Brora 1982 Vintage Highland single malt Scotch whiskey. Bottled by Gordon & MacPahil for the Rare Old series.

Brora

Brora Distillery is situated in the north east of Scotland close to the Sutherland coast on the edge of Brora. Established in 1819 as Clynelish Distillery by the Marquis of Sutherland to produce fine Highland malt whisky and re-named Brora Distillery in 1975. Brora Distillery is an iconic Scottish malt distillery with a round red brick chimney, malt kiln with pagoda roof, a bellcote topped with a gilded weather cock, two big wooden worm tubs, miniscule gauger’s house, two wee copper stills and wonderful old dunnage warehouses. Brora Distillery closed in 1983 and is unlikely to re-open and so is a lost Scottish malt whisky distillery.

Buy – $654.15

OCTOBER UPDATE: THE PEOPLE’S PUDDINGS

The people have spoken, the ballots are in. Members certainly do have a passion for puddings, but it turns out the hottest flavour tickets in town are beach holidays and unabashed celebration. Whether you feel hedonistic at the table, on the dance-floor or in the surf, seize the dram because we’re down to the last few drops of the best – as voted for by you!

No. 1: Peated
29.169 Beach bonfires, creels and boats £84.50

No. 2: Oily & coastal
53.226 Teddy Boys at the beach £56.80

No. 3: Juicy, oak & vanilla
54.33 Holidays and honeymoons £51.20

No. 4: Spicy & sweet
1.189 High on the hills with a lonely goatherd… £81.50

No. 5: Juicy, oak & vanilla
50.69 A celebration of life!  Limited to one per member and available in our members’ rooms or by phone order only – £110.00

No. 6: Young & spritely
48.64 Clean as a whistle  £42.80

No. 7: Oily & coastal
7.121 Salt water taffy £50.70

No. 8: Lightly peated
4.212 A dram from Treasure Island £79.80

No. 9: Sweet, fruity & mellow
46.34 Honey in a sunny garden £74.00

No. 10: Sweet, fruity & mellow
64.67 Pleasing, teasing and comforting £96.00

Browse New Outturn >
Browse All Bottlings >

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact:mailto:sales@smws.comor 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

THE GLENLIVET UNVEILS PEAT-INFLUENCED EXPRESSION FOR THE INNOVATIVE NÀDURRA RANGE

The Glenlivet has launched a third expression for its celebrated Nàdurra range, as it continues to honour the historic traditions of making single malt whisky through new and innovative cask finishes. The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish is the first release to have a subtle, smoky taste profile, having been finished in American oak casks that have previously held heavily-peated Scotch whisky.

Bottled at 61.5% ABV cask strength, The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish is inspired by the authentic production processes used at The Glenlivet Distillery by its founder, George Smith, who originally used peat smoke to dry the malted barley. Finished in peated casks, the classic, smooth and fruity house style that has made the range so famous has been enriched with gentle, aromatic smoky notes, to offer a brand new The Glenlivet experience to whisky enthusiasts. The expression will also be available in Global Travel Retail at 48% ABV.

Available in nine domestic markets, including USA and France, and Global Travel Retail from October 2015 at US$89 (or local equivalent), the release follows the launch of The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso and The Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Selection in 2014. The Glenlivet craftsmen individually nosed each cask to ensure the perfect balance between fruit and smoke in the whisky, which has been bottled in small batches with no chill-filtration to offer the complexity, full body and distinctively creamy texture of a whisky that has just been drawn from the cask.

Alan Winchester, Master Distiller at The Glenlivet, comments: “I’m delighted to present the purest expression of The Glenlivet, which pays homage to the distillery’s legendary past. Nàdurra captures the original passion behind George Smith’s distillery, which inspires us to create new flavour journeys for consumers so his spirit remains alive today. The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish demonstrates this beautifully, with its warming mouthfeel, swirls of vanilla cream and subtle traces of tangy smoke, and I hope that whisky enthusiasts now and in the future enjoy this rare taste that echoes of the past.”

