Archive for May, 2013

Jim Beam Releases Limited-Edition “Distiller’s Masterpiece” Bourbon Just in Time for the Races – American Whiskey News

Jim Beam Releases Limited-Edition “Distiller’s Masterpiece” Bourbon Just in Time for the Races

For many, the first Saturday in May is a rare opportunity to watch the most elite horses in the racing industry. But this year, it represents another rare opportunity – a chance for whiskey connoisseurs to get their hands on a limited-edition release from Jim Beam.

Today, Beam Inc. [NYSE:BEAM], a global leader in premium spirits, and Jim Beam® Bourbon, the world’s No. 1 bourbon, announced its release of Jim Beam® Distiller’s Masterpiece, an extra-aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey barrel finished in Pedro Ximénez (PX)  sherry casks.

“My family has been making bourbon in Kentucky since 1795,” said seventh-generation Master Distiller and Jim Beam’s great-grandson Fred Noe. “This is a great time to celebrate another Kentucky icon – horseracing – with the release of some of our most exclusive liquid. The catch is that you’ve got to come out to Kentucky and see us to get a bottle.”

Bourbon At Its Best

This bourbon expression from Jim Beam is the most exclusive, highest quality offering within the Beam family. Only available at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Ky., it is:

  • Extra-aged in the optimal rack-house position, determined by Master Distiller, Fred Noe
  • Finished in PX sherry casks, adding a dynamic to its taste that other bourbons can’t offer
  • Smooth, rich, full-bodied and mature
  • Packaged in a luxury wooden case
  • 100-proof and priced at $199.99

Jim Beam’s American Stillhouse

The first stop on the Kentucky bourbon trail, Jim Beam’s Kentucky distillery is nestled in the rolling foothills of Clermont, Ky., just 30 minutes from Louisville. Visitors get an up-close and personal look at how the world’s finest bourbon is crafted, aged and perfected as they learn all there is to know about this classic spirit. Visit www.americanstillhouse.com to plan a visit and pick up a bottle of Distiller’s Masterpiece.

For more information on Jim Beam’s world-leading bourbon portfolio and latest innovations – including Jacob’s Ghost™, Devil’s Cut®, Red Stag by Jim Beam® and the upcoming Signature Craft product line – please visit www.JimBeam.com, www.Facebook.com/JimBeam or @JimBeamOfficial.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society “May Outturn: What treasure lurks inside?” – Scotch Whisky News

May Outturn: What treasure lurks inside?
It’s our pearl anniversary year. How best to reward those whose deep love of single casks is as constant as the ever-changing tides? A little rarity perhaps? Something new and delicate?

It’s all here. Twelve covetable bottlings plus two shiny special anniversary editions, both exceptional 1983 casks (the year the Society was born) now…

Pearls of WHIS-DOM
Tight-lipped we are not when it comes to making a few expert recommendations.  Here are the drams that dazzled our imagination and left us coveting every last drop…

Tasty TRIO: 53.184, 64.43 & G7.4 for £184
Everything stops for tea.  And these three are packed with flavour.  Spread out a picnic blanket and enjoy…
53.184 Fairground on the beach
64.43 Full, complex and reassuring
G7.4 Buttery waffles on polished wood

Buy

Island PAIR: 53.184 & 4.175 for £118
Twinset and pearls…the cool sophistication of the catwalk meets the exhilarating abandonment of the seaside fairground…
53.184 Fairground on the beach
4.175 Suspicious skulkers on the catwalk
Buy

Packing CASE Offer: TRIO + 77.32, 7.83 & 3.198 for £364
Six Society bottles that take you on a voyage through our diverse range of whiskies…
53.184 Fairground on the beach
64.43 Full, complex and reassuring
G7.4 Buttery waffles on polished wood
77.32 Salivating sweetness; savoury whispers
7.83 Fresh, airy and sherbety
3.198 Smoker’s tooth powder and dentists’ chairs
Buy 
    

