Ralfy gets upset with cosmetic compromise in Ralfy Review 702 – Auchentoshan 12yo @40%vol:(Re-reviewed 2017)

KWM Whisky Advent Day 8 – Gordon Macphail Glentauchers 1996

Glentauchers Distillery was established in 1898, at the height of a major boom in whisky production. There was a surge in distillery openings in the 1890s as global demand for Scotch whisky surged. The distillery was built out of granite by the prominent blender James Buchanan. As with many distilleries built around the turn of the 20^th century, the legendary Charles Doig was the architect.

The distillery’s production surged in the 1960s during the next major whisky boom, when two new pairs of stills were added to the first set. Even though it had been modernized just 20 years earlier, that was not enough to save the distillery from the industry downturn of the 1980s. Glentauchers was mothballed in 1985 and sold off by Diageo in 1989 to one of its competitors Allied Distillers. Allied reopened the distillery in 1992 with an intention of using the whisky in its Ballantine’s blends. Allied became a part of the Chivas Group in 2005.

Bottlings of Glentuachers single malt have been almost non-existent for most of its history, with the exception of the odd independent bottling. The one major exception to this is Gordon Macphail, who have had a long standing relationship with the distillery. Glentaucher’s is one of the many distilleries with which Gordon Macphail has an arrangement to bottle and sell semi-official bottlings, the Distillery Label range. A few Chivas Visitor Center bottlings have been released over the last few years. Early this fall it was announced that Chivas would be releasing Glentauchers 15 Year single malt for the first time, along with Glenburgie and Miltonduff.

About Gordon Macphail’s Distillery Range: “Building and nurturing long-lasting relationships has always been key to curating our collection of single malt whiskies. It’s our relationships from the Sherry bodegas in Jerez, Spain, and the American Oak cooperages in Kentucky – where we source casks of the finest quality – to those who distil the Scottish malt spirit – which we fill into our casks – that has helped shape our foundations and continue to develop the future of Gordon & MacPhail. The result of the mutual support and friendship with some of Scotland’s single malt producers means that Gordon & MacPhail has traditionally matured and bottled whisky from a collection of distilleries, releasing them with a ‘house’ label, unique to each distillery.”

“From the Orkney distillery of Scapa, through to Speyside classics such as Strathisla, Longmorn, and Glen Grant, our ‘Distillery Labels’ series showcases individual producers with whom Gordon & MacPhail has been working, sometimes for over a century. It was these trusted relationships which allowed us to be amongst the first companies to capture examples of the unique styles and individual production from a variety of Scotland’s single malt distilleries, bringing them to the consumer. The ‘Distillery Labels’ range dovetails into the ‘Rare Vintage’ collection, home to our exceptionally rare single malts also featuring the original historic distillery labels.”

Gordon Macphail Glentauchers 1996 – 43% – First Fill Sherry Butts – Bottled 2016 – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: fresh, creamy and very fruity; loads of melon, lemon merengue, lime zest and cream cheese icing; milk chocolate and palines. Palate: still creamy, honeyed and nutty; loads of soft vanilla with a back bone of soft leather and light but nutty sherry; more cream cheese icing with lemon zest, some tart grapefruit and lemon merengue; the melon tones are still there but the citrus and oak are in control. Finish: light and elegant with a good length; creamy and citrusy with floral tones. Comment: sadly this is an Advent Calendar exclusive, there are no bottles to be had; just as well, this is a tempting breakfast dram! – !!SOLD OUT!!

KWM Whisky Advent Day 7 – Millstone Oloroso Sherry

It has been a little over a year now since Millstone hit the market in Alberta, and our customers are lapping up the many different whisky releases we have from the Dutch distiller, which also goes by the name Zuidams. Zuidams is a family owned distillery in Baarle Nassau, The Netherlands. The firm opened its doors in 1974, and for the first 14 years it produced vodka, liqueurs, gin and genever. The latter spirit, genever is the key to the firms progression to making whisky.

Genever, is a spirit with a very long history. In the early days of distillation in Europe, beer made from malted barley was crudely distilled into a spirit. The result was essentially a proto-whisky, but the spirit would have been almost unpalatable. To make it more drinkable herbs were added to alter the flavour. Juniper was also added as it was believed the berries had health benefits. The name Genever, or Jenever, is derived from the Dutch word “jeneverbes” or Juniper Berry.

The origins of Genever go back to at least the 13^th Century, and they are not exclusive to the Netherlands. There is reference to Genever coming from Bruges in the 1200s and Antwerp a couple of centuries later. But most scholars argree that Genever was likely first produced in Flanders, in the Netherlands. By 1606 the industry was sufficiently large for it to attract the attention of the Dutch authorities, who began levying taxes on genever and similar spirits in 1606.

There are two types of Genever, Old and Young. Young or “Jonge” genever is a style that came about around 1900. Modern distilling techniques allowed for the creation of lighter spirits. During the Great War (First World War) there was a shortage of grain and Genever was made from molasses and sugar beets. People started referring to the Old or “Oude” style genever. Some Old Genever is matured in oak barrels, like whisky. It is this style that Millstone is famous for.

