Please find below a link to a press release from the Managing Editor of Whisky Magazine announcing the results of the Icons of Whisky Rest of World 2016:
Rebecca Sterritt
Content Manager and Tastings Editor
Whisky Magazine
Strathisla 1967 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whiskey. Matured in First fill Sherry butts, bottled 2015 by Gordon & MacPhail. Strathisla Distillery was founded in 1786 and is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland. Strathisla Distillery was built on the site of a brewery on the banks of the River Isla in Scotland’s Speyside whisky region. Now equipped with two pagoda roofs over the old malt kilns, classical stone walls and slate roofs, a water wheel now catching your gaze from the front wall and pulling you into the splendid heather garden of this iconic Scottish distillery. Strathisla Distillery welcomes visitors at the distillery visitor centre where tours of the distillery are available. Strathisla Distillery participates in the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE AND JACK DANIEL’S® PARTNER ON ICONIC LIMITED EDITION JACK DANIEL’S-BRANDED INDIANCHIEF VINTAGE
Two legendary American brands join forces in handcrafting collectible masterpiece unveiled at Barrett-Jackson auction for the benefit of U.S. Military personnel and their families
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (January 28, 2016) — Indian Motorcycle®, America’s first motorcycle company, today announced it has joined forces with the Jack Daniel Distillery to create the Limited Edition Jack Daniel’s Indian® Chief® Vintage motorcycle. The partnership brings together two of America’s most iconic brands that share a mutual commitment to independence, originality and American craftsmanship that dates back more than a century. The collaboration commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Jack Daniel Distillery, which was registered in 1866.
The 2016 Limited Edition Jack Daniel’s Indian Chief Vintage will on display January 23-31 at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Collector Car Auction. It will also make an appearance at a series of events throughout 2016 including Daytona Bike Week, taking place March 4-13. Ultimately, this first-in-the-series display bike will be auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Las Vegas, which takes place October 6-8. All monies raised from the charity auction will be donated to support “Operation Ride Home,” a partnership between the Jack Daniel Distillery and the Armed Services YMCA that provides funding and travel assistance to help junior-enlisted military personnel spend time with their families during the holiday season.
“This one-of-a-kind motorcycle is the perfect pairing of these two classic American brands, and while they look great together, we’ve inscribed this unique collector’s edition masterpiece with our ‘Bottles and Throttles Don’t Mix’ mantra to remind all our friends that drinking and riding are meant to be enjoyed separately,” said Dave Stang, Director of Events & Sponsorships for Jack Daniel’s. “We’d like to thank our friends at Indian Motorcycle for their help on this project and their support for Operation Ride Home.”
The Limited Edition Jack Daniel’s Indian Chief Vintage will be produced in very limited quantities, taking the iconic Indian Chief Vintage platform to a whole new level with an array of genuine Indian Motorcycle accessories and custom accessories, as well as Jack Daniel’s-inspired custom paint and logos, badging, leather saddle and saddlebags. The bike’s fender is also inscribed with the names of the seven Master Distillers who have overseen the Jack Daniel’s distilling process over its 150-year history. Final customization work was designed and completed by Brian Klock and his inspired team at Klock Werks in Mitchell, S.D. Additional details on the production schedule and ordering process will be released during Daytona Bike Week.
“It’s a pleasure to partner again with our friends at Jack Daniel’s on this project as a tribute to originality and American craftsmanship, and to do so for the benefit of our military personnel and their families,” said Steve Menneto, President of Motorcycles for Polaris Industries. “Jack Daniel’s and Indian Motorcycle proudly support our troops, military families and our veterans and we are honored to join forces again in 2016.”
For more information about Operation Ride Home, or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit: www.jdoperationridehome.com
Jack Daniel’s press information can be found at the Jack Daniel’s press room located at www.jdpressroom.com. Indian Motorcycle images are also available at the Indian Motorcycle press site at www.imcpress.com
ABOUT JACK DANIEL’S
Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails. Jack Daniel’s encourages its friends to drink responsibly and reminds bikers that Bottles and Throttles Don’t Mix.
