Ralfy examines means, motive and opportunity with Ralfy Review 624 – Fake Whiskies in 2017

Our picks for Valentine’s Day!
XO, The Park Ave Liquor Shop

Will you accept this Rosé? Sure we have rosé and other bubbly bottles for Valentine’s Day but…It’s time to think outside the box of chocolates and get your honey-bunny something that says, ‘I didn’t just call the florist again.’In this email are some selections that we (emoji with hearts for eyes).  If you don’t like what you see ~ We’re happy to play matchmaker and find something that will have your loved-one (and you) sipping happily ever after.  And if you don’t have a Valentine – come on over for some chalky tasting candy hearts. Besides! We’re also having a Bourbon tasting with the new kids on the still…”Brooklyn Small Batch” Contact us with any questions. We love you…like a friend…but a really good friend.

Cheers!
Jonathan, Eric & Marlon
The Park Avenue Liquor Shop
270 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212-685-2442
jonathan@parkaveliquor.com
eric@parkaveliquor.com
whiskyconn@gmail.com
www.parkaveliquor.com

Compass Box:
Flaming Heart ~ 15th Anniversary

“First released in 2006, Flaming Heart was the first whisky to combine the rich, complex spice of Scotch aged in new French oak with the evocative peat-fired smoke of Islay malt. It was a genre-defying style from Compass Box. The anniversary release is a huge, layered, long-lasting mouthful of a whisky to enjoy late into the night. Brooding, indulgent and older than ever before, this is a whisky born of oak, smoke and fire – with a big heart all of its own.”  Flavor Descriptors:  “A unique interplay between spice, sweet and smoke characteristics. Sweet fruits and wood-smoke on the nose. Fat and full-bodied on the palate with a spicy sweetness and a brooding complexity that is rich, sweet and addictively decadent.”  Price $150/Btl – Only 12 left – Contact the store for availability.

FEW Spirits:
Flaming Lips – “Brainville” Rye

From Flaming Hearts to Flaming Lips 🙂  This Rye is a custom blend born from a collaboration between rock legends the Flaming Lips and FEW distillery (Evanston, IL). What we know about this 5,000 bottle limited edition is that it has a mash bill containing rye, corn and barley that was aged in custom barrels where it aged while listening to Flaming Lips albums. (true story).  The label was created by Justin Helton of Status Serigraph, who has designed materials for Phish, My Morning Jacket, Ween, and The Black Keys.  “Whiskey … it’s such a volatile drink. Upon pouring a drink it’s like accepting that you may become a werewolf … And really … Who doesn’t want to become a werewolf ???”  ~ Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips.  Price: $112/Btl

Park Avenue Liquor Shop ~ Exclusive
Woodford Reserve: Distiller’s Select

Here’s a gift that says, ‘Let’s be exclusive’.  The Park Avenue Liquor Shop is proud to be selected as the exclusive retailer in NYC to offer this very unique small batch bourbon. This particular Woodford bottling honors its Master Distiller, Chris Morris’ entry into the Whiskey Magazine Hall of Fame. This limited edition has been limited to just 162 bottles.  Distillery Notes: “This unique barrel of Woodford Personal Selection Bourbon is Sweet, Nutty and Malty; soft and smooth with notes of Oak, mild chocolate, pecans and light touch of toasted coconut.”  Mash bill and 72% Corn/ 18% Rye / 10% barley.  Price: $75 ~ Liter Bottle

Johnnie Walker: Blender’s Batch
“A Limited Edition Experiment”

For the Valentine that ‘has everything’…  Johnnie Walker “Blender’s Batch” is brand new to the market. It’s a blend of 3 grain whiskies from storied distilleries including the now shuttered Port Dundas and select iconic Malts including Mortlach and Cardhu. The Scotch has been aged 10 years in American oak – creating a smooth whisky with sweet, creamy notes of fresh fruit and a gentle, spicy smoke.  Price: $34/btl

Highland Park: “Fire” Edition

“Highland Park FIRE Edition is a special release 15 year old single malt which has been matured in 100% refill Port wine seasoned casks – a first for Highland Park. This follows the release of ICE Edition and completes the two-part series of special edition bottlings which celebrate some of the myths and legends from the Viking age.”  Tasting Notes: Natural in color, the vibrant and intense aromas of ruby red fruits and warm vanilla complement the fiery bitter sweetness of cinnamon bark and the richness of devilishly dark chocolate.  Price: $370/btl ~ Limited amount available – please contact the store.

