1966 Fino Cask Launch, Spain

J & G Grant are pleased to announce the release of new limited edition 1966 Fino Cask. Intended as the first in a series of 6 special bottlings from the iconic, family owned distillery, only 1444 bottles have been produced from 3 Fino Sherry Casks.

Following the official launch at the bodegas of José y Miguel Martin in Seville (24th September), the Fino Cask has now been released in the UK and will soon be rolled out in key export markets early 2015.

Each bottle is packaged in a black leather box bearing a silver coin which features a portrait of John Grant, George’s great, great, great grandfather who purchased the distillery in 1865. It marks the first in a series of 6 different special releases of Glenfarclas, one for each member of the family.

The family are accustomed to using Oloroso casks for maturation, as this is what is believed to best complement the character of their whiskies, however, here the Fino brings out a lighter side to Glenfarclas.

George Grant, Glenfarclas Sales Director says, “With casks this old, it is sometimes difficult to know their exact history. Fortunately my Grandfather always kept meticulous records, so from his diaries we discovered this small parcel of Fino casks that he had purchased from an Edinburgh broker back in the 1960s.”

60 Year Old Launch, Malaysia

John L. S. Grant, chairman of Glenfarclas distillery, has recently unveiled the 60 year old Glenfarclas in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in late October. Yet another mature age statement whisky to add to the family’s collection. With only 360 bottles available worldwide, and this being it’s second launch after the Las Vegas debut in April, the 60 year old has fast become a rare and exclusive commodity in the whisky world.

The event was held at Marini’s on 57, Kuala Lumpur’s highest rooftop bar & restaurant with incredible skyline views of the city’s famous Petronas Towers. Here John presented the 60 year old in its embellished crystal decanter, complete with a Glenfarclas themed decor in the restaurant’s dining room and pipe band accompaniment.

Thanks to generations of family ownership, and in particular to John’s father, who lay down so much stock in the 1950s, today the Grant family present a whisky with exceptional maturity. This unique 60 year old expression has been taken from a single first-fill Sherry butt at an impressive strength of 43.3% after so many years. It combines together perfectly the rich, fruity sherried character of Glenfarclas with years of family heritage and tradition.

Glenfarclas Family Casks at Hutchesons, Glasgow

On the 29th October 2014, J & G Grant’s Family Cask collection was launched in Glasgow’s fine dining A-listed restaurant, Hutchesons, making it one of very few establishments worldwide which is now home to the entire 45 Family Cask vintages dating back to a 1953 rare edition up to the most recent 1998 expression. Hutchesons is ambassador for Glenfarclas in Glasgow, providing an excellent backdrop for the enjoyment of this unique range of whiskies.

George Grant, Glenfarclas Sales Director, says: “I’m delighted to see the fame of our Family Casks grow and introduce the collection into one of Glasgow’s top-end restaurants. The Family Casks are unique to Glenfarclas, so to launch the entire range in a new context is something very special indeed”.

James Rusk, chairman of Hutchesons and George Grant, Glenfarclas Sales Director

Glenfarclas
Email: info@glenfarclas.co.uk
Website: www.glenfarclas.co.uk
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/glenfarclas/
Tel: +44 (0) 1807 500257
Fax: +44 (0) 1807 500234
Address: Glenfarclas Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9BD, UK

www.ralfy.com finds a peat-heavy option with Whisky Review 499 – Bunnahabhain Toiteach @ 46%vol:

Japan – Single Malt Scotch

• Ichiro Chichibu “The First” Japanese Single Malt Whiskey 750ml – 6 available ($189.99)

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Alexander Murray 30 Year Old “Monumental Blend” Scotch Whisky 750ml – 3 available ($129.99)
• Arran Devil’s Punchbowl Chapter III Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 1 available ($119.99
• Longmorn 21 Year Old Alexander Murray Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($85.99)
• Tobermory 19 Year Old Alexander Murray Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 4 available ($84.99)
• 1988 Tomatin Vintage Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($349.99)

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

INDEPENDENT DISTILLERY BRINGS BACK BERE BARLEY

Independent Scotch whisky producer, Isle of Arran Distillers, has teamed up with The University of the Highlands and Islands Orkney College to produce a 10-year-old cask strength whisky made with barley introduced to Scotland by the Vikings.

