Ralfy talks Feis Ile with Ralfy Review 696 – Caol Ila 12yo @55.8%vol (Feis Ile 2017)

The final countdown to the opening of the world’s very first 100% community-owned and 100% green energy-powered distillery is on.

In three weeks, on St Andrew’s Day (November 30^th), GlenWyvis Distillery in Dingwall will be officially opened and whisky production will be ready to commence.

The newly appointed Master Distiller, Duncan Tait, is inspired by the unique possibilities this creates.

“To join a brand new distillery and shape the flavour profiles of a new single malt from the start is a dream come true,” he said.

Managing director and founder, John McKenzie, is extremely proud that the two year project is so close to bearing fruit.

GlenWyvis from the sky

“This is a community project and the support has been overwhelming. To raise over £3 million in such a short time, and with over 60% of our members coming from the Highland area, is testament to the enduring appeal of Scottish whisky,” he said.

“We’re using barley sourced from the local coop of farmers, Highland Grain and we’re using wind, water and solar power and a biomass boiler to provide the power. I’m immensely proud of the entire team here at GlenWyvis and we are all thrilled to be officially opening the distillery on St Andrew’s Day.”

Click here to see drone footage of the distillery!

Copper Monument – Release of 6 Single Cask Whiskies 

As a group of enthusiastic whisky lovers, we are excited to announce our first range of whiskies available at www.coppermonument.com.

We have carefully selected six casks to be bottled at full strength without any colouring or chill-filtration.

Springbank 1995 Single Cask 21 Year Old

Distilled in 1995, this 21 year old Springbank was exclusively matured in a sherry hogshead before being bottled in September 2017, at a cask strength of exactly 46%.

Heaven Hill 2009 Single Cask 8 Year Old

Perhaps our most exciting release, this single barrel Heaven Hill was bottled last month at an impressive 63.5% and carries a lot of power and flavour – a stunning whiskey.

Glen Moray 2007 Single Cask 10 Year Old

A very elegant 10 year old Speyside whisky distilled in 2007 and bottled 58.6%.

North British 1991 Single Cask 26 Year Old

Our oldest release is from the Edinburgh based distillery North British, this whisky is strongly influenced by the cask and is a great example of a well matured single grain. Distilled in 1991 and bottled in September 2017 at 49.7%

Ardmore 2010 Single Cask 7 Year Old

We bottled two single cask Ardmore’s, containing their lightly peated spirit these are a great comparison to the softer Islay styles. Distilled in 2010 and bottled at 61.4% and 61.2% respectively.

We are offering these whiskies exclusively online at www.coppermonument.com and are able to ship around the world. If your country is not shown as available, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we can arrange the shipment.

For more information, contact Copper Monument on –

coppermonument@gmail.com

SURPRISE!

That’s right, we’ve got a surprise bonus auction happening this month, with all the profit generated being donated to Blameless UK.

Blameless Charity was formed to provide fun times, happy memories and a vision of hope for the future for children and families affected by alcoholism and addiction.

More information can be found at:

http://blamelessuk.co.uk/

It’s a great cause, and to help raise money, we have several fantastic bottles from Glenfiddich.

This special bottle is unique to Scotch Whisky Auctions. The eagle eyed amongst you may notice that this shares a cask number with the 2016 Spirit of Speyside Festival bottle. Once the festival was over, the remaining spirit from the Sherry Butt was re-racked in an American oak Bourbon cask for a further year.

Master Blender Brian Kinsman has this to say:

“It is a lovely expression of Glenfiddich from a 2nd fill sherry butt where the influence of the Spanish oak is nicely balanced with the rich fruity character of Glenfiddich. Rich and sweet with hints of dry tannin, soft spice and dried fruits.”

Head over to the website to get involved!

NEW SINGLE CASK BOTTLING AT MILROYS

Some of you may remember our last Single Cask Kilchoman bottling, our new one is even better!

