A Scottish summers day, so a drive and a wee bit of “my time”.  A few wee gems I know, hidden whisky shops and nice wee places to hide.

I came across a few whisky bottles that took my fancy, so just had to get them!  Driving around my own country always gives me the best of feelings, to be accompanied by these characters, even better!

With a break for afternoon tea by the River Tay, a nice day all round.

TOMINTOUL 12 YEAR OLD GLENLIVET by Whyte and Mackay, Distillers Glasgow. Very unusual early 1990’s 12 year old Glenlivet now discontinued. Round bottle of fluted glass. Large silver screw top. This single malt was produced by Whyte and Mackay when they took over the Tomintoul Distillery in 1973 and launched in 1975 as something quite different. Known with affection as the ” perfume bottle” or the “aftershave” it contains the finest Speyside single malt. Light, floral and fragrant it is typical of it’s class and much lamented in whisky circles. Now too rare to open on anything but very special occasions. In original packaging in top condition. What do I do with it???

GLEN GRANT  I don’t know much about this old bottle, so any ideas gladly taken.

CARN MOR Vintage collection; 1991 Macduff, distilled 1991, bottled 2012, Bourbon barrel, cask 1365, limited to 360 bottles.  46%, non chil filtered, no colours added.

Paul Mclean of MCLEANSCOTLAND

Grant’s launches #IOU Africa  

First time Award Winning Family Owned Distiller, William Grant & Sons has created a campaign specifically for Africa 

27^th May 2015: Today, in a first for both the brand and its owner, Grant’s, the world renowned and award winning blended Scotch whisky, officially launched a new TV campaign entitled ‘#IOU Africa’. The 30 second TV spot will be shown exclusively on TV across Sub-Saharan Africa from May.

Shot in Johannesburg, South Africa and directed by Jono Hall, the TV spot which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/jJeZmwoIDzQ challenges the notion of individual success and reflects the reality that none of us have made it this far in life on our own but sometimes we find it hard to express gratitude to the people who have helped us along the way.

Two of Africa’s best rappers, M.ANIFEST and HHP teamed up to collaborate on the track entitled, ‘Jigah’ which features in the TV commercial.

Julie Pender, Grant’s Global Marketing Manager with responsibility for IMEA commented, “As one of the most enjoyed blended Scotch whiskies in the world, we wanted to talk about success in a way that stayed true to our heritage but also resonated with a broader demographic. We know that guys find it easier to show gratitude through physical actions rather than vocalising it and wanted to bring that to life in our latest TV commercial. From a fist bump or a knowing nod to buying a good friend a Grant’s, the spot brings to life the notion that actions truly do speak louder than words.”

Muiris Ó’Riada, Head of Marketing for IMEA, William Grant & Sons added, “2015 has been a very exciting year for Grant’s in Africa with the launch of Grant’s Select Reserve, our new premium whisky developed specifically for African consumers, and now the launch of our new African TV ad. We are excited about the premium whisky opportunity in the region and look forward to continuing the roll out of our aggressive growth plans across the year.”

#IOU launches across Sub Saharan from May 2015. The TV spot will be supported digital and PR which will run across 2015.

Editors 

About Darling – http://heydarling.tv/

Darling is a production house with an approach as unconventional as its name. Headed up by Lorraine Smith and Melina McDonald, it is currently comprised of seven directors who were selected for their versatile set of creative skills that go over and above directing – including photography, art, music and design. 

About Director Jono Hall

Jono Hall is a Director, Cartoonist, chef and writer – but most of all a storyteller with a fresh approach to everything he tackles. 

About Stand Together and #IOU

At Grant’s we know that none of us have made it on our own. We are all supported, inspired and guided by others. We all owe something to those around us. We believe in acknowledging and celebrating the collective actions that lead to success – that it can only be achieved with the support of friends and that it’s certainly best celebrated with them over a whisky. After all, what’s the point in making it if you can’t share it?

