www.ralfy.com celebrates having over 51,000 subscribers on YouTube with a wonderful discovery to be found at Whisky Review 516 – Glen Garvin 8yo Malt Blend

LONG LOST TREASURES FOUND!

January’s Outturn has been a big hit. So much so that many bottlings sold out in the first weekend. The adventurous, outdoorsy flavours – perhaps a touch piratical? – caught the imagination of members looking for a new year challenge. It’s the nature of single cask whisky that when it’s gone, it’s gone, and not everyone will be able to get a bottle every time. But this time you’re in luck: we found just a few more drops of three fabulously popular whiskies. Get yours now before they vanish over the snowy horizon again…

Spicy & sweet  55.26

Outdoor, masculine dram

14 years old
Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

£48.10

Deep, rich & dried fruit 39.105

Pirates puddings on the deck

14 years old
Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

£48.10

Old & dignified
9.82

Breathe in long!

25 years old
Refill ex-sherry butt

£98.00

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

The Balvenie Rare Craft Event in NYC’s Chelsea Market ran from 17 November 2014 through 22 November 2014, and gave place not only to rare and unique handmade pieces from artisans from all over the United States, but it also allowed ticket holders to sample  Balvenie whiskys while admiring the crafts. The collection curator was Indy racer Dario Franchitti, and the event itself was hosted by Balvenie Brand Ambassador David Laird, from Glasgow. My husband John and I attended on the final day, 22 November, and wanted to share some highlights with the other angels!

In all there were twenty-one crafts showcased, ranging from cars to clothing, but by far our favorite was a set of intricately decorated bagpipes made from Balvenie whisky barrels! These pipes were crafted by Roderick “Roddy” MacLellan, a Scot who emigrated to the U.S. in 1980 and who now lives in North Carolina. Some other favorites were: an Indy Car Parts Table by Julian R. Halpern of Steelhead Studio, a shuffleboard table by Todd McClure of McClure Tables, a guitar by Scott Baxendale of Baxendale Guitars, and a Sea Board (surfboard) by Mike Lavecchia of Grain Surfboards. The heart of the exhibit was a Morgan +8 Roadster, hand-assembled and crafted with extensive Balvenie branding. Wish we were allowed to sit in it!

While browsing, guests could sample Balvenie 12 Year Doublewood and 14 Year Caribbean Cask, but we were lucky enough to get into the Master Tasting later in the day. David Laird hosted and it was a rare treat. We sampled the 12 and 17 Year Doublewood, the 14 Year Caribbean Cask, 12 Year Single Barrel, and 21 Year Portwood! Lucky us, we got to take home Rare Craft branded Glencairn glasses and a Balvenie branded water dropper!

An amazing day, but your angels weren’t done yet. David invited us to the VIP after party, where we sampled more of the Balvenie range; the details are a little fuzzy at this point! A heartfelt welcome from David and live music started off the night, and NYC’s famous Meatball Shop catered the party. Unfortunately, we had to leave before the 25 Year Single Barrel was opened; we had to catch the last train home.

Maybe next year!

Marcie and John sent this to angels recently, we apologise for the late report!

http://angelswhiskyclub.com/awc/maarcie&john.asp

We do suggest other angels do the same, want to become an angel? It’s free, just email us at members@angelswhiskyclub.com

A. SMITH BOWMAN DISTILLERY WELCOMES HOME

A NEW 500 Gallon STILL NAMED GEORGE

Two Minute Video Captures the Build from Start to Finish 

Fredericksburg, VIRGINIA (January 20, 2015) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery just welcomed home a brand new still, naming it George, after the father of the pioneering Bowman brothers. George, also known as still number 1965, found his place next to Mary, the existing whiskey still, on Thursday as the installation process began. Mary is named after Mary Hite Bowman, George’s wife, and the mother of the Bowman brothers.

Designed to create more than just whiskey, the new still was custom made, with unique features chosen by Master Distiller Brian Prewitt that allow him the freedom to explore his passion for creating new and exciting expressions. George also enables A. Smith Bowman to craft spirits from start to finish.

“We want to have the capability to try anything and everything, and with George, we should be able to do just that,” Prewitt said. “We’re excited to do some experimenting, try new things and continue to make great spirits here at A. Smith Bowman Distillery.”

George is a 500 gallon hybrid pot still with a reflux onion, optional gin basket, and attached columns with bubble cap trays. These features allow Prewitt to create many different flavor profiles and a variety of spirits including vodka, gin, and whiskey. Standing at 24 feet tall with a pot that is approximately 1,700 pounds, George will weigh nearly four tons when full.

While George allows the Distillery to pursue their passion for new expressions, current A. Smith Bowman spirits will continue to be crafted in their consistent method.

George arrived at the Distillery after making his journey from Vendome Copper and Brass Works in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was built. Though George is now fully assembled, final connections are still in process before his inaugural distillation run.  George is expected to be in full operation starting in March.

To see a 2 minute time lapse video of George being assembled click here.

About A. Smith Bowman

A. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  In response to the rapid rise of taxes in Northern Virginia, the Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit http://www.asmithbowman.com/.

KEENS TASTING

Masters Series Winter 2015

Join us for a series of tastings featuring wine and spirits chosen by one of America’s foremost wine and spirits authorities, F. Paul Pacult, editor of The Spirit Journal.

Wednesday, January 28, 7:00 p.m.

ROBBIE BURNS NIGHT…THE TRADITION CONTINUES with Highland Park, Chivas, Glenlivet, and Aberlour

This evening continues the custom of celebrating the life and work of Scotland’s Robert Burns, the composer of Auld Lang Syne, A Red, Red Rose, Tam O’Shanter, Ode To A Haggis, and many more.

