DAVIN DE KERGOMMEAUX is the author of the recently published Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert, the definitive guide to Canadian whisky. An independent whisky expert, de Kergommeaux has been writing about, talking about, and teaching about whisky for more than a decade and a half. His writing and tasting notes appear in Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate, Scotch Whisky Review, Whisky and Fine Spirits, various lifestyle magazines, and on websites such as maltmaniacs.org. His website, www.canadianwhisky.org , has become a reference standard for Canadian whiskies with its comprehensive and no-nonsense tasting notes. Just six months after it was launched in 2010, the Association of Canadian Food Bloggers named de Kergommeaux’s website as the best wine and spirits blog of the year..

Internationally acclaimed whisky writer, Dave Broom invited de Kergommeaux to write the chapter on Canadian whisky for his most recent book, The World Atlas of Whisky, released in October 2010. De Kergommeaux also wrote all the Canadian entries in Dominic Roskrow’s new book, 1001 Whiskies You Must Taste Before You Die. De Kergommeaux’s own book, Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert was published by McClelland & Stewart in May 2012 to enthusiastic reviews, and is distributed in Canada and the U.S. by Random House. The book is available world-wide through most on-line book sellers in hardcover and as an e-book.

De Kergommeaux is a much sought after judge at international whisky competitions, including the World Whisky Awards. Since 2003, he has served as a judge for the annual Malt Maniacs Awards. These are long-standing and highly respected whisky competitions. Given his commitment to telling the Canadian whisky story and to making its qualities known around the world, in 2010 he decided to create the annual Canadian Whisky Awards, which he coordinates as well as leading the judging panel.

The pursuit of whisky is an individual passion as it is also about individual taste. This is why de Kergommeaux also leads tutored tastings for both individuals and groups. People certainly like what they hear. His master classes at the Victoria Whisky Festival, in British Columbia. have regularly sold-out well in advance every year since 2009. Similarly his master classes for the “Spirit of Toronto” event at Roy Thomson Hall have become a mainstay of this event.

Still, it’s a sad fact of whisky life that Canadian whisky, despite its quality, doesn’t get its due. And worse, myths and misunderstandings about Canadian whisky abound, only to confuse those who try to learn more. De Kergommeaux has taken on this challenge and is committed to change that with his book, his articles, and his regular public appearances, using a “kill-rumours-with-facts” approach. It is his mission to help serious whisky fans and whisky newcomers alike to discover one of Canada’s best-kept secrets: the hidden riches of Canadian whisky.

SOMETHING SPECIAL CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF LATIN ART WITH ENBOTELLARTE MIAMI EVENT

Something Special, the No. 2 blended Scotch whisky in South America* is celebrating its tenth year collaborating with Latin American artists with the return of its acclaimed Enbotellarte competition. Inspired by the brand’s famous diamond-shaped bottle, the competition will culminate with an event in Miami’s Design District in November.

Enbotellarte 2012 invites creative talent from six markets across Latin America to create a piece of artwork inspired by the iconic Something Special bottle and that reflects their response to the question: ‘What makes you Something Special?’ The campaign – which is being supported with targeted promotion in each market to encourage entries from artists and consumers – aims to increase perception of Something Special as an innovative and contemporary brand in key markets.

Andre Barquero - Danza Vitrificada

Internationally-acclaimed artist, Eduardo Bolioli, resumes his role as head juror of the competition and is joined on the judging panel by fellow artist Juliana Rosales**. Winners will be announced in October and invited to take part in Enbotellarte Miami the following month, where they will gain exposure through press conferences aimed at promoting fresh, artistic talent across South America. The event will end with a public exhibition featuring the artwork of the Enbotellarte 2012 finalists as well as works from established artists from Miami and Latin America, who have been specially commissioned by Eduardo Bolioli***.

Eric Benoist, International Marketing Director for Chivas Brothers, says: “The creativity inspired by the Something Special bottle delights us each year and we are thrilled to be showcasing the 2012 Enbotellarte winners’ work in Miami this year. We are proud that over the last decade, we have been able to support, nurture and promote some of the most exciting talent from Latin America, and we look forward to discovering how this year’s artists have embraced Enbotellarte in portraying their individuality.”

Martin Mendizabal - 6 440

Previous Enbotellarte competitions have tasked Latin American consumers with making films, animation and computer generated images, incorporating the renowned Something Special bottle, which was created in the 18th Century by an Edinburgh-based diamond cutter.

Enbotellarte 2012 is open to artists in Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Guatemala as well as artists residing in Miami.

