www.ralfy.com joins in the bidding with Whisky Review 522 – Advice on buying whisky at auction

Paul Miller; Hi Paul and Liz, I thought it was 12.30? Sorry Paul we were delayed (by an hour!!! Liz says it was Paul’s fault, usual story), anyhow it was fine. A quick show round was called for, it had been a good few months since I was there (Paul) so high time to see the updated story. Things have been happening, not quite finished but it is a lot bigger/better than last time. During our tour with Paul (M) – this is getting confusing here with two Pauls, so Paul Mc will become Sean for this story. During our tour with Paul, there was a group in taking a tour with Kevan (manager) and a lot of beers were set up for the tasting, gin too (Shona set these up). Paul talked us through new developments and things to come, eventually getting to the office for a sit down and a taste – love gin! Aye, a new gin, pink, aimed at Valentines day I think, but very different. And so to some questions;

Sean; Casks; can anyone buy one? Paul; yes they can, anyone can be a private owner of their own cask, what happens, they come along, make the spirit with us and fill their own cask, standard casks are Octave French/USA oak @ 50 litres, approx. 80 bottles. They can finish how they wish and the cask will mature a few miles from the Old Course in St Andrews. Sean, anyone wanting details email me at paul@mcleanscotland.com

Special new make releases; The team have distilled and will be distilling using 3 very different malted barley types to create 3 unique single malt spirits on 3 very important Scottish dates. Each of these batches of 396 bottles will be released under the headings of the Eden.Mill   St Andrews Day Single Malt Spirit using pale malt, Hogmanay Single Malt Spirit using pale malt and chocolate malt, Robert Burns Day Single Malt Spirit using pale malt, crystal malt and brown malt. Each release of just 320 – 346 bottles will guarantee the purchaser the opportunity to by the same malt as a 1 year old, and as a 2 year old, and ultimately when it first becomes single malt scotch Whisky as a 3 years and 1 day old. With bottles released at just £35 per 50cl bottle at 50 abv strength in unique numbered ceramic bottles, we imagine the first and second releases will be sold out very quickly. ANY LEFT TO BUY? Very few! Although I have one (Sean) of the Burns bottles, a Christmas pressie from Shona.

Tour the craft distillery and brewery and you´ll see: guys crafting the best beer, gins and whisky. By the end of your tour, you´ll have had an inside track of why and how they do what they do. And you´ll see parts of the brewery not normally available to the public. Want a tour – ask Liz to set it up lix@mcleanscotland.com

Pretty soon they will be up and running with the whisky room, and the gin room. Plus many more great inspiring ideas yet to be developed. A new website is coming soon, join the beer club, the spirits club, get a gold card, buy a cask.

Liz & Paul are the owners of   http://www.mcleanscotland.com/   Paul Miller is a Director of Eden.

Paul

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to 2015! As promised in Blog# 27 I am starting a series of blog’s on some of my picks for drinking this Winter.

First whisky is the appropriately titled “A Midwinter Nights Dram” from High West Distillery in Utah. A blend of Straight Rye whisky taken from their Rendezvous Rye stocks and finished in French oak and Port barrels, Straight Rye whisky is a designation that tells us it was aged for a minimum of 2 years. I do know however that this is a 6 year old Straight Rye Whisky as stated in the technical details on the High West Web Site It is made up of 80% Rye which is a very high Rye content along with a splash 10% barley and 10% corn. Bottled at cask strength of 49.3% this is an unusual bottling for American Rye as it is very hard to find anything not cut to some extent.

So on this my first blog for 2015 and with a balmy -10c and snow outside (better than -30c a week ago) it seemed the perfect time to get a fire going and jump into a Midwinter Nights Dram.

Tasted in the 1st Edition Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar Spiegelau Whisky Tumbler So lets delve in. Stunning colour deep reddish and amber hues.

Nose: Instantly recognizable as rye with spices that envelop and caress. Waves of soft mulling spice and fresh vanilla bean. Just the faintest hint that this is higher alcohol but never burning or overpowering. This is a wonderful nose and I could just sit and smell it for ages. I wonder if High West could come out with a range of car freshning Rye spice pouches…. I’d be a customer. Palate: Cask strength comes through a little more at first sip and activates the entire palate with layers of dried fruits. Finish: Drier than most rye I have had before probably thanks to the Port and French Oak finishing. Hints of caramel sweetness from the corn and a touch of the complex barley note complement the rye. Water: I added the tiniest drops which seemed to heighten the Vanilla but brought out more of the vegetal rye characters and diminished the fruits. For this dram the cask strength is the way to go in my opinion.

David Perkins knows his stuff when it comes to blending and finishing great Rye and Bourbon. This is another delicious expression and it is a pity that it is not available for sale in Canada.

As a caveat I did used to represent High West which I unfortunately no longer do. I have found their Rye and Bourbon releases to be some of the yummiest I have had and this Midwinter Nights Dram would be something that I would encourage anyone travelling to the US to grab if you are a fan of Rye.

