Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 228: Bowmore No 1
Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, sips another Bowmore. The Bowmore No. 1 should be seen as the new entry level malt. It is friendly priced, bottled at drinking strength and easy to find. No age statement, but that is no longer an issue, or is it? It matured exclusively on first fill bourbon casks
BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY INTRODUCES
OLD CHARTER OAK BOURBON
New Collection of Whiskeys Explores and Celebrates the Role Oak Plays
in Making Great Whiskey
FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Dec. 6, 2018) – Have you ever wondered how barrels made from trees that grew in different countries, climates, and soil would affect the flavors of the whiskey? Buffalo Trace Distillery began wondering this about 15 years ago and took it to a completely new level, resulting in a re-imagined whiskey brand called Old Charter Oak.
Most bourbon whiskey is aged in oak from the American Ozarks, but Buffalo Trace Distillery wondered if barrels made from oak trees grown in China, or Canada, or France would create bourbons with a different taste profile. What about trees grown in different states? Does a barrel produced from a tree grown in Georgia differ from a barrel produced from a tree grown in Oregon? Further, what about red oak, or pin oak, or laurel oak, would barrels produced from these oak species produce bourbons with different taste profiles?
By Federal standards, bourbon is required to be aged in a new, charred oak container. But there is no specification it must be American white oak, it’s just that nearly all bourbons made today are aged in white oak. This new Old Charter Oak line is an entire collection of bourbon aged in oak barrels from different oak varietals, and is designed to explore, honor, and celebrate the role of oak in making great whiskey. The oak trees used for this brand will vary by country of origin, or species, or U.S. state. Some barrels are even made from century oaks, 100, 200, or 300 year old oak trees.
All the Old Charter Oak Bourbon series will be released over time, starting with the first release of Mongolian Oak Bourbon this winter. In 2019, there will be two other new releases, from oak trees harvested from other countries. Subsequent releases are planned a few times each year, indefinitely. “As of now, we have bourbon aging for the Old Charter Oak collection set for release now through 2030, but we’ll keep producing more each year for more new whiskeys beyond that,” said Kris Comstock, senior marketing director.
The first release in this series, Mongolian Oak, is a bourbon aged in barrels from trees grown in Mongolia, which were sourced by Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley in 2006, but it was 2008 before the barrels arrived at Buffalo Trace and filled with Buffalo Trace’s Mash #1. Aged 10 years, the Mongolian Oak tastes vastly different from bourbons aged in barrels made from traditional American white oak, although not overpowering, this new whiskey is full bodied. “We know, from previous research we’ve done, how important oak is to the final taste profile. The barrel is responsible for about 50% of the flavor profile in bourbon,” stated Wheatley. “So it only made sense to take that one step further and see how different barrels from different oak tree varieties would taste in comparison to what we think of as ‘traditional’ oak barrels.” The suggested retail pricing for the Mongolian Oak is $69.99, but the different oak varieties released over the years will have different price points, all in a similar range.
Old Charter Oak will be packaged in an upscale package, glass bottle with a cork finish. Each bottle will have an oak medallion on the front depicting the Charter Oak tree.
Old Charter is a brand that has always celebrated the central role that oak plays in making great whiskey, given its namesake. The brand dates back to 1874, when Adam and Ben Chapeze created the bourbon, naming it in honor of the Charter Oak tree, a famous symbol of American independence and free spirit, which grew in Connecticut in the 12th or 13th century until it fell in a storm in 1856.
Old Charter changed owners a few times, until it was purchased by Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1999. The existing Old Charter Bourbon is still produced by parent company Sazerac and there are no plans to discontinue it. The Old Charter Oak series is an upscale brand extension, much like Buffalo Trace has done with its E. H. Taylor, Jr, line.
The Mongolian Oak Bourbon will be available starting in December 2018, but supplies will be limited. These whiskeys will be bottled at 90 proof. More information can be found about the Old Charter Oak series www.oldcharteroak.com
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 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.
J& G. Grant are proud to unveil The Glenfarclas Family Cask Trunk, which is believed to be the most expansive single collection ever released by one distillery. Following on from the hugely successful Family Cask collection, the distiller has gone one step further by releasing The Glenfarclas Family Cask Trunk– which contains every vintage from 1954 to 2003.
