2nd edition of the sherry cask matured Scotch from Islay’s farm distillery.
Limited release 2009 vintage matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry butts.
Sunday, May 4 (Scotch Tasting) @ 4 p.m.
This is ALWAYS one of my favorite tastings (from Pat at the Dell) b/c the “boys” just got back from WhiskyFest and there are always many fun stories to hear about! Amanda and Chris have been planning this tasting all week and can’t wait to see everyone! $50 per person
Dundee Dell | 5007 Underwood Ave | Omaha | NE | 68132
BALLANTINE’S RELEASES 17 YEAR OLD SIGNATURE DISTILLERY GLENTAUCHERS EDITION
TO COMPLETE SET OF FOUR UNIQUE BALLANTINE’S BLENDS
Ballantine’s, the world’s No. 2 Scotch whisky, has today announced the release of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Glentauchers Edition. This special blend completes a set of four limited editions, each of which has been created to demonstrate the unique structure of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old and how this is achieved.
Of all of the malt and grain whiskies used in Ballantine’s 17 Year Old, four stand out as ‘signature’ malts – Scapa, Miltonduff, Glenburgie and Glentauchers. Each of these plays a unique and crucial role in the creation of the final masterpiece that is Ballantine’s 17 Year Old.
Building on the successful global release of the Scapa, Miltonduff and Glenburgie Editions, Glentauchers is the last of the signature malts to be showcased in the Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Editions. Located in the heart of Scotland’s celebrated Speyside whisky region, the Glentauchers Distillery is one of Scotland’s few remaining manually operated distilleries, where centuries of knowledge and traditional methods of Scotch whisky making are passed down to new generations of craftsmen.
The integrity of Glentauchers malt whisky is safeguarded by three generations of the same family, who have worked at the distillery since 1920. The whisky itself has a light citrus character, which is present after distillation as a result of the production process unique to the distillery. Its soft berry notes are the product of a fusion of influences from both distillation and maturation, while the spirit’s signature nutty character and warm, lingering finish are the result of long maturation in American oak casks.
The premium packaging for the Glentauchers Edition takes its inspiration from the lightness of the tasting notes: a burgundy colour from the lingering taste of soft berries, and an elegant blush sheen from the sweet, citrus fruit flavours. Staying true to the style of the previous Signature Distillery Editions, the use of metallic paper stock highlights the edition’s exclusive positioning within the Ballantine’s range, while differentiating itself from the original Ballantine’s 17 Year Old with an illustration of the Glentauchers Distillery, ‘limited edition’ script and unique colour scheme.
Sandy Hyslop, Ballantine’s Master Blender, comments: “We are proud to provide whisky enthusiasts with another opportunity to experience the single malts that shape the taste profile of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old, and to showcase the high quality of the single malt produced at the Glentauchers distillery.
“Lighter and more delicate in style, the Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Glentauchers Edition highlights some of the more subtle flavours within the original blend, whilst showcasing the key contribution of the Glentauchers malt with a lingering finish of soft berries.”
Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s, adds: “The release of the Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Glentauchers Edition completes the picture of how Ballantine’s 17 Year Old achieves its signature style through the art of our skilled Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop. As with the other Ballantine’s 17 Year Old limited editions, the Glentauchers Edition is a highly collectible and giftable expression, and will appeal to whisky lovers looking for something unique, as well as to loyal followers of Ballantine’s.”
Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Glentauchers Edition is launching within a number of Ballantine’s key markets including Asia Travel Retail, China and Japan, from May, with a retail price of $78 (USD). It was first unveiled in Korea in November 2013.
Notes:
Tasting Notes
Nose: Bursting with sweet citrus fruit flavours (tangerine and sweet clementine) with hazelnut notes and a hint of delicate floral heather coming through in the background.
Taste: Coats the mouth with smooth, soft berry flavours of raspberry and blackcurrant, combined with a tantalising taste of barley sugar sweets.
Finish: Incredibly long and luscious.
About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No. 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the world’s No. 2 Scotch whisky by volume, and the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 120 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.
www.ballantines.com
About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.
www.chivasbrothers.com
New Irish Whiskey Museum Gets Green Light to Build €2m Project
After two years in the making the Irish Whiskey Museum has finally been given a green light to start construction works on a €2m museum. With investment secured and all planning applications granted this new visitor attraction will occupy the beautiful Gothic Revival style building across from the main entrance of Trinity College on College Green.
