www.ralfy.com reveals a gentle shining star of a malt with Whisky Review 326 – Bladnoch 20yo @ 46%whisky

Happy Whisky Christmas To You Fellow WhiskyLover

A FEW DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS…assuming the Mayans were wrong.

Have you gotten all the WhiskyLovers in your life their gifts? Or are you still searching for that perfect something?

If you are in need, relax, we’ve got you covered: below are two phenomenal gift ideas THAT ARE GUARANTEED TO ARRIVE in time for Christmas.

Purchase a Whisky Explorers club membership or FWL Gift Certificate by 5:00pm EST Christmas Eve, we’ll guarantee the lucky recipient will receive their Whisky Explorers “Welcome to the Club” email, or their ForWhiskeyLovers Gift Certificate, before Midnight on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve we will process your order, which will generate a Welcome Letter sent to the recipient via email. This email will alert the lucky recipient that you asked Santa to give them a Whisky Explorers club membership, or ForWhiskeyLovers Gift Certificate, from you.

I hope these gifts help you or someone you know out of their last minute “what and where to get” predicament…and that you and your family have a most joyous Christmas and Happy and Prosperous New Year!

With warmest regards,

Doug Stone
Founder
ForWhiskeyLovers.com
THE WHISKY EXPLORERS CLUB

FACUNDO PIERES SIGNS WITH ROYAL SALUTE AFTER WORLD CLASS VICTORY AT THE 119^TH CAMPEONATO ARGENTINO ABIERTO DE POLO

Facundo Pieres, son of legendary polo player Gonzalo Pieres Sr. has signed with Royal Salute, after leading the Ellerstina team to victory in the 119^th Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo in Buenos Aires last week. Partnering with the renowned Scotch whisky as Ambassador for the World Polo programme globally, Facundo raised a glass at the Royal Salute stand in Palermo, shortly after Ellerstina claimed the trophy.

After celebrating the first year as Official Whisky of the 119^th Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo, Royal Salute made the announcement to a small group of patrons, players and VIPs after Ellerstina claimed victory on Saturday, narrowly defeating La Dolfina, 12 goals to 10.

After signing with Facundo, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers Christian Porta said: “The Pieres family is legendary in the sport of polo. What we have seen today and throughout Facundo’s professional career is a passion, dedication and vision for this prestigious game that is truly inspiring.  Facundo will offer a unique insight into the ‘Sport of Kings’ and we look forward to further strengthening the Royal Salute World Polo programme with his support.”

Facundo Pieres, Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador, commented: “Royal Salute has shown their full support and commitment to polo in the past years; I am honoured to represent the Royal Salute World Polo programme globally and to be part of this fantastic journey. Polo is my life and has been in my family for decades and I hope to share this passion with the world. I am excited to be signing on the day of Ellerstina’s victory at the world’s most important game, the Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo.”

Undoubtedly one of the best and most respected competitors within the world of polo, Facundo is a 10-goal Argentinean player with proven international success which Royal Salute is proud to celebrate. 

Royal Salute, since 1953, had proudly celebrated outstanding achievements in all walks of life and today, Facundo will be continuing this legacy by being integral in bringing this purpose to life both on and off the field, sharing his experience and passion with the world.

Royal Salute’s commitment to international polo continues with sponsorships of some of the world’s most prestigious polo events across America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Royal Salute will now be supporting no fewer than 18 polo events in the coming year, including flagship events, such as the Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup in Rajasthan, which is taking place later this month.

The extension of its polo patronage follows a successful year for Royal Salute. The brand reported an all-time record high of +20% volume growth*, a significant milestone for the prestige Scotch whisky category, with particularly strong growth noted in Asia and Global Travel Retail.

Royal Salute’s association with polo – known as ‘the sport of kings’ – has firmly established the brand’s position in the luxury arena, helping it to become one of the fastest-growing strategic brands by volume in Pernod Ricard’s portfolio.

Notes

* Pernod Ricard Financial Results for year ending 30.06.2012 

Facundo Pieres biography

Facundo was born into a family of polo players and is the second son of polo legend Gonzalo Pieres(Sr)  and Cecilia Rodríguez Piola. He plays with his two brothers Gonzalo Pieres and Nicolas Pieres, who are also professional polo players in the Ellerstina team. He also has two sisters, Tatiana and Cecilia Pieres.

Growing up surrounded by the best horses and with a professional vision of polo, he became the youngest polo player to reach 10-goals at 19 in 2005. This allowed him to be recognised as the polo player with greatest projection and the most visible face for his generation.

His career started in 1997, when he won the Copa Potrillos with the Ellerstina Jr. team, which was a subsidiary team for the Ellerstina Club founded by his father and Australian media tycoon, Kerry Packer. Since then, he has played in Argentina, the United Kingdom and the United States. He has won the Hurlingham Open, Tortugas Open and Jockey Club Open (all in Argentina) amongst other international tournaments.

Facundo started playing in the Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo (Argentine Open) in 2003 being at the finals in 4 occasions, and winning it in 2008, 2010 and 2012. This year, Ellerstina has also won the Tortugas Country Club Open for the tenth time, seven of them consecutively. 

Royal Salute

Royal Salute is the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, and begins where others end as only whiskies matured for at least 21 years are ever selected for Royal Salute blends. In 2012, Royal Salute became the first-ever brand to be officially associated with the Royal Gun Salutes at the Tower of London, as part of a long term partnership with the independent charity Historic Royal Palaces. 

Royal Salute is a leading international supporter of polo, ‘the king of sports and the sport of kings’. Royal Salute World Polo is truly international with a presence in every major region globally:

• Argentina Campeonado Abierto de Polo, Palermo, Buenos Aires
• Australia Sydney Gold Cup, Sydney and Portsea Polo, Victoria
• Brazil Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, São Paulo and Copa Ouro São José Polo,  São Paulo
• China Royal Salute China Open, Beijing
• India Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, Jodphur
• Italy Polo Gold Cup, Cortina d’ Ampezzo
• South Korea Royal Salute Polo Cup, Jeju
• Spain Snow Polo, Baqueira, Lérida and Sotogrande, Cádiz
• UAE Royal Salute Nations Cup, Dubai
• USA Foundation Polo Challenge, Santa Barbara and Royal Salute Jubilee Cup, Greenwich, New York
• UK The Sentebale Polo Cup, Coworth Park,  Kent & Curwen Polo Club, London

And Beaufort Polo Cup, Tetbury

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.

