INTRODUCING SCAPA SKIREN, A SINGLE MALT FORGED BY THE ELEMENTS OF ORKNEY

September 2015 marks the launch of Scapa Skiren, an artisanal single malt forged by the elements of Orkney; a remote island of natural contrasts.

Crafted by five dedicated artisans at the manually operated Scapa distillery, Scapa Skiren’s smooth taste embodies the unexpected contrasts of the Orkney Islands, setting it apart from traditional Island Malts. A unique barrel-shaped Lomond wash still – the only remaining working Lomond in the Scotch whisky industry – is used for distillation, resulting in a richer and fruiter honeyed spirit. Exclusive maturation in First Fill American Oak casks gives Scapa Skiren a smooth creamy sweetness with a hint of tropical, citrus fruit and coastal heather, uncommon for an Island Single Malt but distinctly Scapa at its core.

Scapa Skiren gets its name from the Old Norse for glittering bright skies and lights up the senses with its delicate scented floral flavours as well as fresh pear, sweet and fruity pineapple notes on the nose. The smooth and sweet taste of ripe honeydew melon slices as well as bursts of fruity pear contrast with the tantalising taste of sweet sherbet on the palate. The end result is a long refreshing sweetness, reminiscent of the summer Orcadian skies after which it is named.

Scapa recently opened its distillery to the public, for the first time since its launch in 1885, on the beautiful, wild and untameable Orkney mainland. It is situated on the shore of the Scapa Flow, a natural harbour and one of Britain’s most historic stretches of water.

Scapa Master Distiller, Brian MacAulay says “It has been a real pleasure to bring the dynamic and unexpected contrasts of Orkney to life in Scapa Skiren. It is a product of our island; forged by the elements and the expertise of our dedicated team who use traditional methods and skills honed over several generations to create our distinctive Island malt with its unique smooth honeyed taste.”

Scapa Skiren, priced at $60 USD RRP, will be released in September 2015, in selected retailers in the UK and France and rolled out in Global Travel Retail from October 2015.

Notes:

Scapa Skiren (40% ABV) tasting notes

Character: Honeyed and tropical

Nose: Delicate scented floral flavours with a hint of fresh pear. Sweet and fruity pineapple notes with an unexpected citrus tang

Taste: Smooth and sweet, ripe honeydew melon slices with bursts of fruity pear contrasting with the tantalizing taste of a sweet lemon sherbet

Finish: Long, refreshing, shimmering sweetness

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the world’s No.1 single malt whisky; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.

http://www.chivasbrothers.com/

@ChivasNewsRoom

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €7,945 million in 2013/14. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin & Spirit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector and employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people, operating through a decentralized organization with 6 ‘Brand Companies’ and 80 ‘Market Companies’ established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC 40 index.

http://www.pernod-ricard.com/

Cornelia Parker – Blue Luna, 2015

Single malt Scotch whisky, includes a series of 6 lithographs and a photographic print. £1000 plus VAT (strictly limited to first 5 customers)

We thought you may like to know that we currently have a half price offer on our forthcoming edition by Cornelia Parker.

For this McLean’s Artist Malts commission, Parker has been intrigued by whiskies maturation process, how time and more specifically the moon cycle can effect the spirit. In a continuation of Parker’s lunar series, this latest work “Blue Luna” is very much a time orientated piece. Currently you do not get to see the spirit but an empty vessel. For Parker’s whisky remains in the cask in the highlands of Scotland. Blue Luna will be bottled upon a blue moon on the 31st of July 2015, a rare event of two full moons in a single month. The total age of the whisky is stipulated on the label by full moon cycles rather than years – the final colour, nose, taste and alcohol volume of Parker’s whisky will be unknown until this special date. As well as this fine whisky filling the empty vessel, the piece will be accompanied by a photograph by Parker taken during the Blue Moon on the 31st July 2015. How this photograph looks is also dependent on many unknown particulars; location of the artist, weather, and equipment will be significant to the outcome. What we do know is that the accompanying photograph is as mystifying as the whisky itself.

As with all of our editions a printed element is produced by one of the world’s most respected print houses, Poligrafa Obra Grafica. Cornelia Parker’s bottle will be accompanied by six lithographs listing each and every full moon that has influenced the spirit whilst in the cask since August 1997. Upon payment you will receive the signed series of 6 lithographs. The entire completed artwork  including the whisky is due for delivery in September. This offer is set at £1000 plus VAT and is limited to the first 5 customers. Once sold out the edition will return to £2000 plus VAT. Please contact us on email for any further information.

A new single cask release from Arran distillery. This special Island single malt scotch whisky was distilled on the 19th July 1999 and aged for 15 years in single bourbon cask #88. 204 bottles filled in 2015, 56.9% vol.

