Ralfy heads off to the secondary market with Ralfy Review 719 – Whisky for Auction

A brief encounter with Speyside and the “Beast from the East” 

by Paul Mclean

Wednesday 31 March. I left Perth early morning, en route to Speyside.  With Liz also away I thought a wee trip into Gods Country might be a good idea. I stayed at Boat of Garten, thought with the Beast from the East rampaging, I would get up there handy. The beast was the snow and wind from Russia that covered Scotland in deep snow.

Thursday 1 March. Drive north, onwards and upwards into whisky country – well, Scotland IS whisky country. I stayed the night in Grantown on Spey. A good Maclean’s Bakery there! Friends of ours. Did a few calls today including our pals at Glenfarclas. Good meetings and good day in the snow!

Friday 2nd March.  Met another friend Robert Ransom for breakfast, where he introduce3d me to his new whisky range – from Switzerland, sample happily taken, thanks Robert. The over to Macallan, update on new distillery and tours to book in with them for this year.  To be honest they were not that helpful. Then a pre – arranged meeting with friend Derek Hancock in the Glen Moray cafe at 2.30. Derek has worked in the Scotch Whisky industry for over 40 years. As a senior executive responsible for Single Malt Scotch Whisky exports. He became a Keeper of the Quaich in 2001. Derek drives/guides tours for us when needed. A wee call to see another contact, a hotel owner this time, things happening at the hotel we use often for our tours. Then it is away along to Dufftown where my apartment awaits. Called by more distilleries and scenic locations as usual.

Saturday 3 March. Another day dawned and another drive, local distilleries and a couple of antique hunts. Trawled around today to distilleries and whisky related locations, saying hello, catching up etc. Met my pal Vic Cameron (ex Diageo), 10am Drouthy Cobbler. That afternoon I drove along to Portsoy and Cullen, great scenery along the coast, a few meetings etc. Back to Dufftown and dinner with my pal Louise and her pal Agnus!

Sunday 4 March. Driving south today back to Perth.

This whole trip was also in preparation for my whisky sojourn with Ingvar Ronde later in April, we will be appearing at many, many pre booked meetings at distilleries, research for the Malt Whisky Yearbook 2019.  Ingvar has used our services for many years now …  “Paul and Liz put together a record breaking program for the trip, visiting 43 distilleries – nine full whisky tours and the rest stopping for photos. Thanks to Paul we also managed to get quite a bit of history and culture. Cheers for now!” – Ingvar. 

The photos are all on facebook https://business.facebook.com/whiskytours Another wee tour done and dusted, lots of distilleries, inc the Cooperage, meetings and fun, some grand food and drink consumed once again. MCLEANSCOTLAND offer whisky tours in Scotland and Ireland all year round

www.mcleanscotland.com   www.whiskytours.scot

LIST OF RARE & COLLECTABLE WHISKIES RELEASED
FOR THE DISTILLERS’ CHARITY AUCTION ON 10^th APRIL 2018

22^nd March 2018 – The full list of lots for the second Worshipful Company of Distillers’ Charity Auction is now available to view at www.distillers.auction.  It features more than 70 rare and highly collectable whiskies and experiences that will go under the hammer at Mercers’ Hall, in the heart of the City of London, on Tuesday 10^th April.

The evening, hosted by Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers Bryan Burrough, will begin with a reception attended by the Lord Mayor of London, followed by international auctioneer David Elswood of Christie’s conducting the auction.  Tickets to attend (dress code – black tie) are available for £100 at www.distillers.auction. There is also the opportunity on the auction website to register for absentee and telephone bidding.

Estimates for the lots, all of impeccable provenance having been donated directly by the producers or liverymen of the Distillers, range from £250 to £25,000.  They include some of the most sought-after whiskies in the world, one-of-a-kind expressions, special bottlings never released commercially and private invitations to tastings with the makers.

Bidding is expected to be strong for the Whyte & Mackay contribution of a one-off, specially produced bottle of The Dalmore 1976 Highland Single Malt Whisky 41 Years Old, matured in a Graham’s Port Colheita 1963 Pipe, with details and tasting notes on a scroll handwritten by master blender and liveryman Richard Paterson.