Due to ever-changing inventory we cannot guarantee bottle availability. We are not responsible for any typographical errors or the phrase, ‘It’s not you~ it’s me”.  Please contact the store with any questions whether they be Wine, Spirits or Love related.

  The Park Avenue Liquor Shop | 212-685-2442 | 212-689-6247 | parkaveliquor.com

VALENTINE’S DAY WHISKY GUIDE

There are lots of reasons why whisky makes the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. It’s a spirit to be enjoyed in good company, it’s also a very personal gift to both give and receive. Picking a whisky that is to your loved one’s taste can be tricky but getting it right will melt their heart.

Whether you’re looking for a gift or a wonderful whisky to simply share, we’re here to help. Browse over our Valentine’s Day whisky suggestions or read our gift guide on our blog »

At our Members’ Rooms in Leith, Edinburgh and London, enjoy a 20% saving on all bottles over £75.00.   

From Friday 10 – Tuesday 14 February.  Ask at the bar for more details

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 here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

No age statement, the arguments go on.

NAS whiskies, so many of our whisky tour guests ask me on NAS and what it means? I thought to scribble doon some of my thoughts on this subject. NAS bottles I have tried … Talisker Skye is the third NAS Talisker in the same amount of years, after the Storm and Port Ruighe, all good (in my opinion), but is this a departure from age statement by them? By no means the only character in the Diageo stable doing this (Talisker distillery founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskil at Carbost. Port Ruighe is Talisker’s 2nd release bottled without an age statement (after Storm). Port Ruighe (pron. Portree), was finished in Port casks after an initial ageing process in refill American and European casks. The maturation in Port casks gave it sweeter flavour blending nicely with the peat/ smoke). Macallan, the third-largest single malt brand in the world is one of the leading brands behind NAS bottles. Macallan’s 1824 Series ended the 10, 12 and 15yo with “named” replacements. Is this a case of where Macallan go others follow? (Macallan’s 1824 series might have you thinking an old malt. Ah but hold on – the colour is the key here. Gold and Amber to the expensive Sienna and Ruby, rely on different ages and differing shades of caramel. Oh no, caramel!) The Glenlivet 12yo is to be replaced in the UK and Germany by Founder’s Reserve, a NAS. Arran have both NAS and age-statement whiskies. Aberlour A’Bunadh one of my own favourites, has been available as NAS since 1998 without complaints, in fact people seem to love it to death. J&G Grant (Glenfarclas) have one NAE. Just a quick selection of NAS from memory, there are many more out there, Tullibardine do a great NAS bottle (it’s a 12 year old by the way) Murray. If you’re spending £50 or so on a single malt, you want to know what’s inside the bottle, what use the well designed artwork/name on the label?   Or, like me (most of the time) trust the distillery, or maybe try before you buy.

Some distillers had to take 30/40 year-olds from the market for years until they recouped their stocks. There is no doubt in my mind that aged stocks have reduced over the years following the “cashflow”. I am reliably told, stocks of malt older than 11 years have been in decline by an average of 6% per annum since 2011. It is increasingly difficult to guarantee a supply of aged stock. Impossible? Then again, blended malts (90% plus) of single malts go into “blends”, Almost 80% of Scotch whisky sold around the globe does not have an age statement.’

Age isn’t everything and there are some grand young whiskies hiding out there. But what annoys me, are brands that are bringing out NAS whiskies, that are obviously younger than the whiskies they’re replacing, yet cost 50% more expensive (no names mentioned but they know who they are). The taste of a whisky matters more than its age to me. Age is only important as an indicator of the quality of the whisky. Some very old drams I have tasted were to be honest, a let down, are these older bottles aimed at show offs and collectors?   I have tried some 15 – 25 yo drams that I would say were terrible. Good whisky is possible without an age statement.

IF YOU LIKE IT, DRINK IT, NO MATTER WHAT AGE. Unsure? Well – do a blind tasting, pick out what you like, then discover – blend, single malt, NAS or aged, forget Bible Man, do the Charlie Maclean method, his books give you all you need to know, eh Charlie? He told me in an interview with him Charlie Maclean (Our whisky club Patron); his tipple of choice is a Johnnie Walker Black Label – a true icon, recognised as a benchmark for deluxe blends (what do you think?). Created using whiskies aged for a minimum of 12 years from all over Scotland, Johnnie Walker Black Label has a smooth, deep, complex character. This DOES have an age statement. My own dram in my local pub Christies, Perth, is a Bushmills Black Bush; This Irish Whiskey combines a high amount of malt whiskey matured in Oloroso Sherry casks, with a sweet, batch-distilled grain whiskey. ‘Bush has rich, fruity notes and a deep intense character, balanced by an incredibly smoothness. I happen to drink it neat and aye, it’s a NAS. Two Maclean’s two different tastes, two side of this argument. But then again, isn’t this what drinking whisky is all aboot?

