MISTER SAM TRIBUTE WHISKEY ACHIEVED THE FINALIST AWARD FOR THE CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY DURING THE ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE 2020

MONTREAL (Sept. 29, 2020) – The results of the Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2020 have been announced, and four whiskies from Sazerac Company’s Old Montreal Distillery received accolades. Mister Sam Tribute Whiskey received the Finalist award for the Chairman’s Trophy. The panel described Mister Sam’s flavor as “sweet and spicy aromatics combine orchards fruits like nectarine, apricot, and cherry, with intense woodsy cigar box for a pungent first impression. Pillowy in texture, the first wave of flavor is fruity, followed by the layers of vanilla kissed spice that linger after each sip.”

USC judges bestowed the Great Value award to Royal Canadian Small Batch Blended Canadian Whisky, while Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky and High River Canadian Whisky received very good and strong recommendation reviews from the panel.

Ultimate Spirits Challenge’s methodology raises the standard for competitive beverage evaluation by instituting more rigorous judging. Each product is evaluated blind by panels in multi-stages assessments to remove any inherent or individual bias. Complete results for the Ultimate Spirit Challenge 2020 can be found at www.ultimate-beverage.com

The Old Montreal Distillery was constructed in the 1920s in Montreal’s historic district. Once the home of Sam Bronfman’s Seagram empire, spirits industry leader Sazerac purchased the landmark in 2011.  After successfully completing an ambitious facility modernization, the distillery is again producing world-class whisky, including the world’s first single barrel Canadian Whisky, Caribou Crossing, and the highly coveted Mister Sam Tribute Whiskey.

About Sazerac

Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com.

Pop the corks and prepare to be entertained as we bring you a feast of flavour and unique whisky experiences to celebrate the spirit of the Society. Our October Outturn is here, jam-packed with 21 dazzling drams and inspiration for sensational serves, including hauf n’ haufs, whisky cocktails and classic highballs.

READ FULL OUTTURN     ALL OUTTURN WHISKIES

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

2008 Highland Park 10 Year Old K&L Exclusive Cask #7774 Refill Sherry Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($139.99)

Another gorgeous cask of Highland Park that was bottled exclusively for K&L Wine Merchants. This one is equally special to the European oak hogshead that we also received this year, but completely different in character. The excellent malt coming out of Kirkwall is renowned worldwide for its quality, but many don’t realize that Highland Park is one of a handful of Scottish distillers that continue to utilize the wildly inefficient floor maltings. The tradeoff for losing capacity to floor maltings is a malt of great character and complexity. In addition, the extremely unique Orkney peat is used to dry that barley, which is one of the main reasons for Highland Park’s distinctive flavor profile. Between 20% to 30% of the hand-malted barley goes into every batch of Highland Park, resulting in a lightly peated whisky that, when coupled with the high quantity of active sherry casks, means the whisky isn’t perceived as particularly peaty to most palates. And while Highland Park does produce small amounts of whisky that are 100% hand malted, mostly as blending components for special releases, it’s rare to find a single cask that exhibits the qualities of that special Orkney peat more clearly, despite it being blended with at least 70% of unmalted barley. This refill hogshead almost certainly held malt in it for a very long time before being refilled in 2008. Very dark for a refill, and the resulting spirit is the closest we’ve come to the “old” style Highland Park that we love so well.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 14, 2020

This is the sexiest example of Highland Park we’ve ever seen. Power and grace abound. While the words “First Fill Sherry” adorning the title of our other HP cask gets a lot of blood pumping – it’s the elegance of this refill cask that stands out. It’s certainly not lacking in power – it’s a beastly dram at 61.6% ABV – but it’s supple and balanced beyond belief. The rich mahogany meets burnt amber color looks like it should be a first fill sherry cask, but “refill hogshead” is printed right on the label. The nose is a cornucopia of orange peel, cocoa nibs, fresh cut heather, crisp apple slices, fig marmalade, and a hint of smoky bacon. The palate has what you get when elegance and balance meet power: tension. It’s alive and kicking ass, but holding it on your mouth is a serene experience. The finish lasts for minutes. At first the smoke fills your senses and that gives way to much more floral and candied notes. After a good long while it resolves into the finest of dark chocolate and fresh citrus zest with a touch of coffee. A beautiful performance that you can repeat every night. At least until it’s gone. The cask yielded just 299 bottles.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 09, 2020

