Whisky Ramblings Via Video #88

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries the ultimate Auchentoshan. The Auchentoshan 50 Year Old 1957. Does that need any elaboration? It is the oldest Auchentoshan ever bottled, very limited in number of bottles and prohibitively expensive. But on the other hand, it is the Toshan Summa Cum Laude. Not only does Mark feel fortunate to have tasted it, he is also very proud to say that bottle 100/171 is now the highlight of the Toshan Man Collection. 

http://youtu.be/m9-L8IJNe_Y

AUCHENTOSHAN, BOWMORE & GLEN GARIOCH WHISKY TASTING – THURSDAY 26TH JUNE 2014

On Thursday 26th June we will be welcoming along Graeme Dunnet from Morrison Bowmore Distillers and he will be presenting whiskies that will give you an opportunity to compare and contrast three very different styles of single malts. The lowland Auchentoshan provides a taste of how triple distillation can produce a delicate yet robust whisky, the malty, floral and heathery Glen Garioch will let you sample a Highland style malt from one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and, even if you have shied away from peated whiskies in the past, the smoky yet perfumed Bowmore from Islay may win you over as it is a great introduction to this style of whisky.

This is going to be an interesting and diverse whisky tasting, with something for every taste. And with Father’s Day just a few weeks away now a ticket for this event would make a perfect present for your Dad!

Please note
Tickets for the Morrison Bowmore tasting will be available to buy from 1pm on Wednesday 21st May and no bookings will be taken before this time. Also, please be aware that the maximum number of people that we can seat together at one table is 6.

See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

UPCOMING EVENT

Name Auchentoshan, Bowmore & Glen Garioch whisky tasting
Date Thursday 26th June 2014

Time 7pm for 7.30pm
Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren SN6 7SD

Details Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared. Tickets are £15 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting.

Tickets are very strictly limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Arkwrights reserve the right to restrict the number of tickets per customer and as these tastings usually sell out within hours it is best to book as soon as the tickets are released. To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com from 1pm on Wednesday 21st May and place an order for the number you require (up to a maximum of six).

Please note, we cannot accept provisional bookings and payment must be made when booking. Refunds for tickets are not available except in exceptional circumstances.

N.B. We have negotiated special rates at the hotel for anyone who wants to stay overnight after the tasting – click here for further details.

Kilchoman Loch Gorm – Tasting Review

As Islay distilleries go, Kilchoman distillery established in 2005, is definitely the new kid on the block. Based on a small farm on the rugged west coast of Islay, the distillery may be relatively new, but it practices a lot of traditional methods; such as being one of only a handful of distilleries that still practices floor malting. It also grows its own barley in the farm in which it is situated. One thing is for sure, Kilchoman sure does produce some phenomenal whiskies; one of which is the Kilchoman Loch Gorm.

Taking its name from the famously peaty loch at the end of Kilchoman drive, Loch Gorm is the distilleries only fully ex-sherry cask matured whisky. Kilchoman Loch Gorm started its maturation back in 2009 within classic Oloroso Sherry butts and is to be continuously re-released as a more “mature expression”. Its predecessor won the distillery a Gold Medal in the Scotch Single Malt category in the International Wine and Spirit Competition. This particular batch was bottled in 2014 making it 5 year old single malt, so you can expect an even deeper dram from this bottle.

Tasting Notes

Nose: As you would expect the straight off the bat, rich smoky peat. Next a more medicinal hint that is joined by warm fruit berries and a citrus punch.

Palate: A bold fruity loaf that is again joined by that powerful smoky peat, this mellows out leaving you with those wonderful sherry soaked fruits.

Finish: Sweet and smoky The kilchoman Loch Gorm is a cracking dram, full of character and flavour; so much so that you have to stop at times and remind yourself just how young this whisky is. If this is what the team at Kilmochman can do it 5 years, then I look forward to seeing what they produce in years to come!

You can Buy a bottle of Kilchoman Loch Gorm at Loch Fyne Whiskies today!

BUSHMILLS LIVE™ LEGACY FUND RECIPIENT SELECTED BY THIRD BAR’S GARY LIGHTBODY AND DAVY MATCHETT

‘Levity Breaks’ announced as second recipient of £5,000 fund created by Bushmills^® Irish Whiskey and Snow Patrol frontman’s artist development business, Third Bar

Bushmills Village: 15^th May 2014: Following the success of the inaugural Bushmills Live™ Legacy Fund last year, Bushmills Irish Whiskey and artist development company Third Bar – comprising Snow Patrol and Tired Pony lead singer, Gary Lightbody, and Davy Matchett – announced that they have selected indie rock/pop band ‘Levity Breaks’ as recipients of the second annual fund.