Malt Messenger 2012 Christmas Gift Guide

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

The best of the season to you! What a month December has been, and November was no slouch either. I’ve hardly had a chance to blink let alone put together a full Malt Messenger, which is a shame because we have so many new and exciting whiskies in store. All of our 2012 casks are finally here including the BenRiachs (1994 & 1983), Glenglassaugh 1972, Arran Bourbon and our Evan Williams Bourbon cask. The Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant 1952 60 Year Diamond Jubilee bottling is also in, as is the first Ardbeg Double Barrel; don’t come looking for the latter though, the first bottle has already sold…

Throughout November and December a lot of exciting new whiskies have come in, many of them specific to certain tastings. Idon’t have the time to elabourate on them all just now, but I will list some of them at the bottom of the newsletter for curiosities sake. The most exciting of these include: the Compass Box Flaming Heart, Lagavulin 21 Year (brace yourself for the price), Caol Ila 14 Year Unpeated and the Four Roses Bourbons to name just a few. We’ve also seen the return of some old favourites like: Balvenie 14 Caribean Cask, Glenfiddich 21 Year Grand Reserve, Ardbeg Galileo (possibly the last 30 we will receive), Yoichi 15 Year and Edradour Caledonia. To see all of our latest whiskies, you’ll have to pop by and pay us a visit!

Our Winter 2013 Tasting Schedule is also out, and many of the tastings are filling up quickly. It includes our 8th Annual Robbie Burns Supper, the 2nd Annual MS Calgary Whisky Festival and much more… You’ll find the list of tastings included below as part of the gift guide.

Which brings me to my final few points, this edition of the Malt Messenger is my Christmas Gift Guide. I can’t recall how many years I’ve been putting it out, but it is more than a few! This is my largest and most comprehensive Gift Guide to date with tastings, a wide range of gift packs, stocking stuffers and 5 whisky picks in each of 10 different price brackets. I hope this helps you find the perfect gift and spread a little holiday cheer this year.

Hunter and I will be dispensing whisky advice and sampling the odd dram or two for customers from now through 4PM Christmas Eve. Tomorrow night, Thursday December 20th, Andy Dunn will be popping by to share some Christmas spirit (literally). He will have whiskies from Springbank, Tullibardine, Kilchoman and Benromach available for sampling. Pop in anytime between 4 and 7.

Thank you for reading the Malt Messenger in 2012. I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Looking forward to sharing a dram with you in 2013!

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson – Kensington Wine Market

PS-Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/scotch_guy .

In This Malt Messenger Bulletin
1. OUR 2012 CASKS ARE ALL FINALLY HERE
2. THE G&M GLEN GRANT 1952 60 YEAR DIAMOND JUBILEE IS HERE
3. DOUBLE BARREL ANYONE? ARDBEG DOUBLE BARREL THAT IS!
4. 2012 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
5. New Whiskies
6. Returned Whiskies

OUR 2012 CASK ARE ALL FINALLY HERE

Our single cask bottlings have become legendary over the years. We offered bespoke whiskies from Strathisla, Springbank, Glendronach, Kilchoman, Buffalo Trace, BenRiach, Tullibardine and many more, ranging from 10 to 46 years of age. This year we have six different single casks on offer and they are all flying off the shelves… We’ve also managed to bottle our own Bourbon for the first time in 3 years! Here are our latest exclusive single casks; all of them are available for sampling in store and in stock for purchase:

1. Evan Williams KWM 2002 Bourbon – The last time we bottled our own Bourbon was in 2009, this single cask of Evan Williams was specially selected by our staff to be bottled for KWM. Only 168 total bottles at 43.3%. A Scotch drinker’s Bourbon. Bottled exclusively for KWM. My Tasting Note: “Nose: lush, floral and perfumed; the oak is well balanced by the grains with hints of spicy rye; Palate: very nutty, sweet and oaky with brown sugar, baked bananas, fennel and cracked pepper; becomes creamier with almond paste filled croisants and pain au chocolate; Finish: nutty, oaky and spicy with juicy grains and tingling spice.” – $54.99
2. Arran KWM 2001 Bourbon Cask – This is our third private bottling from the Isle of Arran distillery, and it doesn’t disappoint. 233 bottles at 55.2% from a single Bourbon Barrel. Very creamy, toasty and malty with soft oak and floral tones. Bottled exclusively for KWM My Tasting Note: Nose: “Doughy, and malty with honeyed-oak and floral-grassy tones; the nose is sugary and soft with no sign of the alcohol, cold white chocolate and whipped cream; Palate: bigger than expected, and very toasty but still silky soft; lots of vanilla, honey and more whipped cream; becomes grassy/malty with lively citrus fruits; Finish: toasty-sweet with soft oak, sugary citrus and chewy malt.” – $87.99
3. BenRiach 1994 KWM Cask 3806 – This a really interesting bottling, available only from Kensington Wine Market. It is a peated Speyside whisky, finished in virgin oak. The result is balance of sweet, chewy and peaty. 245 bottles at 56.8%. Like nothing you’ve ever tried before. Bottled Exclusively for KWM! My Tasting Note: “Nose: creme fraiche, white chocolate sauce, Baklava and soft berry fruits; a faint whiff of smoked malt, but nothing more? Palate: at first very sweet, creamy and fruity but then soft soft earthy peat starts rolling forward like a WWI tank; juicy and fruity the surge of peat is slow but steady with chocolate, espresso and licorice notes; the peat would be overwhelming were it not for the massive sweet oak; FInish: loads of white chocolate with soft peat oils, liquid honey and clean grassy malt!” – $117.49
4. BenRiach 1983 KWM Cask 298 – This 1983 vintage 29 Year old BenRiach cask is a steal at just over $200. The angels were greedy with this one, sapping the strength down to just 44.2%. 233 total bottles from a single Hogshead. I got an amazing price on this whisky… Bottled exclusively for KWM from a single Hogshead. My Tasting Note: “Nose: very sugary with loads of tropical fruit, melons galore, mincemeat pie and peeled tropical fruits; Palate: just a touch of anise with more mincemeat, dried orange peels, Honey Dew melon, and bold tropical fruits; the oak is velvety with coconut milk and vanilla extract; Finish: long, soft and sweet with more anise and creamy-vanilla-oak.” – $205.99
5. Glen Garioch Cask #844 MS Society – Bottled for the upcoming MS Calgary Whisky Festival on January 17th 2013 and only available through KWM in Calgary and Vines in Edmonton. $10 from each bottle will be donated to the MS Society of Calgary! – Bottled to raise funds for the MS Society and only available in Calgary through KWM. My Tasting Note: “Nose: oat cakes with chutney and cheese; chewy malt with honey and citrus notes; Palate: really grassy, malty and honeyed on the palate with clean smoke and dried citrus; grows and grows with coffee liqueur, candied orange and black licorice nibs; Finish: honeyed, black liquorice and jujuby with chewy malt.” – $89..99
6. Glenglassaugh 1972 KWM Sherry Cask – After the success of our 1972 Glendronach last year we went in search of another blockbuster and coincidentally came up with another 1972 from Glenglassaugh. 150 bottles at 42.6% from a sherry cask. We went through more than a dozen samples of Glenglassaugh before settling on this cask. My Tasting Note: “Nose: heavenly; molten brown sugar, candied fruits, toffee cake, Demerara rum and candied orange; hints of melons, coffee and chocolate too; Palate: sweet, sugary and spicy with more Demerara rum, molten brown sugar and an assortment of festive spices: ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon and fennel; there are elements of chocolate covered coffee beans, candied orange and treacle sauce too; Finish: exceptionally smooth, rich, spicy and sweet with soft fading oak, lingering spices and more Demerara rum; melons and tropical fruits come out with a flourish of Dolce Leche at the end.” – $699.99

