This week Joe Ellis reviews the Glen Breton Ice 10 Year Old Canadian Single Malt Whisky.
www.ralfy.com has lost weight for Whisky Review 587 – Clynelish 16yo @55.4%vol: (BB&R)
Father’s Day is approaching rapidly and with it a busy time for The Whisky Exchange – you really like buying your dads tasty drinks. This year, we’ve decided to ramp up the celebrations by a few notches with a competition. Well, not one competition, but 11 of them – welcome to #WhiskyDad.
We’ve got a pool of great prizes – a big stash of whisky from around the world – and we want to give them away. All you need to do to be in with a chance of grabbing one is tweet us.
What we’re looking for is a tweet containing a picture of a whisky that you reckon your dad would like as well as a few words telling us why. Add a #WhiskyDad and an @whiskyexchange to the tweet to make sure that we see it, and then follow us so we can send you a direct message if you win – do all that and you’ve entered the competition.
To get you going, here’s an example from me:
#WhiskyDad I reckon @DavidInHorsham would enjoy this – everyone loves a drop of Speyburn @whiskyexchange pic.twitter.com/swqMY3JJr6
— Billy Abbott (@cowfish) June 9, 2016
Each morning we’ll choose our favourite tweet of the past 24 hours and send the tweeter a prize from our big box of goodies. And then the fun starts again – every day until Father’s Day itself, 19 June.
For those of you concerned about our web team’s social lives, don’t worry – we won’t be making them work on weekends, and will be announcing Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s winners each Monday. But make sure you keep an eye on Twitter each weekday morning to see who’s won.
You can find full details over on our #WhiskyDad page, but for now – get tweeting!
Originally published on The Whisky Exchange Blog – #WhiskyDad – tweet and win!
This very special Island Single Malt from the Tobermory Distillery on the Isle of Mull is one of only 650 bottles in existence. Bottled at a cask strength of 47.7% abv, non chill-filtered with no artificial colouring, and presented in a stunning display case with a rotating door to add some drama to your dram. This is certainly deserving of a place in the collector’s cabinet!
BENROMACH UNVEILS UNIQUE SINGLE CASK 1974 MALT WHISKY
The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd has today revealed a unique single cask malt Scotch whisky with the launch of Benromach 1974.
Handcrafted using the finest natural ingredients at the Forres distillery, Benromach 1974 is a rare bottle with real heritage and is the perfect dram to pay homage to the history of Benromach.
After 41 years maturing in a sherry butt, Benromach 1974 (ABV 49.1%) is a beautiful golden amber colour with opulent sherry influences infused with plump sultana, sharp green apple and zesty orange peel flavours, with rich underlying hints of beeswax polish, menthol and dark chocolate.
Holding this precious Speyside malt is an evocative decanter-style bottle; the contours of the neck and shoulder line sculpted to represent copper stills whilst a copper-coloured neck collar adds a luxurious touch. The presentation box is inspired by the home of Benromach, also reflecting the copper of the stills in use today, as well as the dark, grained wood of the original washbacks and the white of the lime washed distillery walls. A book accompanies the whisky, delving into the Benromach history as well as providing whisky fans with some fascinating stories about the people behind the whisky.
The limited edition dates back to a time before the Urquhart family brought Benromach Distillery back to life in the 1990s and as Distillery Manager Keith Cruickshank explained, it’s a very special dram: “Benromach 1974, cask number 1583, is incredibly rare, as very few casks of Benromach remain from that time. This whisky has matured for many years in a single sherry butt and we have now decided to release it for savouring and enjoying today. For all of us at the distillery, this is a moment to be treasured.”
Former Distiller Tom Anderson, who still lives in a cottage at the distillery, was one of the men to witness the filling of the last casks at Benromach, and proudly signed his name on the wall of the filling store. Former malt man and warehouseman, Willie McArthur, was responsible for tending to the precious casks.
Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, added: “Pour your dram of Benromach 1974 and settle down for an incredible journey through the history of Benromach. This is a whisky for those who take their whisky seriously and want the chance to try something which is particularly special because of its rarity.”
There are 452 bottles of the limited edition Benromach 1974 available worldwide at specialist whisky retailers with an RRP of £1200. Prices in international markets will differ due to import duties and local taxes. For more information on Benromach, and to explore the wide range of expressions available, please visit www.benromach.com/.
Notes
Benromach 1974 Tasting Notes
Pour your dram of Benromach 1974, cask number 1583, and prepare your senses for an incredible journey of unmitigated moments.
First, lift your glass to the light and appreciate the beautiful golden amber colour created by lingering for 41 years in a sherry butt as the whisky grew and matured in character. Take a short inhalation, savouring the aromas without water… enjoy the opulent sherry influences infused with plump sultana, sharp green apple and zesty orange peel aromas. Underlying all these are rich hints of beeswax polish and menthol.