Paola Rojas - Something Special Kilt

For further information about the Enbotellarte competition, visit www.enbotellarte.com

* within the premium Scotch whisky segment according to Pernod Ricard market view CY2011

** Juliana Rosales is a video, net art, noise and installation artist, architect, photographer and curator working in Montevideo, Uruguay. While working with the Fundacion de Arte Contemporaneo (an independent group of contemporary artists), she helped curate exhibitions and edited and published ARTE, a contemporary art magazine. As an artist, her work focuses on the digital and landscape, architecture and nature. Most recently, Rosales was commissioned to create an installation on the interior façade of the Centro Cultural de España in Montevideo to address environmental issues.

*** Artists commissioned by Eduardo Bolioli include:

• Tony Vázquez, Miami

• Mariana Monteagudo, Miami

• Lily Acevedo, Guatemala

• Francisco Martínez, Venezuela

• Geovanny Verdezoto, Ecuador

• Sheila Alvarado, Perú

• Emanuel Rodríguez, Costa Rica

• Pía Bernal Tello, Colombia

Peter Amezquite - Un Mundo Ideal

Notes:

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.

Magdalena Arman - Liquid Life

For further information please visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

Midlands Whisky Festival Tickets
Sat 29th September Stourbridge Town Hall

One Week to go!!!!

Tickets £35 per person
Driver designated tickets £20.
See attachment for Masterclass Ticket details/prices.

What do you get ?

Answer:

All whisky at the venue is FREE to sample .
A dream dram FREE token….redeemable against a Fine & Rare Dram of 25 yrs + age.
A FREE whisky festival glass by Glencairn Scotland
FREE festival shopping vouchers

Tasty! and value for money my friends.

SLAINTE

Last Ticket run now available at these sites :

www.whiskyfest.co.uk
www.nickollsandperks.co.uk

Whisky Festival Masterclass

There are two Masterclasses that can be booked at this years Festival.

These sessions provide a more in depth look at distilleries and present an opportunity to taste rare and complex drams, they are seated / table setting presentations with an industry expert. All drams are pre-poured.

Both sessions take place in the Stourbridge Town Hall Amblecote rooms at 1st floor level.

Tickets are available at www.whiskyfest.co.uk or telephone 01384 394518

No printed tickets are released for these sessions. Just present yourself at the door of the Amblecote room.

Class 1 – Special release Tasting with Colin Dunn

Diageo 20+ years old special release distillery bottling
.
Each year the top distillery managers get to choose a number of special casks for release onto the world markets, these are typically rare and dream worthy drams, which are considered exemplary in both condition and quality. We are delighted to see Colin Dunn return this year to host and make this rare Masterclass ticket very sought after indeed, places are limited to 4 tickets per person.
Drams : Port Ellen (2011 release), Rosebank, Knockando, Caol Ila, Auchriosk…and more.
Event time: 12.15pm until 1.15pm
Cost: £20

Class 2 – Springbank Masterclass
Lucky attendees will be well ahead of the game after this part advance sample class. Melanie has been drawing some great drams from casks awaiting the distiller masters call. No waiting for us I’m happy to say and so we have here a proper masterclass for real Springbank lovers.

• Hazelburn 12
• Kilkerran WIP 4 (released May 2012)
• Springbank Calvados (to be released Oct 2013)
• Springbank local barley (v. limited) distilled 1999, maturing in fresh sherry barrels, to be bottled at an undisclosed date!
• Longrow Red (released August 2012)
• Longrow Rundlets & Kilderkins (to be released Jan 2013)

Event Time 2pm until 3pm
Cost : £10

Abbey Whisky http://www.abbeywhisky.com/ Tel: 0800 051 7737

“America’s Most Wanted”

High West Double Rye Whiskey

High West Double Rye, a combination of two rye whiskies from two different distilleries. Double Rye combines a mashbill 2 year old (95% rye, 5% barley) along with a 16 year old rye (53% rye, 37% corn). Double rye Manhattan, yes please.

90 Points – John Hansell, Malt Advocate Magazine

Only £41.70 (£34.75 ex vat)

Click here to buy High West Whiskey Double Rye

High West Whiskey / Rendezvous Rye

Rendezvous from High West Distillery, Utah. A combination of two straight rye whiskies; the first a straight 16 year old with a mashbill containing 80% rye, 10% corn, 10% barley malt, the second a straight 6 year old with a mashbill containing 95% rye and 5% barley malt. Rendezvous was the annual summer gathering of mountain men to exchange pelts for supplies.

