ROCK TOWN SORGHUM WHISKEY NAMED  TO PRESTIGIOUS TOP 100 SPIRITS OF 2017 LIST

Little Rock, AR – (December 7, 2017) – Rock Town Distillery is pleased to announce it’s Sorghum Whiskey has been named one of the top 100 spirits of 2017 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The full list can be found on Wine Enthusiast’s website by clicking this link:
http://www.winemag.com/toplists/top100spirits2017/

Rock Town’s Sorghum Whiskey was distilled from a mash of 91% Arkansas grown red sorghum grain and 9% malted barley in summer of 2015. It was aged in new charred 15 gallon white oak barrels for 17 months.

“This is quite an honor”, said Phil Brandon Rock Town’s founder and head distiller. “The sorghum whiskey received a 93/100 rating, but it’s even more exciting to be named to the top 100 list”.

From Wine Enthusiast, the list is “reflective of what’s going on in the spirits industry, where innovation is shaking things up. A banner number of small and craft distilleries were purchased by larger entities over the course of 2017—arguably, a nod toward the innovation and nimbleness these smaller players bring to the market, as well as the increasing demand and appreciation for such products.

Going forward, all these new entrants may represent a thorn in the side to legacy spirits producers. But for consumers, it means that we will likely have even more varied and exciting options to choose from than ever before. That’s a prospect worth celebrating. So raise your glass, filled with any of these finest spirits reviewed this year.”

ABOUT ROCK TOWN DISTILLERY
Rock Town Distillery produces the award winning Arkansas Bourbon, Arkansas Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey, Arkansas Hickory Smoked Whiskey, Arkansas Rye Whiskey, Arkansas Lightning, and Rock Town Vodka which are distributed to 15 states and the United Kingdom, Canada and Taiwan. Winner of the 2015 US Micro Whisky of the Year Award in the 2015 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Rock Town Distillery, Arkansas’ first legal distillery since prohibition, is located in downtown Little Rock at 1216 E 6th Street, Little Rock, AR 72202. The distillery is open for tours 7 days a week. To find out more please visit www.rocktowndistillery.com

About Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Wine Enthusiast’s approach to wine and spirits is accessible and unpretentious, and enjoyed by novices and experts alike. Published 13 times per year, the magazine’s audience is at nearly one million strong. The magazine and its Buying Guide with more than 300,000 ratings and reviews make up the most comprehensive database in the industry available for free online at www.WineMag.com.

Rock Town Distillery
1216 E. Sixth Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202

RARE CASK SOCIETY: WHISKY ART PROJECT: FIRST RELEASE ‘TYGER’

Project #1, Batch #1 – ‘Tyger’

Rare Cask Society is proud to announce our First Whisky Art Project:  “Tyger”

“Tyger is hidden in the long grass, laying low, paws tighten the earth, his crimson eyes are on his prey, he will not miss.

You can sense it, but you can’t tell what it is, something is hidden, in the air.  Is it fear?

You hear a sound, nothing.  Must be just a silly rabbit, lots of them around.  No, it can’t be, and suddenly your eyes meet, how long has he been waiting, watching, those eyes tell a story, a message, that I will not escape the one and only Tyger”

About the Art

We are very proud to have Datsun Tran (see his Biography below) partner with us at Rare Cask Society. His original painting ‘Tyger’ was painted exclusively for the RCS Whisky Art Project #1, based on his tasting and imagination of the Whisky as ‘dark and dangerous’ given the high alcohol content.  His painting ‘Tyger’ is the first Whisky Art Project, and portrayed on each of the limited 100 bottle release. As a fellow and avid single malt whisky lover, his appreciation for our first release is evident in the expression of this original artwork on each bottle.

About the Artist:

Datsun Tran is a South Australian multidisciplinary visual artist who has worked in radio, theatre, comics and animation.

Tran’s work has varied in style and subject matter over the past 15 years, and while it has primarily featured the natural world, the work is about us, the human story.  His work has explored themes of conflict, utopia and personal identity.

