The English Are Coming.

The English have arrived. English Whisky that is.

Purple Valley Imports is proud to announce that The English Whisky Co. (EWC) is now available in the US. The Classic and Peated Single Malts are produced by St. Georges Distillery, the first new distillery in England in over a century.

The whisky expressions being released are exclusive to the US market. Initial release will be in the Chicago, Washington, DC, Boston and San Francisco markets.  An official launch is scheduled for the week of April 14th, when Andrew Nelstrop, Managing Director of EWC will be visiting the US. Events are planned for Washington DC, New York, Philadelphia and Chicago.

Raj Sabharwal, Managing Director, Purple Valley Imports commented “we have been working for over 2 years to get these great Single Malts into the US.”.

Added Andrew Nelstrop, “the US is an important market and we wanted to introduce our Single Malts with the right flavor profile”. EWC is imported by Purple Valley Imports USA, named Whisky Importer of the Year by Whisky Magazine.

For more information contact Raj Sabharwal, at Raj@purplevalleyimports.com. Or 704-497-2493. Purple Valley Imports USA 2013 Whisky Importer of The Year 704 497 2493

This month we have five new (5) bottlings in the OMC range, one (1) in OLD & RARE, plus two (2) DOUBLE BARREL releases together with one (1) CLAN DENNY Grain.

Tasting Notes for OLD MALT CASK

OMC2237 BUNNAHABHAIN SHERRY 11 YEAR

Nose: Round & full, sweet & fruity – oaked & gristy

Palate: Chewy and mouthcoating – oily – Barley’d + spiced.

Finish: Warms deeply with crushed sugars, smoke & vanilla. (F)

OMC1818 STRATHMILL 17 YEARS

Nose: Spicy with vanilla tablet + dry herbs, sweet tobacco + cocoa butter

Palate: Round, full flavoured & spicy, still sweet + a “brulée” caramel style

Finish: Medium long, still spicy & sweet with fruit bitters lingering (J)

OMC2223 LONGMORN 21 YEARS

Nose: Spiced – rather meaty – peppery – nicely gristed

Palate: Citric

Finish: More sherbet & sugar + a wee late espresso? (F)

OMC2238 LITTLEMILL 21 YEARS

Nose: Clean & gristy – lightly spiced + autumnal fruit & barley.

Palate: Buttery – with tones of cedar, vanilla & honey on toast.

Finish: Smooth – aromatic & sweet with sugar, jam & Malty tones. (F)

OMC2239 MORTLACH 21 YEARS

Nose: Like a damp dunnage warehouse + sweet vanilla & spice.

Palate: Toffee – carrying more vanilla + cedar wood & spicy, sweet tobacco.

Finish: Round & mellow – still sweet – running to chocolate & cinnamon (J)

OLD & RARE Tasting Notes:

OAR0183 ST MAGDALENE 30 YEARS

Opens clean & fresh on the nose with caramelised fruit and vanilla, then develops to a sweet tobacco character. The palate is warmingly spiced – carrying a macerated fruit character plus honey and barley. The finish is long with a camphor coughdrops – Fisherman’s Friends style – plus more of that sweet tobacco style. (J)

DOUBLE BARREL Tasting Notes:

DBS0040 TALISKER/CRAIGELLACHIE 2nd RELEASE

N: opens surprisingly fresh, with burnt orange peel, spicy biscuits (also slightly burnt)

T: fresh & grassy at first – before a sweetly spiced smoke appears

F: an apparent wood quality linger, burnt pine with a sweet ashy character

DBS0042 CAOL ILA/BRAEVAL 4th RELEASE

N: opens with ashes and smoke from the CAOL ILA softened with a rich spicy character from the BRAEVAL

T: initially sweet with dried fruit & toffee from the BRAEVAL, carries to peat, tar and liquorice from the CAOL ILA

F: long, BRAEVAL’s spicy character returns while the CAOL ILA lingers with bonfire ashes and a chewy tar quality

Tasting Notes for CLAN DENNY Grain:

DEN0094 DUMBARTON 48 YEARS

On the nose – expect a rich, spicy quality which develops to sweet pipe tobacco. The palate is sweet and richly spiced with a dark chocolate and marinated black cherry character. All culminating in a (surprisingly) long finish that runs to sweet

mocha – almost liqueur style. (J)

We are at your service for any of your requirements.