Robbie Burns Night at Keens is an annual festival of bagpipe music, searing poetry, haggis and, most of all, the sensory enjoyment of 100% barley malt whiskies produced at iconic distilleries, Highland Park, Chivas, Glenlivet, and Aberlour.

$95 per person For reservations call Keens Steakhouse (212) 947-3636 – Please register early as we expect this event to sell out –

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM

Please fax back to us at (212) 714-1103

or email to banquets@keens.com

Whisky Pizazz is coming to South Bay

This year on March 26, WoW brings the ‘Art of Whisky’ to San Pedro Square Market, downtown San Jose’s most unique culinary and entertainment venue.  Giving San Jose their own taste of the wonderful world of whisky, there will be over 150 whiskies to sample and pair with food from most of the San Pedro Market culinary kitchens. The all-time favorite Glenlivet and High West Distillery will conduct a whisky Seminar, and a premium cigar exhibitor will give a Whisky and Cigar pairing seminar.

Contact:

 Doug@Whiskiesoftheworld.com | t. 408.225.0446 | w. whiskiesoftheworld.com

Hi folks. the 46th auction is now live. Enjoy.

VIEW THE 46th Auction

Kind regards from Glasgow – the SWA Team

Spirit of Toronto returns May 2!

A belated Happy New Year; winter may be in high gear but hopefully this missive finds you in good health and good spirits as we count down to the 11th annual Spirit of Toronto on Saturday, May 2 at Roy Thomson Hall.

Following up on the excitement of our 10-year birthday bash, we’re ready and eager to welcome you back to Canada’s premiere tasting event. A full programme of whisky and spirits is in the works, and once again we aim to feature something for everyone, including a small reprise for Islay-ophiles, and a special treat for lovers of straight rye.

Tickets for this year’s Spirit of Toronto Annual Whisky Gala go on sale Monday, March 23 at 10:00am. and may be purchased from Roy Thomson Hall’s box office. Those of you subscribed to this list will receive an automatic email notification the night before.

The schedule for this year’s Spirit of Toronto Masterclass Series will be published ahead of our on-sale date in March. Seats for these tutored tastings may be reserved when purchasing tickets to the show. Stay tuned for full details in the next update.

Coming in from out of town?

No need to wait to arrange your travel plans, once again our hotel partner is offering a discounted rate within walking distance of Roy Thomson Hall.

The Marriott Residence Inn Downtown Toronto is 3 blocks from Roy Thomson Hall and has a limited number of Studio Suites with full kitchen and living area available for $159 per night which includes WiFi, highspeed internet and a hot buffet breakfast. These can be booked by calling the hotel directly at 416-581-1800 and quoting “Spirit of Toronto” or by clicking here.

Discounted rates are also available from the Fairmont Royal York across from Union Station; these can be booked by calling the hotel directly at 416-368-2511 and quoting “Spirit of Toronto”.

Single Minded 2015: A Modest Guide to Really Good Whisky

For those of you feeling thirsty between now and May 2, Single Minded 2015 is now published and available to order online at www.singleminded.ca.

Based on more than ten years worth of tasting and travel—both as an enthusiast and in my role as executive producer of the Spirit of Toronto—this is my love letter to whisky, featuring the everyday drams that I purchase for myself, at my own expense.

This third edition covers more than three dozen whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States. No limited editions, no ratings and no Pappy: just affordable whisky within easy reach that is every bit as good (and often better) than bottles costing twice the price.

Kirsty Wark – ‘my memories of whisky are from a very early age’

Kirsty Wark has been a television presenter for nearly 30 years; her debut novel was published in 2014

We caught up with Newsnight presenter and author Kirsty Wark to discuss her love of Scotch whisky, what she likes to drink, and how she drinks it.

What’s your earliest memory of whisky? My memories of whisky are from a very early age. My father would go fly fishing, most often on the River Doon on Saturdays, and when he came home he would pour a whisky and soak in the bath. He was fond of Highland Park. When I was little there would be an empty bottle of Dimple into which Mum would put sixpences, and there was always a hip flask of whisky at rugby internationals.

What attracts you to whisky? I like it over other spirits because of the smell, the colours and the history.

What else do you like about it? I love the fact that all distillery professionals take their jobs very seriously and are incredibly knowledgeable, knowledge handed down through generations. A friend of mine’s son from Port Ellen studied astrophysics at Glasgow University and gained a First, but his summer job was at Ardbeg, and now whisky is his life; he represents the company throughout Canada and North America.

Have you visited many distilleries? I’ve been to several Islay distilleries, and for a while I drank Laphroaig, but eventually found it too intense. Of the Islay malts, I like Bruichladdich.

You’re a fan of Arran, too, aren’t you? Thirteen years ago, my husband and I were invited to lay down a cask at Lochranza, so in 2017 we’ll have 360-odd bottles of our own Arran malt. I love Arran’s distinctive warming taste and pale colour.

How do you drink your whisky? My father will be birling in his grave, but I like my whisky with ice.

Any memorable purchases? I am new to whisky auctions but they are a wonderful place to wander and check the labels, typefaces and the design. I bought my husband a bottle of 30-year-old Macallan for £100. I think I got a bargain, and as the bottle has long been empty, I think he thought so, too.

• The Legacy Of Elizabeth Pringle by Kirsty Wark is published by Two Roadsin paperback, priced £7.99. It is also available as an ebook.

The Collectors Corner