Archive for 2012

FWL Whiskey Selection: Low Gap Whiskey, 2012 Drammies Call For Nominations, Whiskies of the World Tix – Whisky News

Hello Fellow WhiskeyLovers –

As most of you know, last week we sent out the Call for Nominations for 15 different categories for the 2012 Drammie Awards. The mission of the Drammie Awards is to put the power of “recognition” in the hands of the whiskey consumer. Nominations are being accepted until midnight on Friday, March 30th…so make haste, and have your voice heard now, or forever hold your peace…until next year at least.

Speaking of awards, I’m sure many of you have been following the Whisky Advocate Awards put forth by my friend John Hansell and the team at the Whisky Advocate magazine. There have been some surprise winners this year, including the winner of “Artisan Whiskey of the Year, North America”, and this weeks Whiskey Wednesday featured whiskey: Craft Distillers’ Low Gap Whiskey.

Oh…and if you didn’t know, Low Gap is a clear (read: unaged) whiskey. But this isn’t your typical moonshine, “bottled” in a Ball Jar, and given a fancy name.

Not even close.

Low Gap Whiskey is made by hand by Crispin Cain, who apprenticed with Hubert Germain-Robin, and has been distilling for 20 years. It is made from malted Bavarian wheat, fermented slowly, distilled using rigorous and painstaking craft methods, and brought to bottling proof with unfiltered rainwater.

The whisky is “brewed” 100% from malted Bavarian hard wheat and controlled dry fermented similarly to beer at +/- 8.8% double distillation, and is brought to proof with rainwater captured at the distillery.

The Germain-Robin 16-hectoliter cognac still used to produce the whiskey comes from the old Surrenne distillery attached to Crispin’s family chateau in Triac, France. It is an antique, operated entirely by hand, and was initially used for small lots of varietal apples and grape spirits. But it wasn’t until Crispin began to distill whiskey on it that they realized how special the still is. It produces beautifully round, soft, elegant and complex distillates.

And so, its’ with great excitement that we’re able to offer you a bottle of Craft Distiller’s Low Gap Whiskey for $39.95/ bottle. But act fast of you want a bottle. This is a very limited production whiskey, and once it’s gone…it’s gone.

And remember, if you’re in the San Francisco next week, you must join me at the Whiskies of the World Expo 2012 on the SF Belle, Hornblower Yacht at Pier 3 on Saturday March 31st. We have a $10 discount on your ticket in, by simply entering the code “FWL10D” in the coupon/promo code field when you’re checking out.

And until next week…have fun!

Doug Stone

Founder

ForWhiskeyLovers.com

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CRAFT DISTILLERS’ LOW GAP WHISKEY

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TASTING NOTES – Lew Bryson, Whisky Advocate

“…2011 was the Year of White Whiskey….Of all the white whiskeys that came across my tasting table in 2011, Low Gap was the solid winner, and this is recognition that there are some white whiskeys out there that are worth drinking on their own for more than the once-or-twice novelty of it.

Low Gap…is a round, fruity spirit that smells like fresh flour and crisp crackers, but drinks like brandy – aromatic and vaporous – with a real grain-laced finish, not just an alcohol wick-up. That’s hardly a surprise coming from Craft Distillers, who make Germain-Robin brandy
There were aged whiskeys from small distillers this year that I liked better, but this was exceptional in its niche…”

New Products at Single Malts Direct – Scotch Whisky News

NEW – DALMORE CIGAR MALT RESERVE

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve benefits from a judicious selection of aged stocks drawn from casks of three types: American white oak ex-bourbon casks, 30 year old Matusalem oloroso sherry butts and premier cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques. Bottled at 44% alcohol by volume, the body, structure and character of this extraordinary expression is the perfect complement to a fine cigar.

EXPERT CRAFTSMANSHIP

* A selection of aged stocks from 10 – 15 years, matured in both American white oak ex-bourbon barrels and Matusalem oloroso sherry casks from Gonazlez Byass before a final finesse in premier cru
Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques.

