Alasdair and Wendy

On Thursday May 30^th, I had the pleasure of meeting the affable Mr. Alasdair Day who was in town to promote Tweeddale Whisky, Batch Three at the Toronto Kingsway LCBO.  Mr. Day was well into a jam packed week of promoting this LCBO new release to fellow Ontarians.  I bought two bottlings which he happily autographed, and while savouring a complimentary sample of Batch Three, we enjoyed a chat about Tweeddale, the May 25 LCBO debut and this being his first trip to Canada.

I really like the story behind Tweeddale.  It is a piece of history that resonates on a deeper level.  It embraces the entrepreneurial spirit of breathing life back into a family legacy while jumping in with both feet.  How great is that?  Alasdair’s great-grandfather, Richard Day, was a Scottish whisky blender who kept meticulous blending notes in his “cellar book.” However, after World War II, he closed the doors to his blending company J & A Davidson and sold off his remaining casks.  Eventually, the cellar book fell into the right hands when Alasdair inherited his great-grandfather’s notes; perhaps this is the case of destiny at its best.   In 2009, Alasdair took the leap and founded Stonedean Ltd with the exclusive intention to recreate the Tweeddale Blend.  In 2010, after a 70 year hiatus, the first Batch was created.   On the heels of the success of Batch 1 and 2, Mr. Day and company are now celebrating their first North American whisky debut on the LCBO shelves and into the palate of the Ontario whisky enthusiast.  Tweeddale Batch Three is a 12 year old blended whisky, bottled at 46% abv, non chill-filtered, and retailing at $69.95.  The blend is a composition of nine single cask whiskies; eight malty whiskies and one single grain.  It is a handsome bottling that is decorated with an etching of Richard Day.  My only critique is that nowhere on the label is it identified which Batch number the bottling is.  For me, that is an important detail to note.  To nose and taste, this is a smooth, all around very enjoyable and welcoming dram with a lovely balance of sweet vanilla, nutty and spicy warm notes with a hint-o-smoke.  Well done to the Day family!

As a whisky enthusiast, it felt meaningful to welcome Alasdair and his great-grandfather’s Richard Day’s legacy to this side of the pond. But more importantly, Batch Three is very tasty.

Wendy Harker, Toronto

The Edinburgh Whisky Stramash, May 2013. Scotland.

Angels whisky club flew in a few angels for this event, held at the Surgeons Halls Edinburgh.

A very good show with many drams to try, Angels were lucky enough to be given free tickets for the event, we arrived 1pm on Sunday 26 May; Paul, Lizzie and Kevin, eager for a dram of 12.

A wee bit early, so we had a brief drink in the Monkey Drum pub just around the corner. Great wee place.

Upon entry we hit the first room; Scotch Malt Whisky Society room, had a dram or two here, moved on to the main room, a pleasant find; Stewart from Ben Riach!  Paul hasnee seen him for ages, so it was good to have a laugh and share handshakes! Of course we all just HAD to try a BenRich and GlenDronach! as usual, all went down well. More friends dotted about, Glen Moray had a great wee bottle, only just available, fits into handbags and with a push, a sporran.  Peated spirit 60.6% in a wee bottle, as shown in our photo, I need a few of these!

Another pal, big Jan Beckers, once again providing the giant Big Peat!  Fred was also there with some grand bottles, we did try a few, all for research you understand. Totally new, never met before, a young man, Michael D’Souza, master distiller from India with the Paul John distillery bottles, very interesting drams (2), liked them a lot, this will soon be available and I urge you to try them.   Tomatin drams never fail to satisfy me, today was no different, Alistair Mutch was presenting the drams, good man, lives near us around Perth.  By this time, many drams had sank in, so we took a break, Liz and Kevin were enjoying the event and participating, (afraid Paul participated more though!)  Something different; Ola Dubh from the Harvieston Brewery, great ale and strong!

Back to the whisky; we sampled a few more, a good afternoon, Paul researched too much, Liz and Kev made sure he was ok, we disappeared back to the Dome for a champagne cocktail, where Jill met up with us. Needless to say, Paul never made the dinner afterwards!

Looking forward to the 2014 stramash, couldn’t make any sense of the barber though!

Attended by Paul, Lizzie and Kevin, all Perth Angels.