It will be a first ever Irish Whiskey Museum. A new concept, that brings the intriguing tale of Irish whiskey and its impact on the global whiskey market to life. Bringing all of the Irish whiskey brands together, both old and new, its vision is to reclaim Ireland as the original home of whiskey. This interactive, ultra modern experience will depict the rise and fall and current renaissance of Irish whiskey. With a contemporary bar and guided tour this project will provide employment for full team of construction workers and 25 full time jobs when its doors open.
CEO Keith McDonnell says ‘…we are delighted to be progressing with this project. We saw an opportunity to bring a vacant building in the heart of the city centre back to life. Our tour concept is unique, unlike the current whiskey tours, we differ by focusing on the wider intriguing history of Irish whiskey, incorporating all Irish whiskey brands, both new and old.’
Construction works are due to commence this month and it is due to launch towards the latter end of the summer season. The Irish Whiskey Museum will be Dublin’s newest and most centrally located visitor attraction. Situated at the start of the new Dubline, which stretches from Trinity College to Thomas Street, Failte Ireland have welcomed this new development. Whiskey distillers such as Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Bushmills, Tullamore Dew and Teeling have also endorsed the project.
What was once a vacant building in the heart of the city centre will now welcome domestic and international visitors as well as true whiskey connoisseurs through its doors.
Only 2 More Sleeps!
Only 2 more days to go until we celebrate 10 years of Canada’s premiere whisky tasting event, and tickets are now sold out!!!
A few things to note, particularly if you’re joining us for the first time:
• Masterclasses are fully, completely and totally reserved. Please see the end of this missive for hints on securing any seats that may come available the night of the show.
• Should you have been fortunate enough to reserve a masterclass, please do not be late. Empty seats will be allocated by the ushers 5 minutes before class starts.
• Blender’s Malt Whisky Glasses: these will be for sale at the show, $10 apiece or a box of 6 glasses for $50 (cash sales only)
• NEW THIS YEAR! We’re pleased to introduce our branded lanyard as pictured above, designed to free your hands and secure your glass at all times. Available at a cost of $10 (cash only) throughout the night at the coat check counter.
Cigars anyone?
Fingers crossed that spring finally arrives this weekend: weather permitting, those of you who enjoy a cigar with their whisky are invited to visit the Cigar Bodega’s table and take advantage of Roy Thomson Hall’s outdoor terrace. Sarah Iles and her staff will be pleased to assist guests with the selection, cutting and lighting of cigars available for purchase from their table.
There will also be a Cigar and Whisky pairing presented by Sylvain Bouffard on the outdoor terrace at 9:30pm. A lucky few are in for a special treat as Sylvain pairs the refined notes of an Aberlour 18 Year Old with the Avo 25th Anniversary Piano from Davidoff, an exclusive smoke not easily found in Canada. Seating is very limited for this session and can be reserved at the coat check at exactly 8:00pm. (Please note: one ticket per person.)
Stand By Seating for Masterclasses
Seating in the 7pm and 8:30pm masterclasses are only reserved until 5 minutes before the start of class. Any no-shows will then be assigned to patrons on a stand-by basis, so please check with the usher in the South Lobby to see if any spots have come available.
Craft Bourbon from Kansas and Oregon Available at Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits (E. Setauket, New York)
Dark Horse Distillery Reserve Bourbon (Kansas) – $47.99
6 bottles in stock!
Henry DuYore’s Straight Bourbon (Oregon) – $43.99
10 bottles in stock!
Nationwide shipping available!
Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits
631-941-4458 sev.clemens@moraswines.com
Whisky and Bourbon
Cocktail Masterclass and Tasting
Tuesday 6th May, 6:30pm
Milroy’s of Soho, 3 Greek Street, London
After many days and nights locked in our deep, dark cellar with just a few dozen bottles, a cocktail shaker and a Jack Russell for company, we are more than a little excited to invite you to a very special evening of potion making! Cocktail genius and maestro Martyn Simpson, owner of the cocktail bar and restaurant ‘Coal Vaults’ on Wardour Street, will be giving a whisk(e)y-based cocktail masterclass and tasting in our cellar. Come along to learn how to make a perfect Manhattan, give a Whiskey Sour an unexpected twist, discover some of Coal Vaults’ own inventions (including the renowned ‘Oliver Reed’) and, more importantly, give them all a try!
Light buffet included
Old Fashioned
Whiskey Sour
New York Sour
Dutch Manhattan
Marwar Pony
Oilver Reed
Tickets £45
Click here to book now!
or call us on 020 7437 2385
Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London, England W1D 4NX
United Kingdom
Le Nez du Whisky – follow your nose
Regular readers of the blog will know one thing that we’re always keen to learn more about is all things olfaction-related (see Tim’s post last August). So when I was offered to chance to try the new Le Nez du Whisky aroma kit, how could I say no?
Le Nez du Whisky in all its glory
French wine expert Jean Lenoir first released Le Nez du Vin, a set of the most common aromas found in wine, in 1981. The success of the original, now translated into more than 10 languages, including Russian and Chinese, led to further forays into the worlds of coffee and Armagnac, and now into whisky.
It’s quite bright
At £275, it’s not cheap, but does contain a wealth of information – 54 aromas to nose, a flavour wheel giving the ‘answers’, and a 140-page book. The book is compiled by Lenoir with help from whisky writer Charles MacLean (12 tasting notes and 100 years of Scotch malt whisky), Martine Nouet (whisky and food pairing) and professor of chemistry Hubert Richard – the latter who, along with aromatician Karine Lasalle, helped to perfect the aromas.
So, what did the practical tests reveal?
Testing it out on my colleagues, it became clear that some people are better at deciphering the contents than others. They are intended to be extreme versions of the flavours one finds in whisky – upon opening the set, you are hit with a waft of different aromas, a melange of herbaceous, fruity and smoky notes. It should also be said that some of the aromas are more obvious, two particularly instantly recognisable ones being custard and pineapple (the former not something I often get as a tasting note).
Rocky smells…
As can be seen from the photos, I found some are more pleasant to the nose than others. The smells range in pungency, with a few hitting you in the face as soon as you take the lid off, while others are much more subtle.
Just a dab behind the ears…
Broiled (grilled) meat was one of my favourites (even though they look like little aftershave bottles, I’d advise you against dabbing them on skin rather than simply smelling them – I’m struggling to get that particular smell off my neck) and the pear bottle filled me with dread (I’m unusual in being ‘pear-phobic’, so rare that I can’t even find it mentioned in The Phobia List, although it seems I’m not alone).
One thing that was interesting, and indeed a question that has puzzled the whisky community, is why some people are particularly sensitive to sulphur and others aren’t. Nosing the vial, I was struggling to pick out any aroma, whereas Billy identified it immediately.
The book explains each aroma in detail: for example, the paragraph on geraniums gives a basic description of the flower, before going into technical detail. Each flavour is listed with a list of whiskies that the aroma can be found in – these vary in size, from seven for geraniums up to four columns for oak. I can’t help feeling however that it would be just as useful, if not more so, to have a list of aromas by whisky, rather than the other way round.
I tried it out using one of my favourite whiskies, Compass Box Hedonism, where I could pick out the orange and caramel notes without much effort, but the toasted almond was harder to detect (although being batch variable, this wasn’t entirely surprising). Aromas can also transport us back to places and memories, and upon sniffing seaweed and seashell, I was immediately reminded of my visit to Islay’s Machir Bay on a cold windswept day in February.
The maritime aromas transported me back to a windy February day at Machir Bay on Islay
My overall impression is of a fascinating and enlightening kit – something that has enhanced my knowledge of the sense of smell in whisky. At the price, it’s aimed at aficianados who want to add some extra knowledge when writing tasting notes or describing whiskies. Producing 54 vials to such a standard must have been a painstaking task. The book is a fascinating read on its own, with an in-depth description of whisky regions, the production process, how to nose and why it’s important – it would make a great book in its own right. It’s also an excellent reference point for helping to decipher flavours in whiskies – I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve smelt a whisky and racked my brain to try and remember what the aroma reminds me of.