The Arran Malt Orkney Bere has been matured in ex-Bourbon barrels for ten years and has been bottled at a cask strength of 56.2%. It is sweet, earthy and malty and conjures flavours of ripe honeydew melon and apples with a finish of vanilla and desiccated coconut, which work together to showcase the character of Bere Barley.

The limited edition release of just 4,890 bottles comes after a first edition of the malt quickly sold out last year. Demand for this collector’s edition is expected to be extremely high.

Euan Mitchell, managing director of Isle of Arran Distillers, said: “We are one of only a handful of distilleries that use bere barley as it is notoriously difficult to grow. However, for those who persevere, it can produce an outstanding malt, as is the case with this highly-anticipated new release.

“We’re constantly looking for new ways to interest and excite whisky aficionados, and as an independent distillery we have the freedom to try new things as we have done with the Orkney Bere edition.

“We are extremely proud to have produced a whisky which uses a crop that is part of Scotland’s rich heritage. We are sure it will thrill and delight those who taste it.”

Thought to have been brought to the UK by the Vikings over 1,000 years ago, Bere Barley is a challenging crop for farmers though can produce barley results in exceptional quality of spirit.

Until the 19^th century Bere Barley was one of the most important Scottish crops and was widely grown by farmers and used by millers, brewers and distillers. Despite being a fundamental part of Scotland’s agricultural heritage, the crop is now only commercially grown on islands off Scotland’s North and West coasts as it has been replaced by higher yielding modern varieties.

To challenge this, Isle of Arran Distillers teamed up with the Agronomy Institute at Orkney College UHI, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands, to revive the spirit of this barley which generates a unique taste of whisky as it used to be – a flavour which can be found in the new Arran Malt Orkney Bere.

Like all of Isle of Arran Distillers’ whiskies, this 10-year-old has been made with no artificial colouring and non-chill filtered. You can buy the whisky online at http://www.arranwhisky.com/ and specialist whisky shops after it goes on sale in mid-October, priced at RRP £59.99.

Notes:

The Arran Malt – Orkney Bere is released in mid-October and will be available in the UK, France, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Japan, Germany and Switzerland. RRP is £59.99 for 70cl.

For more information visit http://www.arranwhisky.com/

Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007.)

Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2012). Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards (2012). Double Gold Medal for the 12 year-old Cask Strength in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2013). Double Gold for both the 10 year-old and 12 year-old Cask Strength at the China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards (2014).

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2015 – The Winners

The latest edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible is about to hit the shelves, and in usual fashion, his results are a little controversial.

While the number two and three positions in his top five whiskies are held by two of his Buffalo Trace Antique Collection favourites, the sold-out William Larue Weller and Sazerac Rye 18yo from last year, his number one is a first.

It’s a Japanese whisky – Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013.

It went on sale on our website in January 2014 and only lasted a matter of hours, as the reputation of the sherried Yamazaki releases has been well known for a while. For the first time since the Bible was first published in 2004, there are no Scotch whiskies in Jim’s top five this year. We’ll leave it to you to unpick his opinions on the Scotch whisky industry, carefully laid out in the Bible Thumping section of the book, but it’s certainly not been a year in the Scotch world that has made Jim happy.

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2015 will be available soon from The Whisky Exchange – head on over to the website to sign up and receive an email when it’s in.