Paul Mclean of MCLEANSCOTLAND

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 154: Vote Mark for Whisky Ambassador Belgium 2017

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whisky blogger, wants your vote! That’s right, he needs your help. He has just been nominated for Whisky Ambassador for Belgium 2017 at the Belgian Whisky Awards. So please be so kind as to visit http://whiskyawards.be/ and cast your vote. You will find that you need to go through only 4 screens – very easy – and vote for four categories, including Whisky Ambassador. Check out this video to find out how to do just that and let’s get Mark that much coveted title! Much appreciated!

New Cadenhead’s

40 new bottlings from Scotland’s oldest independent whisky bottler including Glen Grant 31 Year Old, Tomintoul 30 Year Old, Invergordon 43 Year Old plus Glen Ord, Arran and Glenrothes – there is something for everyone!

SHOP CADENHEAD’S NOW >

Anti-Valentine’s cocktails – don’t think pink

Not everyone likes sweet, pink and fizzy. Hallmark certainly isn’t my idea of a romantic sentiment, and it’s OK if it’s not yours, either. But it does make Valentine’s Day a tricky one to celebrate if you have someone in your life who genuinely prefers you to all other human beings they’ve met and yet you don’t want to drink Strawberry Bellinis or sit in a bar draped in love hearts. I will be especially avoiding waiters with cupid wings this year as well.

So, whether you’re staying at home and fancy yourself as a bit of a bartender or beelining for a bar that isn’t making anything pink and sparkling, here are some classic cocktails to know and order (or make) which won’t make you groan, cringe or run a mile from.

Diamondback

The Diamondback combines rye whiskey, apple brandy and Yellow Chartreuse

Less ring bling, more Luke Cage ferocity. This spicy, rich cocktail combines rye whiskey, apple brandy and Yellow Chartreuse to make a Manhattan-style drink which is perfect for an after-dinner tipple.

Make it at home: 60ml rye whiskey 15ml apple brandy 15ml Yellow Chartreuse

Penicillin

Smoky, spicy and sharp – everything a Hallmark card isn’t. The Penicillin is one of a bare handful of drinks considered a modern classic, and is credited with introducing peated whisky to the cocktail canon. Combining ginger syrup, peated Scotch, lemon juice and honey, it’s stunningly delicious and completely different from anything you’ll have tried.

Make it at home: 40ml blended Scotch whisky 10ml peated Scotch whisky 20ml lemon juice 10ml honey syrup 10ml ginger syrup

Jane Ryan is editor of DrinkUp.London – a daily-changing website showcasing the very best of the capital’s drinks scene.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 153: Arran 20 Year Old 1996 for MMM

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a 20 years old Arran that he bottled himself with his pal. MMM has just released their 5^th bottling: an Arran 20 Year Old 1996 at cask strength, a whopping 54,1%. This is one of the first Arran 20 years old ever released and Mark & Manny are very proud of that fact. ‘And wouldn’t you know? It’s a beauty – if I say so myself.’

https://youtu.be/0cWD38uBFbo

The Milroys Insider
Patricks Picks. Vol.3

SPRINGBANK 25
(Only 2 available)

Springbank 25 Year old 2017 release Campbeltown single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in sherry, bourbon & then married in refill Port casks. Just 900 bottles available worldwide.

BUY NOW

Tasting Note by The Producer

Nose: Lots of fruit with a mixture of grapefruit peel, dried tropical fruits, wine gums and a touch of cassis.

Palate: Orange peel, honeycomb, brandy snaps, black pepper and tobacco leaf.

Finish: Mineral notes combining with fennel, tea leaf and leather against a background of soft burning embers.

Springbank distillery is one of the last surviving producers of Campbelltown Single Malts. The distillery, located on the Kintyre peninsular, produces three distinct types of Single Malt Whisky. Their story spans centuries of whisky history and five generations of one family; the Mitchells. Now the oldest independent family-owned distillery in the country, they’re proud to share the story of Scotland’s most handmade whisky with enthusiasts across the world.

Bruichladdich Laddie 10

Just in time for our Bruichladdich tasting on the 13th of February we have the Laddie 10 year old in stock.

“The gorgeous light honey colour of this unpeated Islay dram draws you in to this delectable malt whisky. Creamy floral notes that we know from the classic laddie are followed up by unexpected sweet fruit flavours. A winning combination.”

BUY NOW