Bushmills Live, the handcrafted whiskey and music festival, offers a stage for established and emerging indie talent. Additionally, the festival organisers are passionate about supporting up-and-coming talent in practical terms, through this Fund of £5,000. Recognising the significance this holds for Northern Ireland talent, Third Bar’s directors Gary and Davy have pledged to curate this fund again and selected Levity Breaks as an exciting emerging Northern Ireland band.

The team at Third Bar will be working with Levity Breaks to offer advice on how to invest their fund, including recording and touring costs. Additionally, Bushmills will be lending a performance platform to Levity Breaks at this year’s Bushmills Live. They will perform alongside headliners The 1975 and Gary Lightbody’s supergroup, Tired Pony, on 12^th June. 

As individuals, Levity Breaks have worked with members of the Sex Pistols and previously toured with Bushmills Live friends and past performers Snow Patrol and Iain Archer. Davy Matchett, Third Bar, is a big fan, commenting: “This band is a great example of the brilliant Northern Ireland music talent around at the moment. I love watching them live, their harmonies are perfect and I’m a fan of their material on ‘Maudlin,’ their debut EP. 

“Gary and I set up Third Bar together to pass on all we’ve learned about the music industry to up-and-coming artists like these guys. It is great that Bushmills is prepared to help us support this talent financially and also give them a stage at Bushmills Live. Gary will be there to perform with Tired Pony and we are both looking forward to enjoying the Levity Breaks set.” 

David C Clements was awarded the Bushmills Live Legacy Fund last year and since then he has enjoyed great success. He returns to play the main stage at this year’s event. He said: “Since receiving the fund it’s been all change. Thanks to the help I’ve received I’ve been able to quit my day job and go full time as an artist and I’m just about to complete my first album. I’ve also supported Bushmills Live 2012 headliners Snow Patrol and Ed Sheeran since the festival last year.” 

NOTES 

About the Bushmills Live Legacy Fund

As a passionate supporter of handcrafted music and indie talent, Bushmills Irish Whiskey, together with artist development company, Third Bar, last year launched a legacy fund to support emerging artists. 

Third Bar are the curators of this Fund and last year they selected two exciting emerging Northern Ireland artists as recipients: David C Clements and VerseChorusVerse. With the help of the Legacy Fund VerseChorusVerse launched an EP produced by Bushmills Live artist and friend Iain Archer from which his second single’s video ‘Common Prayer’ was released at the beginning of March. 

Additionally, in 2012 headline artists Snow Patrol donated their performance fee to the Oh Yeah Centre, an initiative set up to help emerging artists, founded by Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody. This donation was used to create Bush Gardens, an outdoor performance space at the Oh Yeah Centre, a former Bushmills bonded warehouse.  

About Bushmills Live

Bushmills Live is an annual music festival which hosts both iconic and emerging artists for a series of intimate gigs in age-old buildings at the historic Old Bushmills Distillery, where the art of distilling has been perfected over generations. 

Tickets to Bushmills Live are no longer available – tickets were not available for sale but were won via a competition on Facebook. To find out more, visit facebook.com/bushmills. 

Twitter: @BushmillsGlobal

Hashtag: #BushmillsLive 

About Levity Breaks

The band formed in mid-2010. They released their single, ‘The Floor’ (Available on iTunes) in September 2011 and released their debut EP ‘Maudlin’ on 6th October 2013. It is available through MondoTunes in all major online digital music stores. 

Levity Breaks make music with pop appeal but on closer inspection there’s an unmistakable melancholy that stirs the listener profoundly. It’s this collision of light and shade that make the music so intoxicating and far reaching with songs with universal appeal. 

Between the band, as individuals, they have previously toured with artists such as Snow Patrol, Buzzcocks, British Sea Power, Iain Archer, The La’s, Bell X1, The Frames, Nine Black Alps, The Ordinary Boys, Passenger and have featured at prestigious festivals such as Oxegen, T-Vital and The Electric Picnic. Members of the band have also recorded sessions for Universal Publishing under producer Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LevityBreaks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LevityBreaks

YouTube: http://youtu.be/9c4xhNUfsUw 

Website: www.LevityBreaks.com 

About David C Clements:

David C Clements has been playing music throughout the UK and Europe more than a decade. Although his current guise has only been implemented from the beginning of last year, he previously fronted up Belfast act, Six Star Hotel. With a series of European tours, and a few critically acclaimed albums, he knew it was time for a change. He first dabbled in producing records for local acts, such as the Lowly Knights and Napoleon, but we all knew he would not stay off the road for long. 

David C Clements, as a musical project, was born on 1st January 2012. Throughout the opening few months of 2012 David released three two track EPs online, which caused quite a stir throughout the industry, gaining him viral support from Two Door Cinema Club, a live session on BBC Radio One, a show at Union Chapel London, a Channel 4 advert and a plethora of local radio support.

He is completing his first album and has supported Snow Patrol and Ed Sheeran since the festival last year. 