Over the last 12 years, Stand Together has rolled out across nearly 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America across OOH, owned digital, trade and off-trade, as part of a revised business strategy focusing on men who are adapting to the responsibilities of adulthood, and acquiring more sophisticated tastes that introduce them to the world of Scotch whisky. In response to this, Grant’s has also renewed its commitment to leading the way in innovation in the blended whisky category, with the introduction of Grant’s Select Reserve exclusive to Africa this year.

We want men to Stand Together with the people in their lives who’ve played a part in their success to express and action their gratitude through #IOU, without the need for formalities or feeling awkward. As part of our Stand Together campaign, #IOU challenges the notion of individual success and reflects the reality that no one can achieve success completely on their own. 

About Grant’s

They say no man grows great alone. And at Grant’s we know this better than anyone. It all began back in 1886 when William Grant, his seven sons and two daughters began building their own distillery. Five generations later, the same family is still at the heart of everything we do. Today, we sell over 54 million bottles each year in over 180 countries, which make us one of the world’s most enjoyed whiskies. But we didn’t get here on our own. It’s taken years of passion, hard work and independent thinking. Today, the expert skills of our dedicated craftsmen keep our award-winning whisky based on a 100-year-old recipe alive. And we are still working with people around the world to innovate and grow the Grant’s range, while staying true to our heritage. To everyone who helped us along the way – we salute you.

Please join us to follow our journey:

• Facebook: facebook.com/grantswhisky
• Twitter: @Grantswhisky
• YouTube: youtube.com/grantswhisky  

GLENFIDDICH PREMIUM AMBASSADOR NIGHT

(AND A HOST OF OTHER WHISKY TASTINGS!)

As you may have heard earlier in the week our online shop is up-and-running again, and now you can book onto our whisky tasting events right here. We have tastings ranging from an Introduction To Whisky session through to events celebrating Bourbon and Rye plus a whole load more. Most exciting of all we have teamed up with Glenfiddich, the best-selling single malt in the world, for our very first Premium Ambassador Night.

Such is the calibre of the whisky we will be sampling at this tasting, we have been politely asked not to promote the specific whiskies being presented. Needless to say, you will be sampling the cream of the crop under the expert tutelage of the celebrated tour-de-force that is Mark Thomson. To cap it all off every attendee will be presented with a complimentary bottle of the Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva.

Sign up here to join us for this exclusive evening.

Below you will find a selection of the other tastings we are looking forward to. If you’d like more information feel free to get in touch, we’re always happy to help.

 AD Rattray Ambassador Night

Tuesday 23rd June 2015

We have long been fans of the AD Rattray single cask bottlings and eagerly await each release with bated breath. On this evening we will be joined by their brand ambassador who will take us through their various single cask bottlings – expect the hard-to-find and unusual!

The event will be hosted at Milroy’s of Soho, beginning at 18:30 and concluding at approximately 20:00 on Tuesday 23rd June 2015. The ticket price is redeemable against a bottle of AD Rattray whisky on the evening.

BUY NOW | £15

Mackillop’s Choice Ambassador Night

Monday 6th July 2015

If there was ever an independent bottler who is so consistent in the quality of the casks they choose it has to be Mackillop’s Choice. These premium single cask bottlings are selected by Master of Wine Lorne Mackillop, and having seen his desk literally littered with samples he certainly tries enough to make a good choice! A night not to be missed for whisky purists.

The event will be hosted at Milroy’s of Soho, beginning at 18:30 and concluding at approximately 20:00 on Monday 6th July 2015. The ticket price is redeemable against a bottle of Mackillop’s Choice or Montmogerie’s whisky on the evening.

Scotland V’s The World

BUY NOW | £15

Monday 10th August 2015

Back by popular demand. Our Scotland v. The World tasting pitches the best that the Scottish can muster against whiskies from the rest of the world. Each whisk(e)y is presented blind and it will be your task to figure out where each dram originates from. There may even be a prize for the participant with the top score. Don’t worry if you are a newcomer, our staff will be talking you through the different styles produced all over the planet and will give the odd hint too!

