Whisky Ramblings Via Video #15

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, crossed the pond to the USA and tries two very different American whiskies head to head: the soft Bernheim Original versus the feisty Wild Turkey Rare Breed. Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/L0ZC24h5x84 (Go on, click on the link!)

GLEN GARIOCH UNVEILS NEW SMALL BATCH RELEASE

1995 expression offers the last chance to sample ‘old’ Glen Garioch at its finest

Glen Garioch, Scotland’s most easterly distillery, has unveiled its latest small batch release, the Glen Garioch Vintage 1995.

The limited edition, only the sixth special addition to the Glen Garioch single malt range, was laid down just months before the distillery was mothballed for two years in October 1995.

With just 1,000 8.4L cases available globally and a limited 100 in the UK, this expression encapsulates the final burst of rich and lightly peated malt produced at the distillery before its temporary closure.

Kirsteen Beeston, Head of Brands Marketing, said: “The aim with all our limited edition expressions is to showcase the distillery’s special quality of liquid, and the 1995 is certainly no exception.

“This vintage is the last to capture the old Glen Garioch peaty notes and has been matured entirely in first fill bourbon barrels for over 16 years.

“It’s a classically complex Glen Garioch; rich, full, robust and comes with a smooth velvety texture that accentuates its warm and spicy taste.

“Glen Garioch may be a small artisan distillery but our enduring spirit, honed over the last 200 years, means that we’re well versed at turning out distinctive single of exceptional quality.”

On the nose, the full flavour of the 1995 expression is heightened by an array of rich oak spices, with notes of spiced mocha and muscovado sugar turning more buttery when water is added. The end result is a wave of warm and spicy flavour with layers of baked banana, toffee sauce, mocha chocolate and warm golden syrup.

Rachel Barrie, new master blender for Morrison Bowmore, said this latest vintage reminds her of her roots, sitting in her grandmother’s kitchen in Glen Garioch’s closest town Inverurie.

She said: “This really takes me home to Inverurie, my gran’s kitchen was always filled with the smell of pancakes and maple syrup, honey drizzled waffles and apple strudel. These warm, spicy flavours are true Glen Garioch.”

This unique small batch release calls upon some of the last ever barley, malted and peated on site at the Oldmeldrum distillery. Following a short period of silence between 1995 and 1997 production was resumed without the use of the 200 year old malt barns, making this a rare vintage for single malt fans.

With its proud Doric history, the Aberdeenshire malt captures the enduring and couthie spirit of the Highland town of Oldmeldrum.

Barrie added: “With limited availability in the UK, and based on the blistering success of our previous small batch releases, whisky aficionados will need to be quick out of the blocks.”

At 55.3% ABV, Glen Garioch 1995 is available from specialist wine and spirit merchants, retailing circa £55. It is distributed by Cellar Trends in the UK.

Notes

• Glen Garioch, pronounced Glen Geery, founded in 1797 is one of the oldest remaining distilleries in Scotland
• The distillery lies on rising ground at the picturesque town of Oldmeldrum, just 17 miles north-west of Aberdeen
• Glen Garioch was relaunched in 2010 with a core range of two single malt whiskies – the Glen Garioch 1797 Founder’s Reserve, a non chill-filtered single malt bottled at 48% ABV and the Glen Garioch 12 Year Old, non chill-filtered single malt bottled at 48% ABV after maturing in bourbon and sherry casks.
• Glen Garioch is owned by the Morrison Bowmore Distillers Limited who also produce Bowmore and Auchentoshan
• Glen Garioch is distributed by Cellar Trends in the UK, tel: 01283 217 703.

Arran The Devil’s Punchbowl 52.3%alc.

‘This Limited Edition release will highlight the cask selection skills of our Master Distiller and Blender James MacTaggart. Created from a vatting of our oldest and finest casks, the Devil’s Punchbowl will be bottled at Cask Strength and limited to 6660 bottles worldwide. With stunning packaging combined with superior whisky, we anticipate The Devil’s Punchbowl forming the first chapter of a new and highly sought after collection.’

Extremely limited in the UK and so a strict maximum of 1 bottle each whilst stocks last.