I am unashamedly an equal opportunity drinker especially when it comes to whisky. There is a lot of Scotch snobbery vs Bourbon or Rye but for me it’s all about Whisky or Whiskey in all of its amazing forms.

Next week I will grab another of my whiskies to try this Winter and I think I will be going for something extra special. Have a fabulous week and stay warm!

“Swift as a shadow, short as any dream. Brief as the lightning in the collied night …” – Lysander

As fleeting as true love can be as described in this quote from A Mid Summer Night’s Dream, so to can a dram of delicious whiskey disappear. Thankfully, I still have almost a full bottle. Cheers!

Jonathan

singlemalting.com

Aberlour A`bunadh (Batch 50) 59.6% ABV | 70cl

Save £6.00 (RRP £43.99)

A`bunadh, Gaelic for `of the origin` is matured exclusively in Oloroso Sherry butts. It is a natural cask strength malt whisky produced without the use of modern chill-filtering methods or the addition of water. As Aberlour A`Bunadh is released in small batches, the flavours may vary slightly from one bottling to another. Aberlour A`Bunadh is a natural cask strength malt whisky produced without the use of modern chill- filtering methods or the addition of water.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Aromas of mixed spices, praline and spiced orange harmonising with rich, deep notes of Oloroso sherry.

Palate: Orange, black cherries, dried fruit and ginger spiked with dark bitter chocolate and enriched with sherry and oak. Full bodied and creamy.

Finish: Robust and intense with bitter-sweet notes of exotic spices, dark chocolate and oak.

(Tasting Notes by Aberlour.)

Price:£31.66 ex VAT £37.99 inc VAT

SOUTHERN COMFORT INTRODUCES NEW CARAMEL FLAVOR AND EVOLVES BRAND WITH STRIKING NEW PACKAGING

New bottle proudly owns Southern Comfort’s position as a category of one

February 5, 2015, LOUISVILLE, KY – Southern Comfort introduces a new flavor to the family with the launch of Caramel Comfort to the US market.

Caramel Comfort has been designed to appeal to a broad age range and carries on Southern Comfort’s heritage as the leader in the flavored spirit category. It can be served in a variety of ways including mixed with Sprite for a refreshing, simple cocktail and meets consumer demand for great tasting flavors that are unique.

“Caramel Comfort presents an opportunity to strengthen the Southern Comfort franchise by delivering on a decadent and great tasting flavor experience,” said Jennifer Powell, Southern Comfort US Brand Director. “Caramel is a versatile and emerging flavor which appeals to both men and women. This new flavor entry can be used in cocktails, as a stand-alone chilled shot or even in dessert drinks.”

Along with the new flavor, Southern Comfort also announces the largest packaging evolution in nearly a decade, contemporizing the brand and reasserting its relevance with today’s consumer.

One of the most significant new features to the new package is a unique icon on the neck and label proudly owning Southern Comfort’s position as a category of one. The new bottle shape draws from the brand’s heritage and wears the same fluted shoulders that drinkers recognize from years past.

“Southern Comfort is a sweet, smooth and delicious drink created by a bartender in 1874 to let his patrons experience a more enjoyable cocktail,” said Lena DerOhannessian, Southern Comfort Global Marketing Director. “The new packaging and visual identity lets drinkers know Southern Comfort is truly the ‘Flavor of Whiskey Made Comfortable’ and unlike any other brand on the market.”

The new packaging extends past the parent bottle and into the entire Southern Comfort Family of brands including Southern Comfort 100 proof, Caramel Comfort, Lime Comfort and Cherry Comfort. Each line of Southern Comfort carries its own distinguishing traits, while still holding true to the overarching brand identity.

Helms Workshop, an award-winning creative firm based in Austin, TX, designed the new package.

“We challenged the team to consider the entirety of the brand’s history and visual equity, rather than simply focusing on refining the previous packaging,” said Christian Helms, Helms Workshop Owner. “We also engaged consumers in a dialogue around brand personality and values to gain insight into how to leverage those aspects of the brand in crafting the new identity. As a result we pulled forward and refined elements from the past that communicated Southern Comfort’s unique history while creating new language and iconography that speaks directly to contemporary drinkers.”

Southern Comfort founder M.W. Heron’s signature still graces every bottle of Southern Comfort, along with the year of his original creation, 1874. “None genuine but mine” still announces the uniqueness of the brand. Changes in color and font elevate the modern cues of the brand, while retaining welcoming and approachable characteristics.

Caramel Comfort and the new Southern Comfort packaging are hitting shelves in the US beginning in early March. Caramel Comfort has a suggested retail price of $16.99 for a 55 Proof 750ml bottle. 

About Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort®, a fruit, spice, and whiskey flavored liqueur, was created in New Orleans by bartender M.W. Heron in 1874. Today, it is enjoyed by friends in over 100 countries around the world and continues to grow as an icon brand.  Please visit us at SouthernComfort.com and twitter.com/southerncomfort.

