Joe Ellis Reviews Pike Creek 10yo Canadian Whisky – Canadian Whisky News
February 18th, 2015
This week Joe Ellis reviews Pike Creek 10 Year Old Port Aged Canadian Whisky.
Archive for February, 2015
Heaven Hill Fills Seven Millionth Barrel of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – American Whiskey News
February 17th, 2015
Heaven Hill Fills Seven Millionth Barrel of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Ceremony Coincides with the Company’s 80th Anniversary
BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Brands, the nation’s largest independent family-owned and operated distilled spirits producer and the world’s second-largest holder of aging Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, today celebrated filling its seven millionth Bourbon barrel. Heaven Hill is the only local, family-owned company to reach this historic benchmark.
“This is a momentous achievement to celebrate, especially as it falls during the company’s 80th anniversary. To think, my father and four uncles rolled out Heaven Hill’s first barrel 80 years ago. Here we are, eight decades later, filling our seven millionth barrel at the height of the greatest Bourbon boom since Prohibition. And, the Shapira family is still at the helm of Heaven Hill. Our founders would certainly be proud to see this day,” said Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira.
The company remains true today to its original mission as a family-owned and operated, independent Kentucky company—the last remaining in the Bourbon business today. Heaven Hill now has more than one million aging barrels of Kentucky Bourbon in its inventory and its flagship Evan Williams brand is the second largest selling Bourbon in the world.
The seven millionth barrel was “bunged off” by Master Distiller Emeritus Parker Beam, Co-Master Distiller Denny Potter and Artisanal Distiller Charlie Downs in a brief ceremony at Heaven Hill’s cistern room attended by company executives and local dignitaries. Participants toasted with a glass of vintage Heaven Hill Bourbon made within a year of the company’s founding in 1935.
The milestone barrels was signed by Heaven Hill employees and put up to age in Rickhouse Y, where it will be displayed along Heaven Hill’s other milestone barrels. About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (http://www.heavenhill.com/) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Larceny, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons, Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila; Cinerator Hot Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky.
Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”
Heaven Hill Brands 7 Millionth Barrel Facts
BARDSTOWN, KY—Heaven Hill Brands, the nation’s largest independent family-owned and operated distilled spirits producer and marketer, filled its 7 Millionth barrel of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey on Feb. 10, 2015. What does that volume of Bourbon represent?
- 592,308 acres of corn
- 69.8 million bushels of harvested corn
- 19.1 million bushels of other grains, such as rye, wheat and malted barley
- 370 million gallons of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 195 million cases of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 2.34 billion bottles of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- More than 3,809 miles of American White Oak barrels laid end to end
More than $6.2 billion in federal excise taxes when sold to consumers at today’s federal tax rate
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Whisky Lounge Newsletter February 2015 – Whisky News
February 17th, 2015
Is that the date already?
Apologies first of all that you received nothing from us last month. Please don’t blame us – blame Burns! Well we have been busy, working on a whole new raft of events for you to get your teeth into. That and hosting our biggest ‘Burns-a-thon’ ever, plus a visit to a couple of the UK’s newest distilleries… However, we are now ready to unleash our latest events on you so hold tight!
IT’S BACK!
The series that in many ways defined us as a company before we were even a company! This is a tasting that we always love putting on – almost as much as you seem to love coming to it. Put simply, a blind tasting of three Japanese whiskies vs three Scotch whiskies. We do it blind so you pick what you truly think is best, denied the fripperies of packaging. This time we are excited to be partnering with the Nikka Whisky Company – founded by the ‘Daddy’ of Japanese whisky himself – Masataka Taketsuru. Their whiskies are extremely well-respected and are normally to be found with sparks flying off the medals they are dragging around…
JAPAN Vs SCOTLAND DATES & VENUES
WEDS. 11th March SHEFFIELD, The Tap, Sheffield Station, 7pm
WEDS. 18th March LONDON, Salt Bar, Seymour St., W2, 7pm
WEDS. 18th March LIVERPOOL, Jenny’s Bar, Fenwick St., L2, 7pm
FRIDAY 20th March NEWCASTLE, Blackfriars, Friar St., NE1, 7pm
FRIDAY 20th March MANCHESTER, Britons Protection, Gt. Bridgwater St, 7pm
SAT. 21st March YORK, Brigantes, Micklegate, YO1, 7pm
THURS. 26th March LEEDS, The Cross Keys, Water Lane, LS2, 7pm
THURS. 26th March BRIGHTON, Hilton Metropole, Kings St., 7pm
All of the above tastings are ready to book and are only £20 per person. Of course, if you are not able to attend for whatever reason, but would still like to take part, you can pre-order the relevant ‘Tasting from Home’ pack at £25 that can be found HERE.
