The Whisky Exchange Whisky of the Year 2016

With Christmas approaching, it means it’s time to announce the Whisky Exchange Whisky of the Year 2016. This now-traditional annual event moved north of the river this year to The Rooms at Browns, just round the corner from our new Covent Garden shop.

Oliver (aka) Judge Chilton got into the spirit of the occasion

The room was the former main courtroom of Westminster County Court, making it the ideal venue to pass judgement on the eight whiskies in front of us, with Oliver and Andy in charge of proceedings.

The tried-and-tested criteria was unchanged from previous years: ongoing non-cask-strength releases of single malt Scotch at £60 or less, that we’d be happy to have as a whisky we could enjoy every day. The TWE team had whittled down their favourites from the year to a final eight, which were presented in four pairs: light and fruity, medium-bodied, full-bodied and smoky.

The whiskies

So here’s the line-up in tasting order, with comments and quotes from the customers:

1. Arran 14 Year Old – fruity and floral, my table was divided on this, with guesses including both Lowlandand Old Pulteney. ‘It’s a real breakfast whisky’
2. Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley – this was fruity and creamy. ‘The nose is really interesting. I keep wanting to go back to it’ (he did…)
3. Benromach 15 Year Old – medium-bodied and lightly smoky. It was agreed this wasn’t from Islayand educated guesses ranged from peated Highlander Ardmore to Highland Park. ‘It’s a breakfast whisky, but one that’s a bit more interesting’
4. Tomintoul 16 Year Old – this had a ‘real sweetness’ and opened up through the tasting. Unfortunately being the weakest in terms of strength, it did get overwhelmed by what went before and afterwards.
5. Glenlivet 18 Year Old – rich and sweet on the nose and palate, and ‘dried sultanas on the finish’
6. Dailuaine 16 Year Old Flora & Fauna – rich and full of dried-fruit flavours, this is a classic sherried whisky. One of my table said ‘that’s my whisky of the year!’
7. Talisker 2003 Distillers Edition, 45.8% – a classic maritime and smoky whisky, Talisker was guessed early on in the discussion. The guests remarked: ‘it’s medicinal, but not full-on Islay’, ‘this would make a great Old Fashioned‘ and ‘it’s a really fun whisky’.
8. Ballechin 10 Year Old – ‘an Irish whiskey sweetness’ and ‘like toned-down Octomore‘ were two of the comments; most guesses were for Islay distilleries with Caol Ila and Laphroaig both mentioned.

To keep the customers entertained during the vote counting, there was a ninth whisky. Completely different to the first eight, it was sweet with lots of apple and vanilla, backed up by a shedload of mint and a hint of spice. The whisky? Jim Murray’s 2016 World Whisky of the Year, Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye. One attendee said they would have voted for it above the eight candidates, and it was generally well received, with a handful who didn’t like it. Overall, it was as I expected – classic well-made Crown Royal with extra spice. Great value at around £40 in the UK (if you can find it), but the best whisky I’ve had this year? No.

The eight-strong shortlist for Whisky of the Year (plus Jim Murray’s award-winner, far left)

The TWE Team’s choices:

The TWE editorial team also participated in trying all the whiskies blind, so were allowed to vote. Here’s what we thought:

Billy My top two were numbers three and eight. First up: Benromach 15 Year Old. I have a soft spot for the distillery, having had a great time when visiting, but I’m also a big fan of their old-fashioned spirit – weighty and oily, with a nice bit of fruit in the mix. From the voting, it seems it’s not for everyone.

In the end, the Ballechin 10 Year Old was the star for me. I wrote about it when it was released, and it’s remained one of my favourite new smoke bombs of recent times. On my table during the tasting, the debate was whether it was Ardbeg, Caol Ila or Laphroaig, and looking at it that way, it reminded me of a really good, young Ardbeg. A worthy runner-up.

Rocky I went for the Ballechin as my runner-up – it was rich and complex with an earthy style of peating that I’d associate with Ireland, but with none of the dryness. My whisky of the evening was the Arran. Despite being the lightest of the line-up, I went back to it throughout the evening, and even at the end, the freshness and floral notes were not overwhelmed by the smoky notes left on my palate from the Talisker and Ballechin.

Stuart The whisky that really stood out for me was Tomintoul 16 Year Old. In a world of sherry bombs and peat monsters, its whistle-clean fruitiness shone through – clementine, mango and orchard fruits – with heady aromatics and gentle perfume. The brief for this tasting was to choose the best everyday drinking whisky, and for me the Tomintoul fitted the bill perfectly. My runner-up was Dailuaine 16 Year Old, which ticks all the fruity boxes but adds richness in the form of honeyed fruit and malted biscuits. Very rich in the mouth with a touch of smoke, this is a full-flavoured dram that really delivers.