George Grant, Sales Director and 6th generation of the Grant family, said, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy a full collection of vintages in one complete set. It is the first – and last – chance to purchase this, as some of the vintages contained in the trunk are from the last casks of their respective years. We are thrilled to bring this ambitious project to fruition, one which could only be realised due to my grandfather’s foresight in laying down casks as far back as the 1950s.”
The unique collection is housed in a custom-made trunk, resembling a contemporary interpretation of a traditional shipping trunk. Inside sit fifty individual 200ml bottles of Glenfarclas Single Malt Scotch Whisky, one from each year from 1954 to 2003.
To complement the extraordinary set, the trunk also contains the following bespoke elements: 4 tumblers, 4 nosing glasses and a water jug, all crafted from the finest crystal by renowned Scottish glass manufacturer Glencairn Crystal; 4 slate coasters; 3 hand printed and bound leather books – one containing the history of the distillery, another with George Grant’s tasting notes for each vintage and the third with space for the buyer to write their own personal tasting notes; and a replica of the oldest known painting of the distillery. The original, which dates back to 1791, now hangs in the Glenfarclas Private Dining Room.
60 of these extraordinary sets are available for a recommended price of £100,000 excluding local taxes and duties. The next release of traditional Family Casks will be available in spring 2019.
28-29 SEPTEMBER 2019
OLD BILLINGSGATE, LONDON
On Sale Now
This just in: tickets for The Whisky Show – the UK’s greatest annual whisky event – are on sale now! What’s more, Sunday and weekend tickets have been released at early‑bird prices.
The Whisky Show returns to Old Billingsgate this September, where you can expect more than 600 whiskies from around the world, as well as whisky cocktails, free demonstrations, interactive experiences, incredible masterclasses, a curated rum zone and so much more.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Products are offered subject to the following terms and conditions:
Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
We do not issue physical tickets. When you make your booking, your name will be added to a guest list for the event.
In the case of cancellation on part of the organisers, the full ticket price will be refunded to you. We reserve the right to make cancellations up to 24 hours before the event.
The Whisky Exchange is the registered trademark of Speciality Drinks Limited.
Elixir House, Whitby Avenue, Park Royal, London NW10 7SF, UK.
Highland Park 2006 Single Cask The W Club Exclusive
This single cask from ‘the Orkney Malt with Viking Soul’ was distilled at Highland Park distillery in 2006 and matured in a fist-fill American sherry oak puncheon for 11 years before bottling in 2018. Selected by a tasting panel of W Club members, only 615 bottles have been filled at a natural cask strength of 67% abv, exclusively for members of The W Club.
Not a member?
Join today for just £20 per year to get your hands on this fantastic exclusive and a host of other benefits!
Choose from 1000’s of whiskies which we can gift wrap and deliver directly to your loved ones, clients or colleagues worldwide including the USA, Australia and Europe.
Just Add Gift Wrapping in your Basket
Single malt Scotch whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has been recognised for its premium portfolio of exclusive single malt whiskies at The Spirits Business 2018 Design & Packaging Masters, securing three ‘Master’ accolades.
Earlier this year Gordon & MacPhail unveiled its streamlined portfolio, comprising five distinct ranges: Discovery, Distillery Labels, Connoisseurs Choice, Private Collection, and Generations. The company’s commitment to the art of Scotch whisky maturation has been passed down through four generations of the Urquhart family, owners of Gordon & MacPhail.
Two Design & Packaging ‘Master’ medals were awarded to the Connoisseurs Choice range which sits at the heart of Gordon & MacPhail’s portfolio. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018, Connoisseurs Choice has two distinct bottle shapes and packaging, both of which have been recognised with a ‘Master’ accolade. The new premium look and feel rewards whisky drinkers with a thirst for knowledge, incorporating a detailed description of the whisky’s provenance on the label. The Gordon & MacPhail branding is also much more prominent compared to previous incarnations.
The newest addition to Gordon & MacPhail’s portfolio, the flavour-led Discovery range was also recognised with a ‘Master’ award. Launched in May 2018, the range segments releases into three flavour profiles, ‘Smoke’, ‘Sherry’, and ‘Bourbon’. Each Discovery whisky displays a bespoke illustration, designed for each profile in a contemporary linocut style, conveying key flavours.
Commenting on the awards Ian Chapman, Marketing Director at Gordon & MacPhail, said: “This year has been a very important one for Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies. Feedback from our discerning consumers has been overwhelmingly positive. Receiving these accolades from The Design & Packaging Masters is a pleasing endorsement from our peers of the inspiration and hard work which has gone into the huge project of streamlining our entire portfolio.”
