Archive for July, 2016

Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Bourbon ‘Special Offer’ at The Whisky Exchange – American Whiskey News

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Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Bourbon

The country with the most summer sporting medals of all time is home to a variety of styles of whiskey. Bourbon is the most famous, and our top offer this month is an aged example from Heaven Hill, the home of Elijah Craig. At £4 off, it’s even better value for money than usual. Tasting Notes by Rocky

Nose: Complex with toast, toffee, marmalade, lots of vanilla and an underlying sweetness.

Taste: Big and rich with a creamy texture and notes of orange, apricot, cinnamon and a hint of liquorice balls.

Finish: Long and toasty with the spicy notes prevalent.

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Whisky Hammer July Auction Now Live – Whisky News

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JULY AUCTION NOW LIVE

…place your bids at www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

(ends Sunday 31st July)

EASY REGISTRATION

Sate of the art online bidding platform

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An excellent selection of whiskies; to drink, collect or invest

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Paul’s Blog for the June Whisky & Golf Tour with Two American Gentlemen – Scotch Whisky News

2 delivery of Chardonay casks to Speyside in June Scotland

Paul’s Blog for the June whisky & golf tour with two American gentlemen.

Arrival day, met our two whisky loving golfers at Edinburgh airport. With a scenic route taken via St Andrews, we headed up to Broughty Ferry where they stay a couple of nights. After a long trans Atlantic flight, they rested up, dined for the first time on Scottish soil and shared a dram or two! Next day they took to playing around, in fact at Monifieth course; Monifieth is one of the courses that have been announced as the host venues for the Qualifying event to the 2016 Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex. 1639 is the earliest reference to golf at Monifieth found in the Kirk Session records. They played with Dennis (Liz’s husband and another local). Drinks all round at the 19th hole. Sunday saw them take on the challenge that is Carnoustie Golf Course.

Leaving the Ferry (and a bevy of happy locals) behind we then set out north via Aberdeen to Speyside, first call Glenfiddich whisky distillery for a tour and lunch. Glen Grant distillery followed, after this – almost a stones throw away, to their hotel in Rothes. I must say the whisky bar here is superb! Tuesday and a wee trip to play another round of golf; Nairn Championship course. Gorse is a hazard here. The par 4 holes tease and confound and all four short holes are cunningly angled, with the 4th a little gem and the 14th simply spectacular. As three of the par 5 holes are over 530 yards long, it is a test for all.

Whilst our two golfers stayed in luxury at Rothes, I was a few miles doon the road near Dufftown – whisky capital of the world. Staying a stones throw from the Glenfiddich distillery and Balvenie castle, my “rest place and sanctuary” was built in 1892, the former property of James Watson & Company (wine & spirit merchants) to house their Customs and Excise Manager – to keep an eye on the activities of Parkmore Distillery opposite (quite apt don’t you think?). Sadly this closed since 1931, it is rumoured that that the water source became unsuitable for whisky distilling; along with hefty tax levy’s imposed – meaning that today the buildings, whilst well maintained, are only used for storage by the Edrington Group. I can live with that – I did!

2 enjoying the drams at Glen Moray distillery in Elgin

Wednesday arrived and we set out for Cragganmore distillery, followed by some whisky scenic touring locally! Lunch at the Mash Tun Aberlour, with the Macallan discovered in the afternoon!

Thursday, the tour is near the end, but no before we headed into Glen Moray. Here our pal Iain took them on a great tour and filled them full of drams fae the warehouse, well done that man! Catching them again, we headed south into Perthshire where they stopped for lunch at Gleneagles Hotel. Final call of today – Edinburgh where they stay to relax after all their exertions.

Paul McLean, www.mcleanscotland.com/ www.whiskytours.scot/

2 Liz and Paul in Craigellachie bar Speyside Scotland

Liz and Paul in Craigellachie Hotel Bar Speyside Scotland

What We Do – a group golf & whisky tour, or a relaxed escorted whisky tour exploring Scottish distilleries, our guests tell us that it’s an experience to remember, not just a holiday! We’ve twenty years of designing whisky tours and have extensive knowledge and contacts. Why not come and enjoy the best of Scottish hospitality from the moment you arrive, until your final dram – you drink, we drive!

