Come Meet & Greet Master Distiller Dave Pickerell!

250 Ogle Street Costa Mesa CA 92627 1(800) 331-3005

A Smith Bowman Distillery Opening Gift Shop and Tour Operation

Grand Opening Will Be Held April 19th at Noon

Fredericksburg, VA. (April 2012) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery, long known as a producer of fine bourbon whiskey, is adding tourism to its portfolio. A new visitor center and tour program will kick off April 19th at its location in Fredericksburg.

On the guided tour, visitors will have a chance to explore the A. Smith Bowman museum, see “Mary,” the unique copper still, visit the barrel aging warehouse, and end in the gift shop, which contains A. Smith Bowman signed bottles by Master Distiller Truman Cox and other gifts. Tours are complimentary and run Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and by appointment.

Gary Skinner, Spotsylvania board of supervisors, Lee Hill district supervisor will join Truman Cox, master distiller, A. Smith Bowman Distillery, for the ribbon cutting at noon on April 19th.

Who: A. Smith Bowman Distillery

What: Grand Opening of Visitor Center and Tourism Operation

When: April 19, 2012 at noon

Where: One Bowman Drive, Fredericksburg, VA in Spotsylvania County

Why: To offer visitors a unique opportunity to visit one of Virginia’s finest Distilleries!

Note: This event is a private party for media personnel and special invitees only. It is not open to the general public.

About A. Smith Bowman

Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition. In 1935, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition of the distillation of bourbon. The original Distillery was located on the Bowman family homestead in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm. In response to the rapid growth of Northern Virginia, the Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com

Longmorn 19yo (51.1%, SMWS of Canada, 7.70, refill hogshead, 161 Bts., +/-2011)

“Naughty nectar” The nose reveals light malt and some simply perfect sweetness (think of warm raisins, lychee, vanilla and toffee) and then there is a very light dusting of ground malt and the slightest hint mint. A really sensational collection of aromas and with time in the glass it only improves. With the addition of a little water the sweetness increases but it is tamed by the leather and tobacco notes and the some malt binds everything together. The taste is a good facsimile of the nose (undiluted) with only hints of the leather and tobacco that water reveals however these are present none the less and they compliment the sweetness quite well, a good interplay between the two. With water it is much the same and it doesn’t require a lot; just a splash. The finish is malty and sweet (all in all excellent balance) with a hint of smoke (finally) and then some very, very good vanilla and malt that changes into some late arriving cocoa.

What an excellent dram and don’t over do the water.

$155

Score 90 points

Part four of four examining SMWS of Canada Bottlings….

Ladies only Whisky Tasting with Zoran Peric of Suntory – Wednesday 16th May

On Wednesday 16th May we will be hosting our first Ladies Whisky tasting of the year and we are delighted that Zoran Peric will be coming along to present some of the distinctively elegant Japanese whiskies from the Suntory range. These sophisticated whiskies are perfect for an early summer evening and will be enjoyed by both whisky novices and more experienced whisky drinkers. Full details of the evening are below but just to whet your appetite, as Zoran is a top mixologist you will be greeted with one of his renowned whisky cocktails before moving on to taste through 5 or 6 drams of these fragrant whiskies (which will include the subtle smokiness of the Hakushu 12 year old for those of you who like a touch of peat).

Whisky, cocktails, good company – the perfect ingredients for a great girls night out! 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

Ladies only Whisky Tasting with Zoran Peric of Suntory
Wednesday 16th May 2012

7pm for 7.30pm
Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren

Ladies, if you’ve never tasted Japanese whisky before then this is your ideal opportunity to see why whisky from Japan has grown so much in popularity in recent years. Whilst the basic method of whisky production is similar in Japan to Scotland, the two Suntory distilleries have some fascinating variations in production. For example, at the Yamazaki distillery they have 6 different types of pot still and use many different types of barrels – including one made from the Japanese Mizunara tree.

