Tamdhu Toasts Top Trophy at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards

Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky is celebrating after being crowned winner of the Distillery Special Editions category at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards.

The results were announced on Sunday 4 May at the Awards Ceilidh at Glen Grant Distillery. They recognise the excellence of the whiskies produced in Speyside as part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival celebrations.

Tamdhu lifted the trophy for its 10 Year Old Limited Edition Single Malt, of which only 1,000 individually numbered bottles have been produced.

Commenting on the awards, Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers (who own Tamdhu), said: “Following Tamdhu’s exciting return to the Speyside Festival last year, we have had a phenomenal response to Tamdhu including various other award wins already this year. For our Limited Edition bottling to receive this accolade on Tamdhu’s first anniversary since being re-launched is fantastic and a great reward for all our hard work.”

Matured in 100% first fill sherry casks, the same type insisted upon when the distillery was established in 1897, the Tamdhu 10 Year Old Limited Edition is a commemorative bottle that truly reflects the distillery’s sherry credentials. Only the best European and American oak sherry casks are selected to hold Tamdhu, giving it its wondrous natural colour and unique quality.

The judging involved a first round of blind nosing and tasting by the seven judges after which eight finalists were chosen from the 46 entries, and festivalgoers then had the opportunity to vote for their favourite.

Penny Ellis, a director of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival and organiser of the awards, said: “These are the only whisky awards where the judging is carried out by members of the whisky drinking public as opposed to a panel of industry experts and writers. The blind taste test means that voters cannot be influenced by brand loyalty or packaging, so the winners are decided purely on taste.

“The richness of colour and the unmistakeable hallmarks of a sherry cask and the aromas of spiced Christmas pudding, made this a very special whisky and I was so delighted that in the blind nosing and tasting that my fellow judges agreed that this whisky should be shortlisted. 

 “There has been a real buzz about Tamdhu since its relaunch last year amongst both the trade and whisky drinkers, and we’re delighted that visitors to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival have given it their seal of approval.” 

Tamdhu is owned by one of Scotland’s leading, independent family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers. Tamdhu was born on the banks of the River Spey in 1897. Its quality is defined by the hint of peat in its malted barley and the water, which is drawn directly from the Tamdhu spring. 

For more information, please visit www.tamdhu.com.

This Gourmand Book Award- and IACP Award-winning book takes readers on a journey through the first systematic presentation of Canadian whisky ever published: how it’s made, who makes it, why it tastes the way it does, its history, and the rich, centuries-old folklore surrounding it.

Join whisky authority Davin de Kergommeaux on a pan-Canadian journey from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, celebrating the diversity of Canada’s unique spirit. With his conversational and accessible tutelage, de Kergommeaux offers readers a carefully researched, reliable, and authoritative guide to Canadian whisky that is, quite simply, not available anywhere else. Not only a book describing the history and culture of the spirit,
Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is also an informed exploration of taste. For the first time, whisky consumers – experts and novices alike – can approach Canadian whisky with a connoisseur’s appreciation of its rich subtleties.

What others say about the book:

“This is an important time for Canadian whisky and this is an important book which isn’t just a story of a drink, but a story of Canada itself. It makes you want to get a bottle and a glass, pour yourself a stiff one, sit back and dive in. I’d suggest you do exactly that.”
– Dave Broom, author of The World Atlas of Whisky and Whisky The Manual

“De Kergommeaux ably demonstrates that Canadian whisky is a far more interesting and well-crafted spirit than it’s given credit for being”
– David Wondrich drinks writer for Esquire Magazine and author of Punch, and Imbibe. 

Available in bookstores and from most on-line book sellers

In Canada you can order here from Amazon.

In the USA and most of the world order from this Amazon page.

In the United Kingdom order here from Amazon.

Learn More…

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert

The world’s first in-depth book about Canada’s national spirit.

WINNER, GOURMAND BOOK AWARDS BEST SPIRITS BOOK CANADA 2012

WINNER, 2013 IACP BOOK AWARDS WINE, BEER AND SIRITS

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is published by McClelland & Stewart and distributed by Penguin Random House. It is available from most book shops and on-line book sellers.

