Friday November 23rd, 5-7 PM:

Mystery Scotch & Chutney Tasting 

Master and expert of all things Scotch, our friend Sam Filmus returns to The Whisky Shop with a mystery selection of world-class single malt! While the pourlist is yet to be revealed, Filmus has a history of bringing rare and world-class drams to our guests. His previous pourlists have included 30+ year old single malts, ‘The Whisky Shop’ exclusive bottlings, and rare drams by The Exclusive Malts, Kilchoman, Signatory Vintage, and more.

Sam Filmus

Our mystery pourlist will be paired with a selection of Mcquade’s Celtic Chutneys. Created by San-Francisco based ‘Chutney Chef’ Alison Mcquade, each of her chutneys utilizes local ingredients and delicious whiskies to make unique, award-winning products. They’ve been featured at numerous bay area restaurants and tastings –

a must-try for any scotch fan!

More Details & RSVP

Dekanta

2-49-7 Minamiikebukuro Toshima-ku, Tokyo

DUBLIN WHISKEY BONDING TRADITION IS HONOURED WITH NEW RED SPOT IRISH WHISKEY LAUNCH 

-The top spot in the Spot Whiskeys range is reimagined, rekindled and reintroduced from this month- 

Irish Distillers, producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys, has unveiled Red Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Last seen in the mid-1960s, this spicy new member of the Spot Whiskeys range offers whiskey drinkers further choice in the innovative super-premium Irish whiskey category.

Crafted from an old recipe handed down by the Mitchell & Son family of wine merchants, the creators of the original Spot Whiskeys range in the early 1900s, the reimagined Red Spot is a triple-distilled, single pot still Irish whiskey that has been matured for a minimum of 15 years in a combination of casks pre-seasoned with Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry and Marsala fortified wine. The highly-anticipated result commands attention with a full-bodied, complex and characterful flavour profile that will appeal to aficionados looking for a bold whiskey experience.

The Mitchell family worked closely with the craftsmen from Midleton Distillery throughout the collaboration. As part of the process, Marsala fortified wine casks were procured from Sicily in the early 2000s and then, in 2004, were filled with a five-year-old Bourbon matured single pot still Irish whiskey. The subtle contribution from the tight grain of the American oak was the ideal base for the heavy spice and ripe fruit flavours imparted through maturation in Marsala wine casks, which has been carefully blended with ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry whiskeys to achieve the perfect balance of flavour.

Kevin O’Gorman, Master of Maturation at Midleton Distillery, commented: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with the Mitchell family on the reimagination of Red Spot and bring a piece of Dublin’s rich whiskey history back to life. It has been 50 years since the world last saw Red Spot and whiskey enthusiasts have long awaited its return – this is a bold whiskey that packs a punch, has incredibly rich flavours and an extra-long infusion of fruits and spices on the finish that provides a truly unique and colourful ending. We’re delighted to be able to offer this lost, but not forgotten whiskey, once again, and look forward to one day completing the full Spot Whiskeys range.”

The Mitchell family commenced trading in 1805 at 10 Grafton Street in the heart of Dublin as purveyors of fine wine and confectionery. In 1887, the business expanded into whiskey bonding whereby it sent empty wine and fortified wine casks to the local Jameson Distillery on Bow Street to be filled with new single pot still spirit for maturation in the Mitchell’s cellars.

The Red Spot name was derived from the Mitchell’s practice of marking their maturing casks of whiskey with a daub of coloured paint to determine the age potential of the whiskey; with a Blue Spot, Green Spot, Yellow Spot or Red Spot indicating 7, 10, 12 or 15 years respectively. Four generations later, the company is still in the wine and spirits business under the stewardship of Jonathan Mitchell and his son Robert.

Jonathan Mitchell, Managing Director at Mitchell & Son, explained: “It has been fascinating to work with Kevin O’Gorman and the craftsmen at Midleton Distillery to recreate Red Spot and a real journey into the rich history of our family and its role in Dublin’s whiskey bonding era. Pouring over old recipe books, ledgers and archive material has provided us with the tools to tell the story of Red Spot in a new, yet authentic way – and at almost one hundred years since it was crafted for the first time, by my great-grandfather Robert Mitchell, this is a whiskey homecoming for the ages. Indeed, everyone at Mitchell & Son is thrilled to see the red daub adorning a bottle once more.”

Brendan Buckley, Innovation & Prestige Whiskeys Director at Irish Distillers, added: “The release of Red Spot marks the next colourful chapter in the story of the Spot Whiskeys range, which is becoming increasingly popular among modern whiskey drinkers across Europe and the USA due to its focus on innovation, unique role in Dublin’s whiskey bonding history and world-renowned high quality. Red Spot is a liquid time capsule that remembers our past while we look to the future and we are honoured that the people behind the original Spot Whiskeys, our partners at Mitchell & Son, are so supportive of our mission to return the range to its former glory.”