These type of variations, along with a mild climate, result in a distinctive style of sweet and elegant whisky that we think you will enjoy sampling – so come along and give them a try!

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. 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 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.

Arkwrights Whisky & Wines. Phone No. 01793 765071 Fax No. 01793 764860 Registered Address. The Dormers, Highworth, Wiltshire, SN6 7PE

Abbey Whisky – The Secret Casks 30 Year Old Speyside / 3cl Sample

​Wonderful deep sexy colour oozes from this 30 year old Speyside malt. Matured at a secret Speyside distillery and bottled for ‘The Secret Casks’ series by Abbey Whisky. This 30 year old single malt whisky boasts deep sherry flavours combined with hints of toffee apple, butterscotch and baked apple crumble. Exudes all the character you would expect from a classic Speyside single malt aged and matured in Sherry casks.

£6.90 (£5.75 ex Vat)

Abbey Whisky – The Secret Casks 40 Year Old Speyside / 3cl Sample

Reminiscent of walnut & date pudding in both colour and flavour this 40 year old Speyside is a tremendous, silky tasting single malt whisky with wonderful deep flavours of treacle syrup, muscovado sugar and hints of oak.

Whiskies of this age are extremely rare and one at this price, demonstrating such depth of flavour and balance offers incredible value for money.

£8.50 (£7.08 ex Vat)

Abbey Whisky
enquiries@abbeywhisky.com
www.abbeywhisky.com

A note from Chris Goodrum of Gauntleys of Nottingham and the Good Dram Show

Just a quicknote to let you know that Episodes 6 and 7 of the Good Dram Show are now available to watch on our youtube channel. In Episode 6 I’ll be tasting three new single cask bottlings from A.D Rattray, those are the Glenlivet 1977 (34 year old) 48.2%, the Bunnahabhain 1974 (37 year old) 43% and the Dufftown 1976 (35 year old) 58%.

Click here to view (or paste into your browser) – http://youtu.be/K8jF1anNTM8

And in Episode 7 I’ll be tasting the latest Bruichladdich Octomore release called ‘Comus‘ against a sample of the new make Octomore Spirit.

Click here to view (or paste into your browser) – http://youtu.be/P7Hl-R3pYTE

I’m working on the latest issue of the Newsletter, so hopefully it’ll be with you soon.

Regards
Chris

For people with a passion for authentic Scottish pourings, there can be no more important event this spring than the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (3rd-7th May).

The five-day festival is one of the most important on the whisky calendar and a ‘must’ for all devotees of the dram. Speyside boasts over half of Scotland’s distilleries which produce 7 of the top 10 best selling single malt whiskies in the world, and the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival offers an unrivalled opportunity to uncover the unique culture and heritage of Scotland’s famed whisky country.

Visitors with all levels of experience of enjoying whisky can join interesting, instructional and inspirational events – from distillery tours offering an insight into some of Speyside’s most famous names including Cardhu, Glen Grant, The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, The Macallan and Benromach, as well as a number usually closed to the public such as Glen Elgin, Glenlossie and Mannochmore, Glen Spey, Speyburn and The Glenrothes, to masterclasses and demonstrations exploring the arts behind the creation of the traditional Scottish tipple.

Festival-goers will be initiated into the Speyside whisky secrets and immersed in the culture of whisky country – with ample opportunity to explore the stunning surroundings as well and the chance to discover the passion behind the world’s finest whiskies from some of the industry’s finest experts, from blenders to coopers and mashmen to managers.

Serious sippers can choose from a number of tours and tastings, hosted by those in the know at the area’s 50+ distilleries. Guests keen to hone their nosing and tasting tactics can choose to attend events designed to develop their understanding of the dram including the chance to sample award-winning offerings at Benromach or Gordon and MacPhail and introductions to the process behind famous name pourings such as Glenlivet and Glenfiddich and Chivas (complete with a chance to sample a selection of the products).