Nikki Burgess, Global Brand Director for The Glenlivet, added: “Interest among whisky fans for new, original and well-made single malt Scotch has continued to grow in recent years, and we at The Glenlivet are proud to have set the benchmark for quality and innovation. The Glenlivet Nàdurra range has enjoyed a cult following due to its rich craftsmanship story and commitment to traditional 19th Century production methods, and with releases such as The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish we hope to inspire more and more increasingly discerning drinkers to learn about the craftsmanship, provenance and heritage of ‘the single malt that’s started it all’.”

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish is presented in refreshed packaging, first introduced in April 2014, which emphasises the artisanal nature of the range. The design includes a prominent batch number, cask-like stamps and a more visible translation of the Gaelic word, Nàdurra – meaning natural – to illustrate the essence of the brand.

NOTES

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish Cask Strength (61.5% ABV) tasting notes:
Colour: Amber gold
Nose: A burst of soft red apples, citrus zest and aromatic smoke
Palate: Rich tangy marmalade, creamy vanilla toffee and a distinct toasted smokiness
Finish: Complex, lengthy and spicy, with layers of subtle smoke

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish (48% ABV) tasting notes:
Colour: Amber gold
Nose: A perfect balance of fresh, ripe orchard fruit, sweet vanilla cream and delicate wood smoke
Palate: Notes of rich honey and subtle vanilla, with a sweet, tangy smokiness
Finish: Long and developed, with vibrant notes of fresh fruit and spicy smoke

About The Glenlivet
Created by George Smith in 1824, The Glenlivet is the original single malt Scotch whisky, renowned for its smooth and fruity flavour profile. Today, The Glenlivet is the No.1 single malt Scotch whisky in the world including in the USA, the world’s largest malt whisky market. The Glenlivet is also the biggest contributor to the volume growth of the single malt category worldwide, adding more than any other single malt whisky brand over the last five years. As the single malt that started it all, The Glenlivet is committed to continuing its legacy for crafting single malt whiskies of outstanding quality and has led innovation within single malt in recent years. Standout initiatives include the release of The Glenlivet Alpha, a mystery single malt, and the creation of The Guardians of The Glenlivet, an online hub for fans to engage with the brand and each other.  www.theglenlivet.com

@TheGlenlivet

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the world’s No.1 single malt whisky; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.
www.chivasbrothers.com

@ChivasNewsRoom

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,558 million in 2014/15. 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, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 80 “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. www.pernod-ricard.com

Below we have the complete list of the forthcoming Authentic collection single cask malts from Cadenhead’s. Once available we will send you the newsletters for the releases due over 2 weeks around the mid to late period of the month.

This season has a whole range of tastes and flavours to cover most palates with a few stunning double cask matured vintages.

Before we start you off on the selection we have a few drams from distilleries we have had a short break from, including Braes of Glenlivet and The Speyside Distillery.

Some of you will know all about the most famous distilleries but one or two distilleries might have missed peoples attention one such is the Speyside distillery.

The distillery was built between 1962 and 1987 by hand.

The builder was a Mr Alex Fairlie who was asked by the founder Mr George christie to build the distillery, Mr Fairlie was a drystone wall builder who’s passion in his craft shines through the fabric of the distillery building. Who knows this might have inspired the craft that has gone into the distilled spirit that is a sheer delight for Speyside malt fans.

The first time I tasted Speyside whisky was way back in the 1990’s from my recall it was 8 years old with an ABV of 67.8% Vol, even at that ABV it was amazingly smooth rich and complex, it did not need water just time to open.

This season we have a rather exceptional 24 year old 53.3% Vol again no additional water is required just time to open up and breath, sit back relax and let the world go by with this dram in hand.

Another dram I think you might like if smooth malts are your thing will be the new Fettercairn1993 22yo 53.7%. Sherry cask.

It’s not fully matured for 22 years in a sherry cask it’s part matured in ex-bourbon cask until May 2006 until bottled in October 2015. This is a perfectly balanced vintage with enough of the sherry cask to give the malt a hint of fruit cake and some vanilla like notes from the bourbon cask.

