Here are the details for the event:

Date: Friday June 7^th, 2013.

Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Location: The Strath Ale Wine & Spirit Merchants, 919 Douglas Street, Victoria.

Price: $35 each for Members & Partners, $45 for Non-Members/Guests.

(Reduction of $5 per ticket from previous events)

The Tasting includes SIX new releases again this month and I will be pouring two whiskies from previous releases.

(The bottle prices have gone down between $6 and $10 per bottle.)

As always, appropriate food nibbles are included to assist your palate. 

NON MEMBERS & GUESTS ARE MOST WELCOME 

REGISTRATION:   

1. Space is limited so you must register to secure your place.

Please email or drop into the store or phone and speak to Richard White or Colin Southcombe

Email: whisky@strathconahotel.com   

Phone: 250-370-9463

2. Please pre-pay for your virtual ticket in advance.   

The Tasting will start PROMPTLY at 6:30pm and will conclude no later than 8:00pm

IMPORTANT: Please remember these are cask strength whiskies, so you should not be driving home after the tasting.

PURCHASES:

All Society whiskies, including the new June releases, are available for purchase on the night, on a first come first served basis.  Every member will be given a chance to buy a bottle of any available whisky before someone else can purchase 2 or more.  Any non-member who joins the Society on the night may also order product. Any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me or Richard White.

Slainté!

Colin Southcombe

General Manager

The Strath Ale Wine & Spirit Merchants

919 Douglas Street, Victoria BC, V8W 2C2

Tel: 250-370-9463

All for a good cause with Whisky Review 363 – The Joey Dunlop Foundation Malt Whisky.

www.ralfy.com

UK vlogger Joe Ellis a.k.a Whisky Wednesday reviews Clynelish 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

http://youtu.be/L4Rp3tGXF2M
http://Facebook.com/whiskytube

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

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Glenmorangie celebrates Everest world first

— On eve of 60-year anniversary of first ascent, Glenmorangie unearths pics it believes show the highest point a bottle of Scotch whisky has ever reached on Earth —

— Pictures taken at Camp Two on Rebecca Stephens’ historic 1993 Everest climb; the first by a British female climber —

As the world prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest tomorrow (Wednesday 29 May), Glenmorangie has unearthed a world first for malt whisky.

In May 1993 Rebecca Stephens MBE became the first British female mountaineer to stand at the roof of the world – with only four years’ climbing experience.

Rebecca’s summit bid was backed by Glenmorangie, which also provided the team with Glenmorangie 10 Years Old to raise their spirits at Base Camp.

Now, 20 years on, Glenmorangie has uncovered pictures in its archive of expedition team members at Everest’s Camp Two at 6500m (21,300 ft) in the Western Cwm, holding a bottle of Glenmorangie.

This is believed to be the highest a bottle of single malt has ever reached on Earth.

The news comes almost 60 years to the day after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay scaled the world’s highest peak. To mark the occasion, Glenmorangie will make a donation to Rebecca Stephens’ chosen charities – the Mount Everest Foundation and The Himalayan Trust UK.

Paul Skipworth, President and Managing Director of The Glenmorangie Company, who will present Rebecca with the donation, said: “In 1993 Glenmorangie supported Rebecca Stephens when she wrote herself into the record books with her historic achievement.

“The expedition team took a case of Scotland’s favourite malt whisky with them, which we thought they had enjoyed at Base Camp. We were amazed to discover last week that they had actually taken a bottle to Camp Two, which we believe to be the topmost point on Earth that a bottle of single malt has ever reached.

“Glenmorangie is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland, so we identify with Rebecca’s quest to reach the summit and be the best. We are delighted to be supporting Rebecca again and taking part in this celebration of one of mankind’s greatest achievements.”

Rebecca Stephens MBE, chair of The Himalayan Trust UK, said: “The Everest 60th anniversary is a momentous landmark for all climbers. I look back on our 1993 summit as a special chapter in my life.