May Outturn

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

Amrut & Balvenie Tasting at Arkwrights – Whisky News

Amrut Distillery Whisky Tasting – Thursday 23rd May 2013
Balvenie Ladies Only Whisky Tasting – Thursday 6th June 2013

We’ve got news for you of a couple of whisky tastings coming up in the next month or so and both are rather special. The tasting on 23rd May is a first for us as Ashok Chokalingam will be presenting a line up of single malt whiskies from Amrut Distillery in India.  Always a surprise (in a good way!) to those who have never tasted them these quality Indian whiskies have regularly been winning awards for some years now (including an award of 97 points from Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible) and the range includes both peated and unpeated single malts.  Ashok himself is also an award winner as he was the Whisky Ambassador of the Year 2012 so this promises to be an enjoyable and entertaining evening.

The tasting we have lined up on 6th June is a ladies only tasting of Balvenie whisky (gives the girls a chance to try the whiskies instead of being the nominated driver!).  For this tasting we are very lucky to have Miss Whisky herself (aka Alwynne Gwilt – http://misswhisky.com/) coming along to present  some of the smooth and honeyed lovelies that hail from the Balvenie distillery.  Starting off with a whisky cocktail we will move on to a line up that will include the new 12 year old single barrel and there will almost certainly be a few nibbles matched to some of the whiskies – my idea of a perfect evening!

See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

Name Amrut Distilleries Whisky Tasting
Date Thursday 23rd May 2013
Time 7pm for 7.30pm
Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren SN6 7SD

Details We will be tasting through the range of Amrut whiskies – including the Amrut Fusion (made from both Scottish and Indian barley), the Amrut Peated and (if it arrives in time!) the new Amrut Kadhambam.

Tickets are £13.50 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting. Tickets are very strictly limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and as these tastings usually sell out within hours it is best to book ASAP. To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com and place an order for the number you require.

Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared.

N.B. We have negotiated special rates at the hotel for anyone who wants to stay overnight after the tasting – click here for further details. 

Ladies only Balvenie Whisky Tasting
Thursday 6th June 2013
7pm for 7.30pm
Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren SN6 7SD

Balvenie is still a family owned distillery, having been established in 1892 by William Grant. It retains it’s own maltings and cooperage, and production of its smooth, rich whiskies is overseen by David Stewart, who has over 50 years of experience. Excellent use of different cask types produce some delicious variations in the range and the whiskies that have been selected for the night will give you the chance to find your own particular favourite(s).

Tickets are £13.50 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting. Tickets are very strictly limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and as these tastings usually sell out within hours it is best to book ASAP. To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com and place an order for the number you require.

Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared.

N.B. We have negotiated special rates at the hotel for anyone who wants to stay overnight after the tasting – click here for further details.

Ralfy Publishes Whisky Review #359 – Scotch Whisky News

www.ralfy.com returns to a malt last reviewed about four years ago with Whisky Review 359 – Ardbeg Uigeadail re-reviewed Some changes in the experience, something lost, something gained!

World Wide Whisky Design Awards “Karuizawa 1960/2013, 52 year old Japanese Single Cask Malt Whisky” – Japanese Whisky News

Karuizawa 1960/2013, 52 year old Japanese single cask malt whisky

This Karuizawa 1960/2013, 52 year old Japanese single malt whisky, by No 1 Drinks, was unveiled during the BarShow/Whisky Live 2013, is the oldest single cask Japanese whisky ever bottled: Karuizawa cask #5627 (250l ex-sherry hogshead) from 1960. It was … Continue reading

Back in Stock at K&L California – Scotch Whisky News

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

  • Springbank 10 Year Old Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($54.99)
  • Springbank 18 year Campbeltown Single Malt 750ml – 9 available ($129.99)

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

DOUBLE AWARD-WINNING BUNNAHABHAIN SINGLE MALT – Scotch Whisky News

DOUBLE AWARD-WINNING BUNNAHABHAIN SINGLE MALT 

Bunnahabhain, pronounced Bū-na-ha-venn and which is produced on the world-famous whisky producing island, Isle of Islay, took double gold for the second consecutive year for its 25-year old single malt at the annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The 12-year-old and 18-year-old both took gold. The whiskies were amongst 1407 spirits from 63 countries tasted by 34 judges representing the best palates in the industry.  The 25-year-old added another prestigious award to its repertoire with a trophy for the Best Islay Single Malt in the “21 years and over” category at Whisky Magazines’ 2013 World Whisky Awards held only weeks before.