For the fan’s of the Potty peaty variety then head to the new Bowmore cask tasting notes for a Burgundy cask matured vintage along with a nice Caol Ila that will set the tastebuds off nicely and a rather stunning Bunnahabhain.

We also have some rather stunning wine cask vintages to add that little extra diversity this season to the range.

OCTOBER RELEASES

Now to the releases…

Ben Nevis Distillery 1998 16y/o 51.2%

Nose: Olive oil, green apples and freshly baked bread. Sesame seeds and maple syrup. Taste: Whole pineapples, white pepper and some grassy notes and then mango and pears. Finish: Big chewy oily finish. Quite industrial but becoming fresher with some gooseberries and custard creams

Bowmore Distillery 2003 12y/o 58.1% – Burgundy since October 2011

Nose: Medicinal with sandlewood; slightly farmyard like with soft smoked notes. Taste: Cedarwood with dry ash and soft smoked fish notes with some creamy highlights along with apricots and smoked cheese. Finish: Smoked mackerel pate with peaches and mango. Extremely long drying finish.

Braes of Glenlivet Distillery 1997 18y/o 53.1%

Nose: Strawberry milkshake, cookie dough and a soft flinty note. Taste: Grassy and floral with kiwi fruits and banana bread. Finish: Grapes, icing sugar and lemon drizzle cake. Very refreshing.

Bunnahabhain Distillery 1997 17y/o 57.5%

Nose: Very grassy with damp peat bricks and very oily. Faint dry smoke with a slight meaty aroma. Taste: Much dirtier than the nose suggests. Wet wood smoke, dunnage warehouses , nutmeg and unripe pears. Finish: Long and oily with hints of smoke, avocado and pineapple chunks.

Caol Ila Distillery 1995 20y/o 57.7%

Nose: Sweet and creamy. Lots of vanilla with soft fresh smoke. Taste: Light smokiness mixing with honey, almonds, kiwis and a dry earthiness. Finish: Smokiness builds in the finish along with double cream and lots of fresh vanilla notes. Classic Coal Ila.

Craigellachie-Glenlivet Distillery 1994 21y/o 53.1% – Sauterne since February 2006

Nose: Initially musty, then becoming much sweeter with some oily grassy notes. Liquorice and redcurrant. Taste: Quite heavy; walnuts, dried bananas and pickles. Finish: Very sweet and oily on the finish.

Fettercairn Distillery 1993 22y/o 53.7% – Sherry since May 2008

Nose: Toasted marshmallows, marmalade, treacle toffee and pear drops. Taste: Caramelised red onion, creme brûlée; sultana cake with a hint of rock salt. Finish: More sherry notes in the finish, interacting with carrot cake and shortbread.

Glen Grant-Glenlivet Distillery 1995 20y/o 57.5%

Nose: Raspberries, lychee and blueberries. Hints of pastry along with brandy snaps and cinnamon powder. Taste: Stewed fruits, and then some cut apples and unripe bananas along with white pepper and key lime pie. Finish: Apple pie with soft vanilla ice cream along with star anise and green apple skins.

Glen Keith-Glenlivet Distillery 1996 18y/o 54.1%

Nose: Very creamy with hints of gingerbread and orange zest. Blueberries and soft goats cheese. Taste: A little nuttiness with soft brown sugar. Hints of raisins along with caffe latte and growing zesty oranges. Finish: Mandarins, melted white chocolate and popping candy.

Glenrothes-Glenlivet Distillery 1994 21y/o 53%

Nose: Honey and melon, sweet lemon icing and a touch of aniseed. Taste: White chocolate with crystallised ginger; nutmeg and cinnamon sticks along with freshly mown grass. Finish: Touches of fennel seeds and then lime and lingering coconut flakes.

HazelburnTM distilled at Springbank Distillery Distillery 2001 13y/o 50.8%

Nose: Lemon zest, banana peel. Oily and grassy with a faint medicinal note. Taste: Very refreshing, slightly nutty with an earthy edge. Hints of melon, peaches and dried apricots. Finish: Creamy, with flashes of lime, vanilla and mandarins.

