Ralfy talks eggs and bar-time with Ralfy Review 642 – Isle Of Arran 14yo @ 46%vol 2017

Whisky Month May 2017

Cask Is King
The Truth Behind The Taste

To celebrate Whisky month, The Real Mary King’s Close will be launching ‘Cask Is King’, an exciting new experience for the budding whisky connoisseur. Following the 2016 sell out ‘The Perfect Blend’ tour, every Thursday evening this May a limited number of guests will be guided through the dark streets of Mary King’s Close where they will enjoy a dram with a difference.

Combining Scotland’s best known exports of whisky and history, this specialist tour blends two must do experiences; whisky tasting and our capital’s fascinating history. Guests will travel back in time through the underground closes of Mary King’s Close as they uncover the incredible story of not only Edinburgh but also Scotland’s national drink.

From the humble beginnings of brewing ale to whisky and its many medicinal uses through to global appreciation, hosted by Mary King’s Close and partner Skene Whisky this bespoke tour tells the story of whisky. During their journey visitors will enjoy an authentic historical experience which goes beyond guide books and bus tours, including samples and stories from the experts, topping off the evening with a whisky cocktail which has been created especially for The Real Mary King’s Close.

The tour will also see the launch of The Real Mary King’s Close blend. Bottled at 40% ABV, this exclusive expression is mellow on the nose with a well-integrated aroma and a fruity top note. The taste is smooth with a citric note and a thread of smoke and butterscotch, with a spicy warming finish. Presented in a bespoke bottle which is decorated with The Real Mary King’s Close tartan, the malt is available in 50ml and 200ml, retailing at £5.95 and £18.50 respectively. The perfect souvenir for anyone visiting Edinburgh or a treat for a whisky fan.

Craig Miller, General Manager of The Real Mary King’s Close comments:
“This is a really exciting opportunity for visitors to enjoy a truly unique Scottish experience for Whisky Month. This tour will not only give guests the chance to sample some fantastic whisky, they will also discover the fascinating history behind the cask in the unique environment of The Real Mary King’s Close.”

Andrew Skene, founder of Skene Whisky adds:
“We’re incredibly excited to be working with The Real Mary King’s Close to celebrate Whisky Month. From its origins as a local “moonshine” to the leading international spirit it is today, we take you on an underground whisky journey. We can’t wait to share Edinburgh’s unique place in the turbulent and yet remarkable history of Scotch Whisky.”

Tours are taking place every Thursday in May at 9.15pm, advance booking is highly recommended. Tickets are priced at £35 per ticket and can be purchased online at www.realmarykingsclose.com, by phone on 0131 225 0672 or in person at The Real Mary King’s Close.

Continuum Attractions is the leading operator of cultural heritage experiences in the UK. Continuum currently manages an award winning portfolio of visitor attractions including Oxford Castle Unlocked and York’s Chocolate Story.

Date: Every Thursday in May at 9.15pm
Duration: 90mins
Ticket Price: £35
The evening includes 3 x whisky samples, 1 x cocktail
Over 18s only (ID may be required)

NOTES

The Real Mary King’s Close

Hidden beneath the Royal Mile, lies one of Edinburgh’s deepest secrets – The Real Mary King’s Close. This warren of hidden ‘closes’ or narrow streets where real people lived, worked and died, lay forgotten and covered by the City Chambers on the Royal Mile for centuries, until in 2003 it opened as a fascinating new visitor attraction for Edinburgh.

Operated by Continuum Attractions, this VisitScotland five-star attraction allows visitors to step back in time and be guided through these famous underground closes to witness some of the most dramatic episodes from Edinburgh’s incredible past.

For more information on Continuum Attractions, please visit www.continuumattractions.com
Continuum Attractions owns, operates and manages cultural attractions across the UK:
• Continuum Heritage Attractions
– The Real Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh
– The Canterbury Tales, Canterbury
– Oxford Castle Unlocked, Oxford
– York’s Chocolate Story, York

• Continuum Icon Attractions
– Emirates Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
– The Royal Mint Experience, Cardiff
– Emmerdale Studio Experience, Leeds
– Emmerdale Village Tour, Leeds

The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology

The 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, running from 1 January to 31 December, is a celebration of Scotland’s people, our traditions, our distinct culture, our landscapes, attractions and icons, as well as our hidden gems.

