NEW ARRIVALS

Irish Whiskey

• Mosswood Sherry Aged Irish Whiskey 750ml ($55.99)

Canadian  Rye

• Wiser’s 18 Year Old Canadian Whiskey 750ml ($54.99) While I feel the Lot 40 continues to be a great crossover or gateway whisky for American whiskey fans looking to explore something new, the Wiser’s 18 year is Canadian through and through—and that’s a good thing. People who change their personality to fit what others want them to be are uninteresting and boring. That being said, I would be disappointed if 200 years of whisky tradition were changed and altered to capitalize on the current cask strength American whiskey fad. The Wiser’s 18 is full of pencil shavings and rye spice on the nose. It begins with soft oak on the palate, and quickly moves into a peppery, spicy, rye-dominated flurry of flavor that finishes with accents of baking spice and lots of tingly, tangy goodness. If you’re looking for a replacement to that 18 year old Stitzel-Weller Bourbon you drained two years ago, then look elsewhere. If you’re looking to try one of Canada’s legendary 18 year old whiskies for the sam e price as a 10 year old Springbank, then this is definitely up your alley. It’s as good as anything I’ve had from Canada thus far, which I’ll admit isn’t much, but it has me very excited for what else may be lying in wait. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

United States Bourbon & Rye

• Jim Beam Bonded 100 Proof Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey 750ml ($18.99) The beast is awakening! Finally, Kentucky’s largest Bourbon distillery is using its size and scale to create a fantastic, value-oriented, high-quality whiskey that anyone can enjoy. For less than $20, this is my new go-to for mixing cocktails and making rocks drinks. It’s Beam flavor through and through-creamy corn, sweet vanilla, and that spicy, grainy finish-just turned up to 100 proof. It’s a no-brainer for the money.

• Jim Beam Pre-Prohibition Style 90 Proof Straight Kentucky Rye Whiskey 750ml ($18.99) The beast is awakening! Finally, Kentucky’s largest Bourbon distillery is using its size and scale to create a fantastic, value-oriented, high-quality whiskey that anyone can enjoy. The new 90 proof rye formula is definitely going to make a splash in what is still a rather desolate rye market. The spice is turned up a notch and the pepperiness of the grain really comes through, while maintaining richness. For a few dollars less than Bulleit, it should cause many a discerning drinker to ponder switching over. A must for Manhattans.

• Lost Republic Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml ($32.99) One of the more interesting and intriguing independent bottlings of bourbon since Black Maple Hill went out of production, the Lost Republic whiskey is made of three different bourbons from three different states: Indiana, Tennessee, and California. Matt Weese and his team in Healdsburg are contracting spirit and aging the barrels separately in their Napa warehouse, using them to create a fruity, grainy, and gritty style of American whiskey. The fruity, young whiskey aromas are potent on the nose, but the woody, vanilla notes balance out the youth on the palate and the spice really comes through on the finish. The packaging is fantastic and the price more than reasonable, so we’re expecting this to be a big hit. California has long been the home of American craft distillation, and now that passion is crossing over into creative blending. Those looking for a substitute to Black Maple Hill may not quite have found their replacement, but it’s as close as anything we’ve seen in years. And as the stocks at Lost Republic continue to age, we may get closer with each consecutive batch.

• Prichard’s Double Chocolate Bourbon 750ml – 5 available ($65.99)

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

Tickets on sale Monday at 10:00am

This is your reminder: tickets for Spirit of Toronto 2015 go on sale tomorrow morning, Monday March 23, at 10:00am!

These may be purchased as follows:

• In person at Roy Thomson Hall’s box office at 60 Simcoe Street
• By calling Roy Thomson Hall’s box office at (416) 872-4255
• Online through Roy Thomson Hall’s website

Buying tickets online for several people? Please keep reading!

Masterclasses: the more, the merrier?

May we make a suggestion based on feedback from our regular guests?

If this is your first time coming to the show, one masterclass will be plenty, leaving you with ample time to explore the tasting halls, sample a cocktail, take in some live jazz and see why everyone is lined up for the prime rib and Yorkshire pudding.

For those determined to attend masterclasses at both 7pm and 8:30pm, please allow enough time to check-in, check your jacket, collect your glass and event programme, and queue for the class itself. But please keep in mind that attending 2 classes leaves little time to enjoy the event itself, particularly given that this year’s show has expanded to the Mezzanine Level!

Buying Multiple Tickets Online

If you are buying multiple tickets and wish to attend different masterclasses than your fellow ticketholders, please note that you will be required to build these different selections as separate packages before proceeding to the checkout to pay for the full order.