Heaven Hill Brands Hires Sarah Milne as Regional Manager for New Jersey, Pennsylvania

Heaven Hill Brands Hires Sarah Milne as Regional Manager for New Jersey, Pennsylvania

Louisville, KY – Heaven Hill Brands has hired Sarah Milne as the Regional Manager for New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Milne will manage Heaven Hill’s spirits portfolio in those states reporting directly to Jim Cotter, Eastern Division Manager.

Prior to joining Heaven Hill, Milne developed extensive experience in the industry, with the last seven years at Allied Beverage Group in New Jersey, where she held the position of Brand Development Director. She also held positions at Atlantic Wine Merchants, Foster’s Wine Estates Americas and Schiefflin & Somerset.

“We’re pleased to have someone of Sarah’s caliber aboard,” said Steve Feller, Vice President of Sales. “Her years of experience and extensive knowledge of the industry will benefit our sales force and people in her market.”

Milne attended the University of Illinois at Urbana and College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, New Jersey, with an emphasis in business and marketing.

She lives in Clinton Township, N.J. with her two children and two horses.

About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (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.”

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($74.99)

• Balvenie 15 Year Old Single Sherry Barrel Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 5 available ($99.99)

• 1994 Glen Garioch Single Vintage Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($119.99)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Black Maple Hill Straight Oregon Bourbon Whiskey 750ml (1 bottle limit) – 6 available ($79.99)

• Lock Stock & Barrel 13 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey 750ml (one bottle limit) – 6 available ($119.99)

• Rock Hill Farms Kentucky Straight Bourbon 750ml (ships as 3L) – 1 available ($44.99)

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

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #103

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whiskyblogger, tries a bottling from Anam na h-Alba. It is is Gaelic for The Soul of Scotland and is the name of a German bottler who specializes in single casks. They have only released one Auchentoshan so far, but what an Auchentoshan indeed. A refill sherry hogshead at cask strength that pack both a bag of flavours and quite a punch. The video was shot at the Jedi-Con in Germany. Ah, Star Wars & whisky, what’s not to like?

http://youtu.be/OVqeJXdWpF0

Chris Bauder, General Manager and Vice President of Beam Suntory

Chris Bauder is the General Manager and Vice President of Beam Suntory’s Whiskey & Cognac Business and Canada Marketing. Before joining Beam, Bauder served as SC Johnson’s Vice President Marketing, International Markets. Prior to this role he held several positions of increasing responsibility throughout his 17 years at the company, including Vice President Marketing, Developing Markets. In this role he led marketing, media and new product development efforts across Latin America, Africa, Asia, Russia and the Middle East. Bauder earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science from Duke University and has a Master of Business Administration from Marquette University.

Find out more…

David Frost, CEO of the Scotch Whisky Association

David Frost CMG took up his role as CEO of the Scotch Whisky Association in 2014. Before that, he spent 25 years as a British diplomat. He remains a specialist in and commentator on the European Union, global economic and commercial issues, and multilateral diplomacy. His most recent senior roles were as Head of the EU (Internal) Department and then Director for the European Union in the Foreign Office, where he was part of the UK’s senior leadership team during the EU Presidency in 2005; as British Ambassador to Denmark (2006-8); as Director for Strategy and Policy Planning in the Foreign Office (2008-10); then, a loan to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills as Britain’s most senior trade policy official (2010-13).

Find out more…

Enjoy dinner, a dance and a dram at the Arran Malt & Music Festival

This June, the Arran Malt & Music Festival will return to the Isle of Arran Distillery in Lochranza for a weekend of music, food and whisky. Taking place from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th June, this year’s festival promises a host of exciting events to celebrate the the island and its whisky.

The ceilidh on Saturday night is the centre piece of the weekend, headlined by Scots Trad Music Award winning musicians, Skippinish, along with a band made up of distillery employees including master distiller James MacTaggart and sales manager Andy Bell. Isle of Arran Whisky enthusiasts will also have the chance to sit down with the people closest to the distillery at the White Stage dinner on Friday night and the Survivors lunch on Sunday, both of which sold out last year.

For those interested in the intricacies and art of whisky making and tasting, there are several masterclasses throughout the weekend. Stillmen’s Choice, will draw from the personal favourites of the Stillsmen themselves whilst Scotch Broth Events will pair Arran whiskies with some innovative canapés for a gastronomic tasting. Experts from the distillery will also guide visitors through the evolution of Arran whisky in the Arran through the Ages tasting session.

There are also some exclusive masterclasses for the more dedicated whisky enthusiast. The Ultimate Masterclass with managing director Euan Mitchell is restricted to just 20 lucky ticket holders who will have the opportunity to select the official bottling of next year’s festival.

Euan Mitchell says: “We’re very proud to be based on the Isle of Arran and endeavour to root our whisky in its heritage and landscape. The festival is our way of celebrating the island and what better way to bring everyone together then with good food, great music and a quality dram.”

Tickets are now available from www.arranevents.com. Tickets for the White Stag dinner and Survivors Lunch on Sunday are limited and sold on a strictly first come, first serve basis. Ten places for the Ultimate Masterclass are available online, those who are unsuccessful should email info@arranwhisky.com before the 16th February to be added to the draw for the final ten places.

Notes:

For more information visit 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 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.