A Tin to Tell a Story 

Ardbeg’s unique 10 Year Old warehouse tin, first manufactured by IPL Packaging in 2017, this year received a few meaningful exterior embellishments that further emphasise the unique provenance of this peaty single malt

Constructed of metal, the basic structure of the pack with its striking warehouse-shaped design and bold letters emblazoned on the warehouse wall (once a signpost for supply ships headed towards the distillery) remain the same. However, the depiction of the Ardbeg dog and mascot, Shortie, who runs cheerfully around the distillery, as well as an image of one of Ardbeg’s chief characters barrel-rolling, further bring the compelling history of this distinctive Islay landmark to life.

Ardbeg 10 Year Old is considered by some to be the peatiest, smokiest, most complex single malt of them all. It is non chill-filtered and has a strength of 46% abv, thus retaining maximum flavour, at the same time giving more body and added depth. This highly collectible tin can be used for years to come.

www.iplpackaging.com

Canadian distillers fight automatic tax increases:

 NOT On My Tab campaign

Canada’s federal government introduced an automatic, annually escalating excise tax increase on alcohol in its 2017 budget. Then, on January 1st this year, the United States lowered theirs. Canadians already pay among the highest alcohol taxes in the world and now the increasing tax burden on Canadian spirits is seriously eroding Canada’s competitiveness with the US and other international competitors.

Canada’s large and small distillers along with brewers and winemakers are opposing the federal government’s automatic escalation of alcohol excise taxes, as introduced in the 2017 federal budget. Under the terms of the escalation clause, excise taxes increase automatically every April without consultation and without discussion in Parliament. The distillers have launched an information campaign called Not On My Tab (link) to advise Canadians of the taxes they pay, and encourage them to join efforts to have the automatic escalation clause repealed.

It is not that Canada’s beverage alcohol producers oppose taxes. Rather, they believe that by relieving Members of Parliament of their role to review and approve tax rates, the government has short-circuited normal democratic processes. This change makes tax increases automatic without reference to prevailing economic conditions. Currently, those conditions are making Canadian spirits uncompetitive at home and abroad.

Taxes make up a significant portion of the price of alcoholic beverages in Canada, with spirits being taxed the most. Consumers may know they pay high taxes, but often don’t realize that when they buy a bottle of whisky, about 80% of what they pay goes to the government. Canadians pay one of the highest tax rates in the world for the simple pleasure of enjoying a drink with family and friends.

For over two centuries Canadian distillers have proudly turned Canadian grain into world-class whisky and other spirits. Canada’s nearly 200 distillers are an important economic engine for rural communities across the country, and for large and small cities in every province. Yes, whisky is an agricultural product and in Canada, 100% of the grain it is made from comes from Canadian farms.

However, spirit sales are very much price sensitive. So, the federal automatic escalator tax on beer, wine and spirits introduced in the 2017 budget threatens the 8,500 full-time jobs and $5.8 billion contribution to Canada’s annual GDP that distilling provides. With the new escalator tax, prices will increase on April 1^st every year – forever.

The government tried this approach once before. In the early 1980s they introduced a similar escalator tax only to repeal it 5 years later after 11 major distilleries had closed permanently.

Reasonable taxes help support our society. However, excessive taxes harm local business owners and workers particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Most bars and restaurants can’t simply pass along these tax increases to their customers. At the same time, Canadian farmers are facing difficult times. How will reducing demand from some of their best customers help Canadian barley, corn, wheat and rye farmers?

Coincident with the increase in excise duties on Canadian-made spirits, was a historic decrease of excise duties on American spirits. By this April, Canada’s excise rate for spirits will be an astonishing 85% higher than those in the United States, Canada’s largest international competitor. Canada’s tax and regulatory framework is making our distillers uncompetitive internationally, while the United States is busy creating a much more welcoming and efficient regulatory environment in which to do business.

Unfortunately, after years of growth, our international presence is declining and sales are down nearly 6% year-to-date, as companies are forced to throttle back on global promotions and new market development in the face of unreasonable tax burdens at home.

Canadians will always drink spirits, but unless we start to think longer-term, the 1980s will repeat themselves with spirits imported from abroad replacing those made here in Canada.