Now take a sip. At first, you may taste ripe banana, succulent raspberries and blackcurrants. These develop into hints of dark chocolate, leading to a long and smooth finish. Add a few drops of water and take time to enjoy the nose as it develops… fragrant pear and apricot aromas follow the sherry notes, with developing hints of sweet-sharp candied orange peel and beeswax polish. Now lift it to your lips and enjoy a slow sip… a veritable fruit bowl of bananas, pears and red apples emerges, complemented by hints of charred oak. Finally, a superb liquorice and dark praline edge combines with a trace of smoke on the finish. Sublime.
Benromach Distillery
Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when leading whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998.
In reopening Benromach Distillery, Gordon & MacPhail decided to create a classic Speyside single malt – a style that draws its influence from Speyside whiskies pre-1960s.
Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A four-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world famous Malt Whisky Trail.
Whisky Tour in the Highlands & Speyside – May 2016.
We took two whisky loving Canadians on tour in May, starting from the Edinburgh hotel at 08 am on Saturday morning. Och another early start, but that’s fine, am used to it. We drove north over the Forth Road Bridge and on into highland Perthshire, taking our time, but hurrying up, to Inverness. Still a way to go, as our first appointment was with a few Dalmore drams. A distillery tour and tasting was happily received by our two whisky fans, even though it was no in production – but this meant photos allowed anywhere! King alec is my favourite dram there, but as driver … say no more, it hurts! Lunch was taken at the Storehouse doon the road, a meeting with some drams at Glenmorangie came next. I do need point out, the young guide got a few things wrong, but here main problem came when asked how they clean the stills out, she said they were sent away to be cleaned by power jets, oh dear! From here we headed back at an easy pace, to Inverness, where we all stayed overnight. I did introduce them to an excellent whisky bar here by the river, a good local pub and another – Irish bar. I left them to enjoy the city while I went away to my hotel and did some work (thanks Liz). Even on tour I cannee get away from work, Liz see’s to that.
Sunday, a day of rest? Don’t think so. Leave Inverness and call in to Culloden Battlefield, walk the moor that Bonnie Prince Charlie and his troops did, discover the “well of the dead”, take time to tour the museum and watch the provocative movie. From here to Clava Cairns, or the Prehistoric Burial Cairns of Bulnuaran of Clava – a group of three Bronze Age cairns dating back about 4,000 years. The cemetery was used in two periods. At around 2000 BC a row of large cairns was built, three of which can still be seen today. Cawdor castle, Macbeth was born about 1005. Macbeth was crowned High King of Scots at Scone outside Perth, with his Queen. Shakespeare wrote Macbeth during the spring of 1606. Although the murder of Duncan takes place in Inverness Castle, it is often associated with Cawdor Castle. The truth is, Cawdor Castle was not built until the late 14th century, therefore it is impossible for King Duncan to have lost any blood or Lady Macbeth much sleep in this particular house. Whisky today? To be sure, we always have excellent drams in the car for our stops during the day, I drove long the Loch Ness to Drumnadrochit and called in at Fiddlers, met John whom I know (owner) told him my guest had a birthday, we (I was a driver again, damn!) enjoyed almost 2 hours of personal attention, many drams including a 40 year old, gifts and presents courtesy of myself and John, she went away happy and – tiddly! Returning a final time to Inverness.
Monday: We left Inverness at 10am, driving south to Tomatin. The Taste of Tomatin tour – an in-depth tour, a tutored nosing and tasting of 6 different whiskies, including two distillery exclusive single cask expressions. I think they enjoyed that! While they toured I enjoyed the “drivers share” a cup of tea and shortcakes, I did enjoy my chat’s with the girls here, especially young Nicole, whose whole family work here, including cousins, uncles, dad, granny used to. 2 hours later they appeared looking really happy. From Tomatin to Aviemore for lunch picking up Liz at the station. We departed for Glenfarclas Distillery. This is one of the few privately owned distilleries and one of 3 Grant Family distilleries in Speyside. It’s hard for us to say, but it’s one of our favourites, as most of them are! They produce excellent drams and bottles. From here around 35 minutes’ drive to Cardhu where we all fed the hairy coo’s. Another great whisky day ends, guests happy and smiling, Elgin overnight. Liz and myself stayed up in Lossiemouth as usual, we use a nice wee apartment there as a base (office away from home).
