www.ralfy.com has an Independent moment with Whisky Review 366 – Clynelish 16yo (Signatory)

Glenmorangie’s Men of Tain set to share the secrets of Scotland’s favourite malt whisky 

— Glenmorangie’s free, family-friendly Open Weekend will offer 170 years of history, Scotland’s tallest whisky stills, special tours, barbecue and tastings on June 15 and 16 — 

Members of the public will be able to witness the magic of Scotland’s tallest stills in action when Glenmorangie’s distillery in Tain puts on a special Open Weekend on June 15 and 16.

The weekend-long programme of free tours, tastings and events will lift the lid on the production process behind Scotland’s favourite single malt.

Visitors will be able to meet and talk with the Men of Tain – the select group of craftsmen who are entrusted with the secrets of the Glenmorangie Distillery. Their dedication and skill has been handed down from generation to generation since the founding of the distillery in 1843.

They can also see the distillery’s 12 copper-necked stills in operation, the necks of which stand at over 16ft – the same height as a fully grown adult giraffe. This guarantees a smoother finish as only the lightest and purest vapours ascend to the top.

Paul Skipworth, President and Managing Director of The Glenmorangie Company, said: “We’ve been part of the Ross-shire landscape for 170 years when William Matheson first established the distillery. We are delighted to have this Open Weekend and to share some of the secrets that go in to making our famous whisky.

“Glenmorangie is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland, and we’d encourage as many people as possible to experience the special ‘cathedral-like’ atmosphere of this beautiful still house, and the tranquil surroundings of the distillery for themselves.”
As a family-friendly weekend, complementary activities include a barbecue, crêperie, hot chocolate, falconry and performances by the Tain Pipe Band.

Doors open from 10am until 4.30pm on Saturday and Sunday and there are two types of free tours available.

Tour A lasts three hours and starts at 10.15am and 12.30pm. There are only two of this very select type of tour per day. Ten lucky people on each tour will, as well as touring the distillery, also visit the Hilton of Cadboll Stone, Glenmorangie House, Tarlogie Spring and enjoy a very unusual sonic tasting. Those interested must pre-book this tour and places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Tour B will take place every half hour from 10am. Booking is advisable but not essential. Visitors will see the mash house, still house, warehousing, and enjoy a whisky tasting and be given a tasting glass to take away as a memento.

Annette Mackenzie, Visitor Centre Manager at the Glenmorangie Distillery, said: “The Glenmorangie success story is as much about people as it is about whisky. We want as many visitors to see first-hand the artistry and dedication of the Men of Tain and what goes in to producing the perfect dram time and again.

“We will also be offering visitors the chance to join in the selection and design of a special, limited edition Glenmorangie through our unique Cask Masters programme, which we launched earlier in the year.”

Members of the public interesting in attending the Open Days should telephone 01862 892477 or email tain-shop@glenmorangie.co.uk

The Glenmorangie Distillery Open Weekend is part of a wider initiative being run by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the owners of The Glenmorangie Company. During the course of June 15 to 16, 40 of LVMH’s brands across Europe including Krug, Bulgari and TAG Heuer, will also throw open their doors to the public in a programme called Journées Particulières www.journeesparticulieres.com

NOTES:

About Glenmorangie:

Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky originates in the Scottish Highlands where, at the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland, expertly matured in the finest oak casks, and perfected by the Men of Tain. The Distillery was founded in 1843 and is renowned as a pioneer in its field uniting tradition with innovation to create ‘unnecessarily well made whiskies.’

About Cask Masters:

To find out more about Cask Masters www.caskmasters.glenmorangie.com

Responsible Drinking:

The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers savour Glenmorangie whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption. 

About LVMH:

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is represented in Wines and Spirits by a portfolio of brands that includes Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Krug, Ruinart, Mercier, Château d’Yquem, Hennessy, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Numanthia, Vodka Belvedere, 10 Cane, Chandon, Cloudy Bay, Terrazas de los Andes, Cheval des Andes, Green Point, Cape Mentelle, Newton.

The Fashion and Leather Goods division includes Louis Vuitton, Céline, Loewe, Kenzo, Givenchy, Thomas Pink, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Berluti and StefanoBi.

LVMH is also prominent in the Perfumes and Cosmetics sector with Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain, Parfums Givenchy, Parfums Kenzo, Perfumes Loewe as well as other cosmetic companies (BeneFit Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever, Acqua di Parma and Fresh).

LVMH is also active in selective retailing through DFS, Sephora, Le Bon Marché, la Samaritaine and Royal Van Lent.

LVMH’s Watches and Jewellery division comprises Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Chaumet, Dior Watches, Zenith, Fred, Hublot and De Beers Jewellery, a joint venture created with the world’s leading diamond group.

New Release: Ardbog

The 1st of June was the second Ardbeg, or Ardbog Day, as it is known this year.

Ardbog will be available from Milroy’s in the coming days and with demand expected to be high we thought we would do a mail out, so you don’t miss out!

£79.95 – LIMITED TO ONE BOTTLE PER CUSTOMER

Delivery is £9.95 within the UK and charged at cost to the rest of the World.

Please email lee.tomlinson@milroys.co.uk  or call 0207 437 2385.

Our mailing address is:
Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London, England W1D 4NX
United Kingdom

Miss Whisky has been busy (as usual) and here’s a synopsis of her efforts this week;

Ardbog Day event & whisky review: LINK

Paul John interview & whisky review: LINK

Wemyss Malts review: LINK

Balvenie Masters of Crafts update: LINK

Make This the Best Father’s Day Ever with a Canadian Whisky Book

Apparently, people spend 33 per cent less for Father’s Day gifts than they do for Mother’s Day. And some people feel guilty about that.

Well, here’s a little secret. Dads appreciate just being remembered. More funky socks? Glow-in-the-dark ties? Car wash supplies? Yes! They all say, “You remembered.”

But if you want to make him extra happy why not combine the two things men most enjoy relaxing with – whisky and a book. This year give your dad a copy of Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert.

Here he will learn the skills he needs to understand flavours and aromas. And just to be sure, tasting notes for more than 100 whiskies are included.

Along the way, he will hear compelling tales of the disasters, sudden triumphs and destructive family feuds that make up Canada’s colourful whisky lore.

It’s a revealing story of family dynasties, innovative science, fortunes made and lost, and sometimes brave and occasionally odd corporate strategies.

Yes, Dad is special. And once again this Father’s Day he’ll welcome more socks and ties. But why not give him something to enjoy at his leisure? And be prepared for the big grin that will spread over his face.

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is available from book stores in Canada and the U.S., on the worldwide web from Amazon.com, and from Chapters.com for delivery in Canada.

• Ardbeg “Ardbog” Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($99.99)
Ardbeg distillery manager Mickey Heads called the new “Ardbog” the best special edition of Ardbeg he’d ever tasted. We think it’s pretty good, as well. Manzanilla sherry casks featured heavily in the year’s limited release, creating a smoky, peaty, boggy creme brulee flavor that starts with vigor, but finishes with dessert-like richness. It’s quite a spectacular whisky and one we don’t plan on having for long.

• 2002 Bowmore 10 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Exclusive Malts” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($69.99)
We love us some Bowmore here at K&L. When Bowmore is on, it’s unstoppable, mainly because no other Islay distillery has the same richness of fruit and oily texture in conjunction with all the peaty campfire smoke. This young barrel of Bowmore we found outside of Glasgow represents everything we love about the distillery’s special style: light in color, smoked plums on the nose, fresh fruit and vanilla on the palate, swimming with the perfect amount of saline seawater and peat. The first thing David and I said to each other was: “this tastes like a younger version of the 17 year old!” Alas, the wonderful, magical, ethereal 17 year old is no longer in production at the distillery and we’d both finished our last bottles. The chance to perhaps replicate that gentle flavor profile at full proof was just too good to pass up. For the price, this is a no-brainer. There’s not one Islay fan out there who wouldn’t go ga-ga for this whisky. Supple, fruity, smoky, salty, luscious, nutty, complex, and tasty. Now we just have to hope there’s enough to go around for everyone. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

