“The Whisky Mafia has moved abroad! This is the first official thewhiskymafia.com dispatch from the Netherlands. Follow our hero Pat Dunlop and his new bride as they explore whisky in Holland.”
GlenDronach 18yo
Well, the time has come. I’ve been waiting to do this review for a very long time. I bought this bottle a long time ago and now it’s open, to be enjoyed with family and friends a like. To put it simply, if this whisky was a person, I’d have put a ring on it ages ago. It has everything i want for a price tag that’s below £100 in the UK, truly outstanding in every way possible. That’s all I can say without going on a super tangent and boring you all to death with superlatives. Enjoy the video!
https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube/
THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY UNVEILS TRIO OF EXCLUSIVE ISLAY WHISKIES FOR FÈIS ÌLE
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is celebrating its presence at the Islay Festival of Music and Malt with the release of three outstanding peaty single cask whiskies
For those fortunate enough to be travelling to the Islay Festival of Music and Malt (Fèis Ìle26 May – 3 June 2017), The Scotch Malt Whisky Society will launch three special single cask Islay whiskies exclusively at the event.
The bottles will be available, while stocks last, online at https://www.smws.com/ and at the Society’s UK venues from Thursday, 1 June. However, those attending the festival will have early access from Friday, 26 May.
The whiskies making up the distinguished trio of rare single cask Islay whiskies are called ‘The Crowd Pleaser’, ‘Sweet Smoke on the Water’ and ‘Jazzy Jousting Hastlitude’.
‘The Crowd Pleaser’ is a 10-year-old whisky from a second-fill ex-bourbon barrel from the Society’s Heavily Peated flavour profile, described as having notes of “old first aid kits and sweet hot smoked salmon”. Only 186 bottles are available.
‘Sweet Smoke on the Water’ is 20 years old and matured in a second-fill French hogshead. From the Society’s Peated flavour profile, it delivers notes of “smoked duck and ribs with sticky glaze”. Only 252 bottles are available.
The oldest of the three, ‘Jazzy Jousting Hastlitude’, is 21 years old and matured in a first-fill American oak Pedro Ximenez hogshead. Again from the Peated profile, the Tasting Notes describe this whisky as having hints of “tarte tatin, treacle toffee, herbal smoke”. From one of the whisky world’s most iconic distilleries, only 228 bottles are available.
International roll-out
All three bottlings will be available at some of the Society’s partner bars in France and Germany, which will be offering special Fèis Ìle-themedwhisky flights and hosting events in celebration of the festival. More information on these events can be found at www.smws.com/events
In addition, the Society’s branches in USA and Australia will also be staging special Feis Ile tastings over the course of the Islay Festival to celebrate the festival and the release of these new whiskies.
Helen Stewart, senior brand manager for the Society, said: “The eyes of the whisky world will be focused on Islay for Fèis Ìleand we wanted to release some incredible single cask whiskies in honour of the event. These three special whiskies reflect the variety of flavours within our Peated and Heavily Peated flavour profiles and are sure to appeal to fans of peaty Islay whisky.”
‘Flavour of Islay’ events
Those attending the festival will be able to purchase the bottles at three ‘Flavour of Islay’ events hosted by the Society at Islay House, Bridgend throughout Friday, 26 May.
These separate masterclasses will feature tastings of different local produce in order to investigate the importance of flavour, which lies at the heart of the Society’s approach to whisky.
The first pairing is a peaty SMWS whisky with 100% Ecuadorian, organic Pacari chocolate. The second takes a local approach to the old tradition of drinking a ‘Hauf an’ a Hauf’, by matching three whiskies with Islay Ales. Finally, later in the evening, the drams are paired with half a dozen juicy and fresh local oysters.
For more information about the Fèis Ìlespecial whiskies, click here https://www.smws.com/blog/2017/05/04/2358/
For more information about the Flavour of Islay events, click here https://www.smws.com/events/islay-house-2017
Just over 1 week until the festival, how has that happened?
I’m sure I’ll be speaking to quite a few of you over that week, that’s the best part of the festival for me – meeting the faces to all your email addresses.
But before all that, I am delighted to be writing to tell you all about a couple of releases from Springbank Distillery.
We’ll start with the Longrow….
Longrow Red: 13yo Malbec (51.3%)
This Longrow Red spent 12 years in Bourbon Casks and 15 months in Malbec Casks and there are approximately 9000 bottles available worldwide.
Nose: A very coastal beginning; sea salt with a fresh breeze, then becomes fruity; sweet cocktail cherries, blackberries and red currants. A faint and subtle note of cigar boxes and tobacco comes through.
Palate: The fruitiness continues with rhubarb crumble, stewed apples and juicy plums. Current ham follows with a very soft and delicate touch of peat with more coastal sea salt notes.
Finish: Red wine tannins dominate, combined with smouldering campfire smoke and the ver present fresh fruit notes of prunes and cherries.
