Ralfy climbs a bit of Scotland’s highest mountain with Ralfy Review 715 – Ben Nevis 10yo @ 46%vol

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Release of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series

BARDSTOWN, KY – Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of a limited-edition series of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bottlings to be released each spring and fall. Bottled in an ornate decanter, the series reflects the traditions of both the Old Fitzgerald lineage and the bottled-in-bond designation. Launching this spring with an 11-year-old bottling, whiskey aficionados and history buffs alike will revel in the newest edition of the Old Fitzgerald family.

As the leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium, allocated product within this special class that showcases the authenticity and quality of the American Whiskey portfolio. Acquired in 1999 by Heaven Hill, the legendary Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree and intriguing story behind its namesake, John E. Fitzgerald. Comprised of barrels produced from February through May of 2006, and bottled in April of 2018, the first release ushers in the latest hallmark series to the bottled-in-bond legacy.

Inspired by an original 1950’s Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter, the newest packaging will thrill collectors as the brand was traditionally bottled in artistic decanters of all shapes and sizes. The label features the time-honored graphic of a key, commemorating an important element in original labels and the brand’s slogan since the 1940’s, “Your key to hospitality.” Kentucky’s state seal and a prominent brand banner replicate a pre-Prohibition label. Spring editions will be denoted with a green label and fall editions with a black label. The age will change with each edition and will also be indicated on the bottom of the label.

Each edition’s tax strip, which has always been a signature of transparency on bottled-in-bond products, will disclose when the liquid was produced and bottled.

“For 82 years Heaven Hill Distillery has nurtured and produced historic brands of quality and heritage,” said Heaven Hill Distillery Master Distiller Denny Potter. “It is an honor to join a famous line of distillers behind the Old Fitzgerald name and to continue to uphold the tradition of the brand through its bottled-in-bond designation, which dates to the early 1900s.”

Larceny Bourbon, a descendant of the Old Fitzgerald line, tells the legend of Treasury Agent John E. Fitzgerald who held the keys to the bonded rickhouses, and helped himself from barrels containing only the finest bourbon. The agent’s selections became known around the distillery as “Fitzgerald barrels” and were used to create a soft, wheated bourbon known as “Old Fitzgerald.”

The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis each spring and fall throughout the next five years. The spring 2018 edition meets the strict requirements of a bottled-in-bond: the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof or 50% alcohol by volume. The first edition is available at a suggested retail price of $110.00.

About Heaven Hill Distillery
Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.3 million barrels aging in 55 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2017 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, and previously held the titles of 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, 2016 Whisky Advocate American Whiskey of the Year and 2016 Rye Whiskey of the Year from “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.” For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

The Whisky Barrel releases their latest exclusive Islay single cask. 

Specialist online whisky shop, TheWhiskyBarrel.com, is proud to release Isle of Islay 10 Year Old. 

The Isle of Islay, located off the west coast of Scotland, is the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides islands and known as ‘The Queen of the Hebrides’. The island’s capital is Bowmore and the main port is Port Ellen.

Islay is perhaps best known for its whisky, with eight distilleries each producing their own distinctive single malts. The three distilleries along the south eastern coast of the island, Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Lagavulin, all have a prominent peaty flavour; a true characteristic of Islay malts.

Rumour has it that the art of distillation was first introduced to Islay by the Irish monks living there in the early fourteenth century.

Isle of Islay 10 Year Old is a rare find to say the least. The refill hogshead cask yields just 285 bottles.

Distilled at one of Islay’s south eastern distilleries, this malt will be of interest to collectors and connoisseurs alike. It has the distinct peaty flavour that is unique to Islay whiskies. A golden malt with a beautifully balanced scent of fresh hay and peat, as well as a slight sweetness. A truly special malt from one of the most famous distilleries in Scotland. 

Isle of Islay 10 Year | 2007 | Exclusive Malts | 57.1% 

Tasting notes: 

Colour: Golden straw

Nose: Crisp and fresh with scents of hay and peat. 

Taste: Distinct peaty flavours come through, balanced with subtle earthy and briny notes. 

Finish: Long and comforting with warmth coming from the peat. 