Furthermore please note that masterclasses cannot be purchased without including a ticket to Spirit of Toronto as part of your package.

For example…

Buying tickets to the show for yourself and a friend, but planning on attending different masterclasses? Purchase your tickets as follows…

Select the following as Package #1 and and click ‘Continue’:

6:30PM-Spirit of Toronto 2015 5:30PM-Early Admission: Wisers with Don Livermore 7:00PM-Jack Daniels

You will then be prompted for the number of tickets being purchased for Package #1, after which you may either “Go to Cart” to pay for your purchase, or “Build Another Package” to select a different grouping of masterclasses as Package #2:

6:30PM-Spirit of Toronto 2015 5:30PM-Early Admission: Authentic Caribbean Rum 8:30PM-Craft of Small Batch Bourbon

When finished building all your packages you may now select ‘Go to Cart’ to review your order and proceed to the checkout page.

There’s always standby…

Didn’t get the classes you wanted? Not much of a planner? There may still be hope: any empty seats courtesy of no-shows will be assigned to those waiting on standby. Note that this only applies to the classes at 7pm and 8:30pm; please review the About section of the website for more details.

No Age Statement (NAS) Single Malt Non Chill Filtered Scotch Whiskies;

Proof that a divine Entity loves you and wants you to be happy.

Years ago at the infancy of my journey into the world of Scotch whisky I read of a supposed basic rule; that No Age Statement (NAS) single malts were generally too young and immature for quality enjoyment. Essentially this conventional ‘wisdom’ pointed directly at any whisky under a stated age of 10 years, for a time I accepted this notion. Happily over the ensuing years I have learned differently, however I suspect that there are many, at any stage of their journey, who still believe that NAS whiskies are not a quality dram. Discussed in this epistle are four NAS single malts that completely disprove this outdated and incorrect notion; as an added bonus these single malts are usually well priced for everyday enjoyment. They are vibrant, full of flavour and are sure to please your palate and will be welcome additions to your collection and bar.

1) Aberlour a’bunadh Batch # 14 59.5 % A.B.V. Score 92 Points

This stunning whisky from Aberlour was made to recreate the style of whisky produced at the distillery in the 19th century well before the introduction of ex-bourbon American casks into the Scotch whisky industry. Batches of a’bunadh are made up of specially selected butts that have previously held Spanish Oloroso sherry wine and the batches are made up of 80 to 100 butts each.

A’bunadh is bottled at cask strength, the strength of which varies from batch to batch, and without the addition of spirit caramel or chill filtration. The distillery actually prefers that there to be some slight color variation from batch to batch; this is more authentic to the original style of whisky. Since the whisky is bottled at cask strength without the addition of water the whisky possesses a greater aromatic complexity.

A’bunadh batch # 14 has earthy notes on the nose mixed with huge sweet sherry & spice. The taste is a well balance combination of malt & grape that always delights me. The finish is filled with sweet notes, brown sugar and is medium long. There is a lot in this whisky that is quite perfect and for those who love a malt filled with overwhelming sherry, this is it.

2) Benromach Organic 43% A.B.V. Score 87 Points 

This is the newest whisky from Gordon & MacPhail, the owners of Benromach distillery, and they proudly (& quite rightly so) announce it is the only single malt on the market that can claim to be organic in compliance and fully certified by the UK’s Soil Association.

Gordon & MacPhail have gone to great lengths to ensure that the whole process from the raw ingredients through distillation, maturation and bottling is certified organic to the high standards set by the Soil Association. To ensure the highest quality distillate spring water from the Romach Hills, Scottish organic barley and organic yeast are used as well as using virgin American casks for maturation. Additionally Organic is bottled without chill filtration, at natural colour (without the addition of spirit caramel) and at 43% A.B.V.

Golden brown in colour, Benromach Organic is a fresh vibrant whisky with a strong oak influence. The nose reveals sweet, charred oak aromas with fresh fruit notes (bananas and pineapples). An earthy, toasted aroma also present. The palate exposes sweet, vanilla and toffee flavours. Hints of green apples and orange peel with a rich resinous note.[1]

I recently tasted this exceptional malt at the Highlander Inn in Craigellachie and was both delighted and surprised at the nose, taste and finish of this very fine dram. The famed bar manager of the Highlander, Tatsuya Minagawa, advised our group to drive to Gordon & MacPhail’s shop in Elgin and buy two bottles each, such was is his respect for this dram. As interesting back up to this whisky is its stable mate Benromach Traditional 40% (NAS), the first whisky to be released after the reopening of the distillery in 1998 and released in 2004.