£66.90

This week Joe Ellis reviews Ardbeg Alligator.

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Heaven Hill Brands Launches Super-Premium Pikesville Rye

6-Year-Old, 110-Proof Spirit Salutes Traditional American Straight Rye Whiskey

Bardstown, Ky., July 8, 2015—Heaven Hill Brands, now in its third generation of family ownership and celebrating 80 years of crafting whiskey and curating all-American spirits brands, today announces the launch of a super-premium spirit, Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey. At 6 years old and 110 proof, this new expression of Pikesville Rye is produced at Heaven Hill’s historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville and aged in its premier rickhouses in Bardstown, Ky. With a suggested retail price of $49.99 for a 750ml bottle, it will roll out in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles in Summer 2015, with allocated national distribution to follow in the Fall.

During previews, Pikesville Rye earned spirits industry acclaim, including a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 95 Points at F. Paul Pacult’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Distilled from at least 51 percent rye, with corn and malted barley as the “small” grains, Pikeville Rye has an appealing pale copper color, reflecting its extra aging. Its aroma evokes earthy cocoa notes with oaky smoke underneath. On the palate, Pikesville Rye is dry and spicy, with hints of honeyed rye and cloves. Soft vanilla and baking spices round out the finish.

“Heaven Hill has a tradition of keeping storied brands alive,” says Max L. Shapira, President, Heaven Hill Brands, and second-generation family member. “We purchased the Pikesville brand as the Maryland Rye industry was disappearing and have distilled it for decades for the local market. As consumers have fallen in love with Straight Bourbon Whiskey, they have naturally expanded their passion to Rye. We wanted to update this authentic artifact of Americana for contemporary palates and offer this super-premium expression nationally.”

This marks the first major new product launch since Denny Potter was named Heaven Hill Brand’s Co-Master Distiller. Potter carefully selected each extra-aged barrel and determined the spirit’s ideal proof level.

“Pikesville Rye is the text book example of the traditional three-grain American Straight Rye Whiskey that laid the foundation for Rye’s current renaissance,” says Potter. “To set it apart from other Ryes, I selected barrels at a minimum of 6 years old from high storage and bottled it at a proof that allows the most character from the barrel to come through without overpowering the spicy grain notes. It will appeal to American Whiskey connoisseurs seeking a robust and flavorful sip and to today’s bartending community, as it mixes well in classic cocktails.”

With its Maryland roots dating back to 1895, Pikesville Rye returned after Prohibition, surviving ownership changes and the decline of the Maryland Rye whiskey industry. With Maryland production coming to a close in the 1980s, Pikesville Rye was kept alive by Heaven Hill Brands, which has produced the spirit in Kentucky ever since. It is a prominent brand in Maryland and is served throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area. The traditional 80-proof, 3-year-old Pikesville Rye will remain in production and will continue to be distributed in Maryland.

About Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey: Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey is a 6-year-old, 110-proof super-premium spirit that salutes a historic Maryland mark dating back to 1895. It is distilled by Heaven Hill Brands at the company’s historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville and aged in its premier rickhouses in Bardstown, Ky. Co-Master Distiller Denny Potter carefully selected each extra-aged barrel and determined the spirit’s ideal proof level. With its mashbill of at least 51 percent rye, with corn and malted barley as the “small” grains, Pikesville Rye embraces the tradition of American Straight Rye Whiskey that set the stage for Rye’s current renaissance. For more information, please visit www.pikesvillerye.com.

About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, Ky.-based Heaven Hill Brands 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 Whiskey. For more information, please visit www.heavenhill.com.

Tomatin 36 Year Old Batch 1

Batch 1 of this 36 year old Highland whisky has been created using a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks. 800 bottles have been produced, each bottle is individually numbered and comes with it’s own certificate…

Read More…

We have been bitten by the Cocktail bug so we are launching The Whisky Shop Dufftown Speyside Spirit Cocktail competition. £250 whisky voucher for the winner which will be announced at The Whisky Shop Dufftown Autumn Festival. More details on our blog.

Like waiting for a bus nothing arrives then suddenly 2 appear at the same time! So it is with our next release of whiskies for summer 2015.

This is our Cadenhead’s authentic collection range, its is going to be a bumper crop of whiskies for all tastes. We have some rather rare vintages naturally from distilleries on Islay and a lowland demolished distillery bottling to tempt you with and a rather good collection from speyside and the highlands. Before I fill you in with the full list I have to let you know about a few products running out for the summer. Springbank 15 has sold out with the bond completely empty until the new bottling run sometime in August, Longrow is also in short supply all variants and so too is Hazelburn 10 that will be bottled later in the year I hope anyway. The Authentic collection Summer 2015 is listed in full at the end of this newsletter. ~ Stephen

Now onto the new releases listed below.