William Grant & Sons has provided exceptional whiskies with wonderful stories. Glenfiddich 50 Years Old, vintage distillery bottling from 1991, is number 440 of a limited edition of 500 bottles. This whisky was made from a batch of nine casks laid down in the 1930s, one for each of William Grant’s nine children who had helped to build Glenfiddich Distillery in the 1880s.  Its bottle of The Balvenie 50 Year Old Cask 191 (bottle number 14 of 83), distilled in 1952 and bottled is 2002, is one of the oldest Balvenies ever released and the label reads: “The last cask of The Balvenie Single Malt Whisky from the nineteen fifties is unique and unrepeatable.”

Gordon & MacPhail has gathered six of its historic bottlings of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, one distilled in each decade from the 1930s to 1980s, to create The Archive Collection exclusively for The Distillers’ Charity Auction: Strathisla 1937, Linkwood 1946, Talisker 1955, Glen Grant 1965 (never released for sale), Ardbeg 1974 and St. Magdalene 1982. This is accompanied by an invitation to the home of this family-owned company.

Compass Box Whisky has also delved into its archive to compile The Hedonism Collection, from the original in 2000 (the world’s first Blended Grain Scotch Whisky) to the latest expression released this year: Hedonism (First Edition), Hedonism Maximus, Hedonism 10^th Anniversary, Hedonism Quindecimus and Hedonism The Muse. Founder John Glaser will host a special dinner in the Compass Box Blending Room for the winning bidder and five guests.

The Kirin Brewery Company Fuji-Gotemba Distillery has brought together a set of three 21 Year Old bottlings, never before sold together (two no longer available commercially and a Single Malt that has never been released for sale), from its historical whisky library stocks: Evermore 2001 Blended Whisky, Evermore 2002 Blended Whisky and Fuji-Gotemba Single Malt Whisky distilled in 1981.

Chivas Bros has created The Royal Salute Highland Fling, a two-day trip to Speyside hosted by Peter Prentice, Keepers of the Quaich chairman and global VIP relations director for Chivas Bros. Staying at Linn House, six guests will visit Aberlour, The Glenlivet and Strathisla Distilleries with tastings in the Royal Salute Vault and Chivas Regal Cellar. The trip culminates in a Royal Salute Scottish Dinner and tasting of extraordinary whiskies.

Other highlights include: a magnum of Glenfarclas Highland Single Malt Whisky Aged 50 Years specially selected for The Worshipful Company of Distillers by John L S Grant and George S Grant and donated by Glenfarclas Distillery; Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky 1964 Fino Cask 46 Years Old (one of 72 bottles) given by Beam Suntory UK; a unique bottle of Littlemill The Worshipful Company of Distillers 2018 Edition 40 Years Old selected by master blender Michael Henry; The Macallan Sherry Oak 40 Years Old rare single malt matured in three handpicked Oloroso sherry seasoned casks from Jerez; and number 232 of 500 crystal decanters of cask strength The North British Single Grain Scotch Whisky 50 Years Old given to employees, former employees and friends of The North British Distillery Company Limited to celebrate its 125th Anniversary in 2010.

Alongside these legendary names are new distilleries already making their mark. Liverymen Daniel Szor, founder and CEO of The Cotswolds Distillery, is offering a day of whisky making and a hand-drawn cask strength bottle of Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky, and Stephen A Gould, proprietor and distiller at the Golden Moon Distillery, has donated a bottle from the first cask of its initial release of Colorado Single Malt Whiskey.

Bryan Burrough, Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, said: “As a Livery Company, charity is at the heart of what we do, and as Distillers we are proud to be leading our fundraising with the Distillers’ Charity Auction. An incredible collection of whiskies has been donated, which we are sure will generate a great deal of interest and excitement from collectors around the world.”

In the spirit of the event, the first two Worshipful Company of Distillers single cask bottlings of The Master’s Cask, signed by the Master of their year of bottling (an unpeated Caol Ila 18 Years Old for Douglas Morton in 2016 and Knockando 18 Years Old for Richard Watling in 2017), are presented for auction in a specially commissioned cabinet.

All proceeds will be donated to the Distillers’ Charity, which supports industry training and education, the Alcohol Education Trust dedicated to improving alcohol education for young people in Scotland, and the Lord Mayor’s Appeal towards the OnSide Youth Zones initiative creating opportunities for young people in London to thrive.   More information on these charities can be found at www.distilers.auction.

Follow The Distillers’ Charity Auction on Instagram and Facebook @distillersauction. 

