Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Launched

Angels’ Nectar, a new Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, inspired by the Angels’ Share, has been launched, by Robert Ransom.

At any one time, there are an estimated twenty million casks maturing across Scotland, all exposed to what is affectionately called ‘the Angels’ Share’, the evaporation from casks during maturation.  The Angels take their pick; enjoying some casks more than others, whilst hard working distillers watch their efforts disappear. The Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a re-creation of the Angels’ Share, bottled for whisky drinkers to savour.  Carefully created from a selection of Speyside and Highland malt whiskies, Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is unusually bottled at natural colour, has a sweet nose of apple and fruit syrup, a taste of heather honey and lemon, and a hint of spice on the finish. The Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is vibrant and fresh, just the way the Angels’ like their dram.

The label for this new whisky brand features a striking fractal design, with an Angel shaped ethereal mist, within which, a series of Angels can be seen enjoying their share.

The Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky has been released by Highfern Ltd, a new drinks business founded by Robert Ransom. Commenting on the release Robert said; ‘I have worked in the whisky trade for ten years, and during that time I have enjoyed giving many distillery tours and tastings. Early on I noticed any mention of the Angels’ Share always made guests smile. The seed was sown; What if one could bottle the Angels’ Share? It would be the ultimate Blended Malt, and Angels’ Nectar is Highfern’s attempt to do just that’.

Notes:

1.  Blended Malt – a category of whisky which is a blend of malt whiskies, with no grain whisky, previously known as Vatted Malt.
2. Angels’ Nectar is available from The Green Welly Stop, Master of Malt, Robertsons of Pitlochry and the Speyside Heather Centre, amongst others.
3. Web: http://www.angelsnectar.co.uk/ Twitter: @angelsnectar     Facebook: angelsnectarwhisky
4. For pictures, more information and sales enquires please contact; Robert Ransom, Highfern Ltd, Robert@highfern.co.uk  Mobile: 07811 640778

We welcome Mark Thomson, UK Brand Ambassador for Glenfiddich to Stourbridge on Thursday, 23rd April, for what promises to be a top tasting event. Mark will be ‘deconstructing’ Glenfiddich’s 15 year old Solera, with samples of first-fill sherry, first fill and refill Bourbon and brand new casks. He is well-known for bringing whisky to wider audiences in a relaxed, informal and modern way – expect a highly entertaining and interactive evening! Please note, this event takes place at the nearby French Connection Bistro (2 doors up from Nickolls and Perks, in Coventry Street), and includes their excellent hot and cold buffet food!

Start time: 7.00 pm

Ticket price: £35.00

Tickets may be purchased online here

Or contact direct:

Nickolls and Perks Ltd

37 Lower High Street

Stourbridge

West Midlands

DY8 1TA

UK

T:  +44(0)1384 394518

M: n +44 (0)7878 425176

E:  tim@nickollsandperks.co.uk

W:  http://www.nickollsandperks.co.uk/

NEXT WEEK’S EVENTS

Drop-in Whisky & Beer Pairing Night > The Vaults, Leith – Mon 20 Apr

Explore the Spritzich beer and whisky matches with knowledgeable staff

Aberdeen Preview Tastings – Caledonian Thistle Hotel, Aberdeen

Society Ambassador Olaf Meier introduces a sneak preview of the next Outturn

Thursday 23 April >  

Friday 24 April >  Hurry only 2 tickets left!

Saturday 25 April >  

Highland Whisky Tasting > 28 Queen Street, Edinburgh – Fri 24 Apr

Kit up and join us tonight as we attempt the impossible feat of traversing the mountain of diversity that is Highland whisky

Guildford Preview Tasting >  Radisson Blu Edwardian Guildford Hotel – Fri 24 Apr

Society Ambassador David Smith introduces a sneak preview of the next Outturn

Winchester Preview Tasting >  Winchester Royal Hotel, Winchester – Fri 24 Apr

Society Ambassador John McCheyne introduces a sneak preview of the next Outturn

Liverpool Preview Tasting >  Malmaison, Liverpool – Sat 25 Apr

Society Ambassador Les Harrow introduces a sneak preview of the next Outturn

Browse All Tastings >

SMWS & THE WHISKY LOUNGE: WHISKY SOLSTICE 2015

The Society and The Whisky Lounge team up once more to put on an absolute belter of a day. A real summer celebration of all things whisky, proving once and for all that whisky really can be a drink for all seasons!

Early Bird Offer: Two Tickets for £50 >

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

Independent  Bottler of  the Year 2014

Just in time for St Georges Day is the latest release of Chapter 13. As some of you will know we have made a habit of giving Chapter 13 a bespoke label and this time is certainly no exception; the truly fabulous letterbox is, we think, an iconic English object that is recognised by people from around the globe.