Angels whisky club, free membership, members worldwide.

www.angelswhiskyclub.com

Angels Whisky Club;

….our new series of whisky tasting… Angels look into …

Our Angels fly into several whiskies to sample them, to share them and to let us know what they thought of each tasting.

Angels look into …  The Wild Geese Rare Irish Whiskey Untamed 43% 70cl.   Citrus fruit, goose berry (mind NOT geese) and flowery notes. It had a rich malty taste and oak, a long finish. The Wild Geese Rare Irish Whiskey is perfect straight also for a whiskey cocktail. This bottle was presented to us for sampling with our friends from Finland, we now have approximately 1/2 inch remaining in the bottle!  By the time you read this, it will be empty. The “Geese” have several releases, we have tried them all – in the name of research you understand. By the time we gave them all a good sup, we were left with “wild angels”!

Angels look into …  Ledaig single malt Scotch Whisky – produced at Tobermory Distillery, name comes from the original name for the area, Ledaig (Led-chig), from the Gaelic, meaning ‘safe haven’. Unlike its brother Tobermory, it is distilled from peated malted barley, burning peat is used to dry the barley in a kiln, leading to a single malt with a distinctive peaty, smoky taste, light and well-balanced, notes of cut grass and straw, barley sugar, cereals and butter. The palate is medium-bodied with a richness.  The finish is long. The night was long, the bottle is under half full! How many times have we taken tours to Mull? How many times have we gone there – “just because”? answer to both; umpteen. We are having tours designed right now for 2014 “gathering of the drams”,  small group visits that include Mull and Oban, with whisky (obviously) and fresh seafood, local pubs, locals and great beds!  You will need them after this trip.

Angels look into …  Glen Breton 10 year old single malt, Canada’s only single malt – to date I think there are more on the way. It has won awards, it is near the upper end of the market for this age. I acquired my bottle from a great Canadian pipeband, we helped here in Scotland for the world pipebands championships, as a thanks, they brought me this gem.  What it is like; banana, honey, flowery, soap and grass.  Sharp and long finish, with cereal notes.  Strange though, recently at the Victoria whisky fest on Vancouver Island, Liz and Paul attended the Canadian whisky awards, we never saw this! maybe it was there, we didnee see it. At 43% this ten year old was good, but, wouldn’t say it’s the best I’ve had lately, a good dram to start off the night methinks. Glen Breton is a Gaelic speaking area of Canada, typically Scottish, maybe that’s why I like this?

Angels look into …  Clynelish 1995 – 16 Year Old, Sherry Butt #12797 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky  70cl / 58.3%  A Signatory (bought at Edradour) product.  This 1995 Clynelish bottled at “Cask Strength” by Signatory. After being matured in a Sherry Butt and aged for 16 years, this single cask whisky was bottled in January 2012 when we found it! Bottle 399/629 a fantastic dram this one.  Signatory Vintage are an independent bottler founded by Andrew Symington. The name was comes from the intention to find a person to sign the labels for bottles drawn from a single cask. To add proof of authenticity to their cask strength bottlings, Signatory always include cask numbers, date of distillation, date of bottling and number of bottles produced, can you also taste salt?  Water makes it sweeter, brings out fruit and a hint of lime, then there’s the sherry; still much of a Clynelish.  Strangely, I still have lots of this remaining, maybe coz I havnee shared it with anyone, maybe coz it’s no as good as some others I have, or maybe its just been hidden at the back!

www.angelswhiskyclub.com  based in Perth, Scotland, with members around the world. Share and Share alike!

MIXOLOGIST TONY CONIGLIARO PAYS TRIBUTE TO

THE HARMONY OF THE EXCEPTIONAL:  CHIVAS 18 BY PININFARINA 

To mark the prestigious collaboration Chivas 18 by Pininfarina, leading mixologist Tony Conigliaro has fittingly crafted a series of cocktails, which marry the influences of Italy and Scotland.

Widely recognised as the world’s foremost maverick in creating drinks, Tony Conigliaro has taken a series of classic cocktails and ingredients, inspired by his own Italian heritage, to create four Chivas 18 drinks which stimulate the senses and ensure every taste of these interpretations is a new experience.