High West Rendezvous Awards

Double Gold – 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

95 Points & Top 10 New Whiskey of 2008 – Malt Advocate Magazine

Best Rye Whiskey – 2010 American Distilling Institute Craft Whiskey Competition

Only £50.50 (£42.08 ex vat)

Click here to buy High West Whiskey / Rendezvous Rye

Wasmund’s Single Malt Whisky (Batch 50)

Wasmund’s Single Malt Whisky, a unique, pot stilled small batch release, produced at the Copper Fox Distillery in Virginia, America. The barley, malted at the distillery itself, is flavoured using apple and cherry wood smoke. Distilled from a single batch copper still producing one barrel at a time, the spirit is then aged for 42 months using a special chip and barrel ageing technique.

Only £41.50 (£34.58 ex vat)

Click here to buy Wasmund’s Single Malt Whisky

Abbey Whisky

enquiries@abbeywhisky.com
www.abbeywhisky.com
0800 051 7737

Whisky Festival

Whisky Show 2012 Update – Dream Drams and tickets selling out…

It’s only a couple of weeks until the 2012 edition of The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show and panic mode is fully engaged the well-oiled TWE machine is in full swing. Here’s a quick update as to how things are going: … Continue reading >>

GLENGLASSAUGH – THE MASSANDRA CONNECTION

The Glenglassaugh Distillery is pleased to announce the launch of an exclusive and unique range of single casks, each one of which has been finished in different wine casks from the world famous Crimean winery, Massandra.

Massandra is the oldest winery in the Crimea, it has been producing fine wines for more than 110 years winning international acclaim for their exceptional quality. The winery was built in 1894 – 1897 near Yalta, Crimea and the subtropical air climate of the region and the protective shields of mountain chains create unique conditions for the production of high quality fortified and dessert wines.

Glenglassaugh has exclusively purchased a small quantity of casks from Massandra which had previously been used for maturing the very best wines from this winery. Each cask has imparted it’s own unique character and style and these now form the exclusive Glenglassaugh Massandra Connection Single Cask Series.

Each cask has helped the single malt Scotch whisky to develop its own exclusive, distinctive character while still retaining all of the award winning qualities for which Glenglassaugh is rightly very highly regarded. This range is different, it is truly outstanding and each of the styles is unique.

Madeira Style Finish 33 Year Old 44.8% – £350 BUY NOW

Muscat Finish 39 Year Old 44.1% – £390 BUY NOW

Aleatico Finish 39 Year Old 50.7% – £440 BUY NOW

Sherry Style Finish 39 Year Old 53.3% – £460 BUY NOW

Red Port Style Finish 45 Year Old 50.2% – £690 BUY NOW

Single Malts Limited | 36 Gordon Street | Huntly | Aberdeenshire | AB54 8EQ |

Remainder of Rare 70 Year Old Single Malt Released

The last remaining bottles of one of the world’s oldest and most exclusive single malt Scotch whiskies is set to go on sale at a special event in Canada today (Thursday 20 September).

Gordon & MacPhail, the world’s leading malt whisky specialist, will release the last 100 bottles of its Glenlivet 70 Years Old at the opening of the new World Duty Free at Vancouver International Airport.

The first batch of the Gordon & MacPhail Generations Glenlivet 70 Years Old was released in March 2011, following an exclusive event at Edinburgh Castle. The release was met with international acclaim from whisky enthusiasts and the world press. All 100 large decanters sold quickly to customers worldwide.

This second, and final, release from this cask is expected to create similar excitement as it offers one last chance for collectors and consumers to own a piece of Scotland’s liquid history. The product will be exclusively available at Vancouver International Airport until it is released to the rest of the world on 1 November 2012.

Michael Urquhart, Joint Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, said:

“We have been overwhelmed by the international interest for our Generations range. It’s fitting that we’re able to mark the worldwide demand and appeal of Scotch malt whiskies with the second release of this sublifme single malt at Vancouver International Airport, a gateway between the Far East, North America and Europe.”

Cask 339 was filled at Glenlivet Distillery on 3rd February 1940, to the instruction of John Urquhart, grandfather and great-grandfather of Gordon & MacPhail’s current owners. Successive generations of the Urquhart family waited for the day when it would be ready to share with fellow whisky enthusiasts. 70 years on, the whisky was bottled at cask strength (45.9%).

