Pipes & Drams Galore!

MCLEANSCOTLAND and Angels Whisky Club are offering a very special long weekend package to this exciting event. Not only will there be almost 9000 pipes & drums on show, but a whole week of events AND added whisky attractions, a few special drams, some superb whisky pub visits distillery and drams, plus – real ale beers! A limited availability here for a maximum of 16 people! You can (of course) add on more days/nights at either end of these dates and, easily add in more distillery visits and more whisky.

CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012
Come to the World’s with us!

THE WORLD’S As well as the coveted Pipeband championship title decider, exciting competitive action across all Grades and the Drum Major contest, there are many exciting additions to keep you entertained. Watch in awe as strong men from around the world compete across several disciplines in the bid to claim glory including caber toss, shot putt and the hammer. Enjoy the Scottish Highland Dancing arena as the best highland dancers from around the world. Not to mention a full week long series of piping events throughout Glasgow. There is something going on morning, noon and night. Its fast, fun, moving, entertaining, exhilarating – it’s Piping Live!

THURSDAY 9, FRIDAY 10 & SATURDAY 11 AUGUST 2012. package includes; 3 nights accommodation in a 4 star George Square (Millennium) hotel, overlooking the main events arena for the piping week, fully cooked Scottish breakfast each morning, ticket to the worlds, a ticket for the grand whisky pub tour with drams included, fully printed tour notes with food & drink and event guide, mcleanscotland staff at hotel each day, bottle of your own blended whisky and Auchentoshan distillery visit. COST per person from £355 COST per person sharing a double or twin room. The whisky trail tour; Award Winning Whisky Tour in Glasgow. Covering: History, Theatre, Culture, Whisky and the great Glasgow “banter”! Jump aboard The Glasgow Whisky Tour bus & explore the passion, characters and FUN behind Glasgow’s whisky history. Hear how Glasgow was built at the many engineering works and shipyards…but fuelled by whisky, which by the way, is included in this tour!

Contact us for speedy booking; worlds@mcleanscotland.com
www.mcleanscotland.com  www.angelswhiskyclub.com

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

1988 Glenrothes Speyside Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($109.99)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

Four Roses K&L Exclusive Single Barrel OESV Cask Strength Bourbon 750ml ($59.99) This barrel, aged 10 years and 6 months at the distillery, is from formula OESV and it’s the most utilitarian whiskey we’ve yet selected from Four Roses. It’s not the richest, the spiciest, the most esoteric, or the sweetest, but I believe it to be the most balanced and delicious. At 59% you’d expect it to be a monster, but it’s quite restrained, almost brooding in its profile in that you expect it to explode at any moment. It never does, however – it remains in check and keeps its distance. The fruit is there, lush and soft, but it stays in the background. The richness is there, but it’s not obvious. The spice is robust, with hints of cherry and banana struggling to be tasted, but still there’s some reluctant force holding it back. The result is dangerously drinkable Bourbon, one that takes three or four sips just to get a grasp on before you know what’s hit you. There’s no denying that it’s good, even great – but there will be fierce attempts to penetrate its core and understand what its all about. This Bourbon will not cave, however. It just wants to be drunk, not contemplated. It seeks to be enjoyed, not studied. It demands to be appreciated, but it will not beg for your attention. Who knew a Bourbon could be so anthropomorphic? -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer

Back in stock…

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

Macallan “Fine Oak” 15 Year Old Single Malt 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

Chivas Regal Extends Support of Cannes Film Festival

Chivas Regal, the original luxury whisky, is set to reinforce its role as official partner of the Cannes Film Festival, after extending its support of the iconic event until at least 2014.

Now in its fourth year as official whisky partner, the new agreement will see Chivas Regal build on over a decade of association with the world’s most prestigious film festival.

In 2011, Chivas Regal launched a global partnership with charity FilmAid International in the presence of FilmAid supporter and legendary actor and director, Robert de Niro. The announcement was made at Chivas House on the famous Croisette with an initial $100,000 donation.

Since then, Chivas Regal has continued its support, most notably in December of last year at the Chivas Legends Dinner held in Dubai, where business leaders and luminaries including guest of honour, Sir David Frost, took part in a silent auction raising a further £60,000 for the charity.

Cannes 2012 will see Chivas Regal reaffirm its commitment to FilmAid with the unveiling of a new short film which aims to showcase the powerful work of FilmAid in its mission to help, educate and inspire communities in need through the power of film.

This, coupled with the increased presence during the festival fortnight, underlines Chivas Regal’s on-going commitment to cinema, explains James Slack, Global Brand Director, Chivas Regal:

“We are delighted to continue our support as official partner of the Cannes Film Festival. Like Cannes, Chivas Regal is synonymous with discerning style, luxury and legend, which makes this partnership a perfect one.”

Slack added: “Working alongside our partners FilmAid International, we look forward to bringing something special to this year’s festival, showcasing the incredible work of FilmAid and generosity of spirit at the heart of the Chivas Regal brand.”

At this year’s festival, Chivas will host film and cinema stars alongside pioneers of the industry from 18 countries for the duration of the festival which runs from 16th – 27th May.

Notes

About Chivas Regal
Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.6 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.

About 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.

For further information please visit www.chivasbrothers.com

sample image

Glen Scotia 11yo (59.1%, SMWS of Canada, 93.42, Refill Butt, 735 Bts.)

“Explosion in a honey factory” On the nose some very nice sherry notes come through and some good smoke with some maritime brininess along with apricots. With some time in the glass the alcohol is replaced by the afore mentioned aromas and then some (once again) very nice tobacco and leather (sharp and clean) plus smoked grapefruit (whatever the hell that is; but you take the point). Distinctive and very much Glen Scotia. The taste is strong (but not ever whelming) with some good sweetness, the smokey brininess and the leather and tobacco. After a moment or to the smoke suddenly emerges to tie everything together. There is also some really good creaminess one often associates with sherry and then later moments of dryness. Very good so far. The finish is very good and warming with loads of the sherry and the smoke; the two really combine to make for a very good finish which is long and then after a moment or two the malt finally makes an appearance. Then the finish becomes smoke malt and yet is still very distinctively Glen Scotia. After 10 minutes some singularly brilliant dry crunchy peat smoked malt’ like scooping a handful from the storage bin!

An excellent example from this distillery. The interplay between the smoke, malt and sherry is delightful.

$120 (+/-)

89 points

Part two of four examining SMWS of Canada Bottlings….

April 2012

Dear Customer,

This month we have nine new (9) bottlings in the OMC range, seven (7) in the OMC 20 cl Advance Samples (now in Gift Boxes) and from the PROVENANCE range four (4) new offers together with our 20 cl x 4 mixed pack of flasks. There is one (1) new DOUBLE BARREL and lastly three (3) bottlings from the DIRECTOR’S CUT range.

Tasting Notes for OLD MALT CASK

OMC2157 GLENLIVET SHERRY 10 YEARS
Nose: Spicy with liquorice – Sherry + softly macerated fruit+ sweet barley.
Palate: Replicates the nose – detect dark fruit, abundant spice + strong liquorice.
Finish: Remarkably long – camphor laden – smoky & sweetly barley’d (F)

OMC2176 ROYAL BRACKLA – QUEEN’S JUBILEE 12 YEARS
Nose: Right royally spiced – clean – gristy + autumnal fruit & light oak.
Palate: Sovereignly sweet + a sceptre of barley & toffee + a cough drop style.
Finish: More cough drops – crowned with camphor, spices and late apple rind. (F)

OMC2150 BUNNAHABHAIN 14 YEARS
Nose: Opens sweet & fresh, carrying a candied citric quality + soft smoke
Palate: Sweetly spiced & lightly smoked + a honey on burnt toast character
Finish: Surprisingly smoky style with a camphor quality on the long finish (J)

OMC2152 CRAIGELLACHIE 14 YEARS
Nose: Sweetly spiced + a hazelnut quality + barley AND barley sugar
Palate: Opens in a toffee style – runs to soft leather & nuts
Finish: Long – still spicy carrying an attractive oak quality (J)

OMC2153 MACALLAN 18 YEARS
Nose: Softly fragrant and clean – carrying crushed sugar and citrus + cut grass.
Palate: Vanilla fudge in style plus soft spices and grist …. still rather sugary.
Finish: Mellow and subtle – still softly sweet & juicy – still spicy (like camphor). (F)

OMC2156 GLENCADAM 21 YEARS
Nose: Detect spices & cedar + a mellow, gristiness and citric quality
Palate: Replicates the nose neatly + accentuated barley & citrus
Finish: Carries tobacco, mixed spice, camphor & late sweet barley (F)

OMC2164 ROSEBANK 21 YEARS
Nose: Light & fragrant – floral & sugary – citric & barley’d.
Palate: Sweetly spiced + crunched sugar + herbs & late camphor.
Finish: Lightly oaked now vanilla’d + more warming spices (F)

OMC2154 GLEN SPEY 25 YEARS
Nose: Autumnally fruited + barley sugar, grist, dry spices and citrus zest.
Palate: Peppery and dry – warms to candy floss, barley and honey.
Finish: Carries cough drop spiciness and crunched sugariness (F)

OMC2118 STRATHMILL 35 YEARS
Nose: Sweet & clean – carrying barley + a spicy fruit cake quality
Palate: Soft & round – sweetly spiced + barley sugar + milk chocolate
Finish: Medium long, still attractively spiced – with a late oak character (J)

The 7 Advance Samples are as follows; all packed into the new windowed Gift Box visible, if you have not already seen it, on our website.

SMC0406 Allt A’Bhainne Sherry 11 years
SMC0412 Cragganmore 11 years
SMC0410 Craigellachie Sherry 12 years
SMC0411 Glengoyne 12 years
SMC0409 Benrinnes Sherry 13 years
SMC0407 Laphroaig 15 years
SMC0408 Glenturret Sherry 17 years

The PROVENANCE Tasting Notes are:

PRV0786 MORTLACH 9 YEARS
Round, sweet and full of toffee, spices, citrus and barley on the nose. Its palate is even more vanilla caramel in style with soft burnt/crunchy sugar drifting through – leading to a warmly spiced finish with more of that fudginess apparent (F)

PRV0785 MANNOCHMORE 12 YEARS
Lightly sugared initially on the nose – it warms to delicate spices, dry grist and cut grass. On the palate detect bigger, fuller spices, cedarwood and late vanilla toffee – running to a finish with tobacco, mocha, demerara sugar and subtle spices all apparent (F)

PRV0787 TAMDHU 12 YEARS
Sweetly honied and warmly spiced on the nose. The palate is chewy, vanilla toffee’d – even more spiced now – and runs to a finish which is cough drop warmingly spiced again, with late barley sugar tones evident. (F)

PRV0791 CAOL ILA YOUNG & FEISTY
Sweetly peated – massively Islay in style – on the nose – detect as it warms sweet tar and briny rock pools. On the palate the phenolic quality bursts forth with more tar and bonfire ash plus leaf smoke – all of which combine in a long (NOW even more smoked) – and lightly toffee’d! – finish. (F)

Tasting Notes for the 20 cl PROVENANCE Flasks (and please note these cases will be available from mid April, as they are still being filled at time of “going to press”).

PRV0798

CAOL ILA
The initially sweet character on the nose quickly develops to an earthy, peaty quality plus late chimney soot. The palate opens sweetly then runs to soft chewy tar with a salty liquorice style. The finish is long with a lingering salty ashy trait now carryng a burnt toast & honey character.

GLEN SPEY 9 YEARS
Fresh, clean and sugary – syrupy sweet on the nose ….. its palate is as (tablet) sweet, now plus barley grist and a light citric influence – leading to a clean, typically Speyside toffee’d finish. (F)

AUCHENTOSHAN 12 YEARS
Surprisingly “big” – beefy and spicily sweet on the nose. Palatewise – it is still as big – with chewy mouth feel – bold in flavour – with almonds, meringues and barley – all being replicated on the warm finish (F)

BLAIR ATHOL (SHERRY) 12 YEARS
Wonderfully fruity – lightly spiced – and warmly barleyed on the nose. The palate hits you with even more spiced, macerated fruit – and the finish carries much the same plus camphor/warming cough drops. (F)

DOUBLE BARREL Tasting Notes:

DBS0032 LEDAIG/BOWMORE – 1st RELEASE
Nose: Distinctly maritime character runs to a beachy bonfire style with peat smoke
Palate: Opens sweetly running to a drier, salty quality plus burnt butterscotch and a charred, BBQ’d character
Finish: Long with a lingering cough drop style, smoked spices and late peat.

Tasting Notes for DIRECTOR’S CUT:

DIR0019 LAPHROAIG 15 YEARS
Nose: Distinctly Islay – maritime & briny + a late sweet character of burnt BBQ sauce
Palate: Contrasting characteristics – sweet + salty smoke – liquorice + smoked mackerel
Finish: Long – still sweetly smoked with BBQ ashes and soft tar until a rich chocolate style appears(J)

DIR0018 DUFFTOWN SHERRY 30 YEARS
Nose: Dark macerated fruit abounds + distinctly spiced summer fruits + cedar wood & its Sherry cask history influence.
Palate: It is lightly oaked – being also overtly/warmly spiced ….. carrying liquorice tones & a big/full tannic “hit”
Finish: This is now more subtle – being rather spicy – and showing wafts of sweet honey beyond the soft oaky tones. (F)

DIR0016 GLENALLACHIE 40 YEARS
Nose: Opens with a macerated dried fruit quality + a flamed orange zest in dark chocolate style
Palate: Opens sherbety – runs to a rich, sweetly spiced fruit character + more dried orange zest
Finish: Dark, bitter chocolate then running drier with cedar wood and tobacco lingering (J)

We believe that offers you a wide selection of young and old Malts.

Yours faithfully

Fred Laing

www.douglaslaing.com

Kilchoman Sherry Cask   

Kilchoman, Islay’s Farm Distillery, is delighted to announce the release of ‘Sherry Cask’.  This is the first sherry cask matured release from Kilchoman. It has been matured for 5 years in oloroso sherry butts.     

Tasting Note:  

£48.99 inc VAT – £40.83 exc VAT 

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

FOR TICKETS PLEASE CLICK HERE
http://www.universalwhiskyexperience.com/events/tickets

Ballantine’s Marks Championship with very Rare Blend

Ballantine’s, the No 1 ultra-premium Scotch whisky in Asia Pacific, has brought together Master Blender Sandy Hyslop and the winner of the 2011 Ballantine’s Championship, England’s Lee Westwood, to create the fifth Ballantine’s Championship Blend.

Launched to commemorate this year’s tournament, which takes place from 26th – 29th April 2012 at the Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon, Korea, this exceptional limited edition continues the brand’s unique tradition of creating a rare and exclusive blend to mark one of Asia’s most prestigious golfing events.

The 2012 Ballantine’s Championship Blend contains a selection of the rarest whiskies, aged for at least 41 years. Only 10 individually numbered bottles of the whisky will be produced, and as reigning Ballantine’s Championship winner, Westwood will receive one. A bottle will also be reserved for the 2012 champion and another will be auctioned for charitable causes during the tournament.

The Ballantine’s Championship Blend is presented in a bottle adorned with a leather and gold metal band that enhances the blend’s prestige credentials. An outer case glorifies the bottle and has been crafted with a combination of wood and leather and decorated with two golden plaques featuring a note from Hyslop and Westwood who was ranked the world’s No 1 golfer when he won the 2011 Ballantine’s Championship. A leather bound booklet completes the luxurious presentation, and communicates Ballantine’s association with golf and the uniqueness of the blend.

Lee Westwood is only the third person outside Ballantine’s expert blending team to influence a Ballantine’s blend, with Northern Irish golfer Graeme McDowell and Australia’s Marcus Fraser having been granted the same privilege as previous winners of the Ballantine’s Championship in 2008 and 2010.

Master Blender Sandy Hyslop personally prepared a selection of extremely rare and high quality grain and malt whiskies and took Westwood through a tasting of each of them to assess which flavours he preferred. Westwood’s selection was carefully blended by Hyslop, who is delighted with the final result of their collaboration commenting: “It was an absolute pleasure for me to work with Lee. This is a superlative blend that has a real effortless and spicy character and, at 41 years of age, it is the first time we have produced a whisky as old and exclusive.”

Lee Westwood said: “It has been a real eye-opener. I didn’t realise the processes a blend has to go through to get to the final stage and I can appreciate the whisky much more now. The 2012 Ballantine’s Championship Blend is one of the rarest whiskies in the world so look out for it at the tournament in April.”

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, says: “We are delighted that the Ballantine’s Championship will be celebrated again with its very own exclusive whisky. This tradition is part of our long term investment in world class golf and highlights the shared flair and excellence of Ballantine’s and this prestigious sport.”

Since the inaugural event in 2008, many professional golfers have demonstrated their world-class talents at the Ballantine’s Championship and the tournament has made a lasting impression on Asian golf history. The brand is committed to the tournament until at least 2013.

Notes

Tasting Notes
Nose: This year’s blend is rich, fruity and incredibly smooth. Fantastic flavours of sweet tangy orange marmalade complemented with vanilla and cinnamon notes in abundance. This blend is extremely complex with layer after layer of soft fruit flavours (pears and peaches) and the faintest hint of ginger in the background.

Taste: Fruity in the extreme with honey, soft caramel and sweet moist raisin flavours. There is also a tantalizing background flavour of dark chocolate peppermint fondant sweets.

Finish: Very long and unbelievably smooth.

Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No 1 ultra-premium Scotch whisky in Asia Pacific and the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 80 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

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 Scotch.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

sample image

Macallan 20yo (55.4%, SMWS of Canada, 24.117, 2nd Fill PX Sherry hogs Head, 196 Bts.)

“Mostarda di Frutta di Cremona” so says the label and Google translation tool says “Fruit Mostarda of Cremona” which is equally unhelpful. Wikipedia says “Mostarda (also called mostarda di frutta) is an Italian condiment made of candied fruit and a mustard flavoured syrup.” At this point all interest was lost and so on the undiluted nose there is Mostarda some spiciness and honey along with air dried tree fruits and a hint of some form of after shave, something like Tabac (a blend of lavender, citrus, and warm florals – remember that cologne??!!). It’s strong and needs some water, a good dollop brings out some for the cologne notes as well as some oak and fruit. The taste (with water) is good; more of the tobacco, a good creaminess, some more of the dried fruit, sherry and some really good lemon sherbet. The finish is a treat and follows closely in the foot steps of the nose and the taste. A late arrival of some fudge really ties the finish together. The finish is long, long and holds together very well. A very, very late malt arrival.

Very good and unrecognizable as a Macallan. Water improves it but don’t over do it.

$ unknown as the sample was kindly provided by Andrew Ferguson of Kensington KWM Calgary.

89 points

Part one of four examining SMWS of Canada Bottlings….

Welcome to the Angels Whisky Club newsletter for April.

Hello Angels, welcome to our latest newsletter, containing news and views within the worldwide whisky industry. We are away again on tours this month to distilleries all around Scotland. Maybe stocking up with some newly found bottles en route, who knows? Welcome to our new members, we hope you enjoy the club website, send in any news or features/photographs you wish.

Watch the world exclusive trailer for Ken Loach’s The Angels’ Share, a link on the homepage. Thanks to angel member; Roald Arne Kvamme

An Angel member told us of an interesting bottle recently sold for over 700 pounds in Moscow; http://angelswhiskyclub.com/awc/markwattdram.asp

The BIG WHISKY INTERVIEW; we have two for you this month, Isle of Mull and Willie Tait of Jura Distillery. Find both online by hitting the big whisky interview image on our home page.

ARDNAMURCHAN DISTILLERY news; Adelphi distillery … Maybe? a multimillion-pound distillery that could bring jobs and hundreds of thousands of pounds to a remote Highland glen on Ardnamurchan. http://angelswhiskyclub.com/awc/scottishdistilleries.asp

KINGSBARNS DISTILLERY, KINGDOM OF FIFE, SCOTLAND Here is a chance to become involved from the very start, plans for a new distillery near to the Home of Golf (St Andrews) are well under way. Paul has been chatting to Doug Clement, asking some questions on your behalf, some a wee bit awkward we thought, but needed to be asked… see Kingsmills Distillery feature; http://angelswhiskyclub.com/awc/kingsbarns.asp  Maybe become a shareholder?

Whisky News; http://angelswhiskyclub.com/awc/angelsnewsandviewsonwhisky.asp

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, makers of the world’s No 1 Irish whiskey, Jameson, has been named Whiskey Distiller of the Year and Whiskey Brand Innovator of the Year http://angelswhiskyclub.com/awc/angelsnewsandviewsonwhisky.asp

Amrut Distilleries, the maker of India’s finest malt whisky, pick up the “New World Whisky” title in Chicago http://angelswhiskyclub.com/awc/angelsnewsandviewsonwhisky.asp

Tomatin Distillery’s single malt Scotch whiskies has received an “Extraordinary Ultimate Recommendation” . http://angelswhiskyclub.com/awc/angelsnewsandviewsonwhisky.asp

Famous Grouse news, see; http://angelswhiskyclub.com/awc/famousnews.asp

The last Johnnie Walker Red Label bottled at the Ayrshire plant. The world’s largest distiller, Diageo, announced in 2009 that it was closing the Kilmarnock facility, where more than 700 people were employed. Some staff are moving to other jobs, others have agreed to severance pay, and 82 are being made redundant.

Scotch export sales reached £4 Billion in 2011!!!

Angels Golden Dram Award; see home page bottom right corner, a couple of excellent Scottish pubs we have awarded a great honour!