With summer in the air here at TWE HQ, we think it’s time for a new competition. We’re big Highland Park fans and we’ve got a very special bottle to give away: Highland Park 1976 Orcadian Vintage.

The Highland Park Orcadian Vintages are an impressive range of whiskies, very limited releases that are increasingly hard to find. They range from the 1964, one of the oldest officially bottled Highland Parks ever released, through to the 1976, bottled at a comparatively sprightly 35 years old back at the end of 2011.

I was very fortunate enough to have a taste of the 1976 a couple of years back, and was very impressed.

HIGHLAND PARK 1976 ORCADIAN VINTAGE

Nose: Fruit skins, vanilla cream, milk chocolate, ground almonds and a hint of sea spray.

Palate: Soft to start, with a creamy mouthfeel. An initial burst of sweet apple turned slowly into mouth-puckering apple skins, with fruity caramel keeping things just sweet enough.

Finish: Long and lingering, with apples and custard, cinnamon fireball gobstoppers, nutmeg and a lingering hint of fruity Garibaldi biscuits.

Here’s what Gerry Tosh, then brand ambassador and now global marketing manager, had to say about the 1976:

It’s an impressive dram which sells for over £2,500 on the rare occasions that you can find it. We have a bottle, and we’re going to give it to one lucky Whisky Exchange customer.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning, is buy a bottle of Highland Park Dark Origins before 19 August 2015 and you will be automatically entered into the draw.

The Dark Origins appeared about a year ago and flew off the shelves, as you might expect a Highland Park fully matured in sherry casks to. About 80% of the whisky comes from first-fill casks and the majority of those are made from European oak, a combination that gives a huge sherried punch to the whisky. However, they then calm things down with a good dose of refill-sherry-cask-matured whisky, which adds a distinctly Highland Park character and lets their gently smoky spirit sing.

Nose: Sharp new leather and backbone of sweet raisins, with an Eccles-cake

richness, nutmeg, sharp clove notes, hints of charcoal and boot polish.

Palate: Bitter char at first, giving way to sweet raisins, wax polish and old armchairs. Orange and liquorice hints build behind damp bark, rich earth and gentle notes of green leaves.

Finish: Medium length, with dry raisins, anise and lingering salty liquorice.

Here’s what new global brand advocate, Daryl Haldane, reckons:

It’s a great dram in its own right, and the chance of winning a bottle of the 1976 makes it an even better prospect. For full details, head over to the competition page, but make sure to grab your bottle of Highland Park Dark Origins by 19 August 2015 to be in the draw.

You can find full details, including all of the competition rules, terms and conditions, on our Highland Park Orcadian Vintage prize draw page.

Macallan 1973 Speymalt
Bottle 2015 – Gordon & MacPhail

A 1973 vintage Macallan bottled by Gordon & MacPhail as part of their Speymalt series. Beautiful colour on this single malt scotch whisky, aged for over 40 years before being bottled in 2015 at 43% vol.

£485.50

Governor Beshear Names Heaven Hill Brands Vice President of Human Resources Debbie Morris to New Workforce Innovation Board

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear recently appointed Debbie Morris, Vice President of Human Resources at Heaven Hill Brands, to the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board (KWIB). The group’s overarching goal will be to foster a modern system of workforce development activities that will be flexible, coherent and responsive to the needs of business while designed to ensure that Kentucky builds a workforce able to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Morris has served in Human Resources with Heaven Hill Brands for 13 years. In her role she is responsible for the company’s personnel, labor relations, training, safety and process improvement efforts. Under her leadership, Heaven Hill has instituted numerous strategic Human Resources initiatives.

“Debbie is a strong leader with a great understanding of the workforce dynamics that affect our business, as well as, industry throughout Central Kentucky,” said Allan M. Latts, COO, Heaven Hill Brands. “I know the Commonwealth will benefit from her experience and expertise.”

Attached to the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, the new KWIB will ensure the state’s compliance with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA), the first legislative reform of the public workforce system in more than 15 years. WIOA reauthorizes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. “The quality of our workforce is the key factor that will dictate Kentucky’s ability to attract the jobs of the future and ensure Kentucky’s prosperity,” said Gov. Beshear. “That’s why I’m directing the new board to initiate and oversee critical strategies that will link workforce policies, education and training programs, and funding with the economic development needs of the Commonwealth and its regions in mind.”

