Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 166: Auchentoshan 17 Year Old 1987 for Belgium 

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, always has a good bottle of Scotch on him when he travels. He recently visited Berlin and took along a special bottling of one of his favorite malts: Auchentoshan. This single sherry cask at 61,5% was bottled exclusively for Belgium and is a very powerful, but also very sexy malt. Find out why in this Rambling, that he recorded at the Berlin Dom.

https://youtu.be/74UQciBOrOw

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY EARNS PATENT PENDING FOR ITS OLD FASHIONED SOUR MASH PROCESS 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (June, 2017) – Many years ago the “old timers” at Buffalo Trace Distillery gathered together and discussed the process for making Old Fashioned Sour Mash whiskey, which differs from the traditional bourbon production method as the mash sours naturally before fermenting.

            In April 2002, Buffalo Trace decided to recreate this process, and bottled the bourbon nine years later as part of the inaugural release of the E. H. Taylor, Jr. collection. Named for the former distillery owner and bourbon aristocrat who used this Old Fashioned Sour Mash technique for his bourbons years ago, it was only fitting Buffalo Trace Distillery would close the loop by applying for a patent on this sour mash process. Currently the patent is pending, and Buffalo Trace is moving full steam ahead on making additional stocks of Old Fashioned Sour Mash process bourbons, which will likely be released under the E. H. Taylor, Jr. line in the future. Any release using this process will now be designated as “patent pending.”

            To further cement the Taylor legacy at Buffalo Trace, the Distillery plans to start using one of the Colonel’s original fermenting vats recently found buried on property dating back to 1882 to produce some of the Old Fashioned Sour Mash similar to how he did nearly 150 years ago.  “It really is extraordinarily fortuitous how this all came about,” said Mark Brown, president and chief executive officer, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “We’ve been working on the patent application for Taylor’s process for making Old Fashioned Sour Mash since 2015, and then in 2016 we discover his fermenters inside a building he had built, with an intact foundation dating back to 1873. It was obvious once we found them and realized what it was we needed to go back and re-create the Old Fashioned Sour Mash process as Taylor did it, in his early fermenters.”

            Although the exact Old Fashioned Sour Mash process is proprietary and remains patent pending, it does differ from the standard sour mash process traditionally used in distilling in that this sour mash is naturally soured through the holding time instead of forcing the souring with the addition of spent mash from the still as is traditionally done.

            It will be several years before this sour mash patent may be approved, provided the Distillery decides to proceed with the full patent application, or just keep the existing “patent pending” status. “For us, just to have the Old Fashioned Sour Mash process patent be pending achieves a long held goal we’ve had, as a tribute to E. H. Taylor, Jr,” added Brown.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com/.

Whisky and food pairing guide: cupcakes

When you think of food and whisky pairings, cheese, chocolate and meat may come to mind, but cupcakes? Elements of Islay international brand ambassador Mariella Romano hosted a whisky and cupcake evening for our Covent Garden shop’s Ladies Night tasting.

Mariella Romano from Elements of Islay was our guide for the evening

Believe it or not, those bundles of spongy, iced goodness are a very good match with whisky. Mariella paired a variety of cupcakes with Elements of Islay whiskies, a range of single malts from Islay packaged in laboratory-like bottles. This is what we tried:

Elements of Islay Br6 with pistachio

With a core line of vanilla running through this Bruichladdich whisky, the pistachio was a harmonious, nutty accompaniment. The spicy and fruity notes in this whisky were well balanced alongside the savoury notes that the pistachio bought to this partnership. Definitely a pairing for people who enjoy the savoury side of life.

Elements of Islay Ma1 with Peanut Butter & Jelly

As Bunnahabhain’s heavily peated sister, Margadale needs something sweet to accompany it, so what better than the good old-fashioned American staple: peanut butter and jelly. The cream and acidity of the cupcake cut through the smoke but also created a creamy, luscious pairing.

Cupcakes and whisky – not the most obvious match, but it works!

Elements of Islay Peat Full Proof with Lemon Meringue

Lemon meringue pie is one of my favourite desserts, so I was looking forward to this one. The cupcake had a dollop of meringue on top and lemon infused throughout the sponge, with the citrus cutting through the highly smoky Peat. My favourite pairing!

Elements of Islay Bw4 with Lamington

Lamingtons are traditional Australian cakes made from squares of sponge coated in chocolate and rolled in coconut. I hadn’t tried them before but they worked really well with the tropical Bowmore in glass number four. The coconut topping enriched the pineapple and mango, culminating in a smoky finish – a match made in Caribbean heaven.

Elements of Islay Lp7 with Nutella

What goes well with chocolate? Salt. The smoky Laphroaig with notes of seaweed and salt was teamed up with nutty and creamy chocolate. The medicinal quality of the whisky needs a rich flavour to balance it out and the Nutella cupcake was the perfect partner.

