The keenly awaited Alligator Ardbeg release has arrived at Nickolls and Perks Wines & Spirits Merchants. A scaled down price of £55 gets you a bottle of the Islay-gator if you happen to be one of the first 12 people to call us for it!
Call 01384 394518.
NEWS : You will find Ardbeg Alligator at the Midlands Whisky Festival LVMH stand on Saturday 24th September. www.whiskyfest.co.uk
BenRiach’s Rare 1978 Firkin Cask yields just forty sublime bottles.
Speyside’s BenRiach Distillery has announced its most exclusive bottling ever, the BenRiach 1978 Firkin Cask.
Only forty bottles of this exquisite 32 year old single malt will be available, making this an ultra-rare BenRiach expression.
The bottling follows the discovery of an unusual “Firkin” cask at the Elgin distillery.
BenRiach’s Managing Director Billy Walker takes up the story: “It’s always exciting to discover exceptionally rare and unique casks in our warehouses, and BenRiach has more than its fair share!
“Upon unearthing this Firkin, we knew we had found something truly extraordinary and sublime which will delight even the most demanding of BenRiach whisky aficionados.”
Mr Walker explained Firkin casks were traditionally used for the maturation of fine ale and the name is derived from the Middle Dutch word “vierdekijn”, meaning ‘fourth’ – in other words, a quarter of a full-size barrel.
“Because a Firkin’s size is smaller than that of a standard barrel, there’s a greater surface to liquid ratio when the spirit undergoes maturation, and this imparts a more intense, fuller flavour,” he added.
“This cask, number 6337, is one of the only two Firkins in our possession. Distilled and filled to cask on June 26, 1978, and bottled at 40.1% earlier this year, the style of the whisky is classic Speyside. Due to the size of the cask, and the age of the whisky, it has generated only forty bottles, so it’s bound to become a much sought-after collector’s item.”
The packaging has been designed to reflect the super-premium nature of the whisky, with the bottle silk-screened and the closure sealed via a wax dip, all of which is housed in a beautiful hand-crafted wooden box.
The forty bottles will be available from September 2011.
Mr Walker’s tasting notes indicate just how special this 1978 single cask bottling is, see below.
BenRiach 1978 Firkin Cask Tasting Notes
——————————————————————————–
Producer’s Tasting Notes:
Colour: Clear and bright. Light gold.
Nose: Fresh summer fruit aromas are accompanied by bold floral notes, in particular daffodils and freshly cut rosehips. Honey and subtle oak add to a tremendously complex whisky.
Palate: Full, complex and long. Incredibly well-developed with smooth, creamy vanilla married with a delicate yet clearly-defined fruit base. Apricots, peaches and nectarines drizzled with honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
The packaging has been designed to reflect the super-premium nature of the whisky, with the bottle silk-screened and the closure sealed via a wax dip, all of which is housed in a beautiful hand-crafted wooden box.
The forty bottles will be available from September.
Dear Customer
We have six (6) new PROVENANCE bottlings this month, whose Tasting Notes follow –
PRV 0690 Ardmore 7 Year Old
Distinctly and sweetly peated on the nose …. detect also some damp hay and oak. On the palate there is an early “tang” – plus a peat hit, rather sweet with a bonfire aspect, beyond its barley and pepperiness. That is pretty much replicated on the finish. (F)
PRV 0721 Bunnahabhain 9 Year Old Sherry
The nose opens with a sweetly spiced quality and develops to a rich, dried fruit trait. Still warmingly spiced, the palate carries a mouth coating chocolate character with macerated fruit. The finish is long and remains sweet, with a lingering spiciness. (J)
PRV 0722 Laphroaig 10 Year Old
Opens with a sweet and buttery quality, like freshly baked biscuits and run to an attractive smokey character. Initially sweet and still biscuity (now burnt), the palate quickly runs to a rich sooty quality. The finish is long, with a lingering salty liquorice and soft tar trait. (J)
PRV 0730 Braeval 11 Year Old
The nose is reminiscent of opening a box of chocolates with toffee and sweet coconut throughout. The palate is sweet and warmingly spicy with more chocolate and now even some caramel creams. The finish is long, spicy and neatly replicates the nose and palate. (J)
PRV 0686 Tormore 11 Year Old
Lightly toffee’d, citric, and even honied on the nose – particularly as it warms. Palatewise, detect that same vanilla chewy toffee style plus some dark runny honey, all neatly replicated on the finish plus spices – but distinctly warming – spices. (F)
PRV 0715 Ben Nevis 12 Year Old
Opens fresh and sweet on the nose – running to an alcoholic fruit salad style – plus a home baked biscuit quality. The palate is full and round, sweetly spiced, still fruity, carrying a grist and honey style. The finish is long, with an attractive butterscotch character running to a toffee sponge finale. (J)
Hopefully all these releases will be useful for you to consider. We hope so and are at your service!