* Bottled at 44% alcohol by volume to ensure that the taste profile of the liquid cuts through and
harmonises with cigar smoke.

TASTE NOTES

* Aroma: Cinnamon, vanilla and red fruits
* Palate: Tropical fruits, banana toffee and vanilla ice cream
* Finish: Orange zest, bergamot and crushed spice

£68.99
CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

BACK IN STOCK

Highland Park Thor 16 Year Old

Valhalla Collection

Nose: Concentrated and forceful, with an explosion of aromatic smoke, pungent fresh ginger, antique copper, stewed plums, and golden syrup. With water, earthy notes emerge, like a garden after a heavy rain shower.

Palate: Thor’s high strength grabs the palate and refuses to let go. Initially dry, with fiery gingerbread then vanilla, blackberries, fresh mango, peach and hints of cinnamon. As its big flavours swirl around the mouth, some softer, sweeter notes develop, giving Thor and unexpected layer of complexity and depth.

Finish: The finish thunders on, leaving behind lingering notes of sweet vanilla and an intense spiciness.

£124.99

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

BACK IN STOCK

Octomore 4.2 Comus

THE MOST HEAVILY PEATED WHISKY IN THE WORLD

“UNIQUE SHOUTING BRUICHLADDICH” (W.I.) TASTING NOTES

BODY– MEDIUM WEIGHT AND WELL DEFINED FOR A YOUNG ISLANDER. THE TEXTURE IS RICH, SWEET AND MELLOW AND THE VISCOSITY OF THE SAUTERNE BRINGS BALANCE TO THE POWER OF THE PEAT. THIS IS A MOST SOPHISTICATED OCTOMORE AND IT’S KIND OF UNBELIEVABLE TO SEE “THE BEAST” TAMED A LITTLE!

NOSE– THE OPENING IS A BEAUTIFUL COMBINATION OF PEAT SMOKE, BRACKEN, LEATHER, TOBACCO POUCHES, BOG-MYRTLE & BRINY WAVES. THEN LITTLE TWISTS OF HOME-MADE MINT TOFFEE ENTER THE SYSTEM AS DO THE NUTTY NOTES FROM THE OAKS – BOTH FRENCH AND AMERICAN. AND SO THE DANCE GOES ON BUT WHERE IS THE FRENCH BEAUTY? SHE WAITS PATIENTLY ON THE FRINGES THEN AT EXACTLY THE RIGHT MOMENT SHE MAKES HER ENTRANCE FROM THE EPICENTRE OF THE SPIRIT BRINGING AROMATICS AND FLAVOUR THE YOUNG ILEACH COULD ONLY DREAM ABOUT. IT’S A BRILLIANT ENGAGEMENT TO EXPERIENCE. FROM DEEP IN HER SOUL SHE COMMITS TO THIS AMAZING RELATIONSHIP, THE AROMATICS RELAY THE MESSAGE TO THE WAITING TASTE BUDS TO EXPECT A WHOLE NEW EXPERIENCE. THE GRAND CRU SAUTERNE FLAVOURS OF PEAR SYRUP, PLUMP BURSTING GRAPES, GUAVA, PASSION FRUITS AND CANTALOUPE WITH A DUSTING OF ICING SUGAR; YOU HAVE TO WONDER JUST HOW SURREAL THIS IS, A SUPER HEAVY PEATED SPIRIT BEING SEDUCED BY THE DELECTABLE CLASSIC FRENCH BEAUTY – PASSION CHANGES EVERYTHING!

