Gordon & MacPhail Whisky Tasting Masterclass @ Hard To Find Whisky
Friday 26th February 7pm.
Hosted by Stan Reid.
We are very pleased to have a new exclusive bottling to add to our portfolio. It is a 2006 Craigellachie and we have bottled as part of our 10th Anniversary celebrations. It is a cracking ex-Bourbon cask Craigellachie full of tropical fruits that you would more associate with an older whisky. For the rest of this month we have it at a special price of £45 after that it will be back to its full price of £49.95. We still have stocks of our Glenfarclas and Mannochmore which are 10% off at the moment.
Celebration of the Cask Craigellachie 9 Years Old Exclusive for The Whisky Shop Dufftown 10th Anniversary
Glenfarclas Family Cask 1991 22 Years Old Exclusive to The Whisky Shop Dufftown
Gordon & MacPhail Mannochmore 1993 21 Years Old Exclusive to The Whisky Shop Dufftown
Over the last few weeks we have been adding groups of 10 Independent Bottlings to our 20% sale for our 10th Anniversary. Here is a list of those still remaining.
Adelphi Sale Jan 2016
Sales Price Full Price
1 Adelphi Ardmore 2000 14 Years Old £67.15 £83.95
3 Adelphi Benrinnes 1997 17 Years Old £67.15 £83.95
4 Adelphi Bladnoch 1990 24 Years Old £79.15 £98.95
5 Adelphi Bruichladdich 2002 12 Years Old £67.15 £83.95
8 Adelphi Fascadale Batch 9 Ardmore 12 Years Old £43.15 £53.95
10 Adelphi Liddesdale Batch 9 Bunnahabhain 21 Years Old £67.95 £84.95
Cadenheads and Compass Box Sale 2016
Sales Price Full Price
3 Small Batch Miltonduff-Glenlivet 1990 24 Years Old £64.75 £80.95
5 Great King Street Glasgow Blend £21.55 £26.95
6 Great King Street Artists Blend £22.35 £27.95
7 The Spice Tree Blended Malt Scotch Whisky £35.15 £43.95
8 The Peat Monster Blended Malt Scotch Whisky £35.15 £43.95
9 The Lost Blend Blended Malt Scotch Whisky £63.95 £79.95
10 Hedonism Quindecimus £100.80 £126.00
Douglas Laing Sale 2016
Sales Price Full Price
1 Old Particular Bowmore 1996 18 Years Old £79.95 £99.95
2 Old Particular Bowmore 1998 16 Years Old £75.95 £94.95
3 Old Particular Bowmore 2000 15 Years Old £79.95 £99.95
4 Old Particular Caol Ila 1996 18 Years Old £70.35 £87.95
5 Old Particular Glen Keith 1993 21 Years Old £63.95 £79.95
6 Old Particular Glenallachie 1999 15 Years Old £45.55 £56.95
7 Old Particular North British 1991 21 Years Old £62.36 £77.95
8 Old Particular Royal Lochnagar 1997 17 Years Old £54.35 £67.95
9 Old Particular Speyside 1996 18 Years Old £59.15 £73.95
10 Xtra Old Particular Port Ellen 1982 34 Years Old £744.00 £930.00
Morrison & MacKay 2016
Sales Price Full Price
1 Carn Mor Celebration of the Cask Auchentoshan 1989 24 Years Old £96.75 £120.95
2 Carn Mor Celebration of the Cask Clynelish 1996 19 Years Old £77.55 £96.95
3 Carn Mor Celebration of the Cask Glenburgie 1988 26 Years Old £101.50 £126.95
4 Carn Mor Celebration of the Cask Longmorn 1991 £101.50 £126.95
5 Carn Mor Celebration of the Cask Macallan 1987 28 Years old £372.00 £465.00
6 Carn Mor Celebration of the Cask Macallan 1989 £336.00 £420.00
7 Carn Mor Celebration of the Cask Miltonduff 1988 25 Years Old £101.50 £126.95
8 Carn Mor Celebration of the Cask Mortlach 1995 20 Years Old £93.55 £116.95
9 Carn Mor Celebration of the Cask Strathmill 1992 23 Years Old £77.55 £96.95
10 Carn Mor Celebration of the Cask Tamnavullin 1991 24 Years Old £79.95 £99.95
Other
Sales Price Full Price
1 Rare Vintage Glen Grant 1955 £612.00 £765.99
2 Rare Vintage Glen Grant 1965 £292.00 £365.00
Whisky Time:
We’ve been keeping busy post-opening of the Visitors Center and the distillery. On the Visitors Center side, we’re currently planning our tour program, which will include a video and museum experience, as well as a walking tour of the production floor, a tasting in the cask house, and a flight of cocktails in the Visitors Center. Stay tuned as we look to launch tours in the spring. Andrew and his team have been working hard at the distillery, laying down casks to start them on their aging journey. The picture above shows Andrew pulling samples from a variety of different casks. We’ve been trialing the new spirit in a few different types to see the influence of the wood on color and flavor. Casks that once were full of bourbon will be our mainstay. This is a traditional approach to aging in Scotland, as the wood has been softened by the initial fill of bourbon. We call these ‘ex-bourbon’ barrels. The resulting whisky, after years of aging, will have delicate flavors weaved in through cask aging. We’ll keep you posted on progress. And last, but not least, our Virginia Highland Malt Whisky just rated 92 points by Wine Enthusiast! A few tasting notes included in the review: “…deep amber hue and a rich caramel and campfire-smoke profile, finishing dry and slightly hot, with sarsaparilla and lots of spice.” We agree, it’s delicious!
