APRIL UPDATE: FIVE WOOD

As a Brit wins the masters for the first time in decades, we’ve been inspired to choose our whisky as we choose our clubs. Tee off with a driver; 33.143 packs a powerful punch from a second fill butt. Something a little different, 30.87’s ex-port pipe will get you out of a hazard. 71.41’s sherry wood takes you straight to the green for a delicate putt with an ex-Sauternes 37.74. Whether your handicap is nought or eighteen, it’s time to go to the 19th hole for a drop of the best…

Refill ex-port pipe

30.87 A skinny dipping dram
Age: 14 years
Flavour: Spicy & sweet
Price: £52.60

Refill ex-sherry gorda

71.41 Curious and intiguing
Flavour: Deep, rich & dried fruits
Age: 17 years
Price: £59.00

Second fill ex-sherry butt

33.143 Thank you and goodnight!
Flavour: Spicy & sweet
Age: 8 years
Price: £120.00

Second fill ex-Sauternes hogshead

37.74 Fresh & fluffy
Flavour: Sweet, fruity & mellow
Age: 18 years
Price: £69.50

First fill, toasted ex-bourbon hogshead

35.141 A Christmas wreath
Flavour: Spicy & sweet
Age: 21 years
Price: £81.30

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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

1995 Inchgower 20 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) SKU #1229464

Almost 100% of Inchgower’s single malt whisky production goes into Johnnie Walker and Bell’s blended whiskies, so the chance to taste a single, unblended cask of the Speyside facility’s whisky was something we were definitely interested in. This sherry-aged beast of a malt should attract the attention of Mortlach and Blair Athol fans who have feasted on the dark, dense, meaty flavors of heavily-sherried casks we’ve purchased in the past. The richness of the Oloroso density is buffered by a strong note of earthy, savory, almost sulfury intensity; a brooding character that becomes more and more powerful as the 57.5% ABV begins to cut through all that sweetness. It eventually reaches a crescendo and the nuttiness of the sherry appears to take you through the finish. It’s not Glendronach, it’s not quite Glenfarclas, and it’s definitely not Macallan; it’s just Inchgower. Welcome to the new king of sherry-aged monsters.

$99.99

Kilchoman Loch Gorm – 2016 Release

Only £59.98 – Whilst stock last!

The 2016 release of Loch Gorm from Kilchoman distillery, matured for over 6 years in a combination of fresh and refill Oloroso sherry butts. First launched in 2012, the 2016 Loch Gorm is the oldest release of this series to date.

£59.98

Kilchoman Machir Bay

Machir Bay is the flagship expression within the Kilchoman whisky range, and rightly so – it’s an excellent Islay malt. Created using a combination of ex-bourbon & Oloroso sherry casks, Machir Bay won the prestigious IWSC Gold Award – Best in Class, when first launched back in 2012.

£41.94

Kilchoman Sanaig

Kilchoman Sanaig is the newest expression to be added to the Kilchoman portfolio and has been created from a combination of bourbon and sherry cask matured whisky. Sanaig is a small rocky inlet on Islay, located north west of the distillery.

£52.40

Kilchoman 2009 – AW Exclusive Very Low Stock! 

Our exclusive single cask has now become very low on stock and we don’t expect it to be around for too much longer!  Don’t miss out on one of the best Kilchoman’s bottled to date! Don’t believe us, read the reviews here!

£78.95

ICE EDITION SPARKLES WITH USC CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY

SCORING 99 OUT OF 100

Highland Park ICE Edition, distributed by Maxxium UK, has been awarded Ultimate Spirits Challenge’s (USC) highest award of excellence in the single malt Scotch category.

Achieving an outstanding score of 99 out of 100, ICE Edition has earned the accolade of Chairman’s Trophy.  This award is only granted for the highest rated products considered to be the best by their competitive performance among their peers in each product category.

Jason Craig, Brand Director, Highland Park, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised with the Chairman’s Trophy for our ICE Edition. This award will sit proudly in our international trophy cabinet.

“Our Master Whisky Maker showed great bravery to break from Highland Park’s traditional sherry cask and aromatic peat house style to release our first ever solely bourbon cask aged single malt whisky. These prestigious awards focus on the quality and consistency of the finest spirits in the world and the recognition warms our Viking soul.”

