Federal Wines & Spirits

A Precious Scotch to Share and Savor Old Malt Cask Glen Grant 30 Y. O.

Today we offer to you a 30 year old single-malt from The Glen Grant distillery. This single-cask independent bottling is a wonderful dram of which we only have 15 bottles. We feel it will go very fast.

The bottler, Old Malt Cask, is one line of single cask scotch whisky from The Laing family. It is one of many brands from this scotch blending company, which was started in 1948 – 1949 by Fred Douglas Laing and is now run by his two son’s: Fred and Stewart.

Boston has not seen enough from these brands in the past, now their future is looking much brighter with a new importer and wholesaler. We should see many more very good selections from their holdings of single malts and single grain whiskies.

This 30 Y.O. Glen Grant is from a refill sherry cask bottled at the cask strength of 46.9% (with a few drops of water it really opens up). The sherry on the lighter side, and integrates seamlessly with the malt. Very well balanced, it shows wonderful depth. A moorish dram that not enough people will taste.

Below are tasting notes that are on the bottle.

Nose– malty freshness, sweet biscuit(sponge style) with a citric aroma

Palate– smooth, balanced with sweet spices, delicate for it’s age!

Finish– medium long, remains fresh and carries an herbal quality.

Pricing   Reg. $ 264.99 – Sale $234.99

The 2nd Nth Whisky Show in Las Vegas 2012

This is the 2nd. year for this very exclusive festival. This is not your regular whisky show. the Nth is a festival that is looking to showcase some of the most elite whisk(e)y in the world, to those who may want to purchase some of the rarest and most exquisite gems of the whisky world. It may not be a show for all whisky lovers, but if you are thinking of going, I have heard only great things . Although I did not attend last year, this year I will be there!

Let me know if I can help you in any way, we will attach a link to their website here.

Please pass this on to any friends who are Scotch enthusiasts!

Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits

——————————————————————

Email: joe@federalwine.com
Phone: (617) 367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/ 

While Distillers release mega-expensive Malts, Ralfy releases mega-cheap Whisky Reviews, just like this one,  Whisky Review 248 – White Horse 12yo.

Good things need not be expensive.

The Dalmore has released Cromartie, the third in a series of limited edition releases, named after the spiritual heartland of the Mackenzie clan, to raise much needed funds to help return the Scottish castle to its former glory.

The Dalmore Cromartie follows the successful releases of the Mackenzie and Castle Leod, both of which have now sold out raising more than £35,000 in total towards castle restoration and other clan projects.

Limited to 7,500 70cl bottles with an RSP of £100, the Dalmore Cromartie goes on general release from late February across Europe, available from specialist whisky retailers and in Duty Free Travel Retail.

The packaging for The Dalmore Cromartie displays extracts from an ancient map, depicting the lands of Cromartie, which was produced in 1762 as part of the government’s order to map ‘rebel estates’.  The whisky was initially matured in American white oak casks before being transferred to Oloroso sherry casks form world renowned bodega Gonzalez Byass, Jerez de la Frontera.

The Dalmore Master Distiller, Richard Paterson

“The Cromartie is the third in the series of the very successful Mackenzie clan releases and once again we have gone to great lengths to create a whisky with a deep complexity and a rich attractiveness.   It is very different from the others in the range as it is matured in Oloroso sherry, whereas Mackenzie and Castle Leod were finessed in Port pipes and Cabernet Sauvignon respectively, giving it enticing flavours of Seville oranges, Ximenez grapes and spicy cinnamon. This whisky really is elegance personified.”

Caberfeidh of the Mackenzie clan, John Cromartie

“The Dalmore’s Mackenzie releases have provided vital funds for the restoration of our Clan home. I can’t thank Richard and his team enough for the work they have put into producing these three limited editions expressions – each one of exceptional quality.”

The Dalmore and the Mackenzie Clan

The Dalmore has a long association with the Mackenzie clan.  Not only did the family once own the Highland distillery, their clan symbol – the royal stag – sits on each and every bottle of the Dalmore in a tribute to its regal heritage and aristocratic pedigree. The Clan have held lands in Cromartie since the 1600’s and to this day the clan chief still bears the title ‘Earl of Cromartie’. Castle Leod, home of the Mackenzies, is nestled in the Scottish highlands just 14 miles from the Dalmore distillery. Built in the early 15th Century it is still one of the few castles in Scotland that was built and occupied by direct descendants of the original family owners.

Tasting Notes

This malt is a complex composition of unashamed luxury with captivating aromas of bergamot, mandarin and lemon grass.