Single-Malt Scotch Tasting With Ian MacMillan, Master Distiller at Bunnahabhain, Deanston, and Tobermory
Thursday, July 19th. 5:30 – 7:30 PM
At our office at 60 State st. 7th floor
No set pouring times, come whenever you can

Ian MacMillan

Master Distiller/Blender, Ian MacMillan will be with us Thursday, July 19th to launch Bunnahabhain’s new single-malt, Toiteach. Toiteach is a no-age-statement peated single-malt harkening back to what Bunnahabhain would have resembled in the nineteenth century. Ian has been in the industry for for over forty years, and oversees operations at the three distilleries owned by Burns Stewart: Bunnahabhain, Deanston, and Tobermory (the last also makes a peated single-malt under the name Ledaig.) Some of these Scotch distilleries are not well known but produce whiskies that you should know; very good single malts at good value – something you do not see enough of.

Ian will taste us on some wonderful scotch including Bunnahabhain’s brand new Toiteach, their 12 Y.O; 25 Y.O; as well as The Deanston 30 Y.O. and something from Tobermory / Ledaig. We would love to see you come in to welcome Ian to Boston and taste some wonderful scotch. More information (pricing etc.) will be available on our website soon.

Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits

BOSTON

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

Glen Grant BBR 1974 37yo 47.8%alc.

(All notes by the Joynson)…As with all venerable drams, some gentle prising of the layers rewards magnificently.

Initially citrus and tobacco, then old soaked oak. Pine essence and a citrus fruit salad or oranges, limes, passion fruit and lemon. Some nail varnish and Old Fashioned Spangles (remember them?). Water raises Victoria plums, bananas and tobacco.

The taste experience is quite different. Neat it’s dust and old oak. Some tannin with a magnificent orange swallow leading to cloves and Parma violets in the finish. A drop of water is worthwhile, sweetness and an outstanding fig and date flavour. Yes we all like figgy pudding!

Almost mahogany in colour, this is an ace for sherry-matured fans – and orange and fig fans too.

Square J4, on the Rich side of Rich and Delicate.

Cask # 7643

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

Ian Macleod Distillers Unveils New Look for Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky

We have the pleasure of unveiling the new design for the core expressions of our award-winning Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky range.

Reconnecting the brand with its historic home, the new packaging for Isle of Skye 8 Years Old and 12 Years Old takes direct inspiration from the majestic scenery and romance of Scotland’s famous ‘Misty Isle’.

With a new standout colour palette on the label and bottle top that reflects the Red and Black Hills of the Cuillin Mountains, the new label design introduces a striking watercolour sunset over the Isle of Skye, perfectly showcased by a new premium distinctive bespoke bottle.

Based on a family recipe that blends distinctive peaty Island and mellow Speyside Malts, Isle of Skye was created by the company’s founder Ian Macleod, whose signature appears on the label and bottle top.

The new age-roundel on both the red and cream label of the 8 Years Old and black and gold design of the 12 Years Old adds greater prominence to the age statement, emphasising the premium quality of Isle of Skye. While the majority of Blended Scotch Whiskies are un-aged, Isle of Skye is unusual in its guarantee that all the Single Malts used in its blend recipe are matured in oak casks for at least 8 or 12 years.

This commitment to excellence has led to Isle of Skye being favoured by whisky expert Jim Murray in the 2012 Whisky Bible rating Isle of Skye 8 Years Old as a ‘superstar whisky that gives us a reason to live’.*

The Isle of Skye 8 Years Old is available in a range of sizes – (1.5 litre, 35cl and 5cl) and 70cl in Tesco and Asda and other leading national retailers from only £17.99 per bottle. It is also available to buy online at www.isleofskyewhisky.com

Wobbleydon aftermath.

Well here we are again. My local pub and hang out haunt CHRISTIES PUB, PERTH. This wee criak is all about a session we had in July, just after Big Andy was sadly beaten by the Swiss guy at tennis, wobbleydon. After some hard touring I just needed to chill and break out a wee bit. The usual suspects were up for it of course, I would like to say “long suffering Karen” served us, but – Karen usually gives better than we give her, have been told off for a wee dribble left in my favourite bottle – Black Bush, she just picks up the bottle and waggles it at me, giving me those telling off eyes only your mother could do! Been told off for not shaving, Bob gets her “look” often and she is fast on the returned remark, we know who she likes and who she doesnee like serving (no names mentioned) but we do love her all the same.