FESTIVALS!
After our relatively ‘quiet’ year of only 6 Whisky Festivals in 2014, we have ramped things up again for 2015. We are returning to all of the cities of 2014, plus 2 that we did in 2013 – Aberdeen and Bristol. Hopefully this means that even more of you can make it to these cracking events this year.
NEWCASTLE, 7th MARCH
Newcastle is always our first festival of the year and as such, we are always keen to kick things of with a bang! Now in its 7th Year, the festival has become an absolute must attend for local whisky-lovers and the whisky-curious alike. We have secured a fantastical variety of exhibitors from Scotland, England, Wales, the USA and Japan, so there is more than ever to go at. Tickets for both sessions are nearly sold out so if you do want to come, be quick and click HERE or on the banner.
LONDON, 11th & 12th APRIL
Our ‘Whisky Weekender’ in London returns for a second year. A slight departure from our Whisky Festival ‘template’ with more in the way of food, music and other enticements. However, at the core of it is still our mission to bring you the best the industry has to offer. Along with the usual range of fantastic whiskies, this year we are focusing on ‘craft distilling’ so we will have an area dedicated to this, featuring the best small distillers from the UK and the US. Further details and tickets can be found HERE
ABERDEEN, 25th APRIL
After a 2 year absence (well, more like 18 months to be fair), we are returning to the ‘Granite City’. We loved our first outing in 2013 but decided to ‘rest’ the show (and ourselves) last year. As always we are aiming at bigger and better, and with this in mind we are housing ourselves this year at the AECC. Added to this, more exhibitors and more whiskies, this should be a great day of dramming near the heart of whisky-making Scotland. Details and tickets can be found HERE.
BRISTOL, 13th JUNE
The second returning event of the year, Bristol was another festival we loved doing in 2013 but couldn’t stretch to in 2014. Once again we are the beautiful Coniston Hall and will be bringing a whole host of the great and the good of the distilling world. More whiskies than you can shake a stick at! We have an early-bird special (2 tickets for £40) for the first 100 people to book, so if you want to get involved in that, head over to the booking page by clicking HERE.
ISLAY FESTIVAL 2015
We have sold all but one ticket for our Finlaggan House legs of this fabulous time of a lifetime. However, we do still have places available on the beautiful tall ship Irene. Not only do you get to soak up the world famous Islay festival you get to sleep and sail around this beautiful island on a genuine tall ship. If you have some time in May and would like to join us on Islay, click HERE to find out more. Remember you can always ask us any questions about this or any other event by emailing us here
FINAL CALL
At the end of this month we host the inimitable Colin Dunn of Diageo for 3 special ‘Ultimalt’ tastings at three venues in the UK. London and Manchester are sold out but there are still places in Newcastle on Saturday 28th February. Click HERE to find out more and for tickets.
Eddie’s ‘Mini-Tour’ of new distilleries
Completely spontaneously – because thats the kind of guy he is – Eddie decided to set off on a mini-tour of three of the UK’s newest distilleries. Starting two Mondays ago and finishing on the Wednesday, Eddie travelled to The Lakes Distillery, near Cockermouth, Penderyn in South Wales and finally to The Cotswolds Distillery. Needless to say, he had an amazing time and the trip seems to have ‘fed his soul’, particularly in regards to new distilleries. You can read about his trip over at the website where he has written up each visit individually. Click HERE then go and visit these worthwhile and brilliant ventures. The Lakes will be at least one of our UK Festivals this year, with Penderyn appearing at no less than 6 in 2015. We are hopeful that the Cotswolds will join us too.
JOE’S BOOK!