As a microdistiller in the throes of launching a new distillery told me this week, America is a much more welcoming environment for distillers today. He would like to launch his distillery in Canada, but right now it just makes more business sense to do so in the U.S. Pity.

Canadian Whisky Awards

A record number of entries promises to make this the most hard fought battle since the Canadian Whisky Awards were inaugurated 9 years ago. Watch here in January for results, or join us at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria on Thursday January 17, when the winners will be revealed.For your gift shopIt’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas, especially if you have a visitors’ centre at your distillery. If you would like to sell the book, Canadian Whisky, in your gift shop, drop me a line and I’ll connect you with my publisher’s wholesale department. davindek@gmail.com

Dekanta

2-49-7 Minamiikebukuro Toshima-ku, Tokyo,

Shilton, the man with the drams at St Andrews

The time; 7 p.m (ish). The venue; St Andrews. The date; Thursday 27 September 2018. Who and what?; Paul John Whisky with Shilton Almeida

I was away to St Andrews, roughly 35 minutes from home in Perth, to a tasting night. I have known Paul John Distilleries for quite some time, Michael is the master, Shilton the presenter!!! Not only was this a great night, previously, Michael had sent me whiskies for us to use in our whisky tours and tastings. Later next month (October) we head up to Dornoch for their whisky fest, taking three excellent PJ drams with us.

So the evening was a great taster of things to come – see what I did there?  The hosts – St Andrews Whisky Society affectionately known as the Quaich Society, (or Quaich Soc) – was founded in 1994 and has been introducing drams since. I was invited by Aedan A. Burt, Quaich Soc. President . Loosely attached to the University of St Andrews. ALL proceeds from the event went to aid the work of the charity Water Aid.    WaterAid has teams in 34 countries across the world, working with partners to transform millions of lives every year by improving access to clean water, toilets and hygiene.

‘St Andrews Quaich Society was founded originally by students and attached to the Students Association.  The Society quickly sought the support of Luvians, then only in Cupar, with which we have been affiliated since 1996.  The Society holds regular whisky tastings, hosted by leading Brand Ambassadors, that are open to all.  The Society also soon disaffiliated from the Union due to venue and alcohol policy problems, to truly become a Town and Gown Society – anyone may attend, become a member, or join the Committee at our annual elections – attendance is currently £7 for members and £12 for non-members, with tickets on the door.  Membership is only £15, which includes a free Glencairn glass and a 7.5% discount on whisky purchases at Luvians (St Andrews, Cupar, and soon online).  Membership can be bought at every event.  Through Luvians, we are also affiliated with the charity WaterAid, providing clean water and sanitation in areas without.

I had been invited along by Aedan A. Burt, Quaich Soc. President, to see how they arrange the evenings, I knew it was Shilton and of course I said aye. I arrived late afternoon, parked up and dondered around St Andrews – as you do. Bumped into Jackie from Weymss/Kingsbarns and had a wee chat, she was taking a gin evening also in town. Had an early dinner in the Tailend, a monster fisg appeared on a plate hardly large enough for it, I did manage to make it disappear.  After some window shopping and whisky shop curiosities, I arrived early at the hotel, nice by the way. Sat in the bar, enjoyed two pots of tea and read a book (driving tonight). Whilst gazing about bored, I happened to spot some likely suspects arriving for the set up, I was correct, so went in and said hello, sat down and watched the chaos start. A few Uni guys were pouring 55 drams x 5 bottles out, lined up on a large table, not how we would have done it but ok. Shilton arrived, let him make contact with them before a quick wave hello. Smiling he came over, sat down and we chatted for some time about this, that, people we both knew, Charlie Mac especially and Michael, his boss.

Attendees piled in, paying on the door – it was mostly university people – and all found a seat. After more conversation with Shilton, I sat doon and took stock. Off he went into a great wee staory about himself, I didnee know he was named after goalie Peter Shilton!  Learn something new every day. He drifted into distillery talk, weather in Goa and all things Indian, by the way, Indian Angels get almost 12% share (Bangalore), on to the first dram; Brilliance @ 46%.  I won’t go into every dram but this one is 5 – 6 years old. The oldest cask they have is 8 year old, over two warehouse collections, one above ground and one below – unusual to say the least.

