Canadian Whisky Book Review and Twitter Tasting Week Three

Join author, Davin de Kergommeaux and whisky fans from around the globe on Twitter this Sunday, May 19, at 3:00 Eastern time. We will be chatting about Davin’s award-winning book, Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert, and raising a dram of Canadian whisky. To take part simply go to #DavinTT on Twitter at 3:00 Eastern time this Sunday.

Social media are changing the way whisky lovers interact right around the globe. Whisky fans from Israel to Oregon took part last week as we reviewed several chapters from the book Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert and discussed them with each other and with the author on Twitter.

If you wish to add your comments, interact with author, Davin de Kergommeaux, or discuss a Canadian whisky you are tasting, please join us for week three this Sunday. This week we will be talking about chapters 18 – 21.

We invite the bloggers among us to blog about the book, the experience, the whiskies and/or Davin. Let the fun begin!

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with me, @WhiskyLassie on twitter.

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is available at Barnes & Noble, Chapters/Indigo, and many other fine bookstores, or on-line at Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.

1997 Glenlivet 16 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Sherry Barrel Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($66.99)
Although we didn’t advertise it at the time, we actually selected this first-fill sherry barrel of Glenlivet from Signatory as part of our 2012 trip. We thought the whisky was simply outstanding, a shining example of what the classic Speyside distillery can accomplish when one fantastic barrel is isolated from the rest of the batch. What we wanted to do was wait until this cask hit its 16th birthday, then bottle it immediately. You could tell it was right on the cusp of greatness, but it just needed an extra year. While the standard Glenlivet expressions are soft and supple on the palate, they rarely exhibit the amount of fresh sherry influence that this 16 year old barrel exudes. The result is a whisky that’s more like Macallan or Glendronach than what we think of as Glenlivet. Toffee, raisined fruit, baking spices, and cocoa came blasting out of the glass when we first pulled the sample straight from the barrel. This whisky was a beast! Since we knew that a cask of Glenlivet would encompass a larger tent of customers than some of our more esoteric selections, we thought that proofing the whisky down to 46% might be a good idea in this case. After tasting it we knew this was the right move. The spice and heat turn into creamy, unctuous sherry, melting over the palate at a slow crawl. While the whisky isn’t at full proof, it is still non-chill filtered and from one single barrel. For the price, it’s hard to find a single fault with this single malt. (David Driscoll)

1995 Imperial 17 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($69.99)
This may be a first (and hopefully not a last!), but we’ve got a lovely Imperial from a great supplier that’s even CHEAPER than the last cask of Imperial we purchased. I’m not going to read too much into this, but single malt prices seem to have come down for the first time in my nearly 10 years of doing this. Maybe we just got lucky, or maybe we’re making better friends, but this is just a screaming deal. We purchased an octave from Duncan Taylor in the 2011 campaign and sold it readily for $100. Now we’re looking at an equivalently aged cask for nearly $30 less! We’re talking about a closed distillery that’s rather well regarded. It’s just shocking. What’s even more unusual is the quality of this cask. This lovely whisky shows all the complexity expected from this high quality facility. On the nose: a freshness that alternates between grassy fields and forest floor. The wood does not hinder the spirit in the slightest and a lovely, comforting grainy quality is evident, alongside the fresh foliage and subtle grass. Sweet herbs (maybe dill or mint), navel orange pith, and a textural richness that’s surprising considering the lighter aromas. Long, lengthy, rich, even borderline-syrupy. This is sure to be a classic and maybe even collectable at this price! (David Othenin-Girard)

1995 Miltonduff 18 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($69.99)
Miltonduff was all over our trip this year, whether in its normal single malt form or under the name Mosstowie, referring to a separate whisky made on site using a Lomand still. While we skipped the Mosstowie (those Lomond stills are hard to work with no doubt) we could not pass up the opportunity to buy delicious, cask strength, 18-year-old whisky for this price. Miltonduff might be familiar to some as it is the key ingredient in the famous Ballantine’s blend. It is this particular whisky that makes me believe the Ballantine’s 17-year could actually be rated as Jim Murray believes it should be. Altogether more typically a Highlander than Speyside (if these regional descriptions mean anything to anybody any longer), it’s a powerhouse. Phenolic and earthy, there’s this sort of flinty aroma, it’s not sulfur, but more struck flint on iron. Sparks! There’s some herbal extract (Indian ginseng), floral remedies (crushed flowers) and an oily texture. If someone were using heavy machinery (like a license plate printing press) nearby while you were nosing this whisky you probably wouldn’t notice. An intense, powerful and unusual whisky that makes you pause for a moment before filling your glass again. And you will fill it again. (David Othenin-Girard)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Hooker’s House Rye 750ml ($35.99)

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

Robert Paker explores the world of Bourbon and Rye;

“What started as a fun distraction to see what was so special about Pappy Van Winkle led to a full throttle inspection/conquest of bourbon. To tell you the truth, I have never been a big fan of liquor, but I was blown away by the quality of the top bourbons. They are every bit as good as a great cognac or Armagnac … and I’m not kidding!”

