KWM Whisky Advent Day 11 – Shelter Point Single Malt

When Shelter Point whisky burst on to the scene with their Inaugural Run Single Malt last year, they took Canada by storm. At least Western Canada. We all knew it was coming, the first of the wave of BC Craft Distilleries to get a mature whisky to market. The Inaugural Run Single Malt, and the follow up, the Shelter Point Distiller’s Select Cask Strength (a single malt/rye hybrid) were both very well received. Shelter Point actually out sold Crown Royal Norther Harvest Rye, at least in our shop. This fall they have released two very interesting new releases: Shelter Point French Oak Finish and the Shelter Point Single Grain Montfort Lot DL 141.

Shelter Point Distillery was founded by Patrick Evans in 2011 in Oyster River BC. The distillery and the farm it sits on are located half way up the eastern coast of Vancouver Island. Patrick is a third generation farmer in the Comox valley, his family having been early pioneers in the area around the turn of the 20^th Century. In 2005 Patrick and his family bought a University of British Columbia research farm that was once owned by his father. The farm sits on fertile land, ideal for the growing of barley, and atop a large natural aquifer.

The farm covers 380 acres with 2 kilometers of oceanfront. The farm is run in as sustainable a manner as possible. In the Distillery’s Words: “We do not plow or cultivate the soils. Instead, we use a heavy-duty grain seeder that cuts through the previous year’s stubble, opening up the ground with a round disc and allowing new seed to be dropped in the soil and then covered for germination. We over-seed harvested fields with winter wheat, rye or winter peas to increase the organic matter in the soil and rebuild the soil naturally. This action also benefits the many visiting waterfowl who overwinter on the farm, and minimizes the potential of soil erosion during winter rains. On some fields, we also apply a heavy spring application of compost or manure.”

In 2009 when the decision was made to open a distillery, Patrick wanted to make sure they did things right. With the help of some Scottish investors and the Diageo veteran Mike Nicholson, a Vancouver Island transplant the distillery construction was completed in 2010, with the first distillation taking place in the spring of 2011 with barley grown on the farm. The distillery produced a range of vodkas and liqueurs while the early casks of whisky lay sleeping.

Shelter Point’s first single malt, the aforementioned Inaugural Run Single Malt, was released in May of 2016. We had early exclusivity on the product and were very impressed by its quality. Subsequent releases have not disappointed.

Shelter Point Single Malt – 46% – Matured in American Oak – Andrew’s Tasting Note: Nose: fresh, toasty and honeyed; a touch of sour orange opens into oatmeal-raisin cookies right out of the over and corn syrup; a touch vegetal and quite malty with aloe-like oils. Palate: still fresh, malty and honeyed; the corn syrup is still there with some simple syrup and melons; the orange note is drying with some Demerara sugar and Russian coffee dregs; still vegetal and floral with loads of toasty oak; the oatmeal-raisin cookies are still there, right out of the oven… not enough raisins though! Finish: clean, crisp and toasty; more malty tones, sugars and honey with a floral finale. Comment: more mature by a hair than the first release; further proof that they are on the right track! – $87 per 750ml or $12 per 50ml

TAKE THE TOMATIN TIPPLE TEST 

Tomatin’s People Pairing takes off with celebrity matches 

Highland distiller’s Tomatin have unveiled their People Pairing quiz that aims to match personality traits to different expressions in their core range of whiskies.

Based on the notion that certain personality traits could match the different characteristics of the distiller’s core range, a likely pairing can be suggested via an online test on the Tomatin website (http://www.tomatin.com/people-pairing) .

Master Distiller, Graham Eunson said, “With so many different whiskies within our core range, I have no doubt that there is a whisky to match every personality. By breaking down each expression to a certain flavor profile, I have tried to match these to five distinct personality types. It may not be definitive, but I believe that this shows that everyone can enjoy whisky. It’ll be interesting to see how the public reacts to their Tomatin’s paired whiskies.”