Upcoming Events:
Join us for the following events – some at the Visitors Center and others off-site. A Dram of Love: Love is in the air here at Virginia Distillery Co.! Join us this Saturday, February 13th from 11-5PM for our Dram of Love event featuring Gearharts Fine Chocolates who will be sampling a mini version of their decadent chocolate whisky truffle made with our Virginia Highland Malt. We will also be pairing a special Valentine’s whisky cocktail menu with Gearharts’ “Be Mayan” truffle made with chocolate, orange and cardamom. Whisky plus chocolate? Yes, please! The Bloom Trio will be performing live from 2-4PM and Spiked Food Truck will be on site from 11-5PM serving up their delicious booze-infused grub. Remember, Virginia is for Lovers and Lovingston is for single malt whisky! Thanks to January’s Snowzilla, we moved our Winter Whisky Fest to Saturday, February 27th. The Jon Spear band will be playing from 12PM – 4PM, and our friends at Northwest Salmon Ventures will be on-hand sampling their goodies. We’ll be open 11AM to 5PM so cozy up to the fire and relax with a flight as we take in the final moments of winter.
We will be at SMOKED! in Richmond on February 20th, but just found out this event is SOLD OUT. If you have a ticket be sure to stop by and say hi! Another great Richmond event will be happening on February 23rd from 5 to 7PM. Join us and the Rappahannock River Oyster Co. for a very special Whisky and Oysters party at Richmond’s hottest new oyster saloon, Rapp Session. We’ll be pouring samples of our Virginia Highland Malt Whisky. Chef Dylan Fultineer of Rappahannock has created a special menu of small bites for guests to sample at the bar which will include: Rappahannock’s award-winning oysters on the half shell, platter of smoked fish spreads, pickled sardines with Benton’s ham, and savory clam chowder shooters. A special cocktail made with our Virginia Highland Malt Whisky will be offered at the bar as well. This is a not-to-be missed event! The event is complimentary and is first-come, first-serve. Guests will receive a special take-home gift courtesy of Virginia Distillery Co. No purchase necessary.
Visit Us:
The Visitors Center is located at 299 Eades Lane in Lovingston, Virginia, about 35 miles south of Charlottesville off Route 29. We are open daily from 11AM to 5PM, except Sundays where we open at 11AM and close at 5PM. We are looking at expanding hours in March and will keep you posted! New menu changes coming up include the Highland Heart, made with lime, Luxardo cherry juice and a splash of cranberry juice, as well as the Caffeinated Kilt! This delicious coffee drink uses local Trager Bros. coffee, infused with brown sugar, vanilla bean, Virginia Highland Malt (of course!) and topped with vanilla bean whipped cream. Yum! Cheers and enjoy!
Glenmorangie Milsean
Very popular, selling fast!
Inspired by traditional sweetshops, ‘Milsean’ is the seventh annual Private Edition release from Glenmorangie distillery. The whisky was initially aged in ex-bourbon barrels then transferred and given a further maturation in re-toasted Portuguese wine casks! The time spent in the re-toasted casks has added a luscious, full bodied and sweet dimension to this Highland Scotch whisky.
Girvan 21 Year Old – 1991 – Càrn Mòr
Single Cask 137176
A 21 year old grain whisky distilled in 1991 at the Girvan distillery and bottled by Càrn Mòr for their Celebration of the Cask range. Aged in single bourbon cask #137176, only 178 bottles were filled in 2016 at 49.3% vol.