Mortlach Distillery 1988 26y/o 56.1%

Nose: Rich and meaty, cured meats. Quite floral with hints of geraniums and then some freshly squeezed apple juice. Taste: Dry sherry notes with chilli spice along with rhubarb, figs and coffee beans. Finish: Lots of golden syrup with growing black cherries with a hint of paprika.

Speyside Distillery 1991 24y/o 53.3%

Nose: Peaches and apricots. Clotted cream with butterscotch and lots of vanilla. Taste: Almost a touch of dry ash quickly replaced by honeycomb and soft salty notes along with more of the apricot from the nose. Finish: Lingering creamy fruitiness with a soft drying nuttiness.

Strathmill Distillery 1995 19y/o 55.1% – Chateau Lafitte since 2009

Nose: Initially creamy with strawberries and hints of balsamic vinegar. Syrup sponge with orange zest and slightly herbal. Sherbet. Taste: Mouth coating, with coconut, vanilla, orange blossom water with some darker fruits emerging. Finish: Orange oils , with almonds and some grassy notes. Short and fairly drying

Tamnavulin-Glenivet Distillery 1992 23y/o 55%

Nose: Soft malty notes along with nougat, chocolate powder and then fizzy cherry notes. Taste: Pear skins and lemongrass. Slightly dusty and then some notes of oak aged Chardonnay along with fresh chives and some delicate allspice. Finish: Medium length, quite grassy and herbal with melted salted butter.

North British Grain Distillery 1989 26y/o 58.4%

Nose: Sweet, lots of toffee shortbread along with maple syrup and buttermilk pancakes. Taste: Delicate spice mixed with toffee and spiced oak flavours. Honeycomb, milk chocolate and faint orange notes Finish: Orange notes grow in the finish once it gets past the big toffee and spice notes. Classic aged grain.

CLOSED DISTILLERIES

And finally we have a little something for the fans of rare demolished distilleries.

Caperdonich Distillery 1992 23y/o 56.4%

Nose: Sweet vanilla, green apples and over ripe bananas. Becoming more citrusy. Taste: Lime, pears and touch of spice initially. Honeycomb, runny toffee and chocolate covered marshmallows. Finish: Silky smooth, medium length with citrus and a hint of spice.

Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop & Tasting Room

26 Chiltern Street London W1U 7QF

Tel: 020 7935 6999

October 2015 Outturn

Cask No. 95.19                               $150

Enigmatic duality

Speyside, Spey

The nose appealed to us all – but in surprisingly different ways – some got tropical fruits – dried mango, kiwi, lingen berry sorbet and ‘waxed lemons in the Tuscan sun’ – others detected deeper elements of tar, seaweed and even a wisp of smoke. That enigmatic duality persisted with water – pink peppercorns, horseradish, honey, ‘lightening over herb gardens’ and toasted pistachios. The palate was immediate and powerful – mouth-coating waxed fruits, heather honey and crème brûlée wrestled with peppery heat, hints of bonfire ash and carbolic. In reduction, we found aloe vera, menthol, Fisherman’s Friends, clove, hickory and fried sage leaves – good sweet-savoury balance.

Drinking tip: A curiosity dram – have fun perplexing your friends.

Colour: Lemony gold

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 17 years

Date distilled: August 1997

Alcohol: 53.2%

USA allocation: 246 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet

 *USA Exclusive*

*President’s Choice*

Cask No. 4.203                               $140

Romantic tales, songs and whispers

Highland, Island

The neat nose spoke to us of dried roses, expensive writing paper and fresh linen – a romantic tale, accompanied by a sweet song of honey, marshmallows and spun sugar and a confidential whisper of spice. The palate found warming ginger and evocative strains of pencil shavings, tobacco, menthol and linseed oil; balancing sweetness was confirmed by golden syrup, Tunnock’s Snowballs and chocolate limes. The reduced nose had tobacco tins and cricket bats; smouldering embers, walnut cake, coffee and mint-choc-chip. The palate now offered chocolate mints, various nuts, wood sap, liquorice and coconut – gentle but complex, with decent character and personality.

