The Victoria Highland Games “Whisky Tasting School” May 17th & 18th, 2014 Victoria, British Columbia

The Whisky Tasting School 

The Victoria Highland Games Association is once again pleased to present “The Whisky Tasting School” on both May 17 and 18, 2014 at the 151st Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival at Topaz Park.  On each day there will be three sessions (noon, 1:45 pm and 3:30 pm) featuring different single malt whiskies presented by ambassadors representing a variety of Scotch single malt distilleries.  Guests will sit down and enjoy a Scottish educational and cultural experience on the Victoria “Whisky Trail”.  This year’s lineup promises to be the best “The Whisky Tasting School” of all!

The registration fee is $35 and includes a one-day field entry (value $15).  Whisky School guests are also able to buy an engraved Victoria Highland Games Glencairn whisky nosing glass for $15 (one per guest per class). Guests must be aged 19 years or older to attend!

Each session offered is limited to 44 guests.   In previous years all sessions have sold out prior to the Games so don’t be late in registering!  Registration will be available soon here

Details on the 6 sessions are as follows:

1)     Saturday May 17^th 12-1:00 PM The Scotch Malt Whisky Society #1 “Speyside” with Colin Southcombe 

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is the largest private whisky club in the world and it is thriving in British Columbia, come see what the excitement is about!  Society whiskies are by their very nature unique, extremely limited and quite deliciously varied. Colin Southcombe will be leading this class which is focused on Speyside single malts.  

2)     Saturday May 17^th 1:45-2:45 PM – Glenfarclas Distillery #1 with Gavin Cameron 

Glenfarclas Distillery is renowned for producing Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky in the traditional Speyside style, with a heavy Sherry influence. They produce a wide range of expressions from the 8 Years Old to much older expressions. (The Glenfarclas Saturday and Sunday classes are identical in format). 

3)    Saturday May 17^th 3:30-4:30 PM The Macallan 1824 Single Malts with Dan Volway 

Rise to the occasion with The Macallan is known worldwide for innovation – a defining characteristic that sets this distillery apart. Innovation is the driving force behind the distillery’s latest creation, The Macallan 1824 Series. A sophisticated collection of four unique expressions – Gold, Amber, Sienna and Ruby – that will redefine the way Scotch whisky is evaluated. The Macallan 1824 Series 100% Sherry Casks, 100% Natural Colour, 100% Macallan 

4)    Sunday May 18^th 12-1:00 PM The Scotch Malt Whisky Society # 2 “Peat” with Colin Southcombe 

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is the largest private whisky club in the world and it is thriving in British Columbia, come see what the excitement is about!  Society whiskies are by their very nature unique, extremely limited and quite deliciously varied. Colin Southcombe will be leading this class which is focused on peated smokey single malts.  

5)    Sunday May 18^th 1:45-2:45 PM Glenfarclas Distillery #1 with Gavin Cameron

Glenfarclas Distillery is renowned for producing Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky in the traditional Speyside style, with a heavy Sherry influence. They produce a wide range of expressions from the 8 Years Old to much older expressions. (The Glenfarclas Saturday and Sunday classes are identical in format).

6)    Sunday May 19^th 3:30-4:30 PM The Malts of the Famous Grouse wit Dan Volway 

Please join Dan Volway as he leads you through the single malts that are used to craft the world Famous Blended Scotch whisky, the Famous Grouse. This tasting should prove to be both delicious and informative.