Glen Garioch 17 Year Old – 1998 – Càrn Mòr
Single Cask 3827
A 17 year old Glen Garioch single malt Scotch whisky, bottled by Càrn Mòr for their exclusive Celebration of the Cask Black Gold range. Beautiful colour on this sherry cask matured whisky, distilled 15th September 1998 and left to mature in single hogshead #3827 until January 2016. A small batch release of only 220 bottles, filled at cask strength 57.5% vol.
Bowmore 24 Year Old – 1991 – Càrn Mòr
Single Cask 616
This is the first Bowmore release by Càrn Mòr for their Celebration of the Cask series. Distilled 5th March 1991 and aged for 24 years in single bourbon hogshead #616. Bottled at cask strength on the 18th January 2016, only 160 bottles filled.
Longmorn 24 Year Old – 1991 – Càrn Mòr
Single Cask 54954
A Longmorn single malt Scotch whisky, bottled by Càrn Mòr for their Celebration of the Cask range. Distilled 30th April 1991 and left to mature for 24 years in a single cask hogshead #54954. Bottled 18th January 2016, 256 bottles filled at cask strength, 60% vol.
Longmorn The Distiller’s Choice
Longmorn The Distiller’s Choice has been matured in three different types of oak casks; first fill American oak, traditional oak casks and ex-sherry casks.
Glenlivet Guardians’ Chapter
Back in stock!
The Glenlivet Guardians’ Chapter, created from a subtle mixture of casks including American oak hogsheads, American oak barrels and Spanish ex-sherry butts.
We’re thrilled to announce that Glendalough Distillery has just won this Craft Producer of the year medal at the Icons of Whiskey 2016 awards! It’s the weekend, so sit back, take a load off and sip one of our fine drinks, safe in the knowledge that we come highly commended by Whisky Magazine!
Sláinte,
The Glendalough Team
The perfect Valentine’s Day gift just got better. If you’re looking for something extra special this Valentine’s Day, why not add your own bespoke message to a bottle using our engraving service? We can engrave your personal message onto a specially selected range of whiskies and deliver it directly to the address of your choice. You can also enjoy free delivery on all orders over £75 posted to a UK address. Next day delivery available! View the full range here
JACK DANIEL’S SINGLE BARREL SELECT ENGRAVED WITH FREE GLASS
This is perhaps the only Valentine’s gift you can purchase with another man’s name on it! The highest standard is maintained when crafting and selecting Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. In fact, just one out of every 100 barrels is set aside to mature in the highest reaches of the barrelhouses, making this an extra special whiskey for your someone special. £50 – Buy Now
HAIG CLUB – VALENTINE’S DAY ENGRAVING
Haig Club has quickly become one of the most popular products at The Whisky Shop. Launched by David Beckham it’s this year’s ”en vogue’’ whisky. Make it personal with our engraving service to leave a lasting mark on an unforgettable gift. The liquid has been crafted using a combination of grain whisky from three cask types. This creates a fresh, clean style that showcases butterscotch and toffee for an ultra-smooth taste. £45 Buy Now
GLENFIDDICH 21 YEAR OLD GRAN RESERVA WITH FREE GIFT PACK
The award-winning Glenfiddich 21 year old has been aged in casks that once contained premium Caribbean rum, which are used to finish this charming 21 Year Old expression. The whisky spends four months resting in selected Gran Reserva rum barrels, producing a finish that releases layers of intensity and sets it apart from the crowd. Each bottle of the Glenfiddich 21 year old will be accompanied by The Family Distiller’s Collection (3x10cl) and two glasses, perfect for sharing. £150 Buy Now
JOHNNIE WALKER LONDON LIMITED EDITION ENGRAVED
Looking for gift inspiration? Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the pinnacle of blended Scotch whisky-making; only 1 out 10,000 casks is deemed to be of sufficient character to deliver its remarkably smooth signature taste. The London limited edition bottle is engraved with a beautiful design featuring several of the city’s famous landmarks including Big Ben, the Gherkin, Nelson’s Column and Tower Bridge. Limited to just 2500 individually numbered bottles. £197 Buy Now
www.ralfy.com visits the land of kashmir and curry with Whisky Review 572 – Amrut Two Continents malt @ 50%vol
Feb 4th, 2016. Ticket sales for the 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival have set new records, with over 2,700 tickets valued at almost £75,000 being bought within the first hour of their launch this week.