Drinking tip: Takes plenty of water and could be a suitable outdoors dram – romantic glamping perhaps?

Colour: Gold foil

Cask: First-fill barrel

Age: 15 years

Date distilled: October 1999

Alcohol: 55.8%

USA allocation: 84 bottles

Flavour profile: Young & spritely 

Cask No. 63.31                               $200

Green grow the rushes oh!

Speyside, Spey

All were delighted by the aromas and flavours of an exotic temple. Delicately baked stone fruits sprinkled with rosewater, pistachio, cardamom, then fresh pine and beeswax polish. In the darker corners there was cooling lychee and cucumber, then moss and breezy jasmin. Malted digestive biscuits with a slather of honey and baked pastry added depth. For some, water brought out lovely clean notes of grape, kiwi, gooseberry and melon. For others, wet slate, damp bog and rain smattered stone. The finish was crisp green apple and lime pastilles, warm brown paper, fresh laundry and mint cornetto ice cream.

Drinking tip: As refreshing as rain on a summers day

Colour: Peachy

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 25 years

Date distilled: November 1989

Alcohol: 51.6%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Flavour profile: Old & dignified 

Cask No. 123.13                             $100

A French picnic

Highland, Southern

Spread out the rug on the grass and unpack the picnic. Apple tart with buttery pastry and orange blossom scented madeleines. Waxy honey on the comb and toffee caramel. Calvados and linctus pastilles. To taste, thick butterscotch on biscuits, hazelnut syrup and toasted almonds. Water relaxed the picnic panel and they found everything softer and sweeter: coconut, marzipan and watermelon, then orange zest. They imagined plucking wild strawberries and dipping them in thick vanilla custard that curled around the tongue. Pear compote with armagnac concluded proceedings by sending all into a gentle slumber in the afternoon sun.

Drinking tip: When you’re feeling soporific.

Colour: Stubble fields

Cask: First-fill barrel

Age: 9 years

Date distilled: May 2005

Alcohol: 57.3%

USA allocation: 119 bottles

Flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla 

Cask No. 53.211                     $180       

And it is Goodbye to Care

Islay

Sweet and fresh aromas were very much apparent on the nose neat; lime cheese cake, heather honey and caramel-apple crisps. At the same time salty aromas of oyster shells and seaweed and a eucalyptus/ashy smell of menthol cigarettes all entwine. In the taste; sausages with a sweet chilli sauce, smoked peaches and vanilla ice cream with white pepper. With water much more maritime and salty; rock pools, kelp, fried white baits and calamari with a garlic and lemon mayonnaise – ‘you can almost hear the sea lions barking’. The taste is now gentle; singed heather, toasted marshmallows with a light fresh breeze of lavender.

Drinking tip: Looking for a carefree moment

Colour: Toucan’s beak

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 22 years

Date distilled: January 1992

Alcohol: 54.8%

USA allocation: 60 bottles

Flavour profile: Lightly peated 

*Low Outturn*

http://www.smwsa.com/

AUTUMN NECTAR

 The end of summer heralds not only the start of autumn, but also the beginning of the new whiskies season when distillers start jostling for position for the forthcoming Festive period. Plenty of great stuff to look forward to over the coming weeks, including a new Royal Mile Whiskies bottling which we are very excited about! However to kick us off in style we have the wonderful new official Royal Brackla range – ‘The Drink Divine’ (as decreed by the Royal household in the 1830s).

ROYAL BRACKLA 12 Year Old £41.95

ROYAL BRACKLA 16 Year Old £69.95

ROYAL BRACKLA 21 Year Old £165.00

For all general enquiries please call: 0131 524 9380 or email: contact@royalmilewhiskies.com

CHIVAS REGAL LAUNCHES CHIVAS 18 ULTIMATE CASK COLLECTION EXCLUSIVE TO TRAVEL RETAIL

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, has launched the Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection, a limited edition series that reinterprets the brand’s celebrated Chivas 18 expression. The Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection First Fill American Oak Finish will introduce the series, and is available exclusively in travel retail from this month.

