It was a freezing cold night last November when our inaugural Glengoyne live online tasting event took place. Thankfully we were able to warm ourselves up with a dram or three of the finest Glengoyne single cask malts.

Together with Stuart Hendry, Brand Heritage Manager here at Glengoyne, I (Robbie Hughes, distillery manager) opened, sampled and discussed three Glengoyne single casks – and then Family members in attendance online were tasked with choosing just one of them for us to bottle.

The winner was Cask B – a sublime single cask 26yo Glengoyne. And it’s available to order now.

Visit the Glengoyne Online Shop to Buy Now >

Only 339 bottles in existence

This uniquely special Glengoyne comes from a first fill European oak sherry cask and is, I (Robbie Hughes) believe, a must for any Glengoyne drinker or collector. On the nose, chocolates and brambles give way to rum and raisin ice cream and lemon peel. The palate is mouthwatering, with real sweetness on the lips from honey, eucalyptus then oily lemon. The long finish eventually dries. It’s a beautiful Glengoyne to savour. We’ve presented it in a brand new engraved oak display box. The bespoke, heavyweight premium bottle features a unique metal/oak stopper and metal neck tag and seal. The front and back labels bear details of the cask. Priced at £350, bottles are ready to be dispatched. Drawn from a single cask of Glengoyne, there are only 339 bottles available, so once they are gone, they’re gone forever.

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Laphroaig “Càirdeas” Port Wood Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($64.99)
  This is the extremely limited edition Friend’s of Laphroaig bottling for 2013. Last time we got nearly 400 bottles of Cairdeas. This year we will get a fraction of that. So, yeah it’s gonna be hard to get.

United States – Single Malt

• Balcones Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 1 available ($74.99)

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

FREYA – ‘THE FAIR ONE’ – TAKES CENTRE STAGE

The third whisky in the acclaimed Valhalla Collection 

After the lightning strike of the mighty Thor and the smoky complexity of the trickster Loki, Highland Park has turned its attention to the mesmerising Norse Goddess of Love, Freya for the third release in the acclaimed Valhalla Collection. 

Famed for her great beauty and often known as The Fair One, Freya is the patron and protector of the human race, and to whom souls travel to be renewed.  On one hand she is a beautiful and sensitive adviser but on the other a hot blooded and glorious Warrior that no one can resist.  

Her story is full of colour and legends.  Spring flowers fall from her hair and she sheds tears of gold and amber.  It is believed the reflection from her magical cloak of feathers in the night sky creates the aurora borealis (Northern Lights). 

Highland Park has continued The Valhalla Collection tradition of reflecting the character and qualities of the Norse Gods in the whisky itself, this time taking Freya’s intriguing allure and feisty personality as their inspiration to create an entrancing single malt – full, rich and complex with a lingering beguiling finish. 

The shimmering gold 15 year old vibrant whisky offers a white chocolatey aroma with a fresh tropical fruitiness emerging from the trademark gentle, sweet smokiness Highland Park is known and loved for. 

Freya represents the continuation of Highland Park’s Valhalla Collection; a range of four unique whiskies taking inspiration from the legendary Nordic gods of old.  Bottled at 51.2% ABV this limited edition whisky comes housed in the same unique and award winning wooden frame of Thor and Loki, echoing the fearsome contours of a traditional Viking long ship. 

Gerry Tosh, Global Marketing Manager said: 

“Freya is the only female to feature in The Valhalla Collection and being a serene, spiritual and giving goddess, she brings a fresh allure and depth to the lineup.  Her beauty and majesty are said to make her utterly captivating and I think people might feel the same about this smooth and classy single malt.  It is unmistakably Highland Park, but offers a rich, full burst of flavour that reflects this Warrior God’s mesmeric aura and feisty dominant side.”  

Freya will be available from specialist independent whisky retailers, at the Highland Park distillery and www.highlandpark.co.uk from 7^th February at a RRP of £140. 

Tasting Notes:

Highland Park Freya – 15 years old – 51.2% abv

Colour:  The Fair One, golden

Aroma:  Almond and Madagascan vanilla shimmer in the distance like the Aurora Borealis. White chocolate followed by candied cherries makes way for a vibrant wave of mango and melon, riding upon a cloud of cream soda.

