Ali’s Old Lorry

Hi everyone,

Visitors to Dufftown may have spotted the lorry, pictured below, while on a tour of our distilleries. It belongs to one of our longest-serving employees, Ali Buchan who started his career in our cooperage 39 years ago. After spells in the bottling plant and the engineers’ team, Ali started working shifts in our malt…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

Kind regards,
Ludo

Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks ‘Brora 1981 30yo Chieftain’s

‘Brora Chief 1981 30yo 50%alc.

(These notes by the Joynson himself)…Output from Brora in its final years was very variable; typically peaty; there are also many offerings with no peat. I suspect it was unloved because it was due to be condemned and the workers treated it with some disdain. Nowadays no distillery is loved more than Brora and, like Sid Vicious’ terminal career move, it’s closure may have been the best thing that happened to it. Discuss.

Anyway how about this Chieftain’s bottling from a sherry butt? Well it’s amber in colour, we can see that.

I have copious tasting notes to transcribe for you: Peat, then sulphur notes (as fishy exhaust fumes) and then peaty again. Once the peat is assimilated, estery notes rise as raisins and banana particularly comes to dominate. With time the peat returns as definite yet light; my notes say ‘roasting fires’, perhaps someone can explain that to us all? The aroma with water added changes it dramatically, starched, fresh linen, peat and cocoa, a low level but nice peat.

Tasted it is surprisingly sweet!! It’s soft and well balanced with a caramel syrup. Adding water releases the peat into the embouchure.

To surmise: a sweet and softly peaty dram that engages the drinker to have some more. Please enjoy, responsibly.

G8 on the Flavour Map, Complex, Rich and Smoky.

Distilled: December 1981
Bottled: April 2012
Limited to 553 bottles from Butt # 1525

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

Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks ‘Ballechin #7 Bordeaux Casks’

Ballechin #7 (peated Edradour) OB 46%alc…(Notes below from the Joynson)…

A fascinating interplay between sweet red wine and low-down dirty peat.

Presented in oh-my-goodness pink, which has plenty of shelf stand-out (or just try-and-avoid yuk). This is the seventh variant of Edradour’s very peaty distillation matured, this time, in Bordeaux casks, entirely matured that is not a finish.

Pale gold in colour with a touch of strawberry sauce (that’s appearance not taste).

The opening aroma is of hot, sweet engine oil. Then peaches and pears – with the anticipation of a peaty threat, as if someone’s started playing a growly cello. The peat rises as exhaust, vegetative and herby. Tasted (still neat) there is honey, sweetness and a thick berry sauce (maybe it’s the strawberry sauce after all). Shuggling air over the soaked tongue ignites the peat magnificently and the swallow is all Bordeaux before a sweet wine-and-peat ping-pong.

The addition of water raises the peat-exhaust whiff and reverses the neat tasting event to peat then wine, which is neat, so-to-speak.

Some of the Ballechin’s work very well, others less so; this one works well but is risky, and exciting because of this knife edge flavour experience. Now, would someone stop the cello player please?

On the Flavour map square G9 on the Smoky side of Rich and Smoky.

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

The New Sirius Range Is Now Available Only At The Whisky Shop!

A brand new Independent bottling series from Sirius. Some of the rarest and exciting single cask bottlings in the world! Simply Click To Buy.

Carsebridge 1965

One of only 63 Bottles in the world. This stunning single grain whisky is further evidence that grain whisky is making a huge impact on the collectors market and for the whisky connoisseur. Bottled at 41% volume the tasting notes include honey, orange coffee, something you would expect from a breakfast at the Ritz

Dalmore 1967

One of the rarest Dalmore whiskies ever. One of only 89 bottles this 1967 vintage has it all. Matured in a rum cask which contributed to some of the rich tasting notes of Dark Chocolate, Belgium chocolates, praline nuttiness, citrus fondant and coffee crèmes. Bottled at a cask strength of 60% volume. Simply stunning!

Fettercairn 1966

When collecting whisky it is always exciting to select a whisky which is rare and cask strength. This Fettercairn 1966 certainly ticks those boxes. One of only 39 bottles and bottled at 52.9% volume. The quality matches its rarity with exotic spices, a fusion of warm sea air and the warmth of a resort in Bali come to mind when tasting this delight.

