New Spirit Arrivals June 2013: GlenDronach, Ardbog and more!

We are pleased to highlight the range of whiskies from High West Distillery in Park City, Utah, the first legally licensed distillery in Utah since the end of the Prohibition. High West Distillery was named 2011 “Whiskey Pioneer of the Year” by Whiskey Advocate, America’s leading whiskey magazine.

This month also sees the eagerly awaited release of Ardbog from Ardbeg distillery, celebrated on Ardbog day on 1st June!

High West Campfire
Marriage of two straight rye whiskies that combines the feisty properties of a high rye 2-year-old and the saddle smooth richness of a 16-year-old. The 2-year-old has a 95% rye 5% barley malt mashbill. The older rye has a “barely legal” rye mashbill of 53% rye and 37% corn. The extra age and corn provides some extra sweetness to calm the “bite” of the younger rye for a relationship that works. £55.00

High West American Prairie Reserve
A blend of two whiskies: Whiskey #1: 6 year old Bourbon. Mashbill from 75% Corn, 20% rye, 5% barley malt. Whiskey #2: 10 year old Bourbon. Mashbill from 60% Corn, 35% rye, and 5% barley malt. £46.95

High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey
Marriage of two straight rye whiskies: a straight 6-year-old with a mashbill containing 95% rye and 5% barley malt; a straight 16-year-old with a mashbill containing 80% rye, 10% corn, 10% barley malt. £55.00

Fettercairn Fasque
Founded by Sir Alexander Ramsey in 1824 on his family’s Fasque Estate, Fettercairn is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland. This noble beast today adorns every bottle of the Fettercairn single malt whisky as a seal of the purity within.

Colour: Honey gold
Nose: Treacle toffee, spices and pear
Taste: Dark chocolate, coffee, cinnamon and nutmeg
Finish: Rich vanilla and citrus fruits
£49.95

Colonel Taylor Single Barrel Bourbon
This classic bourbon features a nose of lightly toasted oak with dried figs and butterscotch. Sweetness on the tongue remains perfectly balanced with tobacco and dark spices that finish just long enough to prepare the palette for another sip.
£88.95

Colonel Taylor Small Batch Bourbon
A smooth flavor of caramel corn sweetness is mingled with tones of butterscotch and licorice. The aftertaste is a soft mouth feel that turns into subtle spices of pepper and tobacco. £88.95

GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 2
Wonderful rich aromas of honey drenched raisins and sultanas. Candied ginger and orange peel on the palate are spiced with a beautifully delicate back note of warm oak. Please email lee.tomlinson@milroys.co.uk to pre-register interest

Ardbog
The 1st of June is Ardbog Day with the launch of this long awaited new release from Ardbeg. Claimed to be the peatiest whisky in the world, this is surely a rare dram indeed! Availability extremely limited: please email lee.tomlinson@milroys.co.uk to pre-register interest

Our mailing address is:
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London, England W1D 4NX
United Kingdom

Elements of Islay Tasting with Simply Whisky

We had a tremendous Elements of Islay tasting at TWE Vinopolis on Monday 13th May, hosted by Simon Roser and Franchi Ferla of Simply Whisky. Simply Whisky are great pals of TWE and have their own unique take on whisky: their events … Continue reading >>

Personalise your very own bottle of The Famous Grouse, available online and in store, or The Glenturret Single Malt whisky, available in store. For orders or more information on our products, please visit www.thefamousgrouse.com/online-shop

www.ralfy.com explains why older matured whiskies need a bit more time to discover with Whisky Review 365 – Isle of Arran 16yo

Get ready for #youranCnoc Day

Whisky Wants Best anCnoc Moments for June 17^th Twitter Contest

Smart phones at the ready! On Monday June 17^th anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky wants whisky fans around the world to snap and Tweet a picture of how they most enjoy a dram – and in return their idea could feature on one of 10 personally illustrated bottles of anCnoc with one lucky winner cinching a trip to New York.

In a first for the brand, #youranCnoc builds on anCnoc’s long standing association with design and illustration by asking whisky drinkers around the world to share their own anCnoc moments as the creative spark for their own exclusive bottle.

It’s simple to get involved with this fast-paced, one-day Twitter event – think about how you like to drink your anCnoc, snap a picture that sums it up, and Tweet it to @anCnoc_whisky using #youranCnoc between 00.00 (GMT) on Monday June 17^th and 09.00 (GMT) on Tuesday June 18^th.

The 10 winning images will be chosen over the course of the next day and used to inspire bespoke illustrations by Scottish-born, New York- based illustrator – and anCnoc partner – Peter Arkle at his studio in Manhattan. His finished drawings will be speedily dispatched across the Atlantic to the anCnoc team in Scotland where the 10 unique packs will be created for winners.

In an exciting twist for entrants, on Monday June 24^th, the anCnoc team will also reveal their favourite overall #youranCnoc Tweet which will win its creator a four-night stay in New York with a friend, to enjoy the sites and to be presented with their bottle by Peter.

anCnoc Brand Manager Gillian Gibson said:

“anCnoc’s series of illustrated Peter Arkle exclusives has been extremely popular, so we are very excited to be taking the idea to a whole new level with this campaign, giving our drinkers the chance to have their very own anCnoc moment brought to life and illustrated by Peter on our packs.

“For me, I would say my #youranCnoc moment is sitting in the garden with my nearest and dearest enjoying a sunny barbecue with my dram.

“For others it might be looking out over the countryside, or sitting down at the beach or even curled up by the fire with the dog. There are no right answers. We’re just looking for pictures that inspire us and really sum up the different experiences people have and their love of good whisky. It’s now over to our drinkers and we are really looking forward to seeing the results of our first twitter challenge on June 17^th.”

The #youranCnoc campaign has been launched to celebrate the third Limited Edition Peter Arkle release for anCnoc. The latest release, which features an illustration depicting the brick work at the Knockdhu distillery is filled with a liquid which has anCnoc’s signature honey and lemon smell and has a spicy taste with notes of citrus, sherry and dark chocolate.

Limited to only 1000 cases, this Limited Edition will be available online and through specialist retailers in the UK as well as across the globe in the USA, Germany, Russia, Japan, Taiwan and Canada.

Peter Arkle commented:

“The terms ‘money-can’t buy’ and ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ are often used but in this instance that really is the case. This is such an exciting opportunity for people to get a truly personal bottle of anCnoc which will be long treasured I’m sure.

“There are many places I enjoy a dram but if I had to pick one #youranCnoc moment it would be sitting up on my plant-filled roof terrace looking over New York’s East Village–– my little oasis of calm and relaxation amongst the madness of the city. Perfect after a hard day of drawing.”

Each winner in the #youranCnoc campaign will also receive a bottle of the latest Limited Edition.

For more information on the anCnoc range or the #youranCnoc campaign please visit www.anCnoc.com

Notes

About anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky  is produced at the Knockdhu Distillery which was established in 1894 and is one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It’s renowned the world over by malt enthusiasts for producing a single malt that makes every day a special occasion. The new limited edition product joins the popular anCnoc 12 year old, a light yet complex dram and a yearly vintage, currently the 1998, which is bottled in its natural form producing high intensity malt.

Known for championing the contemporary visual arts and this new campaign builds on anCnoc’s grassroots arts sponsorships in cutting-edge Scottish galleries, which to date have generated a vibrant and modern environment for drinking whisky.

About Peter Arkle 

Peter Arkle is been a freelance Scottish illustrator, based in New York City.  Born in Penicuik he graduated from St. Martin’s School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London, before moving to New York, where his unique style flourished. He has been working freelance since 1993, contributing to books, newspapers and magazines such as The New Yorker, Newsweek and Oprah, in addition to leading global brands and businesses.

About International Beverage 

International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

International Beverage brands include:

• Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand
• Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
• Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
• Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals

The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network.  Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of more than 12 nationalities speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.

June 2013 Outturn Offerings 

Glowing embers on the tongue 

Cask No. 53.173                      $125

Islay

Typical sooty, briny and oily fish scents initially with citric, herbal and medicinal background notes but there were also shout outs for ‘wet fish boxes’, ‘peppered roast carrots’, ‘light honey on brown toast’, and ‘tart berries’. To taste the Panel agreed it had a very ashy texture – hot ash, ‘like glowing embers’ said one – but the vanilla and honey helped counterbalance the salty, smoky and sweet medicinal characters. The addition of water brought out harbourside notes with drying kelp, dried fish, and rock pools; less of an impact to taste but very refreshing nonetheless. This distillery was completely rebuilt in 1972.

Drinking tip: When you want to THINK of a long walk along the beach

Colour: Pale yellow                                              Date distilled: August 1995

Cask: Refill Sherry butt                                        Alcohol: 59.8%

Age: 16 years                                         USA allocation: 120 bottles 

Wedding cake and jelly babies 

Cask No. 50.51                       $155

Lowland

The nose offered juicy fruits (green apples, pineapple, vanilla, orange) framed in wood – walnut shells, hazelnuts, shelf of leather books; one panellist said ‘dunnage warehouses’, another said ‘church pulpits’ – would combining the two result in drams instead of psalms? The palate was big and tasty, with woody, adult sweetness – buttered gingerbread, marrons glacés, Snickers, vanilla, honey, orange creams and chewed pencils. Fruitier with water, the nose had apple pie, wedding cake, pineapple cubes and bags of jelly babies, while the palate found watermelon, coconut, crystallised ginger and perhaps even Elven Lembas. Whisky from the far south of Middle Earth.

Drinking tip: A winter evening, by the fire, reading Tolkein

Colour: ‘One ring to bind them all’                                  Date distilled: January 1990

Cask: Refill barrel                                                Alcohol: 55.8%

Age: 22 years                                         USA allocation: 90 bottles 

A promise of sophisticated desserts 

Cask No. 72.24                       $85

Speyside, Lossie

The nose was fabulously rich and evocative – loads of nuts, especially walnuts (coffee and walnut ice-cream, walnut whip), mocha, balsamico, five-spice, canvas and a pomander with orange and clove. The palate was richly rounded, deep and unusual with great character for its age – treacle, cola cubes, roasted hazelnuts and coffee-flavoured dark chocolate. The reduced nose offered dark, sticky honey cake with crushed nuts, chocolate cherries, Black Forest gateau and Toffee Crisp. The palate now promised sophisticated desserts – tiramisu, crème brûlée, sticky dates and golden meringues – sweet but very grown up – the finish ultra-dry. The distillery had connections with Pluscarden Priory.

Drinking tip: After dinner; with dessert, before dessert, even instead of dessert

Colour: Bright polished oak                                  Date distilled: September 2004

Cask: White wine hogshead                                   Alcohol: 60.9%

Age: 8 years                                           USA allocation: 90 bottles 

Bitter marmalade and boozy prunes 

Cask No. 121.55                      $110

Highland, Island

Initial nose impressions included gym shoes, candles and faint struck match – soon replaced by treacle toffee, light sherry and slightly over-done fruit cake – then vanilla, rhubarb and ginger crumble, peanut brittle and trifle with strawberry and coconut. With water the nose found cough lozenges, scallop shells, Bakelite and brine. The unreduced palate tasted of fruit cake, hard toffee, bitter marmalade, burnt plums and boozy prunes. Water improved it, taking away the bitter and the burnt elements – now soft toffee, liquorice allsorts, Oddfellows (spicy sweets), chocolate, glazed donuts, Aberdeen butteries and hints of mint. This Lochranza distillery was completed in 1995.

Drinking tip: Would go with food – or a tasty wee dram for early evening after work

Colour: Light rose gold                                        Date distilled: January 2000

Cask: Refill hogshead                                           Alcohol: 56.1%

Age: 12 years                                         USA allocation: 114 bottles

Please visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society at www.smwsa.com

UK vlogger Joe Ellis a.k.a Whisky Wednesday reviews Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

http://youtu.be/xva5fQ0Ppxg

http://Facebook.com/whiskytube

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

Texas and Georgia: Whisky is Coming!

WoW Expos Austin and Atlanta

Ten months is a long time to wait for the WOW San Fran 2014 and we don’t have to; there are two more WoW Expos this year!  The Second Annual Whiskies of the World Expo Austin, Texas, is coming back on October 2 to the Austin Music Hall. The Inaugural Whiskies of the World Atlanta, Georgia to take place on November 1 at the Intercontinental Buckhead. Tickets are now on Early Bird sale for both shows, so don’t miss out on the deep discounts. WoW Austin and Atlanta promise two stupendous evenings of nosing and tasting the world’s finest whiskies, special and limited bottlings during the VIP hour, unique Masterclasses, whisky swag, cigars—all the fun WoW staff, now with a local twist! If you live in Texas or Georgia, you have already made it easy on yourself; for all those non-locals who include Austin or Atlanta on their tourist destination map, now you have both an excuse and an occasion. Take a whisky mini-vacation, and in addition to spirits celebration, enjoy the beautiful scenery, authentic foods, and the atmosphere the beautiful cities have to provide.

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.

Royal Salute Launch Exclusive Norton & Sons Polo Jacket

Luxury Scotch whisky brand Royal Salute has launched a bespoke suit jacket, designed and crafted by Savile Row tailor, Patrick Grant of Norton & Sons. Royal Salute has partnered exclusively with the British tailor to create the jackets, which will be presented in recognition of achievement in the world of polo.

The first jacket was presented by World No.1 polo player and Royal Salute ambassador, Facundo Pieres, to High Goal Patron, Adrian Kirby. In future, recipients will also have the honour of being presented the jacket by Royal Salute ambassador, His Grace Torquhil Ian Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll.

As a tailor to British nobility and leaders for almost two centuries, including King Edward VII and Winston Churchill, Norton & Sons’ heritage is formidable. This history combined with the brands exquisite sense of style has created a jacket which will become an icon throughout the Royal Salute World polo series.

Facundo Pieres, Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador, commented: “Royal Salute has shown their full support and commitment to polo over the years; I am honoured to represent the Royal Salute World Polo programme globally and to be part of this fantastic journey. Polo is my life and has been in my family for decades and I hope to share this passion with the world. I am delighted to have been gifted this exclusive item in celebration of the ‘King’s of Polo’, which I will wear with pride.”

The collaboration celebrates the ‘Sport of Kings’ and encapsulates the very essence of polo, bringing to life the craftsmanship and heritage of the sport. The Royal Salute Norton & Sons polo jacket defines the ‘Kings of Polo, Today’ and encompasses true luxury away from the field of play.

Neil Macdonald, Global Brand Director for Royal Salute, commented: “Patrick Grant of Norton & Sons is the perfect counterpart for Royal Salute as he brings to life the craftsmanship and bespoke quality which reflects the ‘Sport of Kings’ off the field. Patrick is a highly respected tailor on Savile Row and with his attention to detail and clever design, this jacket will become iconic at Royal Salute polo gatherings.”

Royal Salute’s commitment to international polo is ever growing, with sponsorships of some of the world’s most prestigious polo events across America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.

Notes 

About Norton & Sons
Norton & Sons was established in 1821 by Walter Norton as tailors to the Gentlemen of the City of London. Originally located on the Strand, his business flourished and in 1859 then Guv’nor George James Norton was granted the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his services to tailoring. In the 1860’s Norton & Sons moved to Savile Row to join the ranks of tailors in what was to become the home of bespoke clothing.

Norton & Sons continued to thrive in the 20th century and in the latter half incorporated the celebrated Savile Row houses Hammond & Co, J. Hoare & Co, E. Tautz & Sons and Todhouse Reynard & Co. We are proud to have been tailors to the royal households of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Prussia, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom, and to three US Presidents.

The firm gained eminence as a sporting tailor, making sharply cut garments for rugged and robust outdoorsmen. Men such as King Edward VII, Wilfred Thesiger and the young Winston Churchill, for whom we made everything from dinner suits to racing silks.

About Royal Salute
Royal Salute begins where other whiskies end, as only the most precious whiskies aged for at least 21 years are used to create the masterful and sophisticated blend.

Royal Salute represents the pinnacle of Scotch whisky, with a range that starts with Royal Salute 21 Year Old, and includes Royal Salute 38 Year old and Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute – the world’s oldest permanent whisky expression.

Originally crafted in 1953 by Chivas Brothers to mark the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Salute continues to celebrate inspiring and noble leadership today through its committed support of international polo.

About Royal Salute World Polo
Royal Salute is a leading international supporter of polo, ‘the king of sports and the sport of kings’. Royal Salute World Polo is truly international with a presence in every major region globally:

o Argentina Campeonado Abierto de Polo, Palermo, Buenos Aires
o Australia Sydney Gold Cup, Sydney and Portsea Polo, Victoria
o Brazil Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, São Paulo and Copa Ouro São José Polo, São Paulo
o China Royal Salute China Open, Beijing
o India Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, Jodphur
o Italy Polo Gold Cup, Cortina d’ Ampezzo
o South Korea Royal Salute Polo Cup, Jeju
o Spain Sotogrande, Cádiz
o UAE Royal Salute Nations Cup, Dubai
o USA Foundation Polo Challenge, Santa Barbara and Royal Salute Jubilee Cup, Greenwich, New York
o UK The Sentebale Polo Cup, Coworth Park, Kent & Curwen Polo Club, London
And Beaufort Polo Cup, Tetbury

About Chivas Brothers
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.