• 1995 Fettercairn 17 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Exclusive Malts” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($84.99)
Fettercairn distillery has been around since 1824, when it was established by Sir Alexander Ramsay, and has enjoyed a tumultuous sales history since that time. It was sold in 1830 to Sir John Gladstone, turned over to his son John Roberts in 1890, who then bought out the other investors in 1912. The distillery was closed in 1926, but reopened in 1939 by new owners Associated Scottish Distillers. In 1971 it was purchased by the Tomintoul Distillery Co, which was subsequently bought out by Whyte & Mackay in 1973, who had nothing but mergers and buy outs over the next three decades. Today Fettercairn is owned by United Spirits, which is partially owned by Diageo, again leaving the distillery in a netherworld of confusion. Fettercairn is pretty much absent in the states because most of the whisky is used in bulk production for private UK businesses like Tesco and Asda, leaving the distillery little chance to showcase its potential as a single malt. This 1995 vintage barrel we found outside of Glasgow is simply charming with aromas of ripe fruit and flowers on the nose. The palate exudes a classic malty core of flavor with wood spices and rich vanilla on the finish. It’s almost too easy to sip. This is a fantastic deal for mature, full-proof, well-made Highland single malt whisky. It’s also a chance to learn more about a historic distillery completely lost in the shuffle of industry business and financial uncertainty. We jumped all over this. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

Black Bull 12 Year Blended Scotch Whisky 750ml ($49.99)

Black Bull 40 Year Blended Scotch Whisky 750ml ($299.99)

1998 Longrow 14 Year Old Fresh Madeira Barrel Cask  Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($139.99)

Longrow Rundlets & Kilderkins Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($114.99)

1997 Springbank 15 Year Old Rechar Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 5 available ($144.99)

1996 Springbank 16 Year Old Amontillado Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 3 available ($169.99)

1995 Springbank 17 Year Old Refill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 3 available ($179.99)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

Belle Meade Sour Mash Bourbon 750ml – 12 available ($36.99)

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

EVENTS 2013 – 2014

July
As a Royal Warrant holder, we will be at Buckingham Palace for the Coronation Festival.

August
THE FAMOUS GROUSE BIRTHDAY – Celebrate with us on Sunday 11th

November/December
CHRISTMAS FAYRE WEEKEND WITH SANTA – Stock up with food, crafts and gifts. November 30th & December 1st 10am – 6pm

SANTA’S GROTTO
December 14th & 15th, 21st & 22nd 1pm – 4.30pm  December 23rd & 24th  10am – 4.30pm

Visit their blog http://blog.thefamousgrouse.com for full info on all of our upcoming events.

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #50

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, was part of a selection committee for the Bonding Dram’s next cask. It turned out to be one helluva Dalmore. Check it out!

http://youtu.be/S20KonDd-qk

Devil’s Cut™ wins a Global Effie

Jim Beam is now in highly acclaimed good company by taking home top bronze honors at the prestigious EFFIE awards for our global Beam Devil’s Cut launch campaign. In the world of advertising, receiving a global EFFIE award is equivalent to the Oscars … red carpet and all!

Beam was only one of three worldwide finalists who won. Nike also won a bronze and Febreze won a silver for its Olympic work. “We BEAT the likes of Coke and Diageo and a dozen other major finalists, so this is something to be really proud of,” said Chris Peddy, VP Global Marketing.

Congratulations to our global marketing team as well as our agency partners who were inspired by the core behavioral idea of unleashing the devil’s spirit of Jim Beam. “This was truly a team and 360 inspired consumer effort,” said Chris. “Obviously our business results speak for themselves and are also a primary reason why we won.”

Devil’s Cut is now sold in more than 20 countries around the world.

About Beam Inc.

As one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Pinnacle Vodka, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher’s Scotch Whisky, Skinnygirl Cocktails, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC and DeKuyper Cordials.  Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,400 passionate associates worldwide generated 2012 sales of $2.5 billion (excluding excise taxes), volume of 38 million 9-liter equivalent cases and some of the industry’s fastest growing innovations.

Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index.  For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

Loch Fyne Whiskies  ‘New in Stock: Bruichladdich Renaissance 11.09.01’

Bruichladdich Renaissance 11.09.01

46% abv 9 Years Old

£68.50 inc vat £57.08 ex vat

Best regards,

Loch Fyne Whiskies

david@lfw.co.uk