The North British 1962

There are simply not many 50 year old whiskies anywhere in the world. So when on comes along it is a real treat. This single grain delight is one of only 138 bottles, bottled at 46% volume. The whisky is rich, soft and smooth. Some soft glazed fruits, rich syrup give the palate a real treat. This is a hugely complex and enjoyable whisky and certainly worth the wait.

The Whisky Shop Tel 0141 440 0600 info@whiskyshop.com  www.whiskyshop.com

Glenmorangie 18 year old Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($83.99)
Malt Advocate: “43% abv. When compared to the 10 year old, this one’s richer, with darker fruit and more caramelized sweet notes, paired with accentuated dried wood spice, while the 10 year old is more vibrant and floral. Like the 10 year old, there’s good balance here. (Vol. 17, #2) “

Old Pulteney 17 year old Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($85.99)
Malt Advocate: “In one word: exotic. In some respects, it is reminiscent of a very old column-distilled Jamaican rum, and a lot of the wood spices really express themselves. Like the Compass Box whisky above, this whisky again proves that grain whiskies should not be ignored. They taste completely different than other whiskies-particularly the older ones-and they can be a lot of fun to drink. The two reviewed in this buyer’s guide are very fine examples of the style. (Vol. 16, #1)” K&L Notes: I recently re-tasted the entire Pulteney line and found myself wondering why I never paid these whiskies more attention. I sometimes feel as if the single barrel, cask strength, un-chill-filtered movement has been interpreted to mean that standard bottlings are no longer worthwhile. Whatever happened to just good, drinkable, 46% proof single malt with no cask enhancement and no frills? If you’re a true Scotch fan, then you’ll appreciate the brilliance of the Old Pulteney 17 Year because it’s a dying breed these days. A creamy mouthfeel with flavors of vanilla, dried apricots, vanilla, and sweet cereal grains is what enticed to me go back for a second sip. This is vintage Highland whisky and I love everything about it. The stonefruit still lingers on the tongue more than five minutes after tasting it and the caramel becomes more stated. I can’t believe I’m writing this, but in this case it’s appropriate: they don’t make ’em like Pulteney anymore. I wish they did. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

1994 Laphroaig 18 Year Old K&L Exclusive Chieftain’s Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($125.99)
One of the great visits from our 2012 visit to Scotland was Laphroaig distillery, where we learned many new stories concerning its fascinating history. The whisky’s special combination of sea, smoke, and brine has had a magical effect on people over the years. In 1908, manager Ian Hunter decided to make Laphroaig one of the first distilleries to market itself as a single malt, rather than sell it off for blends. What an idea! Shortly after that, a failed attempt to purchase Laphroaig (as well as a childish attempt to block their water supply with large rocks) led Peter Mackie to build the now-defunct Malt Mill with Laphroaig’s exact specifcations, hoping to recreate that unique flavor (he couldn’t). Laphroaig was one of the first distilleries to have a female manager (Bessie Williamson) and they’re one of the few today that still malts their own barley. Despite their repuation for forward-thinking, they continue to operate very traditionally, making only one type of spirit and filling into only one kind of barrel – first-fill Bourbon casks. While Laphroaig does not sell casks directly, we were able to broker one via Chieftain’s exclusively for K&L. This 18 year beauty has everything we love about mature Laphroaig – medicinal notes, brine, and campfire smoke in a more subdued state, mixing brilliantly with soft vanilla and wood spice. It’s classic in every way and at full proof – no water added. A fantastic whisky from an iconic distillery’s older stock. (David Driscoll)

Johnnie Walker Blue Blended Scotch Whisky 750ml (Previously $180) ($149.99)

Caol Ila Distillers Edition Moscatel Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 12 available ($79.99)

Glenmorangie Finealta Peated Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($79.99)

1996 Oban Distillers Edition Montilla Fino Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($99.99)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com/
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Loch Fyne Whiskies Now Stocks ‘GlenDronach Single Cask Release Batch 6’

Due soon – GlenDronach have announced there latest single cask release which will be extremely limited

1971 / 41yo PX
1978 / 33yo Oloroso
1989 / 23yo Moscatel
1990 / 22yo PX
1993 / 19yo Oloroso

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

1 July 2012

This month we have a wide ranging selection of six (6) different OLD MALT CASK bottlings – six (6) from PROVENANCE plus one (1) OLD AND RARE – not forgetting two (2) from DIRECTOR’S CUT and two (2) DOUBLE
BARRELs.