Who We Are, Paul has a background in advertising and marketing, owning advertising agencies before tourism. Having discerning taste buds and a wealth of information on not only the best places to visit but also the secret and hidden ones too.   His passion for Scotland and extensive knowledge in the whisky world make him an ideal driver/guide. (He even make’s history interesting, says Liz!)

Liz, the organiser and brains, however it was only a few years ago she stopped making hot toddies and realised whisky’s true value. She now appreciates the perfect dram and if it pass Liz’s “whoo hoo” test, it’s a winner!

A dynamic duo best friends who together are perfect hosts and you’ll soon feel like family, as they share the secrets of Scotland, home to some of the finest whiskies in the world. Scots are well known for their warmth and enthusiasm and you’ll find that both of them ensure you share their love for the country and their passion for delicious drams. Arrive a guest, go home a friend

KARUIZAWA GEISHA SERIES OFFERED FOR FIRST TIME AT AUCTION – Whisky News

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KARUIZAWA GEISHA SERIES OFFERED FOR FIRST TIME AT AUCTION
LEADS BONHAMS HONG KONG WHISKY AUCTION

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The complete set of Karuizawa Geisha

Est: HK$1,000,000- 1,300,000

A complete set of Karuizawa Geisha Series whisky, never before seen at auction and estimated at HK$1,000,000-1,300,000, leads Bonhams Hong Kong Whisky sale on 19 August. The sale, which features more than 260 lots of rare Japanese and Scotch whiskies, takes place at Bonhams Hong Kong saleroom (2001, One Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong).

Karuizawa is a silent distillery in Japan which closed in 2000. The finest expressions of its whisky were carefully selected and bottled as the Geisha Series. The 27 bottles which make up the Geisha Series contain whiskies aged for 29, 30, 31 and 50 years and bottled in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Bonhams whisky specialist, Daniel Lam commented “This is an exciting opportunity to acquire a legendary whisky. The Geisha Series has never been offered at auction before and I am expecting great interest from collectors around the world.”

Other highlights of the auction include a selection of the coveted Hanyu Ichiro’s Card Series. A set of Clubs flush of malts 3,7,8,9 and 10 is estimated at HK$120,000-150,000 as is a set of Hearts flush of malts 3,4,8,10 and J. A collection of vintage bottles of Yamazaki sherry wood whisky from 1982 to 1986 is estimated at HK$140,000-180,000.  

From Scottish distilleries comes a vertical selection of The Macallan. Offered as one lot and estimated at HK$420,000-460,000, the 29 bottles cover the years 1958-1986. The sale also includes a highly sought-after Macallan 50 year old bottled in a Lalique decanter, estimated at HK$280,000-340,000, and a bottle of Royal Salute 50 year old specially bottled in 2003 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 50 years on the throne. It is estimated at HK$120,000-150,000

Auction Highlights

1.

The complete set of Karuizawa Geisha

Est: HK$1,000,000- 1,300,000

2.

Macallan Lalique 50 year old

Est: HK$280,000 – 340,000

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Royal Salute 50 Years Old

Est: HK$120,000 – 150,000

4.

Macallan vintage collection 1958 – 1986

Est: HK$420,000-460,000

5.

Macallan 1961

Est: HK$110,000 –140,000

6.

Macallan Millennium Decanter-1949-50 year old

Est: HK$100,000 –140,000

7.

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Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Six Full House

Est: HK$120,000 – 150,000

8.

Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Hearts flush of 3,4,8,10,J

Est: HK$120,000 – 150,000

9.

Yamazaki Sherry Wood Vintage Collection 1982 – 1986

Est: HK$140,000 – 180,000

10.

Very Olde St. Nick Bourbon Collection 22 -25 year old

Est: HK$22,000 – 26,000

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, the auction house offers more sales than any of its rivals. The main salerooms are in London, New York and Hong Kong. Sales are also held in the UK in Knightsbridge and Edinburgh; in the US, in San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, in Paris and Stuttgart and in Sydney, Australia. Bonhams also has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

Grab a Great Deal From Loch Fyne Whiskies – Scotch Whisky News

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Price Drops & Free GiftsWhether you’re on the lookout for money off or something extra to sweeten the deal, this week we have exactly what you’re after! From savings of almost £30 on Johnnie Walker Blue Label to a stylish journal and designer pen from Glenfiddich, these offers likely won’t be around for long so now’s your chance to get your hands on a bargain!

