Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 145: Kavalan Podium
Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries the Kavalan Podium. It is their virgin oak expression. Mixed with some refill bourbon and sherry casks to keep the strong influence of the new oak under control, the Podium turned out to be a very summery dram, quite straight forward but very pleasant indeed.
THE MACALLAN DOUBLE CASK 12 YEARS OLD
Two worlds unite to create distinctive new Macallan
The Macallan’s unwavering commitment to exceptional wood management defines every aspect of its whisky creation and the launch of the new Double Cask 12 Years Old is further testament to this.
Created from the perfect balance of sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, Double Cask 12 Years Old brings a distinctive character to the fore, whilst presenting flavours familiar to both the Sherry Oak and Fine Oak ranges. The result is a new interpretation of the signature 12 Years Old Macallan; sweet, yet balanced and honeyed in character.
Exclusively sherry seasoned, The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old delivers a distinct American oak style, reflecting a perfect harmony of flavours and natural colour. The delicate flavour of American oak – vanilla, citrus and light oak – rises in prominence as the traditional Macallan character of rich fruit, sherry and wood spice affords a familiar back drop.
Commenting on Double Cask, Bob Dalgarno, The Macallan Master Whisky Maker, said: “This is a single malt which showcases a true balance of character which results in a fully rounded and distinctive flavour profile. By combining wood influences, we have been able to produce a new Macallan which sits perfectly between our existing Sherry Oak and Fine Oak ranges.”
The Macallan brings new oak from America across thousands of miles to Spain, where casks are crafted and sherry seasoned before traveling to our distillery on Speyside to mature for twelve years. These whiskies are then harmoniously united with those aged in exceptional sherry seasoned European oak casks. This union reveals an unmatched investment in time and extraordinary commitment to mastery for which The Macallan has been known since 1824.
Chris Anderson, Luxury Marketing Controller for Maxxium UK, said: “The Macallan Double Cask provides us with the opportunity to offer the trade an additional variant and importantly, a new style of The Macallan at the 12 years old position and price. In turn this means we can offer the consumer a wider choice of products at this level, and encourage trial and exploration within The Macallan portfolio.”
The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old is available from October 2016 in specialist whisky retailers for an RRP £55 and select on trade accounts across London.
Notes
The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old (ABV 40%) tasting notes
Nose – Creamy butterscotch, toffee, candied orange and newly felled oak
Palate – Balanced, honey sweetness, citrus & caramel
Finish – Oak lingers, warm, sweet & drying
About The Macallan:
Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the worlds most admired and awarded single malt whiskies. The reputation of The Macallan is based on a product of outstanding quality and distinctive character, founded upon a set of guiding principles, the Six Pillars. An obsession with quality has been the hallmark of The Macallan since its founding by Alexander Reid on a plateau above the river Spey in north-east Scotland. The distillery is surrounded by a 150 hectare estate, with Easter Elchies House, a Highland manor built in 1700, at its heart.
Traditionally known for maturation in Spanish oak, sherry seasoned casks, The Macallan’s range of outstanding single malts includes: Sherry Oak, matured in Spanish oak casks seasoned with sherry; Fine Oak, matured both in sherry casks of Spanish and American oak and in American oak casks seasoned with bourbon; the 1824 range, exclusive to Global Travel Retail. In addition, The Macallan is well known for its great range of vintage whiskies, dating back to 1926, and is considered the most sought after of all single malts among collectors and connoisseurs at auction.
A special and limited release
In the spring of 2006, The Macallan Master Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno, and his team were meticulously crafting the annual release of The Macallan 30 Years Old Sherry Oak. A total of 27 sherry-seasoned oak casks had been carefully selected from 9 different years of distillation and laid down to mature.
To begin the marrying stage – a significantly time-consuming element of the whisky-making approach adopted by The Macallan – most of the precious spirit from the 27 casks was combined and then filled into nine marrying casks at the customary marrying strength. But the instinct of the Master Whisky Maker led to a tenth cask being filled and laid back down. Already matured for three decades, the whisky in this refill butt was kept at its natural strength.
When it reached 35 years of age in 2011 it was assessed again, and a conscious decision was made to allow the whisky to continue to mature and develop character. Finally, at 40 years of age, the time had come. This additional decade of careful maturation through to 2016 has produced a superlative and distinct single malt to add to the collection of rich, mature expressions from The Macallan. The resulting whisky, which is only the second ever non-vintage release of a 40 years old expression, is definitively The Macallan.
An invitation for a chance to purchase
Highly limited in quantity and prized for its unique quality and flavour, we are excited to announce that we are making a small quantity of these available exclusively through the Distillery Shop online.
To ensure you are in with a chance of owning this exceptionally rare release, enter your details now to register for the ballot. Registrations will close at 9:00am UK time on Monday 24th October 2016.