Other accolades for Highland Park included a score of 98 points, for our 18 year old (awarded Finalist and Tried and True Award) and 96 points was awarded to both Highland Park’s 12 year old and 15 year old.

Now in its seventh year, the Ultimate Spirits Challenge led by chairman, F. Paul Pacult, included many of the world’s most famous spirits authorities as part of the New York-based judging panel.

USC judging chairman and founder, F. Paul Pacult, commented: “One of the many advantages of having our own year-round facility is that instead of having to judge hundreds of spirits entries over a couple of days like other competitions do, we can, by design, break each category down into smaller flights. This means that USC judging panels can focus on each category with greater in-depth attention and analytical precision, resulting in truer, more accurate assessments.”  

Notes: 

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 217 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection.   

TASTING NOTES:  HIGHLAND PARK ICE EDITION – 17 year old – 53.9% ABV 

Colour:  Naturally radiant and vivid in colour; glacial, mirror-like brightness

Nose:  Vivid aromas of cool, fresh pineapple and ripe mango sorbet come to life – in this celebration of glacial character.  Silvery shards of smoke give way to the frosty kick of root ginger.

Palate:  Like the Ice Giants themselves, the palate is powerful yet mellifluous.  In true Highland Park style, the combination of a silvery, misty peat smoke is inter-twined with pearlescent vanilla seeds and overtones of molten orris root.

Finish: Beautifully balanced, the creamy, rich, oily finish snowballs into long lingering woodiness and dry, feverish spices, providing a scintillating and harmonious whisky to savour.

www.highlandpark.co.uk/

AMRUT TAKES ANOTHER BIG HAUL; WINS 3 GOLD AWARDS FOR QUALITY AT MONDE SELECTION, BRUSSELS

Amrut has done it again, this time bringing in a haul of 3 Gold Awards in the 2016 World Quality Selections by Monde Selection, Brussels. The organizing committee and the jury have bestowed upon the award for the following three expressions of Amrut Single Malt Whisky

1. Amrut Spectrum Indian Single Malt Whisky – Gold Award

2. Amrut Portonova Single Malt Whisky – Gold Award

3. Amrut Intermediate Sherry Matured Single Malt Whisky – Gold Award

We are extremely delighted to share this with you and would like to remember you and thank you for taking this journey with us! We at Amrut are proud & thankful not just of our awards but our community of consumers, importers, reviewers and admirers all around the world.

Please feel free to use this information in your communications, promotions or anything that you may intend to do to promote the brand. Do find below the link to download the medal:

MEDAL DOWNLOAD LINK: Click Here

Do write back in case you’d need more information. The formal ceremony of the giving away of awards will be held in Budapest on the 30th of May, 2016.

Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2016

The casks for this 2016 edition of the sought-after Kilchoman Loch Gorm were selected from a combination of fresh and refill oloroso sherry butts over six years of age – the oldest release of Loch Gorm to date. Loch Gorm is prized for its combination of powerful rich flavours, spicy notes and peat smoke. This in demand expression has a beautiful balance of big, rich sherry flavours, smoke and softer fruits typical of this distillery. A must buy for any Kilchoman fan!

£72.99 Buy Now

Kilchoman Madeira Cask

Introducing the first ever first fill Madeira cask release from Kilchoman. Bottled at 50% volume and limited to only 6100 bottles. Without a doubt one of the most in demand Kilchoman releases ever, in part due to its incredible rich flavours, having spent all of its life in first fill Madeira barrels. This allows rich sweet notes that combine beautifully with that peat smoke flavours Kilchoman is famous for!

£84 Click to buy

Springbank 16 year old UK Exclusive – Fresh Sherry Cask

A brand new bottling of Springbank always brings some cheer, and this limited edition 16 Year Old Fresh Sherry expression is no exception. Drawn from a single cask, it has been bottled at a cask strength of 54.2%. The good news? We have a limited amount of stock available to purchase today! Please note this release is limited to one bottle per customer. (The bad news)

£129 Click to buy

 
Springbank 25 year old

This whisky has been matured in a combination of sherry and bourbon casks before being married together in port casks. It has been bottled at 46% and is limited to only 900 bottles worldwide. Please note, this whisky is limited to one bottle per customer. Tasting Notes: Very well balanced with notes of toffee apple, brandy butter, liquorice, milk chocolate and honeycomb.