In the meantime, here’s Jim’s best whiskies in the world:

2015 World Whisky of the Year: The Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry 2013
Second Finest Whisky in the World: William Larue Weller 2013
Third Finest World Whisky in the World: Sazerac Rye 18yo 2013
Single Cask of the Year: Four Roses Single Barrel Limited Edition #3-4P

You can find all of the award winners we have in stock over on our Whisky Bible 2015 page on The Whisky Exchange website, but here is the full list of category winners:

SCOTCH

Scotch Whisky of the Year: The Last Drop 1965
Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Casks): Highland Park Loki
Single Malt of the Year (Single Cask): The Last Drop Glen Garioch 47yo
Scotch Blend of the Year: The Last Drop 1965
Scotch Grain of the Year: Sovereign Port Dundas 1978
Scotch Vatted Malt of the Year: Compass Box The Peat Monster 10th Anniversary

Single Malt Scotch:

No Age Statement (Multiple Casks): AnCnoc Rutter
10 Years & Under (Multiple Casks): Glen Grant 10yo
11-15 Years (Multiple Casks): Highland Park Loki
16-21 Years (Multiple Casks): Glenmorangie 1993 Ealanta
22-27 Years (Multiple Casks): Glenturret 1986 Famous Grouse Commonwealth Games
28-34 Years (Multiple Casks): Balblair 1983 1st Release
35-40 Years (Multiple Casks): Old Pulteney 40yo
41 Years & Over (Multiple Casks): Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant 50yo

No Age Statement (Runner Up): Ardbeg Supernova
10 Years & Under (Single Cask): Alexander Weine & Destillate Port Charlotte 10yo
11-15 Years (Single Cask): Balvenie 12yo Single Barrel First Fill
16-21 Years (Single Cask): First Editions Clynelish 1996 17yo
22-27 Years (Single Cask): Gordon & MacPhail Linkwood 1988
28-34 Years (Single Cask): Old Malt Cask Caol Ila 1984 29yo
35-40 Years (Single Cask): BenRiach 1977 37yo Dark Rum Finish #1891
41 Years & Over (Single Cask): Last Drop Glen Garioch 47 Year Old

Blended Scotch:

No Age Statement (Standard): Ballantine’s Finest
No Age Statement (Premium): Ballantine’s Limited Release no. J13295
5-12 Years: Johnnie Walker Black Label 12yo
13-18 Years: Ballantine’s 17yo
19-25 Years: Royal Salute 21yo
26-50 Years: The Last Drop 1965

IRISH WHISKEY

Irish Whiskey of the Year: Redbreast 21yo
Irish Pot Still Whiskey of the Year: Redbreast 21yo
Irish Single Malt of the Year: Bushmills 21yo
Irish Blend of the Year: Jameson

AMERICAN WHISKEY

Bourbon of the Year: William Larue Weller 2013
Rye of the Year: Sazerac Rye 18yo 2013
US Micro Whisky of the Year: Arkansas Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon Whiskey #190
US Micro Whisky of the Year (Runner Up): Balcones Texas Straight Bourbon VII Bourbon

Bourbon:

No Age Statement (Multiple Barrels): William Larue Weller 2013
9 Years & Under: Ridgemont Reserve 1792 8yo
10-17 Years (Multiple Barrels): Four Roses Small Batch 2013 125th Anniversary
18 Years & Over (Multiple Barrels): Elijah Craig 21yo Single Barrel
No Age Statement (Single Barrel): Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon 1919-2013
10-17 Years (Single Barrel): Four Roses 2013 Limited Edition Single Barrel #3-4P

Rye:

No Age Statement: Thomas Handy Sazerac Rye 2013
11 Years & Over: Sazerac Rye 18yo 2013

CANADIAN WHISKY

Canadian Whisky of the Year: Masterson’s 10 Year Old Straight Rye

JAPANESE WHISKY

Japanese Whisky of the Year: Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013

EUROPEAN WHISKY

European Whisky of the Year (Multiple): English Whisky Co. Chapter 14 Unpeated
European Whisky of the Year (Single): Belgian Owl Single Malt ‘64 Months’

WORLD WHISKIES

Asian Whisky of the Year: Kavalan Single Malt Whisky
Southern Hemisphere Whisky of the Year: New Zealand Willowbank 1988 25yo

Unlocking the Mystery of Whisky

Since 1865 Glenfarclas has been owned and managed by just one family, the Grants of Glenfarclas. To this day Glenfarclas is one of only a few distilleries in Scotland to remain family owned and managed. Now in the hands of the fifth and sixth generation of the family, the Grants remain committed to the vision of creating the best quality Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky, in the traditional Speyside style.