As the sun is shining and no doubt you are all thinking of dusting off those BBQ’s, we have made sure this bottling of Chapter 13 will go down very nicely whilst in the evening sun after a hard days work.

Nose Orchard fruits, think stewed apples and pears. Cereal, hints of crushed digestive biscuits and porridge. Notes of toffee, honey and beeswax. A waft of rich fruit cake.

Taste Creamy mouth feel; the cereal comes through along with the toffee and honey. Again, orchard fruits. Sweet, spicy and oaky. A very long malty, dry finish.

£49.99

BUY NOW

BENRIACH LAUNCHES 10 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT

new core range expression marks a significant milestone for the Elgin distillery

Global Whisky Distiller of the Year BenRiach has today (8 April 2015) launched a very special BenRiach 10 years old single malt.

This release is a momentous high point for the award-winning Elgin distillery as the whisky is the first core range expression to be produced predominantly from spirit distilled under The BenRiach Distillery Company’s eleven-year ownership.

Managing Director Billy Walker and his South African partners Wayne Kieswetter and Geoff Bell acquired BenRiach from Chivas Brothers in April 2004.

Bottled at 43% vol, the BenRiach 10 Years Old is Classic Speyside in character. The cask formula focuses on ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks – exactly the types of wood we favour at BenRiach. This fresh, lively, fruit-laden single malt captures warm oak spices, green apple, dried apricots, peach and banana with subtle touches of aniseed, lemon zest and barley.

Billy Walker’s tasting notes show that this special single malt is a stunning addition to BenRiach’s core range.

Colour : Crisp summer gold.

Nose : A fresh and lively combination of crisp, green orchard fruits, stem ginger and hints of tangerine mellows to creamy vanilla with a delicate note of mint and a gentle twist of citrus, all held together with a sweet barley back note.

Taste : Warm toasted oak spices flood through green apple skins and dried apricots, ripening to hints of peach and soft banana. Subtle touches of aniseed and lemon zest create a contrasting edge to the fruit and add an intriguing character to the long, crisp barley finish.

Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “Last year we released our tenth anniversary BenRiach bottling with four casks from the first week of distillation, but that was a strictly limited one-off expression.

“Today’s release is something different and is even more important for us going forward. The BenRiach 10 Years Old is a key new launch for us as it marks a significant milestone – it is the first core range expression to be created predominantly from whiskies distilled at BenRiach since we took over in 2004. We have, effectively, been working towards this single moment since we acquired BenRiach Distillery and the 10 Years Old expression will become the cornerstone of our range.”

Back in 2004, Billy Walker said he had modest but robust plans “to revitalise the distillery and target new markets, taking BenRiach to specialist outlets around the globe”.

His “modest” objectives have been more than met in the last ten years. Today, BenRiach is one of the country’s most admired distillers, having added GlenDronach, Glenglassaugh and a bottling plant to its comprehensive portfolio.

It is now trading in over forty countries worldwide with other emerging markets entering the negotiation stage. Over the ten years BenRiach has won numerous prestigious awards; only last month Whisky Magazine announced it was the 2015 Global Whisky Distiller of the Year.

Earlier this year, the London Stock Exchange Group released its list of ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ and The BenRiach Distillery Company was featured for the first time.

Kininvie 23 year old  Batch 3

This is the third release by the distillery – which was opened in July 1990 by the granddaughter of William Grant, Janet Sheed Roberts. Every bottle will highlight the year of distillation, the batch number and the individual bottle number. The latest release contains whisky from the very first batch from 1990 and has been created using a combination of American hogsheads and sherry casks.

£120 Buy Now

United States – Single Malt Scotch

• Seven Stills Fluxuate Whiskey 375ml ($35.99)

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

This week Joe Ellis reviews The BenRiach 17 Year Old Septendecim.

https://youtu.be/cMaoou6b5-Q

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

‘Dram-packed’ schedule announced for Jura Tastival 2015 

Tickets are now on sale for Jura’s annual whisky festival, Tastival, a two day island celebration for whisky lovers on 27 & 28 May 2015. 

A packed schedule of tastings and tours has been announced for Jura Tastival 2015, inviting whisky fans from across the globe to discover the unique flavours of Jura as part of the annual Feis Ile festival.

A variety of sensory experiences in whisky, food and craft beer, will open the mind and palate of attendees, offering them new and exciting ways to enjoy a dram.