 

More drams followed with great patter from Shilton – he was good. Drams included; Classic @ 55.2%, Edited @ 46%, Bold (peated) 46% and Peated @ 55.5%.. It was around a two hour tasting evening, with drams, chat, questions etc, aye he had also prepared a presentation which was excellent on screen. Paul John Distillery uses two kinds of peat, both Scottish exports, highlands and Islay – think of it as Scottish peat taking a 6 year holiday in Goa then coming back to their birthplace, that’s what was on offer this evening. One or two drams I was hoping for never arrived, sad face here. The Christmas Edition limited run and the fabulous Olorosso finish, och next time. It was really interesting listening about the distillery, how it started and some other drams on offer – ie; Original Choice, especially as we can buy it in Goa at 50p or £1 per carton!!! The evening drew to a close, I had my photos, my good memories of my chats with Shilton and drove to my hotel 6 miles away – I hadnee had an alcoholic drink all day!  But did take some samples away.

So, I said to Aedan, can anyone join your group?  Aye – St Andrews Whisky Society. Find them on facebook.

All told this was an enjoyable event, made better by the people there and the drams tabled. I do have to thank both Michael and Shilton (PJ) for the whisky they supplied for our upcoming tours, a bunch of whisky hungry Swedes for a week, and a whisky fest in Dornoch with Swiss and Indian guests. Shilton and myself agreed to meet up again as soon as we can both make diary space, we would love him to be this relaxed and good, presenting PJ drams to one (or more) of our groups in future. Saving that for another day – see what I did there? Saving, goalie!  Oh well.

Host; St Andrews Whisky Society. Presentation; Shilton Almenia check this. Watching brief and blogger; Paul McLean of http://mcleanscotland.com/

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019 – The Winners

It’s that time again: Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019 is landing imminently and Jim’s picks of the world’s top whiskies are in.

After a few years of controversial choices, with Scotch whisky bouncing in and out of the top three, and Japanese and Canadian whisky making headlines around the world, we’re back to safer ground with the most traditional set of results since 2014.

To grab all the results you can grab your own copy of the bible from our website, but in the meantime…

The winner of Jim Murray’s award for 2019 World Whisky of the Year is:

William Larue Weller 128.2 Proof – Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2017

An old favourite and one of Jim’s top three whiskies in every year but one since 2012. Unfortunately, as is always the case with the whiskies in the yearly Buffalo Trace Antique collection (BTAC), it’s sold out. You can sign up for an email alert in case we do find some more on the William Larue Weller 2017 page.

Second finest whisky in the world: Glen Grant 18 Years Old

A third appearance in the top three for the Glen Grant: second in the Whisky Bible 2017, third in 2018 and now second in the 2019 edition. Not bad for a whisky that hadn’t been officially released when it received its first award. It’s a delicate and complex dram and a worthy entry in the line-up. As of writing we have a few bottles left, but it’s sure to be sold out shortly – you can find out over on our Glen Grant 18 year old page.

Third finest whisky in the world: Thomas H Handy Sazerac 127.2 Proof – Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2017

Another BTAC entry, the Thomas H Handy has long been the geek’s choice in the yearly collection, and it has popped up in Jim’s top list a few times. Again it’s sold out, but you can sign up to get an email if we find more on the Thomas H Handy Sazerac 2017 page.

While full-sized bottles of both the Weller and Handy are sold out, we’ve just had a few more sample packs of the whole of the 2017 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection arrive – you can find them on our website here.

Jim Murray’s Single Cask of the Year: Blanton’s Gold Edition Single Barrel Bourbon

A potentially contentious winner: a bourbon that’s not regularly available in the USA. Blanton’s Gold almost all goes overseas, and a lot of it ends up being sent back to American whiskey lovers. It’s, as the award name suggests, a single-barrel bourbon, with every bottle produced from a single cask, without any mixing with others. Unfortunately, this does mean that it’s unlikely that you’ll get to try the same one as Jim, as we get a mix of different bottlings in every order and can’t guarantee which you’ll get. However, if you do get a bottle of barrel #40 dumped on 3 June 2017 and matured in warehouse H, rick 79 then you’re in luck – that’s the winner.