It’s extremely infrequent that we find a cask at this age that shows so much complexity. While the 12 year old cask that we also bottled this year had the density and power unlike any we’ve seen previously, this cask has a depth and nuance that isn’t at all available in the 12 year. The cask is much more in line with the way I remember Highland Park once was rather than the more bold and forward offerings we regularly see today. With that in mind, this is by no means a subtle whisky. It’s got character to burn and it’s DEFINITELY on the smokey side of HP. let’s taste! Color: Tawny. Nose: The nose isn’t at all peaty per say, but it’s definitely smoke-y. A perfect example of the distinction of those to flavors. Leather, mesquite, bacon, hints of diesel engine, old cigar box and roasted cloves. Behind a touch of black fruit and pepper. Palate: Here is that AWESOME Orkney peat! Right up front and travelling straight through the palate. It’s not the iodine peat but the flaming heather and earthy peat, framed perfectly with nutty sherry, dark fruit and woodsy spice. With water the nose transforms and offers a big burnt orange peel and candied citrus. Subtle mossy notes allude to the smoke coming on the palate. Now we’re talking! It’s very sweet and smokey now. Softening on the spice and bringing more dried fruits. This one is awesome right out of the bottle, but comes together perfectly with a splash of water. WOW, I’m so in love with this style.

GlenAllachie Batch 3
UK Single Casks

Six Single Casks Exclusive to the UK

Oloroso Sherry, Sauternes, Bourbon, Virgin Oak & Port Cask vintages 1989-2009 selected by Billy Walker.

Shop – GlenAllachie 2020 Single Cask Release

anCnoc releases Peatheart Batch 2 for Global Market

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky continues its journey ‘to the dark side’ with the global release today (30^th September 2020) of Peatheart Batch 2: the second consignment of its award-winning permanent peated expression.

After a limited release in Sweden, this second bottling will now be available to drinkers around the world, following the international success of Peatheart Batch 1 which was launched in 2017.

Batch 2 features the same smoky, mellow wood notes and phenol content as the original (40ppm) – but this time a more subtle smokiness is balanced with anCnoc’s brighter, fruitier flavours.

Tasting Notes

Colour: light gold

Nose: Understated peat smoke and barbecue balanced by ripe pineapples, pears and a dark, rich tone of baked toffee apples. Subtle vanilla and sparks of fresh lemon rind lend lightness and elegance to the composition.

Taste: Structured and full, with rich smoke in balance with juicy gummy bears and the light, fizzy sweetness of spun sugar. Undertones of a hay barn and fudge give it a delicious weight.

Finish: Long and growing, distinctly spicy and sweet with a warming, smoky finale.

Crafted at Knockdhu Distillery in the small village of Knock, by Huntly in Aberdeenshire, Peatheart uses peated barley in production to add a rich, smoky twist to anCnoc’s classic new make spirit, before maturation in American Oak ex-bourbon barrels.

Presented in a dramatic opaque black bottle and tube, which glisten with touches of bronze and white, it is set to be a perfect gift for whisky fans over the Christmas and New Year season.

Knockdhu Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce explained that the new batch is true in flavour and character to the original, but with intriguing differences that will delight whisky lovers. He said: ‘Despite having the same ppm as Batch 1, slight variations in maturation mean that our second Peatheart bottling offers something a little bit different, with a more refined smoky character. The combination of fresh, fruity anCnoc notes with these more mellow peat flavours creates a wonderful modern whisky that will be enjoyed by whisky fans across the spectrum. The peaty range now sits alongside our signature anCnoc whiskies to give drinkers two very distinctive sides to our whisky. Whether it’s a dram from our ‘dark’ or ‘light’ side, both represent our commitment to using the best traditional techniques and craftsmanship to make a very modern single malt whisky’.

