Come and see us at the Lonach Highland Gathering on Saturday the 23rd August 

for a wee dram and buy your exclusive bottle of Lonach 2014 Single Malt.

We are hosting the “Whiskies Of Scotland” whisky marquee where you can taste free samples from distilleries such as Benriach, Glendronach, Glenglassaugh, Tomintoul & Glencadam. Also exhibiting thier portfollio of whiskies are Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky, Black Bull Blended Whisky & independant bottlers Dougas Laing & Gordon & MacPhail.

And of course our own exclusive single malts label “Whiskies Of Scotland”.  

Slainte, Ronnie Routledge.     

Dufftown 2000 Ltd organises weekly Nosings and Tastings every Wednesday evening at 20:00hrs in Dufftown’s Commercial Hall until 17th September. 

Tonight’s event is sponsored by BenRiach Distillery. Entrance fee is £10 and includes a free nosing glass. 

All profit goes towards the refurbishment of the Dufftown Whisky and Heritage Centre.

Please check our website under Whisky Nosing: http://www.dufftown.co.uk/ for more details

Distiller Expands Whiskey Recommendation Engine to include Social Features

Whiskey recommendation engine, Distiller, overhauled their platform on Thursday, July 31, to introduce the Distiller Community, with a suite of new features that helps connect whiskey lovers from all around the world. Share opinions, comment, like, and follow what’s going on from the new “Feed” located on a user’s profile, or directly from every whiskey page in Distiller.

Available on iOS, Android and web, Distiller’s whiskey recommendation engine uses tens-­of-­thousands of data points to analyze flavor profiles, price, reputation, even ‘giftability’ of a whiskey brand. Users activate the recommendation algorithm by answering a few questions about their tastes, and context on the situation, or can search for something more specific like scotch under $50.

New features

●Notes Tab on Bottle Pages:

Read notes from other Distiller community members.

●Liking and Commenting:

Like and comment on what other users are saying about whiskeys in Distiller.

●Following:

Follow other users, see their Top Shelf, Collection, Wishlist, and read reviews.

●Activity Feed

●People Search:

Search for fellow whiskey lovers by toggling between “Whiskeys” and “People” on the search page, and can follow them directly from the search results, or click to see a user’s profile.

● Set notes to “private,” or keep them public to share with everyone.

About Distiller

Distiller is a discovery and recommendation companion that was developed for the beginners, adventurous, and discerning to explore their personal tastes and learn more about the craft, history, culture, and world of whiskey. Powered by a personal passion for whiskey and curated by respected whiskey professionals, Distiller is redefining the education and discovery element of the whiskey experience. Distiller is based in Seattle, WA and backed by Votiv Capital. Learn more at www.drinkdistiller.com , on Twitter at @drinkdistiller  and on Facebook at http://facebook.com/drinkdistiller

GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES 18 YEARS OLD TAWNY PORT FINISH

GOLDEN syrup, red fruit compote and red grapefruit – a mouth-watering description of the new GlenDronach 18 year-old Tawny Port expression launched today (4August 2014).

Bottled at 46% abv, it is the award-winning Aberdeenshire distillery’s latest addition to its wood finishes range and replaces the 15 years old Tawny Port finish expression.

The GlenDronach Tawny Port finish is first matured in European oak casks and thereafter finishes its maturation in a small batch of Tawny Port casks. This gives the whisky its own unique flavours and aromas – in particular a distinctive rich red fruit taste.

The tasting notes show the whisky and the two different woods combining brilliantly to produce a phenomenal Highland malt.

Appearance:

Bright amber with a tawny heart.

Nose:

Elegant notes of golden syrup drenched over red fruit compote with a contrasting red grapefruit balance. Touches of cinnamon and nutmeg add to a rounded, warm depth.

Palate:

Vivid, tart cranberries and crisp barley marry harmoniously with stewed plums and roasted apples. Cedar wood and sweet cigar box spices add a delicate warmth and unique complexity to the long warm finish.

Finish:

A beautifully structured balance of contrasting rich fruit characters and intriguing warm oak spices.

Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “We launched our wood finishes range four years ago and the response worldwide has been excellent.

“We’ve carefully selected whisky that has been gently maturing in lighter casks so that aficionados experience the full impact of the Tawny port cask.

“The very pleasing result contributes extra depth and concentrated stewed fruit flavours. It’s another outstanding whisky that we’re delighted to add to our portfolio.”

TOP PICKS!

• Ardbeg Corryvreckan Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $82) ($69.99)
  96 points Whisky Advocate: “Powerful, muscular, well-textured, and invigorating. Even within the realm of Ardbeg, this one stands out. The more aggressive notes of coal tar, damp kiln, anise, and smoked seaweed are supported by an array of fruit (black raspberry, black cherry, plum), dark chocolate, espresso, molasses, bacon fat, kalamata olive, and warming cinnamon on the finish. Quite stunning! (Vol. 18, #3)” K&L Notes: 2009 Scotch Whisky of the Year from the Malt Advocate! Named for Europe’s largest whirlpool, this whisky is now available on a full time basis, having replaced the beloved Beist. Like the whirlpool, Ardbeg Corryvreckan is heady, intense and powerful. Its finish is long and deep, leaving the sipper with a lingering, mysterious and enticing taste. It is without a doubt one of the best Ardbeg’s ever created and lends a bit of richness to balance out the spicy flavors. Lots of peat, lots of power, but always perfectly balanced. A malt to savor.

