www.ralfy.com embraces the peat-place that is Islay with Whisky Review 464 – Port Charlotte 2004 @ 46% (Cooper’s Choice Indi: )

Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre’s New Restaurant Launched  

– ‘Irish True’ Menu with a Whiskey Infused Twist 

Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre has announced the official opening of its new restaurant ‘The Bond’. The new restaurant, inspired by Tullamore D.E.W.’s distinct ‘Irish True’ personality and locally sourced Irish produce, combines high end gastro-pub style food with a whiskey infused twist.  

The restaurant is headed up by talented French Chef Alex Avel, formerly of the Hilton in Lyon.  Diners can expect dishes of imagination and flair combining the finest local ingredients with a warm and atmospheric eating experience.  Signature dishes include Lamb Shank Redemption, a slowly braised lamb shank resting in onion and rosemary jus with seasonal farm vegetables and potatoes.  Whiskey inspired dishes include the ‘D.E.W. York D.E.W. York house burger’ and the ‘Irish Drunken Mushrooms’ flambéed in Tullamore D.E.W. Old Bonded Warehouse release. 

Speaking at the opening of ‘The Bond’, Cathy Sullivan, Marketing Manager Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre, said “We are delighted to officially open ‘The Bond’.  A lot of care and attention to detail has gone into designing a restaurant worthy of its beautiful setting in the Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre along the banks of the Grand Canal.  We have designed a menu that reflects the unique spirit and heritage of Tullamore D.E.W. and the rich palette of world class Irish ingredients available on our doorstep. I have no doubt our unique dishes, excellent service and rustic charm will put ‘The Bond’ firmly on the culinary map for both local foodies and the thousands of visitors to the Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre each year.” 

The 70 seater restaurant is open daily from 11am – 4pm with late opening on Fridays and Sundays from June 6th. ‘The Bond’ is part of the Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre which was extensively redesigned and re-launched as an interactive experience in September 2012.     

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 here for membership information This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

2014 World Cup – if football teams were whiskies…

The 2014 World Cup is finally ready (even if the stadiums aren’t), so with this fantastic feast of football to look forward to, here are the teams to watch. And if you can’t decide who to follow, then why not go for the team that matches your taste in whisky?

The Seleção Brasileira are gunning for World Cup glory on home soil.

Brazil
Everyone’s second-favourite team, Brazil are strongly tipped to add to their tally of five World Cups, thanks to Neymar (one of the hottest talents around at the moment), although the pressure on them from the home crowd will be immense.
Whisky match: The Macallan Gold. Sexy and stylish; a real crowd-pleaser.

Argentina
The albiceleste have kept a rather low profile so far, compared to their green-and-gold neighbours, but they have an incredibly talented squad, including Messi, di María and Agüero. Full of flair and very easy on the eye, Argentina will be one to watch.
Whisky match: Compass Box The Spice Tree. Not afraid to bend the rules now and again.

Germany
We know all the adjectives. Efficient. Unglamorous. Machine-like. OK, they’re all kind of true, but you have to hand it to die Mannschaft, they know how to win World Cups. And would you back anyone else in a penalty shootout?
Whisky match: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old. Whisky snobs love to stick the boot in, but how about some love for a change, eh?

Holland
Inventors of ‘total’ football, whereby all players on the pitch can swap roles at a moment’s notice, it’s hard not to fall in love with Holland and their silky style. They’ve never won the World Cup, but for such a consistently impressive team, it must surely be only a matter of time.
Whisky match: Glenfarclas 15 Year Old. Sherried and shexy!

Italy
Not particuarly pretty, but the Italians know how to get the job done. They’ll take a solid 1-0 over a 4-3 thrillfest any day of the week, and with four World Cups in the bag, other teams would do well to copy their dogged, defensive style.
Whisky match: Glen Grant 16 Year Old. Much loved in Italy, this old stalwart is utterly dependable.

England
Ah, good old England. Every four years, a nation holds its breath and waits for… an ignominious exit on penalties. Your average England fan knows that World Cup glory in Brazil is unlikely, but you never know…
Whisky match: Tomatin 12 Year Old. Enjoyed huge success in the 1960s, and its young spirit is now starting to make heads turn again.

