The new range of Chieftain’s Rare Single Malt Scotch Whiskies are now available for May 2011.

Ardmore 1992 18yr

Chieftain’s Ardmore  1992  18 yr $90
• Cask # 4995
• 194 Bottles
• Speyside
• 92 proof, 6/750 ml
• UPC 8-92032-06046-2
Nose:     Sharp, aggressive, cloves, dry hay
Body:    Firm with good malt structure
Palate:  Old pears, flowery malt, nutmeg
Finish:  Crisp, dry with herbal spices

Glendullan 1999 11yr

Chieftain’s Glendullan  1999  11 yr $60
• Cask # 16543
• 349 Bottles
• Speyside
• 92 proof, 6/750 ml
• UPC 8-92032-06048-6
Nose:      Marshmallow, hints of orange zest, cloves
Body:     Light, soft and silky
Palate:   Aggressive, moving to sweet malt.  Buttery with a malty perfume
Finish:   Long, sweet malt with a touch of white pepper.

Isle of Jura 1996 14yr

Chieftain’s Isle of Jura  1996  14 yr $70
• Cask # 5223    (Bourbon Barrel)
• 268 Bottles
• Highland
• 92 proof, 6/750 ml
• UPC 8-92032-06044-8
Nose:     Sweet clover, cinnamon, green pears
Body:    Big, round and firm with a cream finish
Palate:  Sweet malt moving to mild spicy white pepper
Finish:  Long, pleasant, lingering white pepper spice
 

Mortlach 1995 15yr

Chieftain’s Mortlach  1995  15 yr $100
• Cask # 7281   (Sherry)
• 625 Bottles                            
• Speyside
• Cask Strength,  Black Rigid Box
• 110.4 proof, 6/750 ml
• UPC 8-92032-06050-9
Nose:      Orange zest, camphor, almonds
Body:     Oily, rounded and smooth with several layers of flavors
Palate:   Massive, sweet malt flavors with pepper and nutmeg
Finish:   Layers of complex spice and malt blended harmoniously

Strathisla 2000 10yr

Chieftain’s Strathisla  2000  10 yr $58
• Cask # 20798
• 366 Bottles
• Speyside
• 92 proof, 6/750 ml
• UPC 8-92032-06054-7
Nose:     Juicy oak, sweet malt, honey
Body:    Oily, thick malt, mouth coating
Palate:   Light clove, creamy with sweet butterscotch
Finish:   Dry, fruity, finishing sweet

Teaninich 1982 28yr

Chieftain’s Teaninich 1982 28yr $180
• Cask # 7704
• 156 Bottles
• Speyside
• Cask Strength, Black Rigid Box
• 97.6 proof, 6/750 ml
• UPC 8-92032-06056-1
Nose:     Dried Apricots, stewed prunes, linseed oil
Body:    Medium soft and round
Palate:   Sweet, herbal, citrus with spicy malt
Finish:   Herbal finishing with sweet malt

Please note all tasting notes are provided by the bottlers. Visit Chieftain’s Range  for more information on their line of single malts. Visit Impex Beverages for a list of  United States distributors for the Chieftain’s Range.

GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES NEW 15 YO TAWNY PORT FINISH
 
GLENDRONACH’S burgeoning reputation for producing innovative, richly-sherried expressions is boosted this month with the launch of its new 15yo GlenDronach Tawny Port finish.
 
This unique expression was initially matured in European oak and thereafter finished its maturation in a very small batch of Tawny Port casks, which have given the final whisky its own range of idiosyncratic flavours and aromas.
 
The 15yo is non-chill-filtered, of natural colour and is bottled at 46% abv. Released independently of any other wood finishes, only one thousand cases will be available in over twenty export markets, and in the UK through independent, specialist whisky retailers, as well as at the GlenDronach distillery shop.
 
The tasting notes make it clear that the rich infusion of port helps create a warming, sweet and satisfying dram.
 
Appearance: Prominent rose-wine hue, built around a light copper orange core.
 
Nose: Stewed damsons and plum conserve. Raisins, sultanas and fine grand cru chocolate provide lovely depth and structure.
 
Palate: Fruit shortcake drenched in vanilla custard, with a scattering of dried figs, dates and wild strawberries highlight a wonderfully long finish.
 
Finish: A fruit-laden whisky to enliven the taste buds.
 
Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “Last year we launched the first of our four wood finishes which included a 20yo Tawny Port finish. This whisky was a great success and sold out very quickly, so we decided to release a second bottling again this year. The new 15yo Tawny Port maintains our tradition of releasing wonderful non-sherry wood finishes of the highest quality.
 