NOTE: Condition of Entry to The Whisky Tasting  School is that guests DO NOT DRINK and DRIVE.

www.ralfy.com discovers a bad-tempered brute of a malt in need of some water ing glass-time to settle down – Whisky Review 441 – Benriach 1998 PX Triple Distilled malt whisky

• Springbank 17yo 12/90  02/08 Refill Port Hogshead – 570 bottles – 51.5%
• Springbank 14yo 06/92  03/07 Bourbon Hogshead – 265 bottles – 55.3%
• Hazelburn 8yo 07/98  07/06 Refill Sherry Butt – 600 bottles – 58.7%
• Springbank 9yo 07/97  03/07 Fresh Rum Butt – 700 bottles – 60.2%
• Longrow 8yo 02/97  07/05 Refill Sherry Butt – 630 bottles – 59.9%

For more information you can contact Mark direct using the details provided on the Jolly Toper Tastings website:  http://www.jollytopertastings.co.uk/contact-us/

On one final note I’m delighted to tell you that last week, Sir Frank McHardy was inducted into The Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. It is a very well deserved award for Sir Frank who has now been in the industry for over 51 years. We continue to feel extremely privileged that he spent over half of these years working at Springbank. Although he retired as Director of Production at Springbank/Glengyle in July 2013, he continues to conduct specialist tours of Springbank as well as offering his knowledge to our Whisky School students each year. Congratulations again Frank – it’s great to see him being recognised in this way!

Slainte,

Mairi

INTRODUCING GLENGLASSAUGH TORFA, A NEW RICHLY PEATED HIGHLAND EXPRESSION

GLENGLASSAUGH has launched a new richly peated Highland single malt that will now be part of its core range along with Revival and Evolution.

Glenglassaugh Torfa, with its smoky, peaty, phenolic nature, is a unique expression and quite different to the usual type of whisky produced in the Highlands.

“At Glenglassaugh, in addition to the traditional production, we also produce a very limited quantity of whisky using richly peated malted barley as the cereal varietal. The malted barley has been dried in the traditional way, over peat-infused kilns, giving the whisky its unique smoky flavour,” says Sales Director Alistair Walker.

Torfa has a brooding, edgy character whose personality is to be found at the darker end of the spectrum. Its name takes its inspiration from the Old Norse language with which the Scots dialect spoken in North East Scotland has an affinity and translates to “turf” or “peat”.

The historic distillery was acquired by The BenRiach Distillery Company last year. It dates back to 1875 and re-opened in 2008 after being mothballed for more than 20 years. The first whiskies from this refurbished distillery are now available to single malt Scotch whisky lovers everywhere.

Non-chill filtered, with natural colour and at 50% vol, Torfa was specially selected by Glenglassaugh’s Master Distiller Billy Walker. His tasting notes show the distinct characteristics of this truly phenomenal malt.

COLOUR: Gleaming yellow gold.

NOSE: Vivid, sweet, sooty campfire smoke and sea air infuse zest of lime, apricot jam and ripe soft fruits, all gently warmed by hints of stem ginger and cracked black pepper.

PALATE: An eloquent, sweet coastal peat smoke engulfs candied peel over melon, pineapple and roasted red apples. Oat biscuits, hints of heather honey and a gentle cigar box spice all combine to give a terrific balance to the expressive smoky character.

FINISH: A heady, yet elegant harmony of distinct coastal peat and striking spiced fruit flavours.

Torfa is a new single malt from Glenglassaugh to be treasured and savoured in quiet moments. If you would like to receive more information, please contact us on info@glenglassaugh.com

New Arrivals including the latest batch of Wemyss single casks, Old Particular and new bottles from Gordon & MacPhail Rare Old.

New! Macduff
Lead on Macduff! 2002 $68.07

New! Caol Ila
Fisherman’s Jacket 1982 $174.41

Glenmorangie
Companta Private Edition $123.63

Glenfarclas
46 Year Old 1967 $466.94

New! Highland Park
18 Year Old 1995 $125.78

New! Macallan
25 Year Old 1988 $551.23

Browse the full range of new releases including Port Ellen,
St. Magdalene, Bowmore and Yamazaki at The Whisky Barrel

The 2014 Ultimate Spirits Challenge was held on March 10-14, 2014

We are pleased to share these products results!