Matt Chapman, Founder of Contagious, the creative agency that worked with Gordon & MacPhail to redesign the portfolio, added “We are all thrilled to have the efforts of the team heralded by these awards. It has been a pleasure to work with such a respected brand and immensely fulfilling that, together, we’ve managed to create products befitting of Gordon & MacPhail’s exquisite single malts.”
For more information on Gordon & MacPhail visit www.gordonandmacphail.com.
Notes
Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies
Established in 1895, family-owned Gordon & MacPhail is the creator of some of the world’s finest and rarest single malt Scotch whiskies from over 100 distilleries. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued to pursue the perfect pairing between spirit and cask.
Since its foundation, Gordon & MacPhail has carefully matched spirit to the highest quality oak casks which are sent to distilleries throughout Scotland, filled with new-make spirit, and matured either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouses in Elgin.
It is this simple but endlessly complex pairing that creates an intriguing and unique portfolio of expressions – single malts that Scotch whisky lovers will not find anywhere else.
In 2018, the company unveiled its streamlined portfolio:
CASK NO. 7.200 SASSY LASSIE IN A LEATHER SKIRT
25 years old; refill hogshead; 54.8%; Juicy, oak & vanilla
Milestone cask
The nose is a sassy lassie’s handbag; perfume, sweets and cigarettes. The palate; orange and ginger, rhubarb and custard, plum jam and clean oak.
CASK NO. 108.12 00:30:SPEYSIDE-PEKING DIRECT
10 years old; 1st fill barrel; 62.7%; Sweet & spicy
First bottling from this distillery for SMWS Canada!
A dram full of surprises. Sweet at first with vanilla and bubblegum, the palate is richly textured, becoming increasingly spicy and oriental.
CASK NO. 26.121 A REAL PICK-ME-UP
13 years old; 1st fill barrel; 53.3%; Juicy, oak & vanilla
A potpourri of dried flowers followed by spiced apple cake with salty sweet lemon drizzle topping. Diluted; like a tangy vanilla lime smoothie.
9 years old; refill barrel; 60.6%; Young & spritely
Freshly squeezed lemon on cinnamon pancakes followed by zesty orange marzipan. Diluted; Limoncello mint sorbet and spiced coconut rice pudding.
CASK NO. 31.36 GREASY MARGARITAS
29 years old; 2nd fill hogshead; 52.6%; Oily & coastal
Rare black label bottling
Lime juice in margaritas blended with dessert wine and orange tinged engine oil in a pine forest. Previously in an ex-bourbon hogshead.
CASK NO. 4.240 DRIFTING INTO A STORM
14 years old; refill hogshead; 54.3%; Oily & coastal
In our tar-coated oak canoe we entered a storm but persisted with our lunch of smoked cheese with spiced chutney and charred apple crumble.
CASK NO. 10.144 OYSTERS AND MANZANILLA
9 years old; refill hogshead; 60.1%; Peated
The clean and salty air carried aromas of fishing nets with smoked prawns, grilled portobello mushrooms and a platter of fresh shellfish.
Coveted 21 and 26 Year Cask Strength Single Barrels
Whisky season is at full throttle with new casks hitting our shelves every week. This first week in December brings us a tantalizing pair from “Hepburn’s Choice.” Both are superlative drams that would be welcome additions to any Scotch lovers’ collection. They are true “teaspooned” treasures, which is to say, a thimble’s worth of whisky from another distillery was added to the cask, thereby protecting the name of the parent cask. Yes, it’s a bit of marketing voodoo, but the end product is a whisky that’s been crafted by top distillery and sells for a fraction of the price of its unmodified equal.
| Vintage | Item Name | Retail | Link |
| 1997 | Hector Macbeth (Glenfiddich) 21 Year Old “Hepburn’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) | $109.99 | View |
| 1991 | John McCrae (Balvenie) 26 Year Old “Hepburn’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) | $139.99 | View |
Take, for example, the 26 Year Old John McCrae featured here. This cask hails from Balvenie, one of the most respected distilleries in Speyside. Because it was teaspooned and comes in 3% under proof, it sells for a sliver of their $700, 25 Year Old bottling. The value here is incontestable. The Hector Macbeth is every bit a compelling, if for slightly different reasons. This cask originates from Glenfiddich, a ubiquitous and well-known brand, but one that never produces single-cask expressions. But here you can enjoy just that thanks to the process of teaspooning. At 21 years of age and unfiltered, it is a rare find that’s every bit as delicious as it is unique. And like the McCrae, a regular bottling of Glenfiddich with this age statement usually costs about 50% more. Being single casks, there’s isn’t a lot of either to go around, so we recommend quick action to secure your bottles. For the full details on each, please scroll down.
