Maker’s Mark Private Select TPS Private Barrel – We’ve been patiently waiting for 5-6 months for this bad barrel of bourbon to show up. With Maker’s DNA at the base, it’s a no-brainer for any Maker’s Mark lover; but with the additional 4 months of aging with our personally selected stave recipe, what’s in the bottle is Maker’s Mark on steroids. It’s bigger, bolder, richer, and more flavor packed than we could have imagined. This TPS selection is also on our Spirits Library. So stop by when it is open (typically 3pm-7pm, but call first) and ask J.O. for a taste.

www.thepartysource.com

95 Riviera Drive, Bellevue, KY 41073  

(859) 291-4007

GLASSWARE FIRM LAUNCHES WHISKY-FILLED CHANDELIER

An exclusive glass chandelier featuring whisky-filled drops has been launched by a Scottish giftware firm.

Stirling-based Angels’ Share Glass has created the unique Whisky Drops Chandelier as part of their ambitious £25K Crowdfunding campaign for a new glassmaking studio.

Anyone who contributes £500 to the family firm’s appeal will receive one of the stunning chandeliers in return.

The Chandelier was designed by the firm’s talented glassmaker Bee Hardy, who has a background in creating lighting, and handmade by Bee and the firm’s co-director Karen Somerville.

Karen says: “We’ve always had great feedback about our signature product – glass angels filled with whisky – and we thought wouldn’t it be amazing to have a chandelier featuring whisky in the same way.

“Bee and I chatted through some ideas before she came up with her fantastic design featuring a copper fixture with long glass drops coming down which are either coloured or filled with whisky.

“We’ve only created four and they are all handmade and hand-blown so no two are exactly the same.

“If they prove popular we could look into designing more.”

The Whisky Drops Chandelier is the latest perk released by Angels’ Share Glass as part of the Crowdfunding bid to create a state-of-the-art glassblowing studio.

The family firm, which specialises in gifts for whisky lovers, wants to increase production and train up a new generation of glassmakers to continue its legacy.

Co-founder Tom Young has been making glass by hand using traditional methods for nearly 60 years and currently works out of a home workshop where he trains an apprentice.

But the firm’s success means that unit is now too small to keep up with demand and plans have been drawn up for a fully-equipped studio at the company’s premises.

The New Studio campaign is being run through crowdfunding platform Indiegogo and can be found at http://igg.me/at/angelsstudio

The Chandelier can be reserved in return for a contribution of £500 plus shipping.

Karen says: “I think our chandeliers would look fantastic anywhere – whether that’s in a home, a whisky bar or perhaps the entrance to a distillery – and they would certainly make a great talking point.

“We’re hoping they’ll provide a huge boost to our Crowdfunding campaign and our plans to create the new studio later this year.

“So far people have been incredibly generous with their donations and we’re genuinely touched with the amount of support we’ve received from customers, friends and business colleagues in our local community and from much further afield.”

Angels’ Share Glass has already raised £8,000 – just over 30% of the funds needed – towards the studio via the campaign which runs until the end of April.

More information about the bid plus a video showing Tom and Bee at work in their current studio can be found on the firm’s website – www.angelsshareglass.com

Notes: Angels’ Share Glass is a family-run business based in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling. The firm is co-directed by Karen Somerville and her father Tom Young – a world-renowned Master Craftsman who has been glassblowing and making lamp-work glassware for 60 years.

Kilchoman Sanaig to launch on US soil

We’re only a few weeks away from the arrival of Kilchoman’s second continuous release, Kilchoman Sanaig. Established in 2005, Kilchoman, Islay’s Farm Distillery, is best known for Machir Bay, up until now the only continuously available release from the independent, family run distillery.