Just 10 minutes after the website went live on Tuesday (February 2) transactions reached the same level that took an hour to achieve in 2015, while the same amount of sales in an hour took 24 hours on last year’s opening day.
Over 60 events in the packed programme taking place in whisky’s spiritual home from April 28 to May 2 have already sold out, and many more have limited availability. The events attracts thousands of visitors to Speyside to raise a glass to Scotland’s national drink.
Visitors from the UK, Europe and North America have been the driving force behind the sales, with whisky lovers from as far afield as Bahrain, Australia, Japan and India also snapping up tickets on the opening day.
Festival manager Pery Zakeri says the phenomenal demand has taken everyone surprise, and there seems no sign of sales slowing down.
She adds, “We have had ticket sales from a total of 22 different countries and in the first 24 hours of going live we had reached a sales value of over £91,000.
“I think this just goes to show how eagerly anticipated the Festival is this year. We have garnered a fantastic reputation for putting on a world class event, and people are making sure they get in early to get tickets for the activities they really want.
“As with previous years, the exclusive distillery tours have sold out first. The real whisky aficionados are always looking for very special experiences that are only available at the time of the Festival, so tours of distilleries not normally open to the public, such as Strathmill and Dalmunach, were snapped up within minutes.
“However, with 467 different events on the programme from whisky tasting and blending experiences and from heritage walks to traditional ceilidhs, there are still plenty of tickets available.
“The beauty of the Spirit of Speyside Festival is that it is small enough to be incredibly friendly and welcoming, but big enough so that there is something for everyone. But we’d urge anyone thinking about coming to book their events soon as tickets are selling very quickly indeed.”
The Festival is taking part in Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, and many of the events are focused on the theme. There will be the chance to enjoy drams against the background of stunning architecture, and visitors will learn about the innovation born in the region which is home to the world’s best-loved whiskies.
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, says, “The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is always a massively popular event with visitors from around the world and we are delighted to see so many people eager to take advantage of the opportunity to sample this unique aspect of Scotland’s history and culture in 2016.
“Much more than simply whisky tasting, the Festival celebrates Scotland’s national drink with an exciting and innovative programme of events, and we’re confident that the hugely encouraging sales over these first 24 hours will be maintained ahead of the Festival over the coming months.”
Along with helping whisky fans organise their itineraries and finalising details of the Festival, organisers are balancing that with planning their new mini-festival in the autumn.
It takes place from September 9 to 11 at Elgin Town Hall, and will bring many of the region’s whisky producers together under one roof on their own doorstep from September 9 to 11. Tickets for that event are due to go on sale after the main Festival in May.
Tickets for all events in the 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme are available to buy now at http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/ The Festival is also active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and on Instagram.
Picture caption: You’ll find whisky galore here….X marks the spot for the nation’s treasure – the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.
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
It’s a leap year which means there’s one extra day to indulge in your favourite drams. Happily we have seven new ones to choose from, so suit up and blast off into fabulous flavours!
CASK No. 112.10 A COMFORTING HUG IN A MUG
14 years old; refill barrel; 57.4%; Juicy, oak & vanilla
The nose balances sweetness (golden syrup, fudge) with vanilla and cereals – hints of cleaning cupboards disappear with water, leaving juicy tropical pleasures. The neat palate is lively and feisty – reduced it has delicious and comforting vanilla, marshmallows, strawberries and white chocolate.
CASK No. 1.196 SUNSHINE, MOTHERHOOD AND APPLE PIE
13 years old; 1st fill barrel; 57.2%; Sweet, fruity & mellow
The sweet, fruity nose (Turkish Delight, sherbet lemons, red lips, apples and pears) takes you to orchards and gardens. The palate is all sunshine, motherhood and apple pie – tart apple, sweet lollipop stick wood and Victoria sponge cake – easy and indulgent.
CASK No. 64.65 BITTER-SWEET AS LOST LOVE
14 years old; 1st fill barrel; 60.3%; Sweet, fruity & mellow
The nose offers salivating sweetness (toffee, marshmallows, Crunchie bars, maple syrup on ice-cream) and exotic fruits, which develop nicely with water. The bitter-sweet palate has lively, juicy fruits (kumquat, sherbet lemons, Caribbean punch), balsamic glaze, cinnamon, pickled ginger, vanilla and oak.
CASK No. 35.138 MISS AMERICAN PIE
20 years old; 1st fill toasted oak hogshead; 56.4%; Spicy & sweet
Cinnamon syrup over macaroons, liquorice, eucalyptus and American rye. Could music save their mortal souls from gingerbread laced with aniseed? Hints of dampened down bushfire smouldering with sweet perfume. Creamy coffee with orange zest on the day the music died.