“The support we received on our climb was invaluable and our bottles of Glenmorangie raised spirits in every sense. It’s only when Glenmorangie showed me the pictures from their archive that I realised how significant taking that bottle up to Camp Two had been: to be honest, I hadn’t thought to mention it!”

Just weeks after her Everest conquest Rebecca returned to Glenmorangie’s Highland distillery to lay down a special cask celebrating her feat.

In 2003, 408 bottles of Glenmorangie Mount Everest were bottled to commemorate Rebecca’s achievement, some of which were sent to the 1993 Everest summit team. The proceeds of their sale raised £15,000 for The Himalayan Trust UK, which helps the Sherpa community.

In 1993 Rebecca climbed with two Sherpas, Ang Passang and Kami Tchering. “Without them it would have been impossible,” she said. Rebecca was named an honorary ‘Sherpani’ for her bravery and spirit.

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NOTES:

Pictures:
1 and 2: Just weeks after her Everest conquest Rebecca returned to Glenmorangie’s Highland distillery to lay down a special cask celebrating her feat; 3 and 4: The 1993 team at Camp Two, 21,300 feet, with a bottle of Glenmorangie. (l to r) Dr Sandy Scott, Nawang Sherpa, Harry Taylor and Rebecca Stephens; 5: Glenmorangie scales new heights, Rebecca Stephens with a bottle of Glenmorangie at Camp Two, 21,300 feet; 6: Sherpa Kami Tchering (left) and Rebecca Stephens MBE on top of the world; 7. The Glenmorangie Distillery in Tain, in the Highlands of Scotland; 8. Glenmorangie’s still house in Tain houses the tallest whisky stills in Scotland. Picture credit for 3-5: John Barry.

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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.’

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 Rebecca Stephens MBE:
Rebecca is the first British woman to have climbed Everest. Rebecca then went on to become the first English-speaking woman in the world to climb the Seven Summits, the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. With a passionate belief that every individual can achieve their goals, Rebecca lectures on personal and leadership development to corporate audiences and schools. She wrote a book about her ascent of Everest: On Top of the World, and a leadership book with management guru Robert Heller: “Seven Summits of Success”.  www.rebeccastephens.com

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Scotch Whisky Auctions 26th Auction is now live, details can be viewed via the link below;

THE LINK

The 26th Auction runs until Sunday 2nd of June

St Magdalene 1975 / Rare Old Gordon & MacPhail

70cl / 43% Vol

A 1975 vintage from the closed distillery, St Magdalene (Linlithgow). Aged in refill sherry hogsheads, bottled by Gordon & MacPhail at 43% vol, as part of the Rare Old Series.

£330.00  (£275.00 ex vat)

Click here to buy St Magdalene 1975 / Rare Old / Gordon & MacPhail

St Magdalene 1979 / 1998 The Rare Malt Selection

70cl / 63.80% Vol

Distilled in 1979 at the now silent St Magdalene distillery and aged for 19 years before being bottled in 1998 as part of The Rare Malts Selection. Sadly, St Magdalene single malt whisky is very rarely found, the distillery was closed by its owners, United Distillers, in the mid 1980’s.

£475.00 (£395.83 ex vat)

Click here to buy St Magdalene The Rare Malts Selection

Port Ellen 1979 / Rare Old Gordon & MacPhail

70cl / 46% Vol

A 1979 vintage from the cult Islay distillery, Port Ellen. Aged in refill sherry butts, bottled by Gordon & MacPhail at 46% vol, as part of the Rare Old Series. Many of the Single Malt Whiskies in Gordon & MacPhail’s Rare Old range will never be seen again. They are whiskies from another era – some are from distilleries no longer in operation, others from distilleries that no longer exist.