Buy Whisky Now

A little while ago… in a far away island called Islay, the guys at Milroys travelled up to taste casks of whisky at Kilchoman distillery. What a hardship! The result was one of the best casks we have ever tried. The perfect balance of tropical fruit and smoke. We kept it simple with bourbon cask maturation and cask strength.

Kilchoman Single Cask 57.7%

This expression is a fantastic single cask bottling,  Nose: Apricot panna cotta, waxed leather, burned muscovado sugar and intense smoke. Palate: Fresh and vibrant, beurre noisette, roasted pineapple and juice mango, vanilla bean and wood varnish. Finish: The finish is long and complex with juicy fruits interspersed with peat reek. Buy whilst you can…

Buy Kilchoman Milroys Single Cask Now

Ralfy examines an unpeated, peat-malt with Ralfy Review 695 – Caol Ila 17yo @55.9%vol (unpeated)

FINLAND TO SCOTLAND ON A GLORIOUS WHISKY TRIP

Once again we hosted the Malt Whisky Association of Finland on a Scottish dram tour. The usual suspects arrived with a few new whisky loving tourists, and as usual – all very welcome. Anders had arrived a couple of days early (group organiser) and of course needed looking after, which we did, hopefully good. The remainder of the 14 people we collected from an Aberdeen hotel and Aberdeen airport 1.30pm – day one, off to a start and headed up to GLENDRONACH distillery where they were deposited and enjoyed the tour and drams. Many took advantage of the “fill your own bottle fae the cask”, aye, I was tempted but held back. From here a short drive to Duncan Taylor in Huntly where, you guessed it, drams awaited them. More tasting and more purchasing – I do have to mention Anders at this stage, day one, he now had 8 bottles in his bag. More purchasing at DT, even I succumbed with a Balvenie Peat Week – The 14-year-old single malt, distilled in 2002, made exclusively with barley peated to 30ppm using Highland peat. The 2002 Vintage bottled at 48.3% non chill filtration, it’s in the bag! With bags and boxes we boarded the coach and headed doon to Lossiemouth and our hotel, one down several to go!

Day two a 9.30 tour at GLEN MORAY, one of my own favourite places, many thanks to Iain who gave them a great tour, followed by drams in the warehouse and further drams back in the visitor centre, to be honest I only partially participated in the drinks, I know, am seeing a doctor soon. After far too long here we departed for Loch Ness and lunch, fish suppers galore near the monster water, before a 40 minute drive to GLEN ORD for one more tour and taste, the taste was good! An easy trip to our next hotel in Evanton, the team hit the bar big style!

Day three, a wee drive for the tour at GLENMORANGIE, from the feedback, Morangie can do better with tour and drams – well, the ONE dram, c’mon people, these Fins like drams! Anyhow, we moved north to Dornoch and lunch at the Eagle pub, thanks Eric. A wee donder doon the road took us to CARNEGIE WHISKY CELLAR where a tasting had been arranged for the group. Michael did a superb job here, 3 drams and a great chat, followed by big purchasing, myself included; Bladnoch Samsara – The first of three new releases to celebrate the reopening of this distillery. Although it doesn’t carry an age statement, it’s said to be made up of whiskies that are a minimum or 8 years old and well as older, rarer whiskies. First fill Californian red wine and bourbon casks were used for maturation, whilst ‘Samsara’ appropriately enough means ‘rebirth’. The expressions were created by new Bladnoch master distiller Ian MacMillan, former master blender for Burn Stewart. Lovely stuff. Then another 20 minutes or so to BALBLAIR, another tour and 6 drams, what a nice sunny day, what? More shopping? Back to Evanton.