The results:

Joint seventh: Benromach 15 Year Old and Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley Sixth: Tomintoul 16 Year Old Fifth: Arran 14 Year Old Fourth: Dailuaine 16 Year Old Flora & Fauna Joint runners-up: Ballechin 10 Year Old and Glenlivet 18 Year Old

And the Whisky Exchange Whisky of the Year 2016 is…

Talisker 2003 Distillers Edition, 45.8%

A resounding triumph, winning more than half the first-choice votes. Bottled in 2014 at the classic Talisker strength of 45.8%, here are the notes from the night.

Billy

Nose: Fruit and sea spray to start: baked apples on the beach. The coastal edge is powerful but softens to reveal more fruit – raisins, cherries and freshly sliced apple – and delicate floral and herbal touches – spring meadows and autumnal leaves.

Palate: Rich and fruity, with raisins and plums up front. Behind the fruit is peppery spice, savoury leather and earthy flavours. More rich fruit builds, with blackcurrant jam and figs, joined by sweet and dark liquorice touches, all topped by freshly polished oak.

Finish: Gentle spice leads into fruit cake with a sprinkling of sea salt, and then fades to a sweet and herbal end.

Comment: A whisky that allies Talisker’s coastal nature with darker, richer and heavier notes without going overboard.

Rocky

Nose: Pronounced notes of sea salt and smoke, backed up by juicy raisins, dark chocolate and a hint of balsamic vinegar.

Palate: Rich and creamy in texture, the salinity and the smoke from the nose are still present, but do not mask the other flavours. There is a delicate balance of sweet and dry, with heather honey, black pepper, vanilla, dark chocolate and orange all expertly balanced.

Finish: Medium to long, with the peppery notes and spice balanced by sweet vanilla.

Comment: This was my third choice. Although it was arguably the stand-out in terms of complexity, I felt it was a little too rich and complex to be my everyday whisky.

Stuart

Nose: Gorgeous combination of sea spray and brine, oyster shells and pink peppercorns, along with chewy malt, orange peel and plenty of fruit to tame the pepper and smoke. Classic Talisker fire but softer and sweeter.

Palate: Seville orange marmalade, then freshly ground black pepper, along with woodsmoke, clove and coriander seed. The aromatic smokiness builds, kept in check with the sweet, juicy notes of orange, grapefruit and lemon. Good fruity undercurrent to the savoury, peppery kick.

Finish: Like the dying embers of a fire, with a sprinkling of aromatic citrus.

Comment: A delightful combination of classic Talisker smoke and pepper, lifted with heady citrus notes.

To celebrate the award, we’ve knocked £6.80 off the price – it’s now just £49.95. Pick up a bottle here and see if it’s your Whisky of the Year.

Rosebank 1990 – Rare Old

Located on the banks of the Forth and Clyde canal, Rosebank distillery fell silent in 1993. Becoming a bit of a rare find these days, this 1990 vintage Rosebank has been bottled by Gordon MacPhail in 2014 as part of their Rare Old series.

£289.92

Pittyvaich 25 Year Old – 1989

A rather special bottling, considering that this release lived longer that the distillery itself. Pittyvaich distillery was established in 1975 then sadly closed in 1993. This limited edition release was distilled in 1989 and aged in American oak hogsheads and first fill ex-bourbon barrels, before being bottled in 2015 at natural cask strength, 49.9% vol.

£249.50

Glenlochy 1969 – 26 Year Old

Glenlochy and its two stills where among a dozen distilleries closed by SMD in the early 1980’s, making this Highland single malt whisky from 1969 very special indeed as its rarely seen in specialist whisky shops.

£1200.00

Brora 35 Year Old

Any release from Brora creates a lot of interest, especially with one aged as old as this fine example. Distilled in 1978, this beautifully presented whisky was matured in a combination of refill American oak and European oak. Closed in 1983, Brora distillery was located in north Highland town of same name.

£1200.00

Port Ellen 1979 – Rare Old

A 1979 vintage Port Ellen, bottled in 2014 by Gordon & MacPhail for their Rare Old series. In 1983 the Port Ellen distillery was shut down and dismantled but today the remaining Port Ellen stores and the malting facility are owned by Diageo. What’s left of Port Ellen is in high demand partly since it is very good, but also because it will never be produced again.

£698.00

Convalmore 36 Year Old

Special Offer, one bottle left!

Probably the most exciting release from the 2013 Special Releases was this Convalmore 36 year old. The distillery, located in Dufftown has been silent since 1985. Distilled in 1977 only 2,680 bottles have been released at 58% vol. Last few days listed at this special price…

Was £595.00

Now only!

£546.00

View all Lost Distillery Whisky!

Whistle Pig 10 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Agreeable Interlude” Cask Strength Single Barrel #15-124 Straight Rye Whiskey 750ml (ships as 1.5L) $84.99View

Whistle Pig 10 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Sippin’ to Lippin'” Cask Strength Single Barrel #15-59 Straight Rye Whiskey 750ml (ships as 1.5L) $84.99 View  

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

www.ralfy.com meets the oak-sap rascal with Whisky Review 563 – Royal Brackla 12yo @ 40%vol

Booker’s® Bourbon Awarded Top Bourbon Honor in “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016”

Beam Suntory, the world’s third largest premium spirits company, is proud to announce the prestigious accolade awarded to Booker’s® Bourbon in “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016.” Named winner of the “9 Years & Under” Bourbon category, Booker’s Bourbon was among thousands of whiskies that were tasted by Murray throughout the year for inclusion in his forthcoming “Whisky Bible 2016.”

“This award is a true honor and testament to the innovation of my dad, Booker Noe, who created his namesake bourbon decades ago,” said Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s 7th Generation Master Distiller. “I’m sure Booker’s smiling down on us right now with a drink in his hand.”

Booker’s Bourbon is one of the few bourbons available uncut and unfiltered1. Created by Booker Noe, Jim Beam’s 6th Generation Master Distiller, Booker’s Bourbon is aged between six and eight years and bottled at its natural proof, yielding a robust and full-bodied ultra-premium whiskey.

This year, Booker’s Bourbon launched its first-ever limited-edition collection with labels that pay tribute to Booker Noe, his family and spirit of experimentation. Currently on shelves is Batch 2015-06, also called Noe Secret, which pays homage to Noe and his ever-honest approach to making his iconic bourbon. Created more than 25 years ago, the award-winning recipe for Booker’s Bourbon remains unchanged today.

“Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016” also awarded accolades to additional Beam Suntory whiskies, including:

• Laphroaig® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, currently celebrating its bicentennial anniversary, received the honor of “Runner Up” in the No Age Statement Single Malt Scotch category for its An Cuan Mor expression.
• Yamazaki® Japanese Whisky swept the Japanese Whisky category, earning one of five spots as “World Whisky of the Year” along with the title of “Japanese Whisky of the Year” and “Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Barrels)” for its Yamazaki Mizunara 2014 (Japan only).

These acclaimed whiskies are among the 4,600 that Murray tasted in order to select those that would receive top honors and accolades for his 13th annual edition of “Whisky Bible.” All whiskies tasted were judged on nose, taste, finish and balance. For a full list of winners or to purchase a copy of “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016,” visit http://whiskybible.com/dram-good-book-shop/.

About Booker’s® Bourbon

Booker’s® Bourbon was inspired by a 200-year-old family tradition and came to life when Booker Noe selected the first bottles of Booker’s as holiday gifts for his friends and family. With its instant popularity within Noe’s close circle, Booker’s Bourbon was soon after bottled and made available on shelves for everyone to enjoy. Booker’s Bourbon is one of the only bourbons bottled unfiltered1 and at its natural proof, which varies from batch to batch. Crafted in small batches and aged for six to eight years in charred oak barrels, which are stored in the center of the rack house, Booker’s Bourbon is hand-selected barrel-by-barrel by Fred Noe to ensure every bottle contains a robust, full-bodied whiskey that has a taste, aroma and proof that matches Booker’s whiskey preference. For more information on Booker’s Bourbon, visit: http://www.bookersbourbon.com/.

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the flagship Jim Beam bourbon and Yamazaki Japanese whisky, as well as world renowned premium brands including Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek bourbons, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and entrepreneurial culture. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and http://www.drinksmart.com/.

We are delighted to announce that a new Whisky Exchange shop has opened in Covent Garden, London. Spread over two floors, it is a treasure trove of delicious whiskies and fine spirits, and is run by a knowledgeable team keen to ensure you find the right bottle. We’re open from 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and from noon to 6pm on Sundays.

