Well, well, well. It’s come to the time where we review and shine light on one of the most talked about bottles of whisky on the planet, Johnnie Walker Blue Label. From the outset I will say one thing, this whisky does deserve respect. Whether or not you like blends or the brand itself, something that is crafted to this degree for consistency is genuinely remarkable. Only around 16 whiskies, both grain and malt go into making this fine and prestige product, some of my favorite’s among them are; Royal Lochnagar, Mortlach, Talisker, Caol Ila, Clynelish, Dailuaine, Cambus,  etc. etc. This is certainly something that all whisky drinkers should try at some point in their lives, the price and experience is the tricky part. Enjoy! 

https://youtu.be/h9XKf4QfXe0—

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BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY WHISKIES WIN 5 TOP AWARDS AT AMERICAN WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS  

            FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (March 21, 2017) Buffalo Trace Distillery was awarded five top awards at Whisky Magazine’s 2017 American World Whiskies Awards, including two Golds, one Silver and two Bronze.

Two bourbons received Gold in the category of Kentucky Bourbon:

• Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Eagle Rare 17 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

            One whiskey received Silver in the category of American Rye:

• Sazerac Rye Straight Kentucky Rye

            Two whiskies received Bronze, one in the category of American Rye, the other in the category of Kentucky Bourbon:

• Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
• Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

“This is a great recognition for our whiskies,” Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley said. “We are very thankful and humbled to receive these awards.”

The American World Whiskies Awards were announced at the Whisky Magazine Awards America presentation held in New York on Feb. 28.

Whiskies in each category were subject to rigorous blind taste testing to determine the very best.  For more information about the World Whiskies Awards visit www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com/.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 158: Glenrothes 20 Year Old 1996 North Star Spirits

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a release from the new independent bottler North Star Spirits. This company, led by Iain Croucher (of A.D. Rattray fame) has in its first year released 5 malts and 1 grain. All of them are great, but Mark’s favorite is their Glenrothes 20 Year Old 1996, matured on a sherry cask.

https://youtu.be/KAxyMoQnasE

Andy at Malt Box reviews the Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon @maltbox

Please click HERE to view.

Ralfy gets busy about barley with Ralfy Review 636 – Springbank Local Barley 11yo @ 46%vol

Oban: West Coast Whisky Feis 

A new whisky festival to be held in Oban, written by Paul McLean of MCLEANSCOTLAND

Gather your strength and gather your pennies … there will be a superb new whisky festival in Oban this July, we will be there and it would nice to see as many friends as possible, to support this new festival.  So where? When? What? And Who?

Where? My hometown, Oban, gateway to the isles and the capital of seafood in Scotland.  It’s only a few hundred yards from Oban Distillery, where you are surrounded by great pubs, food outlets, shops and of course – accommodation, our advice, stay the night, or like Liz and myself, make it a weekend! Just over the water on Mull is another distillery; Tobermory, with an excellent pub within spittin’ distance, owned by a pal of ours, Macgochans Bar.

When? From 12pm – 6pm on Saturday, 22 July, at Oban’s Skipinnish Cèilidh House.

What?  West Coast Whisky Feis, the brainchild of local drinks retailer, Oban Whisky and Fine Wines, good pals of ours by the way (I think everyone in the drinks industry are friends!).  Skipinnish Ceilidh House will host a range of exhibits from west coast distilleries and food stalls highlighting local producers.

And who? Scotland’s west coast distillers. Distilleries such as Isle of Arran, Caol Ila and Ben Nevis. The local Diageo-owned Oban Distillery will also hold on-site master classes a couple of hundred yards away, based around their world famous whiskies.

Euan Finlayson, owner of Oban Whisky and Fine Wines, said, “We wanted to create an event that shows off the incredible whiskies that the west coast has to offer. The aim is to offer a range of whiskies and master classes that can appeal to newcomers and aficionados alike.”