Tran has exhibited all over Australia, North America, Asia and Europe.  He has had over 25 solo and group shows, exhibited in over 30 art fairs and has been a finalist in over 20 art prizes.

Follow Datsun for his latest artwork on Instagram:  datsuntran

About the Whisky

Very Limited production of 100 bottles at 66% ABV cask strength.  Single Cask.  Non-chill filtered Single Malt Whisky.  We have purchased the last remaining cask from a closed distillery in South Australia, aged 5 years in American Oak Port Casks.

Tasting notes:

Colour: Enticing dark sticky caramel laced with honey.

Nose:  Maple syrup with candied pecans. Oak, subtle spices and dried orange peel.  Delicate, sweet Christmas pudding.

Palate:  Butterscotch, cognac soaked raisins and a touch of marzipan.  Soft syrupy and luxurious mouthfeel that starts dangerously warm but is soon comforting.

Finish: Very long and lingering finish.  Perfect with a cuban cigar.

Release date: 1 December 2017, 5:00pm AEST.

Bottles are selling out quickly: We are excited to advise that all 100 bottles from this closed Distillery are now held in Melbourne, hand-numbered and ready for despatch before Christmas. Each bottle comes in its own custom-made, velvet lined RCS gift box.

For all enquiries: whisky@rarecasksociety.com

Blair Athol 22 Year Old 1995

Single sherry cask bottled November 2017 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old Malt Cask. Sweet sherry notes, oranges, shortbread and caramel notes. Blair Athol 22 Year Old 1995 vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask sherry butt #14455 bottled November 2017 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old Malt Cask series. 328 bottles.N. Oranges, green herbs and buer shortbread. P. Caramel, fresh tea and liquorice. F. Long with caramel and a hint of pepper. Blair Athol Distillery was established in 1798 in Pitlochry and with footprints in four centuries it is one of oldest working malt whisky distilleries in Scotland. Purchased by Arthur Bell & Sons in1933 it is the spiritual ‘home’ of Arthur Bell’s range of blended scotch whisky complete with distillery visitor centre and Blair Athol Distillery tours. Although a large proportion of Blair Athol’s malt whisky cascades into blends, Bell’s to be precise, independent bottlings of Blair Athol single malts feature in the popular Connoisseurs Choice and Signatory Vintage ranges

Buy – £84.10

Ralfy tries out a new camera with . ralfy review 705 – Glen Marnoch 29yo single malt @ 40%vol:

KWM Whisky Advent 2017 Day 16 – The Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask 

Evan is taking a spin at the Advent Blog today, in his words: 

Balvenie is one of the two major Speyside distilleries owned by William Grant & Sons. It is typically one of the top 10 best selling Scottish Single Malt Brands worldwide – but the distillery’s production and sales are dwarfed by another William Grant & Sons operation that goes by the name Glenfiddich. You could say that Balvenie gets overshadowed by the giant that is its neighbouring sister distillery Glenfiddich, but then again which distilleries in Scotland aren’t?

The Balvenie distillery still operates its own floor maltings on site – though it is only responsible for up to 15% of the malt needed for its own production. The house whisky profile is typically well-rounded and honeyed in style. Hints of peat can sometimes be found, but typically not in amounts great enough to keep it from being a crowd-pleaser.

Both as a distillery and as a brand, Balvenie has enjoyed a great deal of success over the past half century – due in no small part to a gentleman named David Stewart. David is the Malt Master at Balvenie who has played a large role in making this single malt as sought after as it is to this day. He was one of the first to experiment with cask finishing with the introduction of the venerable Balvenie 12 Year Old Doublewood in 1993. In 2017 David marked his 55^th year of service in the whisky industry with William Grants.

Cask finishing plays a role in much of the of the current lineup for Balvenie including today’s Advent Whisky – the Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask. Originally matured in ‘traditional oak casks’ before being transferred to barrels that previously held Caribbean Rum. Bottled at 43% ABV. 

Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask – 43% – Evan’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Fruity and floral with honey drizzled on top. Peaches and cream, oatmeal with brown sugar, baked apples, pears and even cherries, vanilla, honey roasted almonds and light wood spices. Palate: Smooth and rich. Honey roasted almonds again, apple turnover, poached pears, preserved peaches in syrup, milk chocolate, angel food cake and a gentle, warming spice. Finish: Tangy rum notes, oak and honey on the fade. Comments: Big, rich, and round but so very, very approachable. No real rough edges on this one, just smooth to the point that you wonder where all of the liquid in the bottle went…” – $107 for 700ml – or – $10 for 50ml

Introducing Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare special release

The new liquid is the first in a series of special releases crafted using irreplaceable whiskies from “ghost” distilleries that have long since closed, together with other rare malt and grain scotch.

Diageo Reserve has today announced the launch of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare. Each edition will be crafted with one incredible whisky at its heart, the first being Brora.

Share the Society love this Christmas as December Outturn brings seven sparkling new single casks, sure to be at the heart of your festive celebrations.

CASK NO. 35.172  ALPACA FLEECE

20 years old; 1st fill barrel; 52.9%; Light & delicate

We imagined a tiled floor in a vestibule with new Barbour jackets and waxed leather boots. We were invited in for toast with clover honey. A drop of water and it turned very delicate, almost fragile; candied angelica and alpaca fleece.

CASK NO. 64.91  PORRIDGE OATS ON A TROPICAL BEACH

10 years old; 1st fill barrel; 58.8%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

The sun was beating down on the upholstery as we sat down to honey nut cereal and porridge oats with lingonberry jam and banana. Honeydew melon was thrown in with pear drops, blackcurrant tea and malted milk as we admired the tropical scene of pineapple trees.

CASK NO. 9.124  MADEIRA MARKET COFFEE BREAK

12 years old; refill hogshead; 56.2%; Spicy & dry

The nose is a granary mill next to a Madeira market. The palate contrasts juicy citrus and rosewater against dry ginger, nutmeg and pepper.

CASK NO. 55.44  HONEY ON A STRADIVARIUS

16 years old; 1st fill French oak hogshead; 57.1%; Spicy & sweet

The nose – imagine Baklava in cigar boxes, treacle tarts in spice cupboards, honey on a Stradivarius, weavers glugging Calvados. The palate – syrup, toffee and chocolate sweetness combined with coy, wood-derived spices (nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, clove). This was previously in ex-bourbon wood.

CASK NO. 28.32  SOLAR ECLIPSE

8 years old; 1st fill Oloroso butt; 60.3%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

Bittersweet chocolate ganache, Madeira soaked raisins and dark roasted coffee beans on the nose, whilst 99% cacao chocolate melting slowly in your mouth made this an overall intense experience. Water added tobacco aromas and on the palate now sweet chewy Medjool dates.

CASK NO. 4.227  DREAMING TO THE SOUNDS OF THE SEA

12 years old; refill hogshead; 58%; Lightly peated

Seaweed swayed in the tide, imagining a seafood platter of shrimps and mussels with tempura and sushi. Sweetly floral with a herbal finish.

CASK NO. 3.300  DIRTY MARGARITA ON A YACHT

17 years old; 2nd fill toasted oak hogshead; 59.7%; Lightly peated

The nose is maritime and malty, with heather, smoke, tar and barbecued ribs. The palate has deeper smoke, lavender, pecan pie, bacon Frazzles and ‘dirty margaritas’ on a yacht. This was previously in a bourbon hogshead.

SMWS Canada

Laphroaig Lore

Rich and deep with distinctive smoke, peat and seaside minerality – this expression is unmistakably Laphroaig. This is a result of liquid being drawn from a selection of casks including first fill sherry butts, smaller quarter casks and their most precious stock capturing the timeless passion and very essence of the Laphroaig Distillery.