Price: £99.95 GBP / $115.00 USD (+ P&P)

Saturday, March 10th 1-3PM:

Scotch Tasting: 

Benriach, Glendronach, and Glenglassaugh 

One of our most popular scotch tastings, Benriach, Glendronach, and Glenglassaugh will be tasted at this event. Presented by distillery representatives and our own in-store whisky experts, scotch connoisseurs and newcomers to the the world of traditional scotch are sure to enjoy this tasting.

Pour list will be revealed as the event approaches – RSVP to be notified.

Click Here to RSVP 

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 197: Macallan Edition No 3

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, publishes his first ever Macallan rambling! Three years ago Macallan launched the so-called Edition Series. No 1 is all but sold out (or very expensive on the secondary market), while No 2 is getting there. No 3 – the one I will be trying now – was recently released and can still be found. Bob Delgarno, Macallan’s whisky maker, worked together with Master Perfumer Roja Dove – who previously helped Macallan create their aroma kit. It is composed of no less than 6 cask types, most of them first fill sherry for which Macallan is known. It is cut down to 48.3% ABV. And yes, it is outstanding!

https://youtu.be/HbqjjvXcYsA

FORGOTTEN SCOTTISH PRINCESS HONOURED WITH PIONEERING BLEND OF SCOTCH AND DUTCH WHISKY, THE WINTER QUEEN

• The Winter Queen whisky honours remarkable legacy of Elizabeth Stuart, eldest daughter of King James VI and I and Queen Anne of Denmark
• Latest release from innovative Fusion Whisky and Adelphi partnership that celebrates historical Scots and their influence on the world
• First blend of Scotch and Dutch whisky from firm that pioneered ‘fusion’ concept of international blends using Scotch with Japanese and Indian whiskies

SHE was the Scottish princess with Queen Elizabeth I for godmother, destined for a lifetime of exile in The Hague, and is the forgotten link between the Stuart and Hanoverian thrones.

Now the legacy of Elizabeth Stuart, eldest daughter of King James VI and I, is being honoured by a unique new whisky made from a pioneering blend of Scotch and Dutch single malt whisky.

Edinburgh-based Fusion Whisky said its new Winter Queen whisky “celebrated the story and honoured the memory” of Elizabeth Stuart, who was born in Fife in 1596, but spent most of life in The Hague.

Fusion Whisky Director Graham Langley said: “Elizabeth’s story is a superb one, and certainly deserving of a wider audience. Our Winter Queen whisky serves to honour this forgotten Scottish princess and to bring greater awareness to her remarkable life and influence.”

As eldest daughter to King James VI and I and Queen Anne of Denmark, Elizabeth was always destined for a place in the history books. While still a child, she was caught up in the web of intrigue during the infamous Gunpowder Plot.  At 16 she was married to Elector Palatine Frederick V and the couple moved to Bohemia, where they reigned. But after a year the couple were besieged and forced to flee Prague, earning the couple the moniker, the Winter King and Queen.

Elizabeth spent the next 40 years living in The Hague, campaigning for her lost lands and establishing a royal court that became an artistic and diplomatic hub whose influence extended across Europe. She also became a figurehead for the thousands of Scottish mercenaries based in the Netherlands.

Dr Nadine Akkerman of Leiden University is the leading authority on Elizabeth Stuart. She said: “More politically cunning than her grandmother, Mary, Queen of Scots, and more belligerent than her godmother, Elizabeth I, she never relinquished the title Queen of Bohemia, even though she spent upwards of forty years in exile in The Hague after but a year in Prague.”

Dr Akkerman said that the thousands of letters Elizabeth wrote to statesmen and stateswomen, generals, lieutenants, ambassadors and other diplomats, showed the complex, witty and influential character of Elizabeth, whom history has largely overlooked.

She added: “During her years in exile, she changed court culture in the Netherlands and was matriarch to a family that included artists, warriors, natural philosophers and one queen mother: George I was her grandson.

The Winter Queen is the third character-led blend of international whisky launched by Fusion Whisky. Working in partnership with the acclaimed Adelphi, Fusion Whisky has established itself as a pioneer of premium blends made using Scotch and international whisky to honour remarkable Scots.

Its iconic Glover whisky was made by blending Scotch with rare Hanyu whisky from Japan in celebration of Thomas Blake Glover, the so-called “Scottish samurai”. Glover, who is better known in his adopted Japan than in his homeland, played a critical role in the country’s industrialisation, and had a part in the foundation of Mitsubishi and Kirin Group. He was the first non-Japanese person to receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan’s highest civic honour.