The festival will bring taste to life in the Cooperage, where a street artist will paint the personal tasting notes of attendees live on the walls of the distillery while they sample a dram from Jura’s range, resulting in a continuously evolving mural of flavour.

An experiential dining session, inspired by the sweet and smoky sides of Jura’s whiskies, will be hosted by Dram & Smoke and fans can also enjoy a specially brewed bottle of craft beer from Drygate Brewing Co., which has been created to pair with the limited edition Jura Tastival whisky.

Unique tasting sessions from the rarest casks in Jura’s warehouse will take place with Master Distiller, Richard Paterson, and a special distillery tour and tasting will see Jura Master Distiller, Willie Tait and Jura Distillery Manager, Willie Cochrane relay their stories about the passion and dedication it takes to craft the Jura range.

Willie Cochrane, Jura Distillery Manager: “Jura may be a small island, but we extend a large welcome to whisky fans from all over world every year at Tastival.”

“This year’s festival focuses on bringing flavour to life and offering fans new ways to appreciate whisky. Whether it’s seeing your tasting notes appear in front of your eyes on large scale canvases, exploring the unique smoky and sweet flavours of our whiskies with a tasting menu, or discovering a dram that pairs excellently with craft beer, there’s something different for everyone.”

Ticketed sessions are limited and range from £10-45, with complimentary distillery tours and access to the Dramming Bar on both days. Tickets are available to purchase now at: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jura-tastival-2015-wednesday-27-thursday-28-may-tickets-16411651692

#JuraTastival  

NOTES 

About Jura:

Jura is an island nestled off the West Coast of Scotland. With only one road, one pub, one distillery and 200 people, Jura is as beautiful as it is remote.

The distillery was established in 1810 and reborn in 1963 to revive the community.

Inspired by our history and our island home, we create single malt with a true passion for the craft of whisky making.

Tastival 2015 – Full breakdown of ticketed sessions:

Discover Two Sides of Jura (1 hr)

Join Jura Ambassador Kieran Cusker and the guys from experiential pop-up eatery, Dram & Smoke, to tuck into a whisky and food taster menu that is inspired by the sweet and smoky sides of Jura.

Learn which flavours perfectly complement Jura whiskies and find out how to smoke your own food, in this shared tasting experience.

£25

Rare Cask Selection with Richard Paterson (45 mins)

Ever wondered what inspires a Master Distiller to create such distinctive maturation processes and finishes?  In this unique tasting session, Richard Paterson sniffs out a very special selection of our rare and vintage whiskies from the Jura warehouse, as well as sharing his passion for fine wines and sherry.

£45

JURAFEST (45 mins)

Jura meets Oktoberfest in this beer and whisky tasting session with Ambassador, Sam Amfo-Okoampah.

He will introduce you to the new Jura Tastival 2015 whisky which will be matched with an exceptional craft beer created especially for the event by Glasgow-based craft brewery, Drygate. At this session you will have the rare opportunity to try Jura Brooklyn, an exclusive bottling for Jura’s friends in the US, as well as Jura Origin which will be both paired with craft beers from Williams Bros.

£15

The Masters Tours (1 hr)

Join Jura Global Brand Ambassador Willie Tait and Jura Distillery Manager Willie Cochrane for a unique tour of the Jura Distillery and a dram Jura 21 Years Old and the recently released Jura 1984 Vintage.  With over 79 years of experience between them, the Willie’s will share their passion and the craftsmanship that goes into creating Jura whiskies.

£15

Whisky on the Waves (30 mins)

Cruise with Captain Nicol and our Jura Ambassador, into the open sea for a tasting of Jura Turas-Mara.  You will experience a sensory journey out at sea to enjoy this dram the way it was meant to be – with the wind and sea spray in your face.

£10

Trailblazing Scotch whiskymaker celebrates fifteenth anniversary with Commemorative Limited Edition Release: Hedonism Quindecimus.

Scotland’s leading independent whiskymaker and five-time Whisky Magazine Innovator of the Year, Compass Box has turned fifteen in typically creative style with the launch of the highly collectible Hedonism Quindecimus – a Limited Edition, Blended Grain Scotch Whisky.

Created specifically to commemorate their fifteenth anniversary, Quindecimus (meaning ‘fifteenth’) pays homage to the renowned whiskymaker’s first ever product, Hedonism – the blended grain whisky that has been widely credited with starting the resurgence in popularity of this once-neglected style of Scotch.