To launch the personality pairing test, the brand held a tasting with master distiller Graham Eunson, who matched three celebrities to their 12-Year Old, 18-Year Old and 36-Year old whiskies. The three celebrities that were matched were legendary cyclist Victoria Pendleton, fashion designer Henry Holland and Alpinist and 12-time Everest conqueror Kenton Cool.

Henry Holland, the famed Mancunian fashion designer to the stars, businessman and Internet personality, was matched with the smooth 12-Year Old. A malt known for being easy to drink and synonymous with a relaxed, yet charming, sophistication, this expression is paired perfectly with a man as suave and confident as Henry Holland.

Victoria Pendleton’s personality’s perfect tipple was the 18-Year Old and is the winner of the most gold medals within Tomatin’s core range. This track-cyclist is a nine-time world champion, and just like her paired whisky, is classy, ambitious and, as one of Great Britain’s most successful female Olympians, definitely an achiever.

Last, but by no means least, is Kenton Cool. Having climbed Mount Everest a staggering 12 times, he is one of Britain’s leading alpine and high altitude climbers. As an experienced over-achiever, he was a handsome match for Tomatin’s 36-Year Old, a world-class, mature dram that was voted Best Scotch in the world at the San Francisco Spirit Awards 2017.

University of Edinburgh Psychologist Dr Adam Moore has investigated the link between personality types and whisky preference. He said: “Some research has previously been done that can pair certain personality traits with key whisky flavours. Taste is the least understood of the human senses and whilst there has been research around the types of food people prefer, how our personalities affect these preferences, especially regarding whisky preference, has yet to be fully explored.”

Tomatin’s trophy cabinet bursts with accolades and awards including winning Distiller of the Year 2016 and Brand Innovator of Year 2017 at the Icons of Whisky Awards. Tomatin is also currently ranked in the Top 10 Single Malt brands in the USA and are one of the fasting growing brands in the UK. 

Notes: 

• The quiz can be found at: www.tomatin.com/people-pairing
• Facebook: facebook.com/tomatin1897
• Twitter: Tomatin1897
• Instagram: tomatinwhisky

The countdown to Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge begins

On 12th December 2017, 28 teams from around the world will leave the shores of La Gomera, Canary Islands, to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to English Harbour, Antigua in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

Known as the world’s toughest row, the 2017 race includes teams from the UK, Ireland, USA, Spain, Romania, Switzerland, Netherlands, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, China, Antigua and Egypt. Competing as solos, pairs, trios or teams of four, each participant will burn around 8,000 calories a day and lose approximately 20% of their body weight over the duration of the race.

If you’re fixin’ for some Four Roses going into the holiday season, we’ve got you covered with two new potent potions that I picked out at the distillery this past September. The more moderately-proofed OESQ is a 53.9% ABV specimen for those who enjoy a bit of banana in their Bourbon. The nose is a mix of bananas foster and pencil shavings with accents of baking spices in the background. There’s more banana on the mid-palate and the more peppery oak spices come out for the finish. It’s a balanced Bourbon from front to back, with equal parts fruit, oak, and savory/sweet spices. At 8 years and 9 months of age, it’s in a lovely spot. The OBSV is a 60.8% ABV beast, but it never feels that big on the palate. It’s a strong one, but there’s loads of cinnamon, clove, oak spice, and vanilla to temper that storm. Bottled at 8 years and 8 months, it’s not quite as rich as some of the 9-10 year olds we’ve bottled in the past, but it makes up for that lack of maturity with precocious punch and intensity. Both are in stock now while they last!