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Kininvie 23 Year Old Batch 3

Created using a combination of American hogsheads and sherry casks, this third batch from Speyside’s Kininvie distillery contains whisky from the distillery’s very first batch in 1990.

The nose is fresh and clean with light and delicate grassy notes, malted barley with hints of honey, lemon and vanilla. The palate is light, vibrant and zesty, with vanilla, honey and white chocolate developing into warming wood spices. The finish is short, fresh and citrusy with the sweeter elements giving way to malty cereal and woodspice.

£99 Buy Now Was £120 – Save £21

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Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva

Drawn from casks that once held premium Craibbean rum, the whisky in this Single Malt from the iconic Glenfiddich distillery in Speyside is matured for 21 years and settled for 4 months in Gran Reserva barrels before being carefully selected for inclusion in this expression.

The nose offers an intense sweetness, with vanilla, banana, figs, rich toffee and oakiness on the palate, beofre a long and dry finish with spiced fruit coming through.

£120 Buy Now Free Glenfiddich branded Cross pen & journal

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Glenfarclas 21 Year Old

The Glenfarclas distillery is renowned for being one of the oldest family-run distilleries in Scotland, being purchased for the sum of £511.19s.0d in 1865 by John Grant and is still run by his descendants today.

The 21 year old is a full-bodied and incredibly rounded whisky that will leave you refreshed and contented. The nose is rich in sherry tones and tropical fruit, with nutmeg, almonds, vanilla and very subtly sweet smoke. The palate is fruity and spicy with a pale wisp of smoke, before a long finish that brings chocolate notes.

£69 Buy Now Free “101 World Whiskies to Try Before You Die” book by Ian Buxton

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Lagavulin 16 Year Old

Famed for being one of the whiskies that made drinking peaty whisky popular the world over, this expression from Islay-based Lagavulin distillery is aged in oak casks for at least 16 years.

The nose brings peat burning on the fire, with sweet spices emerging from the smoke. The palate is dry with oak and peat smoke, ground coffee and a fruity sweetness becoming apparent. The finish is long and peaty with spiced fruit and notes of sea spray.

£46.50 Buy Now Was £53 – Save £6.50

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Johnnie Walker Blue Label Edinburgh Edition

Limited to only 1,500 individually numbered bottles, this edition of Johnnie Walker’s famous Blue Label Blended Scotch is etched with landmarks from the Scottish capital including Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument and the Duke of Wellington Statue.

The nose offers big dried fruit aroma, some woody notes and polished mahogany with mixed berries and dry woodsmoke. The palate brings honey and rosewater, fruitcake with spice and molasses. The finish is long with rich fruit and a wave of smoke.

£171.60 Buy Now Was £199.99 – Save £28.39

New to the Party Source – Whisky News

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NEW TO THE PARTY

Smooth Ambler Old Scout 10yr – It’s back, and with a refreshed label. Smooth Ambler is one of our house favorites. Check out this excellent 10yr Bourbon neat, on the rocks, or in a top-shelf cocktail.

OCD Bourbon Cask Strength – Here’s a new Bourbon with ties to an old distillery. These guys bought the former Old Crow distillery and found some of the original Old Crow yeast! Finding it in a closed-top fermenter, and working diligently, or maybe obsessively, to nurture the yeast back to life, the folks at Glenns Creek Distillery found both their method and the name of their first bourbon OCD #5.

Cooper’s Craft Bourbon – This is the first new bourbon from Brown-Forman in over 20 years! From the folks who bring us Old Forester and Woodford Reserve, here’s a new treat that falls somewhere in the middle. It’s smooth, delicious, and awesomely priced. Try it over ice or in any of your favorite bourbon cocktails.

Evan Williams Honey with 50ml and glasses – If you need some smooth, sweet, honey-bourbon, you might as well pick up this gift set with a free shot glass and a 50ml sampler each of Evan Williams Fire and an Evan Williams Cherry.