Our very own Joe Clark has written his first whisky book! Under the title ‘The Ultimate Book of Whisky’, in his own words, ‘this project ate up my life in ways I can’t even begin to describe.’ We are obviously incredibly proud of Joe and we are only to happy to offer his book for sale on our website. It is a fantastic reference book for the novice and budding whisky enthusiast with loads of facts and information on distilleries old and new. It is a beautifully presented item. It comes in a slipcase and has an ‘archive’ notebook included for people to make their own notes. A lovely gift! The cost to you is £30 which includes next day UK delivery. Click HERE for more details and to buy!
Glenglassaugh 51yo – Scotch Whisky News
February 17th, 2015
Glenglassaugh 51 years old
The range of expressions from the Glenglassaugh Distillery gradually expanded over the year with the release of the first batch of single casks and Torfa; the first peated expression. We were excited to release our oldest ever bottling aged 51 years. Filled to cask on February 15th 1963, this classic vintage captures Glenglassaughs unique coastal charm and is bursting with fruity characters.
NOSE Fascinating depths and layers develop from figs and prune syrup to delicate apricot and hints of blackberry. All carry invitingly subtle soft Belgian chocolate and intriguing hints of roast coffee.
PALATE The exclusive mellow yet full-bodied character gives a rich, complex symphony of red fruit preserve, touches of treacle and the slightest mountain herb influence. Gentle clove oil, distant sour cherries and the softest peppery oak add a memorable sophistication to this rare vintage.
Visit our website for more information and keep in touch with us via Facebook and Twitter to find out all of the latest news on Glenglassaugh Distillery.
Sláinte!
Stewart Buchanan
Brand Ambassador
Scotch Malt Whisky Society February Events – Scotch Whisky News
February 17th, 2015
FEBRUARY EVENTS
Whisky and Sausage Tasting > The Vaults, Leith – Tue 17 Feb
Pancake Day > 19 Greville St, London – Tue 17 Feb
New Members Tasting > 19 Greville St, London – Wed 18 Feb
Greenock Preview Tasting > The Tontine Hotel, Greenock – Fri 20 Feb
Cheese and Whisky Tasting > 28 Queen St, Edinburgh – Tue 24 Feb
Manchester Preview Tasting > Malmaison, Manchester – Fri 27 Feb
Newcastle Preview Tasting > The Caledonian Hotel, Newcastle – Fri 27 Feb
Stirling Preview Tasting > The Golden Lion Hotel, Stirling – Fri 27 Feb
Birmingham Preview Tasting > Hotel du Vin, Birmingham – Fri 27 Feb
Scotland v Italy Tasting Lunch > 28 Queen St, Edinburgh – Sat 28 Feb
NEW TO THE SOCIETY?
New Members Welcome Night > The Vaults, Leith – Thu 26 Feb
Come on down and meet us (and each other): we’re very friendly, we don’t assume any whisky knowledge and we love sharing our passion for single cask whisky…
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
Highland Park Odin Now Available to Pre-Order at Loch Fyne Whiskies – Scotch Whisky News
February 17th, 2015
Very limited stocks of the Highland Park Odin are now available to pre-order on a strictly first come, first serve basis on www.lfw.co.uk
Highland Park Odin – £180
Odin is the much awaited fourth and final edition in the limited Valhalla Series, following the Thor, Loki and Freya releases. Odin is created from a combination of Spanish oak sherry casks and re-fill hogsheads. Odin has the signature sweet and gently smoky aromas expected of a Highland Park malt with a surprisingly long, oaky finish and a waxy mouthfeel. Bottled at 16 years old at 55.8% abv and one of only 17,000 bottles ever produced.
Highland Park Dark Origins – £65
Inspired by the distillery’s founder, Dark Origins uses double the amount of first fill sherry oak casks allowing for a far richer taste than almost all other Highland Park expressions.
Appearance: Rich mahogany
Nose: Sherried spice and ripe bananas combine with toasted hazelnuts and baked apple
Palate: Well-balanced, dry peat at first mellowing out to maraschino cherries, warm dark chocolate entices the palate
Finish: Enduring sweet smoke
Loch Fyne Whiskies
Main St Inveraray
PA32 8UD
Tel 01499 302219
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Wemyss Malts New Single Cask Releases – Scotch Whisky News
February 16th, 2015
Wemyss Malts new Single Cask releases
Family-owned Wemyss Malts is delighted to announce the release of a new selection of single cask Scotch whiskies. This mouth-watering collection of new whiskies is named after the unique natural taste and aroma of each one. The new offering includes cask strength “Kirsch Gateau” from Islay and a further single grain single cask.