Tasting Notes for OLD MALT CASK:

OMC2174 HIGHLAND PARK 15 YEARS
Nose: Sweet & vanilla’d + honey & an interesting camphor style
Palate: Opens fruitily sweet – lightly peated – softly smoked
Finish: When the sweetness fades, gentle peat smoke takes over (J)

OMC2187 IMPERIAL 17 YEARS
Nose: Aromatic with barley + tobacco early & nuts + baking later.
Palate: Dry – warmly spiced – opens to more tobacco, now camphor
Finish: Cough drops + gristy quality + light gentle oakiness (F)

OMC2186 SPEYSIDE SHERRY 20 YEARS
Nose: Syrupy sweet –with orange zestiness – nutty & gristy
Palate: Dark, macerated, spicy fruit + barley – crunched oats/nuts
Finish: Still spicy with soft camphor – grist & sweet liquorice. (F)

OMC2159 LINKWOOD 21 YEARS
Nose: Opens with a sweet, dried fruit character + a malty/woody quality.
Palate: Richly spiced + macerated dried fruit + marzipan & dark chocolate.
Finish: Long – still spiced – now drier carrying a nutty/leathery character. (J)

OMC2165 ROSEBANK 21 YEARS
Nose: Clean, fresh & fragrant – carrying a sweet fruity quality + honey
Palate: Sweet spicy with a Jasmin character + a fresh, lemon zest style
Finish: Long – still fruity + sweet grist then running drier to an oak tang (J)

OMC2189 AULTMORE 30 YEARS
Nose: Sweetly spiced – lightly oaked – home baked (ginger biscuit?) quality
Palate: Toffee’d & spicy + caramel & milk chocolate + sweet coffee
Finish: Long – now drier – with dark chocolate + more oak tang (J)

PROVENANCE Tasting Notes follow:

PRV0810 SPEYBURN SHERRY 7 YEARS
Opens with a fresh, flowery character carrying a sweet home baked style plus honey and vanilla – then ripe fruit and candied lemon appear. The palate is equally sweet, softly spiced with more fruit – now gently fermenting. This all runs to a light but surprisingly long finish with a spicy and crushed sugar style. (J)

PRV0809 BALMENACH 9 YEARS
The nose opens light and fresh and carries a fruity, malty quality. The palate is sugary sweet, still fruity and develops to a gristy character – all this is neatly replicated – sucrose sweet – on the medium long finish plus a late zesty tang (F & J)

PRV0812 JURA 9 YEARS
Blonde – but big and sweet initially on the nose plus later clean, fresh, gristy tones. On the palate – detect sweet barley, vanilla toffee plus light oak, toast and spiced flavours. The finish shows more of the (now lightly burnt?) toast and marmalade plus grist and a real spicy character. (F)

PRV0731 BOWMORE 10 YEARS
The nose opens with a surprisingly creamy vanilla style and runs to a sweet, peated barley quality. The palate carries a well balanced smoky character plus an old fashioned sweet butter style- like slightly burnt shortbread.
The finish is long – sweetly smoked and carries a flamed lemon zestiness. (J)

PRV0777 BRAEVAL SHERRY 12 YEARS
Wonderfully round, full and autumnally fruited as it opens on the nose – then as it warms detect burnt orange zest and warming spices. Palatewise it is massively sweet carrying fruit salad, candy floss and more spice with a long nutmeg – on – fruit – and – creamy-custard finish. (F)

PRV0784 ROYAL LOCHNAGAR 12 YEARS
Opens clean and fresh on the nose carrying a fruity, vanilla’d quality – home baked style. The palate opens light, still fresh and develops to a crushed sugar and orange pith character. The finish is medium long, sweetly spiced and runs to an orange tang. (J)