Yours sincerely
Fred Laing
Visit Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd. at www.douglaslaing.com
Available for Pre-Order! Ardbeg Alligator
£60.00
Introductory Offer Price
Delivery to addresses within to mainland UK will be charged at £9.95, delivery elsewhere will be charged at cost.
To place an order please visit www.milroys.co.uk, call Lee on 020 7437 2385 or email Lee.Tomlinson@milroys.co.uk
Our mailing address is:
Milroys
3 Greek Street
London, Eng W1D 4NX
Ardbeg Alligator Coming Soon… Limited Stock arriving 5th of September!
This wild, untamed release has been matured in new, heavily charred casks of air-seasoned American white oak, imparting additional smoky, spicy, barbecue flavours. Ardbeg Alligator. Charge your glass… Follow the link to see the Ardbeg Alligator video @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yyJb9zZduQ
LONG NOSE – Warning signs of cumin and barbecue sauce.
BIG TASTE – Hot and spicy flavours grip you, ginger and chocolate thrash.
FINISH YOU OFF – Slow and long mocha espresso while cigar smoke ebbs
September Outturn: A Summer Songbird
Summer isn’t over until our songbird has sung, and this September Outturn carries a perfect-pitch note. Spread your wings and fly with TEN harmonious single casks
35.53 Old Jazz Bar
Speyside Lossie
£76.60 inc. free p&p
Mellow nose with Calvados, baked banana and apple crumble with caramel, almonds and ground nutmeg on top, consumed in an old jazz bar with polished brass and leather straps
29.100 A league of its own
Islay
£50.70 inc free p&p
Wet peat, raw oysters, almond oil, smoked mussels, crispy duck, heather smoke, hot diesel engine, earthy dunnage floors and a whiff of perfumed new make made a diverse first nose
EXPLORE our September Recommendations:
PAIR OFFER: Buy 23.69 & 7.67 for only £91.30 (save £10)
23.69 Dusty muesli and green bananas
7.67 Breakfast dram
TRIO OFFER: Buy 125.46, 9.61 & 30.66 for £148.70 (save £15)
125.46 Bright and vivacious
9.61 A hot summer’s day among the gorse
30.66 Muscovado, Macadamia and Manuka
CASE: Take the Sept PAIR, TRIO and ADD 76.81 for £271.50 (save £30) 76.81 Vanilla malt shake
Browse all bottlings (45 single casks online)
Society Tastings & Events (51 Society tastings online)
New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Sat 3 Sept
New Outturn Tasting – The Vaults, Sun 4 Sept
Free Live Music – The Vaults, Sun 4 Sept
Steak & Whisky Tasting – London, Mon 5 Sept
New Members Tasting – London, Thu 15 Sept
Rum Tasting – The Vaults, Fri 16 Sept
All about smoke – Queen Street, Tue 20 Sept
Colin Dunn’s Society Choice – London, Thu 22 Sept
Steak & Chips Tasting – The Vaults, Sat 24 Sept
From Leith to Bavaria – The Vaults, from Mon 26 Sept
New Outturn for the Cheese Lover – Queen Street, Tue 27 Sept
New Outturn for the Meat Lover – Queen Street, Wed 28 Sept
All things Bavarian – The Vaults, Wed 28 Sept
October Outturn Preview Tastings
Your chance to taste and explore October’s Outturn (FIVE drams!) with a spot of supper.