Each limited edition ultra-premium whisky will be finished in varying types of casks to magnify a selection of the 85 flavour notes of the original Chivas 18. For the first limited edition release, Chivas 18 has been gently rested for a period of time in first fill American Oak casks, giving the expression more indulgent vanilla and caramel notes with a deep golden hue. Preserving all the essence of its rich taste, Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection First Fill American Oak Finish has been non-chill filtered.

Matching the ultra-premium nature of the liquid, each whisky is presented in luxurious packaging, textured in deep, dark Chivas 18 blue and embossed with Chivas design motifs. In a design nod to the golden hue of the whisky, a golden ribbon adorns the front of the box, embossed with the respective name of each expression in the Ultimate Cask Collection series.

Colin Scott, Chivas Regal Master Blender, comments: “For the first edition of the Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection we wanted to create a unique blend that accentuates the most iconic notes of Chivas Regal 18 Year Old, through a special finish in hand-selected First Fill American Oak casks. Designed for the sophisticated palate, the whisky provides a truly balanced taste and a velvet smooth finish.”

Richard Black, Chivas Regal Global Brand Director, comments: “The Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection First Fill American Oak Finish presents an exciting opportunity for ultra-premium whisky drinkers to explore further tasting experiences from an iconic and well-loved brand. The collection taps into the increasing demand from travellers looking for unique products that can be offered as a luxury gift or shared back home during special moments and will be an exclusive addition to retail channels in airports around the world.”

The Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection is bottled at 48% ABV and exclusively available in global travel retail at a RRP of $126 USD 1ltr. The first launch will be followed by two further expressions, to be released every 18 months.

About Chivas Regal

Launched in 1909, Chivas Regal is the world’s first luxury whisky and is considered to be a timeless classic, renowned for its benchmark quality and taste, style, substance and exclusivity. A truly global brand, Chivas Regal has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide and today sells 4.6 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across the globe. With brotherhood, generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity are at the heart of Chivas Regal, the brand launched its successful Live with Chivalry campaign in 2008, which aims to inspire modern gentlemen in more than 60 countries around the world to pursue success with integrity. The Chivas Regal range includes Chivas 12, Chivas 18, Chivas 25 and the Global Travel Retail exclusive, Chivas Brothers Blend. In October 2014, Chivas Regal announced the addition of a fifth permanent expression in the Chivas Regal family, Chivas Regal Extra, a new blend with a unique richness derived from selective maturation in rare ex-sherry casks. www.chivas.com

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the world’s No.1 single malt whisky; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch. www.chivasbrothers.com @ChivasNewsRoom

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,558 million in 2014/15. 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, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 80 “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. www.pernod-ricard.com

It’s October and we’re thankful for another line-up of delectable drams, so go ahead, dig in!

Enjoy the brief bottle notes below and visit http://www.smws.ca/ for the full tasting notes.&

CASK No. 39.98  BUTTERFLIES, BATS & SPIDERS 

23 years old; refill hogshead;  59.1%; Sweet, fruity & mellow

The nose starts floral, fruity and fresh (syrupy crumpets, pineapple) later uncovering dark tobacco, leather boots and black-jack chews. The palate has orchard fruits, tannic woodiness, liquorice and blackcurrant, plus honey and raisins in a spice cupboard – mouth-watering and sensuous.

CASK No. 59.49  CELEBRATION IN A GLASS

30 years old; refill hogshead; 49.2%; Old & dignified

Calming and relaxing – deep breathing; treacle sponge, roasted chestnuts, beeswax and a tropical rum trifle. The taste – words can hardly do it justice, depth and harmony like a well-aged Riesling. Water adds sweetness as well as juiciness and the rich texture needs to be experienced.

