A Bowmore Whisky Tasting
26th November at 7.00pm

A taste of Islay, accompanied by Oysters and Chocolate!

As the winter months close in on us quicker than ever, we are very excited to hold a Bowmore Whisky tasting presented by UK Brand Ambassador for Bowmore, Jane Ashley.

We will be tasting 6 glorious drams from Bowmore in the 16th Century cellars at Nickolls & Perks.

We are also giving you whisky drammers the chance to taste the 10 year old Devil’s cask release from Bowmore, yes that dram is devlishly hard to get your hands on indeed! Selling out in a matter of hours.

Starts 7.00pm

Whiskies on Taste:

Bowmore 12 Year Old
Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest
Bowmore 18 Year Old
Bowmore Tempest Cask Strength Batch 5
Bowmore 10 Year Old Devil’s Cask Batch 2!
Bowmore 16 year old 1990 Sherry Matured 53.8 %

Starts 7.00 pm N&P Cellars
Email us for further details
Tickets just £20.00 each. Click here to buy now

For the most American of holidays, a quintessentially American drink to match the pecan pie.

Few Spirits Bourbon Whiskey $52.99
Old Medley 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey $47.99
Russell’s Reserve Small Batch Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey $55.99
George T. Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky $59.99
Old Bardstown Black Label, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey $22.99

Mario Testino, the world’s most iconic fashion photographer, unveiled as The Macallan Master of Photography 

The Macallan, the ultimate luxury spirit distributed by Maxxium UK, has revealed Mario Testino as its fifth Master of Photography. Launching today (12 November) in the UK, The Macallan brings to life its foundation stones, The Six Pillars, through the eyes of the world’s most prolific portrait and fashion photographer. The Masters of Photography: Mario Testino Edition sees him interpret The Six Pillars through the characterisation of six individual personalities in his distinct, inimitable and luxurious style.

The Masters of Photography: Mario Testino Edition is The Macallan’s most inspired to date, with the whisky bringing together six different casks to showcase the ultimate complexity. Each of these six perfect whiskies is the definitive representation of one of the Six Pillars.  They each have their own definitive character, flavour and aroma which when brought together; create the perfect single malt with unparalleled depth, darkness and diversity.

The Master Whisky Maker personally selected these six unique casks from over 200,000 maturing at The Macallan distillery to craft this limited edition expression.  He has achieved this through adding layer upon layer of character and flavour, reflecting the approach taken to the photography itself.

Presenting the first ever Masters of Photography design collaboration, each of the 1,000 Mario Testino Editions for sale globally – of which there are four different variations, each featuring one of the four iconic shots taken by Mario – are presented in a beautiful, high gloss, black lacquered presentation box, designed together with Mario Testino. Inspired by the subtle elegance and rich Asian cultural heritage of traditional lacquered boxes, each presentation box is individually numbered and features a secret hidden compartment.

Testino’s ability to transform reality into the more vivid and desirable has resulted in some of the most prolific and recognisable photographs of our time, including the iconic portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales for her Vanity Fair cover story in 1997, and intimate shots of original supermodel Kate Moss spanning several decades.

Renowned for his mastery of composition – the artistic arrangement and placement of visual elements within the picture – and for creating a reflective and intense connection with his sitters, be it celebrities or royalty, Mario Testino has now turned his lens to The Macallan. By bringing together a group of distinct characters, Mario captured the spirit of the ultimate party.  Each character was cast on the basis of their visual qualities, each echoing one of The Macallan’s Six Pillars.  Shot in Beijing, in a former palace near the Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square, the photographs showcase the vibrancy and luxury of The Macallan world, infused with subtle eclecticism and cultural allusions.

“Whisky was the choice of drink in my country during the years I was growing up. When I was approached by The Macallan to take part in the Masters of Photography Series I decided to capture the moment when people get together to celebrate, in the atmosphere of a whisky environment – a whisky club!,” comments Mario Testino.

Ken Grier, Director of The Macallan, said: “As one of the world’s truly great whiskies, we seek to collaborate with the best photographers in the world. Not just those who have the technical ability, but something more. The Macallan Masters of Photography is about the personal touch, we work with photographers with whom we have a shared passion to create beautiful collectables. Mario’s emotional engagement coupled with the level of his creative involvement, heralds an evolution of the role of the Master in the Masters of Photography series, one which has brought about an exciting visual celebration of our fundamental Six Pillars. Not only is he a historically important giant in contemporary photography, his elegance, charm and gentlemanly approach to creating this ultimate party has made him both a joy and an inspiration to work with.”

