This week Joe Ellis compares Johnnie Walker Black Label 12yo to Chivas Regal 12
Tokyo, Japan, and Deerfield, Illinois, June, 2014 – Eighteen whiskies from the Beam Suntory portfolio have been awarded gold medals at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2014, the worldwide tasting competition held in the UK. The winning whiskies were Japanese blended whiskies Hibiki 21 Years Old, Hibiki DEEP HARMONY, Hibiki MELLOW HARMONY, Japanese single malt whiskies Yamazaki 18 Years Old, Yamazaki Mizunara 2013, Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel 2013, Hakushu 25 Years Old, Hakushu 18 Years Old, Hakushu Sherry Cask 2014, and North America whiskies Jim Beam Signature Craft 12 Year, Knob Creek, Knob Creek Rye, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, Canadian Club Classic 12 as well as Scotch whiskies Bowmore 15 Years Old Darkest, Bowmore Black Rock, Bowmore Springtide, and Bowmore Devils Casks. Each received a gold medal in the Whiskies category.
This recognition of brand quality comes just five weeks after the acquisition of Beam Inc. by Suntory Holdings, creating Beam Suntory, the world’s #3 premium spirits company. As previously announced, Beam Suntory intends to integrate the Spirits business of Suntory before the end of this year.
The International Spirits Challenge is a competition held every year in the UK, the home of Scotch whisky. In the Whiskies category, medals are awarded based on the blind testing of eleven testers, all of whom are blenders, distillery managers and other industry professionals, and who perform sensory inspections on each of the over 400 whiskies submitted from around the world. The competition is regarded as an authoritative arena for judging the quality of the entries by the exquisite sensory skills of the panel of whisky-making professionals.
Suntory Whisky Website: http://www.suntory.com/whisky/
Beam Suntory Website: http://beamsuntory.com/
Bowmore Website: http://bowmore.com/
As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the flagship Jim Beam bourbon and Yamazaki Japanese whisky, as well as world renown premium brands including Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek bourbons, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur. The company generates annual worldwide sales of approximately $4.6 billion excluding excise taxes.
Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and entrepreneurial culture. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit http://www.beamsuntory.com/ and www.drinksmart.com.
THE EXCLUSIVE MALTS BACH #5 IN THE US
We’d like to let you in on some exciting news – the wildly popular Exclusive Malts is back by popular demand for a fifth time. Here’s a sneak peak of Exclusive Malts Batch #5
Ardmore’ 2000 14 yr Speyside
108.60 proof
There was a time when all of the malt whisky made in Scotland was made using barley that had been dried over a peat fire meaning the whisky was smoky. Whilst this tradition slowly diminished with the production of coal, there are a few distilleries that continue to produce smoky on the mainland. Ardmore is one such distillery and this heavily peated expression is a real lesson in the history of Scotch whisky. RRP $ 129.99
Bowmore’ 01 12 yr Islay
116.80 proof
Nose: Tar, Faint Peat, Slight Iodine
Palate: Sweet Beginning, Burnt Sugar, Turns Spicy
Finish: Soft, Sweet Juicy Oak, Very Light White Pepper
The Isle of Islay is famed for its richly-flavoured malt whisky distilleries. The whisky in this bottle was distilled at the Bowmore Distillery, the heart of the Isle of Islay and is a full-bodied, rich and smoky affair having spent 12 years in a refill ex-Sherry butt. RRP $ 119.99
Dalmore’ 96 18 yr Hihgland
105.00 proof
Dalmore Distillery is situated in the North Highlands on the edge of the Dornoch Firth. It is a rugged area of Scotland, full of mystique and charm yet the people are always warm and friendly. Expect the same from this cask aged 18 years in a refill oak hogshead. It is a rugged whisky, full of Highland charm but very warming. RRP $ 149.99
Glenrothes’ 96 18 yr Speyside
104.60 proof
Glenrothes Distillery is at the heart of the town with the same name. The whisky has been prized by blenders for over a century and by malt whisky drinkers when they could find it. It is now quite commonly available although single cask bottlings are getting rarer to find. This cask demonstrates all of the reasons that make Glenrothes so prized. RRP $ 139.99
Ledaig’ 05 8 yr Highland
115.20 proof
With youth on its side, this cask demonstrates all that is great about heavily-peated Scotch malt whisky. Taken from a distillery not normally associated with peaty whisky, this cask is full of smoke, seaweed and the smells of the Isle of Mull. A brute of a whisky bottled before time dulled its full powers. RRP $ 89.99
Speyside’ 89 25 yr
97.60 proof
This single barrel of malt whisky is taken from a secret distillery in Speyside. Famed for its honey-richness and soft fruits, this cask does not disappoint with an added layer of vanilla in the finish. A classis cask from a classic distillery – sip and savour all of its 25 years. RRP $ 199.99
The Exclusive Blend of Malts’ 94 20 yr
100.00 proof
RRP $ 99.99
of Forty Creek Distillery Ltd. and Fratelli Averna S.p.A.
