This week Joe Ellis reviews the World’s Best Whisky: Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye.
NUMBER ONE DRINKS TO REPRESENT “THE EXCEPTIONAL”
US based spirits specialist, Sutcliffe & Son has teamed up with Number One Drinks to supply specialist whisky retailers across UK and Europe.
Don Sutcliffe, managing director of Craft Distillers, and Willie Phillips, former managing director of The Macallan have joined forces to create a series of exemplary small batch Scotch whiskies, THE EXCEPTIONAL by Sutcliffe & Son.
THE EXCEPTIONAL small batch bottlings are expertly created from a selection of aged whiskies, carefully chosen from several different Scotch distilleries, including rare casks from closed distilleries. Once crafted the whisky is gently married over time, finished in the finest first-fill Oloroso sherry casks.
The first consignment of whiskies will be available in three expressions, The Exceptional Grain (3rd Edition), The Exceptional Malt (2nd Edition) and the Exceptional Blend (1st Edition). Due to the individual nature of the cask make-up, each edition of THE EXCEPTIONAL has distinctive characteristics. The Scotch grain and malt whiskies are all bottled at 43% ABV.
Don Sutcliffe comments; “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with the Number One Drinks team to introduce The Exceptional in the UK! Everyone to whom I spoke recommended we reach out to Marcin Miller for sound advice regarding the UK (in fact the world) whisky market.”
Willie Phillips believes “the timing is perfect to be introducing THE EXCEPTIONAL in Europe.” Adding; “European consumers are knowledgeable in the progression of Scotch whisky. Our whiskies are blended to be distinctive expressions, using exceptional casks of mature Grain and Malt whiskies, each bottling to express nuanced elegance and complexity.”
Don and Willie formed a lasting friendship when they met over 25 years ago. Sutcliffe, who was instrumental in the development of The Macallan in the US, being largely responsible for the success on the west coast and Phillips, the former managing director of the iconic Macallan Distillery for 23 years had always envisioned a future project together. With unparalleled access to some of the finest casks of whisky in Scotland and enlisting the help of master blender, Bill Arthur, their early ambition has come to fruition with the development of THE EXCEPTIONAL.
Marcin Miller, managing director of Number One Drinks said of the new partnership “Sutcliffe & Son are the perfect fit for our portfolio and we look forward to introducing these outstanding whiskies to enthusiasts across the UK and Europe.”
The first two batches were very well received in the US, meeting with critical acclaim and selling out swiftly. All expressions will retail at £86 per bottle.
Notes:
Tasting notes:
Spanning four decades, the component whiskies for each edition of THE EXCEPTIONAL bottlings are selected for their individual (yet complementary) attributes, to create a harmonious whisky of layered complexity and great depth.
THE EXCEPTIONAL GRAIN 3rd Edition 43%
A selection of remarkable casks from North British, Loch Lomond, Strathclyde, Cameronbridge and Carsebridge distilleries, blended and married in first-fill Oloroso Sherry butts.
First nosing suggests lemon meringue and toffee apple, followed by apple, cinnamon, cranberry and tablet on the palate. The finish is long and lingering with notes of apple pie, cream and butterscotch.
THE EXCEPTIONAL MALT 2nd Edition 43%
An extraordinary range of mature casks, including Glenfarclas, Ben Nevis, Balvenie, Kininvie, Glenfiddich, Alt-a’Bhainne, Auchroisk, Glenallachie, Westport, Speyside and (of course) Macallan distilleries, blended and married in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts.
Opening nose and palate are effusive with honeyed Christmas cake, tangerine, dark cherry and aniseed. The mid palate evolves into raspberry crumble with intriguing notes of tarragon and spice. The finish lingers with notes of sherry, toffee cream and a returning hint of anise.
THE EXCEPTIONAL BLEND 1st Edition 43%
An exemplary selection of mature grain and malt casks from North British, Strathclyde, Cameronbridge, Glenfarclas, Ben Nevis, Balvenie, Kininvie, Glenfiddich, Alt-a’Bhainne, Auchroisk, Glenallachie, Westport, Speyside and (of course) Macallan distilleries, blended and married in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts.
Initial nose is all crème caramel and orange marmalade, evolving on the palate to include wild strawberry and vanilla cream. The finish is long and lingering with notes of shortbread, orange peel and a whisper of herbal mint.
BENRIACH’S BILLY WALKER IS 2016 ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
BenRiach’s Managing Director Billy Walker has been named Entrepreneur of the Year in the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2016.
