Tamdhu shows its strength with new expression

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

London Whisky Weekender    11th & 12th April

Aberdeen Whisky Festival       25th April

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

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

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

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

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

EDINBURGH WHISKY SOLSTICE

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

LONDON WHISKY WEEKENDER

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

ABERDEEN WHISKY FESTIVAL

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

BRISTOL WHISKY FESTIVAL

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

LIVERPOOL WHISKY FESTIVAL

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

YORKSHIRE WHISKY FESTIVAL

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

MANCHESTER WHISKY FESTIVAL

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

AND FINALLY…

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

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

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

On Tuesday March 31st we will be hosting JS Dupuis at our annual Glenmorangie whisky pairing dinner.

 Not only are we in for an incredible whisky pairing dinner we are also celebrating the long anticipated return of Glenmorangie’s Lasanta. Lasanta is now one of their core expressions and having been gone from our market for quite a while we are all very excited to have it back. With their Port and Sauternes cask finishes, Lasanta’s Sherry wood finish completes the lineup and compliments the others very nicely.

 Glenmorangie produces some of the worlds most elegant whiskies, due in part to their spirit coming of some of Scotland’s tallest stills. In 2004 Glenmorangie bought the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, of which we are very proud to be Vancouver’s SMWS Partner Bar, which bottles and markets some of the world’s rarest whiskies and was subsequently purchased by Moet Hennessy that same year.

Join us as JS takes us through the Glenmorangie lineup and shares tales from the distillery and our talented kitchen crew pairs 5 incredible whiskies with 5 stunning dishes.

 Please join us on Tuesday, March 31^st at 6:30 for our annual Glenmorangie Whisky Pairing dinner!

 As always these dinners sell out very quickly.

 Please plan for a safe ride home!

 The cost for this event is only $79 including GST and gratuity and is open to only 25 people!  click here to register

Learn More »

• Four Roses K&L Exclusive OESF (10 Years Old, 9 Months) Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon 750ml ($66.99) This past January we tasted another extensive round of Four Roses barrel samples and wound up choosing three more wonderful casks that help to illustrate both the quality and the diversity of the Kentucky distillery’s backstock. The ten year, nine month old OESF is the richest and roundest of the three barrels, despite the fact that it’s a month younger than one of its brothers. At 52.7%, the whiskey has evaporated more liquid and concentrated more oak into the spirit. Big, rich, oaky vanilla starts off the palate, more spice and peppery notes flutter towards the back, and the finish rolls in like a wave of cinnamon, clove, oak spice, and dry, woody notes. This is a classic, well-balanced, beautifully rounded whiskey. It’s of a style that we’re beginning to see less and less of in today’s market. Make this one your first choice.
• Four Roses K&L Exclusive OESK (9 Years Old, 7 Months) Single Barrel Cask Strength B ourbon 750ml ($66.99) This past January we tasted another extensive round of Four Roses barrel samples and wound up choosing three more wonderful casks that help to illustrate both the quality and the diversity of the Kentucky distillery’s backstock. Our nine year, seven month old barrel of formula OESK is a whopping 61.9% ABV with dark, brooding notes of oak and earth on the nose, fading in and out with undertones of burnt sugar and charred wood. The initial sip is all pencil shavings and more earthy notes before exploding on the finish with black cherry, oak spices, and a zippy note of white pepper. This is a rocks whiskey or a high-end Manhattan ingredient. The power and the intensity are best tamed by the addition of water and other ingredients. Not for the faint of heart.

• Jefferson’s K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Reserve Very Old Bourbon 750ml ($45.99) Jefferson’s is one of the few negotiant bottlers left that still has access to real Kentucky Bourbon. Most other second-party labels have moved on to MGP (formerly known as LDI) distillery in Indiana, which makes delicious whiskey, but is rather ubiquitous in today’s market. This single barrel from Jefferson’s mature stocks is one of the softest, more supple American whiskies we have in stock. The focus is clearly the creamy corn and the richness of the spirit. There’s a bit of an herbaceous note on the finish, hints of dried leaves and tobacco, but it’s still just a hint in the soft wave of oak and vanilla. In a store full of “cask strength” and “high rye” selections, this barrel clearly stands out from the pack. This is for those who like their Bourbon smooth.

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 Connemara Single Cask #4332.

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BENRIACH ONE OF 1000 COMPANIES TO INSPIRE BRITAIN

THE London Stock Exchange Group has released its list of ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ and The BenRiach Distillery Company is featured for the first time.

‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ is a celebration of some of the fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.    

As well as identifying 1,000 companies, the report examines in detail the opportunities and challenges facing SMEs and looks at the sectors and trends that will shape the future of the UK economy.

Over 100 sectors in total are represented; from manufacturing and engineering, to financial services and retail, with companies from across every region of the UK.

Eight of the fastest-growing food and drink companies are based in Scotland.

The report points out that the success of SMEs has a disproportionate effect on our national economic output. The Scale-Up Report, published last year by Sherry Coutu, found that boosting this ‘sector‘ by just 1% would create as many as 230,000 new jobs and add £38bn to UK GDP.

Xavier Rolet, Chief Executive, London Stock Exchange Group, believes the UK has some of the most inspiring growth businesses in the world.

“Our report showcases some of these fast-growing and dynamic companies – the type of companies we believe will help fuel the long-term growth of the UK economy,” he said.

To be considered for inclusion in the report, companies had to meet a range of criteria which included being UK-registered, having a turnover of between £6-£250 million in the last 12 months and a minimum of three years in operation.

Chancellor  George Osborne said: “This is a remarkable list of outstanding companies. These businesses have been built by the drive, commitment and vision of Britain’s entrepreneurs and business leaders. It is my privilege to be able to congratulate them all, and to thank London Stock Exchange Group for its work.”

BenRiach MD Billy Walker (pictured) said: “It’s an enormous compliment and a very pleasant surprise to be included in this prestigious list,” he said. “T his achievement is testament to the hard work, passion and commitment of our people across our four sites.”

Edinburgh-headquartered BenRiach markets three core brands – BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh single malts – from its three distilleries at Elgin, Forgue and Portsoy. Last year it announced a record pre-tax profit increase of 116% to £8.9m in its annual financial results alongside a turnover growth of 39.4% to £34.5m.

The Macallan 25 Year Old 1990

Single sherry hogshead cask bottled February 2015 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old & Rare Platinum Selection.

Macallan 25 Year Old $557.13

2015 Tickets on sale now!

4th Annual Cowichan Valley Whiskey Festival

Saturday April 18th, 2015 7pm to 10 pm at the

Ocean Front Suites at Cowichan Bay

 Tickets can be purchased at Beverly Corners Liquor Store, by phone at 250-710-2908 or Online

Appetizers & Door prizes $75 per ticket
Limited Tickets Are Available

http://cvwhiskeyfest.ca/

Irish Whiskey Tasting > The Vaults, Leith – Thu 19 Mar

Contrast and compare Society and proprietary Irish bottlings.

Sheffield Preview Tasting >  Leopold Hotel, Sheffield – Fri 20 Mar

Society Ambassador, Les Harrow introduces a preview of truly remarkable drams

Scotland v Ireland Tasting Lunch > 28 Queen St, Edinburgh – Sat 21 Mar

3 drams and 3 substantial courses: perfect warm up session for the game

Whisky & Beer Theme Night > The Vaults, Leith – Tue 31 Mar

As part of our Spritzich Whisky & Beer celebrations join us for a night focused on beer & whisky pairing

Browse All Tastings >

Browse New Outturn >

​Browse All Bottlings >

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

This week Joe Ellis reviews Aberlour 12 Year Old NCF 48%.

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