Chivas 18 by Pininfarina is an aerodynamic limited edition design ‘The Drop’, inspired by air and liquid, which has taken the form of three expressions, uniting both houses in their ongoing quest for beauty, harmony and, ultimately, pleasure.

Both Chivas and Pininfarina share a rich heritage in crafting rewarding and stimulating experiences in luxury. Pininfarina has been a crusader in Italian design and engineering since 1930, Chivas Regal is the original luxury whisky blend, established in 1909. Tony Conigliaro’s career has seen him continually work to break boundaries surrounding the drinking experience and expand upon the idea of what a cocktail can be, using bespoke ingredients.

The cocktails that follow are designed to be re-created at home and have been carefully crafted to be as stimulating to the eye and nose as the palate – enjoy! 

CHIVAS CHAMOMILE SOUR

The Italians have a strong affinity with Chamomile, a floral herb they grow up with. Here, Chamomile adopts a very adult, sophisticated guise, infusing Chivas 18 in a delicious variation of the classic whisky sour. 

Recipe – Per Serving

50ml Chivas 18

25ml Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

25ml Egg White

15ml Chamomile Syrup

3 dash Angostura Bitters

Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker (no ice) and shake. Add ice to the shaker and then hard shake. Strain and serve simply as it is in coupe glassware. 

CHIVAS SPARKLING PEACH

The Bellini is very popular inNorthern Italy. This new Chivas 18 based interpretation offers complexity and depth. 

Recipe – Per Serving 

20ml Chivas 18

75ml Fresh Peach Juice

Add Chivas 18 and peach juice to a soda stream bottle and carbonate. Then serve in a champagne flute. 

CHIVAS ROB ROY

Inspired by Scottish folk hero Robert Roy MacGregor, the old school version of the Rob Roy is similar to aManhattanbut Tony’s version also incorporates the very Italian spirit Vermouth. 

Recipe – Per Serving

20ml Chivas 18

40ml Chivas Vermouth

2.5ml Maraschino Liqueur luxado

3 dash Angostura Bitters

Add the ingredients to an ice filled cocktail shaker and stir. Serve in a small coupette with a fresh cherry to garnish.

CHIVAS ARMY & NAVY

Tony has taken inspiration from the classic gin cocktail and substituted gin with Chivas 18.

The first Army & Navy recipe found by Tony is from 1948 so it could have been created in honour of the armed forces and it wasn’t long after the end of WWII. On the other hand, it may just have been created at the Army & Navy Club inWashington. 

Recipe – Per Serving

50ml Chivas 18

25ml Lemon Juice (Fresh Squeezed lemon juice)

15ml Cherry Orgeat

Add to a cocktail shaker over ice and shake. Double strain and serve in Coupe glassware, garnished each time with a lemon twist.

Chivas 18 Year Old is a luxurious blend of whiskies, hand-picked for their exceptional richness, including more than 20 of Scotland’s rarest single malts, aged for a minimum of 18 years.

Chivas 18 Year Old by Pininfarina is available globally now. See www.chivas.com for details 

Notes:

About Chivas 18 by Pininfarina

The Chivas 18 by Pininfarina limited edition series comprises three levels:

• Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Level 1 is available at a Duty Free price of £90 or equivalent (currency dependent) and can also be found at luxury retail outlets
• Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Level 2 is available from a Duty Free price of £360 or equivalent (currency dependent) and can also be found at luxury retail outlets
• Only five Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Mascherones are available to order. Hand assembled in Pininfarina Cambiano, price is on application 

About Chivas Regal

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.9 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific andAmericas. It was at the beginning of the 19th Century that blending pioneers James and John Chivas, two brothers fromAberdeeninScotland, first combined different matured whiskies to create a unique ‘house’ character, setting a standard that would be handed down through the generations. In 1909, Chivas Brothers made distilling history by creating the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky – a 25 year old blend called Chivas Regal. This sophisticated whisky tookAmericaby storm and went on to become an international legend. Today, the Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.

About Pininfarina Extra

With a history dating back to 1930, Pininfarina is based on values of creativity, experience and innovation without forgetting tradition. It combines avant-garde style and technical solutions aimed at functionality.

If Pininfarina is known worldwide for car design, Pininfarina Extra (a Company specialized in product and interior design, architecture, nautics and aeronautics) expresses its design philosophy in all areas of life where beauty combines with elegance, essentiality and comfort. Founded in 1986 and led by Paolo Pininfarina, President and MD, Pininfarina Extra is located in Cambiano (Turin).