CASK No. 52.20  ALL DAY AMERICAN BREAKFAST IN THE GARDEN

13 years old; refill barrel; 64.7%; Spicy & sweet

Step into the garden of aloe vera and warm bark for an all American feast of bacon and honey on waffles with creamy coconut and lime margarita. Sticky Thai rice with shozu, doughnuts, undercooked meringue with a silky agave finish.

CASK No. 72.41  GIRLIE HOLIDAY BREAKFAST DRAM

9 years old; 1st fill white wine hogshead; 59.8%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

The nose offers pot-pourri, tanning lotion, cornflakes, pancakes and mimosa – girlie holiday breakfast? (cinder toffee and pencil boxes later). The big palate has burnt toffee, black bun, Jamaica cake and rendang sauce – but with water sticky toffee pudding and chocolate raisins.

CASK No. 124.4  FULL OF SECRET PLEASURES

17 years old; 1st fill sherry butt; 60%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

The nose harbours brooding aromas of molasses, marmite, figs and prunes, spices, motor museums, sacks of raisins and dark flowers. The palate is a Pandora’s box of secret pleasures – treacle, ginger cake, liquorice, dark cherries and chocolate sauce – intense and immense.

CASK No. 129.6  PEATED CANDY

6 years old; 1st fill barrel; 58.9%; Lightly peated

Sweet peat smoke, hot smoked salmon flakes and maple bacon cinnamon rolls neat on the nose.  The taste was of sweet incense and a soy-balsamic marinade. With water, kissing a perfumed smoking nurse whilst being served gravlax canapés and sweet dressed crab.

CASK No. 29.158  THE SMOKING GUN

14 years old; refill sherry butt; 61.7%; Peated

Rich, soft peat smoke followed by chestnuts roasting on an open fire and prosciutto dry cured ham. The taste, hickory smoked almonds and a ‘Smoked Old Fashioned’.  With water; salted codfish on the nose and flavours of peat smoked salmon and haddock.

http://www.smws.ca/

RUSSELL’S RESERVE Single Barrel Rye Whiskey –

It is said that the folks at Wild Turkey “have selected only the best barrels from the prime ‘center cut’ locations (levels 3 – 5) of the Wild Turkey rick houses for this newest creation.” Six years old is the stated, though not labeled, age of this Rye.

The Party Source, 95 Riviera Drive, Bellevue, KY 41073.

Macallan 30 Year Old – Fine Oak

Macallan 30 year old Fine Oak, triple cask matured in carefully selected European and American oak casks. Aged releases such as this from Macallan Distillery have become rather rare and hard to find as of late…

£1260.00

Macallan 1973 Speymalt

A 1973 vintage Macallan bottled by Gordon & MacPhail as part of their Speymalt series. Beautiful colour on this single malt scotch whisky, aged for over 40 years before being bottled in 2015 at 43% vol.

£485.50

Macallan 25 Year Old – 1989

Rather excited with this new bottling from Càrn Mòr – not to often these days, do you see an independent bottling of Macallan! Distilled 3rd May 1989 and aged for 25 years in a single cask hogshead, cask #6994 to be precise. Bottled in 2015 at cask strength, 42.5% vol with only 280 bottles filled and released under the Celebration of the Cask range.

£403.90

Macallan 25 Year Old – Sherry Oak

Macallan 25 Year Old, exclusively matured in hand crafted sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain. The casks used for this release were previously filled with dry Oloroso sherry and seasoned for up to two years before being emptied and shipped to Macallan to be filled with Macallan new make spirit, then left to gently slumber for over 25 years!

£699.00

Macallan 1980 – Speymalt

Tremendous colour on this Macallan Speymalt from 1980, which has been slumbering in cask up until 2013, making approximately 33 years old. Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail as part of their Speymalt series. The Speymalt from Macallan distillery range includes a series of exceptional single malts, each matured in the highest quality casks selected by Gordon & MacPhail.

£375.00

Abbey Whisky Ltd

Registered Office

Dollar, FK14 7AS

United Kingdom