3) Laphroaig Quarter Cask 48% A.B.V. Score 91 Points 

This is the single malt that has taken the Islay whisky world by storm and for many of us our first in depth look at Laphroaig Quarter Cask was in Dave Broom’s article in Whisky Magazine[2]. In the article Robert Hicks, then Allied Domecq’s master blender reveals to Dave how Laphroaig commissioned the Speyside Cooperage to make 50 quarter casks from first fill oak, each with a capacity of 105 liters. A vatting of different ages from standard size casks was then matured for a further period in the quarter casks. The increased whisky to wood ratio and increased contact of charcoal with the whisky resulted in a faster maturation and increased vanilla notes. The overall effect has produced a stunning whisky with lots of smoky and sweet flavours that is vibrant but not over whelming in any one area, magic!

The nose is full of peat, peat and some more peat thrown in for good measure yet is still vibrant and fresh. My first nosing of this whisky reminded me of my first taste of Laphroaig 10 many, many years ago. The taste is very peaty and yet malty sweet (vanilla) at the same time, truly an exceptional experience for those who adore peat. The ending is long and full of more sweet peat with some wood notes.

Happily in my part of the world Laphroaig Quarter Cask is only available in one liter bottles!  

[1] Credit http://www.benromach.com/

[2] Issue 42

This article was originally published as a Malt Maniacs E-pistle on the mighty Whisky Fun in September 2006 and was written by Lawrence Graham.

Whisky Intelligence recently held a NAS whisky tasting, details can be viewed in Twitter #weloveNASwhisky

COCKTAIL-MAKING AND ‘WEE-JAUNTING’ WITH BLACK BOTTLE MIXOLOGY EXPERT, MAL SPENCE

Expert Scottish mixologist Mal Spence, global ambassador for blended Scotch whisky Black Bottle, was in South Africa recently to host a series of events in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Conceived to showcase Spence’s skills as an internationally recognised mixologist and winner of multiple awards, as well as to highlight Black Bottle’s versatility, the events were an inventive way of reminding bartenders of the virtues of blended scotch and Black Bottle in particular.

The Johannesburg events, held at venues in the trendy Maboneng Precinct, included a cocktail master class at Pata Pata, as well as a Scottish ‘wee-jaunt’ with special entertainment and tastings at Living Room Eco Café and Pata Pata. Guests were also treated to an inner city walk, with a surprise Pantsula performance delighting guests along the way.

In Cape Town he demonstrated tea-infused cocktail-making for an exclusive media group at The Black Bar, situated in the basement of the historic Cape Town Club.

Commenting on his new Black Bottle global ambassador role, Spence said: “We’re telling the story of Black Bottle creator, Gordon Graham, who has been a truly inspiring figure in Scotch whisky history. His uncompromising, daring spirit has informed many of the drinks menus we are developing for the brand.

“I’m confident we can encourage bartenders and drinks enthusiasts to put Black Bottle into their speed rails.”

Black Bottle has been globally relaunched and is back in a black bottle as its name suggests. It also features a blend far closer to the original, first launched in 1879 by tea blender, Gordon Graham. Its fresh, floral nose with traces of new-sawn oak and smoke opens onto a silky palate with delicate smoke and peat, balanced by sweet oak and honey.

With more than 15 years’ experience tending, managing and building up the reputation of some of Scotland’s best bars, Spence has a wealth of knowledge. He is the only Scottish bartender ever to reach the Havana Club Grand Prix World Final; a Scottish Licenced Trade News (SLTN) Mixologist of the Year Award winner for two years running; winner of Maxxium’s Liquid War competition; and in 2011, industry bible Class Magazine bestowed Spence with the Best Bar Menu Award for his work at the Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow. Spence is also the director of the Kelvingrove Café in Glasgow, winner of the Best Cocktail Bar at the 2013 Scottish Bartenders Network Awards.

The new Black Bottle, retailing for between R240 and R260 per 750ml bottle is available from liquor outlets countrywide.

Try Black Bottle neat with a dash of water, with your favourite mixer, or in a cocktail such as:

Caro Verde (Dear Green) by Mal Spence

This drink comprises Black Bottle whisky, Amaro Nonino, jasmine green tea syrup and Angostura bitters. The Italian name was inspired by the green tea and the inclusion of an Italian liqueur.

Glass: Wine glass

Garnish: None 

Ingredients:

40ml Black Bottle whisky

20ml Amaro Nonino

2-3 dashes Angostura bitters

15ml jasmine green tea syrup

Method:

Add ingredients to mixing glass filled with ice, stir for 15 seconds or until chilled, strain into pre-chilled wine glass.