More information: https://www.visitscotland.com/about/themed-years/history-heritage-archaeology/

Ghost River Theatre introduces a MULTISENSORY SCOTCH TASTING Daring audiences to journey from the moors of Scotland to the grit of the Texas racetrack

April, 2017, Calgary AB – Ghost River Theatre is teaming up with renowned scotch expert Andrew Ferguson and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society to create a blindfolded scotch tasting event, to be hosted on May 2nd at Last Best Brewing and Distillery.

Audience members will be blindfolded, and led into the venue where they will experience an intimate scotch tasting that will be joined by live performance, and a specially planned tactile tasting mat that will engage the audience’s sense of touch. In addition to the scotches, Last Best Brewing will be providing a customized spread of delicious food chosen for its unique taste and geographic profile, intended to complement the tasting.

Joining this event is renowned playwright Jason Patrick Rothery, award winning sound pundit Matthew Waddell, and GRT Artistic Associate Louise Casemore who will be unearthing her own Scottish heritage as a performer for the piece.

“After 15 years of hosting specialized whisky tastings, I can say with confidence that this event is the first of its nature” says Ferguson. “We are taking five whiskies, breaking down their stories, their sense of place and creating a narrative around them. By removing our participants’ sense of sight we want not just to enhance the other senses, but allow their imaginations to take control of the experience. Whether you are a scotch fan looking to test their palate or a newcomer who’s looking to break into the world bold tastes, this is an event you should not miss!”

TASTING SCOTCH is part of the Six Senses Series, a bold sequence of sensory performance experiences that Ghost River has been producing since 2014. Each installment focuses on the theatrical potential of our senses. Tasting Scotch reimagines the traditional scotch tasting as a multisensory performance, designed to expand the audience’s perception of some of the world’s most exceptional scotches.

“The goal is to offer Calgary audiences and scotch lovers an exceptional one-of-a-kind performance,” says Rose. “We are experimenting with how story and the interaction from the different senses enhances the taste and profile of the scotch.”

New to the partnership this year is the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, and an array of exciting products for tasting courtesy of Kelly Carpenter. “The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is delighted to be the Scotch provider for this unique sensory event. Join us as we explore five of our limited edition single malts in a blindfolded environment guaranteed to heighten your senses!”

For one night only, this will be one to remember!

Tuesday, May 2nd at 6:30pm at Last Best Brewing and Distillery.

Tickets: $150 each including a $90 tax receipt and are available at www.ghostrivertheatre.com/tastingscotch2017

About Ghost River Theatre:

Led by Artistic Director Eric Rose, GRT is a devised theatre company that creates, develops and mounts original productions through a significant investment in imaginative research and development. We make our work in a rigorous, supportive collaborative-creation environment that recognizes and utilizes the unique abilities of all participants, premiering our work in Calgary and then touring it nationally and internationally. Our work embraces a hybrid of high tech visual spectacle with low-fi theatrical magic. Jessica Goldman of CBC Radio stated “…no one is better at mounting a totally unique and exquisitely creative piece of work than Ghost River Theatre.” Over our 24 year history, our unique creation process has yielded an impressive roster of critically acclaimed productions: Mesa, Eye for an Eye, ONE, The Highest Step in the World, The Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst, The Six Senses Series, amongst many others. GRT has created and toured some of the most thoughtful, daring, imaginative, and seemingly impossible work that this country has produced. With a keen desire to create, to engage and to push the boundaries of live performance GRT has established itself firmly as a leader in the Calgary, Alberta, and national cultural ecologies.