Huge selection of whiskies and fine spirits

Knowledgeable, passionate staff

Fill-your-own-bottle service

Personalised bottle engraving
(coming soon)

The Whisky Exchange Shop
2 Bedford Street
Covent Garden
London WC2E 9HH

+44 (0)20 7100 0088
coventgarden@thewhiskyexchange.com

The Japanese Whisky Gift Box Set

We know how important gifts are to our customers – especially at Christmas. This year we have developed a range of beautiful gift boxes containing some of your, and our, favourite whiskies. Whether you’re looking for traditional single malt for your Dad, or a fashionable Japanese whisky set – we’ve got it covered. A 70cl bottle of Hakushu Single Malt Distillers Reserve with an ice sphere mould. In Japan ice is almost as important as the whisky itself. Traditionally, perfect ice spheres were hand carved so that the ice would roll around the glass.

£85 Click to buy

The Loch Fyne Living Cask Gift Box Set

This gift contains one of the best selling whiskies of 2015. The Loch Fyne Living Cask is a combination of single malts that have all spent time in a cask that is never emptied – hence the concept that it is living! Different malts are introduced periodically and the cask is bottled in a series of batches. Batches one and two and now three have been released. The gift box contains a 50cl bottle of Living Cask and two Glencairn glasses.

Smooth, Rich and complex – one of our fastest selling gift packs!

£59 Click to buy

GLENFARCLAS 1994 THE WHISKY SHOP EXCLUSIVE

Winner of the coveted Liquid Gold award in the 2016 Jim Murray Whisky Bible – scoring an imprssive 95.5 points: Bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop and limited to only 1200 bottles. Bottled at 43% volume. In the words of Jim Murray: ‘Very close in character and quality to distillery’s latest official 1994 release. Which means it’s not far off God’s gift to present day sherried malt whisky.’

£84 Click to buy

TAKETSURU 21 YEAR OLD

Rare Japanese whisky:

The Taketsuru range is named after the founder of the Nikka Whisky Company, Masataka Taketsuru. The Taketsuru whiskies are a combination of single malt whiskies from Nikka’s two distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo. This award winning bottling is made up of whiskies which have been aged for a minimum of 21 years.

£195 Click to buy

HIBIKI 12 YEAR OLD

The perfect gift for someone who likes their whisky to be that little bit different.

Hibiki means resonance in Japanese. It speaks to the soul and emotions of the most discerning whisky lover. The legendary Hibiki represents true harmony, the ideal of perfection, the paragon of ‘The Art of Japanese Whisky’ and its artisans. Numerous pure single malt whiskies aged in a variety of cask types, including Mizunara, a rare Japanese oak, all combine to create a dazzling, echoing roundness in the Hibiki 12 year old.

£49 Click to buy

Port Ellen 30 Year Old 1982 Old & Rare

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Glen Elgin 20 Year Old Wemyss “Winter Larder” Single Sherry Butt Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $150) ( $129.99) This magnificent Glen Elgin drawn from a single first fill sherry butt is one of the finest examples we’ve ever tasted from this special little distillery. A complete stylistic 180 from the excellent ex-bourbon cask we sourced earlier this year, this special cask has all the richness and depth you want, without over powering the palate. No bitter oak or over saturation here, but plenty to delight and keep you pouring it in your glass. Despite being the same age as our exclusive Signatory cask, this whisky was actually distilled 4 years prior! After getting stuck in a warehouse on the East Coast for several years, it has finally been liberated. Bottled in August of 2011, it was distilled sometime before August of 1991.The name of the game here is balance, but those heady Oloroso notes remain far out front. The 92 proof perfectly balances out the deep dark flavors and the deep amber hue is wildly enticing. Truly a great an exceptional value for all lovers of sherried malt. K&L has worked hard to get you a very special exclusive price on this limited bottling from Scotland’s regal bottler. The 3rd Earl of Wemyss, does indeed appreciate your enjoyment of this stupendous libation.

High West K&L Single Barrel #346 Rendezvous Rye Whiskey 750ml ( $74.99) This wonderful cask of Rendezvous was selected by us for it’s overall depth and balance. We’re talking the standard Rendezvous blend (6 year and 16 year blend of straight rye whisky) aged for 2.5 year additional years in ex-bourbon barrels. This bourbon barrel had previoiusly held LDI bourbon aged for 5 years. So, this is that great old rendezvous you know and love with given additional time to marry in a freshly dumped bourbon cask and bottled at 103 proof. Absolutely one of the smoothest renditions of Rendezvous we’ve come across, it took only a moment of sampling to pull the trigger on the overt little offering. A truly unique product, which will tickle the fancy of any High West lover while offering enough approachable roundness to satisfy any American whiskey drinker.

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

We here at TWL HQ recognise that you are being battered and bruised by the efforts of everyone to prise your hard-earned wedge out of your pockets. We are different in that we believe we offer you outstanding value for money, fantastic events and products and we do what we say we will. To prove our difference we have compiled an easy to navigate hit-list of drams and events for you and any of your lucky loved ones. Plus there is a fantastic competition for you all to look forward to at the end of the email!