The Macallan Masters of Photography series features exclusive collaborations, conjoining the art of whisky making with the artist’s interpretation of the world of The Macallan. Previous editions were authored by iconic photographers Elliott Erwitt, Annie Leibovitz, Rankin and Albert Watson.

Each edition comprises a different Mario Testino print capturing The Six Pillars, an exclusive photo-archival booklet featuring a total of 20 images, shot by Testino during the process, one bottle of the single malt whisky and six miniatures from each of the selected six casks.

The Macallan Masters of Photography: Mario Testino edition will be available in the UK from specialist whisky retailers, priced at £2215. 

http://www.themacallan.com/

http://www.themastersofphotography.com/

NOTES

The Images

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then it has built a reputation as one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies.  The creation of The Macallan draws on the vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland, and of their respective natural raw materials, combined with traditional methods and craftsmanship. From its founding, through the subsequent owners of The Macallan distillery in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and into the present century, The Macallan has been recognised for its outstanding quality above all else.

Mario Testino

Born in Lima, Peru, Mario Testino moved to London in 1976 where he made his home and began his career. His vision has made him a much sought-after creative partner in the fashion and beauty industries.  His work has been featured in magazines from Vogue to Vanity Fair and he has contributed to the success of many leading fashion and beauty houses through advertising campaigns, from Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana, to Chanel and Lancôme.

As a portrait photographer Mario Testino works with the actors and celebrities of the moment, as well as receiving royal commissions from HRH The Prince of Wales, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, HRH Prince Harry, Diana Princess of Wales, and Her Majesty Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordan.

The recipient of many awards, Testino has received the Medalha Tiradentes from the state of Rio de Janeiro, in 2010 the Grand Cross Order of Merit, his country’s highest honor and in 2013, the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to photography and charity.

In 2012 Testino established MATE, Asociación Mario Testino in Lima, Peru. MATE is a not-for-profit cultural organisation that promotes and celebrates the arts of Peru and permanently hosts his own work.

Mario Testino has published twelve books, including MaRio de Janeiro Testino, Kate Moss by Mario Testino, Private View and In Your Face.

The Macallan Masters of Photography: Mario Testino edition

The Macallan Masters of Photography: Mario Testino edition is an exquisite whisky, showcasing ultimate complexity. Bob Dalgarno, The Macallan Master Whisky Maker, has selected six casks every one representing the best example of spirit exemplifying each of the Six Pillars, and combined them to form the most extraordinary and rare Macallan.  He has achieved this through adding layer upon layer of character and flavour, reflecting the approach taken to the photography itself.

Inspired by the chosen setting and approach taken by Testino in casting the characters and capturing them within this dynamic party scene, the Master Whisky Maker selected six casks from over 200,000 casks maturing at The Macallan, each the ultimate representation of one of the Six Pillars. Everyone with its own definitive character, flavour and aroma which when brought together; create an outstanding single malt with unparalleled depth, darkness and diversity.

The six casks, a combination of Spanish and American 100% sherry seasoned oak butt and puncheon casks, result in a truly multi-dimensional flavour experience that once drunk is gone forever. 

Six Pillars: six miniatures

Rooted in its Spiritual Home, this single malt is true to itself. Traditional, classy and complex, this whisky at 58.1% ABV embodies The Macallan, like the iconic Easter Elchies House, with sherry driving a distinct character. A strikingly handsome young man visually represents this Pillar with his sophistication and charisma.

Vibrant and copper in colour, this single malt at 56.8% ABV reflects the Curiously Small Stills, a defining feature of The Macallan’s unique character.  This eye-catching whisky promising a long, lingering finish.  A small Chinese Crested Dog, cradled by a classically, alluring woman conveying a timeless elegance, represents this whisky, which is mysterious and intense.

Refined, yet complex this stylish and individual single malt at 58.2% ABV is inspired by the Finest Cut.  Citrus is at the fore, giving a welcome sharpness.  Spirit dominates here but within the classical structure determined by the cask.  The character selection was simple; a sharply-dressed, striking man reflecting a perfectly tailored look, like the cut of a great suit; adding variety to the scene.

