WHISKY WEEKEND TO SPEYSIDE, FEBRUARY 2015

Liz and myself (Paul) left Perth 8 am on FRIDAY morning, well Paul left Perth, drove to Broughty Ferry to pick up Liz, then headed to Aberdeen. Taking the route past the airport we headed north towards Huntly. Turning at the sign for Insch, following this country road for a few miles, until we found Ardmore distillery. In we toodled to meet up and chat on a tour we are bringing here in April. A nice start to the day. From there back to the main road north and headed to Elgin – we do feel lately as if we live there!  Having been/stayed there so often lately. Calling in at almost a family home now; Glen Moray, a wee bit of shopping and a chat. From here to the Highlander Inn for lunch, fish and chips, Irn Bru – great!

A wee break from driving and a good look around the place (as usual) – did you know it is for sale? Aye, still. Liz and myself just dinnae have that amount floating around our bank! Anyhow, off we toodled again, this time up to Archiestown, turning here for our next port of call.  We wanted to take a few photos of the brand new Dalmunach distillery. Builders/security fences around it just now, as they are still working on it.  As you do, we went in and started the photo session!  At the door/entrance a fella came out “can I help you?”, in trouble yet again we thought. We explained who we were and why we were there, we then got an invite inside, Liz flew back to the car to turn it off and returned, we all 3 went inside to this wonderful Whisky cave of Aladdin! The circular entrance wall is made from the old Imperial distillery washback – it still smells wonderful! So many features here we cannot really chat about … a distillery design like no other in Scotland, eco green, earth friendly and out of this world!  The still room is amazing, a Star Treck layout for the control desk, spirit safe built as a hexagonal, the stills, in a circle! As we left we thanked our (cannee be named) host and went back to the car with a smile as big as a hoose! That was really something we hadnee expected atall, it certainly made my day! We then stopped a while at Dailuaine distillery before heading into Aberlour, met up with Mark’s (coach driver Mark) sister Louise and bought wooden toys in one of the wee shops there (Liz for nephews or something along that line). One more stop now before hanging up the car keys, Glenfarclas distillery. Liz hadnee been here, so a must! Aye, she loved it, we came oot lighter in the wallet but with a bottle of the fantastic 105.

So far so good. Arriving at the hotel, checked in and found the bar, as you do. Several very welcome drinks later, we headed for dinner, a very nice affair I must say. Delighted to be satisfied again in the belly region, we lingered in the bar waiting for the evening whisky tasting; An Cnoc 12yo, Glenrothes Select Reserve, Balvenie Doublewood 12yo, Spey Tenne, Glentauchers 17yo G&M exclusive and Tomintoul 10yo. There was also a Ballantines added!  A good day, we retired for a dram or three more, if only every day was like this, and not even a falling out! Doon at the bar, malt of my day Dalmore King Alec!

SATURDAY. Ohh, a 10.30 start (for Liz), Paul having been doon for breakfast at 8. On the menu today, drove to Glenlivet, surprisingly closed! Up to Tomintoul, dropped in at the whisky castle, passed the distillery and headed back into Speyside proper, Cardhu and Tamdhu visited. More driving today but fine, back to the hotel bar, ready for a relax and well deserved drink/s.  At 7.30 we were piped into dinner, a glorious 5 course affair with a dram per course.  5 course Taste of Scotland Gourmet Whisky Menu;  Spey Valley Smoked Salmon, Served with Capers Lemon & Brown Bread & Butter. Paired with: Lagavulin 16 Years Old.  Goats Cheese & Lemon Mousse, Micro Rocket & Crackers. Paired with:  Glenmorangie 10 Years Old.  Smoked Venison, Cranberry & Orange Compote with Scottish Salad Leaves. Paired with: Benromach.  Beef Fillet, Blue Cheese Marinade served with Crispy Leeks & Chive Butter. Paired with:  Auchentoshan 12 Years Old. Traditional Scottish Cranachan served with Homemade Oatmeal & Honey Biscuits. Paired with: BenRiach 12 Years Old.

Can I just say the meal was grand, but the highlight a goats cheese dish that was heaven!  Drinkies, followed by Match of the Day.

SUNDAY. Saturday all over again, Liz in the land of nod, checked out at 10am, where did we go? You guessed; Dufftown.  Called in to a friend and caught some liquid booty. Dropped by Balvenie and headed up to Keith. From here to another gem of a place; Knockdhu distillery, Many thanks to Iain (in the absence of Gordon) for the tour, Liz hadnee been here before either. I do like this place. Over an hour later and we were heading back to Huntly, time for lunch, Deans place. Back through Aberdeen and landing in Broughty Ferry, offload booty, a cuppa tea and a look what we found/bought/picked up!   A GREAT WEEKENDER.