TOP PICKS

• 1997 Benrinnes 16 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($72.99)
  Benrinnes distillery is one of the unsung heroes of the Diageo portfolio. It’s not released as a single malt in the United States and it gets very little fanfare amongst enthusiasts, but it’s one of the prettiest, and more consistently-delicious whiskies we taste between bottlers. We don’t taste many barrels of Benrinnes that we don’t like. On this year’s trip we finally made it to the actual distillery, dropping by unannounced to see if we might take a peek inside. The staff couldn’t have been nicer or more accommodating (something that always seems to make the whisky taste just a bit better). As we toured the site, we learned that the fermentation at Benrinnes lasts about sixty-five hours in Oregon pine washbacks, which contributes to the fruitiness of the eventual distilled spirit. When you see something with your own eyes, hear the reasoning and the science behind the process, and then taste that result 16 years later on down the l ine, it can be quite a rewarding experience. The 1997 hogshead we found at Signatory is brimming with soft vanilla and a round fruity palate that makes me think of Glenmorangie, but even more expressive. The finish is impressive, meandering between brandied cherries and sweet ice tea. At cask strength, the whisky is absolutely perfect — no water needed. I think our selection of 1997 Highland whiskies is going to be very popular with our value-focused customers. The Benrinnes might be the best of the bunch. (David Driscoll, Spirits Buyer)

• 1997 Dailuaine 16 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($69.99)
  Dailuaine is a lovely little whisky. I don’t love it any less now that I’ve been chased off the distillery grounds. In fact the whole complex is very unusual. When we were there this year it seemed as though an endless amount of construction was at a standstill. This is also where Diageo has their “Dark Grains” processing facility, which turns the spent barley into pellets for animal feed. The dark industrial dreeriness of this distillery, hidden in a hollow not far from the hill of Rinnes, totally flies in the face of the wonderfully fresh and vibrant malt that they produce. We were actually considering bottling this at 46% because we really liked how it took water, but when we saw how reasonable the cask strength price was we decided to give you the option at home. This has a very classically Dailuaine nose of fresh malt, white pepper, and green apples. It’s very off the oak and on the malt. On the palate, the pomace nature continues, with a rich oily maltiness that gives it length. Slight hints of brown sugar, almond, and vanilla pop up with water. That big malty side is tamed perfectly with the addition of water and brings out more subtle aromas on the palate. Now we have some exotic barks, subtle herbal notes, and some baked apple qualities. All in all this is a really fun whisky at an absolutely unbeatable price. (David Othenin-Girard, Spirits Buyer)

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

Premium / Devotee Masterclass

PORT ELLEN 12TH / LAGAVULIN 21 / BRORA 35 / TALISKER 35 /
DALWHINNIE 25 / AUCHRIOSK 30

We are pleased to announce this Masterclass for the September Show:
Special Release Masterclass.
 Starts at 12p.m.

We shall have Colin Dunn the Diageo Whisky Abassador with us to elaborate and educate on all things Special Release related. 

Diageo releases have always been hotly pursued by whisky fans around the world and we are delighted to have a select few bottles from past series to taste.

These Masterclass tickets will only be available to Premium / Devotee ticket holders.

NB : Standard ticket holders will not be able to attend this tasting.

Premium / Devotee ticket holders will have the opportunity of choosing one tasting from different masterclasses of which this Diageo Masterclass is the first.
The cost of this tasting is included in Premium / Devotee entrance tickets.

Premium / Devotee Ticket holders must choose ONE FREE Masterclass when purchasing entrance tickets.

Earlybird Premium tickets available here at £70 until June 15th (cost rises to £75 after that date) 

All ticket options available here:

The brand new limited edition Kilchoman 100% Islay 4th Edition is now available to order – while stocks last.

All parts of the production process for the 100% Islay have taken place at the distillery – from barley to bottle. The barley is grown, malted, distilled, matured and bottled at Kilchoman making for a unique character. Bottled at 50% abv and peated to a lower level to that of other releases, 100% Islay has a lighter, fresher feel to it. Citrus and lemon notes come through with soft peat smoke and a long smooth finish.