The richness of this single malt at 57.4% ABV celebrates the Exceptional Oak Casks.  The character is classic Macallan; spice, dried fruit and sweetness.  It is a suave and considered whisky showing maturity at its heart.  The character echoes this Pillar; he is distinguished, mature, full of character and experienced.

Vibrancy and flair are at the heart of this single malt at 56.8% ABV, embodying Natural Colour.  Yet this is a breathtakingly gorgeous whisky with real poise, beauty and subtlety.  A sublime whisky with supermodel charm plays out through the sweet vanilla cream and silk-like texture.  This feminine charm led to the casting of our leading lady who stands out in the crowd, but is not dominant.  Her beauty, smile and energy make her the perfect party companion.

Bottled at 59.2% ABV, this genuinely effortless whisky embodies the Peerless Spirit.  A single malt capturing the very heart of The Macallan; its character, heritage and story.  It does not need a detailed narrative; it delivers the perfect balance of spirit and cask.  A strong and confident military man is how Testino has interpreted this, the final, of the Six Pillars.  He stands for something authentic; he is passionate and committed.

JURA 1984 VINTAGE

In 1984, Jura casked a small quantity of unambiguously excellent single malt whisky and, thirty years later, Jura 1984 Vintage, has been released as a limited edition malt. There are only 1,984 individually numbered bottles available worldwide, with a retail price of £750.

With this new rare and richly aromatic malt, Jura continues to surprise with the uncommon masterpieces that are created on its unpolished shores. Jura 1984 Vintage has an intense and uncensored taste matured in American White Oak, Amoroso and Apostoles Oloroso sherry butt casks. Each extraordinary bottle is non-chill filtered at 44% ABV.

As always, Jura invites customers to share their own tasting notes, but whisky lovers are likely to find a suggestion of honey, vanilla, ginger, peach syrup and banana cake on the nose. On the palette, hints of ripe pineapple will develop into bitter chocolate and finish with rich morello cherries.

Jura 1984 Vintage honours the connection to the writer George Orwell who wrote the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four whilst staying on the island. Rebuilt in 1963 to revive a remote community nestled off the West Coast of Scotland, Jura has one road, one pub, one shop and one distillery which creates a uniquely crafted mix of whiskies completely unlike any others.

Willie Cochrane, Jura Distillery Manager: “Every good malt whisky has a story to tell and Jura’s tale is particularly unique. We’re delighted to add another exciting chapter with the release of this extraordinary limited edition vintage. Jura 1984 Vintage is an uncompromising addition to our range in homage to the island’s most distinguished guest. 1984 is certainly a year to remember.”

Jura 1984 Vintage is on sale now priced at £750 from all good whisky specialists.

New Book Release  

Whisky, 2nd Edition

Technology, Production and Marketing 

Edited by Inge Russell and Graham Stewart, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland. This is the only book available that covers the entire process of whiskey making as well as information on how to deliver the finished product to the global marketplace. To read more or for ordering info, click here.

Nikka From The Barrel – 3 Litre 80th Anniversary

Released in celebration of the 80th Anniversary of Nikka whisky, is this humongous 300cl bottle of Nikka From The Barrrel! Yes, a Jeroboam (a.k.a. Double Magnum) size offering of a truly tremendous tasting, award winning Japanese blended whisky!

Not only do you get a mighty fine looking coin collecting jar after it’s all gone but it also comes with a wooden stand, 4cl whisky pipette, spirit speed pourer and a Nikka branded bag…

£299.98
(£249.98 ex vat)

Click here to purchase Nikka From The Barrel 3 Litre

Nikka Single Cask Coffey Grain 1999
Single Cask #209699

Single cask #209699, distilled at the Miyagikyo distillery in a Coffey still and aged in a bourbon barrel for 14 years. Distilled in 1999, bottled in 2014 at 63% vol.
The Nikka Coffey grain single casks are made primarily from corn.

£161.90
(£134.92 ex vat)

Click here to purchase Nikka Single Cask 209699

Nikka Taketsuru 21 Year Old
80th Anniversary

Nikka Taketsuru 21 year old, non-chill filtered edition, bottled in 2014 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Nikka whisky. This limited edition Taketsuru 21 has been created from a blend of malt whisky from the Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. Bottled at 48% vol, 984 bottles released.