Please note that this whisky can only be delivered to addresses within the Channel Islands, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
You will contacted in the coming weeks if you have been successful with details as to how you can purchase. By registering your details you are not making a purchase and there is no obligation to buy if you are successful in the ballot.
Recommended Retail Price £5000 (70cl). Final price will be subject to local taxes and duties.
WHISKEY FEAST IS COMING TO BROOKLYN ON NOVEMBER 19th, 2016
BROOKLYN, NY – October 13, 2016 – What better way to celebrate fall than with an Old Fashioned in one hand and a sweet potato ramen burger in the other? Cannonball Productions is launching Whiskey Feast, the ultimate food and drink festival of the season, at Brooklyn Expo Center on Saturday, November 19th.
Inspired by the wildly popular Whiskey Fried Classic in July, the festival will pair 40+ warming whiskies and cocktails with 20+ seasonal dishes from local chefs and restaurants. The growing list of participating distilleries includes Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, Highland Park Distillery and Copper Fox Distillery. Bareburger, Salt & Bone, Sweet Chili, Wheated and The Saint Catherine will also be serving up sips and bites on site.
A panel of judges will award winners in select food and drink categories. The panel includes Saveur Digital Deputy Editor Dan Q. Dao, Gothamist Food Editor Nell Casey, Thirsty Magazine Co-Founders Tara Fougner and Jessie Gibson, and Brooklyn Magazine Food Editor Sarah Zorn.
Kate Levenstien, founder of Cannonball Productions and the Bacon and Beer Classic, is thrilled to introduce Whiskey Feast to foodies and whiskey lovers seeking a one-of-a-kind experience. “This event is not your father’s whiskey tasting. We are turning the stuffy, traditional tasting on its head with adventurous cocktails and small plates, a live DJ and brass band, disco ball, giant Jenga, and more.”
Guests can choose from General Admission two sessions: afternoon (2pm-4:30pm) or evening (7pm-9:30pm), upgrade to an Early Access ticket for half hour early entrance, or opt for the full VIP experience. VIP ticket holders will enjoy one hour early entrance and access to a specialty lounge with handcrafted cocktails; additional whiskey tastings; and exclusive, complimentary dishes.
General Admission tickets are currently selling at $59, Early Access tickets are selling at $79, and VIP tickets are selling at $115, but prices will increase over the next few weeks. All tickets include a souvenir tasting glass.
A nationally-touring event, Whiskey Feast is coming soon to Washington D.C. and San Francisco. Cannonball Productions is committed to partnering with local non-profit organizations and food recovery programs in every host city. Leftover food from the event will be donated to homeless and hungry New Yorkers through City Harvest. For more information, visit www.whiskeyfeast.com
Free Whisky Tasting: The Exclusive Malts
Independent bottler The Exclusive Malts returns to the whisky shop for another FREE tasting! As an independent bottler, The Exclusive Malts works with a variety of distilleries to produce award winning drams from all over the world. This is a great opportunity to learn more about what goes into bottling rare and limited-edition whiskies, with whisky experts and distillery representatives present for all your whisky questions.
Two More Days of Sales!
Until the evening of Wednesday 10/19, enjoy $10 off PER ITEM on any online purchase greater than $100.00. Just enter the coupon code
10%off to receive your savings!
Here’s something to help keep you going until your next whisky event with us…
What’s New for 2017 you might ask? The answer is many things! We are really upping our game in terms of what is included in the ticket price, with lots more classes and opportunities to get up close and personal with the whole whisky-making process.
From a ticketing point of view, we are introducing a Taster Ticket which will allow your whisky-curious friends to join you for a couple of hours and see what the Water of Life is all about!
Just click on one of the banners below to take you to the relevant ticket page for each city.
Here’s what each ticket includes:
If you’re buying a regular early-bird ticket for the Full session we’re also throwing in the following:
These tickets are going to go fast, so you have been warned – buy now to avoid disappointment!
Don’t forget Manchester Whisky Festival next Saturday, 22nd September and Birmingham Whisky Festival on Saturday 12th November! Get your tickets for the festivals and masterclasses here!
For all upcoming TWL dates, head over to our events calendar! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Sláinte
Eddie and the whole Whisky Lounge Team
VERY SPECIAL SINGLE MALTS
Cadenhead Single Malt Scotches – This is the newest Independent Scotch bottler we’ve been working with. They have access to a sensational lineup of beautifully aged Scotch Single Malts from all over Scotland. Though a little pricey, once you taste any one of these you will know your money was well spent; and you will be reassured that the age, to price, to quality ratio is certainly worth the price of admission.