Last year the firm released The E&K whisky, which was made using Scotch and Indian whisky from Amrut Distillery in honour of the “Walking Viceroy”, Victor Alexander Bruce, 9th Earl of Elgin and 13th Earl of Kincardine. Bruce served as Viceroy of India under Queen Victoria in the late 19th century, and pushed for greater infrastructure and economic growth, including the construction of 4000 miles of railway during his term of office and linking all the major Indian cities for the first time, creating a railway network of more than 20,000 miles.

Fusion Whisky’s latest title, The Winter Queen, was made using Scotch from Longmorn and Glenrothes distilleries, blended with malt whisky from the renowned Dutch Distillery Zuidam. The recipe was created by Adelphi’s managing director and master blender Alex Bruce.

Mr Bruce said: “By taking whiskies matured in different climates, we have been able to create a very new and innovative style. Like the historical characters we honour, these whiskies are themselves pioneers, challenging expectations of what blended whisky is. Crucially, these whiskies are also products of international partnerships and friendships. We’re very proud of it!”

Tasting notes:

The Winter Queen (52.7%), 1 of 866 bottles

9 year old malt whisky

A blend of Scotch malt whisky from Longmorn and Glenrothes distilleries and malt whisky from Zuidam Distillery in the Netherlands. By Adelphi and Fusion Whisky.

Nose drying; polished floor boards; chocolate and desiccated coconut; Scotch pancakes topped with bacon and coated in maple syrup; manilla envelopes; crème caramel; maraschino cherry; rhubarb crumble, dark toffee and molasses; soft and creamy mouthfeel; Sunday lunch, with quince jelly and jus.

The Winter Queen will be available through select specialist retailers, priced around £125.

IMAGES:

Image of The Winter Queen whisky from Fusion Whisky and Adelphi. Image: Tina Norris.

Portrait of Elizabeth Stuart, the Winter Queen, as the Biblical Queen Esther, by Gerard van Honthorst. Courtesy of Hoogsteder & Hoogsteder.

Painting of Prince Maurice in the company of Prince Frederick Henry, Frederick V and Elizabeth Stuart, King and Queen of Bohemia, (on left hand side) at the Buitenhof in The Hague. By Pauwels van Hillegaert. Courtesy of Rijksmusuem.

Painting of Frederick V (1596-1632), Elector of the Palatinate, King of Bohemia, and

Elisabeth Stuart (1596-1662), Queen of Bohemia, out hunting, by Adriaen Pietersz van de Venne. Courtesy of Rijksmuseum.

 Portrait of Elizabeth Stuart, the Winter Queen, by Gerard van Honthorst. Courtesy of National Gallery, London.

Whisky Stories – Your Turn

Last month, I wrote a blog post about my most memorable whisky story – my first trip to Islay. It prompted several of you to share your own whisky stories, and here’s our favourite. Thank you to all of you who took the time to reply, and please keep sending your whisky stories to us – we’ll be publishing more of our favourites over the coming months.

by Edward
I was backpacking in Asia with a good mate of mine. One night while walking the streets of Saigon, Vietnam, we decided to make it our mission to find a fancy single malt. We dragged ourselves through 38°C heat at 80% humidity, in and out of bars in the hope we might discover a hidden gem.

After the seventh bar we were desperate and out of ideas – maybe our decision not to bring smartphones wasn’t so smart after all. While traipsing down a side street, an old Vietnamese guy lounging on his scooter yelled ‘What you want? I’ll get you anything.’

He followed us, asking the same question, calling to us in a well-pronounced, well-rehearsed fashion. Eventually I stopped and said, ‘OK! Whisky. Single malt.’

The man (Mikey) was convinced that he could help us if we bought him one Coke in a bar he swore sold whisky. Needless to say, the bar he took us to was not exactly street legal. It was too dark for me to accurately describe what was happening in there, but Coke was three dollars and everyone was very…friendly, shall we say?

So we joined Mikey in having Vietnam’s most expensive soft drink. He told us how he’d been a translator for the US during the Vietnam War, and after the Americans famously fled Saigon, Mikey was imprisoned for helping the enemy.