Portugal
They probably won’t win the World Cup, but would you want to play them? Dangerous, hot-headed and unpredictable, Portugal are capable of beating anyone. Their brutal red-card fest against Holland was the nadir of the 2006 tournament (or the highlight, if that’s your bag), but Portugal can also dish out the slick, skilful stuff when it matters.
Whisky match: Bruichladdich 10 Year Old/The Laddie Ten. Cheeky and irreverent, but endearing.

Spain
The current World Cup holders and European champions had to endure decades of stick for underachieving time after time, despite having world-class squads. But finally, they got it right, and have swept all before them.
Whisky match: Glendronach 15 Year Old Revival/Sherry Cask. Under master distiller Billy Walker’s management, and with a little help from some Spanish sherry casks, Glendronach is back in a big way. 

The teams are ready, the whiskies are ready – time to sit back, pour a dram, and enjoy the footy.

Originally published on The Whisky Exchange Blog – 2014 World Cup – if football teams were whiskies…

Over 100 years since the last Scottish miners abandoned Joadja Creek shale mines in New South Wales, Joadja Whisky brings back the spirit of these brave men and women who helped forge a nation through their bravery, hard work and enterprise. The drama of this Australian Ghost Town is brought back to life by the crystal clear water of the natural spring, the local produce and the very best Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso casks imported from Spain by the founders, Valero and Elisa Jimenez. http://www.joadjawhisky.com.au/

Pat has been going crazy buying a lot of new whiskies!!;

We just got in about 20 new bottles and 2 new Single Malts!!   Here are all of the new bottles we got in:

– Yamazaki 12 & 18 year (not new but we always run out fast & it has been really hard for us to keep in stock)

–Nikka Whisky 12 & 17 year (Japans first Malt distillery)

–Crown Royal Monarch  (75 Anniversary Blend)

-Seagrams Seven Crown

-Old Scout Rye Whiskey 

-Sazerac Rye Whiskey

– Green Spot (Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey)

–Old Crow Reserve Whiskey

–Jim Beam Signature Craft Whiskey

  -Soldier Valley Whiskey

-Caribou Crossing (Single Barrel Canadian Whiskey)

–1792 Ridgemont Reserve Whiskey

-Michter’s Single Barrel Rye Whiskey

-Michter’s Small Batch Unblended American Whiskey

-Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

-Jefferson‘s Chef’s Collaboration (Limited Edition)

-Jefferson’s Presidential Rye Select (21 & 25 year old)

-Presidential Select (18, 21, 25 and 30 year old)

-Jefferson’s Ocean Whiskey 

-Ardbeg Auriverdes

-Oban 21 Cask Strength

5007 Underwood Ave, Omaha  NE 68132  402.553.9501  dundeedell.com

Angels whisky club INTERVIEW Graeme Bowie; Ardnamurchan Distillery Manager, interviewed by Paul McLean, Angels Whisky Club. 

Graeme, It was really good to tour the distillery recently with our Finnish group. How are plans for opening and filling the first cask? A; Opening should be in the next couple of weeks. We are just waiting for approval from HMRC. The first filling will be unpeated spirit into an ex Bourbon Barrel. 

Q; Can you describe what you did previously in the whisky industry? A; Just celebrated 30 years in the industry. Started in the warehouse at Glen Grant Distillery, after a year moved on to production. Back then there were 3 men on a shift, mashman, stillman and a fireman. I started as the fireman, making sure the coal fires were stoked at all times. Glen Grant has 8 stills so you were kept busy. After a year of that I started on the milling and mashing side then as a stillman. They were great times and we had a great bunch of people working there. In 2000, I moved to Balmenach Distillery, again working for Dennis Malcolm. I covered all areas of production. In 2006, I got the chance to move into the Assistant Manager’s role at Balblair Distillery. John MacDonald had just come from Glenmorangie, so it was a new management team for the distillery. Working with John and the rest of the guys there was good and I learned a lot about the management side of things. It was during my time at Balblair that I started to do some travelling in Europe to do whisky fairs and masterclasses, which I really enjoyed. Inver House Distillers are a special company to work for, from the managing director down to the girls that answer the phone at head office reception, everyone is wanting and doing their best for the company. It was in early 2013, that I saw an advert in the paper for a Distillery Manager for Adelphi Distillery’s new Ardnamurchan Distillery. I was very happy at Balblair but knew I had to apply as it was time for the next step. I knew nothing of Ardnamurchan but I had met Alex Bruce, Adelphi’s Sales & Marketing Director at a whisky fair in Vienna in 2011. He seemed a genuine person, who was passionate about whisky. My wife, Astrid came with me for my first interview, so she could see what the area was like. It was a shock, although Balblair is in a rural setting this was something else. Single track roads, no shops close at hand but the scenery was stunning. The Adelphi board sold this project to me straight away during the interview. After a second interview I waited a month, then Alex phoned me to offer me the job. I was delighted to accept, this was a huge project and an exciting challenge. So on the 1st of May 2013, my wife, a dog, three cats and I followed the removal van to Ardnamurchan. 

Q; I have taken many tours with wee groups/large groups from all over the world, what is your favourite memory of whisky making? A; It would be of the people I have worked with over the years. When I started at Glen Grant, I was on shift with Togie Grant and Allan McDonald. These were guys who knew about making spirit and I learned a lot off them but we had fun as well. Togie on nightshift would often break into song. On a Saturday morning we would cook a big fry up, the manager at the time was Bob McPherson, and he knew we did this and would often join us for breakfast. Great guys, as were all my fellow workers. 

Q; Adelphi Distillery is now Scotland’s most acclaimed independent bottler of single casks of rare malt whisky, I know you are manager, but what are your day to day tasks? A; Being in charge of making a quality new make spirit is obviously important, but site safety is also important. I have HMRC , Sepa , H&S reports to do, order malt, yeast, casks. Spirit charges need doing, paperwork for all the processes is required. Budgets are constantly being monitored to make sure we are not over spending. I could have meetings with other industry colleagues regarding bulk sales. I might have a tour to do for customers. I also have to train my Assistant who has to be able to run the distillery in my absence. 

Q; I know Adelphi bottles straight from the cask without colouring or chill filtration, do you have any say in the purchase of casks or how the whisky is finished?  A;  Alex Bruce purchases all the empty casks. I let him know when and what we require. 

Q; Having been on your location a few times and knowing the differences between well known distilleries and Glenborrodale, how did you adapt to living locally? Are you living in the castle? A; No, not the Castle. I live in the house beside the distillery. My wife and I have settled in well and made some good friends. We do a big shop once a month in Fort William but there are a couple of small shops 20 minutes away where we can buy small items like bread and milk. My wife now works at Kilchoan Primary School doing the admin so that keeps her busy. It would be perfect apart from the rain and midgies!! 

Q; Adelphi has a great association with Maclean’s, Charlie as you know (family always gets into these places!), the land used to be part of the Maclean lands back a few hundred years, even a wee pointy outcrop is called Maclean’s nose, the Clan bottling from 2012 Clan Gathering, Charlie chose it, Chief sold it at the castle, and then there is myself! Do you have business with many of us Maclean’s? A; I see Charlie 4/5 times a year. My granny was a Maclean from North Uist so we could be related!!. 

Q; As far as you know are there any special bottles/whisky soon to be released? A; Sorry but that is Alex’s department. 

Q; Have you /planning to (as a distillery), take any whisky risks? Any new ideas, innovations, a new concept, or just stun the whisky world? A: I just want to be able to make a quality spirit that people will appreciate. We are using a woodchip boiler for steam, and all the woodchip is source locally. We are the first in the industry to do this. Any new venture is a risk but I am confident we will get it right. 

Q; how many bottles you have on sale annually? And if I may ask, how many do you keep personally? A: Again that is Alex’s side of things. I do not collect whisky as I think it is for drinking. The only bottle I have kept is a Balblair hand bottling that all the staff signed when I left. 

Q; do you have any signed bottles or special numbered bottles for collectors?  A: No. I do have a signed bottle of Champagne that was given to me by Ken Loach who directed the film The Angels Share that was made at Balblair. 

Q; Do you have any thoughts about finishing? Port, Sherry etc. A: We will not be doing any finishing. As long as the spirit is good and it is in a quality cask it will not need to be finished. 

Q; what are your views on; adding water to a dram, ice, coke etc? A: Everyone is different when it comes to whisky. Personally I would add a drop of water into a cask strength whisky but if it is 46%abv or lower I don’t. Is this right or wrong, who knows, but that is how I drink whisky as I like it this way? 

Q; if water is acceptable, is this bottled water, tap water? A: I use bottled water. Some places have too much chlorine in the mains water. 

Q; a chilly Scots winter day/night, what dram (any dram) would you sample? A; My favourite dram is a Balblair 1978. Lots of gorgeous, deep, fruity flavours. 

Q; apart from working, how do you enjoy yourself? A; I used to play football and golf but I am older and not as fit as I used to be and we do not have a golf course on the peninsula. I have got into sea fishing and I have just bought a small boat so I will spend most of my free time, if the weather is good, drifting on Loch Sunart hoping to catch something big and tasty. 

Q; If I asked you to “sell” Adelphi in no more than 50 words … A; Adelphi is all about quality. Whatever we do, whether it is producing our own spirit or buying another distillers, before it goes into a bottle it must be quality. 

Q; Finally, how do you see the whisky industry advancing in the coming years?  A; It is very hard to predict. It is looking great at the moment, what with all the new markets opening up but you never know as tastes change. All distillers can do is carry on making quality whiskies and hopefully the sales and marketing teams can get them into the market for people to try and enjoy. 

Many thanks Graeme, I hope to visiting again soon, our group from Finland didnee want to leave, needed a push! They all appreciated your tour and drams, as did Liz and I. 

Celebrate Father’s Day with Glen Grant the Major’s Reserve 

Show the man in your life how much you appreciate him this Father’s Day, with a Glen Grant gift pack featuring a bottle of Glen Grant the Major’s Reserve and two whisky tumblers, presented in a beautifully designed box. 

Inspired by James ‘The Major’ Grant, this easy drinking single malt is the freshest and lightest of the Glen Grant range.  Creamy and fruity on the palate, it has a slightly dry, nutty finish and is the perfect introduction to single malts for those who are moving across from blended whiskies. 

James ‘The Major’ Grant, was just 25 when he took over the distillery and was renowned for being a legendary innovator, socialiser and traveller. In 1931, Major Grant – the last of the Grants- died, leaving behind his three daughters and one of the most famous distilleries in the world. Douglas MacKessack, his grandson, was his successor. 

Served neat, on the rocks or in your cocktail of choice, celebrate Father’s Day with a whisky that was inspired by a truly great man and father. 

Recommended retail selling price: R219.99 

For more information on Glen Grant, please visit http://www.glengrant.com/

Hope all is good with you as we bask in the early summer sunshine here in the UK.

In a totally un-cynical attempt to cash-in on another annual non-event (I can say this as I’m a father too!), we have a number of things that might tickle your father’s fancy, or tastebuds. Forget the usual aftershave, CDs and power tools – give him something that he will actually like and thank you for!

So here are our ideas for you and dad…

WHISKY SCHOOLS

The perfect day out for dad!
For a whole day (from 10am to 4pm) your dad (or you!) can learn all the basics of whisky production and what it all means.

There are ‘modules’ on world whiskies, styles and regions of Scotland, wood maturation and even a chance to blend your own whisky and take a miniature home with you. Plus the small matter of over 25 whiskies to sample…

We have schools happening in Newcastle, Manchester, York, Harrogate and London – click here or on the banner for more info on dates and prices. Ticket price also includes a lovely 2-course lunch at the venue.

Our summer tasting series is an extremely exciting one, with a fantastic line-up of 6 single cask, cask-strength single malts from this fabulous bottler. If you (and dad, obviously) like your whiskies pure and profound, then this is the one for you. You will be tasting a range of styles and with the minimum age of whiskies being 18 years old – this is a real rare treat indeed.

DATES & VENUES

LONDON            Wednesday 2nd July       The Red Lion, Crown Passage, 7pm
BRIGHTON         Thursday 3rd July           Hilton Metropole, Kings Road, 7pm
LEEDS                Wednesday 9th July       The Cross Keys, Water Lane, 7pm
LIVERPOOL       Wednesday 9th July        Jenny’s Bar, Fenwick St., 7pm
NEWCASTLE     Friday 11th July               Blackfriars, Friar St., 7pm
MANCHESTER  Friday 11th July               Britons Protection, Gt. B’Water St., 7pm
YORK                 Saturday 12th July           Brigantes, Micklegate, 7pm
SHEFFIELD       Tuesday 15th July            Sheffield Tap, Platform 1B, S’field Station

LIVERPOOL, YORKSHIRE & MANCHESTER

We have all of these events up and running on the website and as always, they are the must-do whisky events in their areas. What better than to wile an afternoon away amongst the great and good of the industry whilst tasting some truly fabulous whiskies.

Early-birds are still available on Liverpool and Yorkshire (2 for £50), whilst full-day and half day tickets are also available for Manchester…

LIVERPOOL WHISKY FESTIVAL       Sat. 6th September   The Crypts, Met Cathedral
YORKSHIRE WHISKY FESTIVAL      Sat. 13th September  York Racecourse
MANCHESTER WHISKY FESTIVAL  Sat. 25th October      Bridgewater Hall

If you catch us quick, we may even be able to email you a PDF ticket of the relevant event that you can print and trim to pop in a card of your choice!

I think that’ll do it for now but look out for more news in the coming weeks, plus write-ups of our trip to the Islay Festival last month and recent tasting series.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter – @thewhiskylounge – and like and share our Facebook page to keep bang up to date with the latest news about our events and more.

We look forward to seeing you over a dram or two soon.

Sláinte!

Eddie
& Team Whisky Lounge

Kilchoman Machir Bay 2014 – Tasting Review Last week we re-visited last year’s, 2013, expression of the Kilchoman Machir Bay. With each year the small Islay distillery continues the journey of this fantastic single malt by releasing a new bottling. Today we are blessed to be sat with this year’s bottling, the Kilchoman Machir Bay 2014.

To re-cap, Kilchoman’s Machir Bay, the distilleries core expression, was first launched in 2012. The single malt from the small farm distillery created a huge buzz amongst the whisky community and went on to win the prestigious IWSC 2012 Gold Medal – Best in Class. Since then, the distillery has released a new bottling every year, allowing fans to accompany this single malt through its aging process.

In last week’s tasting review I compared the 2012, one of my favourite whiskies of that year, to the 2013 bottling. Despite the 2013 still maintain a strong character; my preference still sided with the highly revered 2012. So how will the 2014 fare?

The Machir Bay 2014 is a vatting of 5 and 6 year old ex-bourbon barrels and oloroso sherry butts 46%ABV. According to John MacLellan, Distillery Manager at Kilchoman, the sherry butts give the whisky a desired taste that has proven to be this drams unique selling point.

The team at Kilchoman aim for Machir Bay to be the distilleries flagship product, hoping that it will become a staple choice amongst whisky connoisseurs around the world.

Anthony Wills, Managaing Director at Kilchoman, says; “it is important that we are able to offer our distribution partners a consistently available product while also offering Kilchoman followers the opportunity to enjoy the development of our spirit”

John MacLellan, added; “We are delighted that each release of Machir Bay shows a little more cask maturation than the previous one….the 2014 is no exception”

So yet again I sit with Kilchoman’s prized whisky, the Machir Bay. But how will the 2014 compare to its younger siblings?

On the nose is a summery mixture of fruit, heavily leaning towards a more dominant citrus kick. The classic character of Islay peat is also heavily present which balances well with a slight vanilla aroma.

On the palate again those fruits dominate whilst the vanilla deepens bring forward a welcomed sweetness; possibly gifted to the dram by those oloroso sherry butts.

As with the 2012 and the 2013 Machir Bay, the finish is long and lingering; less harsh than the 2013. Overall the Kilchoman Machir Bay 2014 is another positive step towards something truly remarkable and again displays this small, farm distilleries talent for distilling superb whisky. The 2014, is for me more well balanced and shows more clearly the development of character that has taken place than that of the 2013.

It’s hard to say, without a dram of 2012 sitting before, me whether the 2014 is indeed more favourable; after all the 2012 left a big impression on me. But what is clear, is that the Machir Bay 2014 is a truly sublime dram and is just a glimpse of the superiority we can expect to see from this distillery in coming years. Discover the Kilchoman Machir Bay 2014 for yourself today!