Paul, writing as only he can, please forgive grammar and a shocking disregard for the language. As most of you know by now, we offer/arrange superb whisky tours, last weekend we were doing some research & development again, brushing up on skills, knowledge and samples, making and re visiting whisky friends and contacts.   www.mcleanscotland  www.angelswhiskyclub.com

Scotch Lovers Abound in Calgary

Calgary Herald Article by Lisa Kadane

February 2015 Auction Ends on Monday 2^rd March 2015!

View February Auction

Our February auction is now live and will finish on March 2^rd from 19:00.

This is an incredible auction with so many interesting bottles, one of which has to be this: Hanyu Monochrome Joker, distilled in 1985.

Following this we have an absolutely stunning collection of the old ‘dumpy’ Cadenhead’s bottlings. Keep an eye on the Springbank 22 year old, however there are quite a few and they range from all over Scotland: from Dallas Dhu to Teaninich and Glenury Royal to Talisker!

An absolutely legendary Bowmore, distilled in 1964 from the same batch of casks as the infamous Black Bowmore’s this incredibly stunning whisky was released at 35 years exclusively to Oddbin’s. This is bottle number 5 of only 99 and is presented alongside a ‘sample’ of the whisky. 

Please remember!

There is no registration fee, our commission structure is very competitive and we offer worldwide shipping. For our terms and conditions please click here.

With over 15 years of experience in the whisky industry, Whisky Auctioneer specialises in auctioning whisky whether it be fine, old, rare, collectable or affordable. Formed in 2013 and based in Perth, central Scotland, we aim to be the most comprehensive website for the buying and selling of whisky online.

http://www.whiskyauctioneer.com/

Happy Bidding!

Auction is now live folks. Enjoy.

THE 47th AUCTION

Kind regards from Glasgow – The SWA Team

This Weekend Only!

Talisker 10 Year Old 45.8% ABV | 70cl

Save £5.00 (RRP £43.99)

The Talisker 10 Year Old is a single malt Scottish whisky from the Talisker distillery on the west coast of the Isle of Skye. This Talisker scotch has won many fans around the world as well as awards. The whiskey is variously described as peaty and smoky and is credited by many as being the finest 10 year old island single malt. The Talisker 10 year old is well worth a try.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Powerful peat-smoke with seawater saltiness, the liquor of fresh oysters and a citrus sweetness.

Palate: Rich dried-fruit sweetness with clouds of smoke and strong barley-malt flavours: warming and intense. At the back of the mouth.

Finish: Sweet malty flavours that blend into a smoky climax.

Price:£32.49 ex VAT £38.99 inc VAT

Blair Athol 12 Year Old Flora & Fauna 43% ABV | 70cl

Save £5.00 (RRP £51.99)

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Creamy, nutty, lightly peaty.

Palate: Full-bodied. Decidedly silky-smooth. Spiced cake. Candied lemon peels. Lots of flavour development.

Finish: Smoky, rooty, treacly. Impeccable balance between sweetness and dryness.

(Tasting Notes by Whisky Magazine)

Tasting note by whiskyfun.com

Colour: amber. Nose: starts very nutty and caramelly, with a big maltiness and hints of liquorice, developing more on notes of sherry, Seville oranges and a little peat, leather and tobacco. Rather concentrated and oily on the nose, despite the slightly ‘blendish’ character. Pleasant for sure. Mouth: the attack is even more sherried, not exactly bold but certainly satisfying. Classic fruitcake, coffee-schnapps, liquorice and orange liqueur, with hints of cherry stem tea in the background and maybe just faint hints of rubber and walnuts. An assertive dram, half-sweet, half-dry. Finish: medium long, very balanced, with an added spiciness (spices for mulled wine, cloves, Chinese anise and cinnamon.) Comments: perfect balance and profile at 43%, excellent cask selection I think. SGP:443 – 85 points.

TOP PICKS

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• 1989 Balmenach 25 Year Old Cadenhead’s Small Batch Cask Strength Collection Single Malt 750ml – 3 available ($239.99)

• 1992 Clynelish K&L Exclusive 21 Year Old Cadenhead Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($139.99)

• 1985 Glenburgie 29 Year Old Cadenhead’s Small Batch Cask Strength Collection Single Malt 750ml – 1 available ($299.99)

• Glenmorangie Túsail Limited Edition Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($99.99) Tùsail is non chill-filtered and is made with floor-malted Maris Otter barley, the older (1960s) variety that’s also favored by craft breweries like England’s Black Sheep Brewery for its rich, malty flavor.

