Glenmorangie Artein

Glenmorangie Artein is the third and most spectacular whisky created for the Glenmorangie Private Edition limited release whiskies.

Artein (Gaelic for “stone”) is a rare expression, extra matured in remarkable Super Tuscan wine casks to add depth and fruitiness.

This is an intriguingly fragrant whisky with classic citrus and vanilla notes with added layers of cassis, red fruits, honeysuckle and fresh mint.

£68.50

Delivery will be charged at £9.95 to addresses in U.K. Mainland,
and charged at cost elsewhere.

To place an order please visit http://www.milroys.co.uk/ ,
call Lee on 020 7437 2385
or email Lee.Tomlinson@jeroboams.co.uk

Our mailing address is:

Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London, England W1D 4NX
United Kingdom

TWE in Japan – Karuizawa Trip Pt.3

[Tim and Sukhinder’s sojourn in Japan continues at Chichibu with an epic tasting of dozens of full-strength single cask Karuizawas… you can read about their earlier adventures on the trip here and here.] After our fascinating tour of Chichibu we … Continue reading >>

Part ONE

Part TWO

JEEV MILKHA SINGH AND BALLANTINE’S TOAST 30 YEARS OF SCOTTISH OPEN

Ballantine’s, the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe, celebrated its sixth successful year as an Official Sponsor of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at the weekend, as India’s Jeev Milkha Singh was named the overall winner of the tournament. 

Singh clinched the title in the closely-fought final round yesterday after he birdied the first extra hole in a play-off against Italy’s Francesco Molinari. He was rewarded for his outstanding performance with a coveted bottle of Ballantine’s 30 Year Old in the tournament’s landmark 30th year.

The last time Singh faced a play-off was at the 2008 Ballantine’s Championship, when he narrowly lost out to Graeme McDowell. He made up for that yesterday, and said he would enjoy celebrating his win with a dram of the prestige expression later that evening. 

Recognised as of one Scotland’s most iconic golfing events, this year’s Scottish Open took place at the challenging Castle Stuart Golf Links, overlooking the Moray Firth in Inverness, for the second year. The stunning course, which is situated close to Ballantine’s spiritual home, Glenburgie Distillery, welcomed a host of star players, including the current Ballantine’s Championship winner Bernd Wiesberger, as well as former Ballantine’s Championship winners Marcus Fraser and Thongchai Jaidee. Luke Donald, Miguel Angel Jiménez and Padraig Harrington also joined the world class field. 

Ballantine’s presence at this year’s Scottish Open included two branded bars for spectators, prominent on-course signage and player awards including a bottle of Ballantine’s 12 Year Old for an eagle on the 12th hole and a bottle of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old for the lowest round of each day. 

Speaking at the tournament yesterday Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, said: “We are proud to continue our support for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, especially as the tournament celebrated its 30th year this week. The fact that this tournament is played just a stone’s throw from Glenburgie Distillery – where one of the signature malts in the Ballantine’s blend is produced – further highlights the link between golf and our whisky.” 

Ballantine’s association with golf started in 1960 when the first Ballantine’s Tournament took place at Wentworth golf course. More than fifty years later, Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the high-profile Ballantine’s Championship, Korea’s first and only European Tour event and the country’s largest golf tournament, to which the brand is committed until at least 2013. Ballantine’s has been official sponsor of the Scottish Open since 2007. 

Notes: 

Ballantine’s is the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No 1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific, selling more than 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 80 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827. 

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/

Ultimate Aspiration Realised

Ballantine’s unveils the world’s most aspirational Scotch whisky to achieve founder’s vision

Ballantine’s, the No 1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific, is celebrating craftsmanship and expertise with the global launch of Ballantine’s 40 Year Old; its most exclusive blended Scotch whisky ever created.

Ballantine’s 40 Year Old has been created to fulfil founder George Ballantine’s aspiration to produce the most exceptional and exquisite whisky “only when the time is right.” Using small amounts of a rare inventory of aged whiskies, Master Blender Sandy Hyslop has blended together, by hand, a unique luxury Scotch in the famed Ballantine’s style.

A permanent expression within the Ballantine’s award-winning range, only 100 bottles of this extremely rare whisky will be released globally each year. Individually numbered bottles will be priced at a minimum US$7,000 in recognition of the exceptional quality of the whisky, the craftsmanship of the blend and its bespoke packaging.

