www.ralfy.com has a re-review return to Whisky Review 3 with Whisky Review 356 – Aberlour A’bunadh Batch 42 (Re-reviewed)

Amrut’s angels fly in

Amrut Distilleries is once again pushing the boundaries of creating whisky in India. As the Bangalore distiller continues its innovative exploration of the world of single malt, it has bottled its oldest whisky.

Two bourbon casks have been matured for eight years – an unprecedented length of time for Amrut’s malts which mature relatively quickly in the unique environment of the distillery and warehouse in Bangalore – and then bottled.

This special bottling has been named Greedy Angels. “Over those eight years – in the tropical conditions of our warehouse – we lost close to 274 litres of spirit from the two casks,” explains Ashok Chokalingam, Amrut’s International Brand Ambassador. “In the end, we could only bottle 86 litres of whisky. No wonder we have named it Greedy Angels.”

When Amrut decided to bottle these two old casks – numbered 2800 and 2864 – no-one was quite certain how Greedy Angels would turn out. With the insight of his experience as Amrut’s Master Distiller, Surrinder Kumar, believed he had something very special. When invited to London, he was happy to hear what people on the other side of the world thought. At a series of blind tastings, he was greeted with the most positive of feedback. The 144 bottles of Greedy Angels have now been released worldwide. As befits the first bottling of such an old Amrut malt, it has been dedicated to celebrating the 60th birthday of Amrut’s Chairman, Mr Neel Jagdale.

On the nose, Greedy Angels is full of tropical fruits such as pineapple, red liquorice and hickory. On the palate, it is full bodied tropical fruits coupled with subtle spices and citrus notes. It has a sweet finish leaving you wanting more.

When he tasted Greedy Angels, Dominic Roskrow, the whisky writer and director of True Spirit, said: “It’s world class whisky, a small batch, lovingly crafted.”

His tasting notes continue: “Nose: A big waft of crystallised pineapple, some tropical fruits and then a spiky, spicy dustiness. Palate: Wow, first up we get red liquorice and menthol rancio, suggesting great age, and then rich syrupy jellied fruits, some mandarin, cherry lozenge and tinned strawberries in syrup. It’s a totally rounded and clean sweet whisky experience, with no flaws. Finish: Sweet, rich and relatively short – but very more-ish.”

NOTES

Amrut Distilleries

Amrut Single Malt Whisky from India was launched officially in Glasgow in 2004. Since then its reputation has grown, with its range of innovative whiskies using Indian barley from the Punjab, distilled in the tropical garden city of Bangalore at 3,000ft above sea level. Amrut Distilleries has won many awards.

In The Whisky Bible 2010, leading whisky expert, Jim Murray awarded Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky the title of World’s Third Best Whisky. Murray said Fusion “has to be one of the great whiskies found anywhere in the world this year”. Admitting his No 3 choice could come as a surprise to some people, he said: “The fact that it is Indian? Irrelevant, from distillation to maturation this is a genius whisky from whichever continent.”

The awards for Fusion have continued, picking up several over the years, including Grand Master of World Whisky at The Spirits Business Awards in December 2011 and World Whisky of the Year at the Malt Advocate Whisky Awards February 2011.

The distillery itself has won honours, lifting the title of Distiller of the Year in the Icons of Whisky 2011 at awards organized by Whisky Magazine. The award was made to Amrut “for raising the profile of Indian whisky across the globe and its innovations in the production process”. The Rest of the World title meant the Bangalore distillery was also one of the four contenders for the Icons of Whisky Distiller of the Year title.

In 2012, Ashok Chokalingam, Amrut’s General Manager – International Operations, was named Whisky Ambassador of the Year at the Icons of Whisky. The judges praised the hard work of Ashok and Amrut Executive Director, Rick Jagdale, since launching Amrut Malt in 2004. “The gamble and all the legwork has paid off for Ashok and Rick, with Amrut establishing its credentials as a serious award winning whisky” they said.

Amrut’s Two Continents malt whisky was named Whisky Advocate’s New World Whisky of the Year in 2012. Two Continents is made from 100% Indian barley grown in Punjab and Rajasthan, then mashed, distilled and aged in Bangalore. It was then transferred to Europe where it was aged in ex-bourbon casks and then bottled. This gives it a “rich, complex, unique, and exciting oral explosion” according to Whisky Advocate.

Amrut Peated Malt Cask Strength Whisky won Silver and Amrut Single Malt Cask Strength Whisky Bronze at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2008.

Amrut is now sold widely in Europe (UK, Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Spain), Canada, South Africa, Australia and the United States. It is also available in some Indian states.

Thursday Night Spirits Tasting!
From 6pm till 8pm
$45 per person
With special bottle pricing night of the tasting only

Duncan Taylor Single Malt Scotch Tasting – Thursday (4/25):

You are all cordially invited to Everson Royce’s first Scotch tasting of 2013. Eight different Duncan Taylor whiskeys from eight different distilleries that cover Scotland both geographically and stylistically. These whiskeys are anywhere from 15 to 34 years old. And they’re all cask strength as well. Special Guests Euan Shand, the Chairman of Duncan Taylor, and his son, Gordon Shand, will be onsite pouring your drams, answering your questions, and regaling you with stories. Euan is already a legend in the world of Scotch and Gordon is not far behind.

Duncan Taylor’s brand new U.S. headquarters are just down the street in South Pasadena. Please join us in welcoming them to the neighborhood.

The tasting will be held at:
The Armory Center for the Arts
145 N. Raymond, directly next door to Everson Royce. 

Doors open at 6pm. Please check in at Everson Royce before the tasting. Please arrive prior to 7pm as to have ample time to taste all the spirits. Reservations are strongly recommended but not required and can be made by calling the store at 626-765-9334. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Armory Center for the Arts.

Featured Duncan Taylor Whiskys:
Blair Athol 1989 / 23 Year / Highland / 47.6% / $171 per bottle
Imperial 1995 / 17 Year / Speyside / 53.2% / $126 per bottle
Glentauchers 1997 / 15 Year / Octave / Speyside / 53.6% / $99 per bottle
Macallan 1996 / 15 Year / Speyside / 55.1% / $130.50 per bottle
Caol Ila 1983 / 29 Year / Sherry Cask / Islay / 53.8% / $238.50 per bottle
Cameronbridge 1978 / Single Grain / 34 Year / Lowland / 54.6% / $166.50 per bottle
Caperdonich 1992 / 20 Year / Speyside / 54.9% / $198 per bottle
Bunnahabhain 1987 / 25 Year / Octave / Islay / 54.8% / $211.50 per bottle

$45 per person for the tasting

Special bottle pricing night of the tasting only

Everson Royce
155 N. Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, California
626 765 9334
http://www.eversonroyce.com/

The Talisker Port Ruighe has arrived – click the image to place your order!

The Whisky Shop is pleased to announce the arrival of a ground breaking new whisky – The Talisker Port Ruighe!

This is the first ever Talisker release which has been double matured in ruby port casks. This unique expression is named after the main trading port on Skye and combines Talisker’s powerful maritime character with succulent sweet notes of rich berry fruits for a superb contrasting taste experience.

Smooth and cooling at first; rapidly developing across the palate. Earthy South American cocoa notes – perhaps in a tarte au chocolat – are balanced by a fruity, cherry acidity; then a wave of softly drying sulphurous smoke and coal tar notes; and later, superb, chewy, brewers’ chocolate-malt. (Guinness malts?)
Very soft and cooling with water. Rounded and gently minty with resinous notes just ahead of a sublime, smoky, tarry development. Growing sweetly fiery and aromatic (burning beech wood logs at a Bavarian smokehouse).

Bottled at 45.8% volume. Tasting notes by Owen D.L. Barstow

Only £59.99 – Simply click here to buy

STALK & BARREL SINGLE MALT WHISKY

This is a reminder that the first bottles of STALK & BARREL SINGLE MALT WHISKY we be available directly at our onsite retail distillery store on Saturday, April 27 10:00am to 4:00pm.  This is the first single malt whisky mashed, fermented, distilled, aged and bottled in Ontario. Made from 100% Canadian two-row malted barley in small batches in a custom built copper pot still, it is bottled exclusively as single cask offerings in individually numbered bottles. We never chill-filter or add aritificial colouring. Quantities are limited and we are sorry that we cannot take advance orders or reservations.

• Cask 1 (62.3% alc./vol.) @ $99.95
• Cask 2 (61.3% alc./vol.) @ $99.95
• Cask 3 (46.0% alc./vol.) @ $69.95

All prices include taxes, LCBO markups and bottle deposit

Location & Hours

We are located at 150 Bradwick Drive, Unit #26, Concord, Ontario. For directions, click here.

Our hours are:

• Monday through Thursday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Saturday and Sunday by appointment
• Except for Saturday, April 27, 2013 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

UK vlogger Joe Ellis a.k.a Whisky Wednesday reviews Aberlour 12 Year Old Single Malt.

http://youtu.be/OnYrjbfBDdY

http://Facebook.com/whiskytube

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

Gordon & MacPhail Wins Queen’s Award For Enterprise For The Second Time

The growing success of Benromach whisky has helped family-owned whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail win a second Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.

The whisky specialist and distiller brought the Benromach Distillery back to life in 1998 when it was officially re-opened by HRH The Prince of Wales. Since then the Forres distillery has unveiled a series of hand-crafted single malt whiskies including the flagship Benromach 10 years old.

Managing Director, Michael Urquhart expressed his delight at winning the prestigious award for a second time, saying: “This is a wonderful achievement and recognition for the company and our dedicated staff, as well as for our customers and suppliers worldwide. The Queen’s Award is recognised across the world as a mark of outstanding quality and I have no doubt that winning the first award in 2009 has contributed to our recent growth.

“I am particularly pleased that the continuing success of Benromach whisky has played such a major part in our winning this award once more. The launch of Generations in 2010 with a 70 Year Old Mortlach then a 70 Year Old Glenlivet in 2011 were also highly sought after additions to the extensive range of single malt whiskies Gordon & MacPhail can offer to the market. As a result total exports have almost doubled in three years to more than £6m in 2012.

“We have been championing malt whisky for more than a century by buying and storing casks of whisky from distilleries across Scotland. But it’s been a particular pleasure for us as a family to drive the growth of our own Benromach whisky.”

Scotch Whisky Association Chief Executive, Gavin Hewitt welcomed the endorsement, saying: “Further congratulations to Gordon & MacPhail are very much in order. I am delighted that they have again been recognised for their outstanding export performance. The Scotch Whisky business is doing very well in our many overseas markets. Gordon & MacPhail is one of the beacons and an inspiration to others.”

The family-owned company is proud of its Moray roots and the company, its directors and its staff all play an active role in the local community. The company’s support helped secure Forres as the host town for the European Pipe Band Championships over the next three years when Benromach will be the principal sponsor.

Successful marketing of the Benromach brand has included sponsorship of the National Theatre of Scotland’s highly acclaimed production of The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart which toured extensively overseas following sell-out performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. As part of the performance, audiences have the chance to enjoy a dram of Benromach.

Gordon & MacPhail employs almost 140 people in Elgin and Forres. With around 300 different whisky brands stored in its warehouses, it cares for some of Scotland’s oldest and rarest casks.

Neil Urquhart, Michael Urquhart, Stephen Rankin

About Gordon & MacPhail

Gordon & MacPhail is an independent, family-owned Scotch whisky specialist which has been based in Elgin, Moray, since 1895. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued the tradition of seeking out the best and rarest Scotch whiskies.

Since its foundation, Gordon & MacPhail’s policy has been to send casks to distilleries throughout Scotland, fill them with ‘new make’ spirit and mature them either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouses in Elgin.

Now one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialists, Gordon & MacPhail exports to more than 55 countries. It offers more than 300 presentations of own-bottled single malts.  In 2009, Gordon & MacPhail was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

In 1993 Gordon & MacPhail purchased Benromach Distillery and re-equipped it before it was officially opening by HRH Prince Charles in 1998. A four star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach distillery is a member of the world famous malt whisky trail.

In 2010 Gordon & MacPhail made history by bottling the oldest cask ever released – a 70 Year Old Mortlach, distilled in 1938. They followed this up by releasing 100 70cl and 175 20cl decanters of 70 Year Old Glenlivet in 2011. They have now released the remaining 100 70cl decanters from this cask.

Gordon &MacPhail is proud of its Moray roots and the company, its directors and its staff play an active role in their local community by supporting local charities and sponsoring local events.

Click here to read the article

A new way to search: FindTheBest, a new search and comparison engine that has been featured on the New York Times and TechCrunch, has developed a comparison utility for Whiskies. The tool offers users access to a vast database of different brands and labels and allows them to search, filter, and compare by name, region and category, price, tasting notes, years aged, ABV, and other factors.

FindTheBest’s Smart Rating for its whisky comparison is determined by the weighted average of five whiskey-rating sources: the Beverage Testing Institute, the International Wine and Spirits Competition, the LA Whiskey Society, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Wine Enthusiast’s Magazine.

The website realizes that something as subjective as individual experiences with different whiskies cannot be presented entirely objectively, which is why in addition to the smart rating, it also welcomes user reviews. FindTheBest welcomes and encourages all registered users to submit a review and rating. Users can also submit their own listings if they find that the comparison does not currently include a particular label.

The website also allows its users to compare different brands side by side, matching each relevant data point, such as individual tasting notes, nose, finish, and palates.

Join the Glengoyne Family  

They say you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family. With Glengoyne you can with the official launch of a new online loyalty program – the Glengoyne Family.

Following the re-launch of the brand last October and a new dedicated website, the Family is a way for likeminded Glengoyne enthusiasts to benefit from exclusive promotions and regular offers. The launch coincides with Glengoyne’s 10-year anniversary since being acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, one of Scotland’s leading, independent, family owned distillers.

As well as receiving a regular e-newsletter, Family members will also benefit from early notice of new releases (in particular limited editions), exclusive special offers and promotions with affiliate partners as well as Family member bottlings and the opportunity to be part of the selection panel.

Iain Weir, marketing director for Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “It is an exciting time for the brand and we are delighted to officially launch the Glengoyne Family on the 10 year anniversary of welcoming Glengoyne to the Ian Macleod Distillers portfolio.

“The Family is something we have been developing for some time and it is an opportunity for us to offer on-going benefits whilst developing a long term relationship with both new and existing members. The past decade has been an exciting one for Glengoyne and we look forward to the next 10.”

To celebrate the official launch of the Family, the Distillery is marking the occasion with a special competition. Any new members who sign up to the Glengoyne Family from today will be entered into a prize draw to win an outstanding decanter of the Glengoyne 35 yo, a rich malt with a tropical fruit intensity and a liquorice and dark chocolate finish. The winner will be announced in 2014.

Iain continued: “The Glengoyne 35 yo will be officially released in June and is an exceptionally rare whisky and we are excited to be offering this prize to one lucky Family member from our reserves of rare single malts. We look forward to presenting this extra-special decanter to the winner in 2014.”

To find out more about Glengoyne visit www.glengoyne.com

or follow us on Facebook and Twitter – https://www.facebook.com/GlengoyneSingleMalt  https://twitter.com/theglengoyne.