PALATE-IT’S ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS, THE COMING TOGETHER OF FLAVOURS SO FAR REMOVED FROM EACH OTHER YOU WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE A DISASTER BUT ONCE AGAIN WE STAND IN AWE OF IMAGINATION AND THE COURAGE TO TAKE THE CONSUMER ON THIS INCREDIBLE JOURNEYOF DISCOVERY. THE KALEIDOSCOPE OF AROMATICS TRANSCENDS BEAUTIFULLY ONTO THE PALATE WHICH IS GOING CRAZY WITH EXCITEMENT. THE SMOKE IS THE PERFECT FOIL FOR THE SAUTERNE; THIS IS BRUICHLADDICH AT ITS BEST, WALKING ON THE WILD SIDE, BRINGING PLEASURE AND EXCITEMENT TO THOSE WHO HAVE THAT SENSE OF ADVENTURE AND PASSION THAT COMES ONLY FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE TOTALLY COMMITTED TO TRADITION, YET FEARLESS IN THEIR SEARCH FOR THE ULTIMATE DRAM.

FINISH-THIS LOVE AFFAIR SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED BUT IT HAS AND WE ARE WITNESS TO ITS ENCHANTMENT, PASSION AND JOYFULNESS AS THE FLAVOURS LINGER LONG INTO THE NIGHT, ENDING ON A DRIFT OF PEAT SMOKE AND THE MARINE MAGIC THAT IS TRULY ISLAY.

£99.99

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

SPECIAL OFFER

Highland Queen Majesty 30 Year Old Single Malt

WAS £110.00 – NOW £80.00 SAVE £30.00 & FREE Whiskies of Scotland Map

Highland Queen has been produced in Scotland for over 100 years. It takes the name from Mary Queen of Scots, who reigned from 1545 to1567 and was executed in 1587 on the order of Elisabeth 1st, Queen of England.

Majesty 30 years old is the oldest and rarest expression of Highland Queen, with only 2000 bottles produced. It has exceptional elegance and softness on the nose, with the sweetness golden syrup, butterscotch and creamy toffee. Long and elegant to the end the finish has amazing finese with gentle nut notes, hints of dates, citrus notes and the softness of vanilla creams.

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FREE

Whiskies of Scotland distillery map displays all past and present distilleries including new distilleries under construction.

Great for a connoisseur of Whisky.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

New Products at K&L California – Scotch Whisky News

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

1992 Bowmore 16 year old, Cask Strength, Bordeaux Cask, Islay Single Malt Whisky Distillery Bottling 750ml – 2 available ($124.99)

Bruichladdich Classic Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($59.99)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

1512 Aged Rye Whiskey 375ml ($59.99)

Michter’s US #1 Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey 750ml ($44.99)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

The Whisky Shop Update – Scotch Whisky News

New Releases For The W Club – Late March 2012 The Glenury Royal 40 year old, The Macallan 25 yea… (please click on the link to read the full article)…

THE LINK 

The Whisky Shop
www.whiskyshop.com

A FIRST IN QUEBEC: THE QUEBEC WHISKY CLUB PRESENTS THE QUEBEC WHISKY DAY – Whisky News

 

A FIRST IN QUEBEC: THE QUEBEC WHISKY CLUB PRESENTS THE QUEBEC WHISKY DAY

Quebec, March, 2012 – The Quebec Whisky Club is happy to present the first edition of the Quebec Whisky Day on March 31, 2012. An activity never seen before in the Capital, this day is entirely dedicated to tasting sessions, information and discovery of the world of whisky.

The Master Classes

Three seminars will be taking place all day from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The first session will focus on Bourbons and will be presented by Mr. Matt Jones, Whiskey Ambassador for Beam (Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam). The second session will be about Canadian whiskies and presented by Mrs. Tish Harcus, Brand Ambassador for Canadian Club. The participants will enjoy an Aboriginal-flavoured dinner before concluding the day with a session on international whiskies with Mr. Jonathan Lucks, Regional Director in Canada for the Swedish distillery Mackmyra. Plus, the Quebec Whisky Club will also participate in presenting The Founder’s Selection.

This day presented by experts from the industry fits perfectly in the Club’s mission, which is to make the world of whisky and scotch more accessible and to democratize the exercise of tastings. The founders also wish to share their passion and bring participants to another level of knowledge of whisky.