Ballantine’s 40 Year Old was initially introduced into Korea – the brand’s leading Asian market – in March 2012 at a gala dinner attended by 240 media and VVIP consumers. The global rollout will continue with Asia Duty Free from September, followed by other significant prestige Scotch whisky markets in Asia.

Ballantine’s Master Blender Sandy Hyslop comments: “This 40 Year Old blend is something I believe George Ballantine would be proud to put his name to. It has been an honour to realise his aspiration and to contribute towards this significant moment in the history of Ballantine’s Scotch whisky”.

Ballantine’s Global Brand Director Peter Moore concludes: “Ballantine’s 40 Year Old epitomises everything Ballantine’s Scotch has stood for since the days of George Ballantine. The culmination of a unique heritage of producing high aged whiskies, Ballantine’s 40 Year Old will appeal to those who appreciate the experience of tasting such an exceptional whisky which is a unique part of Ballantine’s history.”

Presented in a wooden cabinet, the Ballantine’s 40 Year Old bottle features an etching of the Ballantine’s crest alongside Sandy Hyslop’s signature. World-renowned British silversmith Richard Fox has expertly crafted five sterling silver elements to complete the elegant presentation – the stopper, collar, seal, label and base cup, which are each individually hallmarked by the London Assay office, the mark of silver quality for more than 700 years.

Ballantine’s 40 Year Old is a 43% ABV blended Scotch with notes of pears in syrup, rich fruitcake, cinnamon and root ginger on the nose. The liquid has a complex and fruity character and a round, smooth and perfectly balanced body that imparts flavours of toffee and sweet red apple. The finale, Ballantine’s 40 Year Old’s extraordinary finish, is significant and long lasting.

Notes:

Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep and intense
Nose: Rich; Bursting with flavours of ripe pears in syrup, intermingled with rich fruitcake; A hint of cinnamon and root ginger in the background
Taste: Incredible depth; Exceptional multi-layered flavours of rich toffee and sweet soft red apple
Finish: Delightful finish that last an incredibly long, blissful time.

An exceptional Scotch whisky.
Incredible depth; Complex and fruity in the extreme; Perfectly balanced. A true reflection of the devoted skills and dedicated craftsmanship focused on its creation for over 40 years.

About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No 1 ultra-premium Scotch whisky in Asia Pacific and the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 80 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

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 Scotch.

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

Clan Gatherings, Haggis Toss, Men of Thunder and the Bonniest Knees

Heaven Hill Distilleries hosts family-fun Highland Games in August in Bardstown, Ky.

BARDSTOWN, KY – JULY, 2012 – For the third year, hometown hero Kerry (“KO”) Overfelt, the 2009 National Champion and 3x North American Champion, will toss the sheaf in the Bardstown Highland Games. Now sponsored by Heaven Hill Distilleries, the games will take place on the grounds of the distillery on Saturday, August 18. The Games will also include performances by the Men of Thunda, lots of Scottish clans and their colors, pipers, children’s games, live music and food vendors. Visit www.SampleOurSpirit.com to see all the activities.

Free admission family fun

The free admission event hosts Overfelt – a.k.a. the “Kentucky Cannonball” – among several pros, including Craig Smith, Brady Smith and Mark Valenti, as well as 10 amateurs from around the country, including Chuck Clements,.

Craig Smith has been ranked in the top five Highland Games athletes for the past few years. Brady Smith is a Masters World Champion and world record holder and Mark Valenti is a former world record holder who is also ranked in the top 10. Chuck Clements has been an amateur thrower for about 10 years and helps organize the Games.

Opening Ceremonies for the Highland Games begin at 12 p.m. Gates open at 9 a.m. and the games begin at 10 a.m. Celtic festival fun includes the “savage” Men of Thunda performing bagpipe melodies accompanied by the sound of tribal drumbeats in the tradition of the ancient Celtics. Pipers from Louisville Pipe Band, Kentucky clan gatherings, a ladies’ Haggis Toss, men’s Bonniest Knees Contest, kids’ inflatables, arts and crafts and lots of food, including traditional Scottish fish and chips, round out the day.

Lawn chair entertainment

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and relax on the grounds of America’s largest independent family-owned distillery, whose brands include Evan Williams, Elijah Craig and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Founded in 1934 and home of the Bourbon Heritage Center, Heaven Hill makes a unique backdrop for the Bardstown Highland Games with its many rickhouses towering over the grounds as the athletes compete in such heavy events as the caber toss, the stone put and the Scottish hammer throw.