The event will be hosted at Milroy’s of Soho, beginning at 18:30 and concluding at approximately 20:00 on Monday 10th August 2015.

BUY NOW | £35

Ireland – Irish and Blended Scotch

• Yellow Spot Single Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey 750ml (1 bottle limit) ($99.99)

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Highland Park 25 year old, Isle of Orkney Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 1 available ($499.99)

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

VINTAGE

There’s change afoot…

There’s change afoot in the Gathering Place, but it’s no cause for concern. In fact, we’re confident you’ll find it’s a change for the better…

As Balblair’s popularity continues to grow with Scotch lovers far and wide, we’re eager to ensure as many of them as possible can share their passion for our award-winning Highland Single Malt Scotch whisky.

While the Gathering Place has established itself as a vibrant online members community, we know that there are many more Balblair devotees around the world who have yet to take the opportunity to unlock the exclusive content on offer.

We’ve therefore decided to broaden our reach by opening up the ever-engaging Balblair blog to everyone who accesses our website – and by doing so ensure that nobody misses out on the latest Distillery updates, news of our forthcoming Vintages or the chance to connect with some of the world’s leading whisky authorities.

This means that the Gathering Place as we’ve come to know it will be no more, but for our long-standing and much-valued community there’s still much to embrace as we reshape the way our audience connects with Balblair.

Those on our members’ mailing list will also continue to receive first news of our offers and promotions. So, whether you’re a long-standing member or a more recent recruit to our community, we look forward to your continued loyalty as we bring a fresh dimension to Balblair’s online presence.

Explore our Collection

Map flavour characteristics

EXPLORE OUR DISTILLERY

EARLY JUNE TASTINGS & EVENTS 

New Outturn Open Tasting – 19 Greville Street – Sat 6 June   More >

Steak & Whisky Tasting – 19 Greville Street – Mon 8 June  More >

Steak and Chips Sampling Session ‘New Style’ – 28 Queen Street – Tue 9 June  More >

Afternoon Whisky & Ice Cream Tasting – The Vaults – Sat 13 June  More >

Eats, Malt and Staves – 19 Greville Street – Tue 16 June  More >

FREE ENTERTAINMENT AT THE VAULTS

Leith Jazz Festival at The Vaults >  Sat 6 & Sun 7 June

The Vaults Poker Night >  Wed 10 June

Monday Night drop-in: Sherry Cask Lovers Night >  Mon 15 June

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

THE ONE KEEPS WINNING 

Despite launching just 20 months ago, The ONE blend of British whiskies produced by The Lakes Distillery, has now won its third international award for its outstanding quality.

The International Spirits Challenge 2015, one of the world’s most authoritative, respected and influential spirits competitions, has awarded The ONE a silver medal in the Whiskies Worldwide sector, placing it amongst the leading whiskies in the world.

More than 1,000 spirits from over 70 countries enter the awards with only those of the highest quality receiving awards, including The ONE’s sister brands The Lakes Gin and The Lakes Vodka which were awarded silver and bronze respectively in their categories, less than six months after production began.

In its 20th year, spirits entered into the ISC are blind assessed by an experienced panel of over 50 respected and experienced industry professionals. The spirits are assessed according to their age, region and variety and then scored on their aroma, appearance and taste.

Paul Currie, founder and managing director of The Lakes Distillery, commented on the announcement: “The ONE is a whisky of outstanding quality, blended with great care and passion to create a perfectly balanced whisky. We are the only blend to include the best whiskies from each of the countries in the British Isles.

“We believe winning prestigious awards such as the ISC is a testament to our production values and a benchmark of the exceptional quality of our spirits.

Both The ONE and The Lakes Gin have already received silver medals in the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) and the prestigious Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (HKIWSC) which awarded The ONE a Silver medal in the Worldwide Whiskey category and The Lakes Gin a Silver medal in the gin category.

