Ralfy Publishes Whisky Review #433 – Scotch Whisky News
February 25th, 2014
Archive for 2014
The New GlenDronach Grandeur 24 at The Whisky Shop – Scotch Whisky News
February 25th, 2014
The brand new limited edition GlenDronach Grandeur 24 year old is now available to order via The Whisky Shop. Only a limited amount of bottles are available so all orders will be dealt with on a strictly first come first served basis!
The GlenDronach Grandeur 24 year old has been matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry butts and is one of only 569 bottles which have been bottled at a natural cask strength of 48.9% volume.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A magnificent combination of honey-drenched dates and succulent raisins which gently ebb and flow with waves of delicate orange blossom, mint and cracked black pepper. Hints of glazed cherries and toasted almonds perfectly complement the seductive nose. A nose to be appreciated slowly and often.
Palate: A fabulously full-bodied, vibrant palate captures a multitude of classic sherry cask characteristics. The delicate sweetness of rum-soaked golden sultanas refines rich espresso, dark chocolate and treacle toffee. Zesty orange oil softens to a deep clove spice and prolongs the ever changing palate. A sublime example of understanding the relationship between cask and single malt perfectly.
Finish: The Grandeur 24 years old encapsulates the perfect harmony of exquisite sherry oak casks, masterful maturation and traditional, crafted Highland single malt. A dram to be savoured in order to reveal the depth of dramatic flavours held in the glass. A truly memorable and captivating GlenDronach expression.
The Whisky Exchange “Bruichladdich: A Visit” – Scotch Whisky News
February 25th, 2014
Bruichladdich: A Visit
We all have our favourite styles of whisky, each personal to us. For me, there’s nothing better than a whisky that’s a little bit different, or one I can sit and think about for hours of an evening. For that … Continue reading >>
A NEW MALT DISTILLERY FOR THE ISLE OF SKYE – Future Scotch Whisky News
February 24th, 2014
A NEW MALT DISTILLERY FOR THE ISLE OF SKYE
A new malt distillery for the Isle of Skye is announced today, Wednesday 19th February 2014.
The new distillery – only the second on the famous Hebridean island – will be created within a listed early nineteenth century farm steading at Torabhaig on Skye’s southeast coast.
The Torabhaig Distillery will cost more than £5 million and is likely to employ around eight people.
Torabhaig Distillery Limited is a subsidiary of Mossburn Distillers Ltd. Outlining the company’s investment plans Neil Mathieson, Chief Executive Officer of Mossburn Distillers Ltd said: “Torabhaig is our first entry into the Scotch Whisky category and a very important starting point.
“Skye is renowned all over the world for its natural beauty and cultural heritage and we believe that Torabhaig will be a valuable contribution both to whisky distilling on Skye and to the island’s continuing attraction to international visitors.
“We have a wonderful property in a beautiful setting looking over the Sound of Sleat to Knoydart. It’s a perfect location for a small, traditional distillery and we look forward to working with the local community to bring our plans to life.”
The Torabhaig site formed part of the late Sir Iain Noble’s lands of Fearann Eilean Iarmain. Sir Iain’s widow, Lucilla Noble has been invited to join the Board of Torabhaig Distillery Limited.
She commented: “Iain long ago recognised the great potential of the Torabhaig steading as the perfect site for a distillery on the Sleat peninsula and worked hard towards that objective. I am very pleased that this ambitious redevelopment is about to be started and that his vision will become a reality.”
The detailed specification of the new distillery has yet to be finalised but will include facilities for visitors.
Plans for Torabhaig are being created by Edinburgh architects Simpson & Brown, a specialist partnership responsible for conserving some of the United Kingdom’s most important historic structures as well as designing award-winning contemporary buildings.
“The design of the new distillery will reflect a commitment to quality and to the best values of the industry we are joining,” explained Neil Mathieson. “Torabhaig will be very traditional and a sympathetic transformation of the existing farm steading. Simpson & Brown had previously looked at this site for Sir Iain Noble so there is an appropriate continuity in their involvement. ”
Planning consent has been granted for Torabhaig and it is expected that construction work will begin in the early summer. It is anticipated that the first new spirit will flow from Torabhaig by the end of 2015.
New! HAZELBURN Rundlets & Kilderkins at The Whisky Barrel – Scotch Whisky News
February 24th, 2014
New! HAZELBURN Rundlets & Kilderkins
Hazelburn 10 Year Old Rundlets & Kilderkins is the third and final release of the series from Springbank distillery matured in small 15 & 18 gallons casks.
Limited release available to buy at The Whisky Barrel $82.71
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The Glenlivet Talk & Tour: Whether you missed it or simply miss it. – Scotch Whisky News
February 24th, 2014
The Glenlivet Talk & Tour: Whether you missed it or simply miss it.
On February 1st, we invited our community into Speyside for an exclusive experience: a live-streamed tour and first-hand look at life at The Glenlivet Distillery. We explored its passages, heritage, and the behind the scenes process, while our Master Distiller Alan Winchester shared his knowledge in a live Q&A session. What transpired was a brilliant exchange of lessons, laughs, and tales of “The Single Malt that started it all”.
Relive some of the best moments from The Glenlivet Talk & Tour with Alan Winchester.
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Scotch Whisky Auctions 35th Auction Now Live – Whisky News
February 24th, 2014
Welcome to the 35th auction and another selection of jaw-droppingly rare bottles, both very old and very new – mixed with hard-to-finds, easy-to-buys and everything in between. Stars include a Speyburn Macallan from 1945 and the latest from the Masters of Photography series – The Elliot Erwitt. There are two from 1957 – a Bowmore and an Auchentoshan, there’s a Lochside 47 year old and a North British 50. We also have a Bowmore Bi-centenary, a Bowmore President’s Selection Keizo Saji’s Cask and a 30 year old Sea Dragon.
A lovely Talisker 8, a Highland Park 1958 17 year old in the dumpy bottle, and a 40 year old Glendronach will surely catch the eye. We have two scarce SMWS Anniversary bottlings, a Glen Moray and a Teaninich, a Glen Mhor 30 and the lovely Lagavulin 12 year old White Horse.
A couple of others worth mentioning include a very,very scarce Duncan Taylor No 1 blend at 33 years old – from the days before the Shand family bought the company from John Gross, and a highly sought-after Glenallachie 9 year old produced by Scotland’s top alt rockers, Mogwai who have signed the label. Glenellachie shows up again in the shape of a 35 year old from 1967 and there are two Signatory Rare Ayrshire, one a 35 year old, the other 36. Signatory features again with a lovely double bottle lot from Littlemill and Dunglass. And from Balblair a 1966 38 year old.
We have been very encouraged with the response from our news that we can now ship more easily, and more competitively, to the USA. See the full postage rates under Charges on the front page. And don’t forget: we are also now offering insurance on your bottles, at a cost of 3% of the final price.
But enough blethering. Our standing advice applies – jump in and have a good rummage around – there’s bound to be something that catches your eye. And get bidding – don’t lose your bottle!
Kind regards from Glasgow
The SWA Team
Hooker’s House Bourbon at K&L California – American Whiskey News
February 24th, 2014
- Hooker’s House Bourbon 750ml ($35.99)
What happens when you take delicious American bourbon and age it in Carneros Pinot Noir barrels for nine months? Magic apparently. In the age of wine-cask enhanced Bourbon, Fred Groth from Hello Cello in Sonoma County has emerged victorious over his peers. The Hooker’s House Bourbon, paying homage to General Hooker and his history of whiskey drinkin’ in the Bay Area, succeeds where so many other cask-enhanced whiskies fail. It never tastes gimmick-y, but rather adds flavor to a bourbon that already tasted great. The red fruits from the Pinot Noir add delicious cherries and richness to the palate, a flavor that sometimes occurs in bourbon anyway due to commercial yeasts. In this case it tastes entirely natural. The texture is soft and supple. The style is utterly appealing. We all loved it immediately. The price is also right for what you’re getting. This should give Black Maple Hill and Breaking & Entering some serious competition. Oh, and for Manhattans, I can only imagine how lovely that cherry flavor is going to blend with sweet vermouth. (David Driscoll, K&L 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
Paul McLean Talks to Alasdair Dickinson, European Brand Ambassador; Bowmore at the 2014 Uisge Whisky Festival, Finland – Scotch Whisky News
February 23rd, 2014
Paul McLean was talking to Alasdair Dickinson, European Brand Ambassador; Bowmore, in Finland, February 2014 at the Uisge whisky festival.