Yours faithfully

Fred H Laing

www.douglaslaing.com

If you think Scotch isn’t for you,

Carin Luna-Ostaseski bets she can change your mind!

In 2013, Carin fulfilled a personal dream when she launched her own brand of Scotch – SIA Scotch Whisky. Distilled, matured and produced in Scotland by Douglas McGibbon & Co., Ltd., SIA is a blend of Speyside, Highlands and Islay malts, specifically created to appeal to a contemporary palate.

For Carin, creating something tangible was a real passion, considering most of her 15-year professional career had been spent in the virtual world, designing websites, mobile applications and digital products for companies such as ABC News.com, Reuters, Revlon, Bloomingdales and Sun Microsystems. A pioneer and expert in the area of Internet advertising sponsorships, she has created successful campaigns for clients including Motorola, Compaq, Honda, Lowes, Citibank, Sony, Artisan Entertainment, Allegra and IBM. Her marketing and creative background gave her the experience to identify an untapped consumer niche in the crowded back bar, and a friend who guided her through her first tasting of Scotch began her love affair with the spirit.

Carin was first offered a Scotch when out with friends, but refused it thinking it was “two strong.” But curiosity won out and when queried about preferred cocktails, wines and favorite foods, the friend was able to select a dram that delighted her. The Scotch stereotype was shattered, and Carin realized that there was a brand out there for everyone – particularly those who don’t know they like Scotch, yet. The next several years were spent hosting Scotch tastings, learning about what people enjoy and why. She became an avid student of Scotch and the beverage industry, immersing herself in the business, spending time with Distillers and a myriad of industry professionals, and earning her bartending license. Carin shared her vision for a new refreshingly modern Scotch with Spirit Imports, Inc. and they agreed with the potential, facilitating her introduction to the team at Douglas McGibbon & Co., Ltd., who would ultimately bring her vision to life. She then turned to Kickstarter for funding in what has become one of the crowd sourcing platform’s most successful liquor launches to date.

And now, here is an interview with Carin, Paul asking the questions by the way.

Hi Paul – you asked many questions, you must be more used to this than myself, I hope these are ok;

1) Why you did it, how you did it, and where you want to be in say 5 years. A; I’ve been “in love” with Scotch Whisky for over a decade. One of my biggest joys is in introducing someone to a Scotch that they enjoy, forever shattering their preconceived notions about this spirit- that it’s too strong, that it’s their grandfather’s drink, that Scotch is simply not for them. After running a year’s worth of formal tasting events and countless drams of “research” :), I finally felt as if I had a taste for what the perfect recipe might be to appeal to a modern palate. From there, I began the long and exciting process into creating a new brand of whisky. In 5 years, I hope that SIA enjoys worldwide appeal, and that it’s the spirit of choice to a new generation of whisky enthusiasts.

2) Who helped? A; I was lucky to find some incredible resources along the way. Their expertise and connections helped the process go much more quickly and helped me to understand what I needed to get done, especially by way of compliance with government standards, labeling, TTB and COLAs approval for my label. My importer – Spirit Imports, Inc. was incredible in this process and I’m very grateful to them.

3) Its always interesting to know about the whiskies – without saying what distilleries etc but areas are good and “hints” if allowed. A; SIA is a delicious blend of Highland, Speyside whiskies with a touch of Islay. The color of clover honey, SIA awakens the nose with citrus and spice and opens the palate with the smokey vanilla crunch of a crème brulee. The finish is long, smooth and refreshing with hints of hazelnut and toffee. My hope is that you and your audience of readers will absolutely love it!

4) How you came up with bottle shape, label etc. A; As a Creative Director by trade, great design is very important to me. I went with a bottle shape that was clear, rather than green, so that you could really see the beautiful color of the spirit. The curve of the glass and the height make it stand out just enough on the shelf to feel new and bold, yet not too much to feel as though it was misplaced. The label has a hint of foil and a very modern and crisp logo, very large and readable so that someone sitting at a bar can easily read it from where they are sitting. (My vision has definitely deteriorated through the years pressed up against a computer screen so I know all too well what it’s like to squint across the bar to a shelf in dim light!) – eh! You and me both Carin!

