www.whiskybible.com

This week Joe Ellis reviews Laphroaig 10 Year Old.

http://youtu.be/DtLEeAMaEtk

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We’re not holding back with the March Outturn – from three Icons of Whisky award winners to four bottlings over 60%abv, we’re throwing down some of the best we’ve got!  For complete tasting notes please visit http://www.smws.ca/ but for now be tempted by the bottle notes below:

Cask No. 71.38  A cheese-board in a library

27 years old; refill hogshead; 57%; Sweet, fruity & mellow

A tired bowl of fruit, with polished wood, leather books and faded roses behind, then a scent of mild cheeses which is echoed by the taste. Becomes ‘full-fat creamy’ with water, and more fruity. Soft and sweet and lightly spritz-ish.

Cask No. 35.87  Exuberant, confident, energetic, vivacious

9 years old; 1st fill barrel; 60.1%; Young & spritely

The exuberant nose displays a rainbow of colours – toffee, marshmallows, vanilla, apple pie, leather, tobacco and polished furniture (with water, apple skins and cream soda). An energetic, vivacious palate offers toffee sponge, dark chocolate and dates, balanced by citric zestiness.

Cask No. G1.11  Iced mulled wine and Sorrento Limoncello

21 years old; refill sherry butt; 65.1%; Spicy & sweet

This one is for you if you have a sweet tooth, Bourbon vanilla buttercream and toffee apple sponge pudding on the nose and Scotch pancakes neat. With the addition of water, orange cream fondant, fudge and caramelized sugar as well as some zest and spice.

Cask No. 73.64  Anytime can be Christmas

24 years old; refill butt; 58.4%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

Dried fruits and spices; rich Christmas cake, well dosed with sherry and ginger wine. A voluptuous texture and a sweet taste with dried figs and chocolate. Water brings fruit-cake mix and candied peel, and introduces hazelnut praline to the aftertaste.

Cask No. 93.61  Cal-Mac welder’s tea break

14 years old; refill hogshead; 58.3%; Oily & coastal

The nose combines Crunchy-nut cornflakes and chocolate flapjacks with smoky bacon crisps and baked ham – later a Cal-Mac welder enjoys a Daim Bar. The taste- big, rich and chewy, with charcoal, ash, liquorice, peat reek and industrial garages – is ‘acceptably dirty’.

Cask No. 10.76  Duelling banjos dram

8 years old; refill barrel; 60.8%; Peated

The nose has burning driftwood, boat sheds, canvas, leather and salty smoke against cranachan, honey, pear, citrus and vanilla. The palate delivers big, sweet, nutty smoke, liquorice, toffee and dark chocolate – fruity, oily and briny with a tingling Tabasco continuation.

Cask No. 53.184  Fairground on a beach

19 years old; refill butt; 60.4%; Heavily peated

The nose suspects beach fairgrounds (candy floss, donuts, peat smoke, rock-pools) – also lemon, ash, dark chocolate and bacon Frazzles. The palate is vast, with lots of smoke, spice, dark chocolate, roast pork, lavender, crispy seaweed, black pepper and something medicinal.

http://www.smws.ca/

News from the Distillery Team

Our Distillery team have been making great use of our brand new Warehouse No.6 and have been carefully monitoring the maturation of our latest bottling of our Cask Finish Single Malts. The new batch of Amarone, Port & Sauternes Finish Arran Malt are now ready, and the packaging has been re-designed to fit in with our new core range of whiskies. We are delighted to introduce them to you. They have just been released and the new packaging will be available for sale on our web shop in June. These are stunning whiskies which offer a different dimension on the original Arran character and always perform brilliantly in tastings.

March 2015

whisky.auction open for business

Over the past few years, the demand for whiskies and fine spirits has increased considerably, with many people now choosing to buy and sell their bottles at auction, as an alternative to using specialist retailers. Even though there are number of online auctions, we feel that there is room for someone to create a site that will surpass all others in terms of ease of use and functionality, all designed to make life simpler for buyers and sellers. That site is whisky.auction. Behind this new site is a team of industry experts whose knowledge and expertise will bring honest guidance to sellers. What’s more, their contacts in the whisky industry will bring to auction some of the rarest bottles in the world, with the aim of achieving the highest selling prices for the rarest bottles.

Whisky Auction Ltd is a newly registered company based in London. You can deliver your bottles in person to our offices or send them in by post, and we also offer a collection service. Similarly, you can collect your winning bottles from our offices or take advantage of our delivery service with some of the best shipping rates for both UK and international customers. We also offer FREE insurance on all UK deliveries.

For more information, visit whisky.auction.

If you have whiskies or other fine spirits to sell, or even an entire collection, please get in touch. Contact Enrico Gaddoni by emailing info@whisky.auction or by calling +44 (0)20 8838 9381.