An alumnae of Western Kentucky University who also studied at Bellarmine University, Morris is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from the Human Resources Certification Institute.

Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) 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 Whisky.

Taketsuru 17 year old 

Recently voted the best blended malt whisky in the world at the World Whiskies Awards. This whisky boasts a rich and complex flavour and also includes a hint of smoke.

£85 Click to buy

Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve

Yamazaki is Suntory’s flagship single malt. The surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt was born at Yamazaki.

£47 Click to buy

Nikka Coffey Malt 

The Nikka Coffey Malt is the result of a unique distillation process in “Coffey” type column stills, which are normally used for grain whisky production.

£70 Click to buy

Tel: 08456 803 489 Local Rate from Anywhere in the UK Lines open Mon – Sat from 10am till 6pm

Email: sales@htfw.com

In this edition of the HTFW newsletter we have focused on some truly amazing Whiskies bottled by those award winning Whisky specialists and our very good friends Gordon & Macphail.

During the mid 1960’s the Connoisseurs Choice range was born and has been a household name for Whisky enthusiasts ever since. Offering some truly amazing Single Malts at the most competitive prices you’ll be sure to find a Whisky from a Silent distillery or a forgotten gem at the best possible price. Many distilleries are only available in single malt format via the Connoisseurs Choice range and are quite often bottled at unique ages.

Speymalt! Probably our favourite range to come out of the G&M warehouses is a series of Single Malt bottlings from one of the Worlds most famous Scottish distillery, Macallan.

Something to note is that for a period in the 1960’s & 1970’s Gordon & Macphail were the official bottlers for Macallan.

Rare Old was Introduced in 1999 and this series carries some high age statements from high profile silent distilleries such as Port Ellen, Rosebank, Glenlochy and many more.

Don’t forget to try and make time to visit us at our new Retail Store in Birmingham’s Historic Jewellery Quarter where you can browse our full range of G&M bottlings, several of which are available to sample.

***For 5% Off All Gordon & Macphail Bottles Simply use the Code: 1895

***Offer ends Midnight Sunday 12th July 2015 For more information about any of the G&M bottles below simply click the image

Until next time Jason Kirby

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Glenmorangie Túsail Limited Edition Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($99.99)

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

Officially Amazing – The Glenrothes sets world record Burns Supper

Lord Provost Sadie Docherty hosted a record-breaking Burns Supper this year at the city’s Thistle Hotel on Friday 23 January.

The mercury has been rising this week in Scotland, and with near record temperatures outside, it might be a good time to cool down and take a look at Just Whisky’s latest whisky auction. This month sees them with a fantastic collection of lots, including some real rarities.

Check out the beautiful Balvenie Violinist Set – a real centrepiece of a collection with exquisite packaging. From the other side of the world they have some excellent Japanese lots, including some fantastic bottles from Karuizawa, Hibiki, Yamazaki, Nikka and Hakushu. Back home there are almost too many bottles to mention that peaked our interest – from Port Ellen for the Royal Wedding to old spring cap bottles. Just Whisky would love you to check out their auction and welcome your bids.

Auction Ends Sunday 12th July 8PM

Macallan 18 Years Old 1975

Distillery bottle of Macallan 18 years old. Matured in sherry wood casks distilled 1975 and bottled in 1994. A very collectable bottle. In excellent condition complete with original presentation box.

• 43% Vol
• 70cl

Balvenie 14,17 & 21 Years Old – Violin Limited Edition Set

An extremely rare Balvenie set comprised of 3 expressions from the distillery incased in an elegant violin style wooden presentation box, complete with mini arch and 3 stoppers replicating the scroll from a violin. Released for the Chinese market in celebration of the New Year, with a very limited number of only 100 sets made. Each of the 3 expressions have been housed in the traditional Balvenie style bottles, which have been beautifully engraved stating the age of whisky inside the bottle and also the bout of a violin.

Port Ellen 1982 Reserve Cask – TWE Royal Wedding 2011

As a tribute to the Royal marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton on 29th April 2011, The Whisky Exchange has selected one of Port Ellen’s finest casks of Single malt whisky to be bottled on the day of the wedding in honour of this special occasion. They specifically chose a 1982 vintage Port Ellen as this is the birth year of both bride and groom.

• 53.0% vol
• 70cl

Ardbeg Guaranteed 30 Years Old – Very Old

A very old, rare and collectable Ardbeg, released at the time Allied owned Ardbeg and Laphroaig before it fell silent for a few years. Presented in original wooden box.

• 40% vol
• 70cl

Johnnie Walker Blue Label – Sa Shin Do The Casks Edition

From the Johnnie Walker house a limited edition Blue Label blended Scotch whisky bottled in an elegant Wade Porcelain decanter for the Korean market. This special decanter features the four guardian gods from the Korean mythology, each guarding a direction on the compass. Blue Dragon guards the East, White Tiger guards the West, Jujak guards the South and Hyunmu guards the North. Each creature also has a corresponding element, Blue Dragon represents the wood, White Tiger represents the Gold, Juiak represents the Fire and Hyunmu represents the Water. Crafted from some of the rarest casks this limited edition release is bottled at 55.8% alc./vol.

• 55.8% alc/vol
• 750ml

Macallan 1948 – Select Reserve Miniature

A very rare and collectable vintage minature distilled by Macallan in 1948, aged for 51 years Sherry oak. Originally paired with the 700ml bottle.

• 46.6% vol
• 50ml

Springbank 35 Years Old 1969 – Adelphi Distillery

Distilled at Springbank distillery in 1969 then bottled 2004, this is 35 years old single malt for the Adelphi Distillery Ltd. Bottled at natural cask strength and unchill-filtered it is 1 of 425 bottles released.

• 58.5% vol
• 70cl
• Cask Number. 149

Glenlochy 49 Years Old 1952 – Old Malt Cask

A single cask bottling of Glenlochy single malt distilled in April 1952, aged for 49 years before being bottled in May 2001 by Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd as part of their Old Malt Cask range.  Bottled at cask strength  with no filtration & no colouring.

• 43% alc./vol
• 700ml
• Bottle No. 117 of 311

Auction Ends Sunday 12th July 8PM

Malt of the Month – Laphroaig 10 Year Old

The Islay Festival may have finished weeks ago, but July’s Malt of the Month has been chosen to help those of us who went relive the visit and to give those who couldn’t go a slice of Islay.

It’s Laphroaig’s 200th anniversary in 2015 and they’re celebrating throughout the year with events and special releases. We’ve decided to join in for July, knocking £5 off bottles of their flagship whisky: Laphroaig 10 Year Old.

I’m not very good at hiding my obsession with whisky from the distillery, and I love the fruity, briny, smoky, medicinal flavour combination that they get into their spirit. The way they make their whisky has changed gradually over time, but the 10 Year Old has always been their core release, showing the key flavour profile they are producing.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old, 40%

Nose: Singed lemons, cresosote-painted fences and pink shrimp sweets. There’s wood smoke and sea spray, as well as sweetness – toffee and candied citrus peel.

Palate: Oily on the palate, with charcoal and coal stoves to start. It’s not as sweet as on the nose, with layers of smoke, brine and hints of smoked fish. The initial dryness gives way to some gently fruity notes, with waxy apples joined by candied lemon and bitter Seville orange.

Finish: Barrel char, cinnamon spice and hints of fruit. A bonfire sits on the tongue, slowly fading to sweet anise.

Comment: Not as fruity as some of the older bottles, focusing on the core Laphroaig medicinal character with wood smoke as backup. Intense, distinctive and definitely Laphroaig.

To invoke the cliché, it is a Marmite dram – some people love it, some hate it. However, as an entrance into the peatier end of Scotch single malt, it’s second to none, and has converted many to the delights of sweet, smoky whisky. If you’ve not tried it before, then this is the perfect opportunity. If you have, then it’s time to stock up.

HIBIKI JAPANESE HARMONY

Introducing an eagerly anticipated new release from Suntory that brings to life the harmony of Japanese nature and craftmanship.

A delicate and well balanced expression that is both subtle and complex. A blend of more than 10 malt and grain whiskies creating a harmony of flavours and aromas.

Knowledge Bar: 

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.

Now in stock, immediate dispatch available on all orders.

Click to buy – £54