Its partners include leading Companies such as Acer, Alenia Aeronautica, Coca-Cola, Jacuzzi, Juventus, Lavazza, Snaidero and Unilever. Its most recent projects include: the Keating Hotel by Pininfarina in San Diego, the interiors of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (Alenia Aeronautica), the Coca-Cola Freestyle drinks machine, the interiors of the Juventus Stadium, the Snaidero Ola 20 kitchen, the LED TV Acer AT58, and the Primatist B62’ yacht.

www.pininfarina.com

Dear Companions, Friends & Fellow Whisky Enthusiasts:

Many of us have had a passion for seeing how Scotch or Irish whisk(e)y and real ales are made, and even dreamt about participating in or becoming a founder-owner of a distillery or brewery.  Well, a new full-scale distillery is now being planned — not in Scotland or Ireland but right here in Canada. Graeme Macaloney, an experienced fermentation engineer and a Scotsman, is launching the Victoria Caledonian Distillery and is conducting a series of “Show & Tell” presentations including whisky tastings in Ontario (see dates below), BC., and Alberta.

Sun., 9th Jun., Newmarket:- 7:00pm,  Newmarket Masonic Temple, 441 Millard Ave., Newmarket, ON, L3Y 2A4

Mon 10th Jun., Ottawa:- 5:30pm,  Media-X’s boardroom at 1825 Woodward Drive, Ottawa, ON, K2C 0P9

Tues., 11th Jun., Cornwall:- 6:45pm, Quinns Inn, 17329 Kings Road & Highway 138, St. Andrew’s West (near Cornwall), ON, K0C 2A0

Wed., 12th Jun., Kitchener:- 6:15pm, Rum Runner Pub, 1 King St. West, Kitchener, ON, N2G 1A1

Thurs., 13th Jun., Oakville:- 7:00pm, The Oakville Club, 56 Water Street, Oakville, ON, L6J 2Y3

June, July & August:- Various locations in Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton & Calgary

 Founder-Owners receive a range of whisky and real ale benefits, including:

 + A five-day hands-on brewing and distilling academy;

+ Founders Reserve whisky (bottles or cask) or real ale keg(s);

+ Founder-Owner branded jacket and branded glassware;

+ Annual maturation party with meal, real ales & whisky, etc.

The new distillery plan has the full support of highly experienced whisky industry experts, including Mike Nicolson (Master Distiller who worked at 18 Scottish distilleries) and Dr. Jim Swan, who is an acknowledged global leader  in cask maturation. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity to get in on the ground floor, Graeme will be presenting information and answering questions at the above Ontario locations as well as in Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary during June, July & August.

The information sessions will, of course, include tastings of two very appropriate whiskies. If you would like to attend and you are genuinely interested in this program, please RSVP by email to Graeme@MacaloneyDistillers.com with your preferred date and Canadian location.

Slàinte!

Ed Patrick

Founder & President

The Companions of the Quaich

Ed examines a bottle of Benromach Traditional....

P.S. Graeme, in his consummate professionalism, has asked me to include the following:

This communique is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in MacMhaol-onfhaidh (‘Macaloney’) Brewers & Distillers Ltd (MBD). This document is not an offering memorandum and should not be construed as such. Anyone who wishes to invest in MBD should refer to MBD’s Offering Memorandum and should carefully consider the risk warnings and disclosures contained therein before making an investment decision. You may request a copy of the Offering Memorandum by contacting MBD at Graeme@MacaloneyDistillers.com.

At the recent Beverage Tasting Institutes International review of Spirits Awards PVI’s Brands went 3 for 3 with Gold Medals – Exceptional.