The three whiskies in the Bunnahabhain range are all finished using the un-chillfiltered process which according to master distiller, Ian MacMillan, represents a return to the traditional way of whisky-making.

“The process of un-chillfiltering results in whisky in its purest form and it’s quite astounding how much depth of flavour, aroma, colour and character this traditional process imparts to the whisky.

“Bunnahabhain has always been famous for its gentle taste profile and superior quality but with the un-chillfiltered range it seems that the true nature of these whiskies is really coming to the fore,” MacMillan said.

Un-chillfiltering is the way whisky was made before chillfiltration was introduced in the 1970s primarily for cosmetic reasons. During chillfiltration the temperature of the whisky is dropped to 0°C before forcing it through filters which removes the fatty esters. This produces a “polished” whisky that offers consistency of colour and when bottled at 43% alcohol by volume does not become slightly hazy when chilled. But the trade-off is the loss of some of the flavour and character in the final whisky.

In the case of Bunnahabhain’s un-chillfiltered range, the whisky’s temperature is not reduced zero and the precious esters are allowed to pass undisturbed through the filters. This results in a full depth of flavour, aroma, colour and character. Although the higher alcohol strength at 46,3% keeps the whisky stable it does become slightly hazy when mixed with water or ice, a distinctive trait of un-chillfiltered whiskies.

Unlike most single malts from Islay, Bunnahabhain is crafted from unpeated malted barley and pure spring water untainted by the peaty moorlands. It is best to enjoy this warm and welcoming single malt neat or with a dash of water to really savour its wonderful combination of flavours. The 25-year-old holds sweet caramel dessert aromas with subtle oak and polished leather on the nose leading to sweet berries, cream and spiced-oak on the palate. The whisky has been matured in predominantly ex-bourbon casks with a small percentage of ex-sherry casks used. Due to the close proximity of the warehouses to the sea where the casks were stored during the 25 year maturation process, a noticeable sea influence is evident in the finish.

BLACK BOTTLE TAKES DOUBLE GOLD AT WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION – Scotch Whisky News

BLACK BOTTLE TAKES DOUBLE GOLD AT WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION  

Black Bottle, the iconic and distinctive whisky, has lived up to its bold, inability to be ignored reputation by taking double gold for the second consecutive year at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Capturing the very essence of Islay, Black Bottle is the only blended Scotch whisky to include all the renowned single malts from the Isle of Islay, the world-famous whisky producing island, balanced by the finest Highland, Lowland and Speyside malt and grain whiskies.  With its bold taste Black Bottle is one of the most unique whiskies around as there are very few, if any, that come close in terms of style and taste profile. The whisky holds a fresh and fruity nose with a hint of peat that leads to a full yet slight sweet palate and a delightful smoky flavour. The finish is warm and long with the unmistakable smoky, Islay character.

Black Bottle’s unique taste owes its character and heart to the innovation and skill of Gordon Graham, its original master blender. Graham was a tea merchant by profession and he used his tea blending knowledge to blend whiskies in the late 19th century. This particular blend, which he marketed in opaque black bottles imported from Germany, in time became the whisky of choice of the locals of Aberdeen. The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 forced the company to source new bottles and since that date Black Bottle has been packaged in a green glass bottle, retaining the distinctive pot-still shape.