The Worshipful Company of Distillers & The Distillers’ Auction 

The Worshipful Company of Distillers, founded in 1638, is a Livery Company of the City of London.

This year’s Master, Bryan Burrough, has spent his working life in the City of London. He joined the livery in 1988 and, with his family history steeped in the gin industry, has acted as Chancellor (Finance Director) and Chair of the Charity Committee. He is proud that 80 per cent of liverymen are involved with the drinks trade, and as one of the other 20 per cent, aims to continue to cement the Company’s relationship with the City of London.

The Distillers’ Charity provides support and funds to City of London and industry charities through scholarships at Heriot-Watt International Centre for Brewing & Distilling, the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), The Benevolent, Alcohol Education Trust and Action on Addiction.

The first Distillers’ Charity Auction in 2013 raised over £250,000 for charitable causes from the sale of 53 lots of old, rare and unique bottles and collections of Scotch Whiskies.  A generous legacy grant was made by the Diageo Foundation to provide funding to help to make the Distillers’ Charity Auction a sustainable, long-term fundraising programme.  Further donations towards supporting the Auction have also been received from The Morrison Foundation and the William Grant Foundation.

www.distillers.org.uk

A peerless single malt that has slowly matured over five extraordinary decades, The Macallan 50 Years Old – 2018 Release reflects The Macallan’s journey of discovery in the modern era. Defined by years of dedication and craftsmanship, it is testament to the exceptional oak casks – which have been sourced, crafted, toasted and seasoned under the watchful eyes of The Macallan Masters of Wood and delivered through the years to the exacting specifications of generations of Master Distillers.

“After being left to mature for half a century in our exceptional sherry seasoned oak casks, this wonderfully rare single malt is full of rich flavour and beautiful natural colour. The Macallan 50 Years Old – 2018 Release is an incredible addition to our range of unique, mature whiskies and marks another pinnacle of The Macallan whisky makers’ art.”

NICK SAVAGE | THE MACALLAN MASTER DISTILLER

WATCH THE FILM         EXPLORE THE RANGE

The Macallan 50 Years Old – 2018 Release will be available in select locations worldwide including the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe.

Malt Messenger Bulletin – 4 Great Deals & Tonight’s Speyside Festival

It has been a busy couple of the weeks since the last Malt Messenger. I won’t have time to put together the next full Malt Messenger until after Easter, but in the meantime I have some timely news to share, so I hope this Malt Messenger Bulletin finds you well!

Firstly, there will be another Malt Messenger Bulletin on Monday March 26th, Announcing our Spring Tasting Schedule. There is a lot to look forward to in the Spring Tasting Schedule, including a pair of whisky festivals and a special Ardbeg 1815 tasting with Brendan McCarron, head of maturing whisky stocks at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg. We will also have a pair of Ancient Malts tastings where we will be cracking some 1968s and a pair of Broras, and there is more… stay tuned!

Secondly, and more pressingly, we have a few available tickets left for tonight’s The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival at KWM. The cost is $50, includes a glass, and the opportunity to sample up to 80 different whiskies! Register online or call 403-283-8000 to register. (WHOA! WI did not receive this int time to publish on the day of the event but keep your eye out for their next festival – they are well worth the visit! ~ WI)

Finally, the main purpose of today’s email, is to promote a couple of time sensitive deals we have. We were offered a price break on the anCnoc 2000 and anCnoc 22 Year to clear out the stock of these two great whiskies. It seems the importer brought in too much, and both products have been discontinued, so they are eager to get rid of them. The anCnoc has dropped in price by $10, from $100+gst to $90+gst. The anCnoc 22 Year has dropped nearly $40, from $192+gst to $155+gst. They are both amazing deals, especially the 22! More details and tasting notes below.

We are also passing on savings on the Auchentoshan 18 Year and Laphroaig Lore. Beam Suntory has put both on sale, and we are passing the savings on, but there is a catch. We can only honour the sale price for bottles of the Auchentoshan 18 (was $118+gst now $108+gst) and Laphroaig Lore (was $190+gst now $175+gst) ordered between today and next Wednesday, March 28… more details below.

I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger Bulletin. If you have any comments, questions or requests don’t hesitate to send me an email.

Slàinte!