About Andrew Ferguson and Kensington Wine Market:

Ghost River Theatre’s collaborator behind this tasting adventure is none other than Calgary’s “The Scotch Guy” Andrew Ferguson. After 13 years working for Kensington Wine Market, first as a delivery driver and then as the store’s resident Scotch and whisky expert he purchased the business April 1 2015. In his time here he helped put KWM on the international map as one of the World’s top whisky shops. In March of 2015 Whisky Magazine awarded KWM “Highly Commended” or 2nd place for “Whisky Retailer of the Year Single Outlet”. He also built a reputation as one of Canada’s most trusted whisky experts. On April 11th 2011 he was inducted into the Keepers of the Quaich, the first Canadian retail expert to be so honored. He has his own whisky tour company, www.fergusonwhiskytours.com. He is also the President of a Calgary whisky club, The Companions of the Quaich, Calgary Chapter. A native of Calgary, he studied Military History at the University of Calgary.

About the Scotch Malt Whisky Society:

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a place to connect with other like-minded whisky lovers as well as being internationally renowned for their mission: to provide our members with an adventurous and fun journey of discovery of the world’s widest selection of single cask whiskies. As a member, you will join over 25,000 other members in 19 countries and have access to the very best single cask, single malt whisky available anywhere. Only members can purchase The Society’s fantastic and interesting whiskies.

Global Whisky Auctions – What’s to come in April.

In anticipation of the third Global Whisky Auction which will be launched on Friday 21st April, we would like to highlight some of our favourites bottles that will be going under the hammer. We have bottles from all over the whisky world which we know will satisfy many whisky cravings.

Starting with the Speyside region, we have some gems like the Macallan 1968 18-year-old, bottled in 1987. Matured exclusively in sherry wood, this old school Macallan, like many other 18-year-old releases from this great distillery, has recently seen prices climb higher and higher. Don’t miss out on this one. Get bidding when the time comes to add it to your collection.

The great old Speyside distillery of Glen Grant also features in our up-coming Global Whisky Auction with two bottles of 1956 distillation bottled by Gordon & MacPhail. This whisky was bottled in 2006 and would certainly be a great addition to any whisky collection.

Another distinctive bottle which will feature in our auction is a truly great whisky from the Highland Distillery, Dalmore. This release is the 40-year-old Astrum and with only 500 bottles released for the entire globe, this is a bottling which will interest the most discerning collectors. Distilled in 1966 and bottled 40 years later, this whisky was first matured in American white oak casks and then, for the final 18 months of maturation, moved into 30-year-old Gonzalez Byass Matusalem sherry casks. We anticipate a huge amount of interest in this fine bottle.

We are delighted to have a few highly-prized bottles from the world-famous, and now closed, Islay distillery, Port Ellen in the Global Whisky Auction. We have the first of the Diageo Annual releases from Port Ellen, distilled in 1983 and bottled at 22 years old. Also on offer is the 14th release which was distilled in 1978 and bottled at 35 years old. Port Ellen distillations always attract interest in the whisky world and enhance any whisky enthusiast’s collection.

Hopefully, your appetite has been whetted by this glimpse of some of the lots on offer in the third Global Whisky Auction.

Join us by logging on to our website and bidding on the bottles which will make a fantastic asset to your collection.

Remember the auction will be launched on Friday 21st of April.

Here’s to successful bidding!

There’s still time to add bottles to this auction. If you would like to sell a single bottle or an entire collection, please contact Global Whisky Auctions by email on info@globalwhiskyauctions.com or call us on 0141 248 7283.

A Classic Islay Beauty Only From K&L – At An Amazing Price To Boot!

2000 Laphroaig 16 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($89.99)

Laphroaig is one of the icons of Scotland, easily in the small canon of single malt first growths were there such a classification for whisky. For years, not only has its characteristic profile of peat, iodine, and smoke led many an adventurer to Islay and its maritime-influenced malts, the whiskies have long been some of the best values. Even the rarer and more limited releases from the distillery itself have been much more reasonable in price than what we’ve seen from other luxury-oriented brands.

This past year, while traveling to Glasgow in search of whisky, our buyers tracked down a classic example of what makes Laphroaig such a legend: a 16 year old, perfectly mature, textbook single cask of brilliance from the Islay stalwart. Keeping with the spirit of the whisky, we’ve managed to keep the price at a more than reasonable $89.99. For a cask strength single malt of this magnitude, it’s a steal of a deal. For fans of the distillery, it’s a can’t-miss opportunity.

