured (unlit) tobacco take over towards the end but then a bit of the malt makes and appearance.

Water soothes the effect and the resulting creaminess/syrupy taste is still very goo and it can handle a significant amount of water while holding together. Very, very nice…

$95

 85 Points

Part 3 of 4 featuring Isle of Arran Whiskies

The Macallan 25 year old is back in stock. Limited stock only!

Macallan distillery was granted legal status for producing whisky in 1824 and has since become regarded by connoisseurs worldwide as one of the finest malt whiskies. A definite smokiness manifests itself in this complex malt, with a very long finish. A very collectable and drinkable single malt…

Simply Click To Buy

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

EXCITING NEWS: The highly acclaimed Ka Va Lan whiskies from Taiwan will be available in Canada NEXT week!.

Exclusive in Canada to Kensington Wine Mart Calgary

Some New Johnnie Walkers…

We’ve been meaning to say something up here on the blog for a while about the new additions to the Johnnie Walker range, so finally here are some notes. Earlier this year it was announced that the much loved (to … Continue reading >>

Old Pulteney releases the final instalment of the boat series – WK217 ‘Spectrum’

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky, known as The Maritime Malt, has released the third and final expression of an acclaimed series of single malts related to extraordinary boats from Wick. The inspiration for the last instalment came from WK217 ‘Spectrum’. She was built in 1920 and went down in local history as one of the first Wick drifters to use a pioneering method of fishing called Anchor Seine Netting. She was also used during World War II for harbour service duties.

Old Pulteney WK217 ‘Spectrum’ was distilled and matured at Pulteney, the most northerly distillery on Scottish mainland. American and Spanish oak ex-sherry butts of exceptional quality were used in the ageing process. The whisky has not been chill-filtered or artificially coloured. Old Pulteney WK217 has a premium strength of 46% ABV and is available in 1 litre bottles.

Old Pulteney WK217 ‘Spectrum’ follows the very successful WK499 ‘Isabella Fortuna’ and WK209 ‘Good Hope’. It is already on sale exclusively at World of Whiskies and World Duty Free at major airports around the UK. It will eventually become available across travel retail outlets throughout Europe and Middle East. Recommended retail price in the UK is £39.99.

Notes

· Old Pulteney’s core range includes Old Pulteney 12 Year Old, Old Pulteney 17 Year Old and Old Pulteney 21 Year Old. Old Pulteney 30 Year Old is also available
· Old Pulteney 21 Year Old was named by Jim Murray as the World Whisky of the Year 2012 in the latest edition of his popular Whisky Bible
· Pulteney Distillery was established by James Henderson in 1826, at the peak of the celebrated herring fishing boom
· Pulteney remains the most northerly whisky distillery on the Scottish mainland
· The distillery uses one pair of stills, the wash still featuring a very large boil bulb, and condenses spirit with the use of traditional worm tubs

Isle of Arran 9yo (61.3%, SMWS, 121.51, 642 Bts., Sherry, Refill Butt, 2002/2011

Rich dark fruits on the undiluted nose followed by some very good sweetness (warm syrup or warmed brown sugar in the pan just before the butter goes in. A little bit of sweet n’ sour going on. Tobacco finished marmalade (OK, OK, that was made up but very evocative, no?) and some slight moments of malt in the back ground. A little espresso for good measure and fruit cake. All very rich and redolent. The taste is warming, very big and not so much the fruit and sweetness as green malt, rich, rich grains, a good dose of tobacco (unlit but cured), some really good dark chocolate and some good Arran characteristic malt. A little bit of the sourness but more of the richness. Delicious and mouth smacking. The finish brings out more richness and some malt but still it’s very big and very long. More of the mouth smacking but this time all down to the malt. Long, active and good.
Only 642 bottles? What a pity. Quite excellent without water; with water it calms down and becomes quite syrupy and sweeter. Really quite jolly jolly.Actually very similar to the Sleeping Warrior…

$109

Score 89 points

Part 2 of 4 featuring Isle of Arran Whiskies

New Releases From The Dimensions Range

Dimensions 46 Glenlossie 11YO (2000)
Nose: Crisp and robust, very rounded. Fruity and spicy notes with an element redolent of hot-cross buns.
Taste: Fruit and spices with a buttery coating.
Finish: A spicy dry finale makes this a very suitably aperitif.

Dimensions Cask Strength Glenrothes 21YO (1991) Cask No. 5155
Nose: A woody (sandalwood) aroma let its presence be known immediately; accompanied by lovely creamy fudge, vanilla and stewed apples.
Taste: A creamy woodiness, slight spice, apples – fresh and dry.
Finish: Hangs onto the bitter end, which is all the better for savouring what it has to offer. A clean-cut finish; woody, creamy, sweet, fruity and rich.

Dimensions 46 Linkwood 15YO (1996)
Nose: Aromatic, malty and a delightfully strong vanilla note. Hints of Demerara sugar and custard.
Taste: Toasted oak, orange, apple juice and nutmeg.
Finish: Medium finish with apple pie and vanilla.

Dimensions Cask Strength Springbank 17YO (1995) Cask No. 1995
Nose: Perfect for those who enjoy a sherry finish, for there is an abundance of sherry. The Springbank character remains however, which truly gives this whisky its multi-dimensional character. Ripe, red berried fruit (strawberry, rhubarb, red currant, raspberry), especially on the nose, along with raisin. It’s all on a bed of blueberry pancakes, toffee and fig cake. Fantastic on the nose!
Taste: Sherry, chocolate, treacle.
Finish: A smooth finish, mild sherry and very sweet. Very enjoyable!

Dimensions Cask Strength Teaninich 28YO (1983) Cask No. 6717
Nose: Greengages, lime, lemon zest. Hint of aniseed and a touch of juicy oak
Taste: Sweet, malty, with some notes of sugared cereals, dried oranges, and caramelized pastries. Some bold notes of over-baked cake, maple syrup, roasted peanut. Crispy praline and nougat.
Finish: Long and creamy finish on fruit jams and candy sugar.

For more information regarding the Dimensions range visit our website: http://www.duncantaylor.com and for information regarding local retailers or online retailers stocking Duncan Taylor products email kat@duncantaylor.com

 Duncan Taylor Whisky Ltd

A New Blog Post… Viva le ‘Laddie

See for yourself HERE

More news from The Whisky Barrel later this week 🙂

Alastair @ The Whisky Barrel
www.thewhiskybarrel.com