The latest release from Glenfarclas is the new 1966 Fino Casks release, which marks the first in a series of six different Glenfarclas special releases, one for each generation of the family. Each bottle is housed in a black box bearing a silver coin which features an image of John Grant, who purchased the distillery six generations ago.

Glenfarclas Fino Casks

One of only 1444 bottles available worldwide and 300 within the UK – this rare Glenfarclas has been matured exclusively in fino sherry casks.

Click here to buy

Just Whisky’s November Auction is *NOWTOMORROW NOVEMBER 7TH, 2014*

The auction will run until Sunday 16^th November, and this month has an incredible array of high quality bottles to place bids on. We’re excited to see Just Whisky expand and are particularly keen to view this month’s auction in full.

View the auction here

Highlights (pictured above) include a 1948 Macallan Select Reserve, Macallan Diamond Jubilee, Glenury Royal 13 Years Old 1966, Ardbeg Corryvreckan Committee Reserve, Karuizawa 1981 Cask 6256, Ardbeg Single Cask’s, Caperdonich 11 Year Old Connoisseurs Choice.

These bottles are of course just scraping the surface of what appears to be, by far the best auction yet for Just Whisky.

Check out the auction at www.just-whisky.co.uk

We’re told this is likely to be the last auction which will be VAT free – so take advantage of the reduced commission. Happy Bidding!

• 1988 Blair Athol 25 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($154.99) Blair Athol, known mostly for its role in Bell’s Blended, is finally starting to get some recognition as a single malt. Diageo is scheduling a rare expression of the distillery for its next limited release and tourists visiting Edradour in Pitlochry are stopping by the quaint distillery on their way out of town; usually with a positive experience to report back. We’ve purchased a couple of younger hogshead casks in the past, but during our last visit to Signatory we dug out this ancient sherry butt of 26 year old Blair Athol that really blew our minds. The sherry influence is still quite fresh in the whisky as layers of cakebread and Christmas spices come quickly on the entry. That holiday flavor profile then moves into a round, resinous fruit flavor that coats the palate, revealing brandied cherries and oily, earthier notes. We left the Signatory warehouse pretty excited about Blair Athol, driving by the distillery on our way out of Pitlochry. We’ ;re even more excited about this heavenly 26 year old expression now that it’s here. And, trust us, when the word gets about it won’t be here long. This should be one of the first to go.

• 2001 Bowmore 12 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Refill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($99.99) We absolutely killed it with the ’02 Hogshead at 46% this year, but we’re not done with Bowmore. This distillery is cranking out the most magnificent malt and Signatory gets these amazing high quality butts. This is more consistent with the house style than the last cask, bringing the nutty sherry slightly more to the foreground. It’s a stark reminder that Bowmore should be considered one of Scotland’s greatest distilleries. Treat this with the reverence it deserves and this whisky will make you feel like you’re the special one instead of the other way around.

• 1990 Bruichladdich 23 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Refill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($159.99) Clearly, we went a little Refill Sherry crazy this year, but how could we resist. We’ve been tasting this special cask every year since we first set foot in Signatory’s wonderful warehouses and we finally felt that it had reached it’s true peak. Bruichladdich is probably pretty sore that they don’t own this cask because it’s the perfect example of the unpeated Islay Malt. This hits every note without skipping a beat (while skipping the peat). The perfect amount of ripe round malty spice mixed with zesty citrus fruit. An ever so subtle oceany brine. The subtle nutty oxidative quality of the second fill sherry maturation. It’s a gem and will likely go down as one of our most re-purchased casks (those Bruichladdich fans are loyal after all).