Bob and Dave are suppin Belhaven Black, or is it Dark Island? I take my usual, Black Bush. Waiting on a couple to join us before starting. Lizzie and Kevin arrive. They have a drink to settle in before we start whiskying. First dram is one I have brought in myself (sorry Billy – pub owner) – a dram from Finland; Teerenpeli single malt. This is distilled and bottled at Teerenpeli Distillery Lahti, Finland. 43% volume, 8 years old from oak cask. To be honest Bob likes most things and he liked this. The name Teerenpeli means ‘flirtation’ or ‘dalliance’. We tried this and were surprised how balanced and tasty it was, usual vanilla, flowery niffs, wee bit nutty, all in all, a good start, not peaty which helps, a good Finnish we thought. Thanks Mika. Moving on, “new glasses please Karen”… a pub dram; Glenmorangie Original… fruity, notes of lemon and apple, vanilla, toffee, malty and very fruity (have said that eh). A 10 year old perfected by the sixteen men of Tain no less! Lizzie liked this one, well she would be, originally from Tain hersel’. Talking of Lizzie, she (the queen) was here in Perth recently, she didnee call into the pub though, what a shame eh? After a break for a glass of irn bru, water, juice (we all have different tastes) even a Dark Island, we set out on the long road again, this time calling into Glengoyne for a nice easy 10 year old… big bourbon taste, fruity. Barley rich, more bourbon influence. Nae smoke or peat here either, funny wee thing this, the distillery is Highland, the warehouses and car park is Lowland! So what are we? Kev (Aberdeenshire), Lizzie (Tain), Paul (Connel) are Highlanders, Bob and Dave from Scone so borderland highland/central.

Back to the water of life; new glasses please! What is that racket goin on in the pub! a nice lookin Bowmore 12 year old was looking at us. Age is going up as we go on, well, we are all getting older as we sip. A 12 year old, a whiff of grass. Peaty, smokiness wafts of seaweed. Some sherry. Lots of salt! Ah a peaty dram to end on, er no – I had another up my sleeve; Lagavulin 16 yo. Sorry Billy (again), brought this with me from a recent trip to Islay (eye la) massive peat/smoke – one of the smokiest from Islay. It’s big, niffs of iodine, spices, vanilla, a mouthful of malt and sherry but sweetness, spicy finish, figs, dates, vanilla.

This ends our tasting for today (well it doesn’t but my mum may be reading this, who knows?), well done Andy from Dunblane (no far from where we are sittin), sadly no distillery there but, the lad has a long finish, outstanding nose, good right arm, can play on peat we hear, or grass, tried a seaweed finish one day, slipped up there son! Well you have to celebrate getting to the final, only two did and a Scot was one! At the end of the day, Andy Murray. He has balls.

Written by Paul McLean, of Angels & MCLEANSCOTLAND fame. Fame? He’s a legend in his own lunchtime. www.angelswhiskyclub.com  www.mcleanscotland.com

BAIN’S CAPE MOUNTAIN WHISKY CHOSEN AS ONE OF TOP WHISKIES TO TRY

The proudly South African Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky has been listed in Ian Buxton’s 101 Whiskies To Try Before You Die, the UK’s best-selling whisky publication for the past two years with the most recent edition which went on sale this week.

The book is a guide to broaden any whisky lover’s experience in discovering the various whisky offerings available throughout the world – from Sweden to Japan to South Africa and Scotland. Having worked in the whisky industry for more than two decades, Buxton has built up a reputation for his knowledge and this he shares in his unique book. The whiskies listed are according to him not an awards list but rather a definitive guide to whiskies that every enthusiast should taste to extend their whisky education.

By including South Africa’s first 100% single grain whisky in his selection is an enormous achievement for its creator, Andy Watts, master distiller at The James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington. And the whisky is no stranger to the limelight either. At the 2011 International Wine and Spirits Competition, judges praised the whisky for its “excellent, clean, lively entry into the mouth with sweet grain firmness and beautiful balance”.

Inspired by the Bain’s Kloof Pass and its natural beauty, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is crafted from the finest South African grain. It is South Africa’s first single grain whisky and its double-maturation imparts flavour and complexity, resulting in an exceptionally smooth and distinctive whisky.