The 4th limited edition 100% Islay is a combination of 32 five year old and 8 four year old first fill bourbon barrels selected from the Kilchoman warehouse. 

Simply click here buy – £65.00

KILCHOMAN DISTILLERY RELEASES 4TH LIMITED EDITION 100% ISLAY

Independent farm distillery, Kilchoman, is releasing its 4th limited edition 100% Islay whisky on Monday (12 May). Forty first-fill bourbon barrels were selected, 32 five year old and eight four-year-old for the limited edition bottling which will be available worldwide, through existing distributors and online.  

The 100% Islay whisky range is unique.  It is produced from barley grown at the distillery, and every step of the production is completed onsite so it is literally 100% Islay from barley to bottling.  Previous editions have been awarded 2013 IWSC bronze, Spirits Business Gold and IWC Silver. 

The 100% Islay is only lightly peated compared to the more heavily peated Kilchoman Machir Bay and Loch Gorm expressions. 

Anthony Wills, managing director of Kilchoman, said: “The 100% Islay range is something we are very proud of and we hope that people will enjoy the latest offering.  It is very exciting to be able to offer a product which is created 100% on Islay.” 

“The 4th edition represents a significant development in the maturity of our 100% Islay range,” commented John MacLellan, distillery manager.  “Its balance and complexity far surpassed our expectations.” 

The 4^th Edition of 100% Islay is non chill-filtered and is natural colour.  Bottled at 50% ABV it will be available from specialist spirits retailers and www.kilchomandistillery.com priced at a RRP of £64.99. 

Founded in 2005, Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and the first distillery to be built on Islay for 125 years. A working farm distillery, it is one of only a handful of distilleries still practising floor malting. Kilchoman also grows a portion of its barley at the distillery and completes all parts of the production process, from barley to bottling on the island. 

www.kilchomandistillery.com

facebook.com/pages/Kilchoman-Distillery

twitter.com/Kilchoman05

Tasting Notes: 100% Islay 4^th Edition

Nose:  subtle, light smoke, pear drops and citrus fruit

Palate: long and sweet, smokiness goes on and on.  This is exceptional for a relative young Islay Single Malt 

Notes

Kilchoman Distillery is a small family run farm distillery based on the rugged west coast of Islay. The distillery was established by Anthony Wills in 2005, the idea behind being to build a new distillery which took whisky production back to its roots. Anthony and wife Kathy are joined by their three sons: George, James and Peter. 

Kilchoman produces its 100% Islay single malt from barley which is grown in fields surrounding the distillery and completes every stage of the whisky-making process at the distillery, including traditional floor malting. Kilchoman is the only distillery in Scotland to do this. Kilchoman is now very much a family affair: 

Since the first bottling was released in 2008, Kilchoman has quickly established itself as a high quality Islay Single Malt Whisky with these notable awards:

• Kilchoman’s exceptional quality was recognised at the prestigious International Whisky Competition (IWC) when Anthony Wills was named Master Distiller of the Year 2013.
• Machir Bay was named Whisky of the Year at IWC 2013. Loch Gorm was also awarded Gold, Machir Bay received Silver and 100% Islay 2nd Ed was given bronze.
• Kilchoman 2007 Vintage received Whisky Advocate’s Award for Islay Single Malt of the Year 2013.
• In 2012 Machir Bay was awarded two prestigious IWSC Gold medals and a Silver medal, and was named in GQ’s Best 100 Things of 2012.
• Kilchoman won Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011, only three years after the first bottling was released.

Only a few days to go until our first Whisky Weekender at Oval Space in Bethnal Green. A whisky festival with a big difference!

We have added more exhibitors and all classes are up, so if you’ve been holding off then now is the time to get involved!

There are four sessions to choose from;

Friday 7pm-12pm
Saturday 12pm-5pm
Saturday 7pm-12pm
Sunday 1pm-6pm

This really is shaping up to be the UK’s whisky event of the year so do yourselves a favour and don’t miss it!

Just click on the session you are interested in and you will be taken to the relevant booking page.

We hope to see you there.