Peatheart Batch 2 is set to be in high demand following the critical acclaim achieved by Batch 1 – which included a coveted category gold medal at the World Whiskies Awards in 2019.

anCnoc Peatheart Batch 2 (40ppm) is bottled in 70cl at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered and with natural colour. 1700 cases of the new batch will be available in the UK and for global markets, sold in independent and specialist retailers and whisky shops from 1^st October. RRP £52.

www.ancnoc.com

https://www.facebook.com/ancnocsinglemalt/

www.instagram.com/anCnoc_whisky

www.twitter.com/anCnoc_whisky

ABOUT ANCNOC

anCnoc is produced at Knockdhu Distillery, which sits in the shadow of the ‘Black Hill’ (Knockdhu in Gaelic) near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. It was established in 1894 by the pioneering John Morrison, after he spotted an abundance of the natural resources needed to make fine malt whisky in the area: pure spring water and plentiful supplies of peat and barley.

Today, Knockdhu is known as one of the smallest and most enchanting distilleries in the Scottish Highlands, producing a refreshingly modern single malt whisky with the most traditional skills and processes. The Black Hill continues to supply pure water for the whisky making process. The distillery’s two copper pot stills replicate the original 1894 design, their bulbous bases giving anCnoc its light, fresh, fruity flavour. Old fashioned worm tubs are used to condense the vaporised alcohol. And Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce, and his team, make up one of the smallest workforces in any distillery (including many dogs!)

anCnoc’s first foray into peated whisky began back in 2014 with the launch of a new ‘Peaty’ range, inspired by the whiskies made early in Knockdhu’s history using local peated barley. 

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BEVERAGE HOLDINGS

International Beverage Holdings Ltd is one of the drinks industry’s most dynamic global businesses.  Established in 2006 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thaibev, the company operates as its international business arm, specialising in the development of premium local spirits for the global market. Its success is built on a strong understanding of local cultures and markets within a worldwide business network. Based in Hong Kong with regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, the USA and UK, the company is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium brands in over 85 markets. These brands are built on character, craftsmanship and quality, led by a range of award-winning Scotch whiskies and an array of vibrant beers and spirits. These include:

• Single malt Scotch whiskies Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn
• Blended Scotch Hankey Bannister
• Caorunn, Scotland’s leading super premium gin
• Mekhong, ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Chang Beer, Thailand’s iconic beer brand 

Inver House Distillers is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Beverage Holdings Ltd, producing its  Scotch whiskies and gin at five distilleries around Scotland: Pulteney, Speyburn, Knockdhu, Balblair and Balmenach. Inver House is also highly active in the warehousing and blending of Scotch whisky, with warehousing for 500,000 barrels and state of the art blending and laboratory facilities at its headquarters in Airdrie. The business has won many prestigious accolades over the years, including the Icons of Whisky Distiller of the Year Award for Scotland (2017).

www.interbevgroup.com

ARMORIK GOES PEATED!

After many years of ageing, tasting, we are finally ready to launch… our heavily peated Whisky. We are improving our game with a new line of peated single malts named Yeun Elez.

The Yeun Elez range, just like Armorik is distilled, matured and bottled at the Distillerie Warenghem, in Brittany, France.

YEUN ELEZ

GI Whisky Breton Single Malt, 46%, 70 cl Un-chill filtered – Natural colour

Yeun Elez is a peated Breton Whisky, distilled from peated (50ppm) malted barley from Scotland. Breton Single Malt Whisky, it has been distilled and matured to highlight its delicate, elegant and fruity peat. The name Yeun Elez comes from an old peat bog located in the heart of the Armorique Natural Park, which is also home to many Breton legends (such as that of Tadic Coz represented on the pack).

The legend

Located in the Monts d’Arrée, in the heart of the Armorique Natural Park, the Yeun Elez is a swamp considered in Breton legends as the Gateway to Hell.

According to the legend reported by Anatole le Braz, it is the place where the evil souls who haunted the living were thrown into hell. Tadic-Coz, knew the secret and the ritual of locking the souls of ghosts in the body of a black dog. He instructed young Jobic to guide the dog towards the underworld gates. The latter, going from presbytery to presbytery, led the black dog to the rector of Commana. Together, at sunset, they threw the black dog into the Yeun Elez swamp, condemning the ghost to hell.

« We are entering the Yeun Elez, he said to Jobic. Whatever you hear, don’t look away. It is about your life in this world and your salvation in the next. »

A.Le Braz, La Légende de la mort en Basse-Bretagne, 1893.

Tasting Notes

Pale yellow with golden reflections.

Nose: Beautiful aromatic intensity, the peat is medicinal (camphor, cloves) but supported by fruity notes, bananas, cooked peaches, and pastry (cream pastry).