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate May 2013

Black Maple Hill Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Sour Mash >> 96 Points

Unctuously textured, rich and concentrated, its style reminds me somewhat of the 20-year old Pappy Family Reserve Bourbon, but of course the Black Maple Hill is far less expensive and easier to obtain.

Buffalo Trace Eagle Rare Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 10-Years Old. >> 95 Points

A sensational Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, appears to be be a classic.

Old Bardstown Black Label >> 94 Points

Believe it or not, this bourbon came close in taste, texture and smell to the more expensive, virtually impossible to find Pappy Van Winkle 20-Year Old Kentucky Bourbon.

Noah’s Mill Small Batch Boutique Bourbon >> 96 Points

It is fabulous, intriguing, distinctive bourbon.

High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey >> 94 Points

This is a sweet, smoky, spicy, flamboyant whiskey that is full, rich and intense, but not the least bit harsh.

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #48

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, visited the Belgian Whisky Festival for Independent Bottlers, which offers hundreds of bottles only from, err… independent bottlers. Quite an experience, for the Indies do try to get their hands on magnificent casks that might otherwise never get bottled in their own right. An short video impression.

http://youtu.be/n4HawDDwp6U

THE GLENLIVET MAKES WHISKY HISTORY WITH LAUNCH OF MYSTERY CAMPAIGN

The Glenlivet, the world’s No. 2 single malt Scotch whisky, is pioneering an innovative approach to flavour with the launch of The Glenlivet Alpha; a new, mystery expression released without cask information or tasting notes.

Presented in a black bottle to preserve the mystery, consumers are encouraged to let taste and smell lead their experience of The Glenlivet Alpha. Connoisseurs of the range will be able to identify its signature style but also discover a new flavour palate due to the inclusion of never-before-released spirits.

The Glenlivet Alpha launch will be supported by an integrated marketing campaign that will see consumers exploring The Glenlivet’s complex flavours through multi-sensory experiences both online, through http://www.theglenlivet.com/ and the brand’s Facebook page, and offline. The campaign will help to generate discussion and a deeper understanding of The Glenlivet, the single malt that started it all.

The campaign will bring The Glenlivet Alpha to life with a launch film, advertising, in-store activity and a global media launch event in London. Additional films, which explore the roles of sight, smell, taste and feel on flavour perception, will be hosted on The Glenlivet’s digital social media platforms and will link through to online sensory challenges that allow consumers to gradually unlock the secrets of The Glenlivet Alpha. Sensory experts including taste visualisation specialists, Greyworld, will also be working with the brand on the campaign.

In June, the mystery behind The Glenlivet Alpha will be revealed by Master Distiller Alan Winchester in a global broadcast to The Glenlivet fans on http://www.theglenlivet.com/ and on the brand’s Facebook page.

Nikki Burgess, International Brand Director for The Glenlivet, says: “The Glenlivet is famous for its smooth, full bodied flavour and with the launch of The Glenlivet Alpha we’re excited to be exploring this in an original way. This is the first time anyone has launched a ‘blind’ whisky in this way and we are confident that this innovative campaign will excite whisky drinkers and help them to truly appreciate single malt and understand the flavours they taste in The Glenlivet’s award-winning range.”

With only circa 3,500 bottles worldwide, The Glenlivet Alpha will be available in USA, UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Andorra, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, India and South Africa and will retail at $120.

The Glenlivet was the first licensed distillery in the Livet valley and offers a variety of expressions, all boasting its signature smoothness and floral, fruity profile.

The Glenlivet has been the biggest contributor to volume growth in the single malt category over the last five years, adding more than any other Single Malt brand*. The release of The Glenlivet Alpha continues the brand’s legacy of innovation and reinforces its position as ‘the single malt that started it all’.

*IWSR 2011 

Notes 

Follow The Glenlivet on Twitter via the handle @The_Glenlivet and stream the campaign through #Alpha 

Facebook application: https://www.facebook.com/theglenlivet/app_406821989412224 

The Glenlivet Alpha YouTube video and embed link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOvsNoC-2YU&list=UUVnO1IwQ0pn6-pMrfks8TfA&index=1 

The Glenlivet is the No. 2 single malt Scotch whisky in the world. Crafted in the remote Livet Valley since 1824, it is the only whisky with the unchallengeable right to be called The Glenlivet. 

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.

Whiskey Tasting
Texas’s Balcones Distillery
with Winston Edwards
Thursday, May 16th.
4:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.