Exciting notes of dark bitter chocolate, rich Columbian coffee and old English marmalade.

An intricate infusion of Seville oranges, sun-drenched Pedro Ximenez grapes and spicy cinnamon reward the palate.
 
 WEBSITES

http://www.thedalmore.com/

Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks ‘Highland Park Thor’

Highland Park Thor  52.1% abv  £111.00 inc vat  £92.50 ex vat 

Highland Park Thor OB 16yo 52.1%alc.

Official blurb:

“This is the very first bottling in the Highland Park Valhalla Collection, a series of four truly elemental whiskies, which draw their influence from the Norse gods themselves.

First up is the mighty hammer-slinging heavyweight himself – Thor. Thor, undoubtedly the most legendary of all the Norse gods, Son of Odin, the ruler of Asgard, was avidly worshipped by Viking warriors as the defender of mankind and gods alike. In fact, it was said that you can see Thor’s handiwork on Orkney, at the roughly hewn cliffs of Yesnaby on the far western shore. An epic piece of stone masonry if ever there was!

Highland Park Thor is a unique single malt, aged for 16 years and bottled the natural strength of 52.1%. Like its namesake, Thor is a meeting point of nature’s forces, exuding a dynamic and bold character on the surface, but with an unexpected softer side at its heart. This limited edition bottling comes housed in a carved wooden frame, which echoes the fearsome contours of a traditional Viking long ship.”

Official Tasting Note:

Appearance:

Rich amber, with an iron ore glow

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. For more information about Thor and the rest of The Valhalla Collection (some big surprises are yet to come) head on over to www.whiskyofthegods.com

BenRiach 17yo Peated Septendecim 46%
Colour: Rich summer gold with a freshly harvested barley impression.
Nose: A robust mix of fresh peaty aromas, constructed around a central core of apples and toasted nuts which have been dowsed in wild mountain honey. Full of energy and vibrancy.
Taste: Sweet concentrated peat flavours dominate from the start. Bold and intense. The peaty heart is united with honey-infused raisins, roasted nuts and a luxurious leather impression. Full-bodied with fantastic length. A real heavyweight, which will impart a lasting impression on the palate.

BUY NOW ONLY £47.99

Springbank Rundlets & Kilderkins
Nose: Honey, vanilla, chocolate, nougat and toffee in abundance followed by hints of wholesome freshly ground nutmeg.
Palate: Creamy and rich as expected from the nose, with notes of chocolate covered honeycomb mixed with pistachio and crushed almonds. Rich and oily from its maturation in small casks, it gives an impression of bein older than its ten years.
Finish: The ground nutmeg is still evident on the finish but the creaminess outstays the spices to a long smooth and sweet finish. With water this dram develops an even sweeter finish, fruity and sugar candy, it becomes even smoother.

BUY NOW £55

BenRiach Solstice 2 17yo peated/port finish 50% 70cl
Colour: Impressive colour spectrum, showing distinct rose characteristics, with a bright copper crest.
Nose: Fabulous aroma of stewed summer berries including strawberries, blackcurrants and red currants. The berry component is richly locked together by a muscular peaty blast. Latter traces of fortified wine and grape like qualities become apparent.
Taste: Initially dry roasted nutty flavours flow over the palate. This advances to become a heavy peaty affair. Subtle notes of dried raisins and candied fruit. Clean and very enticing with the dominant peat flavours lingering on the palate. Smooth and very long.

BUY NOW ONLY £59.99

NEW YEAR – NEW PRODUCTS
Out with the old (drink it up) and in with the new…Ready for your drinking pleasure!

 
This has been a long but eagerly awaited arrival… but it is here at last. Of the allocation that we received only 3 bottles are left for sale and only one purchase per customer please…

BUY YOURS NOW FOR £175
but be quick…..

Our mailing address is:

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

Loch Fyne Whiskies has stocked a new item, ‘Springbank Rundlets & Kilderkins’

Springbank OB Rundlets & Kilderkins 49.4%alc.

Distilled November 2001

Bottled January 2012

I love this because of its lack of subtlety, as enjoyable as a Die Hard movie.

A limited release of 9,000 bottles matured in mini-casks formerly described as ‘rundlets’ or ‘kilderkins’. Small casks give more wood in contact with less whisky and so more maturation effect in time.

A lovely deep old-gold in colour (according to our LFW Descriptors mat), it has a witching, dark aroma of sinister things… Thick smoke (dragon breath, coal and tobacco) with tomatoes, cloves and greenhouse elements. It’s woody – new wood, pepper, nutmeg and sandalwood and also estery – oranges and Dundee cake. Lots going on but all quite straightforward.