95 Finalist Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation Tullibardine 225 Sauternes Barrel Single Malt Scotch Whisky Scotland 43% $65.00
89 Very Good, Strong Recommendation Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Barrel Single Malt Scotch Whisky Scotland 43% $65.00

Whisky Intelligence has added a new category called ‘Vignettes – Moments in Whisky’ which will feature whisky moments as experienced by the readership. If you have a whisky moment please feel free to submit your moment and we’ll do our best to publish it. Go on; you know you want to be famous…

Due to popular demand, UK vlogger Joe Ellis from Whisky Wednesday reviews Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky! 

http://youtu.be/nT2y_Bap7OY

http://Facebook.com/whiskytube 

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

The judges’ votes are in and today we announce the brands that hit the highest scores at the fifth annual ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE.  Led by F. Paul Pacult and his merry band of judges including: Sean Ludford (judging co-chair), Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tad Carducci, James Conley, Dale DeGroff, Jim Meehan, Dan Nicolaescu, Steve Olson, Andy Seymour, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, MW and David Wondrich, USC named the top spirits in their categories based on the 100-point scale (including a rare 100 pointer!).

The results are in for the 2014 Ultimate Spirits Challenge^®, the world’s premier spirits competition. Today, Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC) announces 37 Chairman Trophy winners, the highest award, along with 218 Finalists, 171 Tried & True Awards^SM and 89 Great Values. The Challenge, celebrating its fifth anniversary, was held in New York on March 10-14. For the second consecutive year, a perfect 100 point score was given by multiple panels to a whiskey. This year’s 100-point recipient is Redbreast 21 Years Old Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey. 

“Interest in Ultimate Spirits Challenge has never been greater,” says Ultimate Spirits Challenge founder F. Paul Pacult. “Companies enter because they want brands to be evaluated against their peers by the world’s best judges. USC provides the most trusted, sought after testimonials that help distillers and importers build their brands.” 

This year, USC introduces the Tried & True Award^SM to recognize brands that can be relied on to provide unfailing quality and superb taste to consumers year after year. To be eligible, brands that entered USC 2014 must have scored 85 points or higher in this year’s Challenge as well as in at least two previous Challenges. 

All products entered are rated on the 100-point scale by the spirits industry’s most renowned judges that include award-winning authors, spirits buyers, journalists, educators, bar owners and consultants. This year’s judges were: USC Founder and Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult, Judging Co-Chairman Sean Ludford, Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tad Carducci, James Conley, Dale DeGroff, Jim Meehan, Dan Nicolaescu, Steve Olson, Andy Seymour, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, MW and David Wondrich. 

THE 2014 RESULTS

All spirits rated 85 points and higher receive their own page showing current award results, downloadable score icons, tasting notes and bottle image. USC results will be promoted via the Ultimate Beverage Challenge Guide to be published in the October issue of The Beverage Media Group’s top 15 U.S. markets, reaching more than 70,000 on- and off-premise spirits buyers.  

2014 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE – CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY WINNERS

For a complete list of results visit www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2014results 

WHISKEY – USA

American: Wild Turkey Forgiven

Kentucky Straight Bourbon: George T. Stagg

Rye: Bulleit 95 Small Batch 

WHISKEY – IRELAND

Blended: Tullamore D.E.W. Special Reserve 12 Years Old (Tried & True Award)

Irish Pot Still: Redbreast 21 Years Old

Single Malt: Bushmills 16 Years Old (Tried & True Award) 

WHISKY – SCOTLAND

Blended Malt: Big Peat

Blended: Ballantine’s 17 Years Old

Single Malt: Glenmorangie Quarter Century 25 Years Old

WHISKY – CANADA

Alberta Premium Dark Horse

WHISKY – JAPAN

Nikka Coffey Grain

Next Challenge: Ultimate Wine Challenge, June 2-13, 2014. Information at: www.ultimate-beverage.com/uwc2014info 

Ultimate Spirits Challenge…like no other competition and doesn’t want to be. 

ABOUT ULTIMATE BEVERAGE CHALLENGE

Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) provides expert evaluation of wines and spirits for producers, importers and marketers through its two innovative annual competitions: Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Ultimate Wine Challenge. Based on exacting standards, expert judges and rigorous methodology, UBC raises the standards of spirits and wine evaluation and supplies ratings and accolades to help companies build their brands with buyers, both industry and consumer. UBC partners are F. Paul Pacult, Sue Woodley, David Talbot and Sean Ludford. Past Challenge results and event photos, videos and press coverage can be found at http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/. 

Ultimate Beverage Challenge inquiries: info@ultimate-beverage.com, 1-347-878-6551

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/UltimateBeverageChallenge 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ultimatebeverage

CÙ BÒCAN WINS DESIGN AWARD

Cù Bòcan wins ‘Best New Launch Whisky’ at World Whiskies Design Awards

The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd is celebrating a win at the World Whiskies Design Awards 2014. Its newest single malt brand, Cù Bòcan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, was awarded the ‘Best New Launch’ award.

The World Whiskies Design Awards are the annual awards recognising excellence in bottle, label and pack design. Judged by an international panel of design experts, the winners were announced on Thursday 20th March 2013 at the Whisky Magazine’s Awards Presentation Dinner held at the Waldorf Hilton in London. The World Whiskies Awards were also announced, in which the Tomatin 18 year old single malt won “Best Highland Single Malt 13 to 20 Years” for the second year running.

Released in September 2013, Cù Bòcan is a departure from the traditional Tomatin range, both in flavour – it is lightly peated – and in its contemporary presentation. Cù Bòcan (loosely translating from Gaelic as “ghost dog”) tells the story of a legendary hellhound who has been stalking residents of Tomatin for centuries, expertly portrayed by its innovative and eerie packaging.

The judges said about Cù Bòcan: “Evocative and relevant graphics designed to attract new consumers and freshen up the image of whisky. The imagery evocatively describes the nature of the product inside. This package works on many levels – it is clean, contemporary and stylish – it feels new yet, at the same time, reassuringly authentic.”

Commenting on the award, Jennifer Nicol, Marketing Manager, said: “We were clear right from the beginning of the development process that we wanted to separate our peated whisky release from the existing Tomatin brand so as not to confuse our existing customers. This allowed us to push the boundaries and experiment with a more contemporary design. We are delighted with the result; top quality and striking, reflective of the whisky contained within. The brand’s success has surpassed all expectations and we look forward to its forecasted growth with further batches and limited editions.”

The Cù Bòcan packaging was designed by Stirling based creative agency Pocket Rocket Creative Ltd. who were also celebrating on the night having won in two other categories, and winning overall with ‘Best Design Agency’. Del Sneddon, the lead creative on the Cù Bòcan project, said: “It’s an incredibly exciting win and we’re encouraged to see that progressive designs like Cù Bòcan are being endorsed and commended by the whisky industry cognoscenti.”

Tomatin will be releasing the first limited edition Cù Bòcan in April 2014, with several others also in the pipeline.

Notes

1. Award information and results: http://www.worldwhiskiesdesignawards.com/results/2014/  http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/tomatin-18-years-old.18485.html

2. The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd is a producer and blender of Scotch whisky, boasting a strong core range of single malt whiskies along with a range of popular blends.

3. Website: www.tomatin.com / www.cu-bocan.com  Facebook: www.facebook.com/Tomatin1897  Twitter: www.twitter.com/Tomatin1897

4. The distillery was established in 1897, and while historically the whisky produced was primarily sold for use in other brands of blended whisky, the company is now very focussed on growing the Tomatin single malt brand in its own right.

5. The company’s most popular blends are The Antiquary, The Talisman and Big ‘T’.

6. The distillery is owned by Japanese company Takara Shuzo: http://www.takarashuzo.co.jp/english/index.htm