JAKE BUGG TO JOIN THE BILL FOR BUSHMILLS LIVE 2013 – Irish Whiskey News

JAKE BUGG TO JOIN THE BILL FOR BUSHMILLS LIVE 2013 

SONS AND LOVERS, FOY VANCE, IAIN ARCHER, WILLY MASON AND BEAR’S DEN also set to join JAKE BUGG and previously confirmed headliners OF MONSTERS AND MEN at the only music festival in an Irish whiskey distillery

Bushmills Village: May 2013: Breakthrough act of the year, British singer-songwriter Jake Bugg has today been added to the bill for Bushmills Live 2013, alongside headliners Of Monsters and Men. Troubadour Jake Bugg will perform for an audience of just 500 at Bushmills Live in June, ahead of taking to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury this summer.

Jake will be in good company at the festival, playing alongside Sons and Lovers, who have just finished touring the UK with Ellie Goulding and US artists, One Republic; Willy Mason and Bear’s Den, who have both toured heavily with Mumford & Sons earlier this year; and friends of the festival and successful Northern Irish singer songwriters, Iain Archer and Foy Vance.

Iain and Foy are set to make a triumphant return to Bushmills Live following electric performances in 2012. Since playing at the festival last year Foy has toured Europe and the US with Ed Sheeran and Iain has worked with headliner Jake Bugg to co-write and produce tracks for his number one debut album, earning them an Ivor Novello Award nomination*.

With just days to go until the draw for tickets closes, Iain reveals he is looking forward to playing at the festival in the Old Bushmills Distillery: “Bushmills Live is a unique experience: the line-up could rival some of the biggest festivals but with a much smaller crowd in a really cool setting. It’s really like a festival of friends hanging out and making some great music together. I’m really looking forward to seeing Jake playing live – although we’ve written and produced together, we’ve never actually been on the same live bill so this will be a first.”

“With last year’s festival being such a smash, it was always going to be a challenge to improve on the line up – that said, I think we’ve done it. One of the goals with the festival is to offer an event that is special for fans and performers alike. With the festival circuit in the UK growing annually, it’s a real challenge to create a day that stands out. We hope that Bushmills Live will be a festival that everyone looks forward to,” commented Graham Brown, festival curator. He continued: “I’m really pleased to be part of such an event that hosts internationally-renowned acts alongside critically-acclaimed emerging artists in such a unique setting. If you haven’t entered the draw for tickets yet enter now – don’t miss out!”

Tickets cannot be bought for the 500 person event which takes place on 19th and 20th June 2013 in the grounds of the historic Old Bushmills Distillery on Ireland’s stunning North Coast. Instead these can be won by entering a draw on the Bushmills Irish Whiskey Facebook page – facebook.com/bushmills1608* entry closes at 23:59 on 5th May 2013. 

NOTES

Twitter: @BushmillsGlobal

Hashtag: #BushmillsLive

*Jake Bugg and Iain Archer are nominated for ‘best song musically and lyrically’ for ‘Two Fingers,’ a song they co-wrote: http://www.theivors.com/awards.htm

ABOUT THE COMPETITION:

*To win tickets to Bushmills Live or to find out more, visit facebook.com/bushmills1608. Entry closes at 23:59GMT 5th May 2013. Winners will be notified by 9th May. Terms and conditions apply.

The Facebook competition is open to people of legal purchasing age, in:

  • Great Britain
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Northern Ireland
  • Germany
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • USA
  • Canada
  • Czech Republic
  • Latvia

From each, one pair of finalists will win tickets to ‘Bushmills Live’. 

Bushmills Live video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjyzNFGuRmo

To launch the festival, Bushmills commissioned some good friends who are artisans to make a 3D art installation that depicts the Bushmills Live poster using materials inspired by the handcrafted whiskey and music at the heart of the festival. The master craftsmen who cemented their friendship when creating the stage set for a hugely popular American television epic that was filmed in Belfast – used 254 casks, 250 bottle tops, 30 bottles of whiskey, five metres of AMP wiring and four guitars to handcraft the 10ft by 16ft installation artwork.