Elements of Islay Oc3 with Red Velvet

Oc3, an Octomore, was the smokiest whisky we tried. The red-velvet cupcakes offered silky-smooth, rich flavours which really held their own against the waves of smoke. Rather than fighting the smoke, the cupcake worked really well with it, creating a beautiful pairing.

I would highly recommend anyone to get out of their comfort zone and try some cupcakes next time they pour a dram. People are becoming ever more adventurous and I really believe that whisky and food pairing will be in the same position as wine and food matching in a few years – watch this space.

GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 6

Our malt of the month for June is from the stunning cask strength series from GlenDronach distillery. Already priced extremely well, we’re now offering a further £4 off Batch 6, until the end of the month…

BUY NOW

Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak

This is the modern interpretation of the Macallan style for which the distillery is so well known – refined, rich, and rounded with plenty of sherry cask influence. Very definitely a dram to be enjoyed with friends.

£55 Buy Now Was £70

Ralfy uncovers a young affordable age-stated affordable malt with Ralfy Review 659 – Kilkerran 8yo @ 56.2%vol

CHIVAS BROTHERS MOBALISES VOLUNTEERS FOR GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION 

Employee volunteers join forces in ongoing efforts to support and develop local communities

Scotch whisky and premium gin producer Chivas Brothers marked National Volunteers Week 2017 by ramping up its efforts to support community projects nationwide. The activity formed part of the seventh edition of Responsib’ALL Day, a global day of action hosted annually by its parent company, Pernod Ricard.

Chivas Brothers’ 1,600 employees joined forces to help support and develop their local communities with dedicated projects across the UK including restoring a children’s play area through to revamping shared spaces for vulnerable children and adults. The events took place near Chivas Brothers’ sites in London and Scotland.

Throughout the year, Chivas Brothers offers a volunteering programme and provides funding to encourage positive change across areas local to its sites. Employees are able to take part in a range of different community projects including Chivas Spirit of Support – a staff inspired volunteering programme – and the company’s Doubling Up scheme, where the firm will match up to £500 in fundraising per employee. On top of that, employees can vote for a Charity of the Year which is subsequently supported through fundraising initiatives.

On Responsib’ALL Day 2017, a 100 strong team from Chivas Brothers House in Hammersmith, London, partnered with Sands End Associated Projects in Action (SEPIA) to help rejuvenate a children’s play area. Armed with paint brushes and tools, employees rolled up their sleeves to help paint fences, decorate the surrounding garden areas and complete much-needed maintenance work at the Sands End Adventure Playground in Fulham.

In Scotland, teams from Paisley and Dumbarton joined forces to volunteer with Quarriers Village, one of Scotland’s largest social care charities for vulnerable children, adults and their families. The teams were tasked with improving facilities by decorating communal spaces, installing children’s play equipment and renovating garden areas.

In addition, dozens of green-fingered employees from the company’s Strathisla Distillery helped to spruce up St Rufus Park in Keith, working with Moray Council and St Rufus Regeneration Group to paint fencing around the tennis courts and install a basketball hoop in the pavilion area.

Across Chivas Brothers’ 32 sites including Orkney, in Scotland and Plymouth, in England employees partnered with local food banks, where they donated food items for those most in need.

Laurent Lacassagne, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, said: “It’s really important for us to give our employees the chance to volunteer in their local communities and whilst we have lots of activities planned throughout the year, Responsib’ALL Day offers the opportunity to join our colleagues across the globe and collectively make a difference. Having the chance to volunteer means our employees are able to dedicate their time to a number of fantastic good causes and can also feel part of a shared mission to help build strong communities.

“This year, we are supporting a number of important projects that we hope will make a difference to the lives of those around us. I’m extremely proud of the dedication and motivation of every employee and I’m confident our efforts will have a long-lasting impact.”

Kristen Stephenson, Volunteering Development Manager at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, added:

“Employer-supported volunteering is a great way for businesses to enable their staff to benefit a variety of good causes and make a difference to people in local communities.   Employees benefit from gaining new skills and experience including improved communication skills, confidence and increased community awareness. The business also benefits as employees bring what they have learned back to the day job.

“I hope that Responsib’ALL Day will be a great success for everyone involved and that it will inspire many of Chivas Brothers’ employees to stay involved in their local communities in the long term.”

Investing in and developing local communities is just one of Chivas Brothers business priorities along with promoting responsible drinking, protecting the planet and empowering its people.

Notes: 

About Chivas Brothers 

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the single malt whisky that set the standard; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.

www.chivasspirit.com

About Pernod Ricard 

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,682 million in FY16. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin and Malibu, Mumm and Perrier­ Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of 18,500 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 85 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

Taste Skye Under The Moon this August

The Birmingham Whisky Club has teamed up with Birmingham Museums, Talisker Whisky and artist Luke Jerram to present a unique lunar inspired whisky tasting experience this August.