The whisky.auction team

WHISKY AUCTION LTD

Elixir House, Whitby Avenue, Park Royal, London, NW10 7SF

Registered in England and Wales No. 9365276

Account Name: Whisky Auction Ltd

Tel: +44 (0)20 8838 9381

Email: info@whisky.auction

Web: https://whisky.auction/

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #105

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whiskyblogger, tries the Kilkerran 10 Year Old Bourbon Wood from Campbeltown. In 2000 the Glengyle Distillery was resurrected. Their single malt is being sold under the name Kilkerran, referring to an original settlement where Saint Kieran started a religious movement (and was possibly the first distiller in the region). One can only wonder why they still call it a ‘work in progress’.

http://youtu.be/VehqkEfYwmY

FROM THE STREETS TO BARS ACROSS THE UK, BUSKERS TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE

Busking Unbarred sees Tullamore D.E.W and The Busking Project shine the spotlight on the talent and courage of street musicians          

From Ed Sheeran to Beck, many of the world’s biggest music stars started their career as buskers – and now Tullamore D.E.W. is celebrating the talent and courageous spirit of a new generation of street musicians with the launch of ‘Busking Unbarred’.

With live music embedded in its Irish roots, Tullamore D.E.W. has joined forces with The Busking Project, an organisation which supports buskers around the world, to launch Busking Unbarred, which will help grow appreciation for artists who are brave enough to bare their souls on the streets, often in the face of increasing restrictions from authorties.

With many successful musicians busking early in their careers, and social media and digital music platforms allowing buskers to reach wider audiences, the landscape and perceptions of busking have changed dramatically. Busking Unbarred, which launches this week and runs throughout the year, will shine the spotlight on this new era of busking.

Busking Unbarred will see free downloads of tracks by 10 talented buskers from across the UK and Ireland available to consumers purchasing Tullamore D.E.W. in bars across the UK. The buskers and their music are promoted on the Busking Unbarred website at www.Tullamoredew.com/busking and the busker whose track received the most downloads will be rewarded with time in a professional recording studio to create their next album.

Tullamore D.E.W. will also be bringing buskers and their music to a wider audience by staging a series of Busking Unbarred guerilla gigs in bars in London, Leeds and Edinburgh, shining the spotlight on musicians who play their songs on the streets.

The 10 Busking Unbarred artists, who have been handpicked by Tullamore D.E.W. and The Busking Project, include Ray Scully and The Fitzafrenic, both from Dublin, Charlotte Campbell from London, Adam Kadabra from Glasgow and Jen & The Gents from Edinburgh.

Nick Broad, founder of The Busking Project, said: “Busking is the only completely non-exclusive art form, anexpression of the human spirit and an act of freedom. It’s the most common way that artists can further their careers, practice their art and do what they love – and yet more and more regulations are being introduced by authorities, which threaten their livelihood.

“There’s a strong tradition of busking in Irish culture and it’s great to be working with Tullamore D.E.W. on Busking Unbarred to showcase and support some of the UK and Ireland’s greatest busking talents.”

The Beat of The Street Report

In addition to Busking Unbarred, Tullamore D.E.W. and The Busking Project have also produced The Beat of The Street Report, the first investigation of its kind into the health of busking around the world.

From the town squares of Ancient Rome to the streets of modern Dublin, busking is one of the oldest and most resilient forms of performance. A vibrant busking scene can help revitalise city centres, whichhave been damaged by factors such as the recession and online shopping, but more cities are introducing legislation to regulate busking and control the way in which public space is used.

The Beat of TheStreet Report, commissioned by Tullamore D.E.W. and written by The Busking Project, evaluates the different busking approaches and policies of 35 cities across the world and looks at the part busking can play in today’s urban environment and how it can be protected and strengthened for the future.

The findings of the Report have been used to form an accompanying policy paper (written by the Busking Project) – A future direction for the governance of busking in public places.

More information:

Busking Unbarred: www.tullamoredew.com/busking #buskingunbarred @Tullamoredewuk

The Beat of The Street Report: A copy of the report, and its accompanying policy report, is available on request

Interviews: Interviews can be arranged with: Nick Broad of The Busking Project – and any of the Busking Unbarred busking artists

Notes to the editor

• About the Busking Unbarred promotion: Consumers who purchase any Tullamore D.E.W serve in one of the participating bars will receive a scratchcard. The scratchcard will reveal a unique code, which the consumer will enter online at www.Tullamoredew.com/busking to redeem their free track andhelp support buskers. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, consumers canalso claim a free Tullamore D.E.W trilby hat when they collect four scratchcards between friends.
• About Tullamore D.E.W: Known the world over for its smooth and gentle flavour, the combination of all three types of Irish whiskey, triple distilled creates a gentle yet complex flavour profile. Thesweet softness of grain whiskey, soft spice from the pot still and citrus from the malt – this unique triple whiskey combination marks out Tullamore D.E.W. from all other Irish whiskeys. Tullamore D.E.W.’s award-winning range includes the Tullamore D.E.W. Original, Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Old Special Reserve and Tullamore D.E.W. 10 Year Old Single Malt.
• About The Busking Project: The Busking Project is a social enterprise backed by influential musicians that showcases the work and champions the rights of street performers around the world – http://www.thebuskingproject.com/