• 1992 Ledaig 22 Year Old Cadenhead’s Small Batch Cask Strength Collection Single Malt 750ml – 4 available ($179.99)

• 1992 Littlemill 21 Year Old Cadenhead’s Small Batch Cask Strength Collection Single Malt 750ml – 3 available ($224.99)

• 1983 Ord 31 Year Old Cadenhead’s Small Batch Cask Strength Collection Single Malt 750ml – 1 available ($399.99)

• Springbank 12 Year Old “Green” Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($109.99) Organic barley from local farms around Campbeltown.

• Springbank 25 Year Old Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 2 available ($799.99)

• 1989 Strathclyde 25 Year Old Cadenhead’s Small Batch Cask Strength Collection Single Malt 750ml – 6 available ($199.99)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• FEW K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon 750ml ($59.99) Our first barrel from the hot little distillery in Illinois is a monster. We don’t usually go for the small barrels that most of the craft distillers are using, but FEW is making it work in a big way. This spicy little meatball comes from one tiny cask that’s aged for an indeterminate amount of time. I would contend it is the best small cask bourbon I’ve tasted. It’s lacking the typical cardboard/dampwood notes we expect. It also doesn’t have the astringent underseasoned oak quality that many other craft distillers are finding in their small barrel aged products. FEW is super hot right now and we’re lucky to have had cream of the crop selection of their first release of single casks. Only 60 bottles available!

• Woodford Sonoma Master’s Collection Cutrer Pinot Noir Barrel Finish Kentucky Staight Bourbon 750ml – 4 available ($99.99)

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

Tired of waiting for French Oak? Maybe we can help. 

Imagine 20 litres of Sullivans Cove French Oak Single Malt maturing in your own personally crafted oak cask… Named the World’s Best Single Malt at the 2014 World Whiskies Awards, you can’t go wrong with this one.

How does it work?

1) We offer the Cellarmaster in 20 litre casks (these reach maturity in 2 years). You choose from either French Oak, American Oak or Double Casks (Combined American and French).

2) We fill the barrel with 20 litres of new make spirit at 63.4%ABV and store it in optimal conditions here in our dunnage.

3) After 2 years your whisky will be ready for consumption. At that point we bottle it for you in Sullivans Cove packaging and send it off to your home. Your cask yields approximately 36 bottles at 47.5%ABV, our standard bottling strength for American and French Oak.

4) The spirit and casks are identical to those that we use for our whiskies.

5) You can refill your empty barrel or take it home.

6) In the two years while it is maturing you can visit and “test” your whisky as often as you like.

Sound good? Click here to make it happen!

Tasmania Distillery
Lamb Pl
Cambridge, TAS7170
Australia

Back in Stock

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Glengoyne 21-year-old Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 11 available ($119.99) The Glen Goyne 21 year is one of the biggest deals in the world of Scotch. A splendid distillery in the lower highlands, producing whisky of this age from Oloroso Sherry Casks, would normally sell their 21 year for atleast $170…and they usually do! But we have a crazy deal with the distributor to get the price way way down. We’ll have this price until current stocks run out so get it while the gettin’ is good. (David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer)

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 reviews Pike Creek 10 Year Old Port Aged Canadian Whisky.

http://youtu.be/GRUFLxkUW7Q

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

Is that the date already?

Apologies first of all that you received nothing from us last month. Please don’t blame us – blame Burns! Well we have been busy, working on a whole new raft of events for you to get your teeth into. That and hosting our biggest ‘Burns-a-thon’ ever, plus a visit to a couple of the UK’s newest distilleries… However, we are now ready to unleash our latest events on you so hold tight!

IT’S BACK!

The series that in many ways defined us as a company before we were even a company! This is a tasting that we always love putting on – almost as much as you seem to love coming to it. Put simply, a blind tasting of three Japanese whiskies vs three Scotch whiskies. We do it blind so you pick what you truly think is best, denied the fripperies of packaging. This time we are excited to be partnering with the Nikka Whisky Company – founded by the ‘Daddy’ of Japanese whisky himself – Masataka Taketsuru. Their whiskies are extremely well-respected and are normally to be found with sparks flying off the medals they are dragging around…

JAPAN Vs SCOTLAND DATES & VENUES

WEDS.  11th March      SHEFFIELD, The Tap, Sheffield Station, 7pm

WEDS.  18th March      LONDON, Salt Bar, Seymour St., W2, 7pm

WEDS.  18th March      LIVERPOOL, Jenny’s Bar, Fenwick St., L2, 7pm

FRIDAY 20th March      NEWCASTLE, Blackfriars, Friar St., NE1, 7pm

FRIDAY 20th March      MANCHESTER, Britons Protection, Gt. Bridgwater St, 7pm

SAT.       21st March      YORK, Brigantes, Micklegate, YO1, 7pm

THURS. 26th March      LEEDS, The Cross Keys, Water Lane, LS2, 7pm

THURS. 26th March      BRIGHTON, Hilton Metropole, Kings St., 7pm

All of the above tastings are ready to book and are only £20 per person. Of course, if you are not able to attend for whatever reason, but would still like to take part, you can pre-order the relevant ‘Tasting from Home’ pack at £25 that can be found HERE.