But the whisky. We still hadn’t found the whisky. So after making a polite excuse we left, and we were getting desperate as the night drew on.

Now lost, we found ourselves outside a door that seemed to be a bar. ‘Let’s just go in here, gather our thoughts and work out what we are going to do,’ I said. After a long flight of stairs we found ourselves in a terrace bar looking over the city. In the floor was a fish tank, and soft seating surrounded us.

There, to our amazement, on the menu was Laphroaig 10 Year Old. A double was £3, the same price as a Coke with Mikey. We ordered two doubles. A few minutes later the waiter appeared awkwardly holding the bottle. He looked at us and said, ‘I’m terribly sorry, I only have this. No one wants to drink it so I will charge you the same.’

He held up the bottle which read Laphroaig…18 Year Old!

‘Is that OK?’ he asked.

I replied: ‘I think we’ll manage.’

Thanks very much to Edward. If you have a whisky story you’d like to share, please send it to us.

FEBRUARY 2018 AUCTION NOW LIVE!

Our February Auction is up and running and once again, we have a great selection be it young or well aged, brand new releases or those old familiar expressions, independent or official bottlings etc… Whisky from all over the globe has been gathered together by us in one convenient place, just for you.

Here are some of the highlights waiting for you this month…

MACALLAN EXCEPTIONAL CASK

Some of rarest Macallan’s around, the previous Exceptional Cask releases have been described as some of “the greatest Macallan of them all ” . Seven casks were bottled in 2017 and released across the United States and Asia.

JOHNNIE WALKER OLD HIGHLAND WHISKY / WHITE LABEL

Although not its official title at the time, this bottle of Old Highland Whisky was to become the Johnnie Walker White Label in 1909 after a re-branding exercise that saw all of their expressions renamed after their label colours and begin to feature the famous striding man, yet to appear here. While the re-branded White Label was a 6 year old blend, the original Old Highland Whisky was a 5 year old.

WHITE HORSE

This month we are featuring a mouth-watering selection of the world renowned blend, White Horse. This blend was often exported and has over time earned a very distinguished history. In our February Auction we will showcase a lot that was bottled in 1941!

HANYU CARD SERIES

Hanyu’s legendary ‘Card Series’ continues to gather momentum amongst collectors and has solidified itself as one of the most sought after Japanese collections. This month we have a fantastic array with the ‘Clubs’ quarter shining through.

GLENFIDDICH VINTAGE SINGLE CASK SELECTION

This month we are delighted to feature a great range of vintage single cask Glenfiddich that date as far back as the early sixties. These fantastic limited expressions are quickly becoming some of the most sought after releases from Glenfiddich for both drinking and collecting.

GLENGLASSAUGH 1972 WOOLF SUNG 40 YEAR OLD / THE HUNTER – CHARITY BOTTLE

The Hunter is the first release from the Woolf Sung Collection. A 40 year old Glenglassaugh distilled in 1972 then matured in a single Sherry cask for 40 years before bottling by Woolf Sung on the 22nd January 2013. All proceeds go towards ‘The Benevolent; The Drinks Industry Charity’

Our February Auction is live until Monday 5^th August, there is no fee to register on our site, our commission structure is very competitive and we offer worldwide shipping. For our terms and conditions please click here.

Whisky Barrel Exclusive Islay single cask not to be missed!

Isle of Islay 10 Year Old 2007

Whisky Barrel Exclusive – single cask hogshead from a secret distillery which once contained the famed micro distillery Malt Mill, on the A846 between Laphroaig & Ardbeg. Bottled 2018 by Creative Whisky Co. for the Exclusive Malts series, just 285 bottles.

Buy – $116.33

Phil Dwyer

So, Macallan, somewhat of an elephant in the room these days. The Double Cask is a combination of European Oak & American Oak seasoned sherry casks, i’m not sure how long “seasoned” details in length of time in sherry but it’s a fairly common trait in whisky maturation these days.

I’m a fan of sherry cask whiskies and classic Macallans’ like the 12YO and the No. 2 Edition are key examples of how good Macallan can be and for me, personally, this whisky is a very two dimensional and really lacks depth, especially for the price tag of £70. If you like it, then you like it, everyone is different but this is a product that won’t grace my whisky shelf.

https://youtu.be/w1mSIiYk9q0

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