Being held at Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, this event will give the whisky curious an opportunity to taste through six amazing Talisker drams, with the line-up being valued at over £800. Guests will be led through the tasting by renowned whisky expert and Diageo Reserve Whisky Ambassador, Colin Dunn.

This event is being held as part of the ‘Museum Of The Moon’ national tour (landing in Birmingham from 21st July) and gives attendees an exclusive chance to enjoy the installation whilst the museum is closed to the general public. Measuring seven metres in diameter, the installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound musical composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones. Created by artist Luke Jerram, the installation uses detailed imagery from NASA of the lunar surface to create a scale replica of the moon (approximate scale of 1:500,000).

Colin Dunn, Diageo Reserve Whisky Ambassador said: “We are really excited to be working with The Birmingham Whisky Club to present this fantastic line up of whiskies in such an exceptional setting.

Talisker is the only Single Malt Whisky on the shores of the Isle of Skye, one of the most remote, yet beautiful landscapes in Scotland. I hope that presenting these whiskies alongside the moon will evoke the tidal and rugged landscape of where they’re produced and take the audience on a journey to Scotland as they taste through the selection.”

Amy Seton, Owner of The Birmingham Whisky Club said: “We are delighted to be working with Luke Jerram to showcase these amazing whiskies in an unusual and creative way. We look forward to welcoming Colin to Birmingham for this extraordinary tasting event.”

The exclusive screening and tasting will be held on Saturday 5^th August 2017 and there are two time slots to choose from (5:30pm – 7:00pm or 8:00pm – 9:30pm). Tickets can be purchased here. Prices start at £30 and include an expert led tasting through six different whiskies. Discounted tickets are available for members of the Birmingham Museums Trust and The Birmingham Whisky Club.

The Birmingham Whisky Club runs ‘dram-atically’ different events with whisk(e)y from all around the world for whisky lovers old and new. The event will be the organisers third collaboration with Birmingham Museums.

Notes

For information about The Birmingham Whisky Club please visit thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk or contact Amy Seton on 07966 266511 or email Vicky@birminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk.

About The Birmingham Whisky Club

The Birmingham Whisky Club is Birmingham’s only dedicated whisky tasting events company. We offer a diverse range of tutored tastings and whisky-themed events in and around Birmingham, including themed and rare whisky night’s, events with distilleries, whisky and food matching, and private and corporate events. We welcome everyone, from complete beginners to the more hardened whisky buff.

Visit our webpage http://www.thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk/ or find us on Facebook. 

About Museum of the Moon and Luke Jerram  

www.my-moon.org

Museum of the Moon is a new touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram.

Luke Jerram’s multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations and live arts projects. Living in the UK but working internationally for 20 years, Jerram has created a number of extraordinary art projects which have excited and inspired people around the globe. Jerram has a set of different narratives that make up his practice which are developing in parallel with one another. He is known worldwide for his large scale public artworks.

In Birmingham he has previously presented his world famous installation Play Me I’m Yours with dozens of pianos distributed across the city to play. His hot air balloon artwork Sky Orchestra launched from the Think Tank in collaboration with the Fierce Festival. The Think Tank also hosted his Dream Concert back in 2005. www.lukejerram.com

For more information on Thinktank and Birmingham Museums, visit their website.

Choosing the perfect single malt gift for Father’s Day can be a daunting task, but with no gift wrapping required, Jura’s new special edition bottles of Origin and Superstition make that decision all the easier. Each bottle is illustrated with the flavour notes that can be found within, making it all the easier to navigate the world of whisky and select that essential gift for your Dad this Father’s Day.

Known for producing a light and delicate spirit thanks to its tall stills, maturation in the sea air and careful selection of  the finest woods; Jura Origin & Jura Superstition offer something to suit all palates. Whether it be the refined flavours of honey, citrus peel and toffee of Jura Origin, which has spent 10 years in American White Oak Ex-bourbon barrels, or the lightly peated Superstition that has notes of honey, spice, peat and pine– we’ve even included a handy gift tag with each bottle to save you the trouble…

Each special edition bottle includes the chance to win a trip to Jura with your dad – a chance to discover the different sides of our unique Scottish island for yourself. Simply enter the promotional code found on each pack on our website. Good luck, and happy Father’s Day,

Everyone at the Jura Distillery

Single Cask Special

Looking for something a bit different? Something a bit special? Something unique?

Look no further than our range of single cask expressions from independent, family-run bottler Hunter Laing & Co. Each cask produces just a few hundred bottles (at most) and each cask is exclusive to The Whisky Shop. You can’t get much more unique without bottling direct from the cask yourself!

Sign up on whiskyshop.com today and get £5 off your first order over £50! Just enter the code web_offer during checkout.

Single Cask & Exclusive