Port Ellen 1980 Rare Old (2015)

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

This week Joe Ellis reviews the Highland Park 25 Year Old Single Malt and his life is now all the better for it!

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Barrel of laughs: Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival aims to find a high roller on the streets of the world’s malt whisky capital

The casinos of Las Vegas may have their high rollers, but the streets of the world’s unofficial malt whisky capital will soon have their very own barrel rollers. Visitors to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival will have the chance to compete in the ancient ‘sport’ of barrel rolling – a tribute to the warehousemen who perform the task on a daily basis.

The event takes place in Dufftown – recognised as the hub of Scotland’s whisky industry because it is surrounded by seven distilleries, including the world famous Glenfiddich – and takes place over a 50m track.

It is just one of many quirky events taking place at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival from April 28 to May 2 in the heart of Scotland’s best known – and best loved – whisky producing region.

Thousands of visitors from all over the world will descend on Speyside to raise a glass to the national drink at almost 500 separate events. The programme includes distillery tours, exclusive tastings, food events, music, comedy and outdoor activities for whisky connoisseurs and novices.

Barrel racing takes place on a closed road in the town centre of Dufftown on Sunday, May 1 and has been organised by the Dufftown and District Community Association. Nicola Alexander, a trustee of the group, says the event will offer something very different.

She adds, “The idea came about because we wanted to do something different from all the tours and nosings and tastings, but still keeping with the whisky theme. We hope the community will come out for this event, along with the visitors, and enjoy the Festival spirit.

“Competitors will be asked to race a 50m track and back up again, when the other member of the team will take over and do the same. The winner will be the fastest team.

“Before the race, two experienced warehouse men from a local cooperage will show everyone how’s it’s done. We hope to make this a yearly event and even get all the local distilleries to have a competition between each other.”

The event is open to teams of two – individuals can be paired up – and there’s even prizes on offer for the fastest finishers. The action takes place under the shadow of Dufftown’s iconic clock tower from 2.15 – 3.15pm. It forms part of the wider Dufftown Whisky Street Festival, with lots of Scottish entertainment throughout the afternoon.

For those who still have the energy, there’s the chance to take in all seven of the town’s distilleries in the 7 Stills Race. The course will take in all the famous and lesser known names and offers a varied and challenging route. The race takes place from 2pm to 6pm.

Other quirky events on the programme include the opportunity to canoe down the mighty River Spey and sample some drams inside a tepee at the end of the trip; trying out craft skills by carving a wooden whisky tumbler and needle felting a Highland cow; and taking part in a ‘dramble’ through the Quarrelwood in Elgin where experts from renowned whisky merchants Gordon and MacPhail will discuss the importance of wood in whisky production.

There’s also a women-only event, Whisky Women & WAGS. Dufftown whisky expert Michelle Myron will be leading a walk around the local distilleries, showing how chocolate is the perfect match for whisky. And there’s even the chance to enjoy a whisky pancake breakfast at Grantown YMCA – with a special limited edition Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival topping.

Whisky festival manager Pery Zakeri says, “We pride ourselves on offering something for everyone, regardless of their level of interest in whisky. It’s possible to come and enjoy the Festival and the atmosphere without touching a drop – although we thoroughly recommend that all our visitors give the region’s fantastic whisky a try.

“There are almost 500 events on the programme this year and we defy anyone not to be able to find something that they will enjoy.”

Tickets for all events in the 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme are available to buy now at http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/ The Festival is also active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and on Instagram.

Picture caption: Barrel racing will take place in the distillery town of Dufftown during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

The former Chief Blender of Suntory Whisky Koichi Inatomi has been inducted into Hall of Fame

The Second Japanese in Whisky Magazine “Hall of Fame”

Koichi Inatomi, former Chief Blender of Suntory Whisky (former Director of Suntory Limited) has been inducted into the Whisky Magazine “Hall of Fame”, becoming only the second Japanese member of the Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony was held together with the awards ceremony for the World Whiskies Awards 2016 (also hosted by the magazine) in London, England on Thursday, March 17.

The “Hall of Fame” is a prestigious award from Paragraph Publishing Ltd’s Whisky Magazine, and is presented to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the world of whisky over many years. Winners have been announced every year since 2004. The host awarded trophy to Inatomi with commenting “I have known Dr Inatomi – or ‘Tomi’ as we know him – for over 20 years. Japan stands tall in the world of whisky, and he has genuinely changed the industry he works within. The results of his work have laid the foundations for the reputation of Suntory whisky and, as an honorary researcher at Glasgow University, he continues to live, breathe and shape the world of whisky today.” Inatomi expressed his joy and pride at receiving the award, commenting “The very honorable award of induction of me into the Whisky Magazine ‘Hall of Fame’ this time is totally unexpected joy and would like to say many thanks to all the people who supported me throughout my life long whisky career. My special thanks are directed to the people including scientists, producers, journalists, distributers and bartenders for their kind yet hard comments and advices. Without the kindness of these people the road of Japanese whisky would have been much harder.”

Koichi Inatomi – Brief Personal History

Born in 1936. Joined Kotobukiya Limited (now Suntory Holdings Limited) in 1959. His career took him through the Whisky production, Technology Development Department and Research Laboratories of Distilled Spirits and Liqueurs etc., becoming the Chief Blender in 1982. He played a leading role in developing well-known products such as Hibiki blended whiskies, Yamazaki and Hakushu single malt whiskies. He retired in 2000.

Also this month, we launched our Famous For A Reason Competition. We’re looking for you to nominate somebody who you think is Famous For A Reason. It could be anything, big or small, but they have to be deserving of their Famous title. Nominate them here and they could win their very own personalised bottle of The Famous Grouse. For T&C please visit our website. Find out what else is going on at Scotland’s award winning, five star visitor attraction this month…

The First Famous Gloag

The history of The Famous Grouse is as rich and tantalising as the whisky itself. Over the coming months we plan to tell you some of the standout Famous stories. And, there isn’t one more Famous and worthy of a look to the past, than that of our founder, the very first ‘Famous’ Matthew Gloag. Take a look at our blog here.

New Master Blender

Kirsteen Campbell has been appointed to the role of Master Blender for The Famous Grouse, taking over from current Master Blender Gordon Motion this month. Kirsteen will now become one of the few people allowed to share the secret of the unique blend of whiskies that combine to make The Famous Grouse. Read more here.

Easter at Wilde Thyme at Glenturret

Looking for somewhere special to go this Easter Sunday? Wilde Thyme at Glenturret Distillery have a delicious Easter Lunch menu, available from 12pm-2.30pm or treat yourself to Afternoon Tea from 3pm-5.30pm. Take a look at the menus here.

Blending Experience

Fancy yourself as a Master Blender? With our Blending Experience, enjoy a tour of the most traditional distillery in Scotland and a guided whisky tasting followed by an in-depth blending session where guests create their own blended whisky to take home. Find out about our Blending Experience here.

Wolfburn Single Malt

Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

 

EXQUISITELY PRICED PARCELS & BRAND NEW BOTTLINGS

Colourful eggs bring spring brightness but you can enhance your nest even further with a rainbow of flavours. New out with only 24 bottles produced from the cask, 7.127 Nectar of the Gods glows a deep, inviting amber. Shadowy purples and sun-bleached golds of southern Spain come to life in our new Sherry Pair; 33.143 & 9.104 are a mouth-coating match of savoury, sweet and smoke. And we couldn’t leave out green today; Paddy’s Pair shines emerald with the best Irish drams. Hurry and find your pot of (liquid) gold before the Easter rainbow shimmers out in the sunlight…

SHERRY POPPING PAIR ONLY £199

Old & dignified

9.104 Lychee Martini
Exclusive to offer
MORE >

Spicy & sweet

33.143 Thank you and goodnight!
£120.00
BUY >

BUY Sherry Popping Pair >

DOUBLE GRAINER ONLY £179

Sweet, fruity & mellow

G7.8 Sweet seduction in a car-wash
Exclusive to offer
MORE >

Spicy & dry

G7.7 Old Codger with a Jammy Dodger
£108.60
BUY >

BUY Double Grainer >

Browse Current Outturn >
Browse All Bottlings >

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

Cask88 Launches Exclusive Whisky for The Merchistonian Club in Edinburgh 

UNITED KINGDOM — 03/11/2016 – Cask88, one of the world’s leading suppliers of bespoke whisky, today unveiled a historic bottling produced exclusively for The Merchistonian Club in Edinburgh. For over 15 years, the team at Cask88 has been helping world-class companies deliver legendary experiences with one-of-a-kind bottles of the finest whisky. Cask88 empowers brands and organizations to offer unique whisky to further initiatives and increase brand value. The team specializes in all aspects of the perfect bottle including cask procurement, bottling, labels and final distribution.

Three generations of Merchistonians working in the whisky industry have come together for this exclusive alumni release. Charles Maclean (1965-1969), Edward Davidson (1986-1989) and Patrick Costello (2001-2009) carefully selected a 1997 single malt from the widely acclaimed Clynelish distillery.  This 19 year old Highland whisky is from a single cask with only 350 bottles available worldwide, in Charles’ tasting notes he mentions that the whisky is “a splendid expression of Clynelish, embodying the make’s sophistication and elegance.”

This outstanding whisky is complemented by two bottling options, a decanter or bottle. The decanter has been carefully designed by Glencairn Crystal to offer an impeccable presentation piece. Either option includes a red and blue box baring the old Merchiston logo and selected bottle number (subject to availability). Patrick Costello notes, “this whisky is the perfect wedding, birthday or reunion gift for any Merchistonian.  It’s a great collectible that contributes to the fundraising appeal for new sporting facilities.”

FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE

The Merchistonian Club Whisky is being launched as part of The Fundraising Appeal. Merchiston Castle School is embarking on their biggest sporting development in a generation.  Facilities are being upgraded in order to expand offerings and allow student athletes to excel to new heights.  These facilities will be among the best in Scotland.  To date, two thirds of the target has been raised; enough to allow the initial phase of development to begin.

ABOUT MERCHISTON CASTLE SCHOOL

Merchiston is a Scottish School located in Edinburgh offering the English curriculum with a global, out-ward looking dimension. The school prides itself in the education of boys to prepare them for the world, as they have done for over 180 years.  A balanced curriculum, excellent pastoral care and a high A level pass rate make Merchiston one of the UK’s leading independent schools.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For those looking to learn more about The Merchistonian Club Whisky, information is available on the Cask88 website. You can visit http://store.cask88.com/ for more details.

Speyside Distillery shares the secret of Cask 27: exclusive limited edition single malt whisky from its first distillation

Bottle number one in an exclusive limited edition release of the first distillation from Speyside Distillery is to go under the hammer at auction. It is one of just 250 bottles from Cask 27, which contained the very first spirit to be produced by the artisan distillery in December 1990.

Cask 27 was the final cask to be filled on that milestone occasion and the single malt Scotch whisky has lain sleeping, patiently waiting to give up its secrets for the past 25 years. Bottle number one will be auctioned through McTear’s on Wednesday,, March 23 and it is anticipated there will be high level interest in the rare malt from whisky connoisseurs and collectors.

John Harvey McDonough, chief executive officer of Speyside Distillery, says the time feels right to finally share the historic dram through this limited edition bottling, which will go on general release following the auction.

The distillery is located at the foot of the Cairngorm mountain range in the Scottish Highlands within a former barley mill and croft. It was created by George Christie – a retired Royal Navy submarine captain – and was built by hand in a painstaking 30-year process.

“Mr Christie obviously knew that good things come to those who wait, and that is one of the reasons why we have been in no rush to release this very first distillate,” adds John.

“Managing director, Patricia Dillon and I feel honoured to be in a position of being able to release this very special cask. In doing so I personally felt that I was able to share the tremendous, meticulous work that went into building the distillery and laying down the first casks.

“This truly is a beautiful dram in which the passion of this first distillate can be tasted. We are delighted to be joining together with McTear’s to auction bottle number one: as a prestigious auction house it is fitting for our rare bottle to be in their safe hands.

 “This is not just a whisky: this is an integral part of the distillery’s heritage. We are extremely proud to be able to share this part of our history with whisky lovers and we hope those who are lucky enough to secure one of the special limited edition bottles will raise a toast to those who painstakingly worked together to build the beautiful distillery and lay down this very first distillate.”

Cask 27 is bottled at 55.1% cask strength from American oak casks, and is non-colour and non-chill filtered.  It has a hue of light golden colour with an aroma of refreshing, delicate fruits with hints of vanilla and honey, and a taste of subtle vanilla with a smooth crème brûlée flavour. Its finish is mild, fresh citrus fruit

Cask 27 is presented in a beautiful humidor box with a hand written label, numbered bottle number and wax stamped with the wording – 1990 year of 1^st distillation. The box has a certificate of authenticity signed by the CEO.

Stephen McGinty, whisky specialist at McTear’s Auctioneers  says, “We handle many special limited edition whiskies, however, to have the great privilege of auctioning SPEY from Speyside Distillery bottle number one of this special edition bottling of Cask 27 is a very rare occasion indeed. This whisky ticks all the boxes and more for any investor and we are expecting to receive significant interest.”

Speyside Distillery near Kingussie is home of the SPEY brand of malt whisky. It has been in production since 1990 and is operated by Speyside Distillers Ltd. In 2012 the SPEY brand and packaging with its specially designed unique bottle was introduced.

For further information about Speyside Distillery, visit http://www.speysidedistillery.co.uk/. Follow Speyside Distillery on Twitter @SpeySingleMalt and on Facebook at facebook.com/speysidedistillery

Further information about the auction can be found at http://www.mctears.co.uk/ and on 0141 810 2880.

Picture caption – The new Spey from Speyside Distillery Cask 27 is a special limited edition from the first distillate. Bottle number one is being auctioned by McTear’s on Wednesday, March 23.

Old Pulteney on Top of the World as 1989 Vintage Crowned Best Single Malt

We’re celebrating one of our greatest triumphs to date – Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage has been crowned the ‘World’s Best Single Malt’!

The extraordinary achievement was announced last night at Whisky Magazine’s prestigious World Whiskies Awards, hosted at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London.

Only the world’s most exceptional whiskies were nominated, and with a record number of entries this year leading to tough competition, we have even greater cause to celebrate this accolade!

We released our peated 1989 Vintage in September 2015 as the embodiment of Pulteney Distillery’s renowned craftsmanship. Its distinctive smoky character comes from maturation in hand-selected American oak ex-bourbon barrels, which previously held heavily peated malt.

Old Pulteney Senior Brand Manager Margaret Mary Clarke was thrilled to hear news of the success. She commented: “This is a wonderful win for everyone at Pulteney Distillery and we couldn’t be more proud to have our 1989 Vintage recognised as the world’s best single malt. When we released the whisky last year it was a real hit with whisky enthusiasts and Old Pulteney devotees, who already recognise the quality and character of our full range of fine single malts. Last night’s award is another great testament to the dedicated Distillery team up in Wick whose passion and skill for creating incredible malt whiskies continue to be recognised around the world.”

The Managing Editor of Whisky Magazine, Mr Rupert Wheeler said: “This year has seen a record number of entries into our World Whiskies Awards and the Icons of Whisky continue to grow with the addition of new categories. I was delighted to have met so many guests last night, all of which make the whisky industry a pleasure to be a part of. The evening went extremely well and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the judges and sponsors of all of our awards. We look forward to doing it all over again next year.”

Our malt has been acclaimed for its excellence many times over. Old Pulteney’s 21 Year Old Single Malt holds the coveted title of ‘World Whisky of the Year’ for 2012 in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible – one of the industry’s highest accolades. Our whisky also achieved top ten status in the UK single malt market in 2012 and is flourishing in many other countries around the world, so we’re sure you’ll join us this evening in raising a dram to our team here at Pulteney Distillery.  Sláinte!

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