ABOUT BUSHMILLS IRISH WHISKEY

With a heritage rooted in authenticity and quality, Bushmills Irish Whiskey is produced, aged and bottled at Ireland’s oldest working distillery in the village of Bushmills in County Antrim on the far north coast of Ireland. The Old Bushmills Distillery uses 100% malt barley to make triple distilled malt whiskey, which is what creates the rich, mellow and distinct flavour that is the house style. The Bushmills portfolio includes: Bushmills Irish Whiskey; Black Bush, Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 1608 and now Bushmills Irish Honey. 

ABOUT DIAGEO
Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. For Diageo’s global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit www.DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS 

About Of Monsters and Men

http://www.ofmonstersandmen.com/

Of Monsters and Men is an amiable group from Iceland whose debut album “My Head Is An Animal” is a collection of infectious folkie pop songs. With the group’s single “Little Talks”, the band (consisting of Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, Ragnar Þórhallsson, Brynjar Leifsson, Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson, Kristján Páll Kristjánsson) has become a breakout act all around the world.

After a breakout year, “My Head Is An Animal,” the band’s debut album, was officially certified platinum worldwide. Surpassing 1 million sales, the record remains a clarion call for the band’s invigorating style. The band capped off the year with “Little Talks” selling over 3.5 million singles worldwide, the album reaching Platinum status in Canada and Ireland, as well as Gold in multiple countries including Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States.

In 2013, Of Monsters and Men will embark on a world tour including stops in Japan, Australia, South America, UK, Europe, and heading back to North America this summer. 

About Jake Bugg

www.jakebugg.com

By now, it’s likely you will have heard of Jake Bugg following on from his support slots at two of the year’s hottest gigs: namely The Stone Roses’ miniscule secret London show at Village Underground, and a week later, Noel Gallagher’s smallest ever solo performance at Camden’s Dingwalls. Come October, the latter legend will also be taking him on the rest of his 2012 tourdates, in Europe, America and beyond.

All across the land he has been working hard, playing songs and garnering new converts wherever he goes. His headline November shows in Manchester and London have both been upgraded due to demand; the release of his debut album has been brought forward – unheard of in this day and age because people want to get their hands on it.

Age “about 14”, he started picking up his uncle’s acoustic guitar and, having learnt other people’s songs, started experimenting with his own. It didn’t take long for him to start coming up with worthwhile stuff. In fact, one of the best songs on his debut album, ‘Someplace’ dates back to this time. A beautiful melancholic ballad, it exhibits the undeniable, natural gift for melody that characterises all of Jake’s songs.

Jake only got signed about a year or so ago, but such is his prolific nature that he did not waste any time in getting down to business. 

About Willy Mason

http://www.willymason.net/

Willy Mason is a singer-songwriter from the Northeast US. His new single ‘I Got Gold’ is a standout track from new album ‘Carry On’, an album five years in the making. It comes in the wake of the critically acclaimed and gold certified debut ‘Where The Humans Eat’ which included the now classic track ‘Oxygen,’ and the progressive sound of his 2007 sophomore release ‘If The Ocean Gets Rough.’

He has recently toured in the UK and Australia and often appearing on stage with headliners and good friends Mumford & Sons.

Mason’s new single ‘I Got Gold’, produced by Dan Carey (MIA, Hot Chip and Kylie Minogue), has been receiving Radio 1, 6Music and XFM plays, and fuses Mason’s unique vocal delivery with a rhythm that lyrically draws on sentiments of hope, disillusionment, love and lost connections. 

About Sons and Lovers

http://www.sons-and-lovers.com/ 

About Bear’s Den

http://www.musicglue.com/bearsdenmusic/

Bear’s Den are London trio Andrew Davie, Joey Haynes, and Kevin Jones. The music they make is wholesome, warm, and engaging, and takes its influence from the likes of Being There era Wilco, Ryan Adams, and a wealth of both folk and alt-country reference points.