David Urquhart, Joint Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, added:

“Our family has passed its knowledge and expertise of Scotch whisky from generation to generation since we were founded over 115 years ago. This is clearly reflected in the Generations range and the Glenlivet 70 Year Old, is an exceptional single malt, matured in the highest quality cask. We’re proud to be able to share this with the rest of the world.”

World-renowned whisky expert, Charles Maclean, said:

“The Glenlivet 1940 comes from a distillery which has been the benchmark against which other malts have been measured since the 1820s. Such a whisky will never be seen again. It is incredibly rare, and therefore highly collectable. But, more importantly, it is also celestial on the palate!”

Each bottle is beautifully presented in a tear-shaped hand-blown crystal decanter with an elegant British Hallmarked silver stopper. The decanter nestles in a Sterling silver base and is framed in a handmade box, crafted in Scotland using Scottish Yew.

Gordon & MacPhail Generations Glenlivet 70 Years Old was matured in a First Fill Sherry Butt, and bottled at cask strength (45.9% ABV). The decanter has a recommended retail price in the of $35,888 CAD. It is the second in a series of extremely rare malt whiskies to be released by Gordon & MacPhail under its Generations brand. In 2010 the family owned firm made history as it released Generations Mortlach 70 Years Old, in Scotland’s capital city, at Edinburgh Castle.

Prices may vary in different countries due to different excise and sales taxes and currency fluctuations.

For more information visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

Fiona Urquhart great granddaughter of John Urquhart, who ordered the casks to be filled

TASTING NOTE

The Glenlivet 1940 by Charles MacLean

70YO Single cask Speyside @45.9%Vol

Appearance: Deep amber, with tawny lights. First fill sherry butt.
Aroma: A mild nose-feel. The first aroma is of an old cocktail cabinet, with sherry notes predominating: polished wood, soft leather and a trace of candlewax. Behind this are fruity notes, lightly baked apples (even Tarte Tatin), but also fresh orange juice, and a thread of smoke or ash in the distance Adding a drop of water suuresses the fruity notes and slightly enhances the sweetness (now tablet) and smokiness.
Taste: A waxy, teeth-coating, mouthfeel; smooth and voluptuous. The taste is sweetish to start, then savoury, with a trace of salt – might this be a rare example of ‘umami’ in whisky, the elusive fifth primary taste? The finish is long, with a faint smokiness in the aftertaste. Drinks well at natural strength. With a drop of water the flavours remain intact.
Development: Fades gracefully towards vanilla fudge and sanded wood.
Comment: A stupendous whisky! Although it resonates with aged character – and, indeed. characteristics from another era – it retains vitality, both on the nose and in the mouth.

About Gordon & MacPhail
Gordon & MacPhail is an independent, family-owned spirit and wine merchant which has been based in Elgin, Moray, since 1895. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued the tradition of seeking out the best and rarest Scotch whiskies.

Since its foundation, Gordon & MacPhail’s policy has been to send casks to distilleries throughout Scotland, fill them with ‘new make’ spirit and mature them either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouses in Elgin.

Now one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialists, Gordon & MacPhail exports to more than 55 countries. It offers more than 300 presentations of own-bottled single malts. In 2009, Gordon & MacPhail was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

In 2010 Gordon & MacPhail made history by bottling the oldest cask ever released – a 70 Year Old Mortlach, distilled in 1938. They followed this up by releasing 100 70cl and 175 20cl decanters of 70 Year Old Glenlivet in 2011. Now they have released the remaining 100 70cl decanters from this cask.

About World Duty Free

Vancouver is North America’s gateway to Asia where the old world meets the new. World Duty Free has made a commitment to further this connection by bringing together exceptional people with exceptional product. World Duty Free’s “Connoisseur Collection” at Vancouver International Airport now offers one of the finest ranges of premium whiskey in the world.

CHIVAS REGAL CELEBRATES HERITAGE AND SARTORIAL STYLE WITH NEW LIMITED EDITION COLLECTIBLE

Chivas Regal, the original luxury whisky, has teamed up with British luxury shoe designer, Tim Little, to launch a limited edition collectible tin. Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Made for Gentlemen by Tim Little is the first in a series of annual collaborations with modern craftsmen who share a passion for style, discernment, heritage and creativity.

The limited edition tin – designed by Little, the owner and creative director of British luxury shoe label, Grenson – is inspired by the modern gentleman’s wardrobe staple, the handmade brogue. The bold and masculine design aims to appeal to Chivas’ largely-male customer base and features a stylish deconstruction of this classic shoe.