Unfortuanetly due to overwhelming demand the Ardberg 21 has already sold out but we have

Blair Athol Distillery 1989 26y/o 48.9% – Sherry since May 2008

Nose: Dry, with apricots, runny honey, toffee and a little nutty. Taste: Earthy, then dry sherry notes; ripe bananas with toffee sauce and then a hint of aniseed. Finish: Toffee apples, black cherries, mouth coating sherry and faint earthy notes.

Bowmore Distillery 1989 26y/o 56.5%

Nose: Passion fruit; peat; coal tar soap; soya sauce and quite malty. Kidney beans and green beans.Very sweet.  Taste: Initial peat, then some melted tar with bbq spare ribs and developing toffee notes. Finish: Burnt embers, dry peat with growing honey and almonds.

Bruichladdich Distillery 1992 22y/o 53.3%

Nose: Coconut shavings, macaroon bars and caramel. Un-ripe tomatoes and some chocolate. Taste: Lemony with white currants, millionaires shortbread and treacle with very faint Smoke. Finish: Quite flinty and dry with growing toffee notes.

Clynelish Distillery 1994 20y/o 55.4% – Sherrywood

Nose: Full on rich sherry, cigar boxes, figs, raisins. Cherry chocolates and lots of waxy spices. Taste: Dry and waxy notes battle through the sherry to reveal more herbal notes. peanuts, dry almonds, orange zest and honey. Finish: Good quality sweet vermouth and growing spiciness with lingering herbal notes.

Dalmore Distillery 1990 24y/o 54.9% – Rum since February 2006

Nose: Sweet rum notes with cream, eucalyptus, lime and white chocolate. Taste: Lots of golden rum, vanilla and hints of spice. Some grassier notes before chewier orange notes emerge. Finish: Creamy and fruity, with fruits becoming darker as time goes on.

Dufftown-Glenlivet Distillery 1988 26y/o 51%

Nose: Cured meats, Spanish sausage and baked camembert. Bay leaves and fresh melon. Taste: Initially spicy, then green bananas with pears and pecans. Finish: Fruit cake, marzipan and maple syrup.

Glencadam Distillery 1989 26y/o 55.3%

Nose: Very juicy oranges, barley sugar and pear drops. Fruit gums and some toffee aromas. Taste: Initially dry and then fruit explodes as the nose suggests – oranges, peaches and mangoes Finish: Longer than expected; fruit sweets with sesame seeds and a faint medicinal note.

Highland Park Distillery 1988 27y/o 53.3% – Claret since May 2008

Nose: Sweet oranges; effervescent; very fresh. Whipped cream with raspberry syrup, vanilla pods and cardamom Taste: Rich red fruits. More juicy orange notes and faint distant wood smoke with butterscotch notes. Finish: Growing toffee notes; faint cassis flavours with blood oranges, pink grapefruit and star anise.

Macduff Distillery 1989 26y/o 51%

Nose: Initially oily notes fade to reveal toffee, glacé cherries, cherry brandy and clotted cream. Taste: Chewy and meaty; stem ginger, rhubarb crumble and faint parma violets. Finish: Very mouth puckering with liquorice, dark fruits and more ginger.

Strathisla-Glenlivet Distillery 1989 25y/o 42.7%

Nose: Heavy fruits, blackcurrant jam, maple syrup and créme caramel. Taste: Dried apricots, soft woodiness, dried spices, marzipan, toffee and sweet vermouth. Finish: Honeycomb, strawberry sauce and butterscotch. Cherries and blood oranges.

Tamdhu-Glenlivet Distillery 1989 25y/o 53.3%

Nose: Minty, floral, heather and quite buttery. Some light pickle notes with melted white chocolate. Taste: More buttery notes come through along with limes, dried oranges and some waxiness. Finish: Soft woody, mossy notes and then citrus notes come through.

Tobermory Distillery 1994 20y/o 57.8% – Sherrywood

Nose: Cacao; plums; a touch of iodine and very meaty with lots of blackcurrant notes. Taste: Slightly salty. Pastrami with liquorice and cracked black pepper. Finish: Natural yoghurt with coffee beans, dark chocolate and fresh rhubarb

Dumbarton (Inverleven Stills) 1987 27y/o 53.9% Demolished Distillery Bottling

Nose: Sweet honey and vanilla. Pineapple and coconut with growing creamy cereal aromas. Taste: Slightly drying then becoming sweet and creamy. Nougat,strawberries and some malty notes. Finish: Very moreish! Grassy, limey and velvety smooth.