Tasting Notes follow here for OLD AND RARE

OAR0173 BANFF 36 YEARS
Sweet barley is immediately evident on the nose – and it opens further with honey, fresh cut summer grass – running to subtle aged and toasted, smoking oak. Palatewise there is a mouthcoating sugar tang of sweetness plus a Galliano liqueur style of spiciness with more late honey (Hot Toddy style) and coffee. Beyond replication of those same flavours – on the finish there is a vanilla fudge quality with the soft spices carrying even more interest. (F)

DOUBLE BARREL Tasting Notes:

DBS0036 CAOL ILA/TAMDHU – 1ST RELEASE
Nose: Initially it is sugary – opening to briny, beachy rock pools.
Palate: Oceanic with waves of sweet toffee and dark sugar coffee.
Finish: Spicy – with an interesting mix of hard candy, salt and a maritime style.

DBS0037 TALISKER/CRAIGELLACHIE – 1ST RELEASE
Nose: Opens surprisingly fresh, with burnt orange peel, spicy biscuits (also slightly burnt)
Palate: Fresh & grassy at first – before a sweetly spiced smoke appears
Finish: An apparent wood quality linger, burnt pine with a sweet ashy character

DIRECTOR’S CUT Tasting Notes:

DIR0015 DAILUAINE 40 YEARS
Nose: Rather citric – distinctly vanilla’d – Malty + lightly honied.
Palate: Soft and subtle/sugary and cedar-y/spiced yet subtle.
Finish: More honey apparent + warming spices and trailing smoke. (F)

DIR0013 BEN NEVIS SHERRY 45 YEARS
Nose: Spicy, with a Sherry trifle style and a drier/oaky backdrop.
Palate: Warmly spiced & tingling – heads drier to cloves in oranges.
Finish: A cough drop quality – mentholated! – dry yet warming (F)

With these and others we hope to be of service to you.

Yours faithfully

Fred Laing

www.douglaslaing.com

A note from The Balvenie;

We hope you’ll be as excited as us to hear that Batch 5 of Tun 1401 is nearly here.

Crafted from nine of the rarest and most precious casks from the distillery – 4 sherry butts distilled in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975 and 5 American oak casks from 1966, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1991– this drop is the culmination of years of work. Our Malt Master David Stewart says:

“Working with whiskies of this age is both a delight and a challenge as their individual characteristics are so rich and complex. Five very rare crafts and a long wait have gone into making these vintage whiskies.”

It will surely be worth the wait David. However, in the meantime, why not prepare yourself for its release and take a peek at these tasty tasting notes?

Slainte Mhath

David Mair
The Balvenie Ambassador

THE BALVENIE DISTILLERY COMPANY LIMITED
Registered in Scotland. Registered Number SC138003
Balvenie Maltings, Dufftown, Banffshire, Scotland AB55 4BB
www.thebalvenie.com

Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks, ‘Caol Ila Moch’

A refreshing alternative for a peaty Islay whisky fan. (So says the Joynson)

A cleaner, fresher, sweeter, peaty dram that I certainly will be pouring in the shop for a recommendation. Moch is Gaelic for Dawn that, while quite tenuous, is a good name for this bright dram; imagine dawn after the rain, a flat loch, you just godda get out on the water!

Moch is livelier than the OB standard 12yo Caol Ila, the peat and lemon characters sound an awful combination but is has a delicious charm; there is more malted barley and the peat is light but intense.

A very enjoyable dram, someone compared it with one of the young Ardbegs but I was not a fan of Very Young, I am of the Moch.

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

Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks ‘Benriach Authenticus 25yo’

Fruit fireworks over a fresh peat base line. (So says the Joynson)

A well aged, and so unusual, peated Speyside expression.

Initially the aroma is closed; there is a low rumble of peat and some fruity esters, a little later aniseed and honey.

It’s in the mouth that the fun starts, peat skips from sweet to sour, it’s malty and then *flwoop!* a fruit explosion like no other! This explosion rises further to a greater peak on the swallow, marvellous! The finish is long and peaty (mainland peaty, no maritime notes).

Certainly a different dram, a fascinating weave between peat and fruit and something I have very much enjoyed.

On the Flavour Map square F9, on the Smoky side of Rich & Smoky

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