Ticket holders will receive a dram glass and will be able to take samples from all of the exhibitors. There will also be a nosing competition where attendees can attempt to identify various whiskies by smell alone, with a bottle of single malt whisky up for grabs. Samples are included in the event ticket price and master classes are available for an additional fee. Tickets cost £30, available; www.westcoastwhiskyfeis.co.uk/ – the official website, go and soak up the aromas of this new dramfest. The good news just got better, they are offering subsidised UK & worldwide shipping from the Fèis shop within the venue, so no need to be stuck carrying bottles around with you when the shows over.  www.whiskyfix.com/  Whisky Fix is a company specialising in single malt scotch whisky, for whisky lovers, connoisseurs and collectors alike. Working closely with distillery partners to offer very rare and collectable whisky along with your everyday whisky needs. So if you have been looking for a certain bottle to complete that collection, get in touch, you never know.

For any help with this new fest or interested in whisky tours around Scotland and Ireland,

ask Paul and Liz; info@mcleanscotland.com  We can certainly assist with add on dates before/after this event.

http://www.mcleanscotland.com/     http://www.wwhiskytours.scot/

Here is a link to our latest newsletter covering the latest goings on here in the centre of the middle of nowhere.  Please note the section on new releases.  As you have signed up to hear from us we will be updating you directly on the new products we get in on the run up to the festival.

Also, we now have in stock Bunnahabhain Moine Oloroso.

All the best

Mike

The Whisky Shop Dufftown Ltd
1 Fife Street, Dufftown, Keith, Scotland AB55 4AL
Telephone: +44 (0)1340 821097
http://www.whiskyshopdufftown.com/

Website now fully updated

With tickets going on sale this coming Monday March 27 at 10am, the Spirit of Toronto website has now been fully updated, including the schedule for our 2017 Masterclass Series.

For those of you attending the show for the first time, these masterclasses are seated tutored tastings presented by a variety of guest speakers on the lower level of Roy Thomson Hall. Seats may be reserved when purchasing tickets for the show. For full details please visit us online at http://www.spiritoftoronto.ca

Canada150: Let’s Celebrate!

For our 2017 edition we have programmed some special guests and special whiskies to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. In addition to our Canada150 showcase, we look forward to offering previews of a number of new Canadian releases, as well as taking guests back in time as we unearth some special gems and look back at Canada’s rich distilling heritage. For lovers of history, whisky and Canada this year’s Spirit of Toronto should not be missed!

2017 Masterclass Series

The word rare is bandied about easily these days. Too easily in most cases, so let’s skip the hyperbole and simply state that this year’s headline masterclass is not one that you’re likely to attend anywhere else. On that note we ask you to extend a warm welcome to Canadian whisky ambassadors Johanne McInnis and Graham MacKenney as they take guests back to the dawn of Confederation to taste and learn more about the silent stills of a bygone era — ’nuff said.

Fast forwarding to the present, Dr. Don Livermore and Drew Mayville, two of the foremost blenders of Canadian whisky, will also be joining us to unveil the impending releases from the Hiram Walker distillery and the Sazerac Co. We also look forward to welcoming brand ambassador Chris Thompson of Forty Creek as he presents some highlights from its short but storied past and – fingers crossed – a possible sneak preview of the near future. Warning: exceptional whiskies will be tasted.

While we celebrate our whiskies past and present, we don’t for a moment forget that Canada owes a debt of gratitude to Scotland for our rich distilling heritage. On that note, rest assured that this year’s line-up offers an embarrassment of single malt riches showcasing the best of Scotland courtesy of The Balvenie, Benromach, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, The Dalmore and John Dewar’s Fine Whisky Emporium including Aberfeldy, Craigellachie, Aultmore and Royal Brackla.

Looking south of the border, we are excited to have Matt Jones regale guests with bourbon and lore as he presents the Legends of Bourbon, a must for fans of the late, great Booker Noe. Also to be noted is that Irish whiskey is experiencing its own renaissance and there is no better way to learn about its DNA than through Jamesons, the world’s best selling Irish whiskey, to be presented by Conor Timmons as he walks guests through a line-up that includes the latest releases.

Automatic ticket notification

Those of you subscribed to this list will receive an automatic notification the night before tickets go on sale next week.

First time purchasing tickets to the show? We’re often asked about the best way to secure your first choices for masterclasses but regrettably we can offer no guarantees as tickets will be available online, by telephone and in person, and all three purchase methods are certain to experience a queue, but do note that there is always the possibility of attending on a stand-by basis for the 7pm and 8:30pm classes—for the ins and outs of the masterclass series, please visit our FAQ.