Laphroaig Lore – Here’s the newest offering from one of the top single malt producers in Islay. Lore is information passed from person to person by word of mouth. This bottle is named for all the info and history passed down about how to distill and aged great scotch. This is a rich bottle of Islay Scotch and will be excellent for any Laphroaig or Islay lover.

 

Sipping into Summer with Milroy’s of Soho – Whisky News

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Sipping into summer

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Whisky and cheese Tasting

On Monday the 25th of July we will be journeying into the world of whisky and cheese. From the shores of Scotland to the fields of Ile-de-France. Our expert staff will take you from the oak trees that become the casks through to the flavour profiles that pair harmoniously with our fine selection of cheeses. Tickets can  be found on our website.

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This week we’ve got in a very exciting bourbon from EH Taylor, if you haven’t had their Single Barrel Bourbon it’s well worth a try.  An oaky and spicy bourbon from Buffalo Trace, the Single Barrel release is made with barrels from the infamous Warehouse C. The buttery smoky finish seems to go on forever.

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Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 in Bardstown, Kentucky. The oldest distillery in the area. This port finish is their most recent release. The amalgamation of an excellent Bourbon and Port wine casks pairs beautifully to create something really exciting. A surprisingly light and subtle bourbon with light apple flavours on the palate. An oaky and walnut finish sets this up to be a very popular release from 1792.
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This week we have had in the newest limited release from Glenlivet, the Cipher. With almost no information about it released you are left to your own devices to work out what you think has gone contributed to the final product. A green apple note at the beginning, immediately followed by a smattering of peach that transforms during its long complex finish, developping into chocolate and coffee note with a hint of tobacco. A very enjoyable dram.

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This 35 year old 1979 Caol Ila is something special. A delightfully soft spirit that retains its peaty majesty. The classic Caol Ila notes interplay with lighter fruits and spices on the finish. Independently bottled by Douglas Laing as part of their XOP range (Xtra Old Particular). Douglas Laing is a proud family business in its third generation, it  is one of our favourite Independent bottlers.

New Arrivals at K&L California – American Whiskey News

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United States – Kentucky

792 Sweet Wheat Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) $34.99 View

Orphan Barrel “Rhetoric” 22 Year Old Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml – ships like 1.5L due to bottle shape) 119.99View

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

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Hibiki 21 Years Old is honored with the Category’s Top “Trophy” Award for the 4th consecutive year at the International Spirits Challenge 2016 – Japanese Whiskey News

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Hibiki 21 Years Old is honored with the Category’s Top “Trophy” Award for the 4th consecutive year at the International Spirits Challenge 2016

Suntory Whisky Hibiki 21 Years Old was honored with the top Trophy award in the Japanese Whisky category at the 21st International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2016 held in London, England on July 6 (Wednesday, local time). Hibiki 21 Years Old took the Trophy award as a particularly outstanding product in this category. This marks the 4th consecutive year that Hibiki 21 Years Old has won the Trophy.

Winning this prize is highly significant, as it further cements Suntory’s reputation for the high quality of our malt whisky and grain whisky as well as our excellent blending techniques.

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Award Name, Winners
Trophy in Japanese Whisky Categories: Suntory Whisky Hibiki 21 Years Old

For more information on Brand
Suntory Whisky Hibiki Website:  http://www.suntory.co.jp/whisky/hibiki/en%20

About Suntory Whisky Hibiki 21 Years Old
This whisky is a blend of rare and meticulously selected mature malt and grain whiskies aged over 21 years. With aromas of sweet dried fruit and a spicy flavor, it is characterized by a solemn, refined richness and profound, lingering echoes.

About the International Spirits Challenge
The International Spirits Challenge is a competition held every year in the UK, the home of Scotch whisky.  In the Whisky division, medals are awarded by based on the blind testing of 10 testers, all of whom are blenders, distillers and other industry professionals, and who perform sensory inspections on each of the over 500 whiskies submitted from around the world. The competition is regarded as an authoritative arena for judging the quality of the entries by the exquisite sensory skills of the panel of whisky-making professionals.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America July 2016 Outturn – Scotch Whisky News

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July 2016 Outturn Offerings 

Cask No. 76.124                                     $270

A symphony of oak

Speyside, Spey

Nosing this one neat was an awe-inspiring moment, like stepping into a grand house standing in the entrance hall with open eyes and mouth. Aromas of polished wood and shiny marble mixed with luxurious leather and the sensual fresh scent of orange blossom. The taste was like a symphony of oak played in perfect harmony with spicy notes of ginger and clove and the bittersweet finish of a Turkish coffee. Water transported us into an antique woollen mill still using the old fashioned spinning jenny and the flavours dry, bitter, oaky, sweet and fruity, all beautifully interwoven like in a Persian oriental rug.