Palate: The smoke rounds the palate, citrus notes bringing freshness. Nice roundness with a hint of salinity.

Final: A lingering, iodized and spicy finish, ending with a warm wood fire.

Yeun Elez is the result of the distillery’s foray into the territory of peated whiskies. We offer you a peaty variation of our single malt Armorik: We use Scottish peated barley, water from our own source and our artisanal know-how. Using our traditional pot stills, we strive to create an exceptional single malt that reflects the Breton character.

DISTILLERIE WARENGHEM – ROUTE DE GUINGAMP – 22300 LANNION – FRANCE

TÉL. : +33 (0)2 96 37 00 08 WWW.ARMORIK.BZH

LAST ORDERS! VAN WINKLE TO LAUNCH ‘TEN TO TEN’ TAKEAWAY DRINKS SERVICE

Glasgow’s newest restaurant and go-to bourbon bar Van Winkle will launch a new takeaway drinks menu tomorrow, Friday 2 October, designed especially in response to the 10pm curfew.

The Ten to Ten Takeaway offer at the new Byres Road premises will let customers order a selection of drinks to take away just before the bar shuts for the night.

Between 9.30pm and 10pm only, anyone looking to enjoy a final nightcap back at home will be able to choose from a selection of cocktails, beers and wine and take a few refreshments with them to go.

Launched in partnership with Buffalo Trace – Van Winkle’s best-selling bourbon brand – the Ten to Ten Takeaway menu will include a range of mouth-watering Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare cocktails including an Old Fashioned, Bourbon Mary and Cowboy Shandy.

Van Winkle visitors will also be able to grab sealed containers of bottled and draft beer and choose from bottles of red, white and rose wine to take home with them.

Derek Mallon of Van Winkle said: “It’s fantastic to have opened our second branch of Van Winkle and to be up and running in the west end. With opening hours now limited to 10pm, we wanted to give customers the option to take a taste of Van Winkle back home with them. 

“People can enjoy an evening of food and drink with us before nabbing a night cap to go at last orders. Changing guidance means we need to act fast and continue to innovate so we’re delighted to launch our new Ten to Ten Takeaway service.” 

Van Winkle opened its second branch on Byres Road on Thursday 24 September, almost three years after it first launched opposite the iconic Barrowland Ballroom in the city’s east end.

Customers to the new west end spot have more than 50 bourbons to choose from, as well as a wide selection of American whiskeys, cocktails, beers and wine. The menu boasts a variety of mouth-watering wee plates, burgers and sandwiches, alongside a five-cheese macaroni and the Van Winkle buffalo chicken wings.

A perfect spot for dog lovers, Van Winkle also has a special nutritious dog-friendly menu, developed by BBC Scotland’s resident vet Ross Allan from Pets’n’Vets.

From Friday 2 October, Ten to Ten Takeaway is available from 9.30pm to 10pm each night for customers already eating or drinking in the bar. All takeaway alcohol will be sold in sealed containers and Van Winkle asks that customers drink responsibly and do not open their alcohol until they are home.

Van Winkle is located at 94 Byres Rd, Glasgow. It is open now for dining inside and out and available for takeaway and home delivery.

For more information go to: www.vanwinkle.co.uk

Address: 94 Byres Rd, Glasgow G12 8TB

Facebook @VanWinkleBar / Instagram @VanWinkleGlasgow / Twitter @VanWinkleBar

TWO SAZERAC CANADIAN WHISKIES AWARDED GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS AT THE 2020 NORTH AMERICAN BOURBON & WHISKEY COMPETITION 

Montreal (Sept. 24, 2020) – The North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition has published its results for the 2020 double-blind tasting competition.  Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky received a Gold award and Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Whisky received a Silver award.

The NABWC promotes excellence in bourbon, whiskey, and moonshine through a double-blind competition and is based on a 100-point scale. The spirits are judged by styles and price categories, and this year’s competition was judged virtually in light of COVID-19.

For more information about the 2020 NABWC, visit http://whiskeycomp.com/.

About Sazerac

Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com.

Oh it’s 5 o’clock somewhere! Time to get those weekend drams in and don’t forget to check on those bottles you’ve got your eye on. Our 112th auction ends in just 3 days. Have a great weekend from all of us here at SWA.