‘Hedonism was where it all started for us as a business.  That product was about doing something different – something that nobody else in the world of Scotch would have even considered. For our fifteenth anniversary we wanted to go back to that style of whisky but we also wanted to update it to say something about where Compass Box is today.  We’re fifteen years older – maybe even a little wiser – but we still have that restless energy we had back in 2000. The juxtaposition of flavours and weights in Quindecimus is a representation of that.’

A blend of five separate parcels of aged grain whisky, Compass Box has taken the highly unusual step of revealing the precise age and sourcing of every cask that went into Quindecimus.  Commenting on this decision, founder, John Glaser stated:

‘Since I launched Compass Box back in 2000, we’ve expressed our belief in the need to be transparent regarding how we make our whiskies.  With the recent increase in the number of Non Age Statement whiskies at the lower end of the market, we feel it’s important to share with people the details on the ages of all the whiskies in a product such as this.  We have always held that age isn’t everything in whisky, but in this case we want people to be aware of age and the rarity that goes along with aged grain whiskies of this quality level.  We believe our customers have the right to know what it is they’re drinking.’

Compass Box’s detailed sourcing information reveals that five parcels of whisky from four distilleries were used to create Hedonism Quindecimus: Parcels of 20yo and 25yo grain whisky distilled at Port Dundas were combined with 32yo whisky from Dumbarton, 20yo whisky from North British and a 32yo parcel of ‘mystery’ pre-blended grain whisky sourced from Loch Lomond distillery, for which the exact provenance is unknown.  Describing the flavour profile this blend creates, John Glaser commented:

‘Blending grain whiskies of varying ages can create compelling juxtapositions of flavour.  The truly old grain adds unctuousness and weight, while the younger whiskies bring with them an energy, a drinkability and the irrepressible joie de vivre of youth.  The result is surprising and complex. Deep, sweet caramel coconut succulence combines with bright tropical fruit to create a profusion of flavours that demonstrate the layered complexity you can get from the interplay between grain spirit and American oak over the course of time.’  

A history of innovation

Quindecimus is the latest in a long line of innovations Compass Box has delivered over the course of its fifteen year history:

• Their first product – the original Hedonism – was the world’s first ever Blended Grain Scotch Whisky and has been widely credited with starting the resurgence of interest in grain whisky that last year culminated in the launch of Haig Club, (spearheaded by David Beckham). Find out more about the original Hedonism here: http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/pdf/Hedonism.pdf
• In 2006, Compass Box’s award-winning whisky Spice Tree was temporarily banned by the Scotch Whisky Association for the innovative cask ageing techniques used to develop a flavour profile that had never before been seen in the world of Scotch. Find out more about Compass Box’s ‘illegal’ whisky Spice Tree here: http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/pdf/TheSpiceTreeStory.pdf
• With Peat Monster, Compass Box pioneered a subtle, more balanced approach to peaty whiskies. Using a blend of heavily peated Islay and Highland malts, this rich, complex Blended Malt Scotch Whisky provided a more complex alternative to the world of peated single malts. Find out more about Peat Monster here: http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/pdf/PeatMonster.pdf
• Most recently, with their Great King Street range, Compass Box set out to revive a style of Blended Scotch pioneered by the early whiskymakers of the 19^th Century but lost during whisky’s period of mass-scale commercialisation in the 20^th Century. Using high malt contents and drawing on historical recipes, they created a lost style of whisky that nobody else was even trying to make today. Find out more about Great King Street here: http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/greatkingstreet/greatkingstreet.php

What is Compass Box?

We felt there were simply too many people trying to make the same type of Scotch whisky.  We wanted to do something different – so we set up a completely different type of whisky company.

As whiskymakers, we’re here to ask the questions that nobody else wants to consider.  To explore everything that Scotch could be rather than settling for what it already is.  To make the joys of great Scotch whisky more relevant to more people around the world.

Above all else we are dedicated to making cool, contemporary and delicious whiskies that showcase the full spectrum of flavour that can be created through spirit, time, hard work and oak.

No more boring whisky.    http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/

Who is John Glaser?

Back in 2000, John Glaser quit the corporate world of Johnnie Walker to set up Compass Box from his kitchen. The idea was to explore where others wouldn’t, to create flavours that others weren’t. To push Scotch forward rather than maintaining the status quo.    

Fifteen years later, he’s still here, he’s still doing the same thing.  He has no plans to change.  

NOTES

Hedonism Quindecimus is available from May 1^st 2015 in the US and 15^th April in the UK through our wide network of independent retailers worldwide and our UK-based on-line shop.  For media downloads or for more information on Hedonism Quindecimus or Compass’s Box’s fifteen years of innovation, please contact Debbie Burke in the US or Jonathan Gibson directly in Compass Box’s London studio.