Four Roses 8 Year 9 Month Old “K&L Exclusive OESQ” Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon (750ml) ($64.99)

Four Roses K&L Exclusive OBSV (8 Years Old, 8 Months) Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($64.99)

Ralfy gets comfortable with Ralfy Review 703 – Balblair ’03 vintage 12yo @ 46%vol

KWM Whisky Advent Day 10 – Glenfiddich 15 Year Solera Reserve

Before we dig into today’s Advent whisky, I have a confession to make. Until earlier this year I had written off Glenfiddich as a little boring, washed up, and increasingly irrelevant. Glenfiddich is the world’s bestselling single malt. One statistic claims that it accounts for 35% off all global single malt sales. That figure seems suspiciously high, but the point remains, Glenfiddich is huge, dominant and ubiquitous. A couple visits to the distillery in the last 8 months and several tastings of the whisky later am willing to admit I was wrong. I was too critical and dismissive of Glenfiddich, and not open to the possibility that their whisky could still be interesting and exciting.

William Grant & Sons, the parent company of Glenfiddich, and also owners of The Balvenie, is huge. On a tour a number of years ago I was given a figure for the volume of whisky they had maturing at their principal site in Dufftown. It was and still is a staggering amount, I did some quick math in my head, comparing it to then Scotland’s smallest distillery Edradour. At the time Edradour’s production was around 100,000L a year. It would have taken Edradour nearly 1500 years running flat out to produce the volume of whisky in William Grant’s warehouses.

Glenfiddich, which means “valley of the dear” was founded in 1886 in the town of Dufftown. Scotland was in the midst of a massive boom in distilling due to the surge of interest in Blended Scotch whisky. The distillery was built by hand by William Grant and his family (seven sons and two daughters) in the glen of the River Fiddich. Spirit ran off the stills for the first time on Christmas Day 1887. Business was so good that just a few short years later in 1892 the family opened their second distillery, Balvenie, just a few hundred meters away.

In 1898 Pattison Elder & Co., William Grant’s largest customer (also that of many other distilleries), filed for bankruptcy. It was the first domino is a massive collapse that knocked the industry on its knees. Many distilleries and whisky companies in turn went bankrupt as a result, but William Grant & Sons held fast. They saw an opportunity to produce and sell their own blends like the appropriately named Standfast. The prohibition era was a difficult time for the Scotch whisky industry, by the turn of the 1930s there were less than a dozen distilleries still operating in Scotland. William Grant & Son’s saw an opportunity. The Depression would eventually end, and then there would be a mad scramble to make more whisky, which would take years to mature. So during the Great Depression William Grant & Sons increased production to position themselves to supply future demand. It was a bet that would pay huge dividends, and put Glenfiddich at the head of the pack of malt whisky distilleries.

William Grants continued to invest in their distilleries and whisky production through the 1940s and 1950s, hiring their own coppersmiths and equipping the the Dufftown facility with its own onsite cooperage. In 1956 they launched their own bespoke and now iconic triangular bottle. A few short years later in 1961 they launched their single malt whisky with the Glenfiddich Straight Malt. Just two years later they took the pioneering step of introducing it to the world, giving birth to the global fascination with single malt whisky.

Glenfiddich 15 Year Solera Reserve – 40% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Sherry Casks. Some of the whisky is finished 2 years in New American Oak. The whisky is mellowed in their famous Solera Vat before marrying in Portugese Oak tuns. – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: doughy, decadent and very fruity; elegant with lots of layers, caramel chews and waxy honeycomb; soft vanilla and crème brule. Palate: round and fruity in character with a base of waxy honey and vanilla; more caramel with milk chocolate and orange and dates; Fig Newtons circa 10 years ago before the changed the recipe; building sherry oak spices and earthy oak. Finish: medium in length, very pleasant and elegant. Comment: this is a very good malt for its age and price; I just wish they would kick up the ABV to 46%! – $80 per 750ml and $8 per 50ml

Jim Beam Unveils First-Ever Artificially Intelligent Decanter

Chicago, Ill. – (November 29, 2017) – Jim Beam, the maker behind the world’s best-selling bourbon and last year’s groundbreaking Jim Beam® Apple Watch, is making history yet again, taking its knack for innovation to create the first-ever “smart decanter.”