Go to www.theblackbar.co.za and enter your details in order to be invited to exclusive Black Bottle events.

Follow Black Bottle on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BlackBottleSA) and/or Twitter (https://twitter.com/BlackBottleSA).

Join the conversation using: #BlackBar

 This article in a Tweet:

Scotch whisky @BlackBottleSA back in black bottle with revised blend, true to 1879 Aberdeen original. #BlackBar

Festival Friday: March 27th! Doors open 6:00 pm

We’re looking forward to welcoming record numbers to the biggest Midlands Whisky Festival yet: Taking place at Stourbridge Town Hall Sample 500 whiskies from over 40 distilleries Free Masterclasses*

All for £30.00! *

*Register on the evening, first come, first served for either Bruichladdich Distillery Tasting with Joanne Brown at 6.30 pm or Mackmyra Swedish Distillery Tasting with Lisa Collins starting at  7:30 pm

The Festival continues on Saturday from 10.45 am – 5.30 pm  click here to check ticket availability and prices.

For further information and latest news check on the Midlands Whisky Festival website: www.whiskyfest.co.uk or on Twitter @midlandswhisky

BUY TICKETS

BenRiach 18 Year Old Albariza

Peated expression double matured in PX Sherry casks from the Andalucia region of southern Spain.

Benriach Albariza $82.88

• Knappogue Castle K&L Exclusive 12 Year Old Single Barrel Single Malt Irish Whiskey 750ml ($49.99) Knappogue Castle is a third party label that bottles sourced and purchased whiskies from Ireland’s main whisky distilleries. This particular 12 year old cask comes from Cooley distillery, the unloved stepchild to big brothers Midleton and Bushmills. Now that Beam/Suntory has taken over the reigns at Cooley, getting our hands on single barrels of Irish whisky has become much more difficult, so we jumped on this baby while we had the chance. This is just a delicious and classically-flavored Irish whisky through and through. Soft vanilla immediately awakens the palate, with flavors of stone fruit and sweet oak shortly behind it. The backend is creamy and rich, and the finish is malty and round. There’s nothing earth-shattering going on inside of this whisky, but it’s just darn tasty. It’s one of the whiskies where you say, “Man, that’s just freakin’ delicious. Can I have another glass?” Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, th is is the bottle you’ll want for your celebration. Bottled exclusively for K&L. Only 216 bottles available.

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

TANTALISING BOTTLINGS REVEALED

Our legendary Mystery Parcels have been tingling taste buds all over the country: after a rush of sales, the options have narrowed and second bottlings are now fixed for the remaining parcels, which leaves us free to – ta-dah! – reveal their identities. Get Sweet and Savoury Satisfaction with 1.188 in the Luscious Luxury Parcel or feel Balanced and harmonious with 9.89 in the Sweet Surprises Parcel. Whichever mysterious trio makes your mouth water, order now because they’re running out fast and the sale closes on Sunday…

Luscious Luxury Trio > Only £179

A journey from spring freshness to deep, rich maturity: flavours are varied and exciting in this highly desirable trio! Only 15 parcels left!

1.188 Sweet and Savoury Satisfaction

Bottle 2 revealed!

Spicy & sweet
28 years old
Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

More >

4.206 Clears the head

Juicy, oak & vanilla
14 years old
First fill ex-bourbon barrel

More >

Bottle 3 Fruit galore in every option.

Sweet Surprises Trio > Only £149

Whether you like your desserts floral and refined or boozy and decadent, this is a dream for those of us with a sweet tooth…
Only 41 parcels left!

9.89 Balanced and harmonious

Bottle 2 revealed!

Spicy & sweet
25 years old
Refill ex-sherry butt

More >

5.45 Une Grande Dame

Spicy & sweet
14 years old
Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

More >

Bottle 3 Anyone for dessert?