Milan, June, 2014-Gruppo Campari announces the successful completion of the acquisition of Forty Creek Distillery Ltd., a leading spirits company in Canada, owner of a portfolio of premium and fast growing Canadian whiskies. As disclosed on May 13, 2014, the final Enterprise Value, is CAD 198.2 million (€ 133.7 million at the exchange rate at the acquisition closing date), including the price adjustment.
Moreover, Gruppo Campari announces the successful completion of the acquisition of Fratelli Averna S.p.A., the owner of Averna, a leading brand in the Italian market and one of the most well-known and appealing Italian bitters worldwide. As announced on April 15, 2014, the total enterprise value for 100% of the share capital of Averna Group is € 103.75 million.
Both deals were closed according to the terms of the acquisition agreements.
The Lakes Distillery took receipt of its stills in June, we followed the three handmade copper stills as they travelled between Edinburgh and our site on the banks of Bassenthwaite Lake before being lifted through the roof. It was quite a sight!
HIGHLAND PARK DELVES INTO ITS DARK ORIGINS FOR MAJOR NEW RELEASE
Highland Park today announced the launch of a new core expression inspired by the cunning spirit and courageous personality of its founder, Magnus Eunson.
Establishing a secret bunker in the hills of High Park in Orkney, Magnus ‘Mansie’ Eunson became a famed dark distiller back in the late 1700s, creating whisky for the people of Orkney to offer relief from the villainy of the tax collector. By day he worked tirelessly in his church providing spiritual guidance to the people of Orkney, but in the dead of night, he hand crafted what was to ultimately become the best spirit in the world, warming hearts and uniting all who tasted it.
Dark Origins, a stunning, non-chill filtered single malt with an ABV of 46.8%, will start to appear on shelves in July and roll out internationally throughout autumn 2014.
It uses twice as many first fill sherry casks than in the classic Highland Park 12 year old resulting in a naturally darker, richer flavour with sherried spice, a chocolate twist and the signature sweet smoke fans of the Orcadian elixir have come to know and love.
Highland Park is one of the few distilleries not using distiller’s caramel and so Dark Origins takes its natural colour from the interaction between spirit and cask which Highland Park believes consistently rate amongst the best casks in whisky.
Gerry Tosh, Global Marketing Manager, said: “Cask management is so very crucial to our work at Highland Park. We have strived to raise the bar, working tirelessly in sourcing the right wood and then working and finessing the balances to ensure we create single malt that is rich, warm and enticing in flavour. Dark Origins sits in the heart of our core range complimenting them perfectly – distinct in itself, but always and forever a classic Highland Park.”
The tasting notes:
Colour: Rich mahogany
Nose: Sherried spice and ripe bananas combine with toasted hazelnuts and baked apple
Palate: Well-balanced, dry peat at first mellowing out to maraschino cherries, warm dark chocolate entices the palate
Finish: Enduring sweet smoke
Dark Origins will be exclusively available from Harrods from 1 July – 14 July at an RRP of £64.95. It will be available from specialist independent whisky retailers, at the Highland Park distillery and http://www.highlandpark.co.uk/ thereafter.