A “HomeBar” engineered with more than 200 years of bourbon know-how, “JIM” is advancing the technology of shot pouring and drinking, providing bourbon lovers a high-tech way to enjoy America’s Native Spirit. A preview of the whiskey world’s most innovative piece of technology can be viewed on YouTube, and is available in limited quantities to those 21 years of age or older for pre-order on www.JimBeam.com for $34.90. Unlike other smart home devices, “JIM” not only answers life’s most important questions, but also offers groundbreaking shot pouring functionality that allows legal drinking age consumers to serve up a drink from the comfort of their couch.

Voiced by 7th Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe, the decanter-turned virtual voice assistant includes a sleek compartment for bourbon storage and voice command capabilities. While he can’t turn off the lights or sing you a song, “JIM” bridges the gap between Silicon Valley and Kentucky with unique artificial intelligence that will answer your questions… and pour you a glass of bourbon.

“At Jim Beam, we’re in the business of evolving the way people drink delicious bourbon,” said Noe. “For decades, we produced unique limited-edition decanters that are now collectors’ items. And now, we’re introducing a smart decanter that lets fans enjoy their bourbon on demand with friends and family.”

For a limited time only, “JIM” will be available for pre-order at www.JimBeam.com while supplies last. While modern smart devices have been known to retail upwards of $349, “JIM” will cost just $34.90.

The Jim Beam family has been answering questions about bourbon for more than 200 years. Jim Beam® is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon that’s aged twice as long as required, delivering an oak vanilla, spicy backdrop with a toasted oak, sweet finish. It is sold at the suggested retail price of $17.99 for 750mL, and in bars and retail locations nationwide. Price varies by market and product size, which includes 50mL, 100mL, 375mL, 750mL, 1L and 1.75L.

For more information on “JIM,” follow Jim Beam on Twitter (@jimbeam) and Instagram (@jimbeamofficial) or visit http://www.jimbeam.com.

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.

Ardbeg “Twenty Something” 23 Year Old Islay Single Malt

Here’s what I will tell you about the new Ardbeg 23 year old committee release that just landed in our warehouse: I was lucky enough to try it a few months back when Ardbeg’s distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden was in town for a promotional tour and we got the chance to eat lunch together. He pulled out a small flask and poured me a glass, asking me what I thought about the whisky without telling me what it was. I was utterly entranced by it. It was so soft and silky compared to the powerful and high proof Ardbegs like the Uigeadail and Corryvreckan. The smoke was heavy, but it was muted by rounded vanilla and creamy malt flavors. I knew it had to be old. The finish went on forever and I just sat there grinning as I licked my lips and asked him what I had just experienced. Bill smiled and said it was the upcoming Ardbeg “Twentysomething,” a new committee bottling from the distillery planned for a winter release in the states. It’s by the far the most luxurious Ardbeg I’ve tasted since the 1977 and Lord of the Isles releases of long ago and it’s a legit, top shelf single malt. I’m long past the point of being able to justify what’s worth it to whisky drinkers when they’re throwing down money like this for a luxury bottle, but if you’re worried about the quality here I can squash those concerns. It’s really good.

Ardbeg “Twenty Something” 23 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($549.99)

It’s that time of year again. Advent!

From December 1st to the 25th, some of you will be enjoying our special Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar. 

This year Secret Spirits is proud to release their 4th Edition of unique and rare Scotch Whiskies. 

Geek-out with us as we introduce Scotch Trooper as our guest blogger this year. 

You can find him and all his Trooper Elves at http://scotchtrooper-blog.com/category/reviews/ 

He’s also on Instagram: scotch_trooper 

Follow along as his little elves get into all sorts of mischief with their Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar this Christmas.  

Cheers!

secretspirits.com

Isle of Islay 10 Year Old 2007

Single cask sherry hogshead from a secret distillery which once contained the famed micro distillery Malt Mill, on the A846 between Laphroaig & Ardbeg. Freshly bottled by our chums at Creative Whisky Co. for the Exclusive Malts – just 352 bottles!

Shop – £99.95