The RRP is around £55.00 and the Society discount is applicable so you guys can get 10% off the price when you buy a bottle at one of our Cadenhead shops (at the shops’ discretion).
Longrow Red 13yo Malbec is available in the Campbeltown Cadenhead shop from today and the rest of the UK this week. Other markets will vary throughout the coming weeks – please contact your local retailers and stockists for more information, details of which can be found on then Springbank website.
Need to know
This is not a Society bottle.
This is considered a core product and as such the Society discount does apply.
I will not be taking orders for this bottle as I am not aware of any shop’s stock or allocation.
Springbank 21yo (46%)
Our newest 21yo was matured in Bourbon, Sherry, Port and Rum casks and there are approximately 3,800 bottles available worldwide.
Nose; Sweet with coastal undertones while the rum cask influence introduces dried tropical fruit including banana, coconut shavings and Demerara sugar.
Palate; Gentle and refined; Molasses and apricots combine well with cured meats, tobacco leaf and old leather.
Finish; The long gentle finish reveals Caribbean jerk seasoning with cayenne pepper, cinnamon and black peppercorn present against a background of soft smoky embers.
The RRP for this one is £186.00 and, in keeping with what has happened in previous years, there will be a £10.00 discount for members meaning you will pay £176.00.
Springbank 21yo is available in the Campbeltown Cadenhead shop from today and the rest of the UK this week. Other markets will vary throughout the coming weeks – please contact your local retailers and stockists for more information, details of whom can be found by visiting www.springbankwhisky.com/distributors.
Need to Know
This is not a Society bottle.
There will a £10.00 discount for Society members.
I will not be taking orders for this bottle as I am not aware of any shop’s stock or allocation.
Bottle shots for both products are attached, I suspect you will want a little glimpse.
Once again, these bottlings are available in the Campbeltown Cadenhead shop from today and the rest of the UK this week. Other markets will vary throughout the coming weeks – please contact your local retailers and stockists for more information, details of whom can be found by visiting www.springbankwhisky.com/distributors.
And lastly, in addition to the Springbank Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, I am pleased to say that Springbank Distillery is now on WeChat.
Name: Springbank Distillers
WeChat ID: SpringbankWhisky
Hope to speak to a few of you on WeChat!
Until next time,
Slainte
Nathan
Nathan Currie
For the Springbank Society
Black Bull 40 Year Old – What a stupendous opportunity to own an incredible blended scotch whisky. All the whiskies used to blend are between 40 and 51 years old. Additionally, Black Bull kept this blend to a rather high malt content; it contains only 14% grain whisky. The malts come from 1960’s and 1970’s distillates from such esteemed houses as Glenlivet, Macallan, Caperdonich, Highland Park, Bunnahabhain, and more. The single grain whiskies come from Caledonian, Girvan, and Port Dundas amongst others. This bottle received 94 points from Whisky Advocate as well as a #3 position on their “Buying Guide Top Ten Spring 2017”, and was blended and bottled at full cask strength and without the use of chill filtration or added coloring. This is truly a special bottle for any connoisseur or collector.
95 Riviera Drive, Bellevue, KY 41073 (859) 291-4007
Glendronach 18 Year Old Allardice
Glendronach 18 Year Old Highland single malt Scotch whiskey. Matured in Oloroso sherry casks, this sublime richly sherried malt is truly unforgettable. Sweet aromatics of fudge and muscovado sugar. Fruit compote and glacier morello cherries provide added complexity. On the palate remarkable flavours of stewed fruits and all-spice marry together with classical aged Oloroso and toasted walnut bread and chocolate orange. Glendronach malt whiskey distillery was established north east of Huntley in the Highland whiskey region by James Allardice in 1826. The malting floors at Glendronach Distillery closed in 1996 and it was the last distillery in Scotland to heat its stills directly with flames from a coal-fired furnace, until it had to comply with new regulations in 2005. Glendronach Distillery is resplendent with a traditional cask iron mash tun, wooden washbacks, four stills. Famous for its well-aged and top quality sherried single malt, for example Glendronach 21 Year Old Parliament, and single cask releases. The distillery is now owned by Brown Forman of America.
Ralfy tells the tale of malt and stuff with Ralfy Review 648 – Edradour 15yo @ 46%vol Fairy Flag
Rebel Yell® Bourbon Releases 2017 Edition of Single Barrel and Announces
New Option for Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye
Brand sees tremendous growth and earns accolades
(St. Louis) May 4, 2017 – Rebel Yell® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has released the 2017 edition of its highly sought-after Rebel Yell® Single Barrel, meticulously aged for a full 10 years and bottled at 100 proof, one barrel at a time. This hand-bottled wheated bourbon launched in 2016 in limited quantity, with 2,000 cases available nationwide. In 2017, Rebel Yell Single Barrel will once again be available nationwide in limited quantity – 2,000 cases.