Slainte,

Eddie, Amanda and Joe
The Whisky Lounge Team.

* = £3 discount for first timers and members. Membership costs £10 for 13 months.

Future dates:

P/O/U/R/S 15.5.14 £TBC*

Glendronach 1993 cask strength official bottle exclusively for Royal Mile Whiskies

Nikka Blend 40% – a new extension to the Nikka range

Bladnoch 21yo cask strength Cadenheads

A Bourbon Noah’s Mill – about 15yo and cask strength or maybe Old Fitzgerald 12yo wheated

Something peaty

THE BEST CADENHEADS HAS No. 3, WEDNESDAY  21.05.14 £TBC but about £50

Those whisky daft Danes are back with the usual request – pour the 5 best drams Cadenheads currently have – hang the price.

Glenfiddich 1972 41yo cask strength £450 retail

Macduff 24yo single sherry cask cask strength

Longrow sherry cask 10yo cask strength

Auchentoshan 21yo cask strength

Glen Lossie 20yo Bourbon hogshead

P/O/U/R/S 29.5.14 £TBC*

P/O/U/R/S 12.6.14 £TBC*

P/O/U/R/S 26.6.14 £TBC*

P/O/U/R/S 10.7.14 £TBC*

P/O/U/R/S 24.7.14 £TBC*

Coming in August

– On a Saturday evening our second tasting on a canal barge, new route from Linlithgow, featuring 5 closed distilleries which were located alongside a canal: Glen Mhor, Littlemill 21yo Lady of the Glen bottling, Port Dundas, Rosebank and St. Magdalene. Tickets circa £35.

– our initial walking tour of Edinburgh -visit sites of interest to whisky enthusiasts and try 5 drams connected to the capital and learn of the role ‘Auld Reekie’ played in Scottish whisky’s rise to prominence. Drams include Caledonian, North British, a 1970s bottled Queen Anne, Glen Kinchie and one other.

Future themed tastings: a vertical Glendronach tasting and Canadian whiskies.

Visit The Jolly Toper

Here below you will find a varied selection of whisky that are all on special offer.
Of course these aren’t the only ones so please do check out our ever-growing Special Offers page..

Aberlour 10 Year Old
70cl | 40% ABV
Incl. Tax: £26.99
Save £4.00

Glendronach 15 Year Old Revival
70cl | 46% ABV
Incl. Tax: £44.99
Save £3.00

Highland Park 12 Year Old
70cl | 40% ABV
Incl. Tax: £28.99
Save £5.76

Stewart’s Cream Of The Barley
70cl | 40% ABV
Incl. Tax: £16.99
Save: £1.00

Tobermory 10 Year Old
70cl | 46.3% ABV
Incl. Tax: £31.99
Save: £4.76

Ancnoc 12 Year Old
70cl | 40% ABV
Incl. Tax: £29.99
Save £4.26

Glendronach 18 Y/O Allardice
70cl | 46% ABV
Incl. Tax: £58.99
Save £6.00

Ledaig 10 Year Old
70cl | 43% ABV
Incl. Tax: £34.00
Save: £3.25

Speyburn 10 Year Old
70cl | 40% ABV
Incl. Tax: £25.99
Save: £4.26

Vat 69
70cl | 40% ABV
Incl. Tax: £17.50
Save: £1.99

Drumguish Highland Malt
70cl | 40% ABV
Incl. Tax: £17.99
Save £2.26

Glenfarclas 10 Year Old
70cl | 40% ABV
Incl. Tax: £31.00
Save: £4.25

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old
70cl | 40% ABV
Incl. Tax: £28.00
Save: £4.49

Talisker Storm
70cl | 45.8% ABV
Incl. Tax: £39.49
Save: £5.26

Jura 16 Year Old
70cl | 40% ABV
Incl. Tax: £43.99
Save: £10.76

Slainte, Ronnie Routledge.
e: ronnie@singlemaltsdirect.com

This week Joe Ellis reviews the Bowmore Laimrig 15 Year Old Whisky Shop Exclusive. 

http://youtu.be/itvg612wbLM 

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http://Twitter.com/whiskytube