Kavalan Taiwanese Single Malts – This is the distillery that took down Scotland in the 2015 World Whisky Awards. That’s right, a single malt from Taiwan unseated a centuries old reigning single malt king. The particular whiskey I speak of is the Kavalan Vinho Barrique Cask Strength. But the greatness of Kavalan doesn’t stop there. All their whiskies are very good.
Duncan Taylor Single Malts – Duncan Taylor is one of the most esteemed and top-shelf independent Scotch bottlers. The depth and breadth of their portfolio is incredible and speaks to their long and storied history. Their company motto is, “Whiskies of Distinction”, and they live up to it. If it says Duncan Taylor, it means you’re in for a treat.
Nikka Japanese Single Malts – We are the fortunate recipient of a little bit of these highly sought after, older age statement, Japanese single malt whiskies. We currently have some Nikka 17yr and Nikka 21yr. These selections are hard to come by and won’t last long. This wonderful Japanese single malt producer, who has roots very much in the Scottish tradition of producing world class single malt whisky.
95 Riviera Drive, Bellevue, KY 41073 (859) 291-4007
A cultural visit to Ireland
An Irish venture into their culture of whiskey and grand beers. An edited blog from a much longer piece of drivel by Paul.
Monday started late. Teelings at noon was our scheduled visit and it was good! A complimentary visit (thanks) led by Ruard, who knew his stuff (makes a change for some distillery guides), all the staff here are young, very young and I wonder what they actually know about whiskey? Our welcome at reception? Not good, they didnee wish to know, too busy chatting to eachother. We were told “take photos anywhere”, so we did, the pot stills come fae Italy, Sienna, 19th century design/shape. There were NO padlocks on the spirit safe, they have 5 distillers on a rotating basis, the small batch 80% corn, 20% barley. We tasted 3 drams; grain, small batch and single malt (a 6 wood job 9year old). Teeling Distillery is the first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years and right back where Teelings started in 1782 and only a stone’s throw away from where Walter Teeling’s old distillery was. Located in an ancient market square called Newmarket (not really a square) in the heart of the Liberties of Dublin. Their philosophy is that while they are respectful to the heritage of Irish whiskey, as a new generation of Irish whiskey makers they are confident to forge a new future for Dublin and Irish whiskey. After our tour we hit their bar, Dave had another single malt, I went in for a cocktail and was told it’s a girly drink, och well. Overall impression; very touristy, hard line whisky tourists would be bored, it’s more a tourist destination than a distillery. We headed into Temple Bar, some grub and some cultural research (drinks).
Tuesday we met PJ from the Malt Teasers whiskey club, swapped stories, rounds and bottles of Irish whisky. The remainder of the day spent researching. Wednesday saw us fall into the Irish Whiskey Museum depicting the origins of Irish whiskey, its rise to glory, its dramatic fall and of course, the revival of new Irish whiskeys. Again, it is a tourist trap, not really a visit for hard line whiskey nuts like myself. No one knew what to do with us, even though we had pre – arranged our visit, we didnee even get offered a dram! We left for the pub. I delved into a Powers, known as the Priests Bottle because it was always kept (in Ireland ) for when the Priest came to visit. At McDaids bar we were having a quiet drink when a film crew came in and interrupted us! So we chatted to 10 folks from USA who had won a bar tenders competition fae Tullamore DEW. Thursday; pubs.
Friday, a taxi to the railway and a train to Drogheda, dumped luggage and a bus to Dundalk. The Great Northern Distillery welcomed us. John Teeling was going to take our tour, but a board meeting came up so we had another guy, who knew nothing. They have column and pot still runs here, though all they do is make new spirit, sell it on. They run 24 hours x 5 days a week – the train station is right beside the distillery in Dundalk which was real handy. You can see the pot stills from the station carpark (Laura PA to John Teeling (Chairman) was my helpful contact here, a true LFC supporter!). John Teeling, also known as the founder of Irish whiskey renaissance, used to own the Cooley Distillery. In 2013 he acquired the GND after selling Cooley to Suntory a year earlier, he now supplies new make and grain to other distilleries and own labels. This is a huge site, former Diageo (Harp brewery) it’s a 5.5 hectare site of which 2 are used now. There is a grand pub opposite, Kennedy’s, we researched more in here, barman John is Scottish! We headed back to Donore for overnight. I must apologise to Sally Anne at Boann distillery – we couldnee make the planned visit – but I will do the blog as promised. Saturday we headed back to Dundalk (don’t ask), a donder around Dundalk, great station information on the 1916 rising, loved it. Russell’s pub saw us twice, we ventured into 4 others before Kennedy’s again. Dundalk FC were playing tonight at 7pm – they lost. We stayed overnight opposite the stadium.
Blog and story/visit by Paul McLean http://www.whiskytours.scot/
A spiritual Sunday Whisky School
It was all a part of a long tour (16 days to be exact) that had been to the west coast, Highlands, Speyside and Edinburgh.