ABOUT THE ARMED SERVICES YMCA
The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) is a nonprofit organization which has been dedicated to making military life easier for more than 150 years. Impacting over 500,000 families annually, the ASYMCA offers low and no cost programs through 200 service centers at 32 branch and affiliate locations serving 45 of the largest military installations nationwide. Of the 1.2M active duty military stationed in the US, approximately 82 percent are located where the ASYMCA has a branch or affiliate nearby to help make military life easier. The ASYMCA does not receive government funding and does not charge dues or membership fees for their programs. Eighty-nine cents of every dollar donated goes directly to support programs. In 2013 the ASYMCA was designated as a top-rated charity by CharityWatch and for the 8th consecutive year received the highest (4-star) rating from Charity Navigator. Your tax deductible donation (Tax ID #36-3274346) to the ASYMCA will make a significant impact on the lives of junior enlisted service members and their families. Please visit asymca.org to learn more.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), is America’s first motorcycle company. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com
ABOUT POLARIS® INDUSTRIES
Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) is a global powersports leader with annual 2015 sales of $4.7 billion. Polaris fuels the passion of riders, workers and outdoor enthusiasts with our RANGER®, RZR® and POLARIS GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; our SPORTSMAN® and POLARIS ACE® all-terrain off-road vehicles; VICTORY® and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE® midsize and heavyweight motorcycles; SLINGSHOT® moto-roadsters; and Polaris RMK®, INDY®, SWITCHBACK® and RUSH® snowmobiles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories sold under multiple recognizable brands, and has a growing presence globally in adjacent markets with products including military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. www.polaris.com
Image Caption: “Two legendary American brands join forces to create highly collectible masterpiece to commemorate Jack Daniel’s 150th anniversary with proceeds to benefit U.S. Military personnel and their families.”
Macallan 21 year old Fine Oak
Our favourite ever Macallan whisky – crafted using both bourbon and sherry casks, this Speyside delight has also been triple-distilled. It offers flavours of soft, rich fruit mixed with a touch of treacle. Delicious! Orders will be dispatched week commencing 1st February. Was £280. Save £51
FEBRUARY PREVIEWS ON SMWS.COM: AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DRAMS
With only a few bleak January days left it’s time to wrap yourself up in a rainbow of flavour with February’s early releases. Pick An amazing technicolour dram for a vibrant start, an Old Fashioned Manhattan for a classy, low-lit drop or Sea breezes over the vernal machair for a sparkle of beach brightness. They’ll be gone in a twinkle so beat the rush and order now on our new website: smws.com It’s proving very popular with members; thank you for all the kind compliments!
Have a nosey >
Young & spritely
48.71 An amazing technicolour dram
Homemade pink lemonade, pink wafer biscuits and ‘Pink Charm’ mountain laurel on the nose neat followed red hot chili peppers on the palate. Water added brown sugar vanilla ice cream, blueberry millefeuille, and in the finish, green sugar coated fennel seeds.
Age: 13 years
Cask: First fill ex-bourbon barrel
Price: £49.10
Spicy & sweet
46.36 Old Fashioned Manhattan
From musty old books to grapefruit juice and a spicy chorizo rocket sandwich the nose neat offered plenty to talk about over a pair of classic cocktails. Diluted, let me ask ‘have you ever had a beer marinated moose steak?’
Age: 23 years
Cask: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead
Price: £99.80
Young & spritely
10.87 Sea breezes over the vernal machair
The nose, notwithstanding honey, sherbet straws and ice-cream is dominated by floral fragrances and sea breezes over the machair. The palate, intense at first, mellows with water to light smoke, lots of citrus, Parma violets and salt; fresh, sharp and pleasing.
Age: 10 years
Cask: Refill ex-bourbon barrel
Price: £59.40
Please note: This is a limited release from February’s Outturn, full release on Fri 5 Feb.
Browse Current Outturn >
Browse All Bottlings >
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).
Visit the Society 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
Clynelish 18 Year Old
Clynelish 18 Year Old 1997 vintage ‘The Highland Mariner’ Highland single malt Scotch whiskey. Single cask hogshead bottled 2015 by Wemyss Malts. 341 bottles. The hardy Highland Mariner enjoys a costal walk beyond this hogshead. Clynelish Distillery is a malt whisky distillery situated at Brora on the Sutherland coast in Scotland’s Highland whisky region. The original Clynelish Distillery was founded in 1819 by the Marquis of Stafford and a new Clynelish Distillery was built in 1967 close-by the original. The new distillery has been enlarged in recent years and is now a major contributor to the Johnnie Walker range of blended Scotch. Visitors are welcomed at Clynelish Distillery Visitor Centre which offers tours around the new distillery and the opportunity to view parts of the original Clynelish Distillery. ‘The Highland Mariner’ 1997 single cask expression of the Highland distillery bottled by Wemyss Malts.