15 years old; refill hogshead; 57.8%; Lightly peated
The nose has buttery cake mix, ginger biscuits, toasted tea-cakes and jam – but wait! – peat, wood-burning stoves and cockles in brine? The palate is smooth and sweet – but also peaty, salty, ashy and metallic – cooking burgers on a steam train shovel.
CASK No. 4.211 SUN, SAND, SURF AND SERENITY
24 years old; refill hogshead; 52.2%; Oily & coastal
Personality and character on the nose neat as well as on the palate. Aromas of barbecued langoustines, tarry ropes and ‘salty dog’ were followed by flavours of scallops wrapped in crispy pancetta whilst diluted a teasing perfumed smoke was released.
CASK No. 53.227 SWEET, SALTY AND SMOKY
18 years old; refill hogshead; 56.8%; Peated
Aromas of honeyed pork loin with lavender relish and mincemeat pie whilst the taste was that of broiled tuna steak. Water added a pork cutlet with a maple chipotle glaze and what seemed like a never-ending peat smoke/salty combo finish.
TICKETS SELLING FAST!
THE DATE
Friday 18th March & Saturday 19th March 2016
THE VENUE
The Honourable Artillery Company Armoury House, City Road, London EC1Y 2BQ
Whisky Live London returns to the Honourable Artillery Company once again, featuring over 100 fine whiskies for you to enjoy, more food and whisky pairings than ever before and a jam-packed schedule of Masterclasses! Whether a whisky enthusiast, a newcomer to the world of whisky, or just seeking a day out at a fantastic event, Whisky Live has something to offer everyone.
Whisky Live London runs over two days:
Friday 18th March 5pm to 10pm
Saturday 19th March 12 noon to 5pm
All tickets include entry to the show, samples of exhibited whiskies, hot food, served buffet-style, the Whisky Live tasting glass, food and whiskey combination samples and the Whisky Live show guide. VIP tickets include all of this PLUS an exclusive VIP Masterclass worth £25, VIP dining, entrance to the VIP Lounge and exclusive private VIP pourings.
Book signings
Ruth Ball – Rebellious Spirits at 18:00-18:30 on Friday 18 March
Neil Ridley/Joel Harrison – Distilled at 19:30-20:00 on Friday 18 March
Dave Wadell – The Knowledge: Whisky at 15:00-15:30 on Saturday 19 March
Ticket Options and Prices from £40
Full Day Entrance Ticket – £55 Entrance to Whisky Live London on Friday 18th March from 5pm – 10pm or on Saturday 19th March from 12pm – 5pm. Includes hot food, tasting glass and show guide.
Half Day Entrance Ticket – £40 Entrance to Whisky Live London on Friday 18th March from 7pm – 10pm or on Saturday 19th March from 2pm – 5pm. Includes hot food, tasting glass and show guide.
Weekend Entrance Ticket – £99 Entrance to Whisky Live London on Friday 18th March from 5pm – 10pm and on Saturday 19th March from 12pm – 5pm. Includes hot food, tasting glass and show guide.
VIP Tickets – £89 Entrance to Whisky Live London on Friday 18th March from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday 19th March from 12pm – 5pm plus an Exclusive VIP Masterclass worth £25. Includes VIP dining, VIP Lounge, Live tasting glass, showguide and exclusive VIP pourings
Confirmed Masterclasses
Friday – VIP
Neil Ridley – World Whiskies Awards 17:15-18:00
Charles Montanaro – Whisky cocktails 18:30-19:15
Lyndsey Gray (Craigallachie Hotel) – Don’t pigeonhole Scotch 19:45-20:30
Joel Harrison – Travel Retail 21:00-21:45
Saturday – VIP
Neil Ridley – World Whiskies Awards 12.15-13:00
Jonny Mcormick – Spectacular Speyside 13:30-14:15
Jonny Mcormick – Spectacular Speyside 14.45-15:30
Jonny Mcormick – Spectacular Speyside 16:00-16:45
Friday – Standard
Emiko Kaji – Nikka Expressions 17.30 -18.15
Alwynne Gwilt – Girvan 18.45-19:30
Saturday – Standard
Angus Dundee – Lorne McKillop 13.00-13.45
Iain Allan – Glen Moray 14.15-15.00
Michael Henry – Loch Lomond Whiskies – Spirit of a Truly Special Place 15.30-16.15
