Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 214: Teaninich 10 Year Old 2006 Cadenheads

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries a Teaninich. While this Highland distillery celebrated its 200th anniversary last year, and opened a whole new stillhouse this year, Teaninich is still largely unknown. This has everything to do that this is one of Diageo’s workhorses that produces almost exclusively for the blending industry with Johnnie Walker Red Label as biggest customer. There are hardly any official bottlings. I will taste a vatting of two bourbon hogsheads, bottled at drinking strength by Cadenheads in their Small Batch series.

https://youtu.be/F-MuudnPzfo

Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Beloved Tour Guide, Freddie Johnson, Inducted to Bourbon Hall of Fame 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Sept. 14, 2018) – In 2002 Buffalo Trace Distillery received a rare gem when Freddie Johnson joined the team as a tour guide. Freddie was in the middle of a successful career as a network/operations engineer in Atlanta, GA when he put all of it aside to fulfill a promise made to his father, Jimmy, more than 20 years earlier. He had promised his father that he would work at the Distillery during his lifetime so they could say they had three generations of the Johnson family that worked at Buffalo Trace. Freddie took early retirement and moved back to care for his father and brother. Jimmy got him a job as a tour guide at the Distillery in 2002 but Freddie had been in and around the Distillery since he was five years old, coming to work with his father and grandfather and playing on the grounds and in the old warehouses.

Little did Buffalo Trace Distillery know it had gained a future star of the bourbon industry. This year, 16 years after Freddie started at Buffalo Trace, he received one of the bourbon industry’s highest honors by being inducted to the Bourbon Hall of Fame on September 14, 2018.

Freddie is a man of honor, knowledge, kindness, compassion and humor.  Not a person walks by Freddie without a big smile and wave.  Freddie has become a celebrity around the National Historic Landmark Distillery.

Freddie weaves together his childhood memories with the Distillery’s rich history as he entertains thousands of guests each year on various tours around Buffalo Trace. One of the Distillery’s most popular and highly sought after tour guides, Freddie is  a third generation employee, by his paternal grandfather, Jimmy Johnson Sr., and father, Jimmy Johnson Jr., all working at what is now known as Buffalo Trace Distillery. This past April Freddie carried on another family tradition by rolling away the Distillery’s seventh millionth barrel of bourbon produced since Prohibition, an honor his father started with the first millionth barrel produced, and continued until the sixth millionth barrel in 2008.

  The Bourbon Hall of Fame honors remarkable achievements that continue to drive the bourbon industry’s new Golden Age. Recipients have world-class leadership, vision, dedication and integrity that has forever transformed this country’s signature spirit. These qualifications come naturally to Freddie.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association created the Hall of Fame in 2001, in conjunction with the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, to recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant and transformational impact on Bourbon’s stature, growth and awareness.

Being inducted to the Bourbon Hall of Fame is the highest honor given by Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

“The Hall of Fame is a great honor, and only fitting for it to be bestowed on Freddie, said Matt Higgins, visitor center manager. “We’ve known and our guests have known for years what a special individual Freddie is; it’s so nice he’s being officially recognized for his dedication to the craft.”

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 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 21 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 500 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

Yellowstone® Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2018 Launches this Month

(Lebanon, Ky.) September 12, 2018 – Limestone Branch Distillery introduces the 2018 variety of Yellowstone® Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon, the third and final barrel finishing experiment by Limestone Branch Distillery, set to hit the market in October. This year’s final limited edition combines hand-selected, Kentucky Straight bourbons, ranging from four to 12 years in aging and finished in No. 3 char wine casks. Same as with the 2017 edition, this year’s special edition also includes Limestone Branch Distillery’s own distillate, carefully made with their signature heirloom white corn.

“The Yellowstone Limited Edition variants have been an incredible outlet for my creativity and flair for experimenting,” says Steve Beam, president and distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery. “We started the process in 2016 and I am proud of the three limited editions we created – and how they are linked to each other.”

Beam tells the story of the evolution of these three variants. “In 2016, we finished our Limited Edition bourbon in specially selected new wine barrels, which lent their special flavor to that year’s celebrated bourbon, but their journey had barely begun. Later that year, after the bourbon was dumped and bottled, the same 28 barrels were lightly charred and we filled them with our 2017 Limited Edition bourbon. This year, we took the very same barrels – now rich with complexity – and deeply charred them before filling them with our 2018 Limited Edition.”

The barrel journey, and the hand-selected bourbon used in these products, created a rich flavor profile. Beam notes that the heavy char over bourbon-wet oak produced a rich palate of burnt sugar, deep caramel and a lingering essence of crème brulée.

Bottled at 101 proof and available in 750ml bottles signed by Steve Beam and nestled in commemorative tubes, the 2018 Yellowstone Limited Edition marks the final piece of this award-winning trilogy.

Approximately 12,000 bottles of this bourbon are being produced this fall at Limestone Branch Distillery, and the suggested retail price is $99.99.