Guildford – Manor House Hotel, Thu 29 Sept
Dunfermline – Garvock House Hotel, Thu 29 Sept
Brighton – Hotel du Vin, Fri 30 Sept
Manchester – Malmaison, Fri 30 Sept
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.
Loch Fyne Whiskies Has Stocked A New Item, ‘Port Dundas 1973 38yo DT’
Grain whisky matured in a Sherry cask
Distilled January 1973
Bottled June 2011
Limited to 303 bottles from cask 128322
A Duncan Taylor independent single cask strength bottling.
Port Dundas 1973 38yo (Duncan Taylor)
54.3% abv
£89.90 inc vat
£74.92 ex vat
Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk
1975 Banff K&L Exclusive 35 Year Old Duncan Taylor Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($224.99) Getting to roam the warehouses of the Scottish Highlands, in search of forgotten treasures, was an experience that David OG and I will never forget. Finding a hidden barrel from one of Scotland’s most undervalued and unknown mothballed distilleries was just icing on the cake. Banff was a Highland institution that was dismantled and demolished back in 1983. Destined to become the next Brora or Port Ellen, malt enthusiasts are only now beginning to understand just what exactly we’ve been missing. A good Banff whisky will usually exhibit some strong grainy notes, bright stone fruits, and a kick of vanilla on the finish. The 35 year old single cask we found at the Duncan Taylor estate is the best Banff we’ve ever had the chance to taste. The initial flavors are saline and subtle (think Clynelish at its best) before transitioning into a mouthful of vanilla cream with cereal grain and white peach accents. The finish is ultra-delicate, almost transcendent in its grace, and at 45.2% there’s no need to water it down. Just sit back, pour, and enjoy one of the finest barrels we were lucky enough to stumble across. Banff is gone and it will never produce any whisky again which adds to the collectability of the bottle, but you’ll want to drink every drop of this, trust us. Along with the Ladyburn, this was one of the top whiskies from our trip, hands down. -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer
Four Roses K&L Single Barrel OESQ Cask Strength Kentucky Bourbon 750ml ($59.99) We’re back to the OESQ formula again, 70% corn and the same yeast strain as our first Four Roses barrel. This time around, however, the banana is more subdued (yet, still present) and the bold spices come alive. The nose is glorious – an undulating wave of carmelized vanilla, cinnamon, and, when a few drops of water are added, some sweet banana. Water makes all the difference to the palate as well. You would think that water would open up the fruits, but instead it brings out the wood. The toasty oak flavors are brimming already at cask strength, but those extra drops of water cause them to overflow and permeate the entirety of what’s left. I can’t decide if I like it more at cask strength or proofed down a bit. Either way, it’s a beautiful whiskey, worthy of any bourbon lover’s time. It finishes with a lovely hint of baking spices with dark red fruits. -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer
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
BENRIACH AND GLENDRONACH RELEASE NEW BATCHES OF SINGLE CASK BOTTLINGS
AS SUMMER slips away, the thought of long autumn and winter nights becomes slightly more bearable thanks to BenRiach and GlenDronach issuing new batches of limited release single cask bottlings.
As with previous batches, each vintage is hand-numbered and bottled at cask strength, at natural colour and non-chill-filtered.
The new BenRiach batch boasts twelve special bottlings ranging from 18 to 40 year-old – including a monster 1976 Classic Speyside at 57.8% proof which on the nose offers “a wave of stewed plums, damsons and sweet sultanas interwoven with fine leather and well-toasted oak”!