To taste it’s initially salty and so big flavours result of new cedar wood. It is fizzy and vigorous with no subtlety; a cross between Vinnie Jones and Sid James, with a tad surgical spirit in the swallow.

Water (it’s 49%) reveals more fruit as oranges, solvent as cellophane (that’s a first for me) and distinct medicinal characters but not of the peaty-phenolic sort, more surgical spirits or sour-esters. The harrr filling the mouth after swallowing is like the aftermath of tarry ciggies (Player’s No. 6).

We all enjoy this, it’s defiantly different but still a rich whisky that sherry fans will be happy with.

Difficult to place on the Flavour Map but I’d have it in square I 5 Rich

Springbank Rundlets & Kilderkins

Price excluding VAT: £47.08
£56.50 Including VAT at 20%

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Ballantine’s Gives the Traditional Valentine’s Day Card a Make-Over

Valentine’s Day should be a day to share with everyone you love, including friends, so for those looking to rise above the clichéd messages and send something fun, Ballantine’s have created two light-hearted alternative Valentine’s Day e-cards.

The world’s No 2 Scotch whisky brand is celebrating Valentine’s Day the Ballantine’s way, with the e-cards designed by two influential artists: Piano Fuzz of Brazil and Blanca Gomez from Spain.

Each design is unique, with each showing how to do Valentine’s the Ballantine’s way. The e-cards will be available to download and share on Facebook from 10th February at http://www.facebook.com/ballantines

“Ballantine’s is about doing things differently so we wanted to put a twist on the traditional Valentine’s Day card and create something to escape the cliché’s and inject some fun into Valentine’s Day!” says Peter Moore, Global Brand Director, Ballantine’s.

Notes:

About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s Finest is a complex blend of single malts and grain whiskies from four renowned whisky regions of Scotland – Islay, Highlands, Speyside and Lowlands. Its elegant signature style is a balance of soft and sweet, due to the key malts of Glenburgie and Miltonduff.

About the Artists

Piano Fuzz
Pianofuzz Design Studio is a collection of projects located in Londrina, Brazil. A design studio formed by people who share artistic values, Piano Fuzz create design in a variety of mediums.

Blanca Gómez
Blanca Gómez is an illustrator and graphic designer based in Madrid, Spain. Blanca likes making small things with care; her website is called “cosas mínimas,” which means “tiny things” in Spanish.

For further information: Visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

The Claymore Times

~ All The News That’s Fit To Drink ~

1993 Glendullan 43% (LCBO# 266833)

Just released, Speyside malt from Dufftown, a 1993 Glendullan distilled at 43%. Dufftown is known for its distilleries or as they say ‘Rome may be built on seven hills but Dufftown was build upon Seven Stills” Glendullan being the last one built in 1897 with this particular whisky being priced at $85.95 per bottle.

If you want to sample this and other classics, I’ll be hosting a tasting in Whitby later this month, plus Jim McEwan will be in town and I had a lovely wee evening with Simon Brooking (Laphroaig) and Marc Laverdiere (Macallan and Highland Park) see pages 4+5 for more details.

Set in Glen Fiddich – the valley of the deer – Dufftown was founded by the 4th Earl of Fife to provide employment after the Napoleonic Wars. Thanks to its naturally pure water, it soon became the centre of the distilling industry. Today, the town lays claim to the title of “Malt Whisky Capital of the World” and the Glendullan distillery continues to thrive on the original site where it was built in 1897.

Production began in 1898 and in 1902 the Glendullan single malt was supplied by royal request to King Edward VII. In 1972 the distillery was expanded to meet demand, with six stills added.

What’s going on in the area:

The LCBO Scottish whisky extravagance was an excellent night out with Simon Brooking representing Laphroaig and Marc Laverdiere representing Macallan and Highland Park.  Very educational and entertaining, we even got to try the newly released Highland Park THOR and as an extra bonus the Four Seasons Hotel served Haggis, what more could one ask for?

I’ll be hosting a whisky tasting in Whitby at the Dockside Pub on the 21st February at 7:30pm. The dockside is located at 1600 Champlain Av, Whitby, call the Dockside at 905-571-1600 for tickets. There will be a flight of 5 whiskies and owner Rob Schofield will be supplying some Hors d’oeuvres that his master chef has created especially for this evening, should be a fun night and a chance to nose some rare whiskies, tickets are $49 each.  

Neil Middleton and Companions of the Quaich (Niagara on the Lake) are having a whisky tasting on the February 7th with some whiskies that are not available from the LCBO and promises to be an interesting night, contact Neil at 905-468-0802 or email nmiddleton@cogeco.ca for more information.

Stephanie of The Dam Pub is hosting on the 21st of Feb a 3 flight whisky tasting for $25. Time is 7:30 at 53 Bruce Street South, Thornbury, ON 519-599-2110 or email at stephanie@thedampub.ca

Jim McEwan is the guest for an evening of tasting and dinner at The Oakville Club, 56 Water Street on the 24th Feb.  Enjoy an evening of mirth, music and 5 malts with Bruichladdich’s Master Distiller plus a three-course dinner & coffee/tea – Members  $80, Guests  $90.

If your local establishment is planning on hosting an event in the month of February please let us know.

Other Whiskies coming soon

Caperdonich
Aultmore
1997 Dailuaine
 
Sláinte

Bill Somerville
Global Operations Director
Claymore Imports Inc.
EMail:     bill@claymoreimports.ca

SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY AWARDS -FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

The Glenlivet triumphed in the first round of judging of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards 2012, featuring in each of the three categories of the prestigious awards.

The judging panel for the first round of the awards, including industry representatives, whisky writers and specialist retailers, gathered at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Thursday, 26th January for a blind tasting of 56 of Speyside’s finest malts hosted by Richard Lochhead MSP.

The judges selected two finalists in each of three categories resulting in a good representation of sherry influenced whiskies, a new release from Tomintoul Distillery and another fine representation from Chivas Brothers.

The shortlisted finalists are:

12 Years and Under:
– Tomintoul 12 Years Old (Oloroso Finish)
– The Glenlivet 12 Years Old

13 to 20 Years Old:
– Aberlour 18 Years Old
– The Glenlivet 15 Years Old (French Oak)

21 Years and Over:
– The Glenlivet 21 Years Old (Archive)
– Knockando 25 Years Old (2011 Special Release)

Jim Royan, Chairman of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival said:  “Many of the world’s most popular whiskies come from Speyside, so these shortlisted spirits are expressions of some of the highest quality malts to be found in the region.  We look forward to the next round of judging when visitors to the Festival will be the final decision-makers of the winning whiskies.”

Susan Young, editor of Dram magazine was attending as a judge for the first time.  She said she had been pleasantly surprised by the high quality of entries which she felt demonstrated the depth of whiskies available in Speyside. “When you’re tasting blind, you’re not influenced by packaging or presentation but judge purely on the taste.  The selection of whiskies entered for the awards was excellent which made it more difficult, particularly in the 12 years old and under category.  There were a few good whiskies I tasted on the day which I would definitely like to have in my drinks cabinet at home!”

The six finalists will now to on to a public vote at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival on Thursday, 3rd May, a unique judging process which has helped the Awards gain international recognition since their inception in 2005. 

Visitors to the Festival can book tickets for the exclusive final judging of the best of Speyside malts, and the winners will be announced shortly afterwards at the Opening Dinner to be held at The Macallan.

Tickets to take part in the judging of the Awards finals at this year’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival and to view all 300 events in the Festival programme are available at www.spiritofspeyside.com.  Whisky lovers can keep up-to-date with the Festival programme on www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside.

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 Festival also runs several competitions and awards including the prestigious Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards as well as the Photographic Competition
– The Festival runs a subsidised taxi voucher scheme
– 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.

TheWhiskyBarrel.com Launches Affiliate Partnership

Online whisky shop TheWhiskyBarrel.com has partnered with Affiliate Window to launch a new commission channel for beverage web sites for bloggers, news editors, message forums and shopping portals.

Our new revenue sharing programme rewards our partners for their own marketing efforts. By promoting TheWhiskyBarrel.com products on your web site, we pay a commission reward for each sale generated from your platform.

The Whisky Barrel is an online whisky shop specialising in fine and rare Scotch, Japanese, English, Indian and Swedish whiskies. The online catalogue boasts over 1,000 whiskies and ships to over 50 countries including the United States, Canada, Australia and Taiwan.

Our Affiliates benefit from:

* Exclusive access to our cask samples for editorial

* Approved sales of alcohol to Sweden

* Tailored creative for our best Affiliates

For the first month of our programme we are offering affiliates joining the program a lucrative commission rate, including sales generated for TheWhiskyBarrel.com exclusive bottling’s.

Join in by visiting www.thewhiskybarrel.com/p/10/affiliates to sign-up and start earning in 2012.

The Whisky Barrel
www.thewhiskybarrel.com

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