Kilchoman Sanaig 46% abv

Named after an inlet North West of the distillery, Sanaig has a predominantly sherry cask influence owing to the significant time spent in Oloroso sherry Hogsheads. These aged Oloroso casks contribute a drastically transformed depth of colour and character compared to the mostly Bourbon cask matured Machir Bay. ‘Cask Influence’ bars now feature on the packaging of both Sanaig and Machir Bay to illustrate the differing flavour profiles of the distillery’s two core expressions. Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder and Managing Director says, “Sanaig represents another significant step forward for Kilchoman, it is important to be able to offer customers consistently available releases, until now Machir Bay has been performing that leading role, Sanaig will now share the spotlight.” Tasting Notes: Kilchoman Sanaig Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky  Colour: Beech wood Nose:  Soft cooked fruits with caramel and vanilla. Palate:  Toffee, peat smoke and citrus with lingering sweetness. Finish:  A lovely balance of peat smoke, fruit and sweetness. RRP – $74.99

Caledonian 34 Year Old 1976 Dead Whisky Society
Lowland Single Grain Scotch Whisky

$436.21

Caledonian 34 Year Old 1976 vintage Lowland single grain Scotch whisky. Single cask #900015 bottled March 2011 by the Dead Whisky Society. Caledonian is a lost Edinburgh grain distillery. 295 numbered bottles. Caledonian Distillery opened at near Haymarket Rail Station in Edinburgh circa 1885. It was one of the biggest distilleries in the world until it closed in 1988, today the site is a mixture of apartments and hotels.

APRIL TASTINGS 

Auction Live Now!

Just Whisky got in touch to say their latest auction is now Live. Some of the bottles on offer this month is simply incredible, including the World’s Oldest Whisky – a spectacular 75 Year Old Mortlach by Gordon & MacPhail.

Other highlights include one of the strongest selection of old Macallan bottlings we’ve seen at auction, with many vintages from the 60’s. Islay is well represented with the Legendary Black Bowmore bottling, and there are some crackers from Japan too.

Bidding Ends Sunday 17^th from 8PM (UK Time)

www.just-whisky.co.uk

International Beverage Celebrates More Big Wins as San Francisco Results Announced

International Beverage Holdings has continued its remarkable winning streak this year with a clutch of eleven medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition – including the highest award for a recently launched expression of anCnoc Highland single malt Scotch whisky.

Results from these most respected and influential global awards saw anCnoc’s dark and smoky ‘Rascan’ – launched late last year as the fourth global expression in anCnoc’s successful Peaty Collection – take the highly coveted ‘Double Gold Medal’, indicating an outstanding product earning top marks from all competition judges.

In a field of more than 1,850 entries, the business scooped a further four Gold Medals across its exceptional portfolio – for anCnoc 12 Year Old, Old Pulteney 12 Year Old, Balblair Vintage 2005 and Hankey Bannister Original Blend.

Silver Medals were awarded to Old Pulteney Navigator, Balblair Vintage 1999, Speyburn 10 Year Old, Speyburn Arranta Casks and Caorunn Small Batch Scottish Gin, with Speyburn Bradan Orach taking Bronze.

Since its introduction in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has grown to become one of the most respected and influential spirits competitions in the world. Winners are chosen during a rigorous four day blind tasting process, and achieving a medal indicates a spirit of the highest quality that is amongst the very best that the global industry has to offer.

These prized accolades for International Beverage come just days after ‘Maritime Malt’ Old Pulteney won another of the industry’s most prestigious prizes, with its 1989 Vintage crowned ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the 2016 World Whiskies Awards.

International Beverage Marketing Director Karen Walker commented: “This has been an extraordinary start to the year for everyone in our business. Spirits are still high following our huge win at the World Whiskies Awards, so this news from San Francisco means that the celebrations across our five distilleries will continue. These awards really are the top honours in our industry, and the tough judging process and strict criteria mean that a medal of any colour is very special. My congratulations and thanks go to our hard working and dedicated distillery teams who continue to craft spirits of such quality and character. We are all very proud to see their efforts recognised on the global stage in this way.”  

About International Beverage Holdings

International Beverage Holdings Limited is one of the industry’s most dynamic global drinks businesses. Established in 2006 as the international arm of ThaiBev, the company specialises in developing distinctive, premium local brands for global growth, with a portfolio that is led by a range of high quality Scotch whiskies and includes some of the fastest growing and most prestigious beers, spirits and whiskies on the market today. These high quality brands are enjoyed by consumers in over 85 global markets and include:

• Chang, Thailand’s iconic global beer brand
• Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
• Blended Scotch Whiskies: Hankey Bannister, Catto’s, MacArthur’s
• Caorunn, a super premium small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals
• Thai spirits: Phraya, Mekhong

International Beverage’s international operation is headquartered in Hong Kong, with two major bases in China and Scotland and a growing number of regional hubs around the world. The business is focused on the delivery of winning investment, sales and marketing strategies and is committed to producing brands of character, representing the care and craftsmanship of the people that make them – from the brewers of Chang Beer in Thailand, to the distillers of the fine single malt Scotch whisky Old Pulteney in Scotland. Crucially, the global development of every brand continues to be rooted in its home territory, supporting the company’s mission to build authentic brands of outstanding character.

International Beverage is investing in ambitious growth across its global operation, employing over 850 highly skilled people across production, sales, marketing and finance, together forming an effective and expert international team

Nova Scotia’s Glynnevan® Whisky Win Medals at Prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Guysborough, Nova Scotia – Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company Ltd received a Silver Medal for its GLYNNEVAN® Double Barrelled Canadian Rye Whisky  at the 16th annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), held from March 17 to 20, 2016.

Regarded as the most respected and influential spirits competition in the world, this year’s SFWSC was the largest in its history, judging more than 1,850 submissions. Medal winners are chosen through a rigorous blind tasting process over four days to ensure integrity and impartiality. As a result, the SFWSC states that their medals have “come to be the most reliable indication of spirits excellence, and spirits recognized as medal-worthy by our judges are understood around the world by both the trade and consumers to be the best the industry has to offer.”

“We are honoured to have our GLYNNEVAN® Whisky recognized by this internationally renowned group of spirits experts at the world’s most prestigious blind tasting competition”, said Glynn Williams, President, Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company Ltd. “This recognition demonstrates that our handcrafted Nova Scotia spirits can compete with the best in the world.”

A new Canadian tradition where the spirit of prairie grain comes to rest in barrels in the Authentic Seacoast Distillery on the historic Guysborough harbour, GLYNNEVAN® Whisky’s second barrelling by the Atlantic creates a smooth, distinct and uniquely Nova Scotian rye whisky. Layers of aroma start with sweet rye spices and honey, followed by toasted oak, vanilla, cinnamon and a hint of tropical fruit. The taste is sweet with notes of creamy vanilla, spice, butter, hazelnut toffee and caramel. Read more about GLYNNEVAN® at http://www.glynnevan.com/.

About Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company

Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company produces small batch, craft blended spirits including GLYNNEVAN® Whisky, FortressTM Rum and Sea FeverTM Rum at its distillery next to Osprey Shores Golf Resort on the historic Guysborough harbour, and is part of Authentic Seacoast Company, which includes Osprey Shores Golf Resort, historic DesBarres Manor Inn, Rare Bird Pub, Skipping Stone Cafe & Store, Full Steam Coffee Co., Harbour Belle Bakery, Authentic Seacoast Brewing Co. (makers of Rare Bird Craft Beer), Glanbùrn Artesian Water, Authentic Seacoast Soaps and the Authentic Seacoast Store.

About Authentic Seacoast Company

Authentic Seacoast Company’s vision is to restore the proud trading legacy of a seacoast village in Nova Scotia and to create jobs in the community on a sustainable basis by producing and sharing high quality products and experiences that are authentic and memorable. Authentic Seacoast Company embodies the fresh sea air, industrious people and proud determination that has kept this special place by the sea alive over the past four centuries.

Read more at: www.glynnevan.com www.fortressrum.com www.authenticseacoast.com www.sfspiritscomp.com

Ian Macleod Distillers triumphs at 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Family-owned, independent spirits company, Ian Macleod Distillers, is delighted to have been awarded an outstanding five Gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, America’s most respected international spirits competition.

Three brands owned by Ian Macleod Distillers came up tops in the prestigious competition including; Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky.