The ONE and The Lakes Gin have also recently been listed in Majestic Wines stores nationally.

A spokesperson for the ISC commented: “The International Spirits Challenge is home to some of the finest palates in the world. Each of our judges must demonstrate their skill and knowledge in spirits before joining one of the ISC specialist panels.

“Our judges are truly international and representative of the industry: they consist of the most respected leaders in the business and include master blenders, master distillers, importers, distributors, buyers, consultants, journalists, authors and independent experts.”

The Lakes Distillery opened its doors to the public in December 2014 and shortly after it started production of The Lakes Single Malt, The Lakes Gin and The Lakes Vodka. Visitors to the £7m distillery in Cumbria will find a world class Visitor Centre, artisan bar and bistro, The Bistro at the Distillery, and a shop selling the distillery’s spirits and a range of other local products.

More information about the Lakes Distillery is available at http://www.lakesdistillery.com More information about The Bistro at The Lakes is available at: www.lakesdistillery.com/en/bistro-and-bar  

Notes

The ONE, The Lakes Gin, The Lakes Vodka and both the Connoisseurs’ Club and Founders’ Club are available to buy online at http://www.lakesdistillery.com/shop/

The ONE is a unique blend of exceptional whiskies and brings together the very best whiskies from around the British Isles, blended with great care and passion to create a perfectly balanced whisky of intriguing complexity. The whiskies used are from all of the countries in the British Isles. Tasting notes: Slightly smoky, sweet and fruity, nutty, with hints of spice.

The Lakes Distillery

Close to Bassenthwaite Lake, in an area of unimaginable beauty encircled by Cumbrian fells, is the perfect home for England’s premier distillery.

The experienced team behind the Lakes Distillery, which includes managing director Paul Currie who co founded the Arran Distillery, Master Distiller Chris Anderson with over 30 years’ experience and Alan Rutherford a former Production Director of Diageo, have renovated the historic buildings of an old Victorian Model Farm next to the famous river Derwent and close to Bassenthwaite Lake, and are producing a new world-class whisky, gin and vodka.

The water from the famous River Derwent, with its source high up in the fells, a team steeped in experience of producing spirits, and perfect conditions for distilling create a very special range of spirits.

The Lakes Distillery opened to the public in December 2014. The Lakes Single Malt began production in November 2014 and will be available late 2018, and its blended whisky from the British Isles, called The ONE, the Lakes Gin and the Lakes Vodka are available to buy now.

Eric Obry – from Arras to Aberlour

Author: Jennifer Stevenson

Eric Obry joined Chivas Brothers as our full-time chef based at Linn House a year ago, and having just delivered some show-stopping menus at the latest Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, he still loves the challenges the role brings.

Owner of La Faisanderie French restaurant in Dufftown, Eric, who hails from the north of France, decided that it was time for a change. With a young family and a passion for whisky, he doesn’t regret swapping the restaurant business for an in-house role at Chivas Brothers.

He said: “Life changed because I have a young family now and the problem with having a restaurant is that you are open every day for long hours, so I didn’t really get to spend much time at home.

“When the opportunity came up to work for Chivas Brothers as chef at Linn House I was delighted. It gave me the opportunity to have the weekends off to spend with my family, and having already done a lot for the company on an ad hoc basis, I knew I’d love working with the team. I‘ve known many of them for years because they used to come to my restaurant, so they’re like family.”

Based at the company’s Linn House property in Keith, Eric caters for the hundreds of visitors that come to our sites in Speyside from throughout the UK and overseas each year. These include VIPs and distributors from key markets, as well as our colleagues from other parts of Pernod Ricard, media guests and visitors to the annual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

Eric said: “I’ve created dinners at Aberlour, Strathisla and The Glenlivet distilleries as well as Linn House. I’ve also been working on the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival gala dinner with (Chivas Brothers International Brand Ambassador) Ann Miller for 13 years, and it’s one of the highlights of the festival. We used to do it at Aberlour distillery, but now, because it’s becoming more and more popular, we do it at Strathisla where we can accommodate more guests.”