The full cask list of this release comprises:
“Kirsch Gateau” 1988 single cask from Bunnahabhain Distilery, Islay, Cask Strength “Cacao Geyser” 1998 single cask from Bowmore Distillery, Islay “Snuffed Candle” 1999 singe cask from Aberfeldy Distillery, Highlands “Dark Treacle Fondant” 2002 single cask from Craigellachie Distillery, Speyside “Honeysuckle Bower” 1995 single cask from Linkwood Distillery, Speyside “Caribbean Crème” 1988 single cask from Invergordon Distillery, grain
Each cask has been selected and named by the Wemyss tasting panel, under the watchful eye of industry aficionado Charlie Maclean. There are only a few hundred bottles from each cask and the suggested retail prices range from £65 to £130. These bottlings will be available in selected retailers in the UK, EU and key Asian markets.
William Wemyss, Founder and Managing Director at Wemyss Malts, commented: “We are delighted to introduce another excellent selection of single casks, named as always by our hard-working and creative tasting panel. We’ve selected a Bunnahabhain sherry butt to be bottled at cask strength in this release named Kirsch Gateau after its rich mahogany colour and palate of tempting dark chocolate and liqueur soaked cherries.”
Notes
Edinburgh based Wemyss Malts is owned by the Wemyss family and their family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.
Wemyss Malts has an ongoing blended malt whisky range comprising: The Spice King, The Peat Chimney and The Hive; single malt single cask bottlings and blended Scotch range, Lord Elcho.
The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include boutique gin Darnley’s View, together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence.
The family has opened a single malt distillery at Kingsbarns, near St. Andrews in Fife www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com
News from The Whisky Belle – Scotch Whisky News
February 16th, 2015
Feeling lucky
This January, I received a few tempting invitations, which would see me venturing out after the festivities. I’m now features editor for a new luxurious magazine called Whisky Quarterly and you’ll be able to read the full version of Timberyard and Restaurant Mark Greenaway online in a few weeks. I wanted to pay due respect to the chefs that work in these kitchens, as the dishes that were presented were some of the best I’ve eaten in a while. How lucky was that?
My first outing was to Timberyard, courtesy of Georgie Bell, who has been keeping me informed about development at Mortlach for the last few months. I remember visits to the original yard to collect wood for various projects that my father would be working on at home. As a surgeon, he was skilled at mending people, as well as things. The space has retained its rustic feel, and was full on a cold Tuesday night in January, so felt snug. A tasting of the new make from the distillery, was followed by the matured spirit which is exceedingly good. The ensuing four courses that made their way to me were both artful and studded with flavour. A triumph.
The second equally enticing invitation was to celebrate the opening of The Balvenie Room at Restaurant Mark Greenaway. The space is a den-like haven creating the perfect showcase for Mark and his ingenious dishes, and we delighted in them. James Buntin, in the Balvenie camp, looked after us generously with a few delicious drams. It was one of those evenings that could have stretched into the wee hours except that we all had flights to catch the next day.
Mine was longer than the others, as I was flying to British Columbia, for the annual Victoria Whisky Festival as an ambassador for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. The festival was celebrating its tenth year, drawing whisky lovers from near and far to enjoy whisky. This year it raised $25,000 for local charities, who will benefit in a very different way to the show goers. This year the Thursday night opened with Alwynne Quilt, aka Miss Whisky, who had impressed her all female audience so much from last year with her chocolate pairing evening that a second round was demanded with men included! Friday night saw a succession of masterclasses, for which the audiences sleep out to ensure they get their tickets. Kelly and Rob Carpenter who run the SMWS branch in Canada, and I had carefully poured over the whisky lists to choose the bottlings for the various classes over the weekend. One of my classes involved active participation with attendees having to nose their whisky blind and build a visual tasting note from a table laden with props. One for those with a sweet tooth! The festival concluded with The Distillers Dinner which was a feast of beautiful whiskies paired with a five course dinner prepared by the team at the Hotel Grand Pacific. My highlights were a Glendronach 1993, with velvet like sherry richness and a Society bottling of 117.5, beautifully described as ‘Smouldering, brooding and alluring’.