Bottled at 46% ABV and without chill-filtration, Red Spot is re-introduced and available from this month at the RRP of €115 in Ireland and from January 2019 in the USA, UK, France and Global Travel Retail.

NOTES

Tasting notes by Kevin O’Gorman, Master of Maturation at Midleton Distillery

Aroma: Pot still spices with rich cooked fruit, baked apple, mango and black cherry. Hazelnut and a touch of new leather fused with toasted American oak

Taste: A mix of ripe fruit sweetness from the Marsala seasoned wine casks. While the fruit remains, sweet red pepper and cracked black pepper add some spiciness, finished by notes of American oak and barley

Finish: An extra long infusion of fruits and spices

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish whiskey, experiencing 28 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 7.3m cases in 2018. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 80 of those experiencing double- or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €250m to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin. 

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of €8,987 million in FY18. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,900 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 86 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

Fukano Has Four New Limited Releases!

ImpEx is excited to announce the release of 4 unique expressions that continue the Fukano trend of pushing the traditional boundaries of whisky. The origins of these whiskies date back from the late 1990s all the way to 2013. All four limited edition expressions are a combination of whiskies between the ages of 3 and 11 years old.

Some of the whisky was first matured in casks and then moved over to be kept in different tanks for up to 16 years to rest. After tasting each tank and each cask individually, we have married unique combinations to create these four fabulous Fukano Whiskies.

These have a suggested retail price of $89.99.

VAULT RESERVE 1

This is a mildly Sherry influenced version of the Vault Reserve.

Tasting notes include plums, muscadines, sandalwood, cinnamon, sherry with the lightest touch of gunpowder.

5,443 bottles produced globally at 40.5% ABV

VAULT RESERVE 2

Tasting notes include apple pie, tobacco, white raisins, white tea, cedarwood, butterscotch and oak.

3,850 bottles produced globally at 40.4% ABV

6000

Fukano 6000 is the future of whisky with retro flavors. The artist, WhiskyAnorach, has gained a reputation as the personality that links whisky with art and fashion. Her reviews reference classical music and literature. She has crafted whisky themed dresses, multiple prints and other artistic creations inspired by different types of whisky. In her own words, she is “a white belt in hard-hugging in jiu-jitsu and a black belt in verbal assassination”.  She is also “the first female artist in America to do a Japanese Whisky label”

Tasting notes include Apples, red raisins, dried plums, raw honey, touch of oak, vanilla and toffee. Brown Sugar and oak on the nose.

1,200 bottles produced globally.

JIKAN

This is a limited release to celebrate the rich history of Hitoyoshi, Japan. The blue on the label is the Kuma River. The dark brown is the mountains of the region. The red structure represents the Aoi Aso Shrine originally founded in 806 with over 1200 years of history. The dragons are said to have been lured to the shrine while drinking water at a nearby pond. Junishi Oda is a local artist based in Hitoyoshi.

Tasting Notes include soft oak and honey with candied apples. Powdered Sugar as well as the lightest touch of Sherry is present. The Finish is soft with mild oak. There is a slightly creamy texture.

1,200 bottles produced globally

Canadian Rockies 21yo – 46% ABV, 6 x 750ml

Nose: Doughy, soft, deep and balanced; corn syrup, corn meal, corn bread and caramel corn; loads of caramel, floral and thick vanilla.

Taste: Round and fruity, deeper and darker than the original bottling, more caramel, and richer fruits: raisin, candy-apple, juicy orange and some tart pineapple; smooth and elegant the whisky is soft and layered; there is a floral side to it too, but it is held back by the oak; still dominated by the sweet corn notes.

Finish: long, sweet and fruity; fading caramel, oak spices and floral tones; the floral elements flourish on the finish.

Comment: this is softer, fruitier and even more drinkable than the original release; elegant and layered!

Tasting notes by Andrew Ferguson.

91.5 pts Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, 2019

92 pts Whisky Advocated Summer 2018

92 pts Whisky Magazine Top Ten Whiskies Fall 2015

Canadian Rockies 17yo – 50% abv,  6 x 750ml

From the alcohol and wood aroma filled warehouse, carefully select the aged Canadian whisky. These hand-picked barrels bear a common theme – a whisky that represents Canada’s spirit and taste. Wile the purity of glacier water helps the distillation process, the ancient water also adds character to our whisky.

Nose: toasty, floral and honeyed; Marcona almonds, dried cherry and cranberry, baked apple and cinnamon; lemon and candied corn.

Palate: sweet, corn forward and spicy; floral, ripe fruits, more baked apple, dried cherry and cranberry; toasted oak, more Marcona almonds, olive oils; jujubes and vanilla bean.