• 1997 Glen Ord 17 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($79.99) We went crazy for a few casks from 1997 this year and this Glen Ord is top of the top. Classic oily Ord, with tons of wonderful unusual malt flavors. It’s a goofy little whisky that shows all kinds of wild flavors. Tart white fruit on the nose, white cherries (do those exist?), linseed, wild flowers, waxed apples -not wax apples- the finest plum eau-de-vie. That aromatic fruit continues on the palate but is pointed by a spice that’s not altogether oaky. This one is for the real “malt nuts.” You know who you are.

• 1995 Glenburgie 19 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($89.99) Signatory has an incredible selection of barrels from the mid-to-late 1990s; a number of 16-20 year old whiskies from less-appreciated distilleries that simply shine. We’ve already released a number of them to the pubic (Benrinnes, Glen Ord, Dailuaine), but this marks the first time we’ve ever purchased a cask from Glenburgie distillery; the Speyside distillery owned by Pernod-Ricard that has been periodically shutdown when not needed (most recently from 2000-2004). Few whisky drinkers, if any, expect greatness from Glenburgie, but we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t taste every cask! In this 19 year old hogshead we found heady aromas of toasted oak and candied citrus, supple vanilla on the palate, and a spicy, fruit-forward finish that made us instantly crave a second sip. We don’t usually argue about drinkable, delicious, 19 year old, cask strength whiskies for less than $100, but in this case the three of us couldn’t agree: di d we like it more or less than the Glenlivet 16? David D: yes! Kyle: no. David OG: unsure. In the end, we still bought it because it was too damn good to pass up. Especially for the money.

• 1997 Glenrothes 17 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Refill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($79.99) Sherry-matured single malt is big right now and if you can get it at full proof, even better. Glenrothes has always been a fan-favorite at K&L for its chewy, meaty, full-bodied character and rich, supple profile, but lately more folks have been heading for the Aberlour A’Bunadh due to the higher ABV. We thought: why not combine the best of both worlds? Why not buy a sherry cask of Glenrothes at nearly 60% alcohol and give the people what they want? Even better: let’s double the age! Let’s do a monster 17 year old refill sherry cask and bring all that chewy, cakey goodness for all those sherry-heads out there. And the price! Let’s make sure it’s no more than $79.99. Can we do that? Well, we just did. Classic sherry-aged Glenrothes at full proof for about eighty bucks. Sound OK?

• 1998 Mortlach 16 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Sherry Butt Finish Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($99.99) Can we keep the Mortlach momentum rolling? It seems that ever since we released that amazing sherry butt of Mortlach from Chieftain’s all those years ago, we’ve been riding a wave of Mortlach enthusiasm for the sherry-aged Speyside beast. Diageo even released their own single malt version (maybe we had something to do with that, eh?) We’re always on the lookout for more Mortlach, especially sherry-aged barrels, and it turns out that Signatory had a sherry-finished butt sitting in their Pitlochry location just there for the taking. The first sip is all you need to get excited: lots of gingerbread, cinnamon, holiday cookie goodness just explodes on the palate, with cakey, sherry flavor rounding out the back end. At full proof, it’s as much of a beast as ever. But the fact that this cask was simply finished in sherry, rather than aged in the sweet wine from day one, is a big benefit. The maltiness of the whisky is still there at the core and the finish still sings of whisky. It’s going to be a big hit; especially for $99.99.

• 1995 Imperial 18 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($84.99) Ok, so it turns out we are bringing you a rare closed distillery bottling after all, it’s just not from a distillery anyone has ever heard! I’m totally in love with this odd little distillery, which was dismantled and eventually demolished in 2013. Plans to build a news distillery are in the works -what a waste- but nothing will be quite like the fine old gentlemen that was the Imperial distillery. This cask was the best of several excellent ones we found in the warehouse. Bone dry, with concentrated nutty flavors, it’s fully bodied and lushes to the max. It’s not altogether unphenolic, with a slight earthy smoke in the background. Incredibly complex and deep, not the sort of whisky you can evaluate in a mere few moments, so be sure to let this one breath in the glass. Give it time and let it expand before you. Perhaps my favorite bottling in this batch and look at the price.

