Unfortunately there won’t be a review this week..back on track next week!

‘Father of Single Malt’ honoured with Centenary Release

Whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has released a single malt to honour George Urquhart, member of the second generation of the company’s owning family, in what would have been his centenary year.

Laid down in 1956, the year ‘Mr George’ as he was known by colleagues, became senior partner, the 62-year-old single malt features spirit from one of his favourite distilleries, Glen Grant. 

Renowned whisky writer Charles MacLean remarked, “It is no exaggeration to say that George Urquhart was the father, the originator, of the current success and appreciation of Scotch malt whiskies.”

Joining the business in 1933, George Urquhart began his career working alongside his father, John, who had become sole owner of the company in 1915 after John Alexander MacPhail’s retirement and James Gordon’s passing.

‘Mr George’ went on to develop a deep understanding of Scotch whisky, especially the unique interaction that occurs over time between spirit and cask. He was instrumental to the success of single malt, championing it at a time when the vast majority of whisky went towards the production of blends.  In 1968, he created the Connoisseurs Choice range giving little-known distilleries a platform to have their whisky enjoyed in its simplest form, as aged single malt.

Over many decades George Urquhart forged new relationships with many of Scotland’s distillers and became arguably the world’s foremost expert in how to combine oak, spirit and time to create single malt whiskies.

His philosophy and legacy live on today as Gordon & MacPhail continues to create a unique depth and breadth of rare single malt Scotch whiskies found nowhere else in the world.

Released as a fitting tribute to this legacy, the Mr George Centenary Edition 1956 from Glen Grant Distillery has been selected for bottling by George Urquhart’s grandson, Stuart, Operations Director at Gordon & MacPhail.

Laid down by Mr George Urquhart himself in a hand-selected first fill Sherry Butt on 13 December 1956, the expression also pays tribute to Speyside, where Mr George spent many years building long-standing relationships with the region’s distilleries.

The commemorative whisky is presented in an exquisite glass decanter and a wooden presentation case. The red and white design is a modern interpretation of the original Connoisseurs Choice bottles from 1968.

Today, Mr George’s legacy is built upon by his family, including his grandson Stephen Rankin, Gordon & MacPhail’s Director of Prestige.

Stephen comments: “My grandfather’s drive, commitment and foresight helped to ensure that single malt Scotch whisky grew in popularity. His introduction of the Connoisseurs Choice range in 1968 was a landmark moment for the sector, launched as several new export markets opened and growth in demand for single malts came from countries including Italy.

“Our specially selected Mr George Centenary Edition embodies the qualities that made Mr George a master of his craft; patience, depth of character and exquisite taste. Not only was Glen Grant one of his favourite drams, the year 1956 is especially significant as this was the year George became Senior Partner at Gordon & MacPhail, marking the first step in a new direction for the company.

“It’s also a reminder of the importance of maintaining relationships built on respect – something which has become our family’s philosophy. Many of these relationships, built decades ago, still thrive today.”

Commenting on Mr George’s legacy and impact, Charles Maclean added,: “It would be true to say that during the ‘dark days’ for Scotch malt whisky (the 1940’s-70’s) when all malt went into blends, Gordon & MacPhail kept the amber light burning. Indeed, when times were really tough, some distilleries survived on orders from that company.”

Only 235 bottles of Gordon & MacPhail Mr George Centenary Edition 1956 from Glen Grant Distillery will be available for purchase from selected specialist whisky retailers internationally for £5000* [UK RRP].

For more information, visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

#GordonAndMacPhail

Tasting notes

Mr George Centenary Edition from Glen Grant Distillery 

Distillery:  Glen Grant

Region:  Speyside

Distilled:  Thursday 13 December 1956

Bottled: Thursday 27 June 2019

ABV: 51.7%

Age: 62 years

Cask No.: 4455

Cask Type:  First-fill Sherry Butt

Outturn: 235 bottles

Tasting Notes: Intense; SHERRY aromas give way to STEWED DATES with hints of CARAMELISED BROWN SUGAR. Sweet on the palate with sun-dried FRUITS, rich DARK CHOCOLATE PRALINE and bursts of CITRUS ZEST. Notes of CHARRED OAK linger with nuances of subtle SMOKE.

Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

Established in 1895, family-owned Gordon & MacPhail is 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 partnership 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 warehouse 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 April 2018, the company unveiled its streamlined portfolio:

• ‘Discovery’ – Utterly dependable, this flavour-led range is the perfect introduction to our portfolio of quality single malt Scotch whiskies.
• ‘Distillery Labels’ – A range celebrating our long-standing relationships with Scotland’s distilleries.
• ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ – The heart of our portfolio – always unique, these non-chill-filtered, natural coloured, small batch expressions are genuine one-offs.
• ‘Private Collection’ – Greatly-aged single malts from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries specially selected by members of the Urquhart family.
• ‘Generations’ – A prestigious collection of old, rare, and exclusive masterpieces.

Diageo Special Releases 2019

Announced back in July, the Diageo Special Releases 2019 have now been unveiled. The yearly range is a fixture of the whisky calendar, and the past few years have seen a number of changes.

Find out more about what’s changed: Diageo Special Releases 2019 – announced!

This year’s line-up of eight whiskies stretches from a punchy, sherried Cardhu to a surprisingly-smoky Cragganmore, checking in with a few old favourites on the way.

Caroline, Ning, Tom and I got to try them.

SINGLETON OF GLEN ORD 18 YEAR OLD

A cask-strength version of my favourite entry in the Singleton range. Originally only available in the far east, Singleton of Glen Ord has been difficult to find elsewhere, so this is a welcome appearance. It’s been matured in ‘freshly charred American oak hogsheads’, by which I suspect they mean dechar/rechar casks.

For more cask info check out our Glossary of Terms.

Caroline

Nose: Very delicate, with faint notes of smashed apricots and raspberry jam on scones topped with lashings of cream. Chocolate-covered cherries join the party, accompanied by peach and cereal notes, and a hint of wet bramble hedges.

Palate: Notes reminiscent of Grande Champagne Cognac at first. Leather, apricot frangipane, and some mint, alongside the return of those chocolate-covered cherries. Oak spice and tart citrus balance out the sweetness.

Finish: Portuguese custard tarts on top of oak floorboards, with some lingering fruit and a twist of seasoning.

Billy

Nose: Spiced fruit loaf with candied peel. The spicy baked goods theme continues with apple pies, Danish pastries and spiced sponge cake. A zing of lemon zest hides behind the sweetness, along with crunchy barley sugar and travel sweets.

Palate: Buttery notes are quickly washed away by citrus. Spice rebuilds from the back, exploding a ball of prickly cinnamon in the middle of the palate. Things then cam down, revealing orange peel, candied lemon and a touch of polished oak. Hints of mint chocolate sit at the back.

Finish: Leafy mint fades to lemon and orange zest. Oaky spice builds.

Comment: Almost exactly what I’d expect from an 18-year-old, adding some extra oomph to the regular bottling with both an extra kick of ABV, and more fruit and spice.

PITTYVAICH 1989 29 YEAR OLD

Pittyvaich is often described as rare – it was only open for 19 years and closed back in 1993. This is the third Special Release from the distillery since 2015, ‘double-matured’ in oloroso- and Pedro-Ximénez-seasoned casks.

Ning

Nose: Plenty of citrus to start with, followed by Irn Bru, marmite on toast, vanilla, butter and strawberry jam.

Palate: Malty at first, it mellows quickly into vanilla, marmalade, buttery toast and flowers. There’s a hint of something spicy, hidden below a layer of sugared-almonds, fizzy drinks and lemon sherbet.

Finish: A hint of Irn Bru returns, bringing with it caramel, sweet grass, bitter orange and crystalised ginger.

Billy

Nose: Almost fizzy – hints of sourness, yeast and candied peel. Fruity notes build – dried apples and pears with a handful of sultanas – with bready notes leading to darker and richer flavours. Hints of milk chocolate, light fruitcake and brown sugar slowly emerge.

Palate: Creamy texture leading into a complicated palate. Sweet orchard fruit tussles with oak spice, and the fruit wins in the end. The fizziness is back, with sour sugar notes balanced by spiced shortbread. Buttery pastry develops, filled with uncooked apple and ready for the oven.

Finish: Spice lingers, slowly fading to reveal apples, pears, sultanas and damp oak.

Comment: It wouldn’t be a Pittyvaich if it wasn’t a little out of the ordinary, and this combines last year’s yeastiness with a load of fruit to create a very interesting dram – I suspect it’ll split opinion.

DALWHINNIE 30 YEAR OLD

A long-aged and unfussy dram from the Highland favourite (yes, I know it’s legally a Speyside, but that’s just an artefact of parish boundaries and they still call themselves a Highland distillery). A combination of refill hogsheads and butts, matured for more than 30 years – that’s what I’m looking for.