12. BURNS-A-THON Our first outings of the year are selling fast. 

Our first events in Newcastle, Manchester and York have already sold out and we have had to add new dates as a result. We have also added Edinburgh and Leeds in to give even more people the chance to get involved! Just click HERE to check out dates and book.

11. SALTY SEA-DOG

What’s not to like about ‘the dog’? If you or your loved one is into peat, then nothing. A 10 year single Islay malt whisky in a perfectly formed 20cl bottle – perhaps the perfect stocking filler… Bottled at 43%, you can bag one of these for just £25 including postage in the UK. Click on the pic or HERE for more info and buying options.

10. LONDON WHISKY WEEKENDER

As good a reason to go to London as any! Our third Whisky Weekender takes place at Oval Space as always and is promising to be bigger and better than ever. More whisky, more music, more food, more, more! Early-bird tickets are still available and we can produce PDF vouchers for you to slip into the Xmas card! Click HERE for more.

9. DRAM 101 Looking for something personalised? 

Then look no further!

Our Dram 101 is a smooth, delicate and complex 12 year old Speyside Blended Malt that is perfect for any occasion. There is even space for your loved one’s name on the label – just put their name in the notes when you are checking out. Just £20 including UK delivery. Click HERE or on the banner

8. TWL GIFT VOUCHERS Not sure what to buy or what fabulous event to send him or her to? Our gift vouchers are the perfect solution. Just decide how much you want to spend, select the appropriate denomination/s fill in the name of recipients in the notes section of the checkout. We’ll do the rest! Click HERE or on the voucher.

7. WHISKY SCHOOLS All over the UK. Our Whisky Schools are now well-established as THE course for those looking to further their whisky education in a day. Taking place in lovely venue and including a tasty lunch, these are well worth looking into. Click HERE or on the banner.

6. TWL MEMBERSHIP We unbelievably have a handful of £75 memberships still in the warehouse. These things of beauty – just ask a new member – are a sight to behold, with three 2cl cask samples, a membership card and welcome booklet with tasting and festival vouchers. Click HERE or on the banner for more details or to buy.

5. WHISKY & GLASSES

All four of our latest (and some say greatest) bottlings are available in an appropriately lavish gift box. Helpfully these boxes also contains two official Glencairn Whisky Tasting Glasses to ensure they are being tasted at their best. Click HERE or on the image for more.

4. TASTING PACKS

These little bundles of joy and delicious-ness are more popular than ever and are an ideal little gift. We have a ‘Guide to Whisky’ pack for those just starting their journey, a ‘World Whiskies’ pack for those wanting to sample whiskies from a global perspective and a Feis Ile 2015 pack – the ultimate for the peat-freak in your life. They contain the whiskies and a set of notes with everything you need to conduct your own tasting for one. Click HERE.

3. GUIDE TO WHISKY CLASSES

These evening tastings are designed for those who are whisky-curious but would like to learn more. Perfect for that friend or relative you have been trying to convert for years! We will have them singing from the whisky hymn-sheet in no time! Click HERE for more.

2. KAVALAN VERTICAL

All over the UK. Our first ‘themed’ tasting series of the year is a close-up examination of this Taiwanese distillery that has taken the whisky world by storm. We will be focussing on six whiskies, including two from the premium ‘Solist’ range. Click HERE.

1. SMALL BATCH BOTTLINGS Did I mention how proud we are of our latest pair of SB bottlings?  If not allow me to now! A 1992 Longmorn at 56.2% and a 1997 Caol Ila at natural strength of 40% (ask me next time I see you). These have been extensively tested (ahem) at home… I mean the office and are worthy of our name. Click HERE.

COMPETITION TIME!

Phew, after all you’d be forgiven for reaching for a bottle, or the delete button – but DON’T! Well maybe just the bottle. No tricky questions or images this time, but fabulous prizes up for grabs for those quick on the mouse/touch-screen. Everyone that purchases anything using the links in this email will automatically be entered into a prize draw. Anyone that shares and likes this email through Facebook will also be entered. The prizes are:

Half-week at Backstage Islay 2016 (details TBC) A year’s TWL Membership Ticket to a Whisky School of your choice Pair of TWL Festival Tickets Longmorn 1992 and Gift Box Caol Ila 1997 and Gift Box

If you are sharing and liking, please send us a screenshot of you doing it along with your name and address to info@thewhiskylounge.com. That’s all for now, but keep it real and don’t let the b*******s get you down!

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