Drinking tip: With a dark chocolate mousse

Colour: Thick-cut orange marmalade

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 28 years

Date distilled: September 1987

Alcohol: 55.9%

USA allocation: 120 bottles

Flavour profile: Old & dignified 

*PRESIDENT’S CHOICE*

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Cask No. 70.13                                       $100

Neat heat, turning mellow and sweet

Highland, Northern

The nose had various elements – pencil shavings, Weetabix and hay, toffee bonbon and honey sweetness, Murray Mints and Pandrops plus subtle hints of Imperial Leather soap. The minty heat came through on the palate – aniseed, chilli, white pepper and Extra Strong Mints – we also got a lot of biscuity sweetness (Hobnobs, Digestives) and some exotic fruits. The reduced nose suggested a variety of unconnected things – plastic poolside furniture, citrus, raisins and tomato ketchup crisps. The palate had mellowed somewhat, replacing lively heat with moreish drinkability – now combining sweet, mild spices with tangy citrus, Atholl brose (honey, oats) and a chocolate fountain.

Drinking tip: A Sound of Music dram – mountain air, log cabins etc.

Colour: Orion’s belt buckle

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 9 years

Date distilled: May 2006

Alcohol: 57.8%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Flavour profile: Young & spritely

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Cask No. 95.20                                       $155

Glazed cocktail sausages

Speyside, Spey

Crème brulée then thick custard over pears, soon becoming more savoury (“quiche Lorraine with brown sauce”), chorizo sausage, Bovril, with traces of treacle toffee. At natural strength the taste echoes this: burnt sausages with toffee glazemeaty and spicy. Water raises classic Spanish oak notes initially: dry overall, with matchbox striker, dusty dried fruits and baking spices. jam roly-poly pudding in the mouth, then a return of the savoury flavours (Marmite, Bovril), drying towards a spicy finish.  Umami…After 17 years in a refill hogshead, we transferred this whisky directly into a sherry butt for the remainder of its maturation.

Drinking tip: Kirkaldy prom on market day

Colour: Pale amber

Cask: Second-fill butt

Age: 18 years

Date distilled: August 1997

Alcohol: 53.2%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet

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Cask No. G1.14                                      $215

Banana walnut cornbread

Grain

The nose neat was clean and fresh, but at the same time invitingly rich, like a newly, well-polished wooden bar top. In time, a seductive sweetness developed; candied almonds, toffee apples, fondant fancies and a quality ice wine. Given its age the taste was surprisingly vibrant with a ginger, chilli heat but again the attractive sweetness of caramel apple cake and lemon blossom honey. Water released honey porridge, scones with clotted cream and toasted flaked almonds. On the palate now a dry spiciness of banana walnut cornbread and cinnamon rolls, all washed down with a sparkling elderflower fizz.

Drinking tip: After dinner playing snooker or pool

Colour: Honey Gold

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 37 years

Date distilled: August 1978

Alcohol: 54.1%

USA allocation: 60 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & dry

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Cask No. 53.231                             $160   

Eat until I die

Islay

The hunger pangs began on first nosing. One panellist was transported to a Mediterranean village, sat outside enjoying sun dried tomatoes, Serrano ham and fresh tarragon.  There was also a green element, like tomatoe vines and stripped twigs.  The taste was “super spicy” and brought smoked salmon sushi with wasabi to the table.  The delicate oak let the smoke do the talking but provided a subtle guiding hand to keep things in order.  With water, sweet roast pork with crackling, hickory BBQ smoke, peanut brittle and a platter of mixed fruits to finish (white grapes, lemon and grapefruit).

Drinking tip: A fishing trip hip-flask filler

Colour: Morning sun

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 19 years

Date distilled: September 1996

Alcohol: 59.3%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Flavour profile: Heavily peated

Please visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America at www.smwsa.com


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