It was cold over in Helsinki, but it didnt stop everyone enjoying a dram or two!
Paul; Hello Ally, It was very nice to meet you at Uisge whisky fest in Helsinki, it was quite a busy wee time for us there, you were on the stand and hosting masterclasses, did you manage ok over the two days? A; I had plenty of support from Wennerco, who distribute our products in Helsinki. They had 3 people alongside me on the stand with excellent knowledge of our products so that helped massively when things got busy.
Q; Who did the set up and take down for you? It was a big stand with lots in it! A; Once again, Wennerco took care of that side of things for me. Everything was all set up when I arrived and apart from a little housekeeping at the end it was all taken down for me too, something I was very grateful for.
Q; how did you get a job in the whiskey industry? and have you always been with Bowmore A; I’ve been working in the drinks industry for around 10 years now. Specifically whisky for 3 years where I began working at Auchentoshan Distillery. I’ve always been with Morrison Bowmore which includes Auchentoshan, Bowmore, Glen Garioch and McClellands.
Q; How long have you worked for Bowmore? A; 3 years in total. I began working as a tour guide at Auchentoshan distillery, then I was Business Development Executive in London and now I am European Brand Ambassador. It’s been an amazing 3 years with some fantastic experiences.
Q; You know a lot about the whiskies, how long was your settling in process? A; As a born and bred Scotsman I guess whisky has always been in my blood. Through working in bars I learned a lot about whisky and my time at Auchentoshan helped me understand the production process. I still feel as if i’m learning more every day so you could say I’m still settling in….
Q; Is it hard being away from home? A; At times it can be hard to be away from my partner and home comforts. Technology helps keep me in touch with home and the warm welcome I receive abroad always makes me feel instantly settled.
Q; Is there a country you are desperate to get to that you have not been before? A; Probably too many to mention but a big one for me is Russia. Luckily I’ll be visiting there this year so the wait won’t be too long.
Q; Where are you from and where is home now? A; I’m from Glasgow originally and I now live in a town called Hitchin in Hertfordshire. It’s a small market town but within close reach of London and it’s major airports. The perfect balance for my job. Glasgow, will always be home for me however.
Q; When you have holiday time where do you go? A; I tend to go on city breaks, I’m not much of a beach person and prefer to explore cities and all they can offer. This year however I will be spending time in Bordeaux and Cognac, relaxing and visiting some vineyards and cognac producers.
Q; When not working, how do you relax? A; For me relaxing is going for a run or playing football for my local Sunday league team. I also enjoying reading and going for walks in the country with my partner Kaye.
Q; do you have a favourite whiskey? A; I wouldn’t say I have a favourite whisky, however there are whiskies that are special to me as they remind me of a certain time. For example I opened a Bowmore Tempest III to celebrate my move to London last year. When I have a dram of it, it always reminds me of that moment of celebration.
Q; Apart from any Bowmore, what would you drink on a cold winters night? A; Glen Garioch 1999 or Auchentoshan
Many thanks and I hope to bump into you again on the whiskey trail soon!
slainte Paul
MBD – Morrison Bowmore Distillers
Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd,
Springburn Bond, Carlisle Street, Glasgow, G21 1EQ
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The Scotch Malt Whisky Society at Fets Whisky Kitchen – Scotch Whisky News
February 22nd, 2014
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
2013 saw Fets Whisky Kitchen partnering with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and becoming one of only 19 bars in the world to do so! Fets is one of only 5 in North America and the only Society Bar in Vancouver. This is the greatest accolade that can be bestowed upon a whisky bar. We have more than 50 different Society bottles on our shelves, with more to come!
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is the world’s foremost whisky club with over 26,000 members and is also the world’s leading Independent bottler of Cask Strength Single Barrel Whisky. The Society bottles up to 300 casks per year suppling us with 7 new bottlings every month to add to the more than 550 different whiskies we have on our shelves.