£550.00 (£458.33 ex vat)

Click here to buy Port Ellen 1979 / Rare Old / Gordon & MacPhail

Caperdonich 17 Year Old / 1995 The Rare Casks

70cl / 57.8% Vol / 96 Bottles Only

The 1st release in ‘The Rare Casks’ series by Abbey Whisky is this magnificent Caperdonich 17 year old single malt Scotch whisky. This limited edition release was distilled in 1995 and left to rest for 17 years before being bottled in 2012 with only 96 bottles filled. The Distillery is now sadly demolished.

£59.50 (£49.58 ex vat)

Click here to buy Caperdonich 17 Year Old / The Rare Casks

Brora 20 Year Old / 1982 The Rare Malts Selection

70cl / 58.1% Vol

With Brora distillery closing in 1983, this bottle is one of the true gems released within the Rare Malts Selection series. The Rare Malts Selection is a collection of remarkable cask-strength single malt Scotch whiskies drawn from among the rarest, most precious whisky stocks to survive in Scotland.

£540.00 (£450.00 ex vat)

Click here to buy Brora 20 Year Old / The Rare Malts Selection

Abbey Whisky

www.abbeywhisky.com

Tel: 0800 051 7737

Exclusive online bottles just added
Our cup runneth over…we’ve just added a wide range of bottlings to our online shop.  Find the last few bottles from familiar friends and discover some never-before-released in the UK casks. 60+ wonderful whiskies await….

NEW UK Online Exclusives…

2.83 Intense explosion of taste
19yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £80.50
The nose really grabbed our interest – so much in it – summer fruits, cherry Bakewell, apple and berry tea; maple syrup, toffee and Fry’s Turkish Delight; mulled wine, tobacco and old books. More

3.166 Salt-water spray on a yacht deck
11yo First-fill ex-bourbon barrel, £48.30
Primarily sweet (candy floss, toffee apples, toasted marshmallows, lemon Edinburgh rock, sweet summer meadows and black wine gums).we also found outdoor swimming pools, grilled langoustines and Germolene. More

4.163 Soaring sweetness and ocean spray
11yo First-fill ex-bourbon barrel, £48.30
Various bass notes grounded the nose (tobacco, creosote, burnt sticks, white pepper, chipotle chilli, balsamic reduction) but soaring on a breeze of clean, minty smoke and ocean spray, was a kite made of toffee, puff candy and chocolate melted over ice-cream More

27.101 Sweet and savoury, clean and earthy
16yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £68.00
Smoky, oily and meaty – the nose evoked a restaurant kitchen’s back door – soft leather and wood suggested upholstery shops – we also found dark chocolate, heather flowers, clove and citric notes intensifying over time. More

Browse all bottlings

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.

Ardbog Day!!

Join us at the Dundee Dell Thursday, May 30 from 6 − 9.  We will have a live band playing and will have frequent Ardbeg tastings through out the night.  We are very excited to see all of the Ardbeg society people and maybe we’ll have someone special visiting us??  We made some very special drinks with Ardbeg and every drink you order, you’ll receive  Mary’s amazing Ardbeg Truffels and a ticket for our hourly drawing (7, 8 and 9 pm. / must be present to win).  There will be some great prizes including a bottle of Ardbeg at the 9 pm drawing!  We will also have a fun Ardbog scavenger hunt through out the Dell.  The Dell crew will have so much fun hiding gift cards, glassware, t-shirts, fun Ardbeg stuff,keychains and ect..  Hope to see you there!!

THE MACALLAN LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION CORONATION BOTTLING

The Macallan is celebrating the 60^thanniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation with the release of a stunning limited edition commemorative bottling.  The limited release comprises a beautifully designed box featuring two 350ml bottles of single malt whisky.   This latest offering is expected to become a rare collectors’ item with only 1953 bottles being released for sale in the UK.

The pack was designed by the acclaimed Art Director, David Holmes, who worked on the first ever advertising campaign for the brand and completes The Macallan’s trio of commemorative Royal bottlings.  The two bottles each feature a different image of The Queen, one taken in 1953 by Cecil Beaton, the celebrated photographer, who is perhaps best known for his images of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with the other featuring an image taken in 2004 by Julian Calder, one of the world’s most renowned portrait photographers.