“We have carefully selected whisky that has been gently maturing in lighter casks so that aficionados experience the full impact of the port. The very pleasing result contributes extra depth and concentrated stewed fruit flavours.”

Another month and a few new casks. These include 5 hogsheads of Aberlour 4/2011, another 5 barrels of 1998 Bowmore, 5 hogsheads of 1996 Dalmore (a mature and very drinkable whisky), 2 more hogsheads of March 1991 Cragganmore. These Cragganmore casks are excellent and previous examples have sold well. Possibly the pick of the bunch, 2 hogsheads of 1974 Inchgower.  Anyone bottling these should be able to make a decent profit.

The paperwork and uplifting of casks usually takes a few weeks and to reduce transportation costs, which can be significant, I try to ensure that most deliveries involve at least twenty casks. If there are just a few casks and they are located in the Glasgow/Edinburg area, then I find it cheaper just to pick them up in a sealed Ford Transit. You can learn quite a lot through visiting Bonded Warehouses and it offers a chance to see what’s available. Whilst it’s nice to visit the Central Belt, I think when it comes to choosing a place to live, it will probably be the more remote but beautiful Dumfries and Galloway for me.  

As most readers will be aware the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 prohibits the export of whisky in casks so quite a lot of whisky now leaves Scotland in a plastic drum with the empty oak barrel usually strapped to the pallet. From 2012 it will only be possible to export Malt whisky in bottles.

For any of you reading these brief monthly newsletters and buying casks from me, you should know that your purchases are contributing to the start-up of a small whisky business. Six months after commencing I’m reasonably confident that over the next few years the business will grow. It is also encouraging that I’ve received a lot of help from whisky enthusiasts and clubs in almost every country in Europe….. So watch this space and it may give a little insight into the delights and the difficulties of building a small business in the wonderful export driven world of Scotch whisky.

With less than 2 weeks to go until my wedding on the 21st May, if any of you want to buy a cask or indeed have your cask bottled, please get in touch with me as soon as possible. I’ll be back from my honeymoon on the 7th June. It’s doubtful if my new boss will allow me to check or reply to emails while away!

Casks Currently Available:

Bottles Currently Available:

Distilled at  Price (not including postage)
 
Caol Ila 27 year old, 70cl, 53.1% £49
 
Cragganmore 20 year old, 70cl, 54.2%  £37
 
Glen Grant 17 year old, 70cl, 55%  £40
 
“Mystery Whisky”, 20 year old, 70cl, 55.8% (label gives clues to distillery name)  £36
 
Bottles available at www.whiskybroker.co.uk/acatalog/shophome.html

Trade prices for bottles are available upon request.

If there is anything you would like to see available, please let me know and I’ll keep an eye open for it. Please write a comment on the guestbook of my website, especially if you have purchased a cask. Finally, if you have any website related suggestions, don’t hesitate to send me an email.

Regards,

Martin Armstrong
www.whiskybroker.co.uk
info@whiskybroker.co.uk

Loch Fyne Whiskies stocks a new item, ‘an Cnoc 1996’

anCnoc 1996 46%
Bottled 2011
£35.30 inc vat
£29.42 ex vat

An Cnoc OB 1996 46%alc.

Official Tasting Notes:

Nose: Soft, very aromatic with a hint of honey and lemon in the foreground.

Colour: Amber with a slight yellow hue.

Taste: Sweet to start with an appetising fruitiness and a long smooth finish.

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at www.lfw.co.uk

POWERS AND MIDLETON EXTEND IRISH DISTILLERS SINGLE POT STILL WHISKEY PORTFOLIO

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard is today launching two new single pot still* whiskey brand extensions as part of its initiative to celebrate the provenance and quality of this unique Irish whiskey style, and to showcase the diverse flavour spectrum of the reinvigorated Irish whiskey category.

Powers and Midleton will join Redbreast and Green Spot as brand names in a formidable new portfolio of single pot still Irish whiskeys emanating exclusively from the multi-award winning Midleton Distillery in Co. Cork. The company has also announced a whiskey development programme with the aim of creating and releasing regular new expressions of single pot still Irish Whiskey across its brand portfolio each year.