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

INNOVATION UNDERPINS SUCCESS FOR THE GLENLIVET

The single malt that started it all announces core range extension with The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve

The Glenlivet unveiled its latest innovation last night [Wednesday 29th October], Founder’s Reserve; a new, permanent benchmark expression in the brand’s core range. It has been created as the ultimate tribute to founder George Smith’s original vision to craft the definitive, smooth single malt whisky.

The announcement has come in the wake of an unparalleled year of growth for the brand, with new expressions and continued innovation underpinning its success.

According to Laurent Lacassagne, Chairman & CEO, Chivas Brothers, “Founder’s Reserve brings to life the heart and soul of The Glenlivet – at its core is the perfectly balanced smooth and fruity flavour that The Glenlivet is renowned for. We are very proud to introduce this new expression during what has been an incredible 12 months for the brand, and which will enable us to meet increased demand for super-premium spirits with something unique to offer.”

With Founder’s Reserve, The Glenlivet house style is skilfully complemented with a creaminess and sweetness from the addition of First Fill American oak casks, resulting in a malt of exceptional smoothness; the very quality for which George Smith’s The Glenlivet was widely admired and appreciated in his day. This exceptional new spirit will be rolling out in markets globally from March 2015, priced alongside The Glenlivet’s 12 Year Old expression.

The brand further announced last night that, in September this year, it passed the one million case milestone, capping off the stellar year of success.

Laurent Lacassagne added: “The Glenlivet has been the biggest contributor to the growth of the single malt Scotch whisky category in the last five years and, in September 2014, reached the impressive milestone of one million case sales per annum*. This fantastic achievement is driven by a robust performance in volume but an even stronger performance in value**, which is a testament first and foremost to the high quality of our product.”

The introduction of Founder’s Reserve follows on from the recent historic release of The Glenlivet Winchester Collection, the world’s first collection of 50 Year Old single malt Scotch whiskies. Launched earlier this month, the collection is anticipated to become one of the most sought after and priceless whisky collections in the world and epitomises the brand’s commitment to innovation in crafted Scotch whisky.

NOTES

*Pernod Ricard vol MAT 12 months ending September 2014
**8% increase in net sales in 2013/14 and a 2% increase in volumes (Pernod Ricard Figures to June 2014)

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

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.
www.theglenlivet.com

@TheGlenlivet

Early November 2014 Outturn Offerings 

Cask No. 59.48                                           $240

A sensory journey

Highland, Northern

Starting in an old wine cellar with wooden crates on a dusty floor then moving to a muggy pine forest after a storm, the neat nose embarks on a sensory journey; biscuits, porridge oats, mint, bonfire smoke, lamb tagine and a lipstick sweetness. There are textiles and oily notes then on the palate some oomph of peat with pecan nuts toasted in honey, white pepper and Bavarian smoked ham. The reduced nose leads to an old cottage with worn out rugs and aromas of stewed apples and steamed pudding. Dry and ashy to taste with some ginger and cinnamon spice. This Highland distillery was founded in 1817 by Hugh Munro.

Drinking tip: A winter warmer for a dark night

Colour: Golden syrup

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 30 years

Date Distilled: November 1983

Alcohol: 51.2%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Cask No. 1.177                                           $115

Tutti-Frutti ice cream

Speyside, Spey

A fresh and fruity aroma greeted us; pineapple cubes, star anise, wood sap and freshly cut grass. Some were reminded of an early morning tee off on the golf course, others gave their new cricket bat a light sanding and a coat of linseed oil in preparation for the new season. The taste had the initial woodiness of chewing the end of a pencil soon followed by juicy flavours of tutti-frutti ice cream with a gentle citrus tang. With water much softer; cherry pie, banana on toast and orange barley water. The taste is now sweet; marshmallows, fondant fancies and candyfloss with a spicy kick in the finish of fresh ginger.