Andrew

In This Edition

1. Spirit of Speyside Festival Tomorrow
2. Save on the anCnoc 2000 and anCnoc 22 Year
3. Save $10 on Auchentoshan 18 Year (Until March 28)
4. Save $15 on Laphroaig Lore (Until March 28)

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter:

@scotch_guy, Instagram: @thescotch_guy/

or @kwmwhisky and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1

KWM’s 2nd The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 

$50 for 80+ Speyside Whiskies & a Glass – TONIGHT!

We featured Islay and Islayternative malts last month, this time around it is the Speyside’s turn in our 2nd Annual The Spirit of Speyside Festival. Only the whiskies of distilleries in the Speyside region will be featured in this festival style tasting. Think you know the Speyside? With over 80 whiskies to choose from we’ll guarantee you something new!

Tonight… Thursday March 22, 7PM, just $50, including a glass!

Register in-store, by phone at 403-283-8000 or online: kensingtonwinemarket.com

SAVE on anCnoc 2000 & 22 Year 

Blow out specials on two fine Highland Single Malts!

You gotta love it when people bring the deals

to you… Just before Christmas it was the Mackinlay’s Shackleton(only 10 left), and now it is a pair of anCnocs, from the Knockdhu Distillery. We were given a $10 break on the anCnoc 2000 and close to $40 on the anCnoc 22 Year to help clear out the Alberta inventory. Both are great whiskies, but discontinued, and it seems the importer, under previous ownership, bought too much. The whiskies are both lovely.  My tasting notes are below. Both are bottled at 46%, and matured in a mix of Ex-Sherry and Ex-Bourbon. Here are the details:

anCnoc 2000 – 46% – Matured in a mix of Oloroso Sherry & Ex-Bourbon – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: sweet and fruity with a mix of strawberry and black licorice Twizzlers; the whisky is delicate and floral, there are jujubes, some chewy malt and citrus notes. Palate: creamy with licorice, soft leather, spices and earthy notes; some honey with nutty sherried tones and more strawberry and black licorice Twizzlers; a touch of malt, candied citrus, more jujubes and dark spices: fennel, clove and anise. Finish: long, coating, leathery and spicy with more licorice and candied fruits. Comments: excellent value middle aged vintage whisky.” – Regular $100 – SAVE $10 – Special Price $90+gst

• Producer Description: “anCnoc Vintage 2000 has matured in Spanish oak ex-sherry butts and American oak ex-bourbon barrels and has been bottled in its most natural form, neither chill-filtered nor coloured.  As a result this dram may develop a light haze with the addition of water or if kept at a cold temperature. This haze is a natural characteristic of whisky that is non-chill filtered.”

anCnoc 22 Year – 46% – Matured Ex-Bourbon & Ex-Sherry – Andrew’s Tasting Notes: “Nose: soft damp tobacco in an old leather patch, chocolate shavings on a piping cappuccino; some candied fruits, lemon drops and wine gums; some delicate malty-floral top notes emerge with some soft toasty oak. Palate: rich, fruity and very soft, wow this is really something; lots of chocolate with more soft leather and tobacco; more candied fruit and wine gums with some emerging mango, papaya and honey dew melon. Finish: an absolutely beautiful balance of both sherry and bourbon notes, the finish is long rich and spicy; finishes fruity and floral. Comment: I’m really caught off guard by this, wow it’s good!” – Regular $192 – SAVE $37 – Special Price $155+gst

• Producer Description: “Matured predominantly in American oak, ex-bourbon casks as well as Spanish oak, ex-sherry butts, anCnoc 22 Years Old displays complexity and a wealth of character but its long lasting rich, smoky finish sets this dram apart from the younger offerings.”
• Silver Medal Whisky Magazine – 87 Martin Nouet & 86 Rob Allanson

SAVE $10 on Auchentoshan 18 Year

Regularly $118, Available for $108 through March 28!

Fresh and clean with lots of citrus notes, the Auchentoshan 18 Year is one of the best priced distillery bottled 18 year olds on the market. The importer has put it on sale, so we are passing on the savings through Wednesday March 28. Save $10 on the already low price!

Auchentoshan 18 Year – 43% – Producer Description: “Triple distilled and matured in American bourbon oak for over eighteen years. The result: a refreshing Lowland single malt whisky with the added infusion of ripe citrus and green tea, the warmth of toasted almonds and the signature smooth, delicate, Auchentoshan taste.” – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Aroma: Fresh tobacco leaf – then sweet with a hint of caramelized sugars, green tea and toasted almonds. Taste: A floral freshness with sweet barley sugar at first – this gently ebbs to reveal a tangerine zestiness. The palate is left alive and refreshed. Finish: A long, lingering and well-balanced dram that invigorates the mouth.” – Regular $118+gst – SAVE $10, $108+gst Until March 28!