The Bardstown Highland Games sponsored by Heaven Hill Distilleries

Festival website: www.SampleOurSpirit.com

Date Saturday, August 18: Opening Ceremonies at 12 p.m. Gates open at 9 a.m.

Games begin at 10 a.m.

Place Heaven Hill Distilleries, 1311 Gilkey Run Road, Bardstown, KY 40004

Cost Free (parking at Heaven Hill also free)

PHOTO: Craig Smith, one of the top five Highland Games athletes.

Photo: Heaven Hill Distilleries

ABOUT BARDSTOWN, KY | The “Bourbon Capital of the World,” Bardstown sits in the heart of Kentucky Bourbon Country, home to five distilleries, including the restored and newly re-opened Willett Distillery, known for its unique bourbon and rye whiskeys bottled by hand in very small batches. Three of Bardstown’s distilleries – Heaven Hill, Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam – are on the famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Major attractions include the “Stephen Foster Story,” Kentucky’s official outdoor drama that takes place in My Old Kentucky Home State Park; the Civil War Museum of the Western Theatre (one of the four most significant such museums in the country); The Kentucky Railway Museum, where Thomas the Tank Engine is known to put in appearances; and My Old Kentucky Dinner Train. Additionally, Bardstown has four 18-hole golf courses, three self-guided tours (Historic Downtown Walking, Architectural and African-American), two wineries and numerous religious attractions

Loch Fyne Whiskies  and ‘Best of the West Festival – Inveraray Castle – September 15 & 16 ‘

It’s time to make time for the Best of the West Festival showcasing the West of Scotland’s creativity with music, food, ale and whisky.

The Loch Fyne Whisky Bar will be there.

At £5 per head (to see the Pipers or Skerryvore) It’s possible it will be a sell out before the day, so decide now to […please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article…]

THE LINK

Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

www.ralfy.com does it again, (whisky reviews to be specific) with Whisky Review 289 – Old Parr 12yo Scotch…. decent blended Scotch.

Something a little different..

There is no question that our chief distiller has the best nose and palate around when it comes to our whisky. So we have given him free reign to create his own single malt. The result is pictured “Distiller’s Elect”. He cannot be blamed for the name – that was my idea. This is a stunning whisky – however there is a catch… It is only available to purchase from the distillery; it is not available on line, on the telephone or in any other outlet. It is limited to one bottle per person. Visit the distillery and you can buy a bottle, if you want 2 bottles then bring a non whisky drinking friend – I’m sure you get the idea. The whisky will sell for £44.95 and will be worth every penny. This particular batch is limited to 960 bottles.

Advance warning

Keep an eye out for the next newsletter… We are in the process of creating a very limited bottling run of whisky to commemorate the year of 2012 and what an amazing year for England it has been. There will only be 366 bottles (one for each day of the year) in total, each one an individually engraved decanteur. We are not taking orders pre-release but will send you a newsletter the instant it becomes available.

English Whisky Co. | Tel: 01953 717939 | Email: info@englishwhisky.co.uk to sign up for the newsletter…

I have a VERY special treat for you this week.

In the state of Colorado, in downtown Denver sits a small brewery started by a fellow named Jesse Graber, called Flying Dog Brewery. But don’t let the name or the location fool you…in addition to producing some wonderful beers, over the years Jesse has developed a reputation for producing one of the finest whiskies available anywhere: Stranahan’s Colorado Small Batch Whiskey.

This is “old school” whiskey….the kind cowboys drank in saloons across the American West, during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Each bottle comes with its own tin shot glass as well.

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey is one of the most delicious whiskies I have ever tasted, and is one of my “Desert Island 5”. Stranahan’s is delicious neat, but throw a few ice cubes in a glass, and you’ve got the perfect summer drink, or the foundation for some amazing summer cocktails.

I just cannot say enough about this whiskey.

First the bad news: Stranahan’s was purchased by a “big dumb company” about 18 months ago and, in their infinite wisdom, they eliminated distribution and any access to the whisky outside of Colorado….good luck finding some, anywhere.

Now the good news: We all know Nicky The Neck. Turns out Nicky knows a guy…who’s got a guy. Which allows us to offer you Stranahan’s Colorado Small Batch Whiskey for $79.95/ bottle, while our supplies last.

But as always, the supply is extremely limited…and once its gone, it’s gone. So if you want a bottle or two to get you through the summer, order it fast. (Limit: Two bottles each please).