About Limestone Branch Distillery

Steve Beam and his brother Paul Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011, with the goal of crafting the finest whiskey in small batches, honoring their long family heritage. With a history of distilling on both sides of their family – Beam and Dant – the brothers are seventh-generation distillers. In 2015, by partnering with Luxco, they brought the Yellowstone brand back to the family, just in time to commemorate the brand’s 105th anniversary. As one of the founding members of the Kentucky Craft Bourbon Trail, Limestone Branch Distillery is located in Lebanon, Ky., in the heart of bourbon country.  The distillery is well known for its handcrafted products, including Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey.

For more information on Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone, please visit  www.limestonebranch.com, www.yellowstonebourbon.com or  www.facebook.com/limestone-branch-distillery.

35TH ANNIVERSARY BOTTLING: 33.136 HALCYON TARFEST

The next bottling in our 35th anniversary series, 33.136 Halcyon tarfest brings mineralic bluster, tarry rope, kelp, simmering peat oils, cured meats and pine resin. A wonderful taste experience for the peat lover.

HOW TO BUY: Due to the anticipated excitement and demand for 33.136, we’re inviting members who would like to buy a bottle to enter our lucky draw, where we’ll pull names at random from our hat. We’re introducing this based on members’ feedback on similar releases. We know some members will be disappointed, but we feel this is the fairest option for everyone interested in buying a bottle.

Please note: All entries must be received by midnight on Monday, 24 September, as we’ll be notifying winning members the next day. All winners must then contact us within 48 hours to purchase their bottle (that’s 10am on Thursday 27 September), otherwise we’ll pull another name from our hat. It’s one bottle per member, which we strongly suggest you open and enjoy – don’t be that member who puts their bottle straight into auction!

ENTER

Email us: ballot@smws.com

Ballot closes: Monday, 24 September, midnight

Winners contacted: Tuesday 25 September

Winner Reply: Thursday 27 September, 10am

HALCYON PEATFEST

ENTER BALLOT

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

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ENJOY 10% OFF ANY BOTTLE ONLINE OVER THE WEEKEND.

http://www.bartelswhisky.com/shop-whisky/

Please use code ‘sep10’ at the checkout.

See some of our bottling’s that might take your fancy below.

BUNNAHABHAIN 1991

BRUICHLADDICH 2005

GLEN ORD 2010

IMAGES OF ISLAY – AGED 16 YEARS

THE BIG B – TENNESSEE BOURBON
AGED 13 YEARS

SHOP ALL BOTTLES

Bartels Whisky
4 The Old Glebe
Loughborough, Lec LE12 8LB
United Kingdom

Penderyn Madeira Now Comes in a Sexy New Bottle!

Even though these expressions have recently won Gold awards, they don’t need all that bling to look sexy.

Nose: A classic freshness with aromas of cream toffee, rich fruit and raisins.

Palate: Crisp and finely rounded, with the sweetness to balance an appetizing dryness.

Finish: Notes of tropical fruit, raisins and vanilla persist.

Balance: Oaky vanilla tones; dry sweetness.

As always, Penderyn expressions in the U.S. are non-chill filtered and have natural, golden color.  

Nose: aromas of dark fruit and rich toffee mingle with green apples and hazelnuts to create a deeper mystery.

Palate: rich sweetness gives way to refreshing dryness.

Finish: sweet notes of toffee and sultana persist in the long finish.

Balance: Sherry and oak; winter spices.

If you’ve made it this far in the article, then here’s a beautiful video about the bottle from the designer, Glenn Tutssel.  Enjoy!

Thanks again for being part of our family and enjoying these fine whiskies with us!

We’ll be in touch about other exciting news as the year drinks on … 

SEPTEMBER AUCTION NOW LIVE
(ends Sunday 30^th September)

…place your bids at www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

With an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits there is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest, enjoy!

News

Diageo Special Releases 

They’re all here, including Cladach – the 2018 blended malt showcasing six of Scotland’s finest coastal distilleries. Pre-order Diageo’s Special Releases now.

SHOP NOW

New Releases

Glenrothes

Re-launch Having previously identified its weighty, sherried single malts by vintage, The Glenrothes has taken a new, age-stated approach – welcome to the Soleo range!

 SHOP NOW

Customer Review

Benromach 10 Year Old

 “Wow! Tried it in a bar in Pitlochry, brought a bottle home. A fantastic, balanced whisky that I’ll buy again and again.” – Jon

 SHOP NOW

2003 AND 1990 VINTAGE LIMITED EDITIONS CÙ BÒCAN RELEASED

Cù Bòcan has added two more limited edition single malts to the range with the launch of 2003 and 1990 vintage releases.

The 2003 vintage limited edition Cù Bòcan (aged 15 years old) has been bottled at a strength of 46% and sits alongside the standard edition. It has been matured in peated Islay ex-Sherry butts and is only available while stocks last. This full bodied single malt has coastal peat smoke notes which are perfectly balanced with winter spices and orchard fruits.

The special 1990 vintage release was distilled on 17 October 1990 and has been matured in peated Islay ex-Bourbon barrels. In their past lives, the casks were home to one of Islay’s peatiest potions and hints of the untamed spirit have been working their smoky magic over the years. The final creation, at 52.9% strength, is smoky, with notes of tropical fruits and warm spices. Only 1,400 bottles of this rare whisky are available worldwide.