This week Joe Ellis reviews Cragganmore 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
San Francisco Whiskies of the World®
Benefitting the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund San Francisco Saturday, March 26, 2016 6:00pm – 9:00pm (5:00pm-6:00pm Dram Club & VIP Hour) SF Belle Hornblower Yacht (remains docked) #WOWSF
Whiskies of the World® Expo brings together distillers from around the world to share their finest spirits and knowledge with whisky enthusiasts. Discover the Art of Whisky in the company of connoisseurs and whisky celebrities.
What to Expect:
More than 200 expressions of Scotch, Bourbon, Irish, Canadian and other whiskies from around the world
Whisky seminars
Whisky and food pairings
Whisky and cigar pairings
When: Saturday, March 26, 2016 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm (Dram Club & VIP hour begins at 5:00pm)
Where: SF Belle Hornblower Yacht (remains docked) Pier 3 Embarcadero, Washington, San Francisco, CA 94111 – United States
Tickets: Dram Club $185.00
VIP ticket $160.00
General admission ticket $130.00
Guests must be 21 years or older to attend. Valid photo ID required.
Hotel For San Francisco:
Hilton San Francisco Financial District Hotel
750 Kearny Street ▪ San Francisco ▪ CA ▪ 94108
Rates: $179 a night with $30 self-parking Ask for the Whiskies of the World room block.
The Reservations Department may be reached toll free at 1-800-424-8292.
What does my ticket include?
Hundreds of whiskies from all over the world to taste, food for pairing, a whisky tasting glass, a cigar Cut and Smoke.
What does Dram Club include?
One-year Dram Club Membership
VIP only pours
Dinner Buffet
Cigar Cut and Smoke
Masterclass
Special Tasting Glass
Friday Night Dram Club Party
What does VIP include?
VIP only pours
Easier access to brand ambassadors, distillers and blenders.
Less wait time for samples
A complimentary whisky seminar based on availability
Masterclasses for Whiskies of the World San Francisco 2016
Guests will deepen their knowledge and appreciation of whiskies through our Masterclasses, 45-minute guided tastings of a variety of whisky expressions not sampled during the main event.
David Perkins (High West): Because whiskey matters
An overview of the “why’s” behind High West, our products, and why Utah of all places
Join David Perkins, Founder of High West Distillery, for some “why’s” behind High West and a glimpse into High West’s journey from a silly idea to attempting to become a full-fledged distilling business with a big dream. David will share the stories behind High West: Why Utah? Why the products High West has? Why blend? Why a mountain distillery?
Why do you want to sign up for this seminar? You will taste High West’s core range and some yet-to-be released products made on High West’s new Forsyths pot at the world’s only distillery dude ranch.
Masterclass Pour: Double Rye, American Prairie Bourbon, Rendezvous Rye, Campfire (and some special pours)
Josh Gelfand (The Glenlivet): The Craft of the Cask
Join Master of Scotch, Josh Gelfand, to explore the artistry involved in cask selection, maturation techniques and to learn how different types of wood are used for the complex flavors of Speyside’s signature single malts from The Glenlivet and Aberlour. This exciting tasting will highlight a diverse range of single malts, including cask strength and non-chill filtered varieties. Don’t miss your opportunity to compare and contrast The Glenlivet 15 French Oak Reserve, The Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Selection, Aberlour 12, and Aberlour A’bunadh.
Master of Whisky (Diageo): TBD
TBD
Cigars and Whisky: Partagas cigars with a malt and a bourbon
Welcome Lana Fraser, the premium event manager for General Cigar Company whose factories are located in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Lana’s specialty is consumer education on handcrafted premium cigars. Ms. Fraser will team up with our whisky ambassadors to guide you on a sensory journey utilizing Partagas cigar with a bourbon and a malt.
Website Launch
Whisky Hammer is delighted to announce the launch of its exciting new whisky auction website.
As an introductory offer, Whisky Hammer is offering 0% commission for sellers, an ideal time to sell and save auction fees.
“Grain whisky?” our customers ask scratching their heads, “What is that exactly?” Good question because it’s never really been a topic of clear discussion in the Scotch whisky business. Single malts are obviously made from single malt whisky – 100% malted barley distilled in copper pot stills. So what’s grain whisky? Grain whisky is what’s added to single malt whisky to create “Blended Whisky” like Johnnie Walker or Dewars. It’s usually made from corn, wheat, or rye and distilled in a giant column still much like Bourbon. Until recently, however, you rarely saw grain whisky sold on its own, independent from the blended genre. Our buyers have been doing their darndest to bring grain whisky out of the shadows and into the spotlight, forming a relationship with the Sovereign whisky company out of Glasgow and purchasing single casks with serious age to facilitate that mission. The result has thus far been incredible (as have the prices).