And visitors can take an inside look at an independent distillery at Glenfarclas, which will also be offering an opportunity to enjoy the “Chairman’s Reserve” – sampling single cask offerings from four key years as well as the spirit picked to celebrate 175 successful years at the stills.

For whisky-loving foodies there are invites to enjoy a nip and a nibble, and to explore the relationship between the whisky makers and farmers who enjoy a special symbiosis on Speyside. Guests can enjoy perfectly married meals where courses are paired with exquisite expressions, visit whisky and food workshops and learn to match dishes and drams or take the ‘Plough to Plate’ tour to discover more about Speyside’s superlative produce.

Visitors who are hungry to learn more about the history and heritage of the Speyside spirit can follow in the footsteps of the Speyside smugglers, exploring the backcountry braes that housed the first illicit stills or spend an evening with Scottish “Whisky Bard” Robin Laing. Alternatively they can join respected industry author David Wishart, who will this year launch the 10th anniversary edition of his trusted tome Whisky Classified, as he explores the Wonderful World of Whisky.

And if all that education leaves fans and followers hankering for a bit of hands on experience, they are in luck, with a choice between events such as the ‘Blend it Like’ workshop at the Cardhu distillery (home of Johnnie Walker) and the chance to help choose bottlings at the Glenfarclas or Gordon and MacPhail distilleries.

Since taking part in tutorials, tours and tastings will likely see visitors exposed to more than just the “angel’s share” of this authentic Scottish spirit, a range of events in the open air are on offer to help festival goers keep clear heads – from stream train tours through the heart of stunning Speyside, to wildlife walks up the region’s famed “Whisky Mountain”, Ben Rinnes. Fans of the outdoors can also explore the area with guided Landrover trips, or experience the outdoors in an amphibious Argocat.

Festival Chairman Jim Royan said: “The Spirit of Speyside festival offers whisky lovers the chance to pursue their passion and deepen their understanding of the processes, place and people that make this authentic Scottish spirit.

“As always, tickets for our exclusive events are selling fast and we are looking forward to 2012 being our finest festival yet.”

Notes

– Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival runs from Thursday, 3rd May – Monday, 7th May. Check out www.spiritofspeyside.com for up-to-date news and follow the Festival at www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside

– The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors needing to travel to and from festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options including a taxi voucher scheme (sponsored by Diageo) providing festival goers with a 25% reduction on fares with participating operators, various pre-bookable dedicated bus shuttles and even a “Dram Line” off-road Argocat taxi for a day long distillery tour or Saturday night whisky-country-crawl.

– The Festival also runs several competitions and awards including the prestigious Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards as well as the Photographic Competition

– Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from EventScotland and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners

– EventScotland: EventScotland is the national events agency. EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org.

– About the Year of Creative Scotland 2012: The Year of Creative Scotland began on January 1, 2012 and is a chance to showcase, celebrate and promote Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths on a world stage. Through a dynamic and exciting year-long programme of activity celebrating our world-class events, festivals, culture and heritage, the year puts Scotland’s culture and creativity in the international spotlight with a focus on cultural tourism and developing the events industry and creative sector in Scotland. More information about the programme can be found at: www.visitscotland.com/creative. The Year of Creative Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative led in partnership by EventScotland, VisitScotland, Creative Scotland and VOCAL.

Clynelish 15yo (59.9%, SMWS of Canada, 26.82, refill sherry butt, 571 Bts., +/-2011)

“Soft light at sunset” How can you possibly taste sunlight? It seems the SMWS tasting panel has cracked it. On the undiluted nose there is some good sherry notes with pine & pot-pourri notes and just a little closed however a little hand warming brings out some meatiness. With water it is still closed, oddly. The undiluted taste is fruity with some surprising smoke (a nice surprise) and then some dried coconut and a little dark unsweetened chocolate. With water there is some better sweetness and some card board and sand paper notes; not a lot but just enough to cause a ripple across the pond. A little sourness and some deep bitterness (oak influence). The finish is malty chewy and quite active, very lip smacking and the malt is much more evident than on the nose and the taste. After a few minutes some green malt notes comes to the fore. The finish continues to be active for quite a while. Black pepper and some smoke very far into the finish.