£350 Click to buy

www.ralfy.com reviews a whisky which was discontinued and is now not discontinued because that situation was discontinued with Whisky Review 579 – Johnnie Walker Green Label re-reviewed 2016

IRISH DISTILLERS CROWNED WITH TOP ACCOLADES AT SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITON AND WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS 

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard continues to lead the field in the Irish whiskey category with top honours at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) and World Whiskies Awards (WWA)

Redbreast 21, from Ireland’s most awarded single pot still Irish whiskey range, was awarded ‘Best in Show’ at SFWSC, overcoming all other whiskeys – not only Irish but Scotch, American and from the rest of world. In an equally impressive feat, Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton, was crowned World’s Best Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey at WWA,

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard collected an outstanding haul of awards across its portfolio of Irish whiskeys in both competitions:

• Redbreast 21, ‘Best in Show’ (SFWSC)
• Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton, World’s Best Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (WWA)
• Redbreast 12, Gold Medal: Single Pot Still Whiskey (WWA)
• Jameson Caskmates, Gold Medal: Irish Blended Whiskey no age statement (WWA)
• Jameson Original, Category Winner: Irish Blended Whiskey no age statement (WWA)
• Midleton Very Rare, Best Blended Irish Whiskey and Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Redbreast 15, Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Redbreast 12 Cask Strength, Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Yellow Spot, Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Powers Signature Release, Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Redbreast 12, Gold medal (SFWSC)

In total, The Midleton Distillery claimed 20 awards across the two prestigious competitions. Commenting on the awards, Brian Nation, Master Distiller, stated that, “These awards are testament to the dedication and commitment of the passionate craftspeople at the Midleton Distillery; past and present. We should remember that many of the whiskeys that are receiving plaudits today were imagined and distilled many years ago and are now being brought to life by our current team of very skilled whiskey makers”

Now in its 16^th year, San Francisco World Spirits Challenge is one of the most influential spirits competitions in the world, widely recognised as one of the most reliable indicators of excellence in spirits.

World Whiskies Awards are part of the World Drinks Awards programme, launched in 2007. Presented by Whisky magazine and TheDrinksReport.com, World Whiskies Awards reward and promote the best whiskies to consumers and trade across the world.

Notes

About Irish Distillers Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between Irish whiskey distillers, John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the company decided to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility alongside the existing distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork. Irish Distillers was bought by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 and today, Jameson is the No.1 Irish whiskey in the world, selling over 4 million 9L cases worldwide and contributing more than any other Irish whiskey brand to the phenomenal global growth of the category. Irish Distillers is committed to driving continued, sustainable growth of the Irish whiskey category.

Irish Distillers’ portfolio of whiskeys is comprised of Jameson, the world’s no.1 Irish whiskey; Irish favourite Paddy; Powers, the robust premium whiskey for discerning drinkers; and the much-acclaimed brands that comprise the Irish Distillers’ Prestige Collection – the Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton which includes the Spot range (Green Spot, Yellow Spot) and Redbreast, Ireland’s most awarded single pot still whiskey brand – and the pinnacle of the Prestige Collection, Midleton Very Rare. www.irishdistillers.ie

About Pernod Ricard Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,558 million in 2014/15. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier- Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 85 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

BUFFALO TRACE VOTED BEST STRAIGHT BOURBON

Judges select their favorites at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (April 12, 2016) Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was distinguished as “Best Straight Bourbon” at the 16^th annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition where a record-breaking 1,899 entries were submitted for a blind tasting.

Thirty-nine of the industry’s finest spirits experts reviewed each entry before ultimately awarding Buffalo Trace with its celebrated Double Gold Medal. Seven additional medals were awarded to other Buffalo Trace Distillery brands.

Double Gold

• Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Gold

• Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Thomas H. Handy Straight Rye Whiskey
• Blanton’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Wheatley Vodka

Silver

• Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Hancock’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

“We’re extremely honored to accept these awards,” Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley, said. “Quite humbling to be recognized among the world’s best.”

Complete results for the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition can be found here.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/.