The ethos of DIY is at the heart of everything Bear’s Den have done since their inception. Charging around the UK in a van playing to any venue that would have them, picking up support tours with the likes of Of Monsters And Men, Smoke Fairies, and Matt Corby, and concluding 2012 with a support slot for Mumford & Sons at London’s O2 Arena, Bear’s Den took time out and relocated to a cottage in Wales to record their debut EP, sold only at shows last year, and went on to record this Agape EPin Norfolk with Kristoffer Harris.

‘Agape’ sets out its stall from the opening chords, and is a spellbinding example of Bear’s Den’s sound. Andrew Davie’s lyrics and voice are beautifully fragile, resonating with the clarity of a songwriter almost twice his age. Framed around the ambiguous Greek word for love, Agape is a warm, all-embracing tune that sets a tone throughout the whole 5-track record.  

About Iain Archer

http://www.iainarcher.co.uk/modules/news/

Iain Archer is an award-winning songwriter and producer, originally from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. He is a versatile performer who has had success in his own right and with others. He has written five successful albums under his own name, has toured extensively and has had his songs used widely on US TV shows and adverts.

He has scored a number one album and two top ten albums writing with the likes of Example, Gabrielle Aplin, Hudson Taylor and Nina Nesbitt. Additionally 2012 saw Iain working extensively with 19 year old Brit-Nominated Jake Bugg, signed to Mercury Records. Jake Bugg’s exciting eponymous debut album hit no.1 in the album charts in October, and has remained within the top 10 ever since, already passing platinum sales. He co-wrote and produced the first three Radio 1 playlisted singes, ‘Trouble Town’, ‘Lightning Bolt’ and ‘Taste It’ along with co-writing Jake’s last two radio hits ‘Two Fingers’ and ‘Seen It All’.

A prestigious Ivor Novello Award winner for his work on Snow Patrol’s breakthrough multi-platinum selling album ‘Final Straw’, Iain co-wrote the huge hit ‘Run’ which went  top 5 for the band and later to number one for Leona Lewis, breaking the record for the fastest selling UK download.

He is a founding member of the band ‘Tired Pony’ that also featured the likes of Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody, Peter Buck from REM, Richard Colburn from Belle and Sebastian and Tom Smith from Editors. 

About Foy Vance

http://www.foyvance.com/

Foy Vance is a musician from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. He released his debut album ‘Hope’ in July 2007 to great critical acclaim. The Independent newspaper described him as ‘The missing link between Richie Havens and Stevie Wonder’. Three tracks from the album were used on hit US drama, Grey’s Anatomy.

His single ‘Be the Song’, featured in the American medical series, House. In 2010 Foy, along with David Holmes composed the music for a short film by director Terry George, and as a result has been offered a part in the director’s next feature film as a busker. The short film, ‘The Shore’, won a 2012 ACADEMY AWARD®*. Foy will release a new album entitled ‘Joy of Nothing’ later this year and will tour with Bonnie Raitt in the UK and Europe this summer.

*ACADEMY AWARDS® is a registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Bowmore 15yo 1998 (61.0%, SMWS 3.184, refill hogshead, USA 60 Bts., +/-2012) – Scotch Whisky Tasting Note

Bowmore 15yo 1998 (61.0%, SMWS 3.184, refill hogshead, USA 60 Bts., +/-2012) 

“Arabesques of ash and high kicks of coal”

The nose reveals excellent peat smoke and lots of, concentrated Islay and honey, lashings of peat smoke and honey, this noses like a much younger whisky but none the less it’s very good. Hot stone or concrete in there also. Oh bravo! Time to move onto the taste which has lashing of the peat smoke and a little juniper (very Ardbeg like) and a whole truck load of black pepper; the juniper adds to the mix. This is excellent whisky and in some way very un-Bowmore like but who cares it’s good. The finish leans towards more of the peat smoke and then handfuls of peated grain straight from the kiln floor munched like a breakfast cereal.

All very invigorating and very much an early morning dram. 

$115

Score 88

Sample 4 of 4. Samples kindly provided by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America


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