The whisky shows an exceptional interaction between spirit and wood to produce a mix of toffee, floral and vanilla aromas, and flavours with a hint of spice softened by sweet undertones. The result is a warm and extended mouthfeel with an exceptionally smooth finish.

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is distilled and matured at The James Sedgwick Distillery which dates back to 1886 is situated near the foothills of the Bain’s Kloof Pass in Wellington, in the heart of the Boland. The whisky pays tribute to Andrew Geddes Bain, the pioneering road builder who planned and built Bain’s Kloof Pass which connected Wellington to the interior in 1853.

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is available from leading liquor outlets and retails for about R200 per 750ml bottle.

SULLIVANS Cove Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky takes on USA

Building on its ever-growing global success, Sullivans Cove, the multi award winning Tasmanian Single Malt, is sending its first shipment to the USA this month. Currently exporting to ten countries across Europe, as well as Singapore and Canada, the USA is the next step in the international roll-out of the brand.

“Tasmanian whisky is really taking off across the world, mainly because of the hard work that the guys have been putting in here at home. We are starting to see a cult following for our whiskies and I am proud that Sullivans Cove is at the forefront of that movement”, said Patrick Maguire, Master Distiller of Sullivans Cove Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky. He added, “This is great news considering that the whisky category, and single malts in particular, continues to be the fastest growing spirits category globally.”

Sullivans Cove is one of the most highly awarded Tasmanian whiskies, consistently winning Gold at the world’s most prestigious blind tasting competitions including Jim Murray’s Liquid Gold Awards, The Spirits Business’s Spirits Masters and the World Whisky Awards.

About Sullivans Cove Single Malt Whisky

Tasmania Distillery produces Sullivans Cove Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky. The distillery was established in 1994 on the banks of the River Derwent at Sullivans Cove, the site where the British planted their flag and began to build the settlement that became the City of Hobart, Australia’s second oldest city. The distillery named the whisky it produced ‘Sullivans Cove’ to acknowledge the history of the site and the place it was distilled.

Sullivans Cove Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky is double distilled using renowned Tasmanian barley with only the purest wilderness water from Tasmania’s local mountains and forests. Matured in hand selected oak casks and allowed to settle and clear naturally, the whiskies retain full, creamy and lingering flavours that are winning fans the world over. Each cask is bottled separately, yielding only around 450 bottles, making each bottle a rare item to own and enjoy.

Tasmania Distillery Pty Ltd

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY PRODUCES FOUR

“BEST OF CATEGORY” WINNERS AT THE 2012 LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRITS COMPETITION

Buffalo Trace, E. H. Taylor Single Barrel, Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year and Sazerac Straight Rye all named “Best”

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (July 2012) – The Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition has announced its 2012 winners, and the whiskies from Buffalo Trace Distillery had an excellent showing as all 11 whiskies entered were awarded medals. In addition, four of those whiskies were awarded “Best of Category.”

Buffalo Trace Distillery’s top winners include:

· Best of Category: Single Barrel American Whiskey 10 Years or Less

§ Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

· Best of Category: Small Batch Bourbon 10 Years or Less

§ Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

· Best of Category: Small Batch Bourbon 11 Years or Older

§ Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

· Best of Category: American Straight Rye

§ Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

Other Buffalo Trace Distillery whiskies earning medals include:

· Gold Medal

§ Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

§ Eagle Rare Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

§ Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

§ Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 20 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

§ Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

§ Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

§ Eagle Rare Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

§ Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky

§ Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Whisky

· Silver Medal

§ Benchmark Old No. 8 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

· Bronze Medal

§ Rich & Rare Reserve Canadian Whisky

Buffalo Trace Distillery also won Bronze Medals in the Packaging Competition:

· Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey – Container

· Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey – Graphics

“The Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition is a highly regarded competition, and we are very happy with our results,” said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller. “To have everything we entered win something, plus 4 best of category winners, make us very proud.”

The Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition was formed in 2007, with an esteemed panel of judges using a blind-tasting method to award medals to the best distilled spirits from around the world. The award-winning entries will be displayed during the Los Angeles County Fair, August 31-September 30, 2012 in “The Wine & Spirits Marketplace.”

Complete results of the 2012 LAIWSC are available at www.lawinecomp.com

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com