A visit with the new Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Global Brand Ambassador: Phoebe Brookes

Fets Whisky Kitchen now has the world’s largest selection of Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottlings, 152 at last count. Not bad for our little place on Commercial Drive. Phoebe Brookes is the new Global Brand Ambassador for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Phoebe’s first stop on her inaugural trip out west is at Fets Whisky Kitchen on Friday July 24th. She will be here at The Whisky Kitchen on Friday evening from 7 – 10 for an informal meet and greet. We’re not hosting a formal tasting but this is your chance to meet her and learn about the Society and their whiskies. To show Phoebe a real Westcoast whisky welcome, we’re offering everyone our Scotch Malt Whisky Society discount of 10% on all of our Society bottlings while she’s here. This isn’t a ticketed event but reservations are recommended click here for reservations and come enjoy some great whisky with old and new whisky friends.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Tasting 

Legacy Liquor Store, our Society Partner Retailer is hosting a tasting with Phoebe at The Belmont Bar on Saturday July 25th. She’ll lead you through a great line-up of 7 whiskies (including a special treat brought over in her suitcase!) alongside some light food and of course, the great company of fellow scotch lovers! It’s an early tasting so plan on coming to The Whisky Kitchen after the tasting for dinner and (?more?) whisky and we’ll offer discounts on all of our Society bottlings to anyone attending the tasting.

Sign-up details are below; act fast – space is limited:

SMWS Tasting with Phoebe Brookes
Saturday, July 25th
5:00 – 7:00pm
The Belmont Bar
1006 Granville Street, Vancouver

Tickets are $50.00 and can be purchased here

Please enjoy responsibly and arrange for safe transport home, or to Fets.

Fets Whisky Kitchen | 1230 Commercial Drive | Vancouver | British Columbia | V5L 3X4 | Canada

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, has named Josh Reynolds, from Hawksmoor Spitalfields, in London as the 2015 Chivas Master. Reynolds competed against 11 other international finalists in the two-day New York final which saw him impress an expert panel of judges across six exciting challenges. The first round saw him present his signature cocktail, The Black Dizzy Tea.

Announced during the celebrations at the Chivas Regal Gala Dinner at Tales of the Cocktail, New Orleans, Reynolds has won the unique opportunity to work in three iconic bars, across different cities where he will be inspired to create his own three ‘classic’ signature drinks. Reynolds will be taken on an unforgettable experience where he will work alongside some of the world’s most influential bartenders.

The 12 finalists were winners of national Chivas Masters heats, which took place around the world earlier this year. During the Chivas Masters final, the bartenders were asked to re-create one of the cocktails that earned them a place in the final and also compete in a series of challenges and workshops designed to test their creativity, style, understanding of flavours and mixology skills.

The judging panel was comprised of leading experts in the drinks industry, including Ago Perrone, Director of Mixology at the David Collins-designed Connaught Bar in London; Ivy Mix co-owner of Leyenda; Micah Melton, The Aviary Director; and Masa Urushido, Bar Manager at Saxon + Parole and the 2014 Chivas Master.

During the final, Urushido presented to finalists a bar tool innovation that was inspired by traditional Japanese methods of ice-carving, and was created as part of his prize for winning last year’s competition. The Ice Chisel set has been hand-forged by a third generation Japanese blacksmith and features an extended and widened curved blade to assist the precision and efficiency of the bartender when preparing the essential cocktail component of ice-spheres.

Ago Perrone praised the overall performance of the competitors during the final round commenting: “The judging panel faced a very difficult decision in naming the 2015 Chivas Master, such was the talent showcased in this year’s global final. Ultimately, Reynolds performed outstandingly across the entire six challenges and showed incredible skill, creativity and insight.”

Max Warner, Global Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal, commented: “Now in its second year, the Chivas Masters is continuing to serve a growing interest in classic-inspired modern cocktails around the world. At Chivas Regal we are dedicated to taking that interest even further by inspiring bartenders to explore the endless possibilities of Chivas within their drinks making.”

NOTES 

About Chivas Regal
Launched in 1909, Chivas Regal is the world’s first luxury whisky and is considered to be a timeless classic, renowned for its benchmark quality and taste, style, substance and exclusivity. A truly global brand, Chivas Regal has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide and today sells 4.6 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across the globe. With generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity at the heart of Chivas Regal, the brand launched its successful Win the Right Way campaign in 2014, which aims to inspire a new generation whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. The Chivas Regal range includes Chivas 12, Chivas 18, Chivas 25 and the Global Travel Retail exclusive, Chivas Brothers Blend. In October 2014, Chivas Regal announced the addition of a fifth permanent expression in the Chivas Regal family, Chivas Regal Extra, a new blend with a unique richness derived from selective maturation in rare ex-sherry casks.
www.chivas.com

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.
www.chivasbrothers.com

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €7,945 million in 2013/14. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin & Spirit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector and employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people, operating through a decentralized organization with 6 ‘Brand Companies’ and 80 ‘Market Companies’ established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC 40 index.
www.pernod-ricard.com