In 1988 at the behest of the sons, especially Patrick van Zuidam, the firm started experimenting with whisky making. In 1996 they began laying down casks in earnest. The company produces not just single malt whisky (both peated and unpeated malt), made in the Scottish style, but also 100% rye whisky. We bottled our own cask of Millstone Rye Whisky this year and it has been a hit!

So first and foremost, we know, the whisky is not a 50ml… Apparently Millstone does 40mls instead. We aren’t really sure why. I chalk it up to the Dutch being Dutch. Good folk that they are, sometimes it is best not to ask… besides, we would not have otherwise had this whisky in our Calendar!

Millstone Oloroso Sherry – 46% – No Age Statement – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: thick with chocolate, Kahlua and caramel flavoured Baileys; big notes of liquorice Jujubes, polished new leather and brand new rubber boots. Palate: big, nutty, leathery and earthy; syrupy, juicy dates and more Kahlua; caramel sauce and more cream liqueur tones; the leather and spices build but also some waxy Strawberry Twizzlers; young but layered and rich. Finish: milk chocolate coats the palate along with caramel Baileys and liquorice Jujubes. Comment: this is a malt for those looking to get their sherry on… it is big, proud and unapologetic; very Dutch! – 50mls Available for $12 – 700mls are SOLD OUT in Alberta. Due back in 2018!

Springbank Distillery is delighted to announce that our new Local Barley 10yo is available in the UK today.

The Local Barley 10yo 57.3% ABV is available in the UK now – other markets/countries will vary throughout the weeks ahead. To help you find where you could buy a bottle of the new Local Barley 10yo please visit the “Where to Buy” section of the Springbank website: http://www.springbankwhisky.com/distributors/

Tasting Notes

Nose: The nose on this dram is constantly changing and always exquisite. Pick your favourite dessert: vanilla ice-cream with butterscotch sauce, pecan pie or creme caramel. Custard cream biscuit and chocolate honeycomb are also present. The tasting panel has a sweet tooth.

Palate: The whisky has a lovely delicate floral quality of lemongrass and citrus tea. There’s also the sweetness of almonds and marzipan which is balanced with a hint of peat and ends on a note of luxury, pure smooth velvet.

Finish: You can tell this was matured in a dunnage warehouse, with the soft earthy finish. At the end you can taste salted caramel and the spiciness of freshly baked cinnamon buns drizzled with honey.

Matured in 70% Bourbon and 30% Sherry with approximately 9000 bottles available worldwide.

The Campbeltown Cadenhead shop is selling each bottle for £86.00.

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind you all that the new Kilkerran 8yo cask strength from our sister distillery Mitchell’s Glengyle is available in the UK from today.

It will be available in the Campbeltown Cadenhead shop for £48.00.

For more information please visit the Kilkerran Facebook page.

FESTIVE WHISKY TASTINGS

Fancy making your own blended whisky ? Well, it’s all available at our lovely Whiski shop on the Mound, beside Whiski Rooms. With our own dedicated tasting room, we have a full schedule of fun and exciting whisky tastings – whisky & chocolate anyone?

The BLEND – A Masterclass by Chivas Regal

Wednesday’s  

6th,13th & 20th Dec ’17

Delve into the fascinating world of Scotch whisky and learn about the highly skilled process of making Chivas Regal blended Scotch whisky. Make and take your own blended whisky home to enjoy Two sessions run on Wednesdays:-  3-4PM and 6-7PM. £19.95 pp, Book Now on 0131-225-1532 or online here

Introduction to Whisky & Tasting
Daily Tastings

For newcomers and enthusiasts alike, this is a fun introduction to whisky, highlighting the regional styles and variances available from Scotland. See our schedule here and book online or call us. £25pp Book your tasting with our shop now on 0131-225-1532

WHISKY & CHOCOLATE TASTING

What a delicious combination – 4 delighful whiskies paired with 4 artisan chocolates sourced from our local chocolatier. £30 pp. See our schedule here and book online or call us on 0131-225-1532.

WHISKI SHOP

4 NORTH BANK STREET EDINBURGH. EH1 2LP  T: 0131-225-1532 W: www.whiskishop.com

WHISKI ROOMS 4-7

NORTH BANK STREET EDINBURGH,EH1 2LP T: 0131-225-7224 W: www.whiskirooms.co.uk

WHISKI BAR & Restaurant

119 HIGH STREET EDINBURGH, EH1 1SG T: 0131-556-3095 W: www.whiskibar.co.uk

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare

A limited edition blend of the iconic Johnnie Walker Blue Label using single malt from the now silent Brora distillery, presented at the higher strength of 46% abv. Created by Master Blender Jim Beveridge and released in limited quantities worldwide, this blended Scotch is the first in the Ghost & Rare series from Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

£209.99 Order Now

Price Drop – Save £10 Orders will be dispatched week beginning 4th December

KWM Whisky Advent 2017 – Hyde 1938 No. 6 President’s Reserve

For the second straight year we have an offering from up and coming Irish Whiskey producer Hyde. Hyde is among the wave of new Irish distilleries that have opened up in the last few years. Most of them do not yet have stocks of mature whisky, so they are releasing whiskies produced under license. Last year we featured the Hyde Sherry Finish Single Malt on Day 9. This year we have the Hyde 1938 No.6 President’s Reserve Irish Whiskey, named for Ireland’s first Prime Minister Douglas Ross Hyde. Bottled at 46% the whiskey is composed of 8 year old single grain and much older single malt. The whisky has been married and finished in Oloroso sherry. Blended whiskey is composed of both malt and grain whiskey.