Website: http://davidcclements.bandcamp.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidCClementsmusic

Twitter: @DavidCClements 

About Bushmills Irish Whiskey

With a heritage rooted in authenticity and quality, Bushmills Irish Whiskey is produced, aged and bottled at Ireland’s oldest working distillery in the village of Bushmills in County Antrim on the far north coast of Ireland. The Old Bushmills Distillery uses 100% malt barley to make triple distilled malt whiskey, which is what creates the rich, mellow and distinct flavour that is the house style. The Bushmills portfolio includes: Bushmills Irish Whiskey; Black Bush, Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 1608 and Bushmills Irish Honey Spirit Drink. 

About Diageo
Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness. 

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. For Diageo’s global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit www.DRINKiQ.com. 

Bourbon a key ingredient in Festival Cooking School menu  

(Bardstown, KY)  Food and fun are on the menu at the Kentucky Bourbon Culinary Arts Cooking School Thursday, September 18 at 7 p.m. at My Old Kentucky Home in the Great Hall.   Enjoy exquisite cuisine prepared by Chef John Varanese of Varanese Restaurant located on Frankfort Avenue in the heart of the Highlands in historic Louisville.  Jim Beam Bourbons will enhance the delectable menu.  Watch as Chef John showcases his magic with Bourbon Ambassador Fred Noe at his side assisting.  

 Tickets may be purchased by visiting the Kentucky Bourbon Festival web site or by calling the office 502-348-3623 ext#4. The cost per ticket is $60 plus state sales tax. 

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is a non-profit organization.  This press release may be downloaded from our website www.kybourbonfestival.com.

Jack Daniels with Oranges:

Distinctly smooth and luxuriously rich Jack Daniel’s® Whiskey infused marshmallows expertly balanced with freshest Florida oranges.

Maker’s Mark with Bacon:

Tons of real, freshly candied bacon mixed with deliciously rich and creamy marshmallows infused with Maker’s Mark® Bourbon.

http://kck.st/1likyew

Just Whisky Auction just celebrated it’s 6th monthly online auction, and to celebrate we are continuing our free entry for all bottles until further notice! Why not come and have a look at

http://www.just-whisky.co.uk/

This week Joe Ellis reviews Jim Murray’s 2014 whisky of the year. The Glenmorangie Ealanta. 

http://youtu.be/wMAUIjB8EVU 

http://Facebook.com/whiskytube 

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

LAPHROAIG SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY UNVEILS LAPHROAIG SELECT 

Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky, distributed by Maxxium UK, proudly reveals Laphroaig Select, the newest edition to the award-winning Laphroaig portfolio. 

Laphroaig Select’s unique character is derived from the special selection of casks chosen for maturation.  The heart of the spirit is drawn from a final maturation in new American Oak casks, rarely used for Scotch whisky. 

Representing a subtle blending of peat, oak and sweetness, Laphroaig Master Distiller John Campbell has selected the spirit from Laphroaig Quarter Cask, PX Cask, Triple Wood (European Oak casks) and a final addition of 10 Year Old to create Laphroaig Select. 

Bottled at natural colour, the new single malt offers Laphroaig’s trademark ‘peat reek’ matched by an additional layer of complexity and depth brought about by the fusion of the maturation styles and different oaks. 

Master Distiller John Campbell said; “Select is an exciting and unique expression that brings together the best of Laphroaig’s flavour profile. The inspiration for Laphroaig Select comes from perhaps our greatest family owner, Ian Hunter (1886-1954), one of the first distillers to experiment with both ‘new’ American and ‘traditional’ European oak maturation. As the world’s No.1 Islay malt whisky, we continue to stay true to our long and illustrious heritage, and this expression sits perfectly amongst our award-winning portfolio.” 

 Laphroaig Select is available in selected whisky specialists and retailers (RRP £34.99). 

Tasting notes: Laphroaig Select (ABV 40%)

• Colour: Full sparkling gold
• Nose: Burning embers of peat in a crofter’s fireplace, hints of coconut and banana aromas
• Body: Full bodied
• Palate: Deep, complex and smoky yet offers and surprises the palate with a gentle sweetness
• Finish: Really long, dry with smoke and spice  

To find out more information about Laphroaig or how to become a Friend of Laphroaig, please visit www.laphroaig.com. Please enjoy our brand responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk  

Notes 

• Laphroaig is the No.1 selling Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky globally
• Unmistakably peat-smoke flavours are delivered by burning local Islay peat, containing unique traces of seaweed and heather.
• One of only a few distilleries that still uses traditional malting floors and dries and infuses its own malt with the thick blue smoke from old peat-fired kilns.
• The Friends of Laphroaig programme keeps fans of the brand up to date with special offers and news from Master Distiller John Campbell. On signing up, members are allocated their own square foot of land on Islay, and their names are added to the members’ book in the friends lounge at the distillery. Members who visit the distillery are invited to collect their ‘rent’ – a dram of Laphroaig. The community comprises more than 600,000 like-minded Scotch fans from more than 190 countries.