Caroline

Nose: Muddy boots fresh from forest floors, and November bonfires in the distance. Clinical lemon aromas are joined by glacé cherries, iced vanilla buns, and grape jelly. A touch of high-quality olive oil is joined by honeysuckle and burnt orange toffee.

Palate: Waxy, with vanilla toffee, honey and sticky crystalised ginger. Freshly-squeezed berry juice follows, then the cask makes its presence known and spicy oak notes build.

Finish: Heavier spice and dense ginger cake, fading to orange blossom honey.

Billy

Nose: Raisins and spice with leathery hints kick things off. The leather quick fades to reveal freshly polished oak and lightly spiced baked apples. Minty notes creep in around the edges, along with fresh, green leaves. These slowly sweeten into grassy spring meadows with stacks of hay around the edges.

Palate: Sweet and floral to start, with wax-polished oak as a backdrop. Slices of apple and pear follow, with candied flowers and a hint of both zingy lemon zest and bitter pith. There’s biscuits at the base – shortbread, and oatmeal and raisin cookies – all dipped in a bowl of single cream. Spice builds through the middle along with herbal leaves: mint, menthol and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Finish: Polished oak leads to Garibaldi biscuits, lemon jelly and mint choc chips. Cream remains.

Comment: The dram is a bit of a journey. It’s more delicate than the notes above suggest, with a gentle, almost traditional lowland character of grass and hay. A dram that rewards dedication.

CARDHU 2004 14 YEAR OLD

The first of the big sherry casks, matured for a relatively short 14 years in amontillado-sherry seasoned hogsheads. Amontillado’s nutty and elegant character should give us something a bit different to the more classic oloroso casks.

Tom

Nose: Fresh, vibrant candied lemon; light and sherbety. Sweet, A touch of willow frond and nettle.

Palate: Bright and zesty before a rapid descent into seasoned wood, integrated nicely with grilled-orange notes. Sherbet lemons still floating around up top.

Finish: Everything stays; orange, wood, char and a touch of fresh greenery.

Billy

Nose: Caramel sauce and hazelnut brittle with a background of almonds and Italian nutty pastries – panforte bianco. The sweetness becomes fragrant but sharper, with wood polish and waxed lemons taking over. The caramel notes remain along with a handful of oatmeal and raisin cookie.

Palate: Rich and thick, with singed toffee and caramel sauce up front. Dark fruit-cake notes build, with burnt edges and a touch of glacé cherry. Chocolate sauce is poured on top before the addition of a sprig of mint. Soft spice and rich ginger cake complete things.

Finish: Spicy notes slowly fade, leaving dark chocolate, candied orange and damp wood.

Comment: An immediately sherried dram, with toffee and nuts jumping out of the glass. The palate continues that in spades – one of the lovers of sweet sherried drams.

CRAGGANMORE 2006 12 YEAR OLD

A whisky that confused me from its original announcement until the moment I put it in my mouth: ‘A complex and intriguing bottling that combines Speyside elegance with a touch of spice and smoke.’

‘Is this a smoky Cragganmore?’ I asked. ‘But they don’t make smoky whisky at Cragganmore?’ I told everyone who didn’t get away fast enough. Turns out, I was wrong.

This is the first-ever release of smoky Cragganmore, matured in refill American-oak casks.

Caroline

Nose: A coating of bacon dust on soft waxy lemons, key lime pie and damp, mossy tree branches. Intensely sweet purple boiled sweets somehow mingle harmoniously with a dry and ashy peat.

Palate: Oily ash coats the mouth, along with bitter lemon and a flash of orange bitters. Bark and moss come in from the forest, bringing with them a shadow of something weightier, almost stuffing-like.

Finish: Sweeter peat and ripe apples, followed by honey and lemon tea and hints of burning heather.

Billy

Nose: Green smoke – burning leaves and damp peat. Leaf mulch and damp-forest notes build, with a background of stewed apple sweet-and-sourness. Fragrant woody spice develops – sandalwood, thick curls of cinnamon bark and Christmas wreath pine. Fresh seaside breezes slowly roll out of the glass, with a background of buttered malt loaf wafted over by soft breezes of mint and menthol.

Palate: Softer smoke than on the nose, with spiced toffee and sponge cake accompanied by a distant leafy bonfire. Hints of tar and dockside rope develop but disappear behind sweet grain and milk chocolate. Candied orange and spice build through the centre, along with smoky flamed peel.

Finish: Spiced chocolate fades to leave char and sweet damp oak.

Comment: A surprisingly smoky from a distillery that I didn’t realise made smoky spirit. I think we’ll see this one disappear quickly – it’s an interesting new take on an old favourite, and rather good with it.

TALISKER 2002 15 YEAR OLD

After last year’s stellar Talisker 8 Year Old, I was intrigued as to how they’d follow it. With the regular unpeated Caol Ila dropped from the line-up, I was wondering if this could fill the gap – a dark and spicy aged for 15 years sounds like a good swap.

Ning

Nose: Rich bonfire smoke mingles with sharp lemon, a hint of vanilla and smouldering driftwood. Some spicier aromas develop – ginger and green chilli – as well as floral lavender.

Palate: Creamy vanilla and driftwood burst forwards, followed by notes of smoke, dark berries, warm spices and malt loaf. A hint of green banana adds a dry edge, before moving to treacle tart, rich buttery pastry and earthy peat.

Finish: Milk chocolate, fresh mint and burnt caramel linger softly, alongside salty sea air and wood smoke.

Billy

Nose: Fields of damp ferns, sea-splashed rocks and smoky dark sugar. Treacle-toffee notes hide at the back, with hints of liquorice and creosote. Splintered fence notes build, restrained by stewed apple and tarte tatin. Soft spice develops along with fruity jelly.

Palate: Earthy and mulchy to start – piles of damp autumn leaves. The darker notes from the nose remain but are joined by sweet chocolate sauce and liquorice. Leafy notes become sweeter, with herbal notes developing. Sweet fruit sponge drops in from above but darkens to become dark fruit cake with a handful of chocolate chips.

Finish: Rich fruit and buttery pastry. Hints of mint and earthiness linger.

Comment: Does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s a Talisker, and it’s deeper and spicier than usual. It may have lost its sea-salt and black-pepper trademark character, but it’s still got a touch of shoreline in with a whack of tasty darkness.

LAGAVULIN 12 YEAR OLD

The one remaining regular in the line-up and very much and old favourite. Aged for twelve years in refill American oak, you can get a much rawer Lagavulin than this – no frills, just a punch of southern-Islay character.

Tom

Nose: Lemon oil, fresh-cut citrus peel, soot and warming wood smoke. Cosier than the Talisker; more farmyard than cliff-side. Maybe slightly on warm tar – walking past a roofing crew in the summer.

Palate: Fresh green veg. Sooty and very fresh; all treble. Young, fresh wood and spice. Very excitable but lacking in substance.

Finish: Soot, spent fire and citrus.

Billy

Nose: Sweet green peat and sharp apples – a fire in a damp orchard. Briney edges are balanced by sweet fruity chews and a hint of anise: Fruit Salads with maybe a Blackjack thrown in for good measure. Earthy notes sit underneath with a zing of brine and menthol.

Palate: Very mineral forward – cracked stone and rock pools lead the way. Drying but sweet, with pink shrimp sweets balanced against saucy BBQ smoke, damp earth and peat. Menthol and spice build, with cinnamon fireballs tempered by fruity boiled sweets: lemon lockets and orange lollies.

Finish: Sweet spiced apple and a touch of tar. Bung cloth notes slowly fade.

Comment: It might be the last surviving mainstay of the range, and it slots right back into its niche. Both sweet and more minerally than other years, it shows the punchy side of the spirit that we expect in this yearly release.

MORTLACH 1992 26 YEAR OLD

Last but far from least, the really sherried one – there had to be one. While I was hoping this would be a 26-year-old refill bourbon, that was never going to happen: Mortlach goes with sherry and the Mortlach fans want sherry.

This one has taken that to the max with maturation in first-fill oloroso- and PX-seasoned casks. It takes a heavy spirit to stand up to that, but fortunately, the Beast of Dufftown has teeth…and a bit of weight.

Caroline

Nose: All those notes from re-doing your house: stewed black tea, jam on toast, open paint pots and varnish tins. Then it becomes a dried fruit fiesta, with raisins joined by hot apple upside-down cake with oodles of caramel. A sulphury note does attempt to push through, but the fruit smacks it down.

Palate: Less weighty than first expected, oily but with drying tannin. Lots of hot caramel notes, veering slightly into varnish, are joined by intense clove, plum and liquorice notes. There’s a big wedge of fruitcake too, the kind with lots of spice and dried orange peel.

Finish: London cheesecakes layered with liquid treacle toffee.

Billy

Nose: Leather and tar at first, but with a wave of dried fruit quickly following on behind: a handful of raisins, a bucket of sultanas and a river of caramel-apple sauce. Lumps of polished oak float by, accompanied by ginger cake, toffee sponge and caramel cake bars. Char notes build.

Palate: Spiced sponge cake, burnt raisins and lots of dates. Sweet spice gradually builds, with butter pastry draped over the charred fruit. Berry and menthol notes develop – blackcurrant lozenges? – as well as butterscotch candy and cinnamon toffee. Caramac bars are a surprise, creamy addition before a wave of berry jam pulls us back down into fruity darkness.

Finish: Soft spice and apple cake slowly fade.

Comment: A well put-together sherried dram that will please Mortlach fans. There was much potential for this to go off the rails and turn into a bit of a jammy mess, but it doesn’t – if you like a big sherry-cask dram with stuff going on, you’ll enjoy this.

If you want to see what’s happened in previous years, we’ve got details and tasting notes for all the releases since 2008 here on the blog: 2008 pt1/2008 pt2, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

To learn more about the series’s history, head over to our Diageo Special Releases – what are they? post.

We still have a few bottles from previous year’s releases – you can find them on our Diageo Special Releases page.

Scotch Galore Whiskies – The Alternative to Auctions!

We would like to say very BIG Thank You!

To everyone that has bought and sold with us so far!

In our first 5 weeks we have been rushed off our feet at Scotch Galore, without you this would not have been possible!

So please visit us when selling or buying Whisky! www.scotchgalore.com

Why sell your bottle with Scotch Galore?

When we receive your bottle we instantly add this to our website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Google Shop thus your bottle becomes instantly available to millions of people around the world at the price you want.

 3 Good Reasons to Sell your Whisky with Scotch Galore Whiskies the alternative to Auctions:-

1^st     You fix the price you want for each and every bottle (no more gambling on what you might get at auction)

2^nd      No fee’s! We do not charge you for the privilege of selling your Whisky, thus saving you the cost of entering your bottle and paying reserve fees. So maximise your profit!

3^rd       No more waiting for an auction to start, then finish and waiting up to 3 weeks before they start to pay out. You could put your bottle in with us in the morning it would go online and could be sold in the afternoon and the money in your account that evening.

          Scotch Galore Whiskies a new and better way to buy and sell Whisky.

http://www.scotchgalore.com

SCOTCH WHISKY
ADVENT CALENDAR

Give a gift that rewards you every day, all the season long!

The Secret Spirits Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar is a treasure trove of 25 rare, independently-bottled,
share-sized drams of single-cask and limited edition Scotch Whiskies.

You have a keen eye for excellence!  Our Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar makes the perfect gift for anyone who loves to enjoy life and quality Scotch. We are sure of it!

Since we began to offer this quality crafted and carefully curated selection of Scotch expressions, we have been blown away by our customers’ response. From the distinct distilleries and special vintages to the stunning composition of the calendar, this holiday homage to Scotch stands above the rest. We are delighted that so many people have come to appreciate it!

To Elaborate on the value you get when you purchase the 5th Edition Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar,
here are a few points of note:

• Each of these 25 expressions come from various distilleries, some of which never release their Single Malts under their own label.
• Each 50 ml bottle represents a single cask from a single distillery.
• Bottled at natural color and non-chill filtered.
• Most expressions are cask strength, 50%, 46% with a few bottled at 43% ABV.
• The last expression that is to be opened on Dec 25th is not less than 30 years old.
• This is very unique and gives you a chance to taste so many single cask expressions.
• The majority of the Scotch whiskies in this calendar have never been seen before and will not be seen again. They are single-barrel bottlings exclusive to this calendar and you.
• Each edition comes with a unique whisky glass, collectors gift, tasting note booklet and featured distillery postcard.

Now is a great time to consider this unique gift for loved ones or to share with a group of friends with a love for high quality Scotch Whisky.

There are several units of the  4^th and 5^th Editions available.  The Collectors Edition and the 3rd Edition are sold out.

In regards to where to buy, please let us know where you reside or prefer to shop, and we’ll put you in touch with store near you.

Wishing you a truly remarkable close to 2019 and an amazing Holiday Season!

Please feel free to reach out for more details on the bottlings: office@impexbev.com

ralfy looks at the bitter shape of malts !

https://youtu.be/PE8d9ldx8hE

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY LAUNCHING NEW MEMBERS’ ROOM IN GLASGOW 

The new venue in the heart of the city will be exclusively for SMWS members

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has announced plans for a new Members’ Room in Glasgow, set to open at the end of January 2020.

The new venue will bring the Society’s colourful whisky experiences to Glasgow for the first time in a Members’ Room, and follows on from already established SMWS locations in Edinburgh, including their home at The Vaults in Leith.

The Bath Street location is in the heart of the city, just a few minutes’ walk from Glasgow Queen Street Station, and will have rooms exclusively for SMWS members that will be open every week from Tuesday until Sunday.

On offer will be more than 300 Society bottlings spanning their 12 unique flavour profiles such as Old & Dignified and Oily & Coastal, with a selection of outstanding single cask, single malts available by the dram.

The interior décor of the venue will be consistent with existing SMWS Members’ Rooms but with a uniquely modern and vibrant Glasgow flavour to reflect this new home for whisky lovers in the city.

The venue space is set up for a range of occasions, with relaxed lounge seating, including a ‘Vaults Snug’, as well as more formal areas. The dedicated whisky tasting room can accommodate up to 10 people, and will be available for private tastings.

As well as an ever-changing range of SMWS whiskies, there will be a selection of special proprietary whiskies alongside local beers and a menu of creative, whisky-inspired cocktails. Alongside the exclusive drinks selection will be a bar food menu including snacks and tapas, with space for up to 16 people for exclusive private dinners.

Jan Damen, Operations Director at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, said: “We know there has always been a demand from our members for an SMWS venue in Glasgow, so we’re delighted to be opening in such a great city with a lively whisky scene.

“We have a high number of existing members in the city and the surrounding area, so we hope to provide them with their own venue to meet up and also welcome new whisky-loving members to join us there.”

Prior to the January opening of the new Glasgow Members’ Room, the Society is hosting an exclusive tasting in its newest location.

Members can gain a sneak preview of 38 Bath Street at a free event with drams and nibbles, and bring along their friends to reap exclusive membership referral awards.

Membership to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society brings whisky adventurers from all over the world together to share colourful experiences and the finest single cask single malt whisky.

VIDEO: The SMWS is coming to Glasgow! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KC5QCv7ZxU  

MEMBERS’ BATH STREET GLASGOW PREVIEW EVENT:

Thursday 31^st October

5.30 – 7.15pm / 8.00 – 9.30pm

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

38 Bath Street

Glasgow

G2 1HG 

https://www.smws.com/

f: https://www.facebook.com/thesmwsuk

i: https://www.instagram.com/smws_uk/

t: https://twitter.com/SMWSUK

yt: https://www.youtube.com/user/SMWSsilverscreen/videos

#SMWS

Notes to editors:

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 26,000 members and branches around the world
• The SMWS bottles rare single cask, single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
• The Society bottles single malts, unique single casks and exclusive blends
• The Society has bottled whisky from more than 138 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 20 single cask, single malt whiskies every month
• The Society offers a variety of membership packages which can be tailored. Please see https://bit.ly/2uqKanT
• For more information about the Society, visit https://bit.ly/2HHiNyC
• Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk

Gordon and MacPhail director receives top industry honour

A director and fourth-generation member of the owning family of Gordon & MacPhail has received one of the whisky industry’s highest honours.

Stephen Rankin, the Elgin-based company’s Director of Prestige, was announced as a Master of the Quaich at the biannual Keepers of the Quaich ceremony at Blair Castle, which recognises the outstanding commitment of those who produce or promote Scotch whisky.

To be announced as a Keeper is an honour bestowed upon a limited number of people; to become a Master of the Quaich is a special recognition of those who have been inducted as a Keeper over ten years ago, and have made an exceptional contribution to the industry.

Stephen, who is approaching his 20th anniversary within the industry, said: “It’s an honour to be inducted as a Master of Quaich, keeping great company among some of the whisky industry’s most remarkable people, including some of my peers at Gordon & MacPhail.

“Passion and dedication for creating and promoting single malt whisky is something that has been instilled by my family for four generations, and it’s something that I will continue to uphold and progress in my responsibilities as Master of the Quaich.”

Guests at the prestigious event, which saw five Masters and 44 Keepers announced, were addressed by the Olympian rower Dame Katherine Grainger, who was also awarded the role of Honorary Keeper of the Quaich.

Annabel Meikle, Director of The Keepers of the Quaich, said: “It was a great pleasure to invite Stephen to become a Master of the Quaich. The accolade of Master is truly special. Those who are invited by the Management Committee have made an exceptional contribution to the Scotch whisky industry for a minimum of ten years, but in reality most have had at least double this length of service. The title of Master has only been awarded to around 200 members.”

