Forty Creek (45%, OB, ‘Port Wood Reserve’, Lot 060, 2010)

Bottled at a significantly higher alcohol by volume at 45% and it involves PORT.How exciting; Canadian distillers don’t venture this far off the norm very often. On the nose there’s some nice fruit, quite rich and deep plus some of the now familiar grains (this is not a criticism) while still remaining very clean and soft. The taste is slightly meaty with fruit and a little herbaceous notes (very slight) some really good dryness and then, all of a sudden, some really concentrated fruit notes (think fruit leather) and then think more fruit leather. The finish is really big with the fruit leather and cask influence and very dry. Very chewy and very long. More chewyness.

Excellent by any standard.

Score 88 points

Meet Our Venezuelan Ambassador

Hi all,

After Valentina Naumova in Russia and John Scott in Ecuador, I would like to introduce you to another member of our team of ambassadors; Cruz Mario Zambrano.

Cruz Mario is our ambassador in Venezuela. I spoke to him to find out a little more about his previous career as a diplomat and the popularity of…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

Kind regards,
Ludo

www.ralfy.com has an Anniversary with Whisky Review 300. . . a beautiful bohemian moment!

The wait is over…

After many requests, we have now bottled our award winning Chapter 6 at cask strength.

Enjoy!

Click here to purchase

A STRONG YEAR FOR CHIVAS BROTHERS 

Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, confirmed strong performances for all of its strategic brands over the last financial year*, with its flagship, Chivas Regal, delivering +7% volume growth as it approaches annual global sales of 5 million 9 litre cases. The original luxury whisky grew net sales faster at +11%, consolidating it as the No 2 Scotch whisky by value**. 

Chivas Regal volumes grew strongly in emerging markets such as Brazil, Russia, India and Vietnam. Sales in Global Travel Retail exceeded 1 million 9 litre cases annual sales for the first time, following double-digit growth in this sector over the last year. In China, where Chivas Regal is the undisputed No 1 Scotch whisky, both volume and value growth increased strongly. 

The brand’s buoyant performance was helped by the profitable contribution of Chivas Regal 18 Year Old, which sold over 300,000 9 litre cases to maintain leadership of the ultra premium category***. Chivas Regal 18 Year Old also posted double-digit growth figures in key markets such as China, Russia, India, US, Vietnam and Global Travel Retail. 

* Pernod Ricard financial results, July ‘11 – June ‘12

** Impact Top 100 Premium Brands 2012

***Chivas Regal 18 RRP = £50 

Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, commented: “During the year, Chivas Regal has consistently demonstrated luxury, authenticity and the dynamism of Scotch whisky. Over the last 10 years, backed by the strong Pernod Ricard distribution network and a strategy of innovation, Chivas Regal has reaffirmed its iconic status and continues to grow in many emerging Scotch whisky markets. 

“In addition to Chivas Regal, the overall strong performance of our key brands underlines the importance we have placed on investing in both our operations and innovation to secure a strong future for our truly global portfolio,” concluded Porta. 

Royal Salute, the only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky brand, continued its impressive success story with another year of +20% volume growth exceeding 200,000 9l cases, a significant milestone for the prestige Scotch whisky category. Dramatic net sales performance of +23% across the range, which is priced from £100 to £1600, alongside the roll out of its World Polo sponsorship programme and strong marketing activity around the Diamond Jubilee, made this a significant year for Royal Salute. 

The Glenlivet, the No 2 single malt Scotch whisky in the world, achieved a volume increase of 15% to surpass the 800,000 9l case mark for the first time and a value increase of 19% globally. It further strengthened its No 1 position in the US, the world’s largest single malt whisky market, and saw strong growth in Asia, buoyed by a programme of new product development and direct consumer interaction. 

Ballantine’s, the world’s No 2 and Europe’s No 1 Scotch whisky, achieved a stable performance despite the effects of the economic downturn in Spain and duty increases in France; the two largest markets for the brand. Offsetting this was a very strong performance in emerging markets such as Poland, Russia and Brazil. New advertising campaigns and social media applications, alongside the prestigious Ballantine’s Championship event in Asia, have continued to convey the brand message ‘Leave an Impression’ to consumers globally. 

Beefeater Gin posted a strong volume increase of 6%, taking it to 2.5 million 9 litre cases over the year, a historical high for the world’s leading premium gin. In Spain, Beefeater Gin strengthened its position as the No 1 white spirit brand with high single-digit growth. Beefeater Gin maintained a strong focus on marketing its unique London credentials, launching a special edition bottle celebrating London in 20 countries and showcasing London music talent to consumers and digital audiences at major events in Madrid and Moscow during the year. 

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. 

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: http://www.chivasbrothers.com/ 

Forty Creek (40%, OB, ‘Confederation Oak Reserve’, Lot 1867, 2010)

On the nose there’s some really sensational crème brulèe (the hard sugar on top not the custard bit underneath) and gentle, soothing oak spice with a little menthol. The taste is once again quite gentle but once again very good with some rye notes and then a variety of oak spice notes which make the taste lean towards the dry side. There’s also some nice fruit notes (apricots etc, perhaps dried). All very nice actually. The finish is slightly creamy and lots of grain notes with the dryness as previously described taking hold and that the dominate descriptor until the end (which is actually quite long).

Easy drinking and very enjoyable.

Score 86

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #19

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, just tasted his 1.000th whisky. To celebrate (sort of), he shares with us his experience in tasting one of the best whiskies he has ever tried from his favourite Lowland distillery: the Auchentoshan 40 Year Old from 1965. In his own words: ‘A drink for the Gods!’ Enjoy!

THE VIDEO

Smooth Ambler 14 Year Old Very Old Scout Bourbon 750ml ($65.99)
The Very Old Scout is likely to be the best mature Bourbon you’ll taste this year. It might not be the best Bourbon of 2012, but unlike other limited edition items that sellout in seconds, you’ll actually be able to get one. The days of seeing Pappy Van Winkle on the shelf are over. We get hundreds of requests every week for bottles we don’t have and cannot get. Bourbon is the hottest ticket in town and sadly the mature stocks were gobbled up faster than producers could replenish them. We’re stuck in a drought and there’s no end in sight because it takes time to age new whiskey. That’s where John Little comes in. His West Virginia distillery purchased the last mature stocks of Bourbon from LDI distillery some time back and he’s been secretly crafting them into a special cuvee – 40% 14 year, 40% 15 year, 15% 17 year, and 5% 19 year, bottled at 100 proof for a bold and spicy flavor. The result is a knockout. The sweetness from the charred oak permeates deep into the whiskey, baking spices dance on the palate, cinnamon and vanilla come big on the finish. While there isn’t much of this whiskey (about 3000 bottles total), we jumped on it fast and secured a fifth of it. If you know someone who loves Bourbon, you need to act now. We’re not expecting more, not for the holidays, not for Xmas – nothing on the horizon. Again, this is the best deal we’re going to see for Bourbon this year, or perhaps next year as well. A fantastic deal while it lasts. (David Driscoll, K&L)

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

1960 The Last Drop Blended Malt Whisky 750ml – 2 available ($1,899.99)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey 750ml ($49.99)

Back in Stock

United States – Bourbon and Rye

Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon 750ml – 12 available ($12.99)

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

Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks ‘Hazelburn 12yo 5cl Miniature’

Following on from the new style Springbank 10yo and 15yo we now have Hazelburn 12yo in 5cl miniatures

You may read about this new mini here

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