He received his accolade last night in front of an 800-strong audience at Edinburgh’s EICC.
The award comes after BenRiach was acquired in April by Brown-Forman, producers of Jack Daniels, for £285m.
The Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards recognise those businesses and individuals in Scotland who are leading the way with innovation, enterprise and quality.
Mr Walker and his two South African partners Geoff Bell and Wayne Kieswetter built up the company over the last twelve years after acquiring the mothballed BenRiach Distillery on the outskirts of Elgin from Chivas Brothers.
Convinced that developing high-end specialist whisky was the way forward in a competitive market, they went on to add the Huntly-based GlenDronach Distillery and the Glenglassaugh Distillery in Portsoy to their portfolio.
The Edinburgh-headquartered company now exports 95% of its products and employs 165 people across its four sites.
Last year BenRiach announced plans to invest more than £25m in the business on the back of record results; pre-tax profits rose by 24% to £11.1m and turnover increased 17.6% to £41.5m.
The company was named Global Whisky Distiller of the Year at the 2015 Icons of Whisky Awards and was also highlighted as one of the country’s most influential companies.
Billy Walker said: “It’s an enormous compliment and a very pleasant surprise to receive this prestigious award. I’m delighted to accept it on behalf of the extraordinary people across our four sites who have helped me build BenRiach with their hard work, passion and commitment.”
THE BANANA (Brexit) FILES THE TRUTH’S NOT OUT THERE.
Well folks it’s been some time since my last newsletter, the amazing drams released a few weeks ago have almost gone sadly.
A lot of funny things have been going on since we last communicated. It would be remiss of me not to have a dig wouldn’t it!
Before anything else though lets get to the big news from Springbank.
The new Springbank 12 year old Burgundy Wood has been released in the UK literally as this newsletter is arriving in your inbox!
This new vintage is going to be limited again however it’s available worldwide very soon
with over 10,000 bottles, unlike the small amount we had with the 16 year olds this spring.
The nose and palate are stunning, lots to dig into from the moment you open the bottle. The finish will deliver a more complex end than expected so take a seat and relax as you delve into this amazing Springbank.
If you have a bottle on reserve you have 7 days to get in touch with us to pay.
Looking forward to the next Cadenhead’s Small Batch release…
We have decided to release after the referendum in the UK on June 23rd and expect to deliver the new stocks into the stores around June 28th (you know how good we are at keeping to dates so don’t panic if we have not sent the newsletter by then, it will happen – honest).
Below will be the full list of new malts but before we give you a heads up let me just say you will need a dram or two once this crazy Brexit vote is over and done with in a few weeks knowing the governments own MP’s I doubt they will let it rest!
Expect that truly horrendous Boris to spin more fake stories about bananas or some other item. Notice how nobody is allowing Boris to debate on TV simply because he makes things up! But that’s nothing compared to dear old Dave & Gideon who have told us about world war 3 or something? Odd I know, and lets not leave it with those 3, how about Corbyn! Silence is golden or what.
So with all that to look forward to we think you’ll be ready for the new small batch range from Cadenhead’s! I know a lot of you already know since the Campbeltown festival I have been given a list of most wanted by so many of you.
Distilleries we will be featuring…
WHAT, NO AGES? Always leave them wanting more I say!
Do we have anything else? Of course we do but all in good time…
I can tell you about Kilkerran though! Expect a special announcement soon about the release due in August for the official 12 year old.
Also due back soon will be Springbank 21 (Possibly the best of the new 21 year olds and will be a fast seller with limited availability).
New Springbank 18 is also due soonish I am told, but soon in Whisky time can be several months!! (I will update you all when I can).
Anyway, that’s it for now. I know some will be wanting to know why I have a picture of our old labels! All will be revealed soon (ish).