A keen hunter and gatherer, Eric loves using local Scottish produce and raves about the Highlands’ rich natural larder. He added: “I’m a seasonal chef so I like to use what is in season. Nowadays you can get things like strawberries all year round, which I don’t like. One of my main ingredients is game – I hunt myself – and wild mushrooms. It’s all locally sourced, and at Linn House we also have a private garden where we grow fruit and vegetables.”

Eric first arrived in Scotland 16 years ago. When asked what attracted him here, he simply answered – “The whisky!”

He elaborated: “I have always, always been attracted to Scotland. I love whisky, and ended up in Dufftown because it’s supposedly the whisky capital of the world – although I’ve heard there is a dispute with Islay over who holds that title! We visited Strathisla distillery when we had only been in Scotland for a few weeks.

“I am from the north of France, a place between Calais and Paris called Arras,but before I moved to Scotland I lived in the south of France, near Montpellier for nearly nine years. Some people thought I was crazy going from the south of France to the north of Scotland – but the people here are so friendly. I was really welcomed and have a lot of friends. I love it.”

Eric’s creations include whisky dinners where each course is paired with one of our products, to creating unique sauces, desserts and meat dishes using whisky as the key ingredient.

Having  worked alongside Martine Nouet – a food and drink commentator renowned for creating unique whisky pairings and sensory experiences – Eric quickly honed his skills for cooking with whisky, despite this being a fairly new concept to him when he first arrived in the UK.

He sums up: “The Brand Ambassadors usually give me free reign with the menus. I love to cook with venison, Aberdeen Angus beef and the scallops here are also great. There aren’t enough chefs that use the local produce, which is a shame because it’s all here.

“I’ve cooked for people from all over the world. It’s great to meet them. We get great feedback and it’s always a pleasure to cook for them.”

BOTTLES FROM ALL MAJOR SCOTTISH WHISKY AREAS

AT BONHAMS JUNE SALE IN EDINBURGH

Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on 10 June features top lots from all the major whisky producing areas of Scotland.

From Islay there is an extremely rare Ardberg Guaranteed 10 year old estimated at £1,200-1,500 as well as a bottle of Bowmore-30 year old estimated at £1,200-1,400 distilled in 1963 by Morrisons and then bottled by them to mark the 30th anniversary of their acquisition of the distillery.  A bottle of Black Bowmore 1964 bottled in 1995 carries an estimate of £3,000-3,500 and a bottle of Bowmore 40 year old distilled on 22 November 1955 is expected to sell for between £4,000-6,000.

Lot 64: Bowmore 40 year old 1955

Speyside boasts a bottle of Macallan-Glenlivet 1937 at £1,200-1,500, a bottle of The Macallan 1961 at £4,500-5,500 and one of The Macallan 32 year old distilled in 1970 and bottled in 2002.  Two bottles of The Glenlivet 21 year old distilled in 1963 and bottled for the Chairman in 1984 are estimated at £1,000-1,400 each.

Lot 120: The Glenlivet 21 year old 1963

Finally, from Campbeltown come six bottles of Springbank ranging from the 50 year old to the 25 year old and taking in the 45, 40, 35 and 30 years old. Offered as a single lot the bottles carry an estimate of £5,000-7,000.

Bonhams whisky specialist, Martin Green, said: “This is a very varied sale with some fascinating rarities and interesting and valuable bottles from all over the country showing the strength in depth of whisky production in Scotland.”

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, the auction house offers more sales than any of its rivals. The main salerooms are in London, New York and Hong Kong. Sales are also held in the UK in Knightsbridge, Oxford and Edinburgh; in the US, in San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, in Paris and Stuttgart and in Sydney, Australia. Bonhams also has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

Spend some time this Sunday with local Omaha scotch collectors!

Dundee Dell | 5007 Underwood Ave | Omaha | NE | 68132