To learn more you can follow us on https://www.facebook.com/HighlandParkWhisky, on Twitter @HighlandPark and on Instagram on @highlandparkofficial
Notes:
About Highland Park:
Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection. Its range of 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts. Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently including category winner at the 2011 World Whisky Awards for its 25-year-old single malt and ‘best whisky in the world 2009’ for its 21-year-old expression in the World Whisky Awards, as well as four double gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009.
Benromach – 10k or not 10k
Distilleries come in all shapes and sizes and I recently took a trip to one of Scotland’s smallest: Benromach.
Located in the town of Forres in the north of Speyside, the distillery dates to 1898. One of the victims of the distillery closures of 1983 (which saw eight distilleries including Port Ellen and St Magdalene cease production due to lack of demand), it lay dormant for 10 years before being rescued by independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail in 1993, with production recommencing five years later.
The Benromach 10k was about to start, but I was in a hurry to taste some whisky
My visit coincided with the Benromach 10k run, so the distillery grounds were busier than usual, but my group was marshalled around by retired aircraft engineer Jim.
The distillery produced just 140,000 litres of alcohol in 2013, but by employing just one extra person (with no other expansion in the production process), they plan to increase capacity by about 80%, with the aim of making 240,000 litres this year. To put their size into context, it took them eight years to produce their first million litres (this was reached on March 27 2006) – Glenfiddich take just a month to do the same.
One rare, but welcome, aspect of the distillery tour is that there is an on-site ‘museum’, where they have various pieces of equipment on display that you can take pictures of. Although some of the equipment on display is of a different style than those used in the production process at Benromach, it’s useful to be able to see and take photographs of them.
The Benromach ‘museum’ – not all the same shape and type as the distillery use though
The distillery has an old Boby mill (rather than the Porteus example in the museum), which dates to 1913 and is by far the smallest I’ve seen. They ran it for 90 minutes a day last year, but have now doubled that in their quest to increase production.
The small size of the distillery is highlighted by the fact that the entire production from mashing to distilling takes place in a single room. This includes four washbacks, made from larch, resized from the pre-1983 examples, in which a 90 hour fermentation occurs. There are two stills – a 7,500-litre wash still and a 4,500-litre spirit still. Both have almost exactly horizontal lyne arms, producing a medium-to-robust spirit.
All spirit is filled into casks on site, at the industry-standard 63.5% abv, and matured there too. Around 60% is filled in sherry casks, with the remainder into ex-bourbon (save for a bit of experimentation and small amounts of other woods, such as port pipes) – the distillery’s weekly production equates to approximately 18 sherry butts, 35 hogsheads or 44 bourbon barrels worth of spirit. Currently there are 7,500 casks maturing on site and, with the increase in production, two new warehouses are under construction. When the angels have had their share, the casks are sent to Gordon & MacPhail’s bottling plant in Elgin, 13 miles east of the distillery.
After the tour it was back to the small (but perfectly formed) visitor’s centre for a couple of drams:
Newly repackaged with the box resembling the surface of the distillery’s stills, this is a combination of whiskies initially aged for nine years – 20% in sherry casks and 80% in bourbon casks. These whiskies are then married for a final year in sherry wood. Gordon & MacPhail wanted to produce a traditional style of Speyside whisky at Benromach, and the 10 Year Old is peated to around 11ppm as a result.
Nose: Toffee and butterscotch with hints of liquorice and green apple.
Palate: The liquorice and green apple continue from the nose, joined by a maltiness, smoke and spicy cardamom and white pepper.
Finish: Warming, with the fruit and spice slowly dissipating to leave a delightful malty smokiness.
Comment: Benromach have succeeded in their aim of going back to the classic Speyside style of the 1960s, and the whisky has a very traditional feel about it.
Bottled in 2013 at around 10 years of age, this was fully matured in port pipes and is peated to 8ppm – I’m a big fan of port-wood-aged whisky, but this is my first experience of a smoky example.
Nose: Red-fruit-heavy nose, with blackberry and black cherry present.
Palate: Sweet cherry, liquorice, spicy black pepper and a hint of orange zest coming through on the mid-palate.
Finish: Warming finish, with the smokiness increasing and a spicy aftertaste.