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

Tamdhu shows its strength with new expression

You know that old adage about Whisky Festivals? The one about you waiting for one for ages and then several come all at once? Or is that buses? Not content with having satiated nearly 1000 of the finest whisky-loving Geordies last weekend, we are preparing for four festivals in the space of 3 months, with another three to come in the autumn. For those with a lack of time or patience, here’s a quick summary with links to the events…

London Whisky Weekender    11th & 12th April

Aberdeen Whisky Festival       25th April

Bristol Whisky Festival            13th June 2 for £50 Early-Bird

Edinburgh Whisky Solstice      20th June – NEW – 2 for £50 Early-Bird

Liverpool Whisky Festival        5th September 2 for £50 Early-Bird

Yorkshire Whisky Festival        12th September  2 for £50 Early-Bird Manchester Whisky Festival

 Coming Soon For those with the luxury, here’s the more nitty gritty version…

EDINBURGH WHISKY SOLSTICE

Along with our friends at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, we felt it would be great to do something different and dispel the myth, finally, that whisky is just a winter drink.  What we now have on the cards is a real summer celebration of whisky. With food, music, games and all kinds of shenanigans – as well as the fantastic Whisky Festival and all of the wonderful whiskies we’ll have – this will be THE Whisky event to be at in Edinburgh this year! All in the confines of the normally private, but definitely beautiful, Queen Street Gardens. Fear not, we do have two massive tents if the Whisky Gods are not shining on us on the day! We are giving our loyal customers (yes, that’s you) the opportunity to get your hands on our 2 for £50 ‘Early-Bird’. But be quick as we only have 100 pairs of these before the price increases to the full price of £30 per ticket. This gives you access to the 12pm-5pm session and there will be a later session which will be more music-orientated so please keep an eye out for announcements… Click HERE or on the banner for more details and tickets.

LONDON WHISKY WEEKENDER

Next up is our East-End ‘knees-up’ The London Whisky Weekender on 11th and 12 April. A number of firsts and special goings-on make this the most vibrant and exciting London Whisky event of the year. We have first UK festival appearances by the distillers themselves from Dry Fly and Rock Town Distilleries – two of the most decorated and highly-rated US craft distillers out there. We have a world’s first festival appearance from the guys at Belfast Distillery. We have the Scotch Malt Whisky Society out in force with a dedicated tasting ‘snug’ and some incredible whiskies. Plus a fabulous line-up of whiskies from the likes of Chivas, Glenlivet, Ardbeg, Talisker, Laphroaig, Macallan, Nikka, Paul John, Penderyn, Douglas Laing and much more… Click HERE or on the banner for more details and tickets.

ABERDEEN WHISKY FESTIVAL

One of our favourite festivals from a couple of years ago – certainly in terms of the people. We made the easy decision to come back to Aberdeen this year but wanted to find a venue suitable for such an event. The AECC is the region’s premier events space and seemed the obvious choice. With exhibitors from Glen Moray to Springbank, Ardbeg to Talisker and with everything in-between. this should be a fantastic show and one we are looking forward to… Click HERE for info and tickets.

BRISTOL WHISKY FESTIVAL

Another area and city that we loved visiting in 2013 and that we are coming back to in 2015! We know that many of the good whisky-drinking folk of Bristol have already booked their tickets for this lovely event. However, there are still a few of our 2 for £50, second release, Early-Bird tickets available, but be quick! Our fabulous whisky festival hits the Colston Hall on 13th June with the likes of Nikka, Paul John, Chivas Brothers, Diageo, Rock Town and many more. Click HERE for more info and tickets.

LIVERPOOL WHISKY FESTIVAL

Moving into the autumn, we are once again in the enigmatic and characterful Lutyen’s Crypt underneath Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral. This atmospheric and awe-inspiring venue first hosted us last year and we (along with you it would seem) thought it a more than appropriate match. Tickets are now on sale for the festival that takes place on Saturday 5th September – there are a few ‘Early-Bird’ places remaining so get your skates on! You can buy tickets or get more info HERE.

YORKSHIRE WHISKY FESTIVAL

Our oldest and most established event returns to its new home at York Racecourse. This event is where it all started for us well over 10 years ago, and as such we always like to pull out all the stops for the home crowd. Exhibitors new and old will assemble with lots of new whiskies and experiences to try on the 12th September. An ‘Early-Bird’ offer is active but has already attracted a great deal of interest so do yourselves a favour and get booking now! Click HERE or on the banner for more info and tickets.

MANCHESTER WHISKY FESTIVAL

Although it is still a little while off, we are deep into planning for one of our largest events of the year. The date for your diaries is Saturday 24th October. As soon as we have more news and our venue set in stone we will let you know – keep your eyes peeled!

AND FINALLY…

Our new series – Japan Vs Scotland -, which kicked off in Sheffield last week, is in full swing from this week. There are still tickets available at one or two of the venues so please click HERE to check for availability. This is one of our most popular series and should prove to be the best yet, with some real humdingers in the line-up…

A full newsletter is due in a couple of weeks but I think that will probably do you for now. We look forward to seeing you at an event very soon.

Slainte, Eddie, Amanda and Joe The Whisky Lounge Team.