This 16 year old single barrel, cask strength version of Laphroaig is simply classic across the board and having spent that time in a refill hogshead the wood influence is mellow and just enough to round out the edges. At 53.2% ABV, the proof is punchy enough to lift the peat smoke and elevate the phenolic notes, but this is still a whisky you can drink neat. It’s full of everything you love about Laphroaig without any of the gimmicky or marketing-related spins we see so often on the mass market today. There’s no cask finishing or special lost recipe here, just vintage medicinal Islay goodness. Sweet vanilla gives way to chimney soot, bonfire ash, and that quintessential Laphroaig smoke. The finish goes on for minutes, the potent distillery character sticking to the palate for as long as it can hang on. Considering the price we’re currently offering this for, you may want to buy two. This is a whisky you’ll want to come back to time and time again, and unfortunately older, reasonably-priced Islay whiskies at full proof aren’t so easy to come by these days. You can thank our direct relationship with Old Particular for this hot deal!

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 13, 2017

This is Laphroaig at its best. You get all of the smoke and lusty flavors that one expects from this world class distillery but it also has a tame and nice side to it. In the nose there are smoke and aromas of the sea, and with a little water, there is an added hint of sweetness. In the mouth it is big and pleasantly approachable with smoke, malt and salt some of the flavors present. Single cask offerings of Laphroaig are popular and sell out fast, so if you are interested buy sooner than later.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 12, 2017

The more the whisky market continues to eat itself (or drink in this case), the more difficult it comes to maintain and support classical standards of greatness. “We just don’t have enough of the good stuff anymore!” I hear customers exclaim. My personal favorite single malt of the last few years was the limited edition Laphroaig 15 year the distillery released a while back, a straight-shooting, right-down-the-middle expression of the iconic Laphroaig flavor. No port finishing, no quarter casks, just good old fashioned Islay goodness. When I found this barrel in Glasgow last year, I thought the same thing. Here is an on-the-money, single barrel anomaly. It needs no blending, no alterations. It’s perfect, dead-on, classic Laphroaig and it’s 16 years old, at full proof, and under $100 thanks to our great exchange rate. Feast, my friends!

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 12, 2017

A lovely nose of fresh cut peat and sea spray coupled with a medicinal cherry sweetness. The palate is much darker – it begins with sweet smoke – like striking a flint into dry Spanish moss but then gives way to deeper flavors with a subtle sweet streak and finishes with more chocolate and dense smoke notes and a substantially chewy texture. The finish has a fine ash quality, think a super hot beach bonfire that has finally gone cold. Excellent whisky at an excellent price- just exactly what you’ve come to expect with Old Particular casks.

Jeff Garneau | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 12, 2017

A faint trace of honeysuckle on a warm summer afternoon is quickly eclipsed by a whiff of rising smoke, quickly giving way to fresh cut peat, stacked and drying in anticipation of the coming winter. The palate by contrast is smoky and intense, unapologetically and quintessentially Laphroaig. This will absolutely delight fans of the Islay style. No pretense here, just damn fine whisky.

https://youtu.be/DT_3YqvDpQY 

Morning, all! Lagavulin, such a distillery, such a history and such a loyal following. This bottle only builds on that really. If we ignore last years releases, which is hard to do, because they were amazing! Lagavulin’s regular releases look like so; 16 Year Old (Regular Bottling), Distiller’s Edition (Batch Bottling) and once a year, we’re given the 12 Year Old Cask Strength, which is rather mind blowing in itself. The Distiller’s Edition is a Pedro Ximinez Sherry finish, it doesn’t take away any of the smoke, it’s simply adding more complexity via some sweeter notes that aren’t typical for the regular 16YO. I love this whisky, not quite as much as the 16 or the 12, but it is still up there as one of my favourite Diageo bottling’s. Enjoy!

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Lord Calvert® Canadian Whisky Expands Line of Products

Brand launches two new variants

(St. Louis) April 12, 2017 – Lord Calvert® Canadian Whisky has announced the addition of two new variants to its line of Canadian whiskies. Lord Calvert Black® and Lord Calvert Spiced Peach® are hitting the market this spring and will be available in select markets across the country where Lord Calvert is sold.