Taste:  The heart of this whisky shines like a jewel, surrounded by fragrant peat. Orange peel, butterscotch and rose petals provide the sweetness along with orange blossom and ginger.  Lively popping candy, lemongrass and tropical fruits are lightly shrouded in peat smoke.

Finish:  Complex and beautiful, yet balanced and considered like Freya herself, the finish gives lingering spice and soft peat smoke intertwined with soft orchard fruits, toasted coconut and a light char, providing a rounded depth and allowing this whisky to soar.   

Notes:  

About Highland Park

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection. Its range of 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts.  Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, Highland Park 18 year old was named Best Spirit in the World by American drinks expert Paul Pacult in Top 115 Spirits, Spirit Journal in 2009 and 2005. 

2013 has seen Highland Park 25 year old awarded the first ever 100-point score, along with the Chairman’s Trophy for Best of Category, at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. It too has also recently been named ‘Best Spirit in the World’. 

Five keystones contribute to making Highland Park:

• Hand-turned malt adds to the deliciously succulent, balanced layers of aromatic character found in Highland Park
• Aromatic peat gives a delectably seductive, luxuriant floral sweetness to Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Cool maturation enhances the smooth character of Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Sherry oak casks contribute to the distinctive richness and multi-dimensional complexity of Highland Park
• Cask harmonization ensures consistency and balance in Highland Park 

http://www.highlandpark.co.uk/  

St. Magdalene 31 Year Old
Vintage 1982 / Hart Brothers / Single Cask

Sadly, St Magdalene single malt whisky is very rarely found, the distillery was closed by its owners, United Distillers in the mid 1980’s. During its early years the distillery was known as Linlithgow after the town in which it was built.

This 1982 single cask St Magdalene, bottled by Hart Brothers has been aged for 31 years. Released in very limited quantities in 2013 at cask strength, 53.5% vol.

£312.00 (£260.00 ex vat)

Click here to buy St Magdalene 1982 / 31 Year Old / Hart Brothers

Whisky Fest Cowichan Valley is on April 12, 2014 at the Oceanfront Hotel in Cowichan Bay from7pm-10pm.  There are also 3 Master Classes consisting of Ben Riach and Compass Box and Macallan 1824 series. 

All the tickets are for sale at Beverly Corners, online at http://cvwhiskeyfest.ca/ and at the hotel if you wish to stay overnight there.  Tickets for event are $70.00, Master Classes are $20.00 each and these classes are at 4:30 pm and 5:45 Pm.  Tickets are limited so come in and purchase them now!

Glenmorangie Companta – Private Collection V

Dr Bill Lumsden likes looking ahead. At the launch of his latest creation, the Glenmorangie Companta, he talked about his plans for the future – he currently has 29 new Glenmorangie bottlings in development. While not all of these will … Continue reading >>

UK vlogger Joe Ellis from Whisky Wednesday reviews the Bruichladdich The Organic Whisky 

http://youtu.be/xOPYTdmNPJ8 

http://Facebook.com/whiskytube 

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

Jim Beam® Partners with Mila Kunis for its First-Ever Global Marketing Campaign, Make History™

Deerfield, Ill. – January 29, 2014 – Jim Beam®, the world’s #1 Bourbon, and award-nominated actress Mila Kunis are teaming up to “make history” in 2014 and beyond. Kunis joins the Jim Beam family as a global partner and spokesperson, and will play a leading role in Jim Beam’s new Make History™ multi-media brand campaign that will reach more than 100 markets worldwide. Make History™ is the first-ever global marketing campaign for the iconic American brand, which traces its history to 1795. The television campaign featuring Kunis will premiere in the next few months in the brand’s largest markets, including the U.S., Australia and Germany.   

“Jim Beam has been making history by producing the world’s finest bourbon through seven generations of family distillers, and this partnership truly signifies a new era for the brand – an era in which we push boundaries even further, attracting new fans across the globe and continuing the great growth we’ve enjoyed on the brand,” said Kevin George, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Beam Inc. [NYSE:BEAM]. “Mila’s love of bourbon, her appreciation for the authenticity of our brand, her warm personality and her global relevance to our Make History™ campaign make her the perfect partner. Anyone would want to share a Jim Beam with Mila. We love that about her, and couldn’t be happier to have her join the Jim Beam family.”