Day four saw up depart at 9am heading south over the Kessock Bridge, past Inverness to TOMATIN, tour and tastes followed and, aye, purchases, the luggage was getting heavy at this point. Later we stopped for drams at DALWHINNIE, rest stop really with liquid refreshments. Then – for me – the highlight of the day, EDRADOUR DISTILLERY. Love going here and this time for once NOT a driver! As Andrew spotted us the drams came oot, he must be a living angel as he always shares whisky with us! A great time here, lots of shopping, and I will be back again soon to get the rum finish bottles. Sad to leave but we did, drove to Perth and dumped everyone at the hotel. Liz had joined us at Dalwhinie, she loves going to Edradour too, we rested a while in the hotel bar, an hour or so later we all headed along the Venue pub in town, where we had a table booked for everyone, Friday nights in Perth can be busy, good food good drinks and (one or two of us) too many drinks, no names mentioned here but she lives in Broughty Ferry. Overnight and a 9.15 departure set for next day.

Day five, Liz away homewards, coach group boarded – some bleary eyes and sad looks that morning, turns oot a good few were drinking til 5am at the hotel! Arriving at TULLIBARDINE 5 minutes before doors open, we got in and dondered aboot the shop. Thanks so much to our friends there for a brilliant tour, inc warehouse and 6 grand drams, aye, 6 drams, of course shopping followed. Along to Callander for lunch and a final distillery DEANSTON. This was a really busy place – too busy with three Rabbies tour groups in, we had arranged a private tour here thankfully and they all enjoyed it, shopping as usual with fill your own included, luggage so heavy now! An hour later we were checking into our Glasgow hotel, last night, some packing and repacking needed tonight methinks. Enjoyed food with a few and hit ma bed early, had encountered a cold along the way and felt rough.

All in all, another good tour! I believe they are planning a tour for next Spring on our superb west coast. Great, can go home tae Oban!

Thanks to all the Fins and the single Hungarian on tour and everyone who helped make it good. Back again soon –

www.mcleanscotland.com   www.whiskytours.scot

Just Whisky Auction is now Live

48th Auction starts with some special lots from Yamazaki, Macallan & Ardbeg! 

Just Whisky’s November auction just went Live! Here at Just Whisky we’re excited by a lot of the new releases, not least by the new Mizunara cask matured Yamazaki. Mizunara wood is notoriously difficult to work with and consequently, the bottles released after maturation in this wood are few and far between, making them incredibly attractive to whisky enthusiasts looking to try a different taste. There are only two of these bottles to bid on, so don’t miss your chance to secure one for yourself.

In among the auction, there are a lot of real gems. As usual, for the full listing just visit our website and click on ‘Live Auction’.

www.just-whisky.co.uk

GIVE A GIFT AS UNIQUE AS THEY ARE THIS CHRISTMAS

Treat your loved one to one of the finest, most unique single malt whiskies with Lore, Select and 27 Year Old from Laphroaig

The award-winning, heavily-peated Single Malt Scotch whisky has been dividing opinions since 1815. It is not your everyday whisky for everyday people so this Christmas, get into the spirit and give the gift of history with three unique bottlings from the world’s No.1 Islay single malt.

HISTORY AT HEART

Laphroaig Select’s unique character is derived from the special selection of casks chosen for maturation. The heart of the spirit is drawn from a final maturation in new American Oak casks, rarely used for Scotch whisky.

Representing a subtle blending of peat, oak and sweetness, Laphroaig Distillery Manager John Campbell has selected the spirit from Laphroaig Quarter Cask, PX Cask, Triple Wood (European Oak casks) and a final addition of 10 Year Old to create San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 silver medal award winning Laphroaig Select.

Sparkling gold in colour, on the nose Laphroaig Select is reminiscent of burning embers of peat in a crofter’s fireplace with hints of coconut and banana. Full bodied, the whisky offers deep, complex and smoky flavours on the palate with a surprising gentle sweetness and a dry, spicy, finish, making it a great foil to smoked salmon, rich mince pies beside the fire or strong blue cheese this festive season.

For something extra special, give your loved one a limited edition Laphroaig Select gift pack including two bespoke Laphroaig nosing glasses alongside a full-sized bottle.