The Quebec Whisky Club is a non-profit organisation founded in 2008 by three whisky lovers. The Club is devoted to sharing knowledge and promoting scotches, whiskies, bourbons and other spirits. The activities consist mainly of workshops and tastings presented by experts. Members meet enthusiastic and passionate people wanting to become initiated or to enhance their knowledge about whisky.

Information: Elisabeth Lessard Communications Coordinator www.quebecwhisky.com

1792 Ridgemont Reserve Barrel Select (46.85%, OB, “DSP-KY-12+/-2011) – American Whiskey Tasting Note

1792 Ridgemont Reserve Barrel Select (46.85%, OB, “DSP-KY-12+/-2011)

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky…on the nose is a quick blast of sweet floral notes which quickly settles down to present some solid and very good bourbon notes. Leather and tobacco with dusty grains followed by banana (hints there of) and then back to the light vibrant floral notes. Behind the floral notes are some heavy aromas that add to the heady mix; both the floral and the heavy notes compliment each her very well. The taste is of the leather and tobacco and the light floral notes, very well intermingled; a little of the banana is present and a slight dark chocolate like bitterness along with some spiciness that also adds to the whole mix. The finish is very, very dry and spicy and quite long, the floral makes a late appearance along with the dark chocolate notes.

Another cracker at $75

Score 88 points

Day FOUR of American Whiskey Week.

Chieftain’s. Kilchoman & Isle of Arran Tasting in San Francisco March 29th, 2012 – Scotch Whisky News

Come and Taste a Wee Dram
Scotch Tasting / Seminar

Thursday, March 29th, 2012
6:00 pm

TO BE HELD AT: The City Club of San Francisco
Come taste the following whiskies:

Chieftain’s Choice… Only the worthy are chosen … Naturally

Chieftain’s Aberfeldy
Chieftain’s Glenturet
Chieftain’s Mortlach

Special Guest ~ Ed Kohl

Kilchoman… Islay’s Farm Distillery
Kilchoman Sherry Cask Release
Kilchoman 2006 vintage

Special Guest ~ Anthony Wills

The Arran Malt …Pure by Nature
Arran 10 yr
Arran 14 yr
Arran Bourbon Single Cask
Special Guest ~ Euan Mitchell

Sponsored By

To Reserve a space please calls 415-989-1030 (Space is Limited)
Admission is $ 95.00 For Members $ 30.00 discount use code WOWCCSF
Must purchase tickets in advance

Isle of Arran & Kilchoman Distilleries Team Up in Los Angeles For A Tasting at Rivera Restaurant, March 26th, 2012 – Scotch Whisky News

Monday March 26th 7:45pm at Rivera Restaurant 1050 S. Flower St. #102 Los Angeles, CA 90015. Tickets are $35 per person and includes a Scotch Tasting with tapas with special guests Euan Mitchell, Managing Director, Isle of Arran Distillery and And Anthony Wills, Managing Director, Kilchoman Distillery.

Make your reservation by phoning (213) 749 1460 and mention “scotch tasting”. Seating is limited to 35 guests.

 

Ralfy Publishes Whisky Review #259 – Scotch Whisky News

Ralfy here!

www.ralfy.com (my on-line shambles) is proud to present Whisky Review 259Old Pulteney 17yo lovely!

Fancy A Wee Dram at Zeena Bar – London? – Whisky News

Fancy a wee dram?

There are many dates in the normal calendar to get excited about like Easter and Christmas, but in the bartenders calendar there are a few great dates too. One in particular is WORLD WHISKY DAY, which is next week on the 27th March.

Join us then (Tuesday 27th), for half price off all of our whiskies sold neat….

ZENNA Cocktail Bar
77 Dean Street, Soho, London, WID 3SH.
020 7437 2525 – info@zenna-bar.co.uk


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