Drinking tip: Late afternoon or early evening

Colour: Toffee Penny gold

Cask: First-fill barrel

Age: 11 years

Date Distilled: June 2002

Alcohol: 57.3%

USA allocation: 120 bottles

Cask No. 3.226                                           $145

Cigar smoke and Newhaven fish boxes

Islay

The nose was herbal, salty and mineral (samphire, sea-shells, fried seaweed) with a whiff of bonfire and floral notes (heather, parma violets); we also found slightly nutty smoke and medicinal hints of bandages and ‘stookie’ plasters. The neat palate was huge and powerful – Newhaven fish boxes, iodine and scallop shells crashed into cigarette ash, cigar boxes and burnt heather in the mouth. The reduced nose found the pungency of cigar smoke, leather furniture and polished wood, while on the palate good chewy sweetness restrained the sooty, the carbolic and the ‘caracoles picantes’ and saved the day. This distillery dates from 1779.

Drinking tip: A harbour-side dram – or with seafood – or with a cigar – very versatile

Colour: Yellowy gold

Cask: Refill butt

Age: 16 years

Date Distilled: September 1997

Alcohol: 58.3%

USA allocation: 48 bottles

Cask No. 24.126                                        $185

The Artist’s Lounge

Speyside, Spey

The panel were transported to a lounge of the Dutch masters. A still life of dried fruits, orange pomanders and spiced plums set in a wooden panelled room with piles of leather books. An artists palette of drying paint, linseed rags and turpentine littered the scene. Blackcurrant pastille, and prune juice held chunky caramelised pork crackling and egg nog characters in check. With dilution, pomegranate, orange and cinnamon juggled with dark chocolate and waves of waxy varnish. Glazed and smoked duck with a sticky orange and roasted onion chutney completed the rich molten experience from this much loved distillery.

Drinking tip: When intensity and riches are required

Colour: Russet Apple

Cask: Refill Sherry hogshead

Age: 23 years

Date Distilled: December 1990

Alcohol: 56.1%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Cask No. 53.205                                        $180

Foraging for mussels on the West Coast

Islay

The panel cheered in agreement at the thought of collecting shellfish with burning gorse and sea spray in the air, whilst drinking a Caipirinha. Suitably transported to the West Coast, they found wet cement and damp boat sheds. Scorched salmon skin. A superb balance of sweet smoke and brine. Water released delicate white lilies, more lime and peaches on the barbeque. Our foragers found hessian and wicker baskets, to collect their treasure from the shore. They ended with scorched rice pudding, stewed rhubarb and baklava. The finale was like heather moors after a fire.

Drinking tip: On a West Coast holiday

Colour: Polished gold

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 22 years

Date Distilled: January 1992

Alcohol: 52.9%

USA allocation: 48 bottles

Cask No. 93.61                                           $135

Calmac welder’s tea break

Campbeltown

On the nose, the sweet charabanc of sugar puffs, Crunchy-nut cornflakes, fudge cookies, honey and chocolate flapjacks collided into the savoury wall of smoky bacon crisps, barbecued prawns and baked ham. The palate was also a crash site – big, rich and chewy, with cinder toffee, spiced sultanas and dark honey on toast scattered in a frightening wreckage of charcoal, ash, liquorice sticks, peat reek and industrial garages. The reduced nose suggested a welder on a Calmac ferry enjoying a Daim Bar. The palate – sweet and (we thought) acceptably dirty with a big spicy finish. From the ‘quiet outsider’ distillery in Campbeltown.

Drinking tip: To aid the visceral enjoyment of a brutal rugby match

Colour: Orange sandstone

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 14 years

Date Distilled: June 1999

Alcohol: 58.3%

USA allocation: 150 bottles

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