Tuesday: We left Elgin at 9.15 heading south to Dufftown, booked on the 10am Balvenie Distillery tour, superb, we know, we have done it many times. The best way to get to know The Balvenie is at the distillery. Tours are very personal each is limited to a maximum of eight people. Bottling your own Balvenie in Warehouse 24 costs £25 (is not a full size bottle, but it is worth it). Only 6 people were on the tour and as usual, it was excellent, thank David (Muir) for your help and see you next month. We took lunch locally at Glenfiddich Distillery, this allowed our guests to see the fabulous ladies bathrooms at the distillery. The Macallan Distillery called our names at 3pm for the 6 Pillars Tour. After a thorough immersion into the world of The Macallan, they enjoyed an experience/nosing and tasting of Macallan whiskies as well as the rich new make spirit. We did call into a fab whisky bar en route to the hotel, where we met up with our other tour that was in, Derek was driving this one, great – we had everyone in the bar on tour with us, a mcleanscotland bar! Elgin again that evening. Liz and myself enjoyed some great food in Lossie and at the apartment a good selection of drams were consumed.
Liz (left) Andrew (right) in red jumper.
Wednesday: We departed Elgin at 9am to Dalwhinnie Distillery to call in for drams (tour not included), 6 Dalwhinnie drams including a dram from the £350 bottle, then down to Pitlochry for free time, lunch and Edradour Distillery. We saw Andrew wandering doon so hailed him, all hello’s and intro’s, as he guided us to the shop/bar, then introduced us to several drams (not me!!!) and spent maybe 40 minutes with us, before back to the shop for purchases, an good Edradour for Liz, an Imperial for Gary. Thanks Andrew.
From here we take a scenic route back to Edinburgh, dropping our guests at their Edinburgh hotel. Took Liz home and got back myself into the second half of the Euro Cup Final, Liverpool lost out! Another good whisky tour done and dusted.
Written by Paul McLean, http://www.whiskytours.scot/
June Whisky Auction – LIVE NOW!
Welcome to Just Whisky’s post-Feis Ile 2016 Auction! We are now Live and taking bids on over 1,000 lots. As you can imagine, we have a fantastic array of bottles from the recent Islay Festival with lots from Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin & Laphroaig.
Other highlights include an incredible 1965 Ardbeg in Museum Case with Miniature, a huge selection of Rare Malts bottles, a 1953 Glenfarclas. In amongst the auction, we also have a very rare and sought after Old Parr hand blown Elizabethan decanter. Macallan fans will be bidding on the 1946 Select Reserve and Easter Elchies bottles.
Bidding comes to an end from 8PM on Sunday the 19th June.
Discounted Items
Four Roses Single Barrel 10 Year Old D&M Exclusive Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aromas of fresh herbs, mint and honey suckle flowers. Second whiff brings nectarine and citrus zest. The palate has clove right up front, bringing stone fruits and a round minty finish.$69.99
Corsair D&M Single Barrel Cask Strength Selection Triple Smoke Whiskey The nose shows aromas reminiscent of camping in Northern California with honey, earth, caramel, smoke and nuts.$74.99
Old Forester D&M Exclusive Cask Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky Dulche de leche and caramel show on the richness of the mid-palate.$34.99
Taos Lightning Governor’s Reserve D&M Exclusive Straight Rye Whiskey The nose of this whiskey has up front pepper spice, toffee, butterscotch and butter pickle essence.$57.99
Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye D&M Private Barrel The palate is rich in flavor yet moderate weight with brown butter, spice cake, creme brûlée and a slight mint note across the tongue.$89.99
D&M, 2200 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Scotland
Sheep Dip Blended Malt Scotch (750ml) $39.99 View
United States – Kentucky
Hirsch Straight Bourbon Small Batch Reserve (750ml) $39.99 View
Medley Bros. 10 Year Private Stock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $54.99 View
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
Jameson – new look, new whiskeys
For many, Jameson is their first experience of Irish whiskey. The classic Original is the bestselling whiskey from the country (try it with ginger ale). But this week, the brand announced it is launching The Whiskey Makers series, a new range, as well as a new look to its existing heritage whiskeys. I was lucky enough to be given a sneak preview of the newly extended family, in advance of the releases due in the summer.
The extended family: the three on the left are the new Whisky Makers series; while the heritage whiskeys have been given a new look
Each of the three-strong series has been put together by a member of Jameson’s production team, who have chosen a style of whisky they each feel complements their area of expertise. The blends were put together by master blender Billy Leighton to ensure that the flavour profile could be recreated from batch to batch on an ongoing basis. Each release carries the name and fingerprint of the creator, and are named after a tool that is vital to their job. All are bottled at 43% and are non chill filtered. The trio are:
The whiskeys in the heritage range are not changing, but will be given an updated look and greater availability:
The heritage whiskeys have proved popular within their limited markets and will soon be available worldwide, thanks in part to a doubling of Midleton distillery’s capacity in the past two years. The distillery is known for producing many varying styles of spirit and the new Whiskey Makers series showcases this, with the selection by the head blender, cooper and distiller adding a personal touch. My favourite was the rounded Blender’s Dog, but the spirit-led Distiller’s Safe and maturation-focused Cooper’s Choice are both excellent whiskeys that display their own character. All the new releases should be launched this summer and will be available on The Whisky Exchange website.