Stephen’s induction as a Master comes in what would have been the centenary year of his grandfather George Urquhart, who played a huge role in the single malt whisky industry and remains the only person to have been awarded Keeper of the Quaich outside of Blair Castle, when the rules were waived and he received his induction while in a nursing home.

The Society was founded over 35 years ago and takes its name from the traditional two-handled drinking cup which is described in the ancient Gaelic language of Scotland as a ‘cuach’ or quaich, a vessel long associated with friendship and the enjoyment of Scotch whisky.

Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

Established in 1895, family-owned Gordon & MacPhail is curator 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 partnership 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 warehouse 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 April 2018, the company unveiled its streamlined portfolio:

• ‘Discovery’ – Utterly dependable, this flavour-led range is the perfect introduction to our portfolio of quality single malt Scotch whiskies.
• ‘Distillery Labels’ – A range celebrating our long-standing relationships with Scotland’s distilleries.
• ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ – The heart of our portfolio – always unique, these non-chill-filtered, natural coloured, small batch expressions are genuine one-offs.
• ‘Private Collection’ – Greatly-aged single malts from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries specially selected by members of the Urquhart family.
• ‘Generations’ – A prestigious collection of old, rare, and exclusive masterpieces.

Two Unique Single Malt Ryes Only from K&L
“Sometimes different is actually better, and nowhere is that more clear than what they’re doing with the wonderful Old Potrero whiskey.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer

We’ve secured two amazing single-barrel expressions of Old Potrero. Building upon the reputation of this iconic brand, these expressions are destined to impress longtime fans and draw legions of new followers. Each has its own distinct profile while capturing the inherent spiciness of straight rye whiskey. We couldn’t be more pleased with this pair, as they offer all the range, depth, and complexity we’ve come to expect from Old Potrero. In barrel #12, you’ll find notes of brown sugar, raisins, and a spicy touch of cinnamon. The #13, for its part, serves up ample notes of cherry, wood accents, and Christmas spice. It’s a true delight to compare one against the other. Whether you decide to go with both (why not!) or just one of the pair, you’ll immediately taste why Old Potrero is still firmly ensconced in the pantheon of the best whiskeys out of the West. Quantities are limited, so don’t waste any time in securing your bottles today.

Old Potrero “K&L Exclusive Barrel #12” 63.33% Single Malt Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($99.99)

Our first barrels under the new Hotaling brand instead of the old Anchor brand! Again, we’ve selected a pair of casks that showcase two different sides of Hotaling’s flavor spectrum. Cask #12 is enormous. It’s loaded with chocolate, cinnamon, coffee, and tobacco. It’s decidedly on the dark and rich side of the Old Potrero rye spectrum. Casked in 2013, this comes in right around 6 years old.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 26, 2019

We used to sell out of these single barrel Old Potreros the moment they arrived, but now people have so many options they tend to get overlooked. Finally, though, they’ve put together a barrel program that really works. Cask strength, single barrel, and one of the most pleasurable craft spirits anywhere! Sometimes different is actually better, and nowhere is that more clear than what they’re doing with the wonderful Old Potrero whiskey. This cask is VERY different from the other. It’s even a slight shade lighter in color, and the nose is dominated by big oak spice and earthy malt. The palate brings tons of evergreen, mint, angelica, anise, ginger, and sage. With a bit of water, some more wild honey, but it’s bold, prickly spice on display here. We’re in total esoterica here. A real treat for those want a full throat experience and love earthy spice.

Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 17, 2019

Barrel 12 expressed more of what I would consider to be classic Potrero rye notes, almost hitting some from their 18th Century spirit as well. On the nose the combination of oak and cola nut reminded me of their original bottlings but deeper aromas of black raisins and brown sugar melted in butter were also in the forefront. The palate was a bit tight and fairly spicy compared to barrel #13. Again, brown sugar made its appearance but it intermingled with the spice and a faint note of cinnamon. With the addition of water, the spice was toned down and more fruit notes surfaced, including something that reminded me of purple gobstoppers. The finish was interesting and definitely reminded me of the Old Potrero 18th Century Spirit, which always had an RC Cola note to me.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 12, 2019

Both of the single barrel offerings that are now in stock are unique and very good. Tasting them side by side shows why the single barrel bottlings are so interesting. Barrel #12 is elegant and a little lighter in body than barrel #13.Subtle spice and savory notes are present,wrapped up together with a pleasant sweetness. A splash of water gives it a creamy mouth feel. Barrel #12 can be enjoy with or without the addition of water.