The Cù Bòcan brand is named after a mythical Highland hellhound which was rumoured to haunt the village of Tomatin and was launched in 2013 as a lightly peated alternative to the traditional fruity flavours of Tomatin single malt. The distillery has been producing peated malt for the last week of every year since 2005, and in recent years has been experimenting with different levels of peatiness (PPM) in order to diversity their offering in the coming years.

These latest releases follow previous limited editions including the 2006 vintage in 2017, the 1988 and 2005 vintages in 2016, the Virgin Oak, Sherry and Bourbon expressions in 2015 and the 1989 vintage in 2014.

Lorraine Waddell, Brand Manager, commented:

“As the Cù Bòcan brand continues to grow – sales have grown 15% year to date on last year – our followers have been eagerly awaiting news of the next limited editions to complement the standard edition, which is available all year round.”

The 2003 vintage is currently being rolled out worldwide and is expected to retail at £85.00 and the 1990 at £230.00.

Notes 

For more information about the Cù Bòcan brand please contact Lorraine Waddell, Brand Manager on 01463 572 727 or lorraine@tomatin.com.

1. Website: www.cu-bocan.com
   1. Facebook: www.facebook.com/cubocan
   2. Twitter: www.twitter.com/cubocanwhisky
   3. Instagram: www.instagram.com/cubocanwhisky
   4. In 2005, the decision was made to produce a peated single malt and for the last week of production that year a batch of Optic Barley peated to 15ppm was used to produce about 60,000 litres of lightly peated spirit which was filled into a variety of different cask types.

1. Then, on September 3rd 2013 this lightly peated whisky produced at Tomatin was released as Cù Bòcan – A single malt at 15ppm matured in a combination of Bourbon, Sherry and Virgin Oak casks. Since then, the Cù Bòcan brand has grown with a number of vintage releases as part of the brand limited edition collection.

1. The distillery is owned by Japanese company Takara Shuzo: http://www.takarashuzo.co.jp/english/index.html

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES MUCH ANTICIPATED 2018 ANTIQUE COLLECTION WHISKEYS

Change in the Lineup: Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon will now be 101 proof 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Sept. 18, 2018) Fall is upon us, and that means Buffalo Trace Distillery is releasing its annual 2018 Antique Collection of whiskeys. The highly anticipated collection will once again feature five limited-release whiskeys of various ages, recipes and proofs, with one notable change, Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon will now be 101 proof.  Here’s what else fans can expect:

George T. Stagg

The powerhouse favorite of the Antique Collection, George T. Stagg weighs in at 124.9 proof this year.  Past releases of this uncut and unfiltered bourbon have won many top awards, including last year’s release nabbing a Double Gold Medal at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This year’s release contains bourbon from barrels filled in the spring of 2003. This batch contained 284 barrels, not quite as much as last year’s yield, but still significantly more than the yield from previous years.  Storage location of these barrels varied across warehouses C, H, I, K, P, and Q.  This whiskey tastes of dark chocolate, espresso, and tobacco.

William Larue Weller

The Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered, wheated recipe bourbon is William Larue Weller. Previous editions of this wheater have won many accolades, including a Double Gold Medal at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and “Bourbon of the Year” by “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2017.”  The 2018 offering was distilled in the winter of 2006 and aged in Warehouses C, I, K, L, M, and Q.  This bourbon registers in at 125.7 proof.  The bold flavors include dried fruit, fig, and caramelized vanilla.

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye

Thomas H. Handy is the uncut and unfiltered straight rye whiskey. “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2018” named previous years’ releases “Best Rye Whiskey with no age statement.”  This year’s Handy was distilled in the spring of 2012; aged in warehouses I and L and weighs in at 128.8 proof.  The flavor profile includes hints of allspice, teaberry, and clove.

Eagle Rare 17 Year Old

This year’s release is going back to its roots with a proof change from the previous 90 proof back to 101 proof, in tribute to the original strength used when the brand was launched in 1974.  This will be a permanent change to the proof for the Eagle Rare 17 year old from this year forward.  The 2018 edition was distilled in the Spring of 2000 and has been spending its time aging on the first, second and fifth floors of Warehouse C.  This bourbon tastes of toasted oak, coffee, spearmint, and butterscotch.

Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old

Last year Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old was named “Best Rye Whiskey Aged 11 Years and Over” by “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2018.”  This 2018 straight rye whiskey release has notable flavors of dark chocolate, tobacco, and cinnamon. The barrels for this whiskey were filled in the spring of 1998.

The Antique Collection was introduced more than a decade ago and has become a cult favorite among whiskey connoisseurs. Since 2000 these whiskeys have garnered numerous awards from such notable publications as Whisky Advocate Magazine, Spirit Journal, and “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.”

The 2018 Antique Collection whiskeys will be available in limited quantities starting in late September or early October.  Suggested retail price is $99 each.  For more information visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/brands/antique-collection.

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 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 21 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 500 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.