• Buy 2 or more of any of these whiskies and save 5%.
• Buy 3 or more of any of these whiskies and save 7%.
• Buy one of each and save 10%.

THE G&M GLEN GRANT 1952 60 YEAR DIAMOND JUBILEE IS HERE – $13,999.99

I’m not sure if it is fair to say this is Gordon & MacPhail’s follow up to the 70 year old Glenlivet, but it is really cool. We just opened it up a few moments ago, it is really cool! We had Michael Urquhart here to conduct a tasting of it for us last month and was a real hit! This is their tribute to the 60 years Elizabeth II has spent on the throne.

G&M Glen Grant 60 Year Diamond Jubilee – 42.3% – Cask 465 – Distilled: 1952 – Bottled: 2012 – Only 85 bottles have been released world-wide. I had the privilege of sampling it at a tasting last year, and you will have just such an opportunity this fall the Ancient Malts Tastings w/ Michael Urquhart on October 30th at 6PM and 8PM. The whisky is produced from a First Fill sherry cask laid down four days before the Queen’s Coronation and decanted on its 60th birthday the 2nd of February 2012 (I sampled it no more than a month later!). Whisky Advocate magazine scored it 92pts and I was suitably impressed by it, tasting note to come in a future Malt Messenger. The decanter was specially created by Glencairn Crystal, specially etched and then inlaid with silver. The bottle carries a crown with a Swarovski crystal and has a diamond shaped stopper. The bottle also features a Sterling silver collar and stopper. The bespoke boxes have been made by hand from Scottish elm hewed near the Queens residence at Holyrood House. – $13,999.99  Only one bottle available in Calgary!

DOUBLE BARREL ANYONE? ARDBEG DOUBLE BARREL THAT IS! – $15,210.49

This whisky takes the concept of luxury to the next level… two rare vintages of Ardbeg in a stunning presentation case!
Ardbeg Double Barrel – This isn’t called the double barrel because it hits you with the power of a side by side, but rather because you get two Ardbeg 1974’s side by side in a custom gun case. The case is bespoke, made from the finest leather and hand stitched. In the case there are two different 1974 vintage single cask whiskies, both extremely rare and highly sought after. To complement the whiskies and fill out the case there are 8 numbered solid silver drinking glasses from Hamilton & Inches. There are also two leather bound and stitched books – the Ardbeg Double Barrel Story and the Ardbeg Sampling Register and an OMAS pen, specially made from mature oak in the Italian workshop and engraved with the Ardbeg knot work. This is an especially rare item, only 250 were ever made, and one I have been begging for, for years! We are expecting 2 and at the time of writing one is provisionally sold. – $15,210.49
We’ve already sold one of these bad boys… only one left!

2012 MALT MESSENGER CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

Gift Packs:

1. Auchentoshan Collection – A 50ml each of 12 Year, 18 Year and Three Wood. – $22.99
2. Bowmore Collection – A 50ml each of 12, 15 and 18 year. – $22.99
3. Glenrothes 3 x 100ml Gift Pack – Three 100mls of Glenrothes including: Select Reserve, 1994 and 1991. – $41.99
4. Glenmorangie Gift Pack – Beautifully put together it includes a 100ml each of Original, Quinta Ruban, Nectar D’Or and Lasanta! – $67.99
5. Springbank Campbeltown Malts Collection – Springbank makes three distinct styles of whisky, the regular Springbank, the peated Longrow and the triple distilled unpeated Hazelburn. This little sampler includes a 200ml of each! – $70.99
6. Classic Malts Coastal Collection – Contains a 200ml each of Caol Ila 12 Year, Clynelish 14 Year and Talisker 10 Year. – $73.99
7. Glenmorangie Discovery Pack – This beautifully packaged set includes a full bottle of the 10 year original and three 50mls of the Extra Matured Range: Lasanta, Quinta Ruban and Nectar D’Or. – $83.49
8. Classic Malts Talisker Collection – A selection of three Taliskers including the 57 North, not available in Canada outside of the gift pack. – $93.99
9. Scotch Malt Whisky Society New Member Kit – Not a gift pack but a prestigious membership to the World’s Largest Whisky club, and access to broadest range of independently bottled whiskies in Scotland. The gift pack includes 4 100ml bottles representing the range of styles the Society bottles, members tasting book, handbook and a handsome brass pin. For more info on the Society check out www.smws.ca .- $230.00
10. Glenglassaugh Rare Cask Series – This leather bound pack is a steal, containing 3 200ml Glenglassaughs: 26 Year, 37 Year and 43 Year. A 200ml of the 43 Year alone should be $714, based on the price of the full bottles (when it was available), meaning you are effectively getting this charming little set at 35% discount, and they are throwing in the 26 and 37 years olds as a bonus! – $499.99

Stocking Stuffers
1. Whisky Advocate Magazine – One of the World’s most respected whisky magazines. – $6.50
2. Glencairn Glass – The most respected whisky glass in the world. – $15.99
3. Benromach 10 Year 200ml – A perfect miniature of the award winning 10 year old Benromach 10 Year. – $23.99
4. Whisky Bible 2013 – 4500 whisky reviews from around the world and 1350 new entries. – $21.99
5. Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert – This is the first definitive book on Canadian whisky written by Canadian whisky expert, somellier and Malt Maniac Davin de Kergommeaux. It includes a history on the industry, individual producers and tasting notes. – $24.99
6. Malt Whisky Yearbook 2013 – The 8th Edition has reviews on all of Scotland, Ireland and Japan’s malt whisky distilleries, as well as others from around the world. – $29.99
7. Glenfarclas: An Independent Distillery – Ian Buxton’s book commissioned by the distillery to celebrate its 175th Anniversary. A great gift for anyone who loves Glenfarclas! – $49.99