5) What (whisky) plans for the future – range? A; For now I’m just focusing on SIA, no plans on expansion yet.

6)Where can we “visit” you? A: https://www.facebook.com/SiaScotch/photos_stream

As some background I’ve included a link to my Kickstarter campaign. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/siascotch/sia-scotch-whisky

In her personal time, Carin dedicates herself to her many passions including her Cessna 172, and volunteering at a local children’s hospital doing Arts and Crafts with the patients.

She is also a member of the USBG.

Carin Luna-Ostaseski Founder SIA Scotch Visit: www.siascotch.com

Carin was chatting to Paul McLean

http://angelswhiskyclub.com/awc/carin.asp

www.mcleanscotland.com  Scotland’s best whisky tour company!

www.angelswhiskyclub.com  free worldwide whisky club, Patron Charles Maclean

Kilchoman Launch Machir Bay 2013

Kilchoman distillery has announced their latest release; Machir Bay 2013 which will be available from the 4th of March. The Machir Bay range is Kilchoman’s core expression, first launched in 2012 when it won the prestigious IWSC 2012 Gold Medal – Best in Class. Bottled once a year, each release contains more mature whisky each year allowing Kilchoman fans to follow the development of the unique Kilchoman malt as it matures. Machir Bay 2013 is a vatting of 4 and 5 year old ex-bourbon casks, with the 4 year casks being finished in Oloroso sherry butts for 4 weeks prior to bottling.

John MacLellan, Kilchoman Distillery Manager: “The 2013 Machir Bay displays further evolution of the 2012 release, showing more maturation flavours from the excellent cask regime and is softer and more rounded with lovely creamy mouth- filling flavours.

Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Managing Director: “Sales of Machir Bay 2012 far exceeded our expectations so we hope people will be equally impressed with this year’s more mature offering”

Machir Bay 2013 is bottled at 46% ABV and is available to buy from www.kilchomandistillery.com and specialist whisky retailers worldwide priced at £39.99 RRP in the UK.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Light beech

Nose: Soft cooked fruits with strong peaty aromas

Palate: Soft mixed fruits and vanilla with an intense sweetness

Finish: A long lingering finish. A classic Islay malt now showing the benefit of additional ageing.

About Kilchoman

Founded in 2005, Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and the first distillery to be built on the Island of Islay for 125 years.

One of only a handful of distilleries still practicing floor malting but what makes Kilchoman special is that barley is grown at the distillery whereas other distilleries purchase barley from around the country.

Based on a farm on the rugged west coast of Islay, the distillery’s founder Anthony Wills wanted to build a distillery that took whisky production back to its traditional roots.

Kilchoman has quickly established itself in the whisky industry winning various awards including two IWSC Golds and a Silver in 2012, Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011, GQ’s Coolest 100 things of 2011 and many more.

This month we offer two (2) new PROVENANCE bottlings.

The PROVENANCE Tasting Notes are:

PRV0969 SPEYBURN 8 YEARS
Butterscotch abounds on the nose initially – then it merges into malty gristiness with citric tones, oak, and vanilla. More of that butterscotch shows early on the palate – running to a Scottish tablet/fudge-y and malty sweet influence ….. and all this is replicated on its finish, plus some late spices. (F)

PRV098 CRAIGELLACHIE SHERRY 10 YEARS
Aromatic, and carrying a mature fruity nose initially – it opens to light spices, barley and oak. Gristy – and with more inherit barley sweetness on the palate – it warms to vanialla toffee and softer fruit tones. The finish is long, warmly spiced, with a hint of liquorice apparent late. (F).

We hope you will like.

Yours sincerely

Fred Laing

Managing Director

www.douglaslaing.com

Concannon Irish Whiskey

Background: Launched in U.S. in early 2012, Concannon Irish Whiskey is the independent spirit of Ireland. Developed as a joint collaboration between Livermore Valley-based Concannon Vineyard and Ireland’s renowned Cooley distillery.