FESTIVALS!

After our relatively ‘quiet’ year of only 6 Whisky Festivals in 2014, we have ramped things up again for 2015. We are returning to all of the cities of 2014, plus 2 that we did in 2013 – Aberdeen and Bristol. Hopefully this means that even more of you can make it to these cracking events this year.

NEWCASTLE, 7th MARCH

Newcastle is always our first festival of the year and as such, we are always keen to kick things of with a bang! Now in its 7th Year, the festival has become an absolute must attend for local whisky-lovers and the whisky-curious alike. We have secured a fantastical variety of exhibitors from Scotland, England, Wales, the USA and Japan, so there is more than ever to go at. Tickets for both sessions are nearly sold out so if you do want to come, be quick and click HERE or on the banner.

LONDON, 11th & 12th APRIL

Our ‘Whisky Weekender’ in London returns for a second year. A slight departure from our Whisky Festival ‘template’ with more in the way of food, music and other enticements.  However, at the core of it is still our mission to bring you the best the industry has to offer. Along with the usual range of fantastic whiskies, this year we are focusing on ‘craft distilling’ so we will have an area dedicated to this, featuring the best small distillers from the UK and the US. Further details and tickets can be found HERE

ABERDEEN, 25th APRIL

After a 2 year absence (well, more like 18 months to be fair), we are returning to the ‘Granite City’. We loved our first outing in 2013 but decided to ‘rest’ the show (and ourselves) last year. As always we are aiming at bigger and better, and with this in mind we are housing ourselves this year at the AECC. Added to this, more exhibitors and more whiskies, this should be a great day of dramming near the heart of whisky-making Scotland. Details and tickets can be found HERE.

BRISTOL, 13th JUNE

The second returning event of the year, Bristol was another festival we loved doing in 2013 but couldn’t stretch to in 2014. Once again we are the beautiful Coniston Hall and will be bringing a whole host of the great and the good of the distilling world. More whiskies than you can shake a stick at! We have an early-bird special (2 tickets for £40) for the first 100 people to book, so if you want to get involved in that, head over to the booking page by clicking HERE.

ISLAY FESTIVAL 2015

We have sold all but one ticket for our Finlaggan House legs of this fabulous time of a lifetime. However, we do still have places available on the beautiful tall ship Irene. Not only do you get to soak up the world famous Islay festival you get to sleep and sail around this beautiful island on a genuine tall ship. If you have some time in May and would like to join us on Islay, click HERE to find out more. Remember you can always ask us any questions about this or any other event by emailing us here

FINAL CALL

At the end of this month we host the inimitable Colin Dunn of Diageo for 3 special ‘Ultimalt’ tastings at three venues in the UK. London and Manchester are sold out but there are still places in Newcastle on Saturday 28th February. Click HERE to find out more and for tickets.

Eddie’s ‘Mini-Tour’ of new distilleries

Completely spontaneously – because thats the kind of guy he is – Eddie decided to set off on a mini-tour of three of the UK’s newest distilleries. Starting two Mondays ago and finishing on the Wednesday, Eddie travelled to The Lakes Distillery, near Cockermouth, Penderyn in South Wales and finally to The Cotswolds Distillery. Needless to say, he had an amazing time and the trip seems to have ‘fed his soul’, particularly in regards to new distilleries. You can read about his trip over at the website where he has written up each visit individually. Click HERE then go and visit these worthwhile and brilliant ventures. The Lakes will be at least one of our UK Festivals this year, with Penderyn appearing at no less than 6 in 2015. We are hopeful that the Cotswolds will join us too.

JOE’S BOOK!

Our very own Joe Clark has written his first whisky book! Under the title ‘The Ultimate Book of Whisky’, in his own words, ‘this project ate up my life in ways I can’t even begin to describe.’ We are obviously incredibly proud of Joe and we are only to happy to offer his book for sale on our website. It is a fantastic reference book for the novice and budding whisky enthusiast with loads of facts and information on distilleries old and new. It is a beautifully presented item. It comes in a slipcase and has an ‘archive’ notebook included for people to make their own notes. A lovely gift! The cost to you is £30 which includes next day UK delivery. Click HERE for more details and to buy!