This week Joe Ellis reviews the Highland Park 15 Year Old Single Malt.

https://youtu.be/UQQwR0FArvA

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

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Hi folks,

We are now operating across two sites and if you are coming to collect whisky, please give us 24 hours notice to enable us to bring them to The Pentagon Centre, 36 Washington Street, Glasgow G3 8AZ. You can email or call us and let us know when wish to collect your bottles and we will have them ready for you.

If you have any questions please call us on

0141 243 2585.

Best wishes,

The SWA Team

Diary of a whisky lover, Paul McLean on a Wick Whisky Week.

Leaving Perth on the Wednesday morning, I headed north through typical Scottish weather – rain, wind, sunshine and snow – arriving for a late breakfast at Grantown on Spey, calling into Maclean’s Highland Bakery. A good start, beans on toast and tea. From here via B0102, following the River Spey on my right, passing Cardhu distillery and on to Craigellachie, a great road. From here to my first meeting, with Sandra yapping about a curling/whisky tour we are planning later this year. A quick lunch, called into Gordon & MacPhail to collect my three Paul John bottles, courtesy of Michael D souza in Goa (many thanks once again). Then dropped back doon the road to Coleburn and a look at their dunnage warehouse and filling hall, this is another story coming soon. On to Forres and another meeting, Vic Cameron this time, chatting on Spirit of Speyside festival and what he is doing for us there. Finally away to Inverness and my hotel, sitting on the river, a superb whisky bar and a good man there Robert Beaton. Dinner, drinks, bed.

Thursday saw me heading north, past the Black Isle, Dalmore and a quick call into Glenmorangie. Heading north again to Dornoch, a quick stop here then Brora, where I met up with Kate at Clynelish – a wee warning, this distillery is having major work and from late April will be out of bounds really for 10 months. Stopping here and there to admire the scenery I ended up in Wick, knocked on the door of Ian and Elaine (two wonderful pals o mine), big hello’s and luggage in, this was my home until Sunday morning. Was I made welcome you ask? Is the Pope Catholic I reply. Great to see them again. They took me to dinner, I supplied the whisky for later!

Friday and Ian took me out and about as only a local whisky/photographer/tour guide can do! Some great photos will appear from that morning. Afternoon we called into Mackays hotel to chat on my whisky tasting night, all good. More donderin aboot until 5.30 when we met up with a couple of their friends and all had a good dinner at Mackays, then set up for the tasting. Eight (10ml) drams with food and good craic with 21 people who bought tickets for the evening. I went through the drams, told a few whisky tour stories, enjoyed a question and answer couple of hours as I took them through the 8 drams … Tullamore Dew; Irish, Angels’ Nectar; a Scottish blend, Kavalan single malt from Taiwan, Old Pulteney 12yo local dram, Paul John Classic single malt; India, Stronachie 12 yo Scottish, another Indian; Paul John Peat finish, Angels Nectar blend Peat, which ended the drams, along with the food, 99% of everything had disappeared! The Tullamore surprised many people how easy and smooth it was, a good start, most have never tried the Nectar, Kavalan nor the Indians, all went down really well, especially the Paul John peat, which many likened to an Islay. The Nectar peat also drew applause. A couple of comments – “Cracking night, thoroughly enjoyed it as did my pals” and “Have to agree with Chris, never thought I would be drinking Indian whisky:-)” To end I asked if anyone would like another Indian? Of course, another peated dram, followed by a final introduction; Eden Mill distillery, St Andrews, new make spirit, I was taken aback by how many people loved it!  The evening ended as I wandered around the tables chatting, oh, I offered another dram to anyone who wished, the bottles on the table took a battering!  So I think it was a good night! Relieved, I went back with Ian, Elaine and a few friends to their house, where more drams were waiting to be tried! That was a late night.

Saturday, more travelling with Ian to places I hadnee been before in Caithness, I do urge all readers to explore this area well, or, ask me to take you, as we do arrange tours of all types here! It is full of old, wee harbours, great scenery and many historic landmarks and monuments, with a good herd of deer spotted up on the hills, a real good day, with a spot of gold panning also, honestly!  Ian and myself ventured out to the far distant paths of Dunnet Bay! Calling in (as you do) to meet Martin, Director at Dunnet Bay Distillers, where the Rock Rose is produced – it’s a local flower don’t you know. Also coming out of Dunnet Bay is the Holy Grass vodka, another local product. Now as I dinnae like gin I was reluctant to sample (Ian driving) but I went ahead, y’know I was totally shocked when I liked it! well there you go. So a good Scots drink produced as far north as you can go without falling into the sea. Martin is a nice fella, look out for expansion there soon. The evening saw us head into town for the Wick Pipeband Burns Supper, a week late aye, but many of the pipers in the band were working on Burns night, piping at other suppers, so this was their own night, and it was good. Another late night, hit my bed around 4am.