SAVE $15 on Laphroaig Lore 

Regularly $190, Available for $175 Through March 28!

Laphroaig Lore was created by Distillery Manager John Campbell as a testament to 200 years of whisky making at the Islay Distillery. The whisky is composed of components 7 to 27 years of age from a wide variety of cask types including: virgin oak, Ex-Bourbon, 2nd fill Oloroso hogsheads, and refill ex-Laphroaig Quarter Casks.

From the Distillery: “‘Lore’ is a complex marriage of both classical Lahroaig styles and many ages of Laphroaig. The marriage draws from the peaty power of Laphroaig in the same vein as Quarter Cask but with the smoothness of double matured stock finished in European oak hogsheads. To add even further depth and complexity we used our mosy heavily peated whisky matured in ex-Laphroaig barrels along with some fully sherry matured casks. To ensure none of this amazing flavour was lost we bottled Lore at a full 48% ABV and simply barrier filled before bottling. The result is stunningly complex.”

Laphroaig Lore – 48% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich and smoky with seaside minerals with a hint of ash and bitter chocolate drops. Vanilla follows with oily unroasted chestnuts and a hint of fudge with a malty sweetness. A drop of water adds a creamy clotted cream note with fruit appearing in the form of unripe citrus in a flan glaze. Palate: Richly peaty with a spicy chilli bite. Finish: Short dry finish and a long sweet aftertaste. – Regular $190+gst – SAVE $15 – $175+gst Until March 28

Thank You for Reading the Malt Messenger! 

Contact & Disclaimers

 If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store.

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change and don’t include GST. In the case of discrepancies in pricing, the price in our in-store point of sale will be taken as correct.

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
Owner & Scotchguy
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
www.kensingtonwinemarket.com
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000

Hi folks, that’s us live with the 84th auction! Happy bidding!

This time the link below might actually take you to the current auction!

Happy Bidding!

SPIRIT WORKS DISTILLERY REACHES HUGE CRAFT SPIRITS MILESTONE WITH RELEASE – BOTTLED IN BOND STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 

Sebastopol, CA, March 14, 2018 – California grain-to-glass craft spirits leader Spirit Works Distillery announced today that it has released its first ever Bottled in Bond – Straight Rye Whiskey. As an effort towards regulating spirits industry at the time, the US Government passed the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, dictating a very strict set of quality standards and control of production practices for a spirit to be labeled as such.

Still in place today, but difficult to achieve and even harder to come by, a spirit can only be labelled Bottled in Bond – by U.S. Government Supervision if it is:

1 – Produced from the same class of spirits and same class of materials (Rye berries and Rye Whiskey)

2 – Distilled in the same distilling season (Dec 2013) by the same distiller (Ashby Marshall) at the same distillery (Spirit Works Distillery)

3 – Stored for at least four (4) years  in direct, full contact with wood (53 gal New Charred American Oak Barrels)

4 – Void of any addition, subtraction or modification

5 – Proofed to 100 proof with only pure water

6 – Bottled at 100 proof

In addition to the above, the label on the bottle must also state the location of the distillery and if bottled elsewhere, where it was bottled.

“I am thrilled for Spirit Works Distillery to have reached this milestone as our Bottled in Bond – Straight Rye Whiskey is a beautiful, welcome declaration of a true small batch, high rye whiskey and the very distinction represents genuine quality, consistency, and age.” – Ashby Marshall, Former Head Distiller and Co-owner.

Bottled at 4 years 2 months old and 100 proof, the Rye Whiskey has a nose towards both bright and baked apple followed with coffee and leather. On the palate it brings peppery hints of clove, and nutmeg that mellow into a blend of caramel and toasted coconut. The finish of golden honeycomb rolls down to a long smooth spice.  Bottles can be purchased for $60, as of today, out of the distillery tasting room in Sebastopol and are planned to be in market in due course.