Stefanie Juelsgaard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 02, 2019

This is a straight rye whiskey to the max. Definitely not lacking in spice and power, this reminds me a lot of the “Red Hots” candies we dared to stuff in our mouths as kids. The charred American oak barrel influence is more present in this whiskey than Barrel #13, with dark chocolate, coffee grounds, and leather notes dominating. The versatility of 100% rye is astounding. We ended up with two very different barrels, each fascinating and delicious in their own right. If you like the heat and a bigger style whiskey, this guy is for you. If your a little trepidatious or like you booze a little softer, go for the Barrel #13 offering. Or try both side by side to compare. Both high impact and bold on flavor, but in very different ways.

Old Potrero “K&L Exclusive Barrel #13” 63.21% Single Malt Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($99.99)

Check out our first barrels under the new Hotaling brand instead of the old Anchor brand! Again, we’ve selected a pair of casks that showcase two different sides of Hotaling’s flavor spectrum. Cask #13, while still big in proof and robustly flavorful takes a much more delicate approach than #12. It’s beautiful and spicy, sweet and soft, and drinks like it’s much lower in alcohol than it really is. Visit the elegant side of Hotaling. Casked in 2012, this barrel comes in right around 7 years old.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 26, 2019

The famous old craft distiller in Potrero Hill is no longer referred to by its original name, but that doesn’t make the juice they’re bottling any less arresting. The single malted rye filled into new charred American oak is their most sought-after expression and it’s always been my favorite way to experience the entrancing nuance of the 100% malted rye. The nose explodes with bold Christmas spice and dark red cherry compote. The dense fruit wafts toward sweet lacquer and old expensive hard wood aromas. On the palate the high proof is somewhat masked by an oiliness that is somewhat the hallmark of Potrero. Big bold cherries and freshly shaved cassia bark envelope the palate. With a bit of what the texture surprisingly remains but the wood and spice dominate now. With and without water the finish is pure candied cherries. This one is a bit of a cherry bomb, but also a spice bomb and a wood bomb. One large, highly controlled detonation

Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 17, 2019

Barrel 13 had a little more fruit notes going on and a roasted/toasted/malty/toffee/coffee thing going on that I couldnt quite put my finger on but loved it. The nose had strong influences of oak, dried dark plums and sweet cherrys; it really reminded me of Panettone, the Italian Holiday Cake. Turbinado sugar and hints of that roasted coffee undertones seemed to be the last ones on the trail. The palate carried over from the nose with Panettone again being the big player. Other notes of spiced cherries, prunes and just a touch of toasted caramel were also prevalent and quite delightful. The finish on this one was long and where I picked up on a lot of the roasted/toasted etc etc flavor that was hinted at in the nose and palate and also got a bit of cinnamon cookie at the very end.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 12, 2019

It is very nice to be able to taste individual and unique single barrels of Old Potrero.Of the two offerings that are now in stock , they area both different from each other and very good. The barrel #13 is concentrated and rich, just layered with flavors and complexity. With a splash of water a hint of spice comes through. I think that one could drink this with or without water depending on what tastes one is looking for.

Stefanie Juelsgaard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 02, 2019

I’m always super happy to support our local distilleries, and even more so when they put out a product like this! Old Potrero is consistently high quality and I love to taste 100% rye whiskeys, as you don’t come across them all that often. It shows a lot of skill on the producers part to ferment 100% rye into a whiskey of this caliber. This is on the sweeter side for a straight rye and the classic rye spices are slightly more subdued in this cask, though I’m certainly not hating on that. It shows the versatility of the grain and the skill of Old Potrero to coax something this smooth out of a brasher initial product. At 63.21%, this isn’t shy on the heat, but the sweeter fruit and spice profile help tame the burn.

Shaun Green | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 31, 2019

A wonderfully delicious and layered rye. It’s amazing that the difference between this and the 13 is only the barrel. Softly sweet, and a wonderful cinnamon spice stand out — it is very, very sippable, even neat. In fact, our lovely office colleague Frances took a small sip and immediately announced she was having a little more!

One thing the Society is never short of is variety. We have 12 flavour profiles to choose from, no two single casks are exactly the same, and once a bottling is gone – it can’t be repeated. Every whisky is a new experience!

Online today we have an extra special selection from you to choose from. We’ve managed to get our hands on a few bottlings that were destined for other parts of the world and have never been seen in Europe before. There are so many new whiskies to discover, you won’t be able to choose just one! But be warned, there’s only a handful of each one so be quick before they disappear.

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