Meanwhile, over at GlenDronach, the six bottlings range from 17 to 40 year-old, and they include a superlative 1994 from an Oloroso Butt at 60.1% proof which on the palate gives “liquorice, aniseed and toasted hazelnuts developing around a foundation of chocolate orange sauce and rich old Oloroso sherry”.
Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “BenRiach’s uniqueness is found in the diversity of our whiskies. Our warehouses boast a stunning array of ages and styles, and when we select the casks to be bottled as single casks, not only are we looking for excellent quality but also to offer the consumers some variety. Batch 8 alone covers the Classic Speyside style, various finishes (including less traditional finishes such as Sauternes, Barolo and virgin American oak), and of course a couple of peated, smoky BenRiachs.”
The twelve BenRiach bottlings are:
1971, July 2011, 40YO, cask 1947, Hogshead, Classic Speyside
1972, July 2011, 39YO, cask 802, Hogshead, Classic Speyside
1976, July 2011, 34YO, cask 6942, Butt, Classic Speyside
1977, July 2011, 34YO, cask 1034, Pedro Ximinez Hogshead, PX Sherry Finish
1978, July 2011, 32YO, cask 4387, Virgin Oak Hogshead, Virgin American Oak Finish
1979, July 2011, 31YO, cask 11195, Bourbon Barrel, Peated
1980, July 2011, 31YO, cask 2531, Virgin Oak Barrel, Virgin American Oak Finish
1984, July 2011, 26YO, cask 7193, Virgin Oak Hogshead, Peated / Virgin American Oak Finish
1989, July 2011, 22YO, cask 4813, Sauternes Hogshead, Sauternes Finish
1989, July 2011, 22YO, cask 5620, Virgin Oak Hogshead, Virgin American Oak Finish
1992, July 2011, 19YO, cask 972, Tawny Port Hogshead, Tawny Port Finish
1993, July 2011, 18YO, cask 7415, Barolo Hogshead, Barolo Finish
The GlenDronach Distillery is famous for producing richly sherried single malts. The range of fruit flavours in this latest bottling is exceptional – from brambles and raspberries, citrus notes of mandarins and clementines to nuts, chocolate and dried Mediterranean fruits such as figs, dates and sweet raisins.
Alistair picked out the 1972 which exemplifies the classic GlenDronach taste.
“From an Oloroso butt, it’s a big and full-bodied 39YO. As you would expect from such a mature malt, it’s incredibly concentrated and packed with sweet, fruity flavours. Delicious, and the perfect antidote to cold winter nights.”
The six GlenDronach bottlings are:
1971, July 2011, 40YO, cask 1436, Pedro Ximinez Sherry Puncheon
1972, July 2011, 39YO, cask 712, Oloroso Sherry Butt
1989, July 2011, 21YO, cask 2917, Pedro Ximinez Sherry Puncheon
1990, July 2011, 20YO, cask 1032, Pedro Ximinez Sherry Puncheon
1992, July 2011, 19YO, cask 161, Oloroso Sherry Butt
1994, July 2011, 17YO, cask 97, Oloroso Sherry Butt
BenRiach, and more recently GlenDronach, have become known for their annual ‘batch release’ of single cask whiskies, and these bottlings have gathered quite a following around the world. Alistair commented:
“We have a cult following for our single casks, and these releases sell out very quickly. It’s an important part of what we do, and being a relatively small independent enables us to engage with these small production runs.”
The eighteen releases follow hard on the heels of the company’s success at last month’s IWSC awards. The BenRiach 12 year-old sherry-matured won the Single Malt Scotch whisky (15 years and under) Trophy, the Single Malt Scotch whisky (Special Edition) Trophy and the Gold Medal / Best in Class (category – Scotch whisky, Single Malt, Speyside, Cask Finish, 12 – 13YO)
In total, BenRiach collected an impressive nine IWSC awards this year.
All in all – the most updated whisky book on the market! Publication date; 1 October 2011 Number of pages; 300 ISBN 978-0-9552607-8-0 Recommended retail price in UK; £13.95