Comment: It’s rare to have a smoky, fully-matured port-wood whisky, but I don’t know why it’s not done more often – the sweetness and the peat balance each other very nicely.
A big thanks to Jim for taking me round and to Susan for organising – who knows, I may be back next year for the 10k!
Originally published on The Whisky Exchange Blog – Benromach – 10k or not 10k
JULY OUTTURN: FEVER PITCH
The excitement is palpable. Fans are on the edge of their seats. Selection, styles and scores are being passionately debated up and down the country… It must be First Friday, and the arrival of a new Outturn!
Young & spritely
7.101 Playing with colours
BUY £48.40
Sweet, fruity & mellow
2.87 Satisfying as a butcher’s blade
BUY £89.00
117.3 Hubba-bubba, mango and Monstera
VERY RARE IRISH SINGLE CASK
BUY £335.00
76.116
Tangier market
BUY £117.70
Spicy & sweet
123.8 In the Spanish mountains
REFILL EX-PORT PIPE
BUY £50.70
36.77 Wee secrets of flavour
BUY £56.70
35.114 A southern gentleman
BUY £65.60
Spicy & dry
1.181 Vintage car in a rose-garden
BUY £45.00
Deep, rich & fruity
39.100 Exotic contradictions
BUY £87.20
73.65 Tarts in a tea house
BUY £92.40
Juicy, oak & vanilla
95.17 Goooaaalll!!!
LIMITED EDITION LABEL
On sale from 10am Monday 7 July (TODAY)
MORE £87.20
9.86 Sangria on the terrace
BUY Exclusive to offers
Oily & coastal
93.57 Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of this!
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
BUY £84.90
Lightly peated
4.187 Let the magic unfold
BUY £53.00
Peated
3.226 Cigar smoke & Newhaven fish boxes
BUY £59.40
53.206
Ooh Matron!
BUY £71.70
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 here for membership information This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!
Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video
Atlantic City, Wyo. – Miner’s Delight Inn will host its sixth season’s “Second Saturday Scotch Sipping at Six” on July 12, 2014. To celebrate this momentous anniversary whisky importer ImpEx Beverages will send Whisky Ambassador Chris Uhde to the inn to share six stunning single malt Scotch whiskies.
Chris Udhe, Whisky Ambassador
From the Isle of Arran Distillery Chris will pour 14 year old and a limited release whisky finished in Amarone wine casks. The recently released Tamdhu 10 year old, matured solely in sherry casks, comes from the Speyside region of Scotland, as does the Glenrothes 18 year old, which matured in a single sherry cask and was bottled by independent bottler The Creative Whisky Company at 104.6 proof. Of the two Islay malts Chris will pour the first comes from Bowmore Distillery – it’s a 12 year old bottled at cask strength (116.8 proof) by The Creative Whisky Company. Chris will share the latest expression from Islay’s newest and smallest distillery, Kilchoman. Loch Gorm, the whisky’s name, is the distillery’s sherry cask offering, and this 2014 version is the second limited edition in the annual series.
As ImpEx Beverages Western Sales Manager, Chris’ expertise lies not only in whisky as a product and symbol of Scottish culture and heritage, but he has also proven to be gifted in sales, marketing and business operations, from specialty exclusive accounts to large scale region-wide programs. In addition to his role at ImpEx, Chris is Whisky Expert for the United Scottish Society of Southern California, the founder of the Southern California Whiskey Club and he volunteers as the Whisky Curator for the Daily Pint in Santa Monica, LA Weekly’s Whisky Bar of the Year 2013. With 14 years of experience in the spirits industry under his belt, Chris is affectionately known as the Whisky Red Head or Whisky Ginger, and you can find him traveling throughout the West educating retailers, bartenders and consumers about the process of making and drinking fine whisky.
The night’s tasting will span the hours six till nine p.m., and the fee is a whopping $10. Innkeepers Barbara and Bob Townsend will have on hand a few delights to cleanse your palate between Chris’ whiskies. To find the inn visit this site: minersdelightinn.com
Slàinte,
Bob
www.ralfy.com skips the Polo match to present Whisky Review 470 – Teelings Single Grain Whiskey @ 46%
