www.ralfy.com gets mixed messages from smelling and tasting an expensive blend with Whisky Review 570 – This is not a luxury Whisky

Hat-trick of award nominations for William Grant and Sons as Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Whisky Awards first round judging takes place

William Grant and Sons has impressed an expert panel gathered to shortlist entries in the 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Whisky Awards. The Glenfiddich 12, 18 and 21 year old expressions were shortlisted in all three of the award’s categories following a blind taste test on Speyside this week.

The judges – made up from a panel of eight industry experts – also put single malts from Glen Grant, Glen Moray and Cragganmore distilleries through to the final round.

The winner of each category is determined by visitors to annual five-day Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which takes place in venues across the drink’s spiritual home from April 28 to May 2. It’s the only awards scheme in the world where winners are determined by members of the public.

The six finalists were selected by judges out of 34 entries from distilleries across the Speyside region. The Glenfiddich 12 year old and Glen Grant’s 10 year old were selected for the malts under 12 – or no age statement – category. The finalists chosen for the 13 to 20 years section are the Glen Moray 16 year old and Glenfiddich 18 year old, while the category for malts over 21 is a head to head between Glenfiddich’s 21 year old and the Cragganmore 25 year old 2014 Special Release.

The awards are sponsored by Forsyths of Rothes – the coppersmiths responsible for building many of the pot stills in which the shortlisted single malts were distilled. The panel included a range of specialist whisky writers, connoisseurs and retailers.

Becky Paskin, editor of whisky website scotchwhisky.com, joined the panel for the first time. She says, “The traditional perception of Speyside whiskies is that they are all light and fruity in style, but this notion is outdated. If there’s one thing the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Whisky Awards demonstrates, it’s that as well as owning the greatest concentration of whisky distilleries in Scotland, Speyside is also home the broadest palette of flavours.

“Among the entrants in this year’s awards were heavily Sherried and spicy beauties, sweet yet peaty malts and even some intriguing wine cask finishes, all of which challenge the opinion of how a typical Speyside whisky should taste. If ever there was a whisky category offering something for everyone, this would be it.”

Renowned whisky aficionado and writer Martine Nouet has served on the panel many times in the past, but says she always comes away surprised at the range of malts on offer. “I have taken part in the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Whisky Awards judging since its beginning and every year, I am amazed at the growing diversity of aromatic profiles expressed by the whiskies in competition.

“This year, I found that the category 12 and under was the most challenging, with many younger whiskies than previously presented and more cask finishes. It is interesting to note that the finalist this year is the longest established single malt in Speyside. Tradition rubs shoulders with innovation, which results in offering whisky lovers a larger choice of styles and aromatic profiles. Wonders never cease,” she says.

Chairman of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, James Campbell, adds, “The judging process resulted in a lot of different opinions; the general consensus of the group wasn’t uniform across the board, which I think reflects the personal preferences and tastes of whisky drinkers everywhere. There was a lot of conversation happening throughout and many of the judges surprised themselves when scoring the malts, which is a testament to the blind tasting session.”

The final judging session and awards prize-giving will take place at a ceilidh on Sunday, May 1.

Tickets for all events in the 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme, including the roving judging sessions, can be bought via the website – http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/ from February 2. Keep up-to-date with the Festival on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter.

Notes

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors travelling to and from festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.

Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design

2016 will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of new and existing activity.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design will run from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 and will build on the momentum generated by the 2015 Year of Food and Drink as well as previous years including Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.

Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland’s position as an “innovation nation”, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed fashion, textiles and design sector.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, supported by partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate

About EventScotland:

EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit http://www.eventscotland.org/. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews.

EventScotland is a team within the VisitScotland Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland see http://www.visitscotland.org/ or for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination see http://www.visitscotland.com/.