Lord Calvert Black offers the mild oak and sherry essence you would expect from smooth Canadian whisky yet heightened by its premium blend, giving it subtle hints of caramel, vanilla and spice. Serving suggestion includes mixing with ginger ale for a refreshing Canadian twist.

Lord Calvert Spiced Peach brings a fresh peach twist to the smooth flavor of the original Lord Calvert with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon spice. Serving suggestion includes mixing with iced tea for a new take on a traditional combination of flavors.

“These two new variants are growing the Lord Calvert family of products and offering something new for consumers of Canadian whisky,” says Fletcher Buchman, brand manager at Luxco. “We have seen growth in these categories – both Canadian whisky and flavored whisky – and by bringing innovative variants to markets where there is already current interest in Canadian whisky, we can set the brand apart.”

Lord Calvert Black is bottled at 80 proof and Lord Calvert Spiced Peach at 70 proof. Both are available in 750ml, with Spiced Peach also available in 50ml and 1.75L.

Lord Calvert Canadian Whisky is distilled in the heart of Canada, offering a smooth flavor with a touch of sweetness from a mixture of rye, corn, wheat and barley mash aged for 36 months. The brand recently celebrated its 50^th anniversary.

For more information about this product, please visit facebook.com/LordCalvertCanadian, LordCalvert.com or Luxco.com.  

About Luxco

Luxco, Inc. is a leading producer, importer and marketer of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our consumers, associates and business partners. Founded in St. Louis in 1958, where it is headquartered, it is owned and operated by the Lux family. Its portfolio of brands include: Juarez Tequila & Triple Sec, Pearl Vodka, Everclear Grain Alcohol, Arrow Cordials, El Mayor Tequila, Ezra Brooks & Rebel Yell Bourbons, Lord Calvert Canadian Whisky, St. Brendan’s Irish Cream, Salvador’s Cocktails, Yago Sant’ gria and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company, visit www.luxco.com

THREE CANADIAN WHISKIES HIGHLY AWARDED

AT DENVER INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS COMPETITION 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (April 12, 2017) Three of Sazerac’s Canadian whiskies received high honors at the sixth annual Denver International Spirits Competition, including one that received Gold and two that received Silver.

Those awarded Gold include:

• Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky

Those awarded Silver include:

• Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Whisky
• Legacy Canadian Blended Whisky

The Denver International Spirits Competition was held in Broomfield, Colorado, where a panel of 20 respected spirits authorities rated entries through a double-blind process, on a 100-point scale.

Complete results for the 2017 Denver International Spirits Competition can be found at www.denverspiritscomp.com

About the Sazerac Company

Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, Maryland, California, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com

Tormore 2002 | Côte Rôtie Wood Finish

A 2017 bottling by Independent whisky bottlers Gordon & MacPhail. Distilled in 2002 at the Tormore distillery, initially matured in first fill bourbon casks, then finished in Côte Rôtie red wine casks from one of the most famous producers in the Rhône Valley, Guigal.

£52.48

North British 55 Year Old 1961 vintage Lowland and single grain Scotch whisky. Single cask refill butt #13328 bottled February 2017 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Sovereign series. 144 bottles. This beautiful dark golden grain has a sweet nose with vanilla, sultanas, raisins and raspberry jelly with lime zest. Smooth and creamy on the palate, the flavours just run off the tongue. More vanilla and stewed apples with rich fruit cake topped with marzipan and milk chocolate. The finish is long and dry with a pleasantly sweet aftertaste.

North British Distillery was established on farmland to the west of Edinburgh in 1885 by Andrew Usher, John M. Crabbie and William Sanderson. Since then the city has expanded ever outwards and now the distillery resides in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh. North British opened in 1887 to guarantee supplies of grain whisky for its owner’s cordials and scotch whisky blending businesses. It is equipped with four Coffey stills to produce grain spirit at 94.5% alcohol and multi-million litres of spirit annually. Whilst most of its whisky matures in racked warehouses in the central Lowlands, a small number of casks spend at least eight years at the distillery in dunnage Warehouse No.1. Official releases are very few but excellent independent ones are available from Hart Brothers and Hunter Laing.

North British55 Year Old 1961 Sovereign #13328 
$575.18