In keeping with the distinct and stylish design of The Macallan, the labels have been created to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s reign, with the first conveying the Queen as she was in 1953, aged just 26, and the second honouring the treasured monarch she has become today.

Commenting on the special commemorative Coronation edition David Holmes said:  “I just felt that the box design should reflect the coronation itself.  Bright and celebratory, with Gold, Windsor Red and Blue as used on the Queen’s Coat of arms.  The idea of the confident red box with gold florettes underlines the respectful presentation.  A sort of, must have, rare Royal treasure case.”

The representations of the earlier and later years of Her Majesty’s reign are depicted not only by the chosen images, but also through the two whiskies chosen by our Whisky Maker.  A lively expression, symbolic of the young Queen at the start of the new Elizabethan era, is complemented by a more complex malt to represent her monumental achievements of the past 60 years.

The first whisky, matured in American oak sherry seasoned casks, is a vibrant gold spirit offering a lemon and orange citrus nose.  Ginger and summer berries flit in the background showing the exuberance of youth while hinting at a founding level of maturity.  Matured in Spanish sherry seasoned oak casks, the second whisky is a splendid mahogany sprit and presents a richly mature, elegant and refined nose.  Nutmeg, ginger, rich fruits and resin soften to give a full mouth feel.  There is great maturity on the palate, yet no sign of age.

Ken Grier, Director of Malts at Edrington, commented:  “The Macallan is honoured to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen on the 60^th anniversary of her Coronation.  This exclusive release brings together the creative talent of David Holmes, two stunning images of the Queen which further underpin our photography credentials and it has allowed us to marry these moments from the Queen’s remarkable reign with two very special whiskies.  We are proud of the whiskies we have created for this special bottling.  They both portray the character and nobility of the Queen at two very different stages of her life and we hope that people will enjoy the story they have to tell.”

The 1953 bottles are available from The Macallan Distillery Visitor Centre for collection only and online for UK customers at www.themacallan.com at a price of £350.

Tasting Notes:

Cecil Beaton Bottle (58.1% abv):

• Colour:  Gold
• Nose:  Vibrant. Lemon and orange strike a chord.  The enveloping warmth of vanilla, banana and cinnamon temper then develop to show grace.  Ginger and summer berries flit in the background showing the exuberance of youth, yet hint at maturity as the same time.  Soft oak underpins late on, talking only when required.
• Palate:  Ginger, cinnamon and wood spice drives the palate, opening up to show rich fruits and boiled sweets.  The subtlety of the oak softens all but does not distract.
• Finish:  Full and long finish. 

Julian Caulder Bottle (55.7% abv):

• Colour:  Mahogany
• Nose:  Rich in maturity, elegant and refined.  Abundant in dried fruits, raisins, sultanas, dates and figs.  This is a world traveller.  Burnished oak has grown in stature developing depth and complexity.
• Palate:  Rich fruits, ginger, nutmeg and resin soften to give a full mouth feel.  Viscous and fruity, there is a great maturity on the palate yet no sign of age.
• Finish:  Never ending.

TEELING WHISKEY

Small Batch Bottling 

Since 1782 the Teeling family have been crafting Irish Whiskey. The Teeling’s are renowned for their vision in doing things differently and their Whiskeys embody this entrepreneurial spirit. This small batch bottling consists of hand selected casks which are given further maturation in ex-Flor de Cana Rum barrels imparting an extra sweet and smooth flavour unique to Irish Whiskey. By bottling at 46% with no chill filtration completes an Irish Whiskey of true character. Teeling Whiskey – Dare to be Different.

 Nose:

An inviting nose where vanilla and spice dances with bright sweet notes of Rum.

Taste:

While being very approachable the influence of the rum cask and higher percentage alcohol creates a unique smooth, sweet, slightly woody marriage that sparkles on the tongue.

Finish:

Slightly moorish, sweet spice finish complimented by woody undertones.