• About William Grant & Sons: An independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the global premium spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s most awarded single malt Glenfiddich^®, The Balvenie^® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s^® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s^® Gin, Sailor Jerry^® and, Tullamore D.E.W.^® Irish Whiskey. Click on http://www.williamgrant.com/ and http://www.tullamoredew.com/ for more information on the company and Tullamore D.E.W.

• Caol Ila 12 year old Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($59.99) 90-95 points Wine Enthusiast: “**Best Buy** A seductive brininess and waves of oily peat-reek greet the olfactory sense. The palate entry finds a surprisingly buttery-creamy leaning along with the peat-reek; at midpalate the flavor becomes concentrated, oily, malty sweet, and only moderately peaty. Ends on a sweet malty note. Builds from stage to stage, each phase being better than the last.” (06/2006) Whisky Advocate: “Funny to think how recently Caol Ila was an Islay giant that was kept pretty much under wraps by its owner. These days it has cemented its reputation as the island’s Mr. Consistent. This version shows its character the best, a nose that mixes seashore and grass with a distinct hint of smoked bacon. The peatiness isn’t dominant, but flows throughout the palate, scenting, lifting, and subtly changing the mix. A delicious oiliness makes it a great food whisky. (Vol. 21, #2)” Wine Spectator: “A very balanced Islay, with a flowery sweetness on the nose that gives as good as it gets against the insistent peat and salt. The peat increases on the palate, but once again the whisky counters with honey and bread dough to maintain equilibrium. Then come sweet spices that get more vibrant on the finish as they’re joined by smoked salmon. Blend drinkers should note that this is where Johnnie Walker gets much of its peat.” (02/2011)

• Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($109.99) The 2014 limited edition is here!

• Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Bourbon 375ml ($39.99) Whisky Advocate: “This is what I wish the standard Maker’s Mark would be: more mature, spicier, more complex, and with a richer finish. This was initially released in Kentucky only, but rumors are that it will get a wider distribution in the future. The best Maker’s Mark since the now extinct Maker’s Mark Black, which was released for export only. If you can track down a bottle, you won’t be disappointed. -John Hansell” K&L Notes: Kentucky’s most popular wheated Bourbon that isn’t called “Pappy”, Maker’s Mark has long been famous for using winter wheat as the flavor grain (along with the majority of corn) instead of the ubiquitous rye. The only thing that ever kept Maker’s Mark from capturing the hearts of serious Bourbon aficionados everywhere was the low proof. In 2014, however, they released a tiny amount of cask strength whisky (in tiny bottles) to Kentucky residents and people went bananas. Seeing that landing a bottle of Pappy today is like winning the lottery, the Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is easily the next best thing (and, depending on who you talk to, it might even be better!). Big richness, bold spice, and that classic, creamy wheated profile combine into one epic ride. We’ve been forced to limit customers to one bottle only, and most people were lucky just to get that. But somehow, someway, we’ve managed to grab a truckload of this stuff and offer it to every K&L customer with no limits or restrictions on quantity.

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

travel retail exclusive

There is only one thing more indulgent for the global traveller than a handcrafted leather accessory and that’s a handcrafted bottle of anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Click here to find out more

anCnoc 35 Years Old

anCnoc 35 Years Old shows a richer, more complex personality however the resemblance to the younger expressions is unmistakable. Click here to find out more

MARCH EVENTS

Mother’s Day Brunch > The Vaults, Leith – Sun 15 Mar

St Patrick’s Day > 19 Greville St, London – Tue 17 Mar

Irish Whiskey Tasting > The Vaults, Leith – Thu 19 Mar

Sheffield Preview Tasting >  Leopold Hotel, Sheffield – Fri 20 Mar

Scotland v Ireland Tasting Lunch > 28 Queen St, Edinburgh – Sat 21 Mar

New Members Tasting > 19 Greville St, London – Tue 24 Mar

Whisky and Alechemy Beer Tasting > 28 Queen St, Edinburgh – Wed 25 Mar

Cheltenham Preview Tasting > Hotel du Vin & Bistro, Cheltenham – Fri 27 Mar

Dundee Preview Tasting >  Malmaison, Dundee – Fri 27 Mar

Inverness Preview Tasting >  Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness – Fri 27 Mar

Leeds Preview Tasting >  Malmaison, Leeds – Fri 27 Mar

Outturn Preview Tasting > The Vaults, Leith – Tue 31 Mar

Browse All Tastings

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