NEW ARRIVALS

• Kilkerran “Work In Progress” #6 Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 9 available ($64.99)

• Kilkerran “Work In Progress” #6 Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 10 available ($64.99)

BACK IN STOCK

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Angel’s Envy 100 Proof Rye Whiskey 750ml (one bottle limit) – 4 available ($67.99)

• Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Bourbon 750ml (oversized bottle, ships as 1.5L) – 1 available ($46.99)

• Rock Hill Farms Kentucky Straight Bourbon 750ml (ships as 3L) – 4 available ($44.99)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

The Relaxed Whisky Weekend
5 – 7 September 2014

Only 1 month till Maltstock 2014!

Just one month to practice for the whisky quiz, to save for the raffle, to train your liver, to get some extra sleep, to decide which whisky you will be bringing, to buy earplugs, and also just one more month you have to wait.

Let us announce some feature:
– Blind bottle battle
– the Whisky Belle – Campfire tasting
– Friday Pizza day!
– Relaxed Raffle prices
– Masterclass deadline

Blind Bottle Battle:

You have the best club bottling in the world you want everybody to know about? You have a stunning private bottling you want to share? Want to have your random bottle of whisky judged by your peer knowledgable Maltstock guests and win fabulous prizes? Besides having a fair chance at immortal fame and glory? Have a crack at it all in our Blind Bottle Battle!! Bring an extra bottle and have it brought to a blind tasting during Maltstock at the Gathering.

Compete in one of two categories:
– non Scotch whisk(e)y
– 50% + VOL Scotch

There is a prize for the winner bottle in every category and a prize for the best tasting note.

The rules are simple:

1. The bottle must fit into one of the named categories and be submitted to the Maltstock crew unopened before Saturday the 6th of September at Maltstock.
2. One bottle per team/ person can be submitted per category.
3. Relax! it’s just for fun remember?
4. It is fun to know about the prize of the bottle so be so kind as to share it with us and everybody else.

Annabel Meikle tasting:

With great pleasure we announce that Annabel Meikle is coming to Maltstock this year. The Whisky Belle will host a tasting for you at the campfire place. She will be at Maltstock the whole weekend, so there’s plenty of opportunity to take a selfie with Annabel. 🙂 thewhiskybelle.com

Friday = Pizza day!!:

Instead of Chinese food we are doing something different this year. We have freshly baked pizza. Ecopizza.nl is bringing their ovens and Chefs to make delicious pizza for you to enjoy.

This will take a bit more time. So dinner will be more relaxed. Don’t worry, with 1.5 pizza per person there’s more than enough for everyone.

Win a free stay at Dornoch Castle or 100,- Pounds bar credit:

Dornoch castle have very kindly donated a few amazing prizes for you to win at Maltstock this year:
– 2 nights B&B in a double/twin room
– 1 night B&B and dinner in a double/twin room
– a whopping 100,- pounds bar credit

Last but not least (Let us know which Masterclasses you prefer):

Try not to forget to let us know which Masterclasses you prefer!!!! Do this before 24 August!! Otherwise we won’t be able to assign Masterclasses to you. Thanks!

See you in about a month, we can’t wait!

Relaxed greetings,
Annette, Bob, Klaas, Stan, Teun and Jeroen

Dramboree 2014 – Loch Lomond and a bottle of Ledaig

Strangely, the UK has fewer whisky festivals than elsewhere in the world. While we have more than 100 of the most famous distilleries in the world sitting north of the Scots border, it’s on the continent that we see the most whisky-enthusiast gatherings.

While we have a range of whisky shows, from the beginner-friendly Whisky Lounge through to our own big-ticket Whisky Show, the enthusiast-run festival is something we see a lot less of. One of my favourites of the past few years has been Maltstock, which takes place in Nijmegen in the eastern Netherlands – it’s a gathering of whisky fans who all bring a bottle or two for a weekend of sitting around, talking rubbish and drinking whisky.
Ever since my first year at Maltstock, one constant topic of conversation has been as to whether the event would work in the UK. Generally, the feeling was that it wouldn’t, what with us not having so much of a tradition of fan-run whisky festivals. Fortunately, that didn’t stop Jonny Macmillan and Jason B Standing, who set up a British version of Maltstock in 2013 – Dramboree.

The fine folks who made it to Dramboree 2014.

Annoyingly I missed the first one, although m’colleague Rocky made it and reported back on an excellent weekend. However, in July I made up for it by going to Dramboree #2.