James Slack, Global Brand Director for Chivas Regal, comments: “Made for Gentlemen highlights Chivas’ appreciation of heritage, craftsmanship and luxury. Our core customers are successful, modern gentlemen who seek style and substance in the brands that they connect with. Our collaboration with Tim Little taps into this insight – it’s stylish, distinctive and, importantly, a modern take on the typical whisky gift tin.”

Available in more than 60 markets worldwide from September 2012, orders for the Chivas 12 Made for Gentlemen Limited Edition by Tim Little have already exceeded two million units, making it one of brand owner Chivas Brothers’ most successful limited editions to date. Participating markets include the UK, Germany, Thailand, Gulf and Colombia, with the UK RRP set at £25.39.

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.

For further information please visit www.chivas.com 

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 visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

About Tim Little

British designer and shoemaker Tim Little has designed and crafted footwear for discerning gentlemen for over twenty year. He is the Creative Director and owner of heritage luxury footwear brand Grenson, founded in 1866, and heads up his own brand, ‘Tim Little’ which he launched in 1997. He is credited with transforming Grenson, a traditional English shoemaker, into a contemporary mark of luxury.

For further information visit www.grenson.com and www.timlittle.com

Greetings Fellow WhiskeyLover!!

I hope you had a wonderful August, and this email finds you in good health and high spirits. I have three exciting bits to discuss with you this week.

First, as many of you are aware, Whisky industry doyenne Caroline Dewar has taken over the Managing Editor role on FWL, driving the “content machine” for us. Caroline has years (she wont let me tell you how many) of industry expertise and contacts, and has already invigorated the site with outstanding articles. I urge you check out Ian Buxton’s’ interview with Mark Reynier on the sale of Bruichladdich, Andy Bell’s review of Whisky glasses, and Caroline’s article on Whisky Blends. You’ll now find new articles every Monday on FWL…they all make for great, informative reading. Please join me in wishing Caroline well in her new role.

Next, this weekend FWL travels north to drink with our friends at Whisky Live Boston. If you live within a reasonable drive of Boston, you owe it to yourself to attend this event. Sponsored by Whisky Magazine, the WhiskyLive events are my favorite shows to attend. There will be over 200 whiskies to try, an amazing buffet dinner, Master Classes to attend, and the opportunity to meet and drink with top brand ambassadors and WhiskeyLovers.

If you want to attend Whisky Live, please use our special discount code “FWL2012” to purchase your tickets at 20% offthe normal price. But do it fast…the show is quickly selling out. This is a great way to start the fall whisky season. Those of you who are attending Whisky Live Boston, please stop by our booth.

Finally, our Whisky Wednesday featured whisky…a truly exceptional and extremely rare whiskey: Laphroaig Cairdeas Origin 2012.

Released at the Feis Ile 2012 (“Islay Festival of Music and Malt” for those who don’t speak Gaelic), Laphroaig Cairdeas Origin was bottled to celebrate 18 years of the Friends Of Laphroaig program. Combining the original liquid used to first create Cairdeas along with newer Laphroaig spirit that has been fully matured in quarter casks.

Although there is no age statement on the bottle, we’ve been told by those-in-the-know that Laphroaig Cairdeas is new spirit that was placed into small quarter casks, enjoying a very intense maturation for seven years, and was then blended (50:50) with another ‘special’ whisky the chaps at Laphroaig had been quietly maturing for between 13 and 21 years old.

Both whiskies were fine expressions of Laphroaig in their own right, but when blended together something exceptional emerged as befits this 18th anniversary of the Friends of Laphroaig club.The whiskey was bottled at 51.2% abv and is non-chill filtered.

Laphroaig Cairdeasis a limited production/ release whisky. But thanks to our man Nicky The Neck, who spent his August vacation traversing the Island of Islay, we are able to offfer you a bottle of Laphroaig Cairdeas Origin 2012 for $105/ bottle (limit 1-bottle per customer please). But if you want a bottle, order it now…this is whisky extremely difficult to find, anywhere. And once it’s gone…it’s gone.

And until next week, high spirits to you all!

Doug Stone

Founder

ForWhiskeyLovers.com

LAPHROAIG CAIRDEAS ORIGIN 2012

TASTING NOTES

Color: Golden Barley

Nose: Distinctly Laphroaig – iodine, peat, smoke etc. but with quite a bit of citrus ( Orange & Apples) and a hint of creamy fudge.

Taste: A good mixture of Laphroaig medicinal, peat, slight ginger, apples and hints of vanilla sweetness.

Finish: Quite long with peat, iodine and chocolatey coffee