The Make History™ campaign will premiere three new television commercials featuring Kunis in the U.S. in mid-February and will roll out in markets worldwide over the next few months. Kunis will also be featured in retail materials and content on Jim Beam’s website, www.jimbeam.com, Facebook (www.facebook.com/JimBeamUS) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/jimbeamofficial).

“As a fan of bourbon and a huge proponent of making history, I am thrilled to be the newest member of the Jim Beam family,” said Kunis, who has spent time in Clermont, Ky., with Jim Beam’s seventh generation Master Distiller, Fred Noe, immersing herself in the heritage, traditions and craftsmanship of “America’s Native Spirit.”

Jim Beam’s TV advertising campaign was created by FutureWorks, a partnership between three independent agencies who lead Jim Beam creative efforts in key markets: StrawberryFrog (New York), The Works (Sydney) and Jung von Matt (Hamburg). In the U.S., the ads will appear across multiple media properties, including Turner Sports/BleacherReport, NBA telecasts, FXX, Spike, History Channel, AMC, Food Network and ESPN networks, as well as in media properties across the globe. 

The U.S. campaign will feature Jim Beam’s full portfolio of brands, including Jim Beam^® White, Jim Beam Black^®, Devil’s Cut^®, Jim Beam^® Honey, Jim Beam^® Maple, Jacob’s Ghost^® Aged White Whiskey, Jim Beam^® Signature Craft and Red Stag by Jim Beam^®. To view a video of Kunis’ visit to the Jim Beam Distillery, visit: http://youtu.be/MC_35SsHANM. And for more information on the world’s #1 bourbon, please visit www.jimbeam.com, www.facebook.com/JimBeamUS or http://twitter.com/jimbeamofficial.

About Beam Inc.

As one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Pinnacle Vodka, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher’s Scotch Whisky, Skinnygirl Cocktails, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC and DeKuyper Cordials. Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,400 passionate associates worldwide generated 2012 sales of $2.5 billion (excluding excise taxes), volume of 38 million 9-liter equivalent cases and some of the industry’s fastest growing innovations.

Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index. For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com

2014 Scotch Tastings

Chris and Amanda gave GREAT scotch tastings in 2013! They decided to start coming up with some themes to their tastings. The next 3 months are already themed but if you have any idea’s or suggestion’s on what you want please let us know. The Tasting in February is moved to the 2nd Sunday (February 9) b/c of the Super Bowl.

Sunday, February 9 – Scotch Bowl Balvenie Vs. Glenfarclas
Sunday, March 2 – Highland Games
Sunday, April 6 – Lowland Lovelies

$50 per person

www.dundeedell.com

FEBRUARY PREVIEWS: A WORK OF ART

Stand back, find the perfect viewing angle and be transported far beyond your screen with these masterpieces. A comforting and familiar kitchen, a pebble beach on Islay or perhaps a workshop where antique mahogany furniture is being restored? Plus – 73.61 ‘A work of art’ is available individually for one week only!

New UK Releases

Spicy & dry

73.61 & 24yo

Refill ex-sherry butt A work of art
We are transported into a joiner’s workshop that specialises in restoring antique mahogany furniture. The aromas filling the air are all very subtle and elegant; oily, waxy and hot melted glue mixed in with a smouldering Cuban cigar and a freshly made sticky toffee pudding…
BUY £92.40

Available as a single bottle for 1 WEEK ONLY!

Sweet, fruity & mellow

121.67 & 13yo

Refill ex-bourbon hogshead Energising and enigmatic
The nose could make the unwary recoil (Tabasco, vinegar, nettles, gloss paint), yet it was also sweetly attractive (sticky dates, fig rolls, Liquorice Allsorts, raisins, toffee). The intense, hot, tasty palate had mouth-gripping oak and black tea tannins, stir-fry sauce and jalapenos but was also surprisingly and satisfyingly sweet…
BUY £47.10

Heavily Peated

53.201

18yo

Refill ex-sherry butt True love on a pebble beach
The nose inspired a picture – boy and girl – pebble beach, bonfire smoking – he cut his hand opening oysters – she applied bandages and iodine from a first aid box; she was wearing powder puff and lavender perfume – he stole a honeyed kiss…
BUY £71.70

Browse all bottlings

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video