Coming from a wine background, I’m familiar with Le Nez du Vin and indeed Le Nez du Armagnac, and this is a superb addition to the range. It’s not perfect and there are tweaks that could make it even better – the listing by whiskies as mentioned earlier, and some common aromas not being included (toffee is a glaring omission), but this is by far the best kit I’ve come across on the market and is invaluable for those who wish to learn more about the wonders of olfaction.
Originally published by The Whisky Exchange – “Le Nez du Whisky – follow your nose” and appears here with permission.
www.ralfy.com re-reviews an old classic blend which has ‘re-invented’ itself with Whisky Review 450 – Black Bottle Blended Scotch re-reviewed
THE GLENLIVET NÀDURRA EXPANDS INTO
A RANGE OF CASK EXPERIENCES
The Glenlivet, the original single malt whisky, is expanding its celebrated The Glenlivet Nàdurra brand into a range featuring different cask experiences as it aims to build on its strong development in the growing single malt whisky market*.
Nikki Burgess, Global Brand Director for The Glenlivet at Chivas Brothers, comments: “The Glenlivet Nàdurra is the purest expression of The Glenlivet that captures the original passion and production methods of George Smith’s distillery. We know that whisky connoisseurs appreciate these qualities at the heart of the range, and by expanding the Nàdurra range we aim to consolidate our strong and innovative offering in the craft single malt arena.
Each expression in The Glenlivet Nàdurra range is crafted in small batches using traditional production methods and is matured exclusively in a different cask-type, showcasing the versatility and flawless quality of The Glenlivet spirit. Unlike most modern whiskies, the range is bottled without chill-filtration, which offers the additional complexity, body, and texture of a whisky that has just been drawn from the cask.
Refreshed packaging demonstrates the handcrafted nature of Nàdurra through prominent batch number and cask-type stamps, an artisanal typeface, an emphasis on the Gaelic translation of Nàdurra, and a distinctive handmade finish.
The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso is the first new permanent expression in the range, and is the first major The Glenlivet bottling** in living memory to be matured solely in ex-sherry casks.
The first-fill, ex-Oloroso sherry casks from Jerez in Spain impart rich, distinctive dried fruits aromas, warm spices, and notes of cinnamon and liquorice. The spirit combined with the cask influence, produces a sweetness of dark chocolate and a finish which is long and sweet with a slightly dry, spicy effect from the European oak maturation.
“The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso presents a rare opportunity to taste The Glenlivet aged exclusively in ex-Oloroso casks, which we anticipate to be extremely popular with whisky fans and an enticing purchase for travellers in Travel Retail when it launches. As we continue to release additional twists on the original The Glenlivet Nàdurra, we look forward to showcasing different cask experiences to an increasing number of discerning drinkers,” adds Nikki Burgess.
The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso will be introduced to Travel Retail Europe in May 2014 via immersive experiences to help travellers gain an understanding of the new whisky’s unique taste profile. The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso will be unveiled first at Heinemann Frankfurt airport before launching in London Heathrow Terminal 5 as part of the World Duty Free Whisky Festival 2014. Striking The Glenlivet spaces created in both airports will reflect the brand’s contemporary style, enticing whisky enthusiasts to interact with the new single malt’s tasting notes and explore its rich heritage. In Frankfurt B-East and London Heathrow Terminal 5 travellers will also be invited to enjoy a dram of the new expression while playing a game of pool thanks to the installation of a miniature pool table in the dedicated brand space.
Notes
*Single Malt sales grew by +5% 2011-2012 (IWSR)
**Excluding Single Cask Editions
The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso tasting notes:
Colour: Bright Gold
Nose: A medley of dried fruit aromas, raisins and apricots, with gentle notes of cinnamon and liquorice
Palate: Smooth and creamy, with the fruitiness of spicy orange marmalade and the sweetness of dark chocolate
Finish: Long and sweet, leading to a slightly dry, spicy finish
About The Glenlivet
The Glenlivet is the No. 2 single malt Scotch whisky in the world. Crafted in the remote Livet Valley since 1824, it is the only whisky with the unchallengeable right to be called The Glenlivet.
About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.
For further news of upcoming events:
Visit www.theglenlivet.com or www.facebook.com/theglenlivet
For further information:
Visit: www.chivasbrothers.com