An ultra-premium bourbon, Rebel Yell Single Barrel is robust in flavor with a mature finish and is hand-bottled for a uniquely rebellious experience. By bottling the bourbon barrel-by-barrel, each bottle will have a unique flavor profile – depending on how it aged, its location in the rick house and the flavor development within that particular barrel. Each bottle, complete with a premium matte finish closure and natural wood cork, is sold in individual boxes.
“Rebel Yell Single Barrel was incredibly popular in its 2016 release and we are pleased to offer another 2,000 cases this year,” says Fletcher Buchman, brand manager at Luxco. “Due to the bottling and aging process, this bourbon offers a unique tasting experience that may vary from bottle to bottle – consumers really enjoyed this concept and the flavors that come with aging bourbon for 10 years.”
Top industry experts also recognize the bourbon’s excellence – Rebel Yell Single Barrel recently earned a double gold medal at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. As with the 2016 release, the bourbon will be available in 750 ml bottles, bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV).
Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye
New in 2017, the brand will be offering a 1L option of Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye, in addition to its traditional 750ml bottle. This smooth and spicy rye is bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) and offers a mildly woody flavor with a touch of sweetness.
Just like the original Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which also took home top honors with a double gold medal, Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye recently earned a double gold medal at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In addition, Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye recently won Masters Gold from the American Whiskey Masters. Both variants have earned many accolades in the past few years, which recognize the brand’s growth.
Rebel Yell Growth
The Rebel Yell brand has seen immense growth, outpacing the domestic whiskey category by 37%. The brand has seen more than 41% growth in the past year.* “Consumers really gravitate to the wheated mash bill, smoother taste and sweeter finish,” says Buchman. “In the last four years the brand has also expanded its reach, and we have seen our sales grow by 316% since 2012**.”
For more information on Rebel Yell and its product lineup, visit www.rebelyellbourbon.com/. Fans can sign up for the loyalty program at www.bandofrebels.com/.
*Source: NABCA 9L rolling 12 months vs last year through June 2016
**DIVER YTD Shipments 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Southern Sour Ruby & Rye
2 oz Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2 oz Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye
1 oz simple syrup 1.5 oz ruby red grapefruit juice
Shake and garnish with a habanero pepper slice 0.25 oz raspberry puree
Shake over ice and garnish with a raspberry
About Luxco
A leading producer, supplier, importer, and bottler of beverage alcohol products, Luxco’s mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Founded in St. Louis in 1958, Luxco remains locally owned and operated by the Lux family. Currently, Luxco is constructing its first bourbon distillery – Lux Row Distillers – bringing the Lux family’s legacy to the heart of Bourbon Country in Bardstown, Kentucky. Lux Row Distillers will be home to many of the company’s bourbon brands, such as Rebel Yell, Blood Oath, David Nicholson, and Ezra Brooks. Luxco has also built a new distillery in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico – Destiladora González Luxco – where the company’s 100 percent agave tequilas, El Mayor and Exotico, will be produced. Luxco’s innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit http://www.luxco.com/.
We are delighted to announce the launch of our new website glenfarclas.com This marks a significant step forward in an era where information is sought after in a quick and innovative manner; something we hope to have achieved with our mobile and desktop friendly website.
This online platform will educate not just our current family of followers, but those new to Glenfarclas who want to know a little more about our brand and heritage.
The website has been broken into the fundamental characteristics that has made our independent distillery such a continued success since it was established in 1836; Whisky, Production and Family. Explore the flavours of the core range whiskies, the history of the Family Casks and reflect on which might be your next dram of choice. Users can go back in time to find out how the last 150 years’ ownership of Glenfarclas has been challenged and evolved by six generations of the Grant family, and how each generation has implemented their unique mark on Glenfarclas for supporters to enjoy and be part of today.
Aside from the family traditions come the production tradition. “You can change anything you like, but don’t change the spirit” – John L.S. Grant. As the spirit continues to run, you can find out a little more about the staff and techniques that help turn our malted barley into the bottled Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky you see on shelves today. As interest in Glenfarclas has risen over the years, we are pleased to have also included a section dedicated to visiting the distillery, with up-to-date information on a selection of tours.
Finally, we endeavour to keep users up to date with news and accomplishments from J. & G. Grant; these are some of our proudest moments that we are pleased to share with those visiting the site. Today with only a handful of independent family owned distillers left, J. & G. Grant has stood the test of time and is pleased to continue to do so by delivering this online platform.
THINK FLAVOUR
May Outturn sees us launch an exploration into flavour, partnering with experts from different food and drinks fields to help us to ‘think flavour’ when it comes to enjoying our whisky. With a little help from our Flavour Fanatics, we’re experimenting with different taste sensations and enhancing our sensory skills.
This First Friday we’re delving into the world of cheese, with Flavour Fanatic Ned Palmer making some excellent pairing recommendations. Enjoy six new single cask whiskies with a flavoursome bite. Discover more by visiting Flavour Fanatics
READ THE OUTTURN ONLINE
Browse the Outturn online
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