Top 5 – Under $65
1. Aberlour 10 Year – Very drinkable, but a good example of you get what you pay for… – $39.99
2. Arran 10 Year – Make my list every year… honeyed, grassy, malty and citrusy. – $53.99
3. Nikka Pure Malt Black – Even fruitier than the Whiter (see below) if that is possible and peatier too! – $59.99
4. Nikka Pure Malt White – A hybrid Scottish-Japanese whisky, this is one very fruity dram with a touch of peat. – $61.99
5. Glenrothes Alba Reserve – A great choice for the budget conscious, very soft and smooth, and Kosher too! – $64.99

Top 5 – Under $85
1. Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve – We’ve fewer than 10 bottles of this creamy, spicy Canadian whisky. Hands down my top pick for Canadian whisky! – $65.49
2. Fettercairn Fior – Lightly peated and very orangey, this is one of our best value whiskies. – $71.99
3. Arran The Eagle – This one slid under the radar some time ago, the final bottling in the Icons of Arran series! – $76.49
4. Berry’s Own Selection Bowmore 1994 – A Bowmore of a different kind, this is one very salty, very smoky, very sweet whisky! – Regular $95.59 – SALE PRICE $71.69 – SAVE 25%
5. Dalmore Age of Exploration 1995 – One of our latest exclusives matured in Bourbon and Madeira casks before finishing in Matusalem sherry. – $80.49

Top 5 – Under $100
1. Kilchoman Sherry Matured – The first fully sherry matured bottling of Kilchoman ever bottled, save for the one bottled by KWM… – $85.99
2. Bowmore Laimrig 15 Year – It’s been a little over a year since we first launched this, and it is still very popular, our best-selling peated whisky as a matter of fact! – $87.99
3. Arran 2001 KWM Bourbon Cask – Every bit as good as our last two Arran single casks, if not even better! Honeyed, malty and very smooth. This one won’t last long! – $87.99
4. Glen Garioch 1997 MS Calgary Cask -Give a gift that gives back… $10 from each bottle will go to the MS Society of Calgary and Southern Alberta! – $89.99
5. BenRiach 17 Year Septendicem – Latin for 17 this peated BenRiach falls between the 10 year old Curiositas and 25 year old Authenticus, and is very interesting in its own right! Ashy, honeyed and smoky. – $93.99

Top 5 – Under $150
1. Arran The Devil’s Punchbowl – A very curious concoction from the Isle of Arran Distillery, and unlike Jim McEwan’s Black Arts, they’ve disclosed every single cask that went into the vatting. This one is selling fast! – $107.99
2. Jura Boutique Barrels Bourbon 1995 – One of the toastiest, creamiest, most honeyed single malts I’ve ever tried and very smooth to boot! – $114.99
3. BenRiach 1994 KWM Peated Virgin Oak Finish – Looking for something different this fall, look no further, this is what you seek! A peated Speysider finished in virgin oak casks. This whisky is a stunner, and only available from KWM! – $117.49
4. Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year – Blended Malt Whisky of the year in 2012, worldwide! – $132.49
5. Nikka Yoichi 15 Year – Easily one of the finest whiskies in the store, floral, fruity, and on par with the best Scottish single malts. – $143.99

Top 5 – Under $200
1. Chichibu The First Ichiro’s Malt – The very first whisky ever released by this new Japanese distillery has been getting rave reviews. Only a few bottles have found their way to Canada! – $159.99
2. Benromach 25 Year – The 6-7 bottles we have in stock are the last of this we will ever see, pre- Gordon & MacPhail Benromach is very rapidly becoming a thing of the past! – $159.99
3. Dalmore Castle Leod – The second of three bottlings in the MacKenzie line is rich and chewy, plus it comes with a free print. – $183.99
4. Kavalan Solist Bourbon – Whisky Advocate Magazine scored this very same cask at 94pts, and it is just 3 years old. The Sherry (see immediately below) is hogging all the attention, but this one is the most complex of the two! – $179.99
5. Kavalan Solist Sherry – Think chocolate and dark fruits, this one is going, going, and very nearly gone. We’ve less than 10 of the initial 60 bottles we received. – $199.99

Top 5 – Under $400
1. BenRiach 1983 KWM Cask 298 – One of our new cask offerings this year, our BenRiach 1983 is without exaggeration a stunning whisky. Tropical, fruity and soft, this is an essay is subtlety, and astonishing well priced for a distillery bottled, cask strength 29 year old whisky. – $205.99
2. Auchroisk 20 Year – One of just a handful of the official bottlings this distillery has ever released, and much better priced than the new 30 year ($585). – Regular: $245.99 – Sale Price: $209.09 – SAVE 15%
3. Berry’s Own Selection Dailuaine 1973 – A steal for a 37 year old whisky, and we’re down to just a few bottles! – $286.99
4. Fettercairn 24 Year – Like its older siblings, this vintage Fettercairn is a hopeful sign of what may be coming from this distillery in future years. – $315.99
5. Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength 20 Year – A limited edition release put out this year, the 105 20 year is a big, spicy, earthy Glenfarclas. Supposedly exclusive to one of my competitors… the fact of the matter is it would not have come to Canada were it not for the pleading of KWM. -$314.99

Top 5 – Under $600
1. Cutty Sark Tam O’Shanter 25 Year – This whisky has renewed my faith in blended whisky, and is as close to a sherry bomb of any blend I’ve ever tried. This is a malt drinker’s blended whisky, and beautifully packaged! – $389.99
2. Fettercairn 30 Year – This 1978 vintage bottling is very limited and very fruity. It has been very popular with our customers. – $409.99
3. Laphroaig 25 Year 2011 – Peatier than the 2010 bottling, which was much more sherried, this edition is more recognizably Laphroaig! – $512.99
4. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1980 Cask 1942 – The highlight of one of our past Family Cask Tastings with George Grant, this Refill Sherry matured Glenfarclas is very well balanced.- $576.99
5. Duncan Taylor Peerless Glen Grant 1970 40 Year – A very well priced 40 year old whisky, very soft and fruity. – $581.99

Top 6 – Under $1000 – I couldn’t just pick 5…
1. Bruichladdich DNA – The very first ever bottling in the DNA line, it was “Aced” just a few weeks in Bordeaux casks, and by coincidence I was at the distillery with a group the day the cask was disgorged. – $660.99
2. Balvenie 30 Year – We just received 3 bottles, only the second time in a couple of years we’ve been able to get any at all! – $699.99
3. Glenglassaugh 1972 KWM Sherry Cask -Our latest cask is destined to be another epic KWM bottling. From a single sherry cask we have just 150 bottles of this rare whisky and many of them have already sold! The angels were greedy with this one, and even at cask strength it is just 42.6%. – $699.99
4. Glenfarclas 175th Anniversary Chairman’s Reserve – We received 60 of these exclusively in the fall of 2011, and are down to just 4. This is one of the finest whiskies in the store. – $703.99
5. Signatory BenRiach 1966 – 1966 is the year the distillery fired up again for the first time in 60 years, making this the oldest available vintage of BenRiach available. – $777.99
6. Glendronach 1971 Cask 1247 – We received 6 of these about a month ago, and have just one left. Glendronach has been realeasing some incredible sherried whiskies as of late, and this sherry bomb is no exception. – $904.99 – !!ONLY 1 LEFT!!

Top 5 – Under $2500
1. G&M Private Collection Glenlivet 1963 – This whisky certainly takes second fiddle to the ’54(see below) but is also much better priced. Only 1 left! – $1325.99 – !!ONLY 1 LEFT!!
2. Fettercairn 40 Year – This is a surprisingly good whisky considering how obscure the distillery is, and it was one of the highlights of my spring 2011 Speyside Tour. – $1515.99
3. Signatory Kinclaith 1969 – An exceptionally rare whisky, I’ve only ever seen a few bottlings of Kinklaith, ever… and this is the only one I know to have come to Canada. It is exclusive, we only received 4 and we have just one left! – $1531.99 – !!ONLY 1 LEFT!!
4. Dalmore 1974 -This is a legendary Dalmore, and the last bottle I know of in Canada! – $1655.49
5. G&M Private Collection Glenlivet 1954 – This is a big sherry bomb and a very complex whisky, only one bottle left! – $2193.99 – !!ONLY 1 LEFT!!

Top5 – Sky’s The Limit
1. Glenglassaugh 40+ Year – $2581.99
2. G&M Private Collection Glenlivet 5 Decade Set – $5,664.99
3. G&M Glen Grant 60 Year Diamond Jubilee – Bottled to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, this whisky went into cask just days before her coronation and has been bottled at 60 years of age. The packaging is stunning. – $13,999.99
4. Ardbeg Double Barrel – For he or she who has everything, this set of two very desirable whiskies has unrivaled cool factor! I’ve already sold one, and there is just one more available! – $15,210.49
5. G&M Generations Glenlivet 1940 70 Year – The world’s oldest whisky, in a bespoke bottle, at a fraction the price the distillery might have charged if it had bottled it itself. The same whisky is available in Ontario and BC for more than $30K – $21,999.99

Tastings
1. MS Calgary Whisky Festival – Thursday January 17th – We are proud to participate in this 2nd annual event in support of the MS Society of Southern Alberta. This tasting will feature more than 100 whiskies from the best distilleries in Scotland and around the world! Price includes GST. New location: Jack Singer Concert Hall Lobby 201 8th Avenue SW. – $95(incl GST)
2. Glendronach Vintages Vertical – Tuesday January 22nd – Since a change of ownership in 2008 Glendronach has been releasing some of the finest sherried whiskies in Scotland. Once a year we receive just one 6 bottle case of each of the 5 different bottlings of Glendronach. We will taste the following vintages: 1971, 1978, 1989, 1990 and 1993, and one other special bottling. All but the 1971 have already sold out… – $80
3. Scots Wha Hae – Friday January 25th – Caledonians Unite! It’s time to celebrate all things Scottish. Benromach Distillery and Gordon & MacPhail are the featured producers for this 8th annual Robbie Burns Supper, and Michael Urquhart is our special guest. We’ll have bagpipes, poetry, haggis with neeps and tatties and six amazing single malts all from Benromach and G&M, including some new exclusives to KWM! No previous whisky experience required. Location: Fort Calgary 750 9 Avenue, SE 7PM – $99
4. BenRiach Vertical I Peated Malt – Tuesday February 5th – BenRiach is one of Scotland’s most dynamic independent distilleries. This is part one of a two part series featuring a range of no less than six very limited single casks. The first tasting will feature peated single casks. – $75
5. Really Raucous Rums – Friday February 8th – This is our roundup of some of the finest sipping rums in the world. We’ll be sampling some old, some rare and some new, including the most expensive rum in Alberta to date… the Appleton 50 Year ($4,299.99 + GST). – A steal at $200
6. BenRiach Vertical II Unpeated Malt – Tuesday February 12th – The classic BenRiach style is soft and fruity, showing tropical notes in some of the older expressions. In this tasting we’ll showcase a range of no less than 6 unpeated limited single cask single malts. – $85
7. Lost in Translation – Tuesday February 19th – For nearly 100 years the Japanese have been making whisky in the Scottish style, albeit with their own twist. Their reputation is soaring, as some of their whiskies are among the finest in the world. – $50 – !!ONLY 6 Spots Left!!
8. Classic Single Malts – Tuesday February 26th -This is our “classic” introduction to the world of single malt Scotch whisky. You’ll discover a little history, how it’s made and sample six distinct styles. – $30 – !!ONLY 6 Spots Left!!
9. Ancient Malts – Thursday March 21 – We created the Ancient Malts tasting to pour whiskies of 30, 40 and 50 years of age. This time around we’ll be opening the Glenrothes 1970 Vintage ($4,778.99 + GST), the last cask from this vintage and a release of just 179 bottles worldwide. You’ll also sample five other whiskies in the 30-50 year range as part of this once in a life time event. – $250
10. Around the World in 8 Whiskies – Friday March 22nd – We’ll sample whiskies from England, Wales, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, India, France and the Czech Republic in a grand tasting of world whiskies. -$40

NEW EXCLUSIVE WHISKIES AT KWM

We’re also famous for our range of exclusive whiskies. Some of the most interesting and unsual whiskies are exclusive in Alberta to our store. We have the widest range of Japanese whiskies of any store in Canada, are the only store with the highly acclaimed Taiwanese single malts from Kavalan and we get a lot of single casks no one else does. Here are some of the latest exclusive whiskies through our doors. Its been a few months since I’ve written and some of these have been here a little while!
1. Berry’s Own Selection Blue Hanger – One of the Top 10 Whiskies of the Fall (Whisky Advocate). A lovely peated Blended Malt. – $124.99
2. Chichibu The First Ichiro’s Malt – The first whisky from Japan’s newest distillery. – $159.99
3. Dalmore Age of Exploration 1995 – Limited edition Dalmore matured in American oak, then Madeira barrels (3 years) and the finished in Matusalem Oloroso sherry. – $80.49
4. Nikka Miyagikyo 15 Year – 92pts Jim Murray, from Nikka’s other malt distillery, Sendai. 45%, and another big malt. – $154.49
5. Nikka Pure Malt Black – A blended malt of Yoichi and Miyagikyo which packs a punch for a small bottle. 92-93pts for most batches. – $59.99
6. Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year – A pure malt from Nikka “World Whiskies Awards 2012 – Best Blended Malt Whisky” – $132.49
7. Nikka Tsuru 17 Year Ceramic Decanter – One of the world’s finest blended whiskies in a beautiful ceramic decanter. – $191.99
8. Nikka Yoichi 20 Year – 52% and 95pts Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. This is one mature complex whisky. – $329.99
9. Old & Rare Port Ellen 32 Year – Well we didn’t get the 12th Edition distillery bottled Port Ellen, but if we had it would have been $1400, making this 32 year old a bargain at $840. Only received 9 bottles, and only 4 are left! – $827.99
10. Signatory Ben Nevis 1992 – This is a 19 year old Sherry Butt matured bottling of Ben Nevis, bottled at 55.2% – $151.49
11. Signatory Caol Ila 1982 – This big 29 year old Caol Ila is another fine example of the distillery’s style, 54.6% from a single hogshead. – $261.99
12. Signatory Glen Scotia 1991 – Another lovely whisky from this long neglected distillery, 43%, 20 years and matured in a Hogshead. – $128.49
13. Signatory Imperial 1995 – A closed Speyside distillery, Imperial produced a lovely single malt, though casks of it don’t come up too often. 16 years old, matured in a Hogshead and bottled at 59.8%. – $137.99
14. Signatory Inchmurin 1993 – A style of single malt made by the Loch Lomond Distillery, matured in a Hogshead for 19 years and bottled at 58.1%. This is the first and only Inchmurin we’ve ever had! – $137.99
15. Signatory Inverleven 1977 – 34 year old single cask bottling from this closed Lowland distillery. Matured in a Bourbon Barrel and bottled at 48.7%. – $327.99
16. Tomintoul 1976 – Semi-Exclusive, only 18 bottles came into Alberta and we snagged 12 of them. 93.5pts in the Whisky Bible! – $321.99
17. Tomintoul 33 Year – Same as the 1976, only 18 bottles came in. Replaces the old 27 year from their range and is excellent value for a 30+ year old distillery bottling. – $279.99

OTHER NEW WHISKIES AT KWM – Far from complete, here are some highlights!
1. Arran Devil’s Punchbowl – This devilish concoction of older Sherry and Bourbon matured whiskies vatted with heavily peated ones is going fast and won’t last. – $107.99
2. Arran Premium Cask 223 – A sherry cask premium offering from the Arran distillery. – $134.99
3. Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength 20 Year – Mentioned in the gift guide. – $314.99
4. Bruichladdich 16 Year Laddie – $92.99
5. Bruichladdich 22 Year Laddie – $158.49
6. Bruichladdich Islay Barley Dunlossit – $60.49
7. Bruichladdich Octomore 5.1 – $158.99
8. Compass Box Flaming Heart – Another Opus from John Glaser? I tried an advanced sample in London in May, going to sample the bottle as soon as this Bulletin is done! You can pop in to sample it too! – $96.99
9. Dalwhinnie 25 Year – $433.49
10. Four Roses Small Batch – $43.99
11. Four Roses Single Barrel – $53.99
12. Glenfiddich Cask of Dreams – The first Glenfiddich I’ve been excited about in a long time, well over 46% and by comparison, full of character! – $101.99
13. Lagavulin 21 Year – Absolutely stunning… but price, and selling fast! We managed to get 24/60 bottles in Alberta. – $841.99
14. Laphroaig 25 Year 2011 – Not as sherried and more Laphroaigy than the 2011. – $512.99
15. Longrow Red – $79.99
16. Longrow 18 2012 – Very sherried and much cheaper than the 2011. – $156.49
17. Tomatin Decades – 1 cask each from 5 different decades! – $185.59

RETURNED WHISKIES – Again Just a Taste
1. Ardbeg Galileo – Less than 20 bottles left! – $119.99
2. Balvenie 14 Year Caribean Cask – $93.99
3. Balvenie 21 Year Port Wood – $285.49
4. Balvenie 30 Year – $699.99
5. Edradour 10 Year – $74.99
6. Edradour Caledonia 12 Year – $84.99
7. Glenfiddich 21 Year Grand Reserve – $178.99
8. Lagavulin 16 Year – $103.99
9. Nikka Pure Malt White – $61.99
10. Nikka Tsuru 17 Year – $140.99
11. Nikka Yoichi 15 Year – $143.99
——————–

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, and don’t include GST. In the event of discrepancies, the point of sale will be taken as correct.

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
Manager & Scotchguy
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Owner & Operator
Ferguson’s Whisky Tours
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

Dingle Distillery

New on the Irish Whiskey Map 

Ernie – Ernst J. Scheiner, The Gateway to Distilleries at www.whisky-distilleries.net 

This new Craft Distillery was built this year and started production, first gin and vodka, and produces now a triple distilled spirit of malted barley.  The first new make spirit trickled from the pot stills on November 29th, 2012. Master Distiller John McDougall from Scotland, who worked in production, as director or distillery manager at Scottish distilleries – Balvenie, Ladyburn,  Laphroaig, Springbank, Tormore  – was the principal consultant.  John – the whisky legend – is the only man alive to have distilled all major styles of Scottish Whisky, Irish Whiskey and above all Plymouth Gin. The Dingle pot stills were designed by the experienced Scottish whisky expert and manufactured in Scotland by Forsyths of Rothes.

…the sprit is great and the whiskey will be liquid magic!“ John praises.

The latest Irish distillery was the brainchild of Oliver Hughes, CEO of Porterhouse Brewing Company which was founded in Dublin’s night spot Temple Bar in 1996. Together with Liam LaHart he installed the first mirco-brewery in the capital and has produced stouts, ales and lagers which received renowned accolades.

West of Dingle in Milltown Hughes discovered the old Fitzgerald saw mill at Baile an Mhuilinn near the waterfront to accommodate his pot stills. For him there is no better location: “There is a huge element of romance about a distillery in the beauty of Dingle. Our whiskey matures better over six degrees celsius, so being on the Gulf Stream and the most westerly town in Europe helps that.”

Whiskey distilling tradition is back again in Kerry.

Together with John McDougall he started producing a triple distilled single malt, which will eventually become Dingle Green and Dingle Gold. It is expected that the whisky has to mature for around four to five years before it will be ready for sale. About 100,000 bottles are planned to be produced per year. Four people run the distillery now and with the new visitor centre Hughes expects to create 15 to 20 new jobs.

Oliver Hughes, who operates four pubs in Dublin, one in London and another one in New York.

Ireland‘s largest independent brewer is confident: “We craft beer in Ireland and now we want to do the same with whiskey. Whiskey is actually distilled beer, so we are fully equipped to distil anyway.”

The Dublin business man is inviting whiskey enthusiasts all over the world to purchase one of the first 500 casks filled. Prices range from €6,100 for an a first fill-bourbon, a French barrique or Spanish wine cask, to €6,400 for a Port pipe and €6,600 for a Sherry butt. “Those that do will be named a Founding Father of Dingle, this network of like-minded enthusiasts will be invited to an annual networking party at the distillery every year,” promises the newly born Irish distiller.

The opening party was on Thursday 29th, 2012. Hundreds of locals, investors and well-wishers flocked in to be part of a historic moment: the first completely new launch of an Irish Whiskey Distillery since the merger of Midleton Distilleries in the mid 1970s.  Up to now there have been only four working Irish distilleries: Bushmills, Cooley, Kilbeggan and Midleton. They are the tragic remainder of a dramatic loss compared to 1837 when 90 distilleries where  operating on the Emerald Isle. The most westerly distillery will certainly make for more diversity in Irish whiskeys. The only independent Irish distillery competes the global players Beam Inc, Diageo and Pernod-Ricard-IDG, as the fifth operating whiskey distillery.

More detailed photographic information about Irish distilleries can be found on the website www.whisky-distilleries.net.

Since October 2012 the distillery has produced the Dingle Original Gin and a pot still vodka which is called DD Vodka. Gin and vodka will be distilled in a smaller special still called OISÍN. The grain neutral spirit is imported from Sweden because at Dingle Distillery there is no column still to produce neutral spirit. Nine locally grown botanicals will flavour Dingle Original Gin: „…rowan berry, juniper, fuschia, bog myrtle, heather, chervil, hawthorn, angelica and coriander.“ The vodka is charcoal filtered to smoothen its taste. Both spirits will be released in time for Christmas, primarily for export markets and retailing at €25 per bottle.

The following technical details were kindly given by John McDougall:

Production water                                                                 deep well, 74m, soft water

Cooling water                                                                      deep well, 74m

Size of  two mash tuns                                                       1 tonne each

Weight of grist                                                                     900 kgs.

Mashing time                                                                      30 mins.

Washback capacity                                                             5,000 litres collected

Type of yeast                                                                      dried Yeast

Fermentation period                                                            Min. 48 hours

Wash still capacity                                                               5,000 litres to charge level

Heating system                                                                   stainless steel coils, steam-heated

Low wines average alcohol strength                                   25% abv

Intermediate still size                                                          1,970 litres to charge level

Heating system                                                                   stainless steel coils, steam-heated

Average alcohol strength of middle cut                               60 % abv

Spirit still capacity                                                               2,700 litres to charge level

Heating system                                                                    stainless steel coils, steam-heated

Average strength of new make                                           72% abv

Character of new make                                                       sweet, fruity, malty and creamy

Cask filling strength                                                             63.5% abv

Warehouse type                                                                  currently dunnage

Porterhouse Head Brewer Peter Mosely with a Masters in brewing and distilling will lead the Dingle production team.

A visitor centre will be built by 2014.

The Gateway to Distilleries presents photos by courtesy of John McDougall (2012). The photos are copyright by John McDougall only. The portrait is copyright by The Gateway to Distilleries 2012. 

Information (Notes)

www.dinglefoundingfathers.com

Contact: collette@thedinglewhiskeydistillery.ie.

www.johncmcdougall.com

About the Author: Ernie – Ernst J. Scheiner M.A. was a director in an adult education centre and teaches “Germans how to drink whisky.” Ernie offers courses on whisky distilling and writes for newspapers and magazines in Germany.

He is the editor of The Gateway to Distilleries at www.whisky-distilleries.net which gives an excellent insight into whisky industry

Glengoyne Whisky Tasting – Thursday 17th January

Alan Wardrop, UK Sales Manager for Ian Macleod Distiller’s, will be joining us for a night with the Glengoyne range. Glengoyne 21 year old has scooped a prestigious gold award at the highly respected Scottish Field Whisky Challenge for the third year in a row underlining its consistent, exceptional quality.

7.30pm start at our cellars on Thursday 17th January 2013.

£25.00 inc VAT

Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks, ‘Balvenie 40yo Batch 5’

Balvenie 40yo Batch 5

48.5% abv

£2560.00 inc vat

£2133.33 ex vat

Best regards,

Loch Fyne Whiskies

david@lfw.co.uk

A Christmas Barrel.

Starring the chancellor of the exchequer as Ebenezer Scrooge

If Scrooge had been visited by the ghost of whisky past his journey back in time would have probably returned him to witness the start of distilling in western Europe as distant traders arriving with the secrets of the still. The next scene would reveal Irish based Christian missionaries enlightening Scotland from their foothold in Iona. Come 1494 he would witness the king ordering malt to make aqua vitae. As time passes on further the art of the alembic would no longer be reserved for the apothecaries and alchemists but would have filtered all the way to those simply turning the soil for their sustenance. Ebenezer would have started paying attention by 1644 when another king decreed uisge beatha suitable for taxing. To Scrooge the idea of extracting fiscal benefits from the water of life must have appealed to his acute sense of profiteering. And why shouldn’t such an unnecessary luxury go free of duty? Fuel, food and shelter are essentials so shouldn’t be put out of the reach of the lowly due to their impecuniosity. A levy on a mere alcoholic beverage however was an opportunity to raise essential funds for generals, judges, statesmen and royals. If you can afford it you can afford the tax and contribute your bit for the good of all. Our hero may have pondered, why stop there? Surely dancing and singing deserved similar attention?

Down through the years his spirits would lift by the repeated increases the excise would demand from the maturing industry. Only when producing affordable quality spirit became impossible due to the unbearable pressure from the treasury might Scrooge become unsatisfied. The Highlander would look upon the right to convert his labour spent in the fields into a warming cup as he would have thought natural the catching of a wild salmon for his plate. So the drink was drunk and the tax uncollected as the stills went literally underground. By 1823 however the balance was struck which meant the distiller could meet the demands of the gauger and still find a legal and appreciative market for his efforts. From this point Ebenezer would rub his hands as distilleries would pop up all over looking to be part of the liquid gold rush. It wouldn’t be long before science would come to the aid of the accountant’s dreams and production could actually increase while overheads dropped, blended whisky had arrived. But what would he think of the greed that got the better of some ‘businessmen‘? Perhaps he would have admired their cunning but even he might have called for restraint. In the fervour to supply the apparently insatiable demand the bubble burst with the industry imploding thanks to the fraudulent practices of the overconfident and the unwisely generous banks (sound familiar?). So followed the fallow years with depression, prohibition and war. Only until fifty years ago would the revenue again begin to realise the potential of the popularity of Scotland’s national drink. And so the parallel between the strength of the economy and the health of the whisky industry can be seen. The ghost of whisky past was a restless spectre but his predator shadow was usually well fed.

How would Mr Scrooge feel about a visit from the ghost of whisky present? Would he ever have known such an indulgent feast? Distilleries are expanding, re-opening and even being commissioned. Warehouses emptying to meet exports while new ones are being built in readiness for the futures’ anticipated thirst. Jobs are secured and new ones advertised. Raw materials are increasing in price as the demand for barley and oak strains the supply chain. Consumption, production, export and earnings are all healthier than could have been believed just even ten years ago. So what would strengthen this exception to the current economic troubles? Higher taxation? The continuity of disparity in domestic alcohol duties? Restrictions on trading practice? What about all three?

As for the ghost of whisky future. Are we to expect this lifeboat from a sinking economy to indefinitely float under the burden of legislation? It has proved itself watertight against centuries of boom and bust after-all. But the world itself is beginning to challenge. Distillation is an energy hungry process. The increasing efficiency of the heating and cooling of liquids within a distillery is easing the demand on the environment but carbon neutrality is not yet a reality. The recycling of waste through such things as dark grains (nutritious animal feed left over from brewing and distilling) has long been an essential part of the agricultural chain. Now however the attractiveness of the combustibility of these left-overs may provide an alternative energy source for powering boilers. Perhaps the biggest question is with fossil fuels running out and the world’s population rising can we envisage a time when our acre of land will be split between essential food crops, bio-fuel or…. If that’s not a sobering thought remember all of these are taxable. For your part please remember whisky is a luxury but a life without luxury is a life with less pleasure. Lets raise a glass for the health of Tiny Tim.

Mark Davidson…

Of a distinguished Banff 1968 vintage Mark Davidson has a short but full body and so marries well (& subsequently producing two limited editions), frequently seen at whisky fairs in Scotland yet curiously difficult to find outside his domestic market it is hoped his inaugural launch on the Canadian scene will be well received. He is at home in independant bottling circles being most commonly found in the William Cadenhead livery where he has enjoyed a 13 year finishing period, however as a stand alone single expression under the Jolly Toper brand he can come into his own while being a fine mixer.

Teeling Whiskey Company Releases Premium Poitín

Independent Irish whiskey maker, the Teeling Whiskey Company, has launched a new Premium Poitín bottling to showcase the Original Spirit of Ireland. Poitín is a clear Irish spirit famous for its alcohol strength. In homage to this ancient Irish spirit, the Teeling Whiskey Company has released a contemporary and modern bottling of Poitín to help bring this uniquely Irish product out of the shadows.

Poitín was traditionally distilled in a small pot still and the term is a derivative of the Irish word pota, meaning ‘pot’. Normally distilled from locally produced cereals or potatoes, it is one of the strongest alcoholic drinks in the world and for centuries was classified as illegal in Ireland. Poitín is one of the most long-established spirits in the world with a rich and varied history and has traditionally been exclusively associated with Ireland.

Jack Teeling, Founder of the Teeling Whiskey Company, comments: “Poitín is at the heart of Irish spirits and Irish whiskey in particular. Over the years it has been demonised because it was illegally produced and the end product lacked consistency, quality and credibility. With the emergence of the interest in Non-Aged whiskies in the US and desire of mixologists to have strong flavoursome white spirits the opportunity for a legitimate high quality bottling of Poitín is greater than ever. We have produced a quality Poitín product which will allow consumers to enjoy this ancient Irish product with confidence.”

The Teeling Whiskey Company’s first Poitín release consists of a combination of double distilled spirit made from malted barley in traditional copper pot stills and triple distilled spirit made from maize in modern column stills. This enables consumers to taste the new make spirit, that after maturing for three years in oak barrels, makes up many of the leading modern Irish whiskey brands.

Bottled straight from the still with no maturation produces a surprisingly smooth spirit even for one that is bottled at 61.5% abv. Poitín like any quality white spirit lends itself to be consumed in a variety of ways, neat, with water, with mixers and as a component of cocktails but due to its alcohol strength it should be enjoyed sensibly and in moderation.

About the Teeling Whiskey Company
The Teeling Whiskey Company was founded by Jack Teeling in 2012 to bring back an independent voice to the Irish whiskey category. The Teeling Whiskey Company aims to be Ireland’s leading independent Irish Whiskey maker driving category choice and innovation through a selection of unique handcrafted small batch Irish whiskeys.

www.teelingwhiskey.com
www.facebook.com/TeelingWhiskeyCompany
twitter.com/teelingwhiskeyc

Whisky from Japan has an outing in Highland Perthshire on a snowy day.

December 13th I took a wee trip north into Highland Perthshire, I took a pal with me – this bottle. It was pretty grim weather but one has to do these things (isnee that what someone famous said?).

White Oak is from a Japanese distillery near Kobe. They’ve named Akashi after the town the distillery is in. White Oak: a blended whisky at 40%, smooth with apple, sugar and fruits, there’s a hint of yeast. A simple whisky blend – short finish.

White Oak Distillery now runs at a capacity of 60,000 litres per year. The distillery is owned by Shuzo Co. Ltd (Eigashima Shuzo Co. Ltd), which dates back to 1888, is located in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, Honshu Island.

On my trip I stopped off at Blair Atholl Distillery, well, it was on the way! Just to take pix mind, I was still driving. Taking things easy as I left Pitlochry on the back roads through Atholl, I stopped now and then to take some images and admire the views (as I always do, even living here I still like to donder around). I arrived at the hotel (checking it out for a group stay next year) dropped in a heap on the bed, sorted a few things out and headed doon to the bothy bar. A bite to eat and a pint of Braveheart later, I felt better. Climbed back upstairs and settled down in front of the telly, eventually opening the bottle.

Did I like it? well, enjoyed it a great deal, then tried it with some cheese, even better I thought. Aye as you have to – I dribbled a wee dram over the cheese and let it soak in, delicious. A few drams later (large) I drifted into a glorious sleep, dreamt of going to Japan – woke up with a start as the snow blew in the open window! Give me another dram to settle me down, what a grand excuse!

Paul and friend took the trip;

http://angelswhiskyclub.com/awc/athollwinter.asp

www.mcleanscotland.com  www.angelswhiskyclub.com