There’s just no way to describe the feeling of coming across a splendid old cask of Wardhead (trade name for teaspooned Glenfiddich) like this one. You’d expect that with the incredible value that these casks offer, we’d see more of this type of whisky on the market, but I think suppliers are scared to work with something labelled as a blended malt whisky even when they know it’s actually only blended on paper. This magical cask bottled as “Hector Macbeth” was actually distilled at the famous Glenfiddich distillery in spring of 1997. It was filled into a used hoggie and left to sit in the warehouses for nearly two decades before being “downgraded” to a blended malt and sold off to the Laing Brothers. To be honest, it’s not entirely clear how the process actually works. Do the Laings have contracts to fill under the blended malt label or does the distillery open up stocks to the open market when space/cash is needed? Considering how difficult it is to find spirit from this particular distillery above 18 years old, these older teaspoons are becoming more definitive in our understanding of how this malt matures in its naked form. Very few whiskies on the shelf are going to offer more.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 24, 2018
For being the most best-selling single malt in the world, Glenfiddich gets a bit of a bad rap. While the distillery is widely known for its ubiquitous 12-year offering, it’s occasionally offering exciting cask finishes and special releases that are sought after, but a lot of the regular malt drinkers seem to poo poo them. While I consider the 12 year a benchmark that serves as a good middle ground to compare other malts—a centering malt—an easy way to seem like you know what you’re talking about is to shit on easy targets. But one thing very few malt drinkers can say they’ve actually tasted is Fiddich in a single cask. I do believe that experience will change many staunch detractors’ minds about Dufftown’s most active distillery. The nose is a gorgeous mixture of clean minerals and pale malt. With the tiniest drop of water it begins to expand. Vibrant freshly cut Granny Smith apples, the deep minerality of a grand cru Alsatian Riesling, chamomile tea, and citrus peel. On the palate, the gorgeous orchard aromas are pointed with a subtle cracked pepper. With a bit more air, lovely yellow floral and stone fruit aromas start to creep out. There’s no question that Fiddich is producing one of the finest malts in Scotland and if they let it go for 20+ years and bottle it at full strength it can be absolutely superlative. A polished gem that should be in every serious malt nut’s cabinet.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 15, 2018
Teaspooned casks offer some of the best deals in Scotland. Invariably it is the biggest and most prestigious names in Scotch that don’t want to see their whisky on the independent market trading on their hard-earned reputation. This famous “valley of the deer” is elegance defined. It’s gentle and fruity, supple from 21 long years in a refilled hogshead barrel. Vanilla and crème brûlée layer on top of cooked grains and fresh malty wort. A little bit of saline keeps it from feeling sweet. It’s balanced and endlessly approachable. A stunning value in its own right and a downright steal considering its heritage.
Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 24, 2018
There is a lot of life in this bottle for a whisky that is old enough to drink itself. Orange blossom and pleasant salinity on the nose make for a gracious, friendly introduction. There is also a subtle whiff of nutmeg and marmalade. Honeyed biscuits, creamy orange, and a touch of cocoa envelop the palate in an exquisite texture that lingers indefinitely. With a few drops of water, the aromas explode from the glass and the heat from spices surprisingly increases on the tongue, though is offset by sweet cereal and fresh mandarin. This packs a lot of delicate flavor into every drop without ever sacrificing balance or lift. Easily the best expression of Glenfiddich malt I’ve ever tasted.
William Beare | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 18, 2018
Smells like it rained Scotch all over my mom’s nice flower patch. Read: delicious! The nose on this beauty is packed with soft flowers and sweet, wet earth. I’m reminded of the rich smell of a garden nursery—soft leathery smells marrying flower petal and earth aromas. On the palate, this is a creamy delight, with notes of soft caramel candy and saltwater taffy.
Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 16, 2018
From what I have tasted so far,the single malt casks that the team from K&L purchased this year in Scotland are not only high quality and tasty but also offer a broad range of flavors and styles. The Hector Macbeth is a lighter single malt with a nose that is sweet with a subtle savory note. In the mouth it is soft and light and just rolls on the tongue with delicate malt and honey flavors. In addition, there is nice concentration to balance out this package out.
Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 15, 2018
The nose is all soft vanilla chews, coconut pastry and lavender floral notes with a nice briny quality. The vanilla continues on the palate along with cocoa powder and salted nuts. In time, light flavors of leather and subtle medicinality come out. Skip your next doctor’s visit for this li’l cookie.
We’ve discussed the practice of “teaspooning” at K&L several times before and it’s critically important to understanding just how special this cask of whisky is. There are some producers who freely sell or trade their single malt and are happy to have their name used in the sale of that whisky. But there are also producers who carefully guard their name, as is their prerogative, but who still end up selling or trading whiskey with the independent bottler market. To guard their distillery name, they “teaspoon” casks before selling them. This is simply the addition of a minuscule amount of whisky from another distillery to the cask. That teaspoon of whisky renders the entire cask “blended malt” (a blend of single malt whiskies from two different distilleries) instead of single malt and as such makes it illegal to call the cask by the producer’s name. The independent bottling market has created unique names for each independent cask that comes from a particular distillery. Enter “John McCrae.” While the distillery is known for its double cask program, this single cask is everything you want from a 26-year-old Speysider of impeccable pedigree. A true gentlemen of the highest order.
K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 16, 2018
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 23, 2018
Another stupendous “blended malt” from Hepburn. This is world-class stuff that we just happened to get a hold of. Of course the only reason Balvenie wouldn’t use this exceptional whisky in its extremely well-regarded whisky program is if it didn’t meet the brand’s standards. That by no means implies that this whisky is of a lower quality than the insane 25-year-old single barrels they sell for $700+, but that it just didn’t fit in the program. And I bet William Grant was well pissed when they rolled this cask out of the warehouse to find it had gone under the 47.8% that the 25 year is bottled at. But, we’re the lucky beneficiaries of that “fault” and can now sell you something that missed the mark for that special line by about 3.2% for an 80% discount. Oh and it tastes goddamned delicious, just as you’d expect from an old whisky of this pedigree. There’s no question that we’ll be looking out for more malts like this one, but I doubt we’ll find many that taste quite this special.
Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 24, 2018
A powerful whisky despite its relatively low proof, this bottling definitely shows the prowess of its original distillery. Savory and softly herbal on the nose, it comes across as hearty and wholesome, even soul nourishing. The taste is deep and earthy, supplemented by lighter tones of ginger, citrus, and mint. With a dash of water, the aromas open up to include whispers of sweet flowers and thyme. The finish is intensely flavorful and immensely satisfying, like a big meal after a long day of hard work. This is definitely a one-of-a-kind bottle that you don’t want to miss.
William Beare | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 18, 2018
A powerful dram indeed. This is not a whiskey you are likely to forget if you are fortunate enough to taste! The nose is exotic and seductive– really delicate fruity notes slowly make their presence known. I get candied orange and a touch of cocoa, like the little orange filled chocolate candies my parents would give us around the holidays. The palate is unexpectedly subdued, with briny, savory qualities that warm the belly and keep you coming back for more.
Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 17, 2018
The last time that K&L had a cask from this distillery it sold out in a very short time. After tasting this selection, I can see no reason that this will not happen again. There is a very pretty, almost delicate but pronounced, wax and honey nose. The mouthfeel is velvet and cream with nice lush, honey-like flavors. There is a dry and long finish.
Neal Fischer |
A powerful burst of salted caramel cookies, coconut, white peach, and gentle medicinality characterizes the nose of this Scotch. The medicinality, leather, and varnished oak dominates the palate initially, but gradually fades to cream, vanilla, and cocoa powder then a woody finish.
Blended malt of Macallan & Highland Park matured in a single sherry butt. This is the third release of the unusual and highly prized series bottled by Morrison & MacKay. Old Perth 14 Year Old 2004 vintage Blended Malt Scotch whiskey. A very unusual single sherry cask blended malt of Macallan & Highland Park bottled 2018 by Morrison & MacKay. 675 bottles. MAXIMUM 1 BOTTLE PER CUSTOMER. Blended Scotch whiskies are produced by blending whiskies distilled at two or more different Scottish distilleries and the whiskies may be single malt whiskies, single grain whiskies, or single malt and single grain whiskies.
Buy – Old Perth Macallan & Highland Park – £159.95