It’s in stock as I type, but it probably won’t last long – don’t worry, we get it in regularly. You can grab a bottle from our Blanton’s Gold Edition page.

The full list of winners

The Whisky Bible is more than just the top awards, with Jim’s year-long tasteathon throwing out more great drams. Here’s the full list:

2019 World Whisky of the Year
William Larue Weller 128.2 Proof

Second Finest Whisky in the World
Glen Grant Aged 18 Years

Third Finest Whisky in the World
Thomas Handy Sazerac Rye 127.2 Proof

Single Cask of the Year
Blanton’s Gold Edition Single Barrel

SCOTCH

Scotch Whisky of the Year
Glen Grant Aged 18 Year Old

Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Casks)
Glen Grant Aged 18 Year Old

Single Malt of the Year (Single Cask)
The Last Drop Glenrothes 1969 Cask 16207

Scotch Blend of the Year
Ballantine’s 17 Year Old

Scotch Grain of the Year
Berry Bros & Rudd Cambus 26 Years Old

Scotch Vatted Malt of the Year
Collectivum XXVIII

Single Malt Scotch

No Age Statement
Laphroaig Lore

10 Years & Under (Multiple Casks)
Laphroaig 10 Year Old

10 Years & Under (Single Cask)
Berry Bros & Rudd Ardmore 9 Year Old

11-15 Years (Multiple Casks)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old 17th Release Special Releases 2017

11-15 Years (Single Cask)
Cadenhead’s Rum Cask Mortlach 14 Year Old

16-21 Years (Multiple Casks)
Glen Grant Aged 18 Year Old

16-21 Years (Single Cask)
Bowmore 19 Year Old The Feis Ile Collection

22-27 Years (Multiple Casks)
Talisker 25 Year Old Bot.2017

22-27 Years (Single Cask)
Scotch Malt Whisky Society Glen Grant Cask 9.128 24 Year Old

28-34 Years (Multiple Casks)
Convalmore 32 Year Old

28-34 Years (Single Cask)
Gleann Mor Port Ellen Aged 33 Year Old

35-40 Years (Multiple Casks)
Benromach 39 Year Old 1977 Vintage

35-40 Years (Single Cask)
Glenfarclas The Family Casks 1979

41 Years & Over (Multiple Casks)
Tomatin Warehouse 6 Collection 1972

41 Years & Over (Single Cask)
The Last Drop Glenrothes 1969 Cask 16207

BLENDED SCOTCH

No Age Statement (Standard)
Ballantine’s Finest

5-12 Years
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old

13-18 Years
Ballantine’s 17 Year Old

19 – 25 Years
Royal Salute 21 Year Old

26 – 50 Years
Royal Salute 32 Year Old Union of the Crowns

IRISH WHISKEY

Irish Whiskey of the Year
Redbreast Aged 12 Year Cask Strength

Irish Pot Still Whiskey of the Year
Redbreast Aged 12 Year Cask Strength

Irish Single Malt of the Year
Bushmills Distillery Reserve 12 Year Old

Irish Blend of the Year
Bushmills Black Bush

Irish Single Cask of the Year
The Irishman 17 Year Old

AMERICAN WHISKEY

Bourbon of the Year
William Larue Weller 128.2 Proof

Rye of the Year
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac 127.2 Proof

US Micro Whisky of the Year
Garrison Brothers Balmorhea

US Micro Whisky of the Year (Runner Up)
Balcones Peated Texas Single Malt

BOURBON

No Age Statement (Single Barrel)
Blanton’s Gold Edition Single Barrel

No Age Statement (Multiple Barrels)
William Larue Weller 128.2 Proof

Up To 10 Years
Eagle Rare 10 Year Old

11 – 15 Years
Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 Year Old

16 – 20 Years
Abraham Bowman Sweet XVI Bourbon

11 Years & Over
Orphan Barrel Rhetoric 24 Year Old

RYE

No Age Statement
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac 127.2 Proof

Up to 10 Years
Knob Creek Cask Strength

11 Years & Over
Sazerac 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)

CANADIAN WHISKY

Canadian Whisky of the Year
Canadian Club Chronicles: Issue No. 1 Water of Windsor 41 Year Old