Held on the shores of Loch Lomond, it was an excellent weekend of whisky and general shenanigans. Along with a table full of bottles to share, it also featured tastings of some new and upcoming bottlings from Dewar’s (keep an eye out for a range of single malts from Craigellachie, Aultmore, Glen Deveron and Royal Brackla sometime soon) and Highland Park (one of the first tastings of the new Dark Origins), a range of old bottlings from the 1950s onwards, a sensory whisky experience with Annabel Meikle, and a call for action from The Whisky Shop Dufftown’s Mike Lord to define Dufftown as a new whisky region in itself.

However, the bit that most excited me was the reveal of something that we at TWE had put together for the weekend: an exclusive Dramboree bottling. Finding something peaty, sherried and affordable is no mean feat, and we were very pleased to have some tasty Ledaig in our stocks. Here’s what I thought:

Ledaig 8yo, Dramboree Bottling, £55

Nose: Sweet peat, mulchy ferns, bandages, candied peel, Haribo and, under it all, sweet, earthy smoke.
Palate: Big and feisty, with sweet bacon and charcoal hitting up front, followed by black pepper, liquorice, driftwood, rich river mud, tingly cinnamon and a touch of dark chocolate. Water reveals more dried fruit, as well as spice and sweetness.
Finish: Spicy and leafy, with liquorice and cinnamon slowly turning into Fisherman’s Friends.
Comment: I’m a bit of a sucker for Ledaig, so this ticks all the boxes for me – peaty, dark and sweet.
The Dramboree gang have now stocked up, so we’re opening sales to everyone who would like a bottle – just head over to our main website to grab one. Don’t wait too long, we’ve not got that much left…

The source of this single malt is a carefully guarded secret of the directors of Gordon & Macphail. Presented in a lovely decanter and case. £195

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky available on SAA and Kenya Airways

International visitors travelling on South African Airways (SAA) and Kenya Airways this August and September will have the unique opportunity to purchase Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, the award-winning South African grain whisky, on-board.

Named the World’s Best Grain Whisky at the 2013 World Whisky Awards held annually in London, this is the first on-board listing for Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, an opportunity made possible by Tourvest Inflight Retail Services (Tourvest IRS).

According to global marketing manager, Eliska Botha, these two new listings form part of steps towards making Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky available to consumers worldwide.

“Since launching in South African in 2009, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky has performed phenomenally at all the major international whisky competitions. The whisky has also ignited quite an interest globally but the high demand from consumers in South Africa has resulted in limited availability in the rest of the world. Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky currently sells only through duty-free and a select few retailers in the UK and Canada.

“Through this new on-board listing, international travellers will now be able to get to know our proudly South African whisky and take a bottle home with them. The international consumer-base travelling on these airlines are quite discerning and we believe that having Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky available within this premium environment will further strengthen interest worldwide. ”

In addition to being named World’s Best, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky has been awarded gold for the sixth consecutive year at the 2014 International Wine and Spirits Competition, won gold at the  2014 China Wine and Spirits competition and double gold at the 2013 New York International Spirits Competition.

The whisky is inspired by the Cape Mountains and the natural beauty of the area’s magnificent peaks, cool, sparkling streams, wooded valleys and an unmatched wealth of indigenous fynbos. Crafted at the James Sedgwick Distillery situated near the picturesque Bainskloof Pass in Wellington, in the Western Cape, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky pays tribute to Andrew Geddes Bain, the pioneering engineer who planned and built the pass in 1853.

Only the finest South African grain is used together with water that flows over an 850 million year-old sandstone and indigenous fynbos, setting Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky apart from any other whisky produced in the world. The whisky is quite uniquely double-matured and matured for three years in casks previously used for Bourbon, before being re-vatted into a fresh set of casks for a further maturation period that results in its exceptionally smooth and unique taste.

The whisky is a delicious combination of floral, banana, honey, toasted hazelnuts and toffee aromas. By adding a splash of water the whisky opens up to include wood, vanilla and sweet spice aromas and ends with an exceptionally smooth finish.

Catch the Night Shift!

On August 16th Barbara and Bob Townsend from the Miner’s Delight Inn in Atlantic City, Wyoming, will don their nineteenth century duds, load their wagon with whisky, and point the horses West to the Miners’ Exchange Saloon at the nearby South Pass City State Historic Site. The site is an authentic representation of the 1868 gold mining boom town, complete with the fully operational Carissa Gold Mill just outside of town. For the second time this year the site will offer lantern-lit tours of the mill.

When workers complete their night shift (tour) at the Carissa they’ll repair to the Miners’ Exchange Saloon, where Barbara and Bob will help them recover from their strenuous labors with three top-shelf single malt Scotch whiskies while their sidekick, John, tinkles the ivories on the saloon’s piano.

Tickets are available. For details visit the state historic site’s site:

http://www.southpasscity.com/cns.html 

Photo: Barbara and Bob Townsend at the Miners’ Exchange Saloon, South Pass City, Wyoming.