My final evening was spent in Calgary at the Brasserie Kensington, where our Society members were told to expect Burns, the alternative. The welcome drink was a hard choice, would you choose the bottling of bourbon, B3.1, ‘A little box of treasures’ or 39.95, ‘Caressing, warm and friendly’? Our main course was Brasserie-style lamb ‘crepinette’ with pomme puree and five spice mash, paired with 76.93, ‘Magic from the wee witchie’ and was stunning. For those of you who know your Society numbers, you’ll see I came a full circle. So seven events in eight days, pretty lucky I think.
Annabel
Glendronach Batch 11 Single Cask Release at The Whisky Shop – Scotch Whisky News
February 16th, 2015
GlenDronach has bottled nine of its finest single casks, ranging from 43 to 18 years old for its Batch 11 release. All casks were hand-selected by Master Distiller Billy Walker, who has selected them to show the influence wood has on the spirit, while maintaining the classic GlenDronach style.
1971 43 year old
The oldest release from Batch 11, this whisky was filled from Pedro Ximinez Sherry Puncheon cask number 2920, and was distilled back in 1971. 43 year later, the whisky has a rich treacle toffee flavour, with hints of coffee and sour plums. It also has fantastic depth with its leather and tobacco flavours, perfectly balanced by notes of toasted walnuts and dates.
One of only 523 bottles, bottled at 48.6% abv.
£955. Pre-order now.
1990 24 year old
Bottled in November 2014, this whisky was first filled to its cask in 1991. Filled from Pedro Ximinez Sherry Puncheon cask 1020, this fantastic single malt has fresh, peppery oak spice and a wonderful flavour of rich sultanas, dark chocolate covered coffee beans. Hints of nutmeg, cinnamon and clove oil add a longlasting depth.
One of only 606 bottles, bottled at natural cask strength of 53.8% abv.
1996 18 year old
The youngest of this batch, this 18 year old was filled in February 1996 to an Oloroso Sherry Butt, cask 244. It has a wonderfully balanced flavour, with hints of mixed candied peel and stewed dark fruits topped with Demerara sugar. Delicious hints of toffee, cracked barley and warm oak spices combine to give a long, elegant finish.
One of only 399 bottles, bottled at natural cask strength at 56.9% abv.
£104. Pre-order now
1990 24 year old
Pedro Ximinex Sherry Puncheon Cask 1162
£152
Pre-order now
1994 20 year old
Pedro Ximinez Sherry Puncheon Cask 3201
£117
Pre-order now
1994 20 year old
Pedro Ximinez Sherry Puncheon Cask 3386
£117
Pre-order now
1994 20 year old
Oloroso Sherry Butt
Cask 54
£117
Pre-order now
1995 19 year old
Pedro Ximinez Sherry Puncheon Cask 538
£110
Pre-order now
1995 19 year old
Oloroso Sherry Puncheon Cask 4941
£110
Pre-order now
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Scotch Malt Whisky Society “February Update: Your Most Beloved Drams” – Scotch Whisky News
February 16th, 2015
YOUR MOST BELOVED FEBRUARY DRAMS
Love is decidedly in the air this week, for exciting new whisky at least! Members all over the country have been falling head over heels for February’s drams and we’d like to share your five hottest picks. With a few selling out in minutes, there’s no time to waste: choose your perfect match from the very best of the list. (Shhhh… the bar staff have a secret crush this month too: the 112.9 Cooper’s Apron; perfumed mink is a very unusual and handsome specimen)
No. 1: Oily & coastal
3.237
‘Candle taking its last breath’
17 years old
Refill ex-sherry butt
One of only 537 bottles
£62.40
No. 2: Spicy & sweet
77.36
13 years old
Refill ex-bourbon hogshead
One of only 267 bottles
£47.10
No. 3: Young & spritely
48.50
13 years old
First fill ex-bourbon barrel
One of only 242 bottles
£44.70
No. 4: Light & delicate
37.62
10 years old
Refill ex-bourbon hogshead
One of only 266 bottles
£44.00
No. 5: Spicy & sweet
35.121
‘You make me feel (mighty real)’
12 years old
First fill ex-bourbon barrel
One of only 235 bottles
£43.80
Browse New Outturn
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 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
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