Brand Ambassador and 4th Generation Vintner, John Concannon, is continuing his family’s legacy of blending rich tradition with pioneering innovation with the development of Concannon Irish Whiskey. “Our Irish roots run deep, and entering the Irish Whiskey market symbolizes building an eternal bond with the past by creating a bold, new chapter in our Concannon Family History.” Concannon Irish Whiskey, a special tribute to his Great-Grandfather, James Concannon, in admiration for his adventurous spirit, vision and ambitious endeavors. James Concannon also celebrates his birthday on St. Patrick’s Day.

Product: Concannon Irish Whiskey is a refined blend of malted barley and corn, craft distilled for proper balance of character and purity. It is matured in bourbon barrels for a minimum of four years, then mellowed in Concannon Petite Sirah wine barrels for four months before blending. This is known as the “Concannon Effect”, which gives Concannon Irish Whiskey a uniquely fruity character with a full, clean and balanced taste.

Tastings Notes: Visual: Light golden wheat color

Nose: Toasted malt, red fruit and vanilla

Palate: Balance of honey sweet, spice, and citrus flavors

Finish: Medium-length. Warming and round, with hint fresh oak.

Price: $24.99 for a 750ml bottle, 40% ABV.

Accolades: Concannon Irish Whiskey received Best New Irish Whiskey of the Year in 2012 from International Spirits Competition (NYISC).

Distribution: Nationally distributed in the U.S.

Website: http://concannonirishwhiskey.com/

Duncan Taylor Smokin’ Blended Scotch Whisky 40%

Whisky as it used to be. Smokin’ Scotch whisky perfectly balances robust peat smoke flavours and smooth notes of toffee and vanilla. Paying homage to the legendary blends of yesteryear, renowned for their rich flavor and uncompromising character, Smokin’ is a full bodied experience to be savored.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Initial punch of peat smoke, citrus spice and zesty lemon peel, moving on to caramelised sugar, toasted oak and clotted cream. Vanilla and sandalwood to finish
Taste: Smokey with fresh cream, butter biscuits and toffee. Hint of tobacco and leather
Finish: Clean, dry and malty
Comment: Churchill would have approved

www.duncantaylor.com

Talisker Storm – Now Shipping – Whisky Galore @TGWS

New in stock: It’s whipping up a storm…. TALISKER STORM.

ORDER NOW

In Brief: Talisker Storm has a more profound maritime smoky flavour, taking the intense maritime experience to a new level.

How is the flavour achieved?

The Talisker Distillery Character:

Talisker is made by the sea on the remote and storm battered shores of the Isle of Skye.

Creating the unique  distillery character begins with the careful distillation process. The unusual shape of the stills and the traditional worm tubs, that minimise copper contact during the condensation process, help create a rich and complex spirit.

The peat  and malted barley used by the Distillery create the smoky and briny base notes of the Malt.

These factors all work together with the casks in a way that, even now, is not fully understood, delivering the gentle and late arrival of the smoky flavour that is so unique to Talisker.

Enhancing the Distillery Character. Talisker STORM.

The next stage of the flavour development is the preparation of the casks. Our rejuvenated American Oak casks are lightly roasted and then charred before being filled. The initial contact with the charring removes any impurities from the liquid. As time passes it reaches the toasted layer of wood, where the marrying of flavour really begins.

In contrast, the liquid selected from our refill casks has a greater conversation with just the wood, giving a different depth of flavour. A carefully selected combination of refill and rejuvenated oak casks, known only to our Master at the distillery, is used to create the smoothness, sweetness and woody spiciness that form the next layer of flavour in Talisker Storm.

Cask Selection for Talisker Storm:

In the final  stage, our Master Blenders have painstakingly worked on selecting the perfect balance of  differing aged casks  to marry the vibrant distillery character with a smoother, woody richness. The result is a new expression of Talisker that brings an exhilarating and intense taste experience.

—————

TALISKER STORM

New Port Askaig Islay Single Malts available at The Whisky Exchange

The latest releases from Speciality Drinks Ltd’s Port Askaig range of single malt whiskies are now available at The Whisky Exchange. Sourced from an undisclosed distillery on the famed whisky-producing island of Islay they are selected to show a classic Islay profile across a range of different ages.