For a deeper look into the specifics of grain whisky, check out our article here about grain distilleries from our On The Trail blog.
For a look at our latest K&L Exclusive grain whisky arrivals, check out our most recent arrivals below:
1989 North British 25 Year Old Sovereign K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Whisky (750ml) ($109.99)
Just outside of Glasgow sits the North British grain distillery, a facility that uses unmalted grains like corn and wheat and distills them on a column still to produce grain whisky–one of the more misunderstood personalities of the whisky universe. Most of you have had grain whisky before, you’ve just had it in conjunction with single malt whisky in expressions like Johnnie Walker or Chivas. Grain whisky is what’s ultimately combined with single malt whisky to create “blended” whisky (hence the name). What hasn’t been clear to most drinkers until rather recently, however, is how wonderful grain whisky can be on its own, especially when aged twenty years or more. This 25 year old North British cask of goodness brings a mouthful of cereal sweetness, rounded fruit flavors, and a biscuity butteriness that pleases the senses in a way that only something that straightforward can do. At 57.5%, there’s plenty of heat behind all that dessert-like flavor, allowing you to toss in a few ice cubes without really diluting the flavor whatsoever. If you’re new to the grain whisky game, this is a great place to start.
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 26, 2016
Anyone out there enjoying the amazing Nikka Coffey Grain Japanese whisky? Anyone? Consider this North British expression to be a 25 year old version of that. Two and a half times the age, two and a half times the flavor, and two and a half times the concentration of oak, but for less than double the price. That’s the power of direct purchasing, folks. Hot whiskies for hot prices.
1988 Cambus 26 Year Old Sovereign K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Whiskey (750ml) ($119.99)
Whereas comparable single cask of editions of the now-closed Cambus distillery have sold for $200 or more, our direct import program continues to provide incredible value to customers interested in cutting out the middleman. This 26 year old beauty of a grain whisky is tailor-made for fans of the Nikka Coffey Still expression, albeit this one is much, much older and at full proof. The fruit and vanilla have never been richer, the palate has never been smoother, and the whisky never more drinkable than it is in this 26 year old Sovereign edition of Cambus. The whisky is practically begging to be consumed over ice and tossed back with reckless abandon. But that would probably do a disservice to the complexity that looms underneath all that obvious deliciousness. This is liquid butterscotch. It’s a cookie biscuit distilled into whisky form and put into a beautiful bottle, exclusively for K&L customers.
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 26, 2016
The defunct Cambus grain distillery has been a great source of great whisky for us over the years. Finding these 25+ year old barrels of superb softness with enticing drinkability has helped to re-craft the image our customers previously held concerning grain whisky. This is a beautiful Scotch whisky, gentle and pleasing in its inherent nature, but complex with subtle stonefruits and lithe accents of oak. From a closed distillery to boot.
1988 Invergordon 27 Year Old Sovereign K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Whisky (750ml) ($129.99)
Fresh off our most recent delivery are two new single barrels of Invergordon, a Whyte & Mackay Highland grain distillery that sits along the waters of the Cromarty Firth north of Inverness. For those of you who still can’t wrap your heads around grain whisky, just imagine Bourbon distilled to a higher proof and aged like single malt in various types of refill barrels. It’s basically high proof, column still whisky made from corn, wheat, or unmalted barley that’s pumped out in mass quantities to mix into blended Scotch. Because of that rather dubious reputation for quality, prices for grain whisky remain low. But because of our extensive tasting and sampling in the genre, we’ve learned that very old grain whiskies. This 27 year old is textbook grain whisky, nothing more and nothing less. It’s fruity and round on the entry with a soft mouthfeel and a lovely note of vanilla on the finish. It’s no frills, no fuss whisky. It’s just flat out delicious.
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 26, 2016
To Scotland’s far north, between Inverness and Brora, lies the Invergordon distillery, along the waters of the Cromarty Firth. This 27 year old single cask of Invergordon whisky is like Scotch Bourbon in a sense–distilled from corn on a column still, but aged in used oak rather than new charred oak, and matured in a cool climate, rather than the flux of hot and cold experienced in Kentucky. This Invergordon has bold flavors of vanilla and toasted nuts with an accent of spice on the finish that rises with the glow from the higher proof. It’s a whisky that’s practically begging for ice (and a glass, of course).
K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA
