Ok gentlemen, there are events, and then there are EVENTS! I am going to put this at the top of the latter. The     ‘Nth 2012 Show’ is being put on by The Universal Whisky Experience and is about sampling a dram of whisky from the world’s most unique, finest premium whiskies from the top-tier brands and conversing with and learning from whisky aficionados, high-end connoisseurs, and collectors. If that isn’t enough in itself you also have the luxury of dining, shopping, and playing at one of the top resorts in the world’s entertainment playground, Las Vegas, Nevada.

The mission of Universal Whisky Experience is to provide ultra-premium, luxury whisky enjoyment experiences. In order to ensure this level of experience, they are pleased to include your choice of two (2) pours from a range of ‘Super-Premium’ whiskies, valued at $300.00 per pour and above, in the cost of each ticket. They also encourage that all attendees sample their choice of Super pour upon arrival as each expression is in limited supply. Super pours this year include Dalmore Astrum (40yr), Dalmore Aurora (45yr), Sirius-Fettercairn 1966 (44yr), Sirius-Dalmore 1967 (44yr), and Glenfarclas-Cognac Cask Finish 1967 (44yr). There will be more Super Pours to follow so please check in for updates.

Guests of the ‘Nth 2012 Show’ will also have the opportunity to purchase and attend from a choice of Masterclasses. Each class will be conducted by world-renowned brand ambassadors and include discussions and tasting flights of some of the rarest and finest premium whiskies.

There are many ticket packages available that offer different levels of experience and exclusivity. Please CLICK HERE to see ticket packages or visit www.universalwhiskyexperience.com  for full show information.

The Claymore Times

~ All The News That’s Fit To Drink ~

1963 Glen Grant (LCBO# 262865) and a 21 year old Glen Grant (LCBO # 262832)

This New Year we have a double release from the Glen Grant Distillery. We have a very rare 1963 which can only be found at five locations in Ontario (see Locations below) – the uniqueness of this fine single malt is reflected at a price point of $504.95. The second new release is a lovely 21 year old Glen Grant at $138.95 which can be found at several locations (see Locations below).

Glen Grant Distillery was the first of five to be built in the town of Rothes. It was built by John & James Grant, two brothers who had previously been involved in illicit distilling. The Glen Grant stills are a unique shape with an almost square section between the pot and the neck. This, together with purifiers on the lyne arms, contributes to Glen Grant’s light, gentle character. Glen Grant is one of the world’s biggest-selling Malt Whiskies, with Italy being a significant market.

1963 Glen Grant

· COLOUR Pale amber.

· Body Light and clean.

· Finish Short, slightly fragrant.

· Cask Type Refill Sherry casks.

· Style Light and delicate – aperitif.

Tasting Note

· AROMA without water

Sherry wood, fruit – ripe apples and dusted melons. Touch of spice and cereal notes.

· TASTE without water

Delicate fruit and floral flavours with an underlying Sherry wood.

Glen Grant 21 year old

· COLOUR Gold.

· Body Balanced.

· Finish Fruity.

· Cask Type Refill Sherry Casks.

· Style Bursting with fruit aromas and flavours.

Tasting Note

· AROMA without water

Clean with soft fruit aromas – peaches and pears. Slight honeyed note.

· TASTE without water

Spicy with sweet – vanilla pod hints. Fruity – apples and grapes.

· AROMA with water

Fresh fruit salad with sweet malty notes.

· TASTE with water

Delicate smoky flavour with Sherry notes and a sweet, creamy element.

Locations for the both Glen Grants

1963 Glen Grant LCBO # 262865

TORONTO-NORTH YORK 2901 BAYVIEW AVENUE
OTTAWA 275 RIDEAU STREET
TORONTO-CENTRAL 10 SCRIVENER SQUARE
 TORONTO-CENTRAL 2 COOPER STREET
OAKVILLE 321 CORNWALL DRIVE

21 yo Glen Grant LCBO # 262832
 
TORONTO-CENTRAL 10 SCRIVENER SQUARE
OTTAWA 275 RIDEAU STREET
TORONTO-CENTRAL 2 COOPER STREET
TORONTO-NORTH YORK 2901 BAYVIEW AVENUE
TORONTO-ETOBICOKE 2946 BLOOR STREET WEST
TORONTO-NORTH YORK 1838-1844 AVENUE ROAD
OAKVILLE 321 CORNWALL DRIVE
TORONTO-CENTRAL 147 LAIRD AVENUE
OAKVILLE 251 OAK WALK DR.
RICHMOND HILL 8783 YONGE STREET
WOODBRIDGE 7850 WESTON ROAD
VAUGHAN 9970 DUFFERIN STREET
LONDON 109 FANSHAWE PARK ROAD
OTTAWA 1980 BANK STREET
WOODBRIDGE 8260 HWY. # 27
TORONTO-CENTRAL 55 BLOOR STREET WEST

Just to let you know, the Jim Murray’s whisky bible scored Benromach 25yo 92 points and the Benromach 30yo won best single malt whisky for its class. There’s still 9 bottles of the Benromach 25yo on the shelves, ask for LCBO # 969642 at a cost of $174.95

The LCBO are hosting a wee tasting; ten whiskies and food for $99. If you’re interested in attending register at  http://www.vintages.com/events/scotches_event.shtml.  The event is being held at the four seasons in Toronto.

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

The latest edition of PUB Magazine http://www.pubmagazine.ca/upcoming_issue.php

Other Whiskies coming soon

Caperdonich
15 yo Mortlach
Aultmore
1997 Dailuaine
Glendullan
 
Sláinte

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

Second Saturday Scotch Sipping at Six

2nd Saturday each month 6 – 9 p.m. no reservation required

Enjoy 5 half-ounce samples of single malt Scotch whisky: $20

♦ We feature 3 single malts, including a Malt of the Month *

♦ You roll a die then pick a whisky from one of the six Scotch regions

♦ You pick your Connoisseur’s Choice from our menu of single malt menu 

Peruse our whisky library. Learn about our single malts in our menu book: distillery info, tasting notes, & more. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres. Non-whisky drinkers welcome.

January 14
Bunnahabhain 12 yo (46.3%) *
Ardbeg 10 yo
Old Pulteney 12 yo

February 11
BenRiach Curiositas 10 yo *
Cardhu 12 yo
The Arran Malt 10 yo

March 10
Ardmore Traditional *
Glenlivet 16 yo Nadurra
Auchentoshan Valinch

10% off bottles of the Malt of the Month *

Bob at work....

Visit the Miner’s Delight Inn at http://www.minersdelightinn.com/

Big Peat Santa NAS Batch (57.8%, DL & Co, 2011)

BIG PEAT ISLAY BLENDED/VATTED MALT – (Really) heavily peated including amongst others: ARDBEG, BOWMORE, CAOL ILA and PORT ELLEN.

Unsurprisingly lashings of peat reek on the nose along with some nice malt and over ripe fruit, goose berries and some brown sugar (a little). All in all a grand collection of aromas along with peanut butter, dark unsweetened chocolate and maybe a hint or two of espresso? The taste is also very big and exceedingly dry with initial sweetness but then the cask strength turbo charged peat reek arrives on the scene like Godzilla trashing everything in sight. Hints of prawn crackers. Black pepper, chilies and that stuff they use to start up nuclear power stations. The finish is well worth wading through the Godzilla attack and it does not disappoint with wave and wave of peat reek crashing onto the shore. A late arrival of the peanut butter and more of the peat. Well, enough of that, there’s a lot of it.

Well done to Douglas Laing…a big peat experience indeed.

$70

Score 90 points

Part one of five featuring whiskies that are peated; ‘Peat Week’!