Remember no matter what the government or the Brexit camp say, it’s all just smoke and mirrors with as much reality as Harry Potter (Only Harry Potter is better and more truthful I bet)
Stephen W
Cadenheads Whisky Shop & Tasting Room 26 Chiltern Street, London, W1U 7QF
Thursday, June 8th Gordon & Macphail Tasting 4:30 or 6:00
Joe writes, This Thursday we’ll host Joe Swanson from Gordon and Macphail, one of the oldest independent bottlers of single malts in Scotland. Founded in 1895, Gordon and Macphail have been the backbone of the single-malt industry since before there really was a single-malt industry, also bottling the world’s oldest single-malt ever at 70 years old. We will taste some wonderful single-malts, including a very interesting one from Blair Athol, whom you don’t see very often. The line-up and special tasting-only pricing are as follows: Blair Athol 9 year old 43%, regularly 74.99 – on sale 67.99 Longmorn 12 year old 43%, regularly 72.99 – on sale 65.99 Secret Stills Islay 14 year old 45%, regularly 79.99 – on sale 71.99 Highland Park 24 year old 43%, regularly – 239.99 – on sale 214.99 Caol Ila 10YO Cask Strength 2004 vintage 59.5%, regularly 119.99 – on sale 107.99 One more TBA
Len Rothenberg
Federal Wine & Spirits
Email: info@federalwine.com
Phone: (617) 367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/
Win a Bottle of Benromach 1976!
We’ve teamed up with our great friends at Benromach to bring you a fantastic Father’s Day promotion! We’re giving one lucky customer the chance to win a stunning bottle of vintage 1976 Benromach! Remember Father’s Day’s on the 19th but we’ll be running the promotion for the whole month of June. If you find yourself the lucky winner of this fantastic prize and decide to keep it all to yourself, don’t worry we won’t tell the old man.
New Benromach Whisky Gift Pack
A beautiful whisky gift set which includes a 70cl bottle of 10 year old Benromach complete with branded leather bound note book & pencil. The perfect companion to scribble down tasting notes on your favourite Benromach. With Father’s Day fast approaching this would make the ideal gift for Dad, or indeed any occasion.
Springbank Burgundy 12 Year Old
This single cask 12 year old comes from Campbeltown’s oldest operational distillery, and our friends from down the road, Springbank. Matured in Burgundy casks, the nose is rich and bold with maple syrup, cranberry and pancetta, while the palate is soft and velvety with chocolate shortbread and lighter oak tones mingling. This is a limted edition not to be missed.
Glen Scotia Double Cask
This expression from the 184 year old Glen Scotia distillery sees oak aged whisky finished in a combination of first fill bourbon barrels followed by time in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. The result is the perfect balance of rich spicy fruits, overlaid with the characteristic sea spray and vanilla oak finish for which the house of Glen Scotia is famous.
English Whisky Co. Chapter 9 – 2016 Edition Chapter 9 has been rather over-shadowed by it’s big brother Chapter 11, but for those of you who want a gentle hint of peat, in a very refined glass of whisky – look no further. Nose: Very little smoke on the nose. Citrus, pine, spicy with paprika and pepper. Palate: Light smoke and only lightly medicinal. Spicy and very zingy. Almost rum and raisin ice cream. Malty and floral. Nice balance with the smoke. Very gentle. Cask Type: Bourbon Cask Available in 46% abv.
CANADIAN CLUB® HONORS 150 YEARS OF TRADITION WITH U.S. LAUNCH OF 100% RYE WHISKY
With a Heritage Like No Other Whisky, Canadian Club 100% Rye Whisky Offers Fans a Taste of Something Different
Deerfield, Ill. (May 24, 2016) – Today, Canadian Club®, the iconic brand that has produced high quality whisky since 1858, launches the award-winning Canadian Club® 100% Rye Whisky in the United States. Due to the exceptional skill and care required to distill a pure rye whisky, Canadian Club 100% Rye is one of the few premium 100% rye whiskies on the market today. Boasting intricate flavors of caramel, vanilla and oak, Canadian Club 100% Rye offers a spicy, yet balanced finish.
Produced by Beam Suntory Inc. partnersa Alberta Distillers Ltd., who have been perfecting the art of rye whiskies for 70 years, this new whisky combines the smoothness of Canadian Club with the distinct taste of rye, resulting in more complexity and character than standard rye whiskies. Bottled at 80 proof, it can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or in a classic whisky cocktail.
“The rye whisky category has seen significant growth over the past five years, specifically with bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts, so we made it our mission to create the right product that would satisfy their discerning palates,” said Dan Tullio, Canadian Whisky Master Ambassador at Beam Suntory. “From the expert manufacturing process to the quality ingredients, this liquid stands above other rye whiskies on the market today. Canadian Club 100% Rye is what the label says it is. No corn. No barley. Nothing but rye.”
To achieve the best balance of flavor, aged liquid for Canadian Club 100% Rye is selected from three different types of barrels – brand new, white American oak barrels; once-used bourbon barrels; and Canadian whisky barrels – and blended to taste. The final product is a rye whisky that truly stands out in the category.