Curious. Mutli faceted. Perhaps Manfred Mann had it correct all those years ago.

$131

Score 81

Part three of four examining SMWS of Canada Bottlings….

Cooley’s Irish Whiskey Tasting Friday 16th March 2012
Held in the Station Hotel, over 100 Drambusters sat down to a selection of Irish Whiskeys, blended, grains and malts. Gordon Hughes, the speaker for the night was very grateful for the warm welcome received. We all learned a lot about the Irish Whiskey industry and the history of it and the favourite whiskey of the evening was the Greenore 8yo Single Grain. It was a smooth silky sweet and luscious dram.. perfect on its own or with a pint of Guinness!

Drambusters Whisky Festival 2012
Tickets will be on sale from May 1st for our second Whisky Festival. We have organised two Master Classes, Bruichladdich and either Tomintoul or McKillop’s Choice. More information will follow both in the newsletters and also online, so keep an eye on our email newsletters, website and facebook pages as well as our tweets @drambusters.

DRAMBUSTERS DATES FOR THE DIARY
Friday 27th April – Kilchoman Whisky tasting – details enclosed
Friday 1st June – Morrison Bowmore tasting – details enclosed
Saturday 30th June – Arran Malt & Music Festival – detail enclosed
Friday 13th July – Carn Mor tasting by Scottish Liqueur Centre (winner of the ‘Golden Dram 2011’ at our whisky festival with their Beinn a’Cheo Macallan)
Saturday 24th November – Whisky Festival

We are also trying to organise the following:
A ‘Whisky & Cheese’ tasting at The Room @ The Troqueer Arms as well as a rum tasting and a trip to Springbank and Glengyle distilleries later in the year with an overnight stay.. details will follow as soon as we know more!

Kilchoman Tasting Friday 27th August 2012
STATION HOTEL 7.30 for 7.45pm £13.50 per member

Dueto the success of our Whisky Festival in November last year, Anthony Wills of Kilchoman Distillery was very keen to do a tasting of his whiskies for us. As Kilchoman is a relatively new distillery, as well as tasting the whiskies, we are sure that the talk will be extremely interesting on the history of the distillery and the highs and lows of setting up and running a new distillery from scratch. With the tasting being just two weeks away please reply as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment. Please use the booking form enclosed with your newsletter that is coming through the post. If you wish to become a DRAMBUSTER so that you can attend this tasting please follow this link CLUB MEMBERSHIP

Morrison Bowmore Tasting
Friday 1st June 2012 STATION HOTEL 7.30 for 7.45pm £13.50 per member

Paul Goodwin, Whisky Ambassador for Morrison Bowmore, will be our guest speaker on the night. Paul took the Glen Garioch Master Class at the Whisky Festival last year. We will be trying whiskies from four distilleries on the evening, Auchentoshan, Bowmore, Glen Garioch and Yamazaki. The booking form will be sent out in next month’s newsletter.

ARRAN MALT & MUSIC FESTIVAL 2012
(formerly known as Arran Distillery Open Day) Saturday 30th June 2012 £50 per person
Due to the overwhelming success of last year’s visit and the very keen interest already shown for this year’s trip, we will be organising a bus for Saturday 30th June. The format will be the same as last year and please note that neither the bus nor the ferry will wait for any latecomers on the way there or on the way back! PRIORITY PLACES GO TO MEMBERS AND THEREAFTER TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. The distillery has organised a special tasting for us (taken in two groups of 26) and times will be confirmed for this later.