Introducing Whisky Hammer – an exciting new whisky auction website, launching 1st February 

www.whiskyhammer.co.uk is an online malt whisky auction service, specialising in rare and collectable bottles. Based in North East Scotland, Whisky Hammer aims to offer a premium service for buying and selling whisky at auction. If you are looking to SELL, Whisky Hammer can offer a suite of seller benefits to help maximise the value of your bottle, including;

 – Introductory 0% seller commission offer

– Seller loyalty programme “Hammer Points” – providing commission credits for  regular sellers

– International exposure via unique online auction platform

For more information, check out www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

Whisky Fest 2016

All proceeds to Comox Rotary Projects.

Tickets are available through the front desk at the hotel. You can also call 250-338-7741 (and press 4) and pay with a credit card over the phone and then pick up tickets at your convenience.

Friday, January 29th

Whiskey Dinner. Macallan will be hosting “A Taste of Scotland” six course dinner with Whiskey pairings in a Long Table format. Hors d’oeuvres at 6:30, dinner begins at 7.30. There will be a cash bar for non whiskey pairings.

• Cost $60 + tax & gratuity.

Saturday, January 30th

Grand Tasting & Master Classes

• Single malts, blends, bourbons & rye
• Featuring local edibles & finger foods
• Free rides home within the Comox Valley
• Special room rates at the Westerly Hotel
• Cost $110.
  

Doors Open at 6:30PM

Master Classes, 7PM Promptly

Whiskey Around the World, Free
Take a trip and surprise your taste buds as you savour whiskies from around the world.  You will ask: “That whiskey is from where?” 

Tennessee Special, Free
Welcome to The Whiskey Family of Jack Daniel’s. You will be introduced to many different types of Jack for sippin’

Making Scents of Whiskey?, Free
An interactive Master Class where you decide what flavours this selection of fine whiskey offer. Wood, smoke, peat, vanilla…its all delicious!

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 101, Free
Enjoy several of our single cask, cask strength whiskies, all while learning about the history of the Society, our unique bottle coding system, our Tasting Panel’s quirky notes, and why there are 27,000 SMWS members around the world. Presented by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Amber to Sienna, $25
For an additional $25 you will taste a selection of The Macallan series, hosted by Macallan’s Brand Ambassador; Dan Volway

The Executive Club, $40 SOLD OUT
For an additional $40 you will savour some rare and premium whiskies while sitting in comfy, leather wind backed chairs.

Grand Tasting, 8PM

Travel the tasting floor and explore more than 50 varieties of single malts, blends, bourbon, and rye, alongside fabulous appetizers. 2015 participating vendors included Aberfeldy, Macallan, Highland Park, Glenlivet, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels, Woodford, White Owl, Centennial Rye, Glenfarclas, Cutty Sark, Dewars, and more.

Distilling Hunter Laing & Co: Islay Ventures!

Posted by Chris in Whisky News

This week Joe Ellis reviews Hankey Bannister Heritage Blended Scotch Whisky

https://youtu.be/1FBsPpl4J70

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

Hunter Laing & Co. FAMILY to build new distillery on Islay 

Island’s whisky-making prowess to strengthen with £8m investment 

Whisky entrepreneurs Andrew and Scott Laing, along with their father, Stewart, today reveal plans for Islay’s first new distillery in a decade. An application has been submitted with Argyll and Bute Council to build the new malt whisky distillery at Ardnahoe, on the North East coast of the island. Should permission be granted for the £8m project, land currently owned by Islay Estates will be transferred to the whisky company.

Since Hunter Laing & Co. began operating in May 2013, the highly successful independent bottler and blender has been investigating the opportunities for owning its own distillery. After extensive work, the family pinpointed the four-acre site near Port Askaig as the only viable option to meet the needs for their expanding business. Subject to approvals, the new distillery is expected to see the first drop flow from their stills by the end of 2017.

Commenting on the plans, Andrew Laing, Director, said: “We have shown formidable growth in the last two years and the time is now right for us to invest for the future. While this is our family’s first foray into distilling, my father’s 50 year record of blending quality products of high demand and our three generations of expertise in the whisky industry ensures we enter this venture with strong confidence.”