• Tamdhu Batch Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Double Gold
• Tamdhu 10 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Gold
• Glengoyne 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Gold
• Glengoyne Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (BATCH 3): Gold
• Isle of Skye 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky: Gold

The competition took place on the 17^th – 20^th March in downtown San Francisco, where a panel of carefully selected spirits industry experts blind tasted over 1,700 sprits, the widest range in the 16-year history of the competition.

Commenting on the awards Neil Boyd, Commercial Director of Malts for Ian Macleod Distillers, said, “After winning three awards at the same competition last year, we are thrilled to have topped that this year with five much sought-after Gold medals.

“With a record number of entries, it is great to receive such a high recognition for the quality of our products, especially as the judging and evaluation process is always so rigorous!”

Since its establishment in 2000, The San Francisco World Spirits Competition has become the largest international spirits competition in America, as well as the most influential in the industry. Entries are scrutinised by the finest palates and the judging is blind, ensuring competitive integrity.

Ian Macleod Distillers is one of Scotland’s leading independent, family-owned distillers, blenders and bottlers. The company acquired Glengoyne Distillery in 2003 and Tamdhu Distillery in 2011.           

For more information, please visit www.ianmacleod.com. 

Please drink responsibly.

www.drinkaware.co.uk www.scotch-whisky.org.uk

Tamdhu Batch Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 

Nose: Red berries, sultanas, walnuts, hints of pecan, delicate citrus and oak, creamy vanilla, cookie dough.

Palate: Powerful burst of richness, fantastically rounded with sherry oak, spice and dried fruit. Kept on the palate, lighter fruits come to the fore – apricot, orange and crème brûlée.

Finish: Rich, biscuity and malty, toast and marmalade with pleasing fruitiness lingering.

Tamdhu 10 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Nose: Very appealing and fragrant; sugar syrup with delicate peach and orange, mixing with fresh oak, cinnamon and leather, sugared almonds and vanilla. 

Palate: The fruitiness and spice blend brilliantly with a pleasing toffee and sherry richness building as it is held on the palate. 

Finish: Fruit and vanilla linger becoming pleasantly drying with a hint of distant peat smoke.

Glengoyne 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Nose: Coconut oil, honey, lemon zest, dried oak. 

Palate: Toffee apples, cinnamon spice, ginger, orange, shortbread. 

Finish: A hint of sherry and soft oak. Very well balanced.

Glengoyne Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (BATCH 3) 

Nose: Warm baked custard, peppered strawberries, digestive biscuits, soft oak and a short sherbet tingle.

Palate: Thick rosehip syrup, demerara sugar developing into a spicy, gooseberry dryness. Wonderful balance, nothing dominates.

Finish: Very long.

Isle of Skye 12 Year Old Blended Scotch 

Nose: Ripe, fruity and well balanced. Sherry, dried fruits and a hint of smoke. Water brings out a butter edge. A lot going on. 

Palate: Overall, a little drier than the nose suggests but with excellent, soft, mid-palate weight. Light smoke all the way through. 

Finish: Ripe and soft

Back to school for lessons in whisky at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

Imagine a school that is open just three days a year and is devoted to its students’ favourite subject, and it is little wonder that there’s world wide appeal – and a lengthy waiting list – for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Whisky School.

It’s an experience that couldn’t be replicated anywhere else in the world, as only in Speyside, a region which is home to more than half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries, can you find the unique mix of industry experts, specialist industries and the goodwill that make the whisky school the success that it is.

That’s the view of four whisky legends who, with a collective knowledge of 200 years in the art of making whisky, founded the annual school which has become a magnet for dram lovers from all over the globe.

During the comprehensive three day programme, students learn about single malt whisky production from the raw material to the finished product through a series of lectures from industry experts, complemented by site visits.

A love of whisky knows no boundaries, with past pupils coming from Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, India, Israel, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Myamar, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand and the USA, and of course the UK.

Despite the mix of nationalities, culture and language differences have never been a barrier, with a shared devotion to whisky serving as one of the best ice breakers around.