Laphroaig Select and the Laphroaig Select gift set are available in selected whisky specialists and retailers. RRP £35

THE RICHEST OF THE RICH

A double-gold medal award winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017, Laphroaig Lore is shaped by Laphroaig Distillery Manager John Campbell, and drawn from 5 different casks including first-fill Bourbon barrels, new American Oak quarter casks, refill Laphroaig and Oloroso Sherry butts to create a rich Laphroaig like no other.

As the name suggests, this offering from Laphroaig is inspired by the knowledge and traditions passed down from generation to generation of its distillery managers, blenders and craftsmen.

Deep mahogany in colour, on the nose Laphroaig Lore is rich and smoky with seaside minerals, a hint of ash and bitter chocolate drops. Vanilla follows with chestnuts and a hit of fudge with malty sweetness – flavours reminiscent of Christmas treats. This develops into reach peat and a spicy chilli bite on the palate with a long, sweet aftertaste. A special gift from our family to yours, Laphroaig Lore will match well with a variety of foods over the festive season – it’s the perfect dram to sip alongside (or even pour over) your Christmas pudding, dark chocolate, or game meats.

Laphroaig Lore is available in selected whisky specialists and retailers. RRP £84

OLDER AND WISER

In 2015, to celebrate its 200th anniversary, Laphroaig launched a 32 Year Old exclusive – the highest aged whisky it had released in over 8 years. This formed the start of a super premium series which the limited release 27 Year Old Double Matured Laphroaig continues.

To make this exquisite liquid, mature Laphroaig previously aged in hogsheads was transferred into first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and refill quarter casks. Patiently aged in the famous Warehouse No. 1, these casks were then specially selected for a final maturation and bottled at cask strength.

Burnished gold in colour, on the nose Laphroaig 27 Year Old offers ripe tropical fruit, toasted nuts, vanilla cream and fresh leather, which develops into smoke on the palate tempered by limes and stone fruit, giving way to sea salt and mild spice on the finish. Or in Distillery Manager John Campbell’s opinion it is like “dreams of stewed fruit and old potato sacks in the baking sun woken with carbolic soap. Ahh, lemony fresh!” Presented in a white wooden box with hand-carved images of the Laphroaig distillery inside, this exceptional bottling is perfect for that special someone and is the ideal dram to round-off your Christmas feast.

Laphroaig 27 Year Old is available in selected whisky specialists and retailers. RRP £425

John Campbell, Distillery Manager comments: “Christmas is about sharing what you love with who you love. These three bottlings showcase our passion for making exceptional whiskies and offer Laphroaig lovers something extra special this festive season.”

To find out more information about Laphroaig or how to become a Friend of Laphroaig, please visit www.laphroaig.com. Please enjoy our brand responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk

www.facebook.com/laphroaig

twitter.com/laphroaig

instagram.com/laphroaig

www.laphroaig.com/opinions

Notes

Awards:

ISC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig 10 Year Old

ISC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Triple Wood

ISC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Select

ISC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Quarter Cask

ISC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Lore

ISC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig PX

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 | Double gold for Laphraoig Lore

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 | Gold for Laphraoig 10 Year Old

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 | Silver for Select

IWSC 2017 | Gold for Laphroaig Quarter Cask

IWSC 2017 | Gold for Laphroaig The 1815 Legacy Edition

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig 10 Year Old

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Four Oak

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Lore

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Select

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Triple Wood

ABOUT LAPHROAIG®

Laphroaig® is one of only a few distilleries that still uses traditional malting floors and dries and infuses its own malt with the thick blue smoke from old peat-fired kilns. People experience whisky in very different ways. It’s what makes us human and what makes Laphroaig® so special. The award-winning heavily peated Single Malt Scotch whisky has been dividing opinions since 1815. With its pungent, earthy aroma of peat smoke, the sweet nuttiness of the barley and the heathery perfume of the Kilbride stream, Laphroaig® is an unapologetically bold and rich and Single Malt. It’s this complex and sometimes polarising range of flavours that has garnered a loyal and passionate following of whisky enthusiasts and continues to divide opinions around the world.

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith gin, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit

www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.