Adding his thoughts, Scott Laing, Director, said: “Our family has had a long affiliation with Islay and my father spent time in the early part of his career at Bruichladdich Distillery. The opportunity to bring fresh investment to the island, create jobs and provide a new chapter in Islay’s illustrious whisky-making history is tremendously exciting for all of us.”

The building of the distillery is planned in two phases, with the first seeing the establishment of distilling operations, warehousing and a visitor centre comprising of a café, tasting room and shop. The second will see an expansion of distilling operations and further warehousing. Contractors for the build have been identified and will begin cutting turf in May 2016, pending approval. The distillery will create several full-time positions on the island, as well as a number of seasonal roles.  Lord Margadale, Chairman of Islay Estates, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Hunter Laing in the development of a new distillery on Islay. This project will contribute considerably to the island’s economy through the direct provision of jobs, it will also increase the demand for barley from Islay farmers and add to the attraction of Islay as a destination for the increasing number of followers of Scotch whisky around the world. Islay is a beautiful, tranquil and fertile island that is famed for its distinctive whisky; this is an exciting opportunity to build on this reputation and to help secure a strong economic future for the Island.”

Remarking on the opportunity, Stewart Laing, Managing Director, said: “The surge in demand for single malt Scotch whisky from Islay in recent years has been extraordinary. While the established distilleries on the island have been increasing production, there is obvious room for yet further expansion in output as discerning drinkers the world over are charmed by the rich, smoke-filled flavours that have become such an integral part of the island’s style of whisky. The new facility is being designed to create a particular style of spirit that we know from our experience of selling whisky in 65 countries around the world will appeal to the Islay whisky lover. By building this distillery, we are fulfilling a long held dream. ”

Now the application has been submitted to the council, a 21-day public consultation period will begin.

Notes to Editors: 

• Hunter Laing & Co has been operating since May 2013 and owns a portfolio of much loved brands including Old Malt Cask, Old & Rare, Hepburn’s Choice and Sovereign.
• Hunter Laing & Co is an independent bottler and blender and distributes to 65 markets around the world in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australasia.
• Hunter Laing & Co reported pre-tax profits of £1.4m on a turnover of £6.4m for its last full year of trading (end 30 April 2015).
• Heathgreen Ltd is a whisky businesses wholly owned by the Laing family under the Hunter Laing & Co. group. Planning application for the new distillery has been submitted under the Heathgreen Ltd company.

Macallan Robert Burns Semiquincentenary

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

It’s January 25th, it’s Burns Night, and it’s precisely three years since our first distillation and cask filling – which means today, our first drop of spirit magically becomes whisky! It’s a hugely exciting moment for Wolfburn and for all our followers around the world – and we would like to say a heartfelt thank you for all the compliments and words of encouragement over the past 36 months; at times we have been almost overwhelmed with support and comradeship. In this edition of the Laydown: Win a cask head! A small test of your whisky-making knowledge – with a unique prize; the head of one of Wolfburn’s first casks, painted and stencilled with your name on it, as a wee celebration of our first three years of production. Next, Wolfburn round the world – a list of countries in which you’ll find our whisky for sale. And finally: a brief recap of our first madcap years – how Wolfburn went from greenfield site to fully fledged whisky producer.

Happy Burns Night to all our followers!

Slàinte

The Wolfburn Team

Beverly Corners Liquor Store and The Duncan Daybreak Rotary Club of the Cowichan Valley  are hosting our 5^th Annual Whisky Festival .  The fundraising event will take place from 7 pm to 10 pm at the Duncan Travel Lodge (Silver Bridge).  There will be over 50 whiskies to taste, delicious edibles and a silent auction.   

Tickets are on sale now for $85.00 each.  Tickets are limited to 200 so get yours soon! 

Our very own Whisky Lover Shannon Gregson will be leading a North American Rye Whisky Masterclass, before the main event, featuring award winning, highly rated whiskies from North and South of the border.  Tickets are $20.00 each and the class is limited to 20 seats   

Tickets Available at; 

cvwhiskyfest.ca – on line

Beverly Corners Liquor Store