£210.00
(£175.00 ex vat)

Click here to purchase Nikka 21 Year Old 80th Anniversary

This week Joe Ellis reviews Ridgemont Reserve 1792 Barrel Select Bourbon 

http://youtu.be/aC082BRf32o 

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

SCOTTISH LEADER STANDS TALLER, PROUDER 

Scottish Leader, one of the world’s favourite blended Scotch whiskies, sold in 60 countries, is revitalising with a new look, an enhanced recipe and the introduction of an additional, very premium Signature blend. 

After 12 months of extensive global consumer research, what is now positioned as the Scottish Leader Original, has been reformulated with improved body and balance. The blend of top malt and grain whiskies is the recipe by Burn Stewart master distiller, Ian MacMillan, and now has a warm, honey sweet and delicately smoky taste with a silky smooth finish. It has also been repackaged to signify the change.  

The new, sophisticated Scottish Leader Signature has a more pronounced island malt influence than the Original, with a rich, smoky profile. 

Says MacMillan: “The core elements of Scottish Leader Original have not been lost in any way. As a team with over 340 years of collective experience, we’ve worked incredibly hard to give it more richness and balance but ensure it is still immediately recognisable as the Scottish Leader people around the world have come to appreciate. With Scottish Leader Signature we’ve amplified the malt influence to give Scotch lovers a new, complex and layered offering.  

“Both will appeal to experienced blended drinkers and newcomers, whether they enjoy drinking Scotch neat or with a mixer.” 

SA marketing manager, Taygan Govinden says of the new, refreshed packaging. “Modern, tall and proud, the bottle now has clean-edged glass chamfers skilfully designed to show-case the rich gold colours of the whisky. The Scottish Leader ethos is expressed in the new soaring eagle brand icon, an inherently Scottish symbol, which conveys success, vision and power – the characteristics of a great leader and the essence of the Scottish Leader brand. 

“The packaging is also influenced by its proud Scottish heritage. With a Celtic typeface and the landscape of Ben Ledi, the highest mountain in the Trossachs, the label reflects its provenance and Highland home. 

“These whiskies were crafted to encourage people to share and celebrate occasions, recognising individual and group successes across all aspects of life.” 

Scottish Leader Original, in 1 litre, 750 ml and 200 ml, and Signature in 750 ml packaging, will be available at leading South African liquor outlets from December 2014. 

Scottish Leader Original 750 ml
RRP: R139 

Scottish Leader Signature 750 ml
RRP: R169 

Follow Scottish Leader on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ScottishLeaderSouthAfrica) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/ScottishLeader).  Alternatively, visit the website: http://www.scottishleader.co.za.

Glenmorangie Companta NAS, 46%, OB, 2014

On the nose there’s a very rich presence of some fruit, some chocolate. Surprisingly some hints of the sea shore. Time spent nosing this reveals complex layers of some good fruit. The taste has the richness of the nose, lots of fruit followed by some wine notes. The characteristic maltiness of Glenmorangie is masked by the finishing but it struggles for attention and finally wins through which is a nice addition to the complexity. A welcome arrival of some oak spice adds to the mix. The finish has a good measure of the wine notes and more of the fruit, berries and such. Lots and lots of good chewy malt. A medium long finish.

Score 80 points

Glenmorangie releases Companta – a celebration of kindred spirits

 — The fifth annual release from the award-winning Private Edition range — 

From the deepest recesses of Dr Bill Lumsden’s ‘cabinet of curiosities’, Glenmorangie’s celebrated Director of Whisky Creation and Distilling proudly presents Glenmorangie Companta, the fifth release from the Private Edition – a limited edition range of rare and intriguing single malts, including the recently critically acclaimed Glenmorangie Ealanta, Jim Murray’s ‘2014 World Whisky of the Year’.

A refined balance between bold spice and rich, smooth sweetness, Companta is the result of a careful assemblage of spirit extra matured in renowned French wine casks. Born of Grand Cru casks from Clos de Tart and those of a lusciously sweet fortified wine from Côtes du Rhône, Glenmorangie Companta (Scots Gaelic for friendship) celebrates the kindred spirits discovered through a shared pursuit of perfection, as experienced by Dr Bill:

“Having spent over twenty years traveling to some of France’s most renowned vineyards, I’ve had the opportunity to sample many rare and intriguing wines in search of the finest casks to complement the extra maturation of our whisky. As a true wine aficionado, some of my most memorable visits have been to Burgundy, where the dedication and attention to detail that goes into their craft never ceases to amaze me. 