Single grain whiskey is a style of whiskey with roots in both Ireland and Scotland. Irishmen Sir Anthony Perrier introduced the first continuous still at Spring Lane Distillery, Cork in 1822. Just a few years later Scotsman Robert Stein, inspired by the “continuous still”, improved on the design by the addition of partitions in the column. His “patent still” was installed at Cameronbridge Distillery in Fife, but it failed to take hold. It didn’t go unnoticed however, an Irish Exciseman, Aeneas Coffey took the design and added a couple of pipes allowing the spirit to recirculate. The result was a lighter, cleaner distillate, that didn’t require multiple distillations.

The Coffey Still was a hit and embraced all over the world. The still was adopted by distilleries all over Europe and America. It was especially well received in Scotland and England for whisky and gin respectively. Curiously, the only country that didn’t adopt it with open arms was Ireland. Irish distillers felt the still produced bland, tasteless, inferior whiskey. Ironically the failure of the Irish to adopt the Coffey Still and other similar still types is one of the reasons cited for the decline of the Irish whiskey industry by the early 1900s.

About the Hyde Family: (In their own words) “The Hyde family have a long tradition of being involved in the Irish drinks business. From 1640 until 1962 the family ran a tavern located just outside the picturesque town of Bandon in West Cork. The Hydes sold traditional Irish Whiskey and draught stout straight from wooden casks, tapped by hand with a mallet and brass tap. The drink business runs through twelve generations of the Hyde family tree. At one stage in 1916, their grandfather, granduncle and grandaunt were all publicans in Bandon. Today, Alan and Conor Hyde are the first generation not to own a tavern, but they continue the family tradition by producing some of Ireland’s finest whiskey.”

About Hyde 1938 Whiskey: (In Their Own Words) “The Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey is a premium blend between 18 year old single malt whiskey and 8 year single grain whiskey, matured in Bourbon Barrels and finished for 9 months in Oloroso Sherry Casks and limited to just 5,000 bottles. The label commemorates the inauguration of Ireland’s first President ‘ Douglas Hyde ‘ in 1938.”

Hyde 1938 No. 6 President’s Reserve – 46% – 8 Year – Married 9 Months in Oloroso Sherry – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: hard toffee, caramilk, toasted marshmallow and lightly salted Marcona almonds; Weetabix, All Bran with milk and berries and a side of fresh squeezed oranges. Palate: creamy, floral and grainy: notes of dusty winter wheat and caramel corn; warming and spicy; more fresh squeezed orange juice with honeydew and cantaloupes; at first it is a little warming, evolving into assorted Jujubes. Finish: the finish is light, clean and short; the floral notes and Jujubes fade away quickly leaving vanilla and warming oak tones. Comment: this is a light, silky and pleasant dram.” – $90 for 700ml and $12 for 50ml

https://youtu.be/NCmB-B4xbAc 

Different location this week, but the different and new whiskies are still coming! Jack Daniels Rye! For the first time in 76 years, JD have switched up their recipe to now include a rye whisky. Having a very potent 70% Rye content, it dwarfs its cousin, Woodford Rye, which is only running at 53% rye content, but what works for Woodford won’t work for Jack and vice versa. It’s a genuinely wonderful value for money bottle, which is very important for this time of year. £25-£30 a bottle and bottle at 45%ABV – fair play JD, this is a new easy drinker that i’ll be adding to my shelf. Cheers

New Bottle Your Own Cask – the perfect Christmas Gift?

The Famous Grouse Experience has announced that its latest limited edition Bottle Your Own Cask is to be named after one of its famous feline residents: Glen. The Bottle Your Own series is hand-picked as an exceptional cask from the Glenturret Distillery. These are extremely collectable editions and the bottles from these hand selected casks are only available to purchase at The Glenturret Distillery Shop.

Read the full story here

Christmas Whisky Hampers

Our distillery shop is full of gifts for the festive season. Why not come along and browse our unique selection of Festive Hampers in store now? The Famous Festive Hamper comes with an assortment of Famous Grouse goodies including a personalised Famous Grouse bottle with your own choice of message. Our Glenturret Hamper is also available plus customers can make up their own hampers from a wide selection of gifts from our Famous Shop.

Tasting Experience

If you are looking for something to do this Festive Season why not visit the distillery and enjoy one of our Tasting Experiences? After a tour of our hand crafted distillery, where we will take you through the traditional art of making our Glenturret single malt whisky you can choose between our Famous and Finest whisky tastings. These bespoke tours offer a unique insight into the wonderful world of Scotch whisky and will be sure to delight you this festive season with a few warming drams! You can book your tour here