Sunday, left Wick mid-day, got 40 minutes down the road when Ian called, I had left my house keys at his! What a numpty, I turned around and Ian met me half way at Lybster. Atrocious weather hounded me all the (5 hours or so) way home. Home, tired but happy. The story ends with a comment from Wick; “will you come back and do another night?”  To be sure I will!

PAUL MCLEAN, OWNER http://www.mcleanscotland.com/  and http://www.whiskytours.scot/

Hi folks. The 59th auction is now live!

ENJOY!!!!!!

United States – Kentucky

Noah’s Mill Bourbon (750ml) $54.99

Old Bardstown Estate Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $34.99

Japan

Nikka 21 Year Old Taketsuru Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (750ml) $249.99

Nikka Yoichi 15 Year Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $169.99

Suntory Hibiki 17 Year Japanese Whiskey (750ml)  $149.99

Scotland

Bowmore 12 year old Islay Single Malt Whisky (750ml)  $45.99

Cragganmore 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $49.99

1972 Glenfarclas Family Cask #3551 Single Malt Scotch Whisky(750ml) $599.99

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

1-2 October 2016
11.30am-6.30pm
Old Billingsgate, London

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

BOOK YOUR TICKETS

THE WHISKY EXCHANGE WHISKY SHOW 2016:
EARLY-BIRD TICKETS END SOON!

Our reduced-price early-bird deals on unday and weekend tickets must end at the end of the month! From 1 March they will go up to £99 and £175 respectively, so grab one now and save £15 on a weekend ticket and a huge £19 on a Sunday ticket.

LEARN MORE

Saturday Tickets: £99

Sunday Tickets: £99
EARLY BIRD DEAL: £80!

Weekend Tickets: £175
EARLY BIRD DEAL: £160!

www.ralfy.com bangs the drum for Compass Box with “Support Compass Box Whisky Transparency Campaign”

High West Bourye Bourbon/Rye Whiskey (750ml) ( $69.99) High West’s latest batch of Bourye, a marriage of Bourbon and rye adorned with the elusive jackalope – a cross between a jack rabbit and an antelope, is back for another limited run. The Park City, Utah outpost only releases the Bourye when they have sufficient quantities of the necessary ingredients, which are getting more and more difficult to secure in today’s market. This latest batch is bottled at 46% ABV and consists of 9 year old Bourbon, 13 year old rye, and 17 year old rye whiskey all sourced from MGP Distillery in Indiana, formerly known as LDI and Seagrams. Considering that a simple ten year old American rye whiskey seems to be worth its weight in gold, the fact that High West has included casks of a much older heritage is no simple task. The balance between both the richness of the Bourbon and the spiciness of the rye is quite wonderful here. There are no rough edges, the flavors meander from mellow oak to toasted with vanilla, all with a backbone of peppery rye goodness. We never have the Bourye in stock for long and we’re always handling questions about when we’ll get more. David Perkins continues to captivate us with his American whiskey blends, now considered the gold standard of the industry.

United States – Kentucky

Johnny Drum “Private Stock” 101 Proof Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $39.99

Kentucky Vintage Bourbon (750ml) $34.99

Pure Kentucky XO Bourbon (750ml) $34.99

Rowan’s Creek Bourbon (750ml) $39.99

Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon 1.75L (ships as 6L champagne) $89.99

United States

High West Bourye Bourbon/Rye Whiskey (750ml) $69.99

St. George Dry Rye Reposado Gin (750ml) $39.99

Taos Lightning Governer’s Reserve 5 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)  $46.99

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

This week Joe Ellis starts his vertical tasting of the Highland Park range with their entry level 12 Year Old Single Malt.

https://youtu.be/kC1v5e8ZHs8

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

HAMISH GIVES ADVICE ON COLLECTING WHISKY IN 3 EASY STEPS
Don’t forget free postage on all orders over £75

 Glenmorangie Milsean

Step one:

‘ Try to purchase a limited edition whisky that has just been released to the market and attracts a high level of interest.’ Introducing the Glenmorangie Milsean: a whisky that can be bought to drink and to collect. Crafted using both bourbon and red wine barrels in an attempt to create a sweet candy flavour, it is the 7th edition from the Glenmorangie private edition range. £76 click to buy

Bowmore 1967

Step two:

‘Consider age and distillery reputation when making whisky collecting decisions:’ Bowmore is amongst the most sought-after whiskies in the world when it comes to collecting; it has a legendary reputation that helps to make it one of the most popular investment whiskies in the world. Older Bowmore whiskies are getting thinner on the ground, and this 1967 ticks all the right boxes. Highly limited!  £2700 Click to buy

Step three:

Port Ellen 31 year old ‘Platinum Old and Rare’

‘Keep your eyes open for closed distillery releases. One day soon there will be no more liquid left of some of the world’s most in-demand whiskies.’ Port Ellen finds its self in the top 10 most collectable whiskies year after year, and is amongst our top tips to collectors the world over. Closed in 1983, demand for this distillery’s rare liquid continues to surge. This particular release is limited to only 28 bottles and is resistricted to one bottle per customer!  £1420 Click to buy