“Single pot still Irish whiskey is truly the jewel in the crown of Ireland’s rich whiskey tradition; a tradition which we have carefully nurtured over the years at the Midleton Distillery” said Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard Chairman and Chief Executive, Alex Ricard. “There has been tremendous interest in single pot still Irish whiskey in recent times so this is the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate and restore this exceptional whiskey style to its former glory. By adding the prestigious Powers and Midleton brand names to our range of single pot still Irish whiskeys, we will offer more flavour variety and create even more interest among whiskey enthusiasts and aficionados worldwide.”

Powers John’s Lane Release honours the silent distillery and spiritual home of the Powers brand at John’s Lane in Dublin. This new expression features a distillate which is true to the pot still style of the original distillery and bears the distinctive honey and spice style that made Powers famous. Bearing a 12 year old age statement, the whiskey has been matured in first fill bourbon barrels with a contribution of whiskey which has been matured in Oloroso sherry butts.

The first ongoing single pot still Irish whiskey to carry the Midleton name – Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy – pays tribute to celebrated second generation Master Distiller who, more than anyone, has shaped with the world-famous Midleton style. Representing Barry Crockett’s personal selection of first fill bourbon whiskeys with the inspired inclusion of whiskey which has matured in unseasoned American barrels, this expression displays a distinctive pot still complexity yet is refined and poised on the finish.

Both Redbreast and Green Spot benefited from the introduction of upgraded packaging in April 2011. The elegant presentation of both the Powers John’s Lane Release and Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy, similarly reflect the growing stature of the Irish Distillers’ growing single pot still portfolio.

All four brands will also bear the Single Pot Still whiskeys of Midleton quality mark on the back label in order to communicate the unique provenance and heritage of the distillery and of these exceptional whiskeys.

Notes:

* The Irish whiskey industry changed the terminology used to describe its most famous whiskey style in April 2011. ‘Pure Pot Still’ Irish whiskey is now referred to as ‘Pot Still’ Irish whiskey and for those whiskeys originating from a single distillery, the prefix ‘single’ is used, giving rise to the new industry term ‘Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey’.

Irish Distillers Limited, part of Pernod Ricard Group, distils and distributes a range of Irish whiskey, gin and vodka brands globally including Jameson, Powers, Paddy, Midleton Very Rare, Redbreast, Cork Dry Gin and Huzzar Vodka.

Tasting Notes:

Powers John’s Lane Release

Bottled at 46% ABV | Aged 12 years | Non chill filtered

Nose: An abundance of earthy aromas, leather, tobacco with layers of charred wood, dark chocolate and treacle toffee.

Taste: Full bodied spice front followed by vanilla, honey and dried apricot.

Finish: Lingering honey sweetness on toasted oak.

Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy

Bottled at 46% ABV | NAS 12-25 years | Non chill filtered

Nose: Elegant aroma of vanilla and toasted oak complimented by a touch of lime, succulent green berries, pears and green sweet pepper.

Taste: Light pepper carries onto fresh citrus, limes and mandarin orange sweetness. A hint of cinnamon with vanilla and oak reveals its years spent in American oak.

Finish: The full spectrum of flavours lasts well into the finish, slowly fading to expose the clean American oak foundation.

New Exclusive Casks.

6 new single cask bottlings from The Creative Whisky Co Ltd. Each cask has been finished in a Pedro Ximenez cask for 3 months and as you would expect the tasting notes strongly hint to an ex-Sherry maturation. The Macallan is an Exclusive to The Netherlands. Expect them in specialist shops from June onwards.

Bowmore 1995 15 years old 51.3%
Nose:    Sweet and salty peat with rich Sherry. Seaweed and a hint of TCP.
Palate:  Sweet again at first with a rich flood of peat before a huge surge of fruit flavours.
Finish:   Smoky-sweet with lots of fruit and peat-tingle on the aftertaste.

Braeval 1995 15 years old 54.5%
Nose:  Stewed apples and prunes. Chocolate gateaux. Rich spices.
Palate:  Clean and malty at first with a sudden rush of rich chocolate and cream.
Finish: Heavy, thick finish with rich spice and a long fruity aftertaste.

Clynelish 1995 15 years old 53.1%
Nose: Rich wax with creamy vanilla, soft spice and chocolate éclair.
Palate: Heavy spice at first before the waxy and oak flavours come through.
Finish: An abrupt finish, spicy-rich but a long aftertaste of oak.

Highland Park 1997 13 years old 52.1%
Nose: Rich sherry, malt and sugar barley flavours. Mint and honey.
Palate: Sweet and fruity at first with again a hit of honey and mint.
Finish: Zesty-tangy finish, sweet and fruity with an aftertaste of honey and sherry.

Imperial 1991 19 years old 48.5%
Nose: Stewed fruits and grape skin. Icing sugar and Sherry notes.
Palate: Rich Sherry flavours mixed with lots of fruits (peach, melon, mandarin). Creamy.
Finish: Really creamy with again lots of fruit and a spicy hit of alcohol on the finish.

Macallan 1990 21 years old 47.7% (Netherlands Exclusive)
Nose: Rich mint and sugar with chocolate covered raisins. Orange liqueur and oak.
Palate: Sweet and fruity at first before the rich oak and raisin flavours flood through.
Finish: Superb sweet and fruity finish with a tongue-tingling spicy aftertaste.

Visit The Creative Whisky Company at www.creativewhisky.co.uk

Ben Nevis OB 25yo 54.0%alc.

A single cask bottling of 526 bottles, distilled in 1984 and re-racked from bourbon casks to a sherry cask in 1998, bottled in 2010.

Cask # 98/35/12

Another Atlantic storm from The Ben, an expression of West Coast solidity, bigger than the elements and I don’t mean earth and wind and wot-not but bigger than the whole periodic table of the elements.

It’s big in the glass, raising anticipation with a rich, bitter, sherry-wood aroma, dried fruit; sultanas, dates, figs… And a little bit of sherry wood match-head.

Soft on the tongue, especially considering the degree of prickle in the nose. Sweet and sour and a lovely stimulating swallow that I can only describe as acrid – but a good acrid. There is a juicy start to a very long finish with a haaar (exhale back into the nose & mouth arena) of matchbox striking surface. That finish is still as strong now as was to begin with. An ace.

Distilled 20 December 1984 and put in Bourbon barrels

Transferred to Sherry butts 14 October 1998

Bottled 2010

Limited to 526 bottles having spent almost 14 years in fresh Bourbon casks and then the remainder in fresh Sherry butts.

Visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at www.lfw.co.uk

Master of Malt Launch the World’s Oldest Whisky Liqueur

Online Retailer and Independent Bottler, Master of Malt ( http://www.masterofmalt.com/), has launched the world’s oldest whisky liqueur. Based on the very finest 40 year old single malt Speyside whisky from one of Scotland’s most legendary distilleries!

From a Secret Distillery

The 40 year old single malt at the heart of this liqueur hails from a Speyside distillery, and whilst the exact origins remain a closely guarded secret, it is reputed to be one of the world’s most famous, and one known for its rich, sherry-matured whiskies.

“The key part for us was that the whisky shone through,” says Master of Malt’s Sales Director Ben Ellefsen, “this is a liqueur for single malt connoisseurs, so we spent an incredible amount of time picking subtle flavours which highlighted the malt, rather than creating something that was just sweet and overpowering. We’ve used top quality, authentic ingredients including cinnamon bark, cloves and orange peel, and we couldn’t be more proud of the results.”

The 40 year old joins Master of Malt’s range of single malt Speyside whisky liqueurs, and the prices range from £26.95 for the 10 year old, up to £219.95 for the 40 year old.

The Liqueurs 

– Master of Malt 10 Year Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur – £26.95
– Master of Malt 15 Year Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur – £39.95
– Master of Malt 21 Year Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur – £59.95
– Master of Malt 30 Year Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur – £109.95
– Master of Malt 40 Year Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur – £219.95
– Tasting Set of all 5 – £29.95

About Master of Malt

– Established in 1985
– One of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants
– A highly rated independent bottler, all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2009

Master of Malt Twitter @masterofmalt
Master of Malt – http://www.masterofmalt.com/

May Outturn: 13 Mesmerizing Malts

This spring it’s time to reawaken the senses with May’s Outturn, 13 mesmerizing malts drawn straight from the cask

Society Recommendations:

Perceptive Pair:
Buy 77.22 & 39.79 together for £88.50 (save £20.10)
77.22 Plentiful sweet delights
Highland Northern
£44.10 inc. free p&p
Meadowsweet, elderflower, laurel, lily – with sweet delights – vanilla, marmalade on toast and strawberry jam on scones (with clotted cream)

39.79 A lush chameleon
Speyside Lossie
£64.50 inc. free p&p
Brittle toffee, white paint (oil then poster-paint, then Play-Doh and crayons), wine gums, eiswein, ripe peaches and pomegranate

Count to 1..2..trio:
Buy 4.152, 44.49 & 53.150 together for £132.50 (save £27.00)
4.152 Hay bales in a limestone cave
Highland Island
£55.30 inc free p&p
Raspberry and strawberry sweets (Jolly Ranchers) candied orange, hay bales, cereals, cardboard tubes of Smarties and slight smoke

44.49 Lamb chops, mint sauce and blueberries
Speyside Spey
£44.10 inc free p&p
Some found lamb chops with boiled potatoes and mint sauce while the rest of us found cherry pie, white pepper, dried fruit and pot pourri

53.150 Beachcombers’ convention dram
Islay
£60.10 inc free p&p
Seaweed, sea-scrubbed nylon ropes, tar and brine; but then another bunch of beachcombers approached – some smoking roll-ups, some cooking bacon on bonfires

Six Scents: Take the Perceptive Pair, the Count to 1..2..trio and add 1.157 – six bottlings for only £260 (save £55.40)

1.157 Spicy chocolate raisins
Speyside Spey
£47.30 inc. free p&p
Coconut, liquorice root, chocolate raisins, jasmine tea, hot tubs, dry wood, glossy magazines, spice and furniture polish

All bottlings from May’s Outturn are available by the bottle and dram at our three Members’ Rooms – The Vaults, 28 Queen Street, Greville Street

Drams at Hotel du Vin & Malmaison

Joining the fine selection of drams we have behind the bar at Hotel du Vin & Malmaison from this month’s Outturn:

50.41 Winter Fireworks

2.79 Puff candy on a tropical Island

Society Tastings & Events

New Members Tasting – London, Mon 16 May
A Crash Course in single malts – The Vaults, Tue 24 May
Dunfermline Preview Tasting – Garvock House Hotel
Guildford Preview Tasting – Manor House Hotel, Thu 26 May
York Preview Tasting – Bedern Hall, Fri 27 May
Liverpool Preview Tasting – Malmaison, Fri 27 May
Cardiff Preview Tasting – Novotel, Fri 27 May
Champions League Final – Queen Street, Fri 27 May

Society Whisky Tastings

Whatever and wherever our tasting or event, the main focus is to give members an informal, enjoyable and relaxed night out..with a taste of the single cask good stuff!

Events range from step by step instruction in how to get the most from tasting single cask, single malt whisky to more adventurous couplings of whisky with food.

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 http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.  

SPRINGBANK 14 YEAR OLD AMONTILLADO CASK 305 

Limited release of 524 bottles of Springbank fully matured in Amontillado sherry casks for 14 years, exclusive to Preiss Imports. —- Tasting Notes – Nose: Toasted oak and tobacco. Warm leather. Aromatic herbs. Black pepper. Tropical fruits. Palate: Woody. Pepper. Nutty, roasted hazelnuts. Slightly acidic. Finish: Clean and woody.
              
Code:    Size: 750ML    ALC. VOL: 55.40%
 
SPRINGBANK 14 YEAR OLD FINO CASK 265 

 
               
Limited release of 576 bottles of Springbank fully matured in Fino sherry casks for 14 years, exclusive to Preiss Imports. —- Tasting Notes: Woody, floral and fruity. Green grapes and apple blossoms. Sandalwood. Delicate and pleasant. Palate: Oaky, Slight smoke. Wild herbs. Heather. Dry. Finish: Nutty and dry.
               
Code:    Size: 750ML    ALC. VOL: 55.30%

SPRINGBANK 14 YEAR OLD MANZANILLA CASK 259

  
         
Limited release of 546 bottles of Springbank fully matured in Manzanilla sherry casks for 14 years, exclusive to Preiss Imports. —- Tasting Notes – Nose: Sharp with notes of almonds, marzipan, cinnamon, camomile. Lime zest. Orange marmalade. Palate: Dry, dough like. Lime juice. Parma Violets. Fruity and floral. Finish: Fresh, dry and bitter.
               
Code:    Size: 750ML    ALC. VOL: 54.80%

SPRINGBANK 14 YEAR OLD OLOROSO CASK 268

  
      
Limited release of 546 bottles of Springbank fully matured in Oloroso sherry casks for 14 years, exclusive to Preiss Imports. —- Tasting Notes – Nose: Nutty and spicy – walnuts and ginger. Mulled wine. Citrus fruits. Brown sugar. Ginger cake. Leather. Tobacco smoke. Zesty. Palate: Warm and fruity. Blood oranges, lemons, citrus fruits. Dark chocolate truffle. Chewy. Rubber. Finish: Leather and smoke.
               
Code:    Size: 750ML    ALC. VOL: 56.20%

Visit Preiss Imports at www.preissimports.com