“Canadian Club 100% Rye is a glorious all-rye whisky and more than just another line extension,” said Davin de Kergommeaux, Contributing Editor at Whisky Advocate and author of Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert. “This whisky arrived with a rye-filled bang, loud enough to shake up the industry. For the first time in over a century, a mainstream brand has bottled an all rye-grain Canadian whisky. Finally, whisky lovers have been heard.”
After debuting in Canada in 2014, Canadian Club 100% Rye quickly became an award-winning whisky, receiving accolades from top spirit competitions and outlets such as 2014 Canadian Whisky of the Year from Whisky Advocate magazine, Sippin’ Whisky of the Year at the 2015 Canadian Whisky Awards and Gold at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Canadian Club 100% Rye joins the Canadian Club portfolio of whiskies, including Canadian Club® 1858, Canadian Club® Reserve and Canadian Club® Classic 12 Year Old and is available in the U.S. at a suggested retail price of $19.99 for a 750ml bottle.
For more information and cocktail recipes please visit www.CanadianClub.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook.
About Canadian Club
Launched in 1858, Canadian Club® has been producing high quality whisky for over 150 years. Throughout history, Canadian Club® has been the whisky of choice for those searching for an exceptionally smooth and rich libation. Today, Canadian Club® continues to be the choice of savvy drinkers who are looking for a great tasting whisky for cocktails or simply served neat.
The Canadian Club® portfolio of whiskies is comprised of Canadian Club® 1858, Canadian Club® 100% Rye, Canadian Club® Reserve and Canadian Club® Classic 12 Year Old. For more information and cocktail recipes please visit www.CanadianClub.com.
About Beam Suntory Inc.
As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.
Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com
A barrel at sea !
French whisky Black Mountain to partner with sail transport company TOWT for a one-of-a-kind sea maturation experience.
Departing from the banks of Bordeaux right a month ago (May 2) on board of an old tuna seiner called « La Nébuleuse » and sailing from Northern Brittany to Bordeaux, the Black Mountain N°2 cask will then be transshipped in Dourdenez on the magnificient « Grayhound », an English vessel engaging in « cabotage » between France, southern England and Scilly islands. All in all, the cask is meant to spend at least 6 months out at sea, navigating through winds and tides : an exceptional adventure which should come to an end this fall.
The main goal of this whole operation is obviously to experiment sea maturation : the slow moves of the boat making the whisky gently swirling in the cask while temperature variations allow the wood to expand and contract… Not to mention the sea spray which should also have an important impact on the whisky. 280 litres of spirit are then currently travelling at sea – that’s about as much whisky that should be bottled for a future VERY limited release !
If Cédric Leprette, co-founder of Black Mountain, chose to engage in this adventure, that’s also a matter of personal belief : « I am extremely concerned about the environment, and so are my associates, I also like this conqueror, adventurous, almost chevalric spirit ! I find all of these aspects with TOWT : reviving sailing merchant navy in 2015 and introducing the initiative as a pioneering concept, this is simply awesome and jubilant ».
Cédric also talks about a « kind of return to the roots of whisky : it was actually following transportation of the spirit in barrels within sailing boats towards the colonies that British have discovered the positive impact of prolonged wood maturation on whisky. »
Probably the first of a series of future partnerships with the young TOWT, whose mission is to revive the sailing merchant navy, the whole team at Black Mountain is very much looking forward to assessing the results of this uncommon experience.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Black Mountain Compagnie
The story of Black Mountain begins in 2011, when 4 passionate friends came up with the idea to use the exceptional waters of a high altitude spring (1000m) located within a natural wonder, the national park of Haut Languedoc, which will be the location of the future distillery, meant to be built by 2018.
Before the distillery starts operating, and with the aim to demonstrate its know-how, the founding team at Black Mountain Compagnie has launched two blended whiskies, finished in the best French spirits casks and named “Black Mountain Selection”.
BM N°1 was named Best European Blended Whisky at the 2015 edition of The World Whiskies Awards.
To find out more, please visit www.blackmountain.fr
TOWT – TransOceanic Wind Transport
TransOceanic Wind Transport is a sailing freight transport company that offers a concrete and alternative solution both to climate warming and to the energy challenge.
Guillaume Le Grand, founder of TOWT, is an energy specialist and has a significant experience on sailing boats. He holds a degree in Sustainable Development, Energy and Environment. After having lived in Berlin and in London, he founded TransOceanic Wind Transport in 2009, so as to prove the viability of cargo sail-shipping
To find out more, please visit www.twot.eu