Finish:  long, toasty and sweet; floral with fading fruits and jujubes.

Comment: classic Canadian whisky, corn forward, very drinkable, juicy and layered; not overly complex, but at this proof it is a fine cocktail whisky!

Tasting notes by Andrew Ferguson.

92pts Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019

Welcome to the Autumn Whisky Sale here at Mulberry Bank Auctions! 

We have a nice selection of Rare and Affordable bottles up for Auction on Tuesday 20^th November including a number of bottles from Silent Distilleries such as Dallas Dhu 26 Year Old Chieftain’s Choice; Glen Mhor 1980 Coopers Choice; St. Magdalene 1966 Connoisseurs Choice and Banff 1976 Old Masters.  If you are looking for an impressively packaged bottle of whisky, look no further than Lot 3 – Glengoyne Millennium Bottling presented in a miniature longcase clock  or the super premium blended John Walker & Sons Odyssey Blended Scotch Whisky – Lot 47.  We have also a great selection of bottlings from Morrison & Mackay’s Carn Mor Celebration of the Cask bottlings all at great estimates (perfect for a gift!).

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 223: Mortlach’s new range – 12, 16, 20 Year Old

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, sheds his light on the revamped Mortlach Range. For the longest time, Mortlach 16 Year Old in the Fauna & Flora series was the only one available. But in 2015 it was replaced by a new range in 50cl bottles… at prohibitive prices. The result: the bottles gathered dust on the shelves. Diageo had to rethink their Beast of Dufftown strategy and came up with a new range with a price tag that mortal man can again afford. Hurray! Let’s have a look at those three new releases!

https://youtu.be/efnjp4hfz3Q

Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch 

Based in Kirby, Wyoming, Wyoming Whiskey has a simple goal: to create America’s next great bourbon. The Mead family first came to Wyoming as ranchers in 1890 and the state defines them, and their whiskey. They use the finest non-GMO corn, wheat, barley, and water from the Big Horn Basin and promote Wyoming’s natural and human resources.

A traditional bourbon from a nontraditional place, their original flagship and identifying product is the award-winning Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey. Dark amber in color, this whiskey is floral with a hint of vanilla bean and caramel pudding. Finished with notes of toffee and vanilla fade, the spirit is 68% corn, 20% wheat and 12% malted barley.

Old and rare Blanton’s! Available November 19 at MusthaveMalts.com

Calling all Blanton’s fans: on the 19^th of November you will get a chance to collect some old and rare Blanton’s on MusthaveMalts.com, with dumping dates going back to as far as 1989.

The greatest bourbon that will become available on the 19th is a Blanton’s Single Barrel with a dumping date of November 13, 1989. The Sazerac Company introduced Blanton’s in 1984, making the 1989 an early release indeed. ‘We are lucky to have found it’, says MusthaveMalts.com owner Alwin Kuiken. ‘It was imported by an Italian company in the 1980s and it remained in that country until we found it there. It was catching dust; can you believe it?’ The bottle stopper of the 1989, famously decorated with a racing horse, does not bare one of the eight letters that comprise the name Blanton’s. They introduced those stoppers in 1999, making this 1989 Single Barrel a collector’s whiskey for sure.

Other bottles that will become available on November 19 are Blanton’s Original (dumped in 1997), some very rare Blanton’s Silver (dumped in 2003) and last but not least Blanton’s Gold (dumped in 2002) with an original packaging featuring the famous Blanton’s racing horses. And last but not least: Blanton’s The Chronicles 2018.

All bottles will be made available at 4PM CST on MusthaveMalts.com.

Get a chance to collect these Blanton’s

Blanton’s Single Barrel (Dumped in 1989) – € 278,30 (€ 230 ex VAT)

Blanton’s Silver Edition (Dumped in 2003) – € 532,40 (€ 440 ex VAT)

Blanton’s The Chronicles 2018 – € 211.75 (€ 175 ex VAT)

Blanton’s Gold Edition (Dumped in 2002) – € 205,70 (€ 170 ex VAT)

Blanton’s Original (Dumped in 1997) – € 102,85 (€ 85 ex VAT)

Blanton’s Special Reserve (Dumped in 2009) – € 90,75 (€ 75 ex VAT)

Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel 126.8 Proof – € 102,85 (€ 85 ex VAT)

About MusthaveMalts.com

MusthaveMalts.com – MHM for friends – is a website that specializes in collectible whisky, whiskey and bourbon. Our aim is to create an optimal and easy shopping experience for everyone who would normally spend a lot of time on their passion: expanding their awesome collection of even more awesome whiskies and whiskeys. See MusthaveMalts.com for all our collectible whiskies. For more information on our rare and old Blanton’s releases, please contact us on info@musthavemalts.com.