www.ralfy.com gets a cheap and cheerful malt into the spotlight with Whisky Review 422 – Glen Grant (The Major’s Reserve)

At the Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards Dinner on the 20^th March 2014 in London, we distribute the first copies of Issue 118.  This, the biggest issue of the year, includes the global award winners for The Icons of Whisky together with the World Whiskies Awards and the World Whiskies Design Awards winners 

In addition to this exciting news; we travel to New Brunswick, Canada to review the whisky clubs, festivals and the micro distilleries together with a Drinker’s Guide to Canada’s three Maritime provinces. From Scotland the review is taken from the Eastern area of Speyside.

On the 5^th June, we publish the edition that travels way down south to New Orleans and then onto Kentucky to include the Urban Bourbon Trail.  We also include a special World Whiskies Feature, to give a truly global feel to this issue. 

Editorial Features  

Issue No.118 

Special Features

Whisky Travel: New Brunswick, Canada

World Whiskies Awards Results

Icons of Whisky Results

World Whiskies Design Awards Results

Publication Date: 9^th May

Copy Deadline: 21^st February 

Issue No.119

Special Features

Whisky Travel: New Orleans, Kentucky and  The Urban Bourbon Trail

Special Features: World Whiskies

Publication Date 5th June

Copy  Deadline: 28^th March

TOP PICKS

• Johnnie Walker Blue Blended Scotch Whisky 750ml (Previously $180) ($149.99)
  95 points Wine Enthusiast: “*Top 50 Spirits of 2011* A honey-colored whisky with a spicy, smoky fragrance. The first sip is surprisingly sweet and honeyed, then the smoke gently creeps in like fog at dawn, softly surrounding the edges of the tongue.” (09/2011) K&L Notes: Johnnie Walker Blue Label is crafted from the finest and rarest casks in the producer’s extensive stocks to exemplify the art of blended whiskies. A whisky of power, smoothness, and signature smokiness is the result. Influences from across Scotland are layered in the profile, with the smokiness of the west and the rich, sweet whiskies of the east. (NOTE: This bottle