Joe writes,

This Thursday we will host Winston Edwards from Balcones Distillery in Waco, Texas. We will taste the line of malt and blue corn whiskies. Bourbon – it is not. Good – It certainly is — Very Good. Professional and amateur critics alike, the world over, go so far as Excellent, Genius, and Cornographic. Will you find your new drink? We will taste four very different whiskies from their line and let you be the judge. Do let us know what you think! Winston will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. The micro distilleries have been popping up all over, come in and taste why. Bring a friend or co-worker and see why this is the hottest micro distillery!!!!!

We Will Taste:

Baby Blue Corn Whisky $49.99 On Sale at $44.99
True Blue Corn Whisky $59.99 On Sale at $54.99
Brimstone Smoked Corn Whisky $59.99 On Sale at $54.99
American Single-Malt $59.99 On Sale at $54.99

Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits
Email: info@federalwine.com
Phone: (617) 367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/

While the history of whisky is long and proud, with legend telling of Saint Patrick bringing the craft of distillation to Scotland, the history of the Quaich is no less long or illustrious.

 The word Quaich comes from the gaelic “cuach” which means cup and they have been used for centuries to welcome or bid farewell to guests, or as a mark of comradeship or friendship. Sharing a dram of whisky from a Quaich has long been symbolic of binding people together in love, friendship or comradeship or to welcome or bid farewell to favoured guests. Today quaichs are often given as a gift to someone held dear.

This two handled Scottish drinking cup may have originated with the practise of drinking whisky from a scallop shell and progressed to forming these shallow cups from wood, stone or horn. Over the years the cups became more elaborate and highly skilled craftsmen fashioned wooden quaichs with beautiful celtic designs. From the 17^th century, as metals came to be more commonly used, quaichs have been made of  brass, pewter, silver or a combination of all three. The original outer shape was retained but the thick bases were thinned to reduce the the weight.

Quaichs originated in the Highlands and weren’t used in Lowland Scotland until the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie when the quaich travelled south in the canteens of the Prince’s army. The quaichs of the army were reputed to have glass bottoms enabling the drinker to keep an eye on those around him; a sad reflection on treacherous times.

Alex Scott & Co Ltd, a long established Aberdeen based company would like to offer you the chance to win a beautiful quaich so you may sup your dram in the traditional way and our gift set even provides a miniature of MacAllan Gold single malt whisky for the first filling.

To enter simply email the answer to the following question along with your name and address to sales@kiltmakers.co.uk using the subject line Quaich Competition, and we will draw the winner, at random, from the correct answers. Closing date June 19th, 2013…….. Please don’t forget to title your email Quaich competition.

What is the Centenary Quaich?

1. Quaich which resides in the Scottish Parliament building and is used for ceremonial occasions.
2. An international rugby union trophy contested annually by Ireland and Scotland.
3. A annual flat race run at Ayr races each September with the Centenary Quaich also being the name of the trophy.
4. A quaich presented to Queen Victoria by her loyal Scottish Subjects at the turn of the twentieth century.

Terms and Conditions:-  The winner will be notified of their win by email and the prize sent by post. No further correspondence will entered into and the judges decisions are final. The prize cannot be substituted or exchanged for cash. The competition is open to all except employees or relatives of Alex Scott & Co (kiltmakers.co.uk) or employees and relatives of Red Evolution. Important – entries will only be accepted from those who are 18 years old or over. This contest will run until Wednesday June 19th, 2013.

SPECIAL OFFER

Speyburn 10 Year Old

Speyburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

This perfectly-balanced single malt whisky was born in the Highlands of Scotland more than a century ago. It’s created using fresh spring water from Speyside. And, it’s this soft water which gives this whisky its distinctive character and unique flavour.

SRP £30.25 Save £8.00

PURCHASE NOW – £22.25

NEW PRODUCTS IN THIS WEEK

Just arrived –

Talisker Port Ruighe, named after the old Gaelic name of Port in the Isle of Skye. The distillery has been using Port Casks to age its whisky as far back as 1898 and this new Malt is a toast to the Scottish merchants who braved the high seas to bring back the newly discovered Port Wine from Portugal.

BUY NOW – £44.99

The Macallan 1824 Series is a new range of single malts which showcase the very best of The Macallan, built on the principle of natural colour.
Macallan 1824 Amber 40%,

BUY NOW – £51.00

Macallan 1824 Sienna 43%,

BUY NOW – £77.00

Macallan 1824 Ruby 43%

BUY NOW – £137.00

UK vlogger Joe Ellis a.k.a Whisky Wednesday reviews Benriach Curiositas 10 Year Old Single Malt

http://youtu.be/xlcF81vu1eI

http://Facebook.com/whiskytube

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

http://www.tomswhiskyreviews.com/