JAPANESE WHISKY

Japanese Whisky of the Year
The Hakushu Paul Rusch

EUROPEAN WHISKY

European Whisky of the Year (Multiple)
Nestville Master Blender 8 Years Old Whisky (Slovakia)

European Whisky of the Year (Single)
The Norfolk Farmers Single Grain Whisky (England)

WORLD WHISKIES

Asian Whisky of the Year
Amrut Greedy Angels 8 Year Old (India)

Southern Hemisphere Whisky of the Year
Belgrove Peated Rye (Australia)

GlenDronach 15 Year Old Revival

The return of a legend. New 2018 bottling following a three year absence. Aged in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. On the nose incredible concentration of aromas. Treacle toffee and chocolate orange. A very dynamic and full bodied dram for its age. Chewy with coffee chocolate and treacle scones. Glendronach Malt Whisky Distillery was established north east of Huntley in the Highland whiskey region by James Allardice in 1826. The malting floors at Glendronach Distillery closed in 1996 and it was the last distillery in Scotland to heat its stills directly with flames from a coal-fired furnace, until it had to comply with new regulations in 2005. Glendronach Distillery is resplendent with a traditional cask iron mash tun, wooden washbacks, four stills. Famous for its well-aged and top quality sherried single malt, for example Glendronach 21 Year Old Parliament, and single cask releases. The distillery is now owned by Brown Forman of America.

Buy – GlenDronach 15 Year Old – £59.95

Award Winners!

Our very own Loch Fyne Exclusives have been certified ‘brilliant’ (scoring more than 90) in the latest edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible! While the most important thing to us is our customers’ enjoyment, it’s always nice to have the drams get the recognition they deserve!

Next day UK delivery available
We ship worldwide!

Kilchoman
2006 Single Cask
Loch Fyne Exclusive

SCORE: 93.5

n23.5 a spattering of citrus over peaty embers; t23.5 seriously sweet: the smoke takes a back seat to the sharp, salivating almost lemon sherbet eye-watering buzz on the palate; a big dose of vanilla at the mid-point; f23 the phenols begin to reconfigure, though not before some mocha has turned up; some hickory accompanies the spice; b23.5 high grade malt taking a slightly different course from this distillery’s usual style.

£130 Buy Now
Last bottles remaining!

The Loch Fyne
Bunnahabhain
12 Year Old

SCORE: 92

n23.5 nutty and dry, this is old-fashioned oloroso at its best. The molasses peep through in their roastiest form, for we are now heading into serious Melton Hunting Cake country. And few whiskies can lay claim to that today…; t23.5 magnificent. The delivery is well weighted without becoming remotely stodgy, the fruit growing in intensity without shutting down all the other flavour avenues. Spices enter the fray with a spring in their step and gather intensity without undue haste; f22 a sulphur candle has been waved around briefly in the butt, but much shorter in time than normal. So the resulting buzz is secondary to the fruit; b23 a way above average sherry butt, not something normally associated with Bunna. For a 12-y-o, the delivery and follow-through could hardly be any better. Superb!

£80 Buy Now

Glen Scotia
2005 Single Cask
Loch Fyne Exclusive

SCORE: 91.5

n22.5 a dense smokiness and spice prickle. The odd (in both senses of the word) touch of anthracite and kiwi fruit: not an everyday combination; t23 palate gripping in old-fashioned and delicious GS style as the phenols tear into the taste buds. Thin bodied but fattened by Manuka honey joining the smoke; f23 major complexity now as the peat backs off enough to allow the oak to come through clearly now with chalky vanilla building steadily; b23 a peaty whisky for sure, but so much else happening, too. What entertainment!

£85 Buy Now
Last bottles remaining!

Kilchoman
100% Islay Cask Release
Loch Fyne Exclusive

SCORE: 91

n23.5 vanilla dominant: the peat is relatively shy; t23 smokier on delivery, but the crisp Demerara sugars virtually crackle on the palate; f22 a light smoky farewell; the oak is not performing as you might hope; b22.5 such is the high class of Kilchoman, even an exceptionally good malt on the whisky stage is not quite up to the distillery’s normal performance. Not a bad place to be…

£125 Buy Now