ITINERARY
7:15am BUS LEAVES FROM WHITESANDS FOR ARDROSSAN
9:15am ARRIVE ARDROSSAN approximately
9:45am FERRY DEPARTS ARDROSSAN
10:40am ARRIVE BRODICK, ARRAN
10:50am BUS LEAVES FERRY TERMINAL FOR DISTILLERY approximately
11.30am ARRIVE ARRAN DISTILLERY approximately

15:30pm BUS LEAVES DISTILLERY (DON’T MISS IT!!)
16:10pm ARRIVE BRODICK FERRY TERMINAL approximately
16:40pm FERRY DEPARTS BRODICK
17.35pm ARRIVE ARDROSSAN
17:45pm BUS LEAVES FERRY TERMINAL AT ARDROSSAN approximately
19:45pm ARRIVE DUMFRIES WHITESANDS (approximately)

On arrival at the distillery you will receive a goodie bag which will include a tasting glass and vouchers to taste some Arran Malt Whiskies. The price of £50 is fully inclusive of the following

Return bus to Dumfries
Return ferry
Bus to and from Distillery
Entry to the Open Day
Special Drambusters tastings

There are only 53 seats on the bus for this fantastic trip, so if you want to come along, don’t dely and book today! Please use Booking Form enclosed with your newsletter coming in the post. Again, if you wish ensure that you are able to attend this trip, and you are not a member please follow the link above to join our Whisky Club. It only costs £10 to be a member until the end of the year. BRIAN’S MOBILE NUMBER IS 07872 937 439. SHOULD THERE BE ANY PROBLEMS ON THE DAY THEN PLEASE PHONE HIM. PLEASE ALSO ENSURE YOU LET US HAVE YOUR MOBILE NUMBER WHEN BOOKING FOR THIS EVENT.

EXTRA SPECIAL OFFERS

In addition to our fantastic Glenfarclas 15yo offer as per our email last week CLICK HERE IF YOU MISSED IT!

We also have the unmissable offers below on a selection of Old Malt Cask whiskies…

NORMAL PRICE SPECIAL PRICE EXTRAVAGANZA PRICE

BALBLAIR 20YO 50% £70 £50 NOW £40
DISTILLED JUNE 1990, BOTTLED JULY 2010 ONE OF 637 BOTTLES
NOSE: DARKLY SPICED, SOFTLY OAKED- GINGERY WITH LATE GRIST & HONEY
PALATE: MOUTH-TINGLINGLY SPICED – PEPPERY & FRUITY WITH BARLEY
FINISH: BUTTERSCOTCHED, STILL GRISTY & SPICED WITH A SOFT FADE

BLAIR ATHOL 15YO SHERRY BUTT 50% £54 £44 NOW £38
DISTILLED NOV 1995, BOTTLED NOVEMBER 2010, ONE OF 545 BOTTLES
NOSE: OPENS SWEETLY CARRYING GOLDEN SYRUP AND ORANGES
PALATE: WARMINGLY SPICED RUNNING TO A SWEET MOCHA CHARACTER
FINISH: LONG, STILL SPICY WITH A TANGY BURNT ORANGE PEEL QUALITY

LAPHROAIG 12YO 50% £55 N/A NOW £40
DISTILLED MARCH 1999, BOTTLED JUNE 2011 ONE OF 303 BOTTLES
NOSE: SWEETLY FRAGRANT WITH PEATED BARLEY & LATE SALT & CITRUS
PALATE: MOUTHCOATINGLY OILY/ASHY/TARRY & LATE GRIST AND HONEY
FINISH: BUTTERSCOTCH, DEMERARA SUGAR WITH PEAT & LATE LIQUORICE

AND FINALLY…
For those of you who are ‘DRAMBUSTERS’ having paid your £10 membership fee, your snail mail version of this newsletter will be popping through your door in the next couple of days. Be sure and reply quickly so you don’t miss out on any of these great events. JOIN HERE IF YOU NEED TO! 🙂

Our mailing address is:

T.B.Watson Ltd.
11/17 English Street
Dumfries, Scotland DG1 2BU
United Kingdom