The English Whisky Co. English Peated Single Malt Whisky $64.99.
Pale golden color. Aromas of smoked nuts, peat, and honeyed biscuit with a silky soft, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a very earthy white cigar ash, peppery spice and honey cream finish. A civilized balance of delicate malt and robust smokiness. Delicious, drink neat and at room temperature.
International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
RATING: 94 points (Exceptional)
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 46.0%
CATEGORY: English Whisky, Whisky
TASTING LOCATION: In Our Chicago Tasting Room
TASTING DATE: May-22-2013

Sullivans Cove Double Cask Single Malt Whisky $99.99.
Golden yellow color. Aromas of salty butter roasted nuts, nougat, suede, and golden raisin with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a sourdough pastry, cedar, chestnut honey, vanilla bark, and pink peppercorn accented finish. A nice range of nutty flavors make this a pleasant sipping whisky.
International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
RATING: 91 points (Exceptional)
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 40.0%
CATEGORY: Australian Whisky, Whisky
TASTING LOCATION: In Our Chicago Tasting Room
TASTING DATE: May-29-2013

Amrut Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky $79.99.
Old gold color. Aromas of honey toasted nuts, vanilla fudge, dried alfalfa, and buttered raisin bread with a rich, fruity medium-full body and a long, toffee, mocha cream, mossy earth, green tobacco, and peppery spice finish. Nice vibrancy and layers of flavor. Add a little water for more honeyed fruit and smoothness.
International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
RATING: 91 points (Exceptional)
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 61.8%
CATEGORY: Indian Whisky, Whisky
TASTING LOCATION: In Our Chicago Tasting Room
TASTING DATE: May-22-2013

As a special treat, we are offering dads our personalised whisky for the same price as our 10 Year Old, making a bottle just £33.49 (usual price £38.49). However for members of the Family, we are offering an additional 10% discount making a bottle just £30.14. The offer ends June 16th, so don’t delay – the last order for delivery before Father’s Day is June 10th.

£30.14 – Buy Online Now >

MACKINLAY’S SHACKLETON

The Journey Edition Bottle + FREE Book

We’re delighted in presenting you this fantastic offer of the NEW Shackleton bottle with FREE Book which tells the story behind the bottling! Tasty Father’s Day idea!

The Sensory Experience
Colour: Light honey, straw gold with shimmering highlights.
Nose: Soft, elegant and refined. Delicate crushed apple, pear and fresh pineapple. Notes of oak shavings and smoke. Hints of vanilla, creamy caramel and nutmeg.
Taste: Plenty of impact on the palate; a tantalising array of flavours,harmonious and exhilarating.

The Presentation
Box: A unique, stand-out hexagonal “shipping case” with an open “see me” window on the front panel. The raffia-encasing of the product is reminiscent of the original straw-bound bottles discovered in the Antartic. A holographic badge issues authenticity.
Bottle: A painstaking process was followed to ensure all bubbles and imperfections in the original were replicated. In effect, the glass manufacturer turned off all the modern-day quality controls.
Label Set: All lettering was meticulously drawn by hand to ensure a perfect match to the original. Paperstocks were selected to perform as the original stocks of over a century ago.

AVAILABLE NOW – £99.99

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #51

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, was able to secure his bottle of the much coveted Ardbog, this year’s release for Ardbeg Day. This is a peaty Ileach that matured for 10 years in American White Oak and Manzanilla sherry casks. And to be honest…it’s a good one!

http://youtu.be/6ON0jysIoRc

Kilchoman Launch New Loch Gorm

ImpEx Beverages, Inc. is glad to let you know that Kilchoman have announced the launch of an entirely new range called Loch Gorm. Named after a famously peaty loch at the end of the Kilchoman drive, Loch Gorm will be the only fully ex-sherry cask matured release from Kilchoman.

As with the two other ranges in Kilchoman’s portfolio, Loch Gorm will be periodically re-released as a more mature version with each bottling differentiated by distillation and bottling years printed on the label.

This, the first release of Loch Gorm was matured in Oloroso sherry butts for over 5 years and finished in Oloroso sherry hogsheads for six weeks to give added depth of colour and character.

Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Managing Director “’previous sherry matured Kilchomans have been very popular with our customers and I’m sure this will be as equally well received. It shows wonderful balance between the peat smoke and spicy rich flavours typical of sherry cask maturation.”

Loch Gorm is bottled at 46% ABV and RRP is $ 89.99. This is a limited release of 10,000 bottles worldwide, only 200 cases are allocated for the US market.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: soft peaty aromas and a blend of soft fruits and spice
• Palate: an initial sweetness is followed by soft peat smoke, mixed fruits and spice
• Finish: a long clean finish with a depth of character and richness that belies its tender age