The Port Askaig 12 years old, released at The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show in October 2012, is now joined by two additions to the range, aged for 19 and 30 years respectively and bottled at cask strength.

Port Askaig 12 years old – 45.8% abv

Nose: Very fresh and invigorating, with bracing sea air, seashells, a minerally character like wet slate, plus phenolic notes of ash and wet burnt wood. Faint honeyed, leafy notes in the background. Becomes earthier with time.

Palate: Mediumweight, but packs a punch. Very minerally initially, then salty and sweet at the same time. Becomes ashy and drying, with the brininess increasing as the smoke, dry turf and chalky, flinty notes assume control mid-palate.

Finish: Some lemony acidity breezes in to keep things fresh as the ashy smoke and turf linger.

Comment: More savoury than some drams from this distillery, this 12yo has impressive depth of character for a relatively young malt, but remains light enough to encourage a refill. Very more-ish.

Port Askaig 19 years old Cask Strength – 50.4% abv

Nose: Quite rich, with a great contrast of pure, clean, lemon-creamy malt and some deliciously dirty, turfy, earthy, sooty, oily phenols. Medicine cabinet hints of bandages, liniment, Savlon and swimming pools in the background. Gets more like a smoky lemon cheesecake with time in the glass.

Palate: Lemon & tart apple fruit at first, then big phenolic grunt, with lots of hot bitumen, ash, tar, soot; then creamy lemon and honey, a minerally note and burning turf.

Finish: The lemon cheesecake returns as the heavy phenols slowly disperse, leaving a sweet tingle at the death.

Comment: Although only a few % higher in abv, this 19 year old Port Askaig certainly raises the intensity compared to previous batches. Water releases a little sweetness.

Port Askaig 30 years old Cask Strength – 51.1% abv

Nose: Lots going on: rich honey sweetness, some strong melon notes, bananas in various forms – fresh, foam and milkshake, then some barley sugar and very light smoke emerges.

Palate: Quite full and generous, with very rich flavours following on from the nose, and a luxurious oily texture. Sweet initially, but the phenols are much more evident on the palate than the nose, with thick smoke and rich wet peat alongside more subdued melon and banana fruit notes from the nose. A thread of honeyed lemon runs through the whole ensemble.

Finish: Good length, sweet and lightly sooty, with the fruit lingering much longer than expected.

Comment: We’ve normally bottled this at the traditional 80 proof, but the vatting was just far too good to add water to. Superb stuff.

The Port Askaig 12yo, 19yo Cask Strength, and 30yo Cask Strength are now available from The Whisky Exchange website and London shop: http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/B-40-Port_Askaig.aspx

Notes:

The Whisky Exchange

The Whisky Exchange (TWE) is a family business founded in 1999 that has grown to be the internet’s No.1 specialist retailer of whisky and fine spirits, serving thousands of satisfied customers every week through their website www.thewhiskyexchange.com

The Whisky Exchange has won a string of industry awards, including Independent Spirits Retailer of the Year and Online Retailer of the Year at the Drinks Retailing Awards, Icons of Whisky Online Retailer of the Year and Independent Spirits Retailer of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge.

The TWE website currently stocks over 5000 whiskies, of which the majority are Scottish Single Malts, Bourbons & Irish Whiskeys, with the remainder coming from as far afield as South Africa, India, Sweden, Australia and Taiwan.

TWE also stocks a wide range of other fine spirits, including hundreds of gins, vodkas, cognacs, armagnacs, brandies, rums, tequilas, mezcals, liqueurs and many other drinks from all over the world.

As well as an online outlet, The Whisky Exchange also operates a shop in Vinopolis near London Bridge. Further details can be found at http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/Vinopolis.aspx

We’re delighted to let you all know that, based on multiple requests and growing popularity of Isle of Skye 8 YR, we have added 1.75 liter size to the line.

We’re confident this addition will add more value to the brand and will lead you to the sales increase.

Please see attached the image. The RRP is $ 59.99.

Cheers,

ImpEx Beverages Team