Old Forester “1920 Prohibition Style” Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (750ml) ($59.99)

91 points Wine Enthusiast: “The perfect proof. Rich in color, aroma, and flavor. It begins with powerful caramel, baking spice, chocolate, cherries, cinnamon, and toffee. Then nuance and complexity. Honey, jalapeño, rosemary, crème brûlée, malt, and fruit, from the spicy citrus of grapefruit to prunes and dried apricots. Hard to believe this is over 100 proof, as you never sense the strength challenging you to find whats next amidst the subtlety. Extremely long finish with cherry, cinnamon, and caramel. Value Pick.(FM, Winter 2016)”

K&L Notes: As one of the few distilleries allowed to remain operational during Prohibition, Old Forester is celebrating this part of its history with with its Whiskey Row series. According to the distillery: “The 115 proof expression represents a barrel sample that company president Owsley Brown I would have batched at the beginning of Prohibition. The nose is an intense medley of cherry preserves, drippy caramel, dark chocolate, thickened maple syrup and seasoned oak spiciness. Dark caramel coats layers of malt nuttiness and sweet graham cracker all warmed by green peppercorn and coriander spice brightened with a hint of cedar. Tart apple crispness gives way to a long smoky finish full of toasted marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker sweetness.”

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 03, 2017

The Old Forester 1920 is as fabulous as it is frustrating. Yes, it’s no age statement! Some of the marketing has alluded to it being an old expression, but nothing concrete can be found. The mashbill remains a mystery, though we can assume it’s the modern Old Forester recipe (72%, 18% Rye, 10% Malt), Brown-Foreman isn’t above experimenting. All we know about this stuff is that it’s high proof, it’s got something to do with Prohibition and it’s absolutely delicious. Big powerful nose of pepper and rye spice unfolds into caramelized apples and dark exotic spice. The spice takes front and center on entry, but brings in some red fruits and burnt sugar as it lingers toward a long soft finish of nutmeg, cloves and green apples. The only other fact we know for sure is that we’ll all be kicking ourselves when we finish our bottle and realize we should have bought more.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 03, 2017

This was my favorite single Bourbon release of 2016 and I’m thrilled we were able to get another large allocation of it. Regardless of whether you want to get wrapped up in the story about how this was based on the Prohibition era recipe, there’s no doubt about it: this is a delicious bottle of American whiskey and it easily stands out from the crowd of currently available options. There’s a weight and a richness that coats the palate and the 115 proof brings plenty of punch with a flurry of baking spices. I love the graham crackery goodness as well. I don’t taste a lot of Bourbons these days that really have a deeply concentrated flavor of dark grains. This has it in spades. Add this to your short list of new and exciting Bourbons right now.

Fukano and Ohishi Whiskies

with Distillery Guests

10AM – 2PM  

Join us March 31st for a full day of world whiskies. From 10AM-2PM we’ll be pouring Japanese whiskies by Ohishi and Fukano distilleries, presented by the distillery owners themselves. Then from 5-7, we’ll be pouring Pürgeist Bavarian whiskey with distillery representatives.  

Click Here to RSVP

Japanese Whiskey Pour List:

Ohishi Brandy Cask
Ohishi Sherry Cask
Fukano Brandy Cask 

About Fukano:

Fukano Distillery is located in Hitoyoshi City, of the Kumamoto Prefecture of Japan on the island of Kyushu. Owner Shigeruriku Fukano is the fifth generation of his family to run the distillery. They use a combination of malted and un-malted rice to make their whisky, resulting in a smooth, deliciously balanced product with hints of old wheated bourbon, sea salt, and caramel. Each bottling of this special, limited edition whisky is only available a few times a year. Our guest Fukano-san is the American sales manager from Fukano Distillery.

 About Ohishi:

 is the closest distillery to the source of the Kuma River, a river renowned for its superior water quality. Blessed with fertile soil and clear underground water, Ohishi Distillery produces it’s own rice for use in their whiskies, with traditionally organic methods – koi fish are employed to keep the rice fields free of weeds. With about 1200 Sherry and Brandy casks, Ohishi Distillery puts a lot of effort into maturing its products over a long period of time, transforming their locally produced rice liquor into engaging and flavorful whiskies. Our guest Oishi-san is the 6th generation master distiller from this distillery.