Students are drawn from all walks of life – couples, the retired, a bush pilot, paratrooper, doctor, even industry professionals with a thirst for tapping into the specialist insights on offer, are among graduates.

The majority sign up because they want a deeper appreciation and understanding of whisky; some even come with a vision of setting up their own distillery.

The school’s founding fathers Ed Dodson, Dr Tim Dolan, Charles Smith and Peter Warren got behind the venture in order to give something back to an industry which has been good to them.

They’ve found that same generosity of spirit across Speyside when seeking lecturers, venues to visit and other support for the school. Industry experts freely give of their time, and firms are happy to open their doors and welcome scholars to their venues, explains Peter Warren, who continued a four-generation family association with distilling, holding senior management positions and still working on a consultancy basis.

“The whole industry supports us, and everyone involved volunteers their time,” Mr Warren explains. “Like us, there’s a feeling that people want to give something back to the industry that they enjoy.”

Charlie Smith’s lengthy career in whisky management saw him work both in his native Speyside and other parts of Scotland. Mr Smith is adamant that for a complete grounding in whisky production, nowhere comes close to the experience offered on Speyside.

He says: “Speyside is the only place with the facilities that allow the school to reinforce what’s been taught in lectures with site visits. You just cannot replicate that anywhere else in the world.”

The exclusive school has places limited to just 18 in order to ensure students derive maximum benefits.

Dr Tim Dolan has extensive academic and industry experience which as well as management included teaching, coaching and lecturing. He says that although the whisky school could attract many more pupils, its protected size delivers better learning opportunities.

“Small is beautiful,” says Dr Dolan, “and the essential thing is to give the right experience, for students to be able to speak to lecturers and ask questions, and because space can be restricted on technical visits.”

Outgoing whisky school director Ed Dodson worked in the Speyside whisky industry for more than 40 years, retiring as manager at Glen Moray Distillery in Elgin in 2005, and has reflected on the whisky school’s success.

“We have people who are genuinely interested in discovering the art of producing Scotch. The big attraction is gaining a more detailed knowledge of production than can be obtained by just visiting distilleries or reading about it. Contact with the speakers and having questions answered in detail is important for the students.

“There’s always been international appeal and the main interest comes from the Scandinavian countries and Canada and USA. There’s been more interest from Asia in the last couple of years.

“I feel that it is the range of subjects covered by eight lectures, each presented by specialists and backed up with excellent technical visits is what makes this school unique. There are other excellent whisky schools but we are in the fortunate position of having different distilleries, a malting, coppersmith and cooperage to visit as a follow up to the lectures. Being part of the festival makes it even more appealing.”

Mr Dodson’s invaluable contribution to the whisky school has been lauded by festival organisers as he steps down from the role of director, to be succeeded by another whisky industry stalwart, Eric Walker.

James Campbell, chairman of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival says: “The whisky school is a real asset to the festival, whetting a thirst for knowledge about whisky production from people from all over the world. It is due to Ed and his associates that it has been the overwhelming success that it is, retaining its appeal and popularity over the years.

“Ed has been a great supporter of the whisky festival in many other ways too, and it is due to people like him who have enthusiasm and knowledge alongside experience and contacts in the industry that we are able to deliver events that satisfy the desire to learn, savour and enjoy whisky among aficionados from all over the globe.”

While the 2016 School is fully booked and the waiting list for 2017 is full, there are many other ways to appreciate whisky during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival which takes place from April 28 to May 2.

Speyside contains over 50 of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries and the vast majority of them will be staging events during the Festival, including many that are not usually open to the public. Visitors can choose from over 400 events encompassing everything from whisky tasting and distillery tours, food events, music, comedy and cultural heritage.

Information about the 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival can be found on the website www.spiritofspeyside.com where tickets will be on sale from early February. The Festival is also active on facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and on Twitter and Instagram at @spirit_speyside. 

Photo: Toasting the Spirit of Speyside Whisky School are its founding fathers, from left, Dr Tim Dolan, Charles Smith, Ed Dodson and Peter Warren.

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