I implore you…if you are looking to shake up your summer cocktailing, but want to stay “close to home” with whiskey, get a bottle or two of Stranahan’s. Your summer BBQ will never be the same.

Until next week…have fun!

Doug Stone

Founder

ForWhiskeyLovers.com

STRANAHAN’S SMALL BATCH COLORADO WHISKEY

THE STRANAHAN’S STORY

This whiskey glowed amber from the start. When volunteer firefighter Jess Graber responded to a neighbor’s barn fire down the road, he never imagined any good could come of it. But the barn he made effort to save belonged to George Stranahan, long-time liquor connoisseur. When the fire settled, the two discovered a shared passion for the Colorado outdoors and a good pour of fine whiskey. And so Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey was born.

They developed a recipe for the smoothest, most flavorful whiskey in the world using the purity of their mountain surroundings to their advantage. Well, to your advantage. They say from each thing bad comes something good. For Jess, George, and fine whiskey drinkers alike, it’s amazing just how good it can be.

TASTING NOTES

COLOR: Cordovan leather with burnished gold lights.

NOSE: Licorice and tupelo honey; carmelized sugar and cherries, maple, and raspberry with a scotch-like profile.

TASTE: Extremely soft mouthfeel; washes in with immediate bing cherry followed by light vanilla, cotton candy and Heath bar/toffee resonating along the way. Hot and spicy pecan, oak, oatmeal, and barley.

FINISH: Slight smokey oak finish and hot long warm feeling felt almost immediately. Feels like higher proof than 94, but not harsh, just strong.

WITH A CUBE OF ICE: Opens up wonderfully after the large cube melts. The residual alcohol burn is tamed, leaving a fuller grain bouquet. As the cube melts, even more mineral, dirt flavors come out as well as cinnamon, allspice, and aged vanilla from the minimum aging time of two years spent in charred American white oak casks.

Growing Demand Leads Jack Daniel Distillery to Open New Barrel-Making Facility in Decatur, AL

New Cooperage to Employ Approximately 200 Workers At Full Operation

Louisville, KY, – Brown-Forman announced plans for a new cooperage to craft barrels in Decatur, Alabama, in order to meet growing worldwide demand for Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.

Brown-Forman and Jack Daniel’s officials joined with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley in Montgomery, AL, to make the formal announcement today. The Jack Daniel Cooperage is expected to be operational in May 2014, and it will eventually employ approximately 200 workers. It will be the second cooperage owned by Brown-Forman, which operates another facility in Louisville, KY, and will double the company’s barrel-making capacity.

“Barrels are more than a container for our whiskey; they’re an important ingredient,” said Jeff Arnett, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller. “All of the color of Jack Daniel’s and more than half of our whiskey’s flavor is derived from the barrel. We believe in the importance of the barrel in making our whiskey so much that we are the only major distiller that makes its own barrels.

“Making a quality barrel is essential to making a quality whiskey, and this facility will help ensure we hold true to Mr. Jack Daniel’s guiding words that ‘every day we make it, we’ll make it the best we can,’” Arnett added.

Brown-Forman officials said the tremendous growth of the Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands both domestically and internationally necessitated building the new cooperage.

“With the continued long-term growth of the Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands, including the recent introduction and unprecedented success of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, we are expanding to meet anticipated growing production demand,” said Jill Jones, executive vice president and chief production officer for Brown-Forman.

According to Jones, the new cooperage’s proximity to the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, TN, as well as its centralized location between the two stave mills that supply the wood for the barrels (in Stevenson, AL, and Clifton, TN), make Decatur a perfect location for a second cooperage to supply additional Jack Daniel’s barrels.

Distillery officials also noted Jack Daniel’s has historical ties to Alabama. Back in the early 1900s, Mr. Jack Daniel’s nephew Lem Motlow moved operations to Birmingham, AL, when Tennessee went dry prior to National Prohibition.

“This isn’t the first time Alabama has opened its arms to the Jack Daniel Distillery,” said Arnett. “We’re glad to be back and thank everyone who has given us such a warm welcome.”

For more than 140 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Canadian Mist, Korbel, Gentleman Jack, el Jimador, Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, New Mix, Tuaca, and Woodford Reserve. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by nearly 4,000 employees and sold in approximately 135 countries worldwide. For more information about the Company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com/.

About Jack Daniel’s
Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey-Based Ready-to-Drink Beverages and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails.

Jack Daniel’s encourages its friends to enjoy its whiskey with the same care it crafts its barrels and to please drink responsibly.