About Spirit Works

Founded in the heart of Sonoma County, California in 2012 by husband and wife team Timo and Ashby Marshall, Spirit Works Distillery is craft spirits producer which handcrafts artisan Vodka, Gin, Sloe Gin, Barrel Gin, Navy Strength Gin, Straight Wheat and Straight Rye Whiskey onsite using the grain-to-glass method of milling, mashing, fermenting and then distilling onsite, allowing the Distillery to create a truly hands on premium product. Spirit Works is also one of the few all-female distilling teams in the US with Lauren Patz as Head Distiller. For more information, click here ashby@spiritworksdistillery.com

Balblair Distillery is one you must visit both physically if you get the chance, and on your palate if you have not yet done so. One of the most visually pleasing distilleries in a wonderful Highland setting. And whisky that is sure to suit the palates of many. But that’s not because its designed to suit the masses. No, it’s simply fantastic whisky. There is a strong sense of tradition at Balblair. Red brick chimney, pagoda roof and dunnage warehouses. And this care, attention and respect for the distillery is reflected in the quality of the whisky. Now, Balblair have released some brand new vintages and we have been lucky enough to sample.

Vintage Whisky

One of the most notable aspect of Balblair whisky is their focus on whisky vintage and not age statement. You still get the indication of age by the vintage year and bottling year but it is about the casks being ready, when they are ready each year. It’s a nice little USP and one which is very well received among the vast swathes of whisky releases. 2018 sees the the release of two brand new expressions:- Balblair 1991 Vintage and Balblair 2000 Vintage. Here at TheWhiskyBarrel.com these added to the already available 2005 Vintage Balblair, making a fantastic trio of whiskies to compare.

Balblair 2005 Vintage 46%

The 2005 vintage Balblair is a lovely whisky. This 1st release was bottled in 2017 making it at least 11 years old. Classic Balblair notes of green apples and a hint of citrus. Definite youth but gives up a nice rawness to the Balblair character here. A touch of water brings out the fruits a touch more too over the notes of bitter tobacco/leather. This is certainly a dram that lets you explore the clear character of this distillery. Quite sharp and to the point. But it is these two older vintages which really let you delve further into the depths of Balblair Whisky, and the warehouse.

Balblair 2000 Vintage 46%

The Balblair 2000 vintage 2nd release bottled 2017. Aged at least 16 years old, this  takes a clear step up. The nose is lovely. Freshly baked warm spiced apple crumble. On the palate it goes a little more tropical with pineapple but with the additional of runny sweet honey and hints of dried coconut. The finish is nice and long, running. Pleasant spices and hints of malted barley. Our recommendation – a definite buy. With a bit of time as well it all opens a little more with all the flavours mellowing in lovely harmony. Sherry and bourbon cask maturation working perfectly.

But there is no ignoring, that the brand new Balblair 1991 vintage is what we are keen to get stuck into.

Balblair 1991 Vintage 3rd Release Bottled 2018 46%

The now gone but not forgotten Balblair 1990 vintage was a firm favourite. This 1991 vintage Balblair whisky aged at least 26 years follows suit.   It has a luxurious mouthfeel. Fantastically balanced influence of each cask type both on the nose and palate. A lovely level of complexity. Time opens it right up and lets it relax even more. Not just a few minutes, but let is sit for 5 or 10 minutes and you will notice the change. Citrus fruits soften into ripe soft fruit with a little kick of liquorice and spice. But it’s so very smooth and creamy on the palate -milk chocolate and a smooth fruit compote. The finish pops up with more spices and a lovely sherried fruit cake dipped in warm luxury milk chocolate. This is fine whisky.

Balblair whisky is one of those distilleries you should not be afraid to recommend to a novice. They are highly likely to enjoy it. But also, if you are a whisky lover, you need to give Balblair whisky a go. In particular, this older 1991 vintage will surely float your whisky boat.

All three are available to buy online now at TheWhiskyBarrel.com

Spring has officially sprung here in Leith, bringing a promise of fresh breezes and lighter nights – great weather for drinking whisky. In celebration of the season, we’re having a Spring Cask Sale as we clear our cupboards to make room for new bottlings.

We’ve hand-picked a selection of casks that zing with flavour and are offering bottles at a special price. Stock up on your favourite whiskies and save up to 20 per cent. Bottles are limited in availability and the offer ends at midnight on Tuesday 27 March – order now online to avoid disappointment.

PLEASE NOTE: We expect high volumes of sale orders, as our thirsty members snap up their favourite bottlings. Deliveries may take up to 14 days, sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause – for more details, please read our terms and conditions online.

SPRING SALE

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