Was £99

Now only £69 Buy Now

Highland Park 12 Year Old Gift Pack

Introduced in 1979, the Highland Park 12 year old is the whisky that started it all for the Orkney distillery! At the very heart of their range, this Island malt reveals rich, well balanced malty tones, with the subtle floral smoke which makes Highland Park such a distinguished single malt whisky. Presented in a striking Viking styled gift pack with two Highland Park branded whisky glasses.

£42 Buy Now

Generic Torfa Photo

KWM Whisky Advent 2017 Day 15 – Glenglassaugh Torfa 

Glenglassaugh distillery is built into the sand dunes above the east end of the Sandend Bay on the Moray coast. Established in 1875 by Col. James Moir the distillery remained in the family until just 1892 when it became a part of Highland Distillers. The distillery was established at its location near the growing town of Portsoy to supply the town’s growing grocery business. It also helped that the distillery sat on the plentiful clean Glenglassaugh Springs, and it was also surrounded by bountiful barley fields. Highland Distillers, who also owned Macallan, Glenrothes and the Famous Grouse Blend owned the distillery from 1892 through 2008. The distillery didn’t operate uninterrupted during these years.

In 1960 the distillery had a major upgrade, they doubled production and changed to producing a lighter spirit. But the good times were not to last, the late 1970s and early 1980s were a difficult time for the industry. An enormous number of distilleries were closed between 1981 and 1993, many never reopened. Only 26 years after its major upgrade Glenglassaugh joined the list of closed distilleries. The industry downturn was brutal, but it didn’t last forever. In the 1990s interest in Scotch whisky, especially single malts began picking up, many of the closed distilleries we brought back to life, none of them later than Glenglassaugh; though Brora, Rosebank and Port Ellen are set to change this. It is surprising that Glenglassaugh ever re-opened at all, as the distillery was very remote and not especially well known, bottled seldomly even by independents.

In 2007 a group of Dutch investors, the Scaent Group, who had been looking for a distillery to purchase found their way to Glenglassaugh. They purchased the distillery and approximately 400 casks of pre-1986 stock from Highland Distillers. They took possession the following year and released the oldest introductory core range that any Scottish distiller ever has, consisting of 26, 30 and 40 year old single malts. After 6 months of intensive refurbishments, the First Minister of Scotland was on hand to turn on the mill for first time, November 28th 2008, reviving the distillery. In 2013 the distillery was purchased by the BenRiach Distillery Co. who also own BenRiach and Glendronach distilleries. BenRiach Distillery Co. was itself purchased by Brown Forman in 2016. As the post 2008 stocks mature, it will be interesting to see how the whiskies develop. They can’t be the same as the pre-closures stocks as much of the equipment changed, but in the hands of the BenRiach Distillery Co. they will be sure to make a mark. While we wait for more mature stocks, they have released three young expressions including the Glenglassaugh Evolution, our Day 8 whisky!

The name Torfa translates roughly to Turf or Peat in the Old Norse influenced Scots Gaelic of Scotland’s North East, and as the name implies this is a peated single malt. The original Glenglassaugh distilled before its closure in 1986 was unpeated. When the distillery reopened in 2008, cognoscente of the fact that the new whisky would never be exactly the same as the old, the decision was made to produce both peated and unpeated single malts. The Torfa is, according to the bottle, “Richly Peated”, peated to 20ppm, matured Ex-Bourbon.

Glenglassaugh Torfa – 50% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: big, malty and savoury; a big hit of salted caramel, candied apply and brown sugar melting on warm homemade oatmeal; a touch of decadent spice and marmalade. Palate: still big, brash and malty; there is a surge of tarry-oily-peat on the palate; Dutch licorice and salted caramel with dried orange peel and cloves; more decadent spice and marmalade; still sugary with more melting brown sugar. Finish: clean, smoky and malty with more salted caramel. Comment: I swear the recipe for this whisky is evolving as the maturing spirit at the distillery ages; it is richer, more complex and peatier than I recall; it also tastes a lot peatier than 20ppm!” – $78 for 700ml or $10 for 50ml