“The smaller vineyards of the region don’t seem to worry about yields, costs, or timings. They work tirelessly, simply to produce the very best wine. In the same spirit as Glenmorangie, they stop at nothing in the pursuit of perfection. 

“This shared philosophy inspired me to create the ultimate tribute to my longstanding love for French vineyards and the friends that I’ve had the pleasure to make throughout my travels.”

The result; Glenmorangie Companta. The product of extra maturation in several of Dr Lumsden’s most coveted casks, carefully selected from two of the finest French vineyards sharing Glenmorangie’s ‘unnecessarily well made’ philosophy.

“Selecting parcels of Glenmorangie which had been matured in traditional American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, I transferred the spirit into casks having previously contained one of my personal favourites – the rich Grand Cru wine from Clos de Tart, one of the most celebrated vineyards in Burgundy. After a period of extra maturation, the casks imparted additional body and deep berry-like flavours to the trademark elegant, floral character of the Glenmorangie.”

While most would have been satisfied with the result, Dr Bill continued on, seeking to perfect the whisky with additional depth and character.

“To complement the bold, spicy character imparted from the Grand Cru casks, I selected a parcel of Glenmorangie which had been extra maturing in casks having previously contained a lusciously sweet fortified wine from Côtes du Rhône. It took some time, but with careful fine tuning we reached a harmonious assemblage which proved the perfect balance; neither too bold nor too tame!”

On the nose, Companta exudes rich, ‘autumnal’ scents of red berries and damp forest floors, with a hint of fragrant woodsmoke complementing notes of aromatic, nutty oak.

Upon tasting, a spicy palate redolent of cherries and stewed fruits is slowly revealed, as notes of sugared plums, blood orange and rose-hip syrup emerge alongside milk chocolate and brown sugar, leading into a mouth-coating finish.

Bottled at a strength of 46%, and non chill-filtered for extra body and texture, Glenmorangie Companta is available globally from January 2013.

The latest incarnation in the Private Edition’s award-winning range of expressions, Companta once again reaffirms the Glenmorangie Whisky Creation Team’s pioneering spirit and commitment to sharing some of the world’s most highly regarded single malts with a select audience of like-minded aficionados.

NOTES:

About Glenmorangie:

Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky originates in the Scottish Highlands where, at the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland, expertly matured in the finest oak casks, and perfected by the Men of Tain. The Distillery was founded in 1843 and is renowned as a pioneer in its field, uniting tradition with innovation to create ‘unnecessarily well made’ whiskies.

The Glenmorangie Private Edition Range

Glenmorangie’s Private Edition is an award-winning range that provides an annual opportunity for whisky connoisseurs and aficionados to experience a rare and intriguing single malt brought to life by the Glenmorangie Whisky Creation Team. Glenmorangie Companta marks the fifth annual release in this lauded range.

Sazerac Canadian Whiskies Win Silver Medals

at 2014 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition 

NEW ORLEANS, lA.  (Nov. 12, 2014) – Four whiskies from the Sazerac Company received very high marks at the 2014 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, each having received silver medals.

Those whiskies receiving silver medals include Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky, Legacy Small Batch Canadian Whisky, Rich and Rare Reserve Canadian Whisky and Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Whisky.

“To have these four whiskies recognized with silver medals is a great honor,” Kevin Richards, marketing director of whiskeys and specialty brands, said. “We are humbled to be judged so highly among this year’s competitors.”

The New York World Wine & Spirits Competition is one of the largest competitions for the retail beverage industry and has attracted top professional judges from a broad spectrum of expertise. The competition is judged each year in New York City.

Complete results of the 2014 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition are available at www.nyworldwineandspiritscompetition.com

About The Sazerac Company

     Sazerac is one of New Orleans’ oldest family owned, privately held companies and has operations in New Orleans, Louisiana; Frankfort, Bardstown, Louisville and Owensboro, Kentucky; Fredericksburg, Virginia; Carson, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Lewiston, Maine; Londonderry, New Hampshire; and Montreal, Canada.  For more information, please visit www.sazerac.com.