We had started a while before, as we met at Edinburgh airport (plane landed 4 hours late) and headed up to the west coast, a half hour south of Oban. On our second day we had arranged a private boat trip for all four of us, myself, Liz and 2 guests Julie and Chris. At high speed we went to Islay to visit Bunny Heaven distillery, which was good by the way. Sailing down to Jura and the distillery there, also good, then hit the Corryvreckan whirlpool with high seas, exciting stuff.
Anyhow, to cut a long story short, we visited Oban, Tobermory, Talisker, Macallan, Balvenie, Glen Moray, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Cardhu (and fed the hairy coo’s), Dalmore, Glenmorangie, Edradour distilleries – amongst others, but staying in Speyside for 4 days/nights we arranged our friend Vic Cameron to take a whisky school. Now, apart from his whisky activities (with Diageo 25 years) now teaching, holding tastings etc, he is a Pastor with his own church. Our school was held in his own church on a Sunday, just the four of us again. This went on for several hours and all enjoyed the spiritual experience, tasting 5 drams and a follow up, Rebecca Creek from Texas, less said about that one the better. We had an almost black Glenmorangie which was really weird. With questions flying in everywhere Vic was kept busy, whilst telling us all about barley, and how Liz got upset that the barley is alive when processed! Vic had also done a whisky school for us at this years Speyside whisky festival, in addition to many tastings, talks etc with other guests of ours over the year.
Vic Cameron (BSc DipDist). Vic has over 25 years experience in the distilling industry, for the largest Distiller in the UK. Vic is proud to have been the 4th International Malt Whisky Nosing Champion. He is now on the organising committee for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival whisky school and also the Whisky Lecturer for the University of the Highlands and Islands. History; Distillery Manager, Maltings Manager, Laboratory and Cereals Manager Diageo plc. UK Malt, the Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain.
Sunday School was held in Lossiemouth near Elgin,
story by Paul McLean www.mcleanscotland.com/www.whiskytours.scot/
5,000 Bottles Over 5 Years. The Birmingham Whisky Club Celebrates Its 5th Birthday.
Since 2011 the club has built up a loyal following of 1000’s of whisky lovers, drank through 5,000 bottles of whisky over 200 different events, worked with over 70 different brands and tried products from 10+ different counties. As well as introducing consumers to the wonders of whisky, the club has worked tirelessly to introduce brands to bars and get a larger variety of whisky stocked in local venues to push the category to prominence in the city. Now, The Birmingham Whisky Club celebrates 5 years of bringing whisky to Birmingham in the best way it can… With 5 new unique events.
On November 3rd, the club will be hosting a very special tasting to start the festivities. They will be working with The Electric Cinema (the UK’s oldest working cinema) and independent bottlers Douglas Laing for a ‘drink-along’ screening of Ken Loach’s ‘The Angel’s Share’.
Throughout the celebrations, events will be held with Chivas (a collaboration tasting themed on the history of whisky blending and bespoke tailoring at Clements & Church), whisky legends such as Highland Park and Glenfiddich and finishing with their 5th annual ‘Peat Freaks’ tasting at The Wellington.
Amy Seton (owner of The Birmingham Whisky Club) had this to say, “I started the club 5 years ago to share my love of the ‘Water Of Life’ with the people of Birmingham. Since our very first tasting in December 2011, we have seen over 4,500 people at our events, tasted whisk(e)y from over 10 different countries and drank our way through around 5,000 bottles. We have worked with dozens of fantastic brands and great independent venues and shared some knowledge on the way.”
October has also seen the release of tickets for the club’s much-loved flagship event… Whisky Birmingham. The festival (now in it’s fourth year) will be held on Saturday March 4th 2017 at the beautiful canal-side location of The Bond in Digbeth. As well as a chance to try hundreds of different kinds of whisk(e)y, guests can enjoy delicious local streetfood, live entertainment and innovative masterclasses throughout the day.
For more information on The Birmingham Whisky Club’s upcoming events, head to their Facebook page. Further details about Whisky Birmingham 2017 can be found at www.birminghamwhiskyfestival.co.uk/.
Notes to editors
For information about The Birmingham Whisky Club please visit www.thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk/ or contact Amy Seton on 07966 266511 or email Vicky@birminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk.
About The Birmingham Whisky Club
The Birmingham Whisky Club is Birmingham’s only dedicated whisky tasting events company. We offer a diverse range of tutored tastings and whisky-themed events in and around Birmingham, including themed and rare whisky night’s, events with distilleries, whisky and food matching, and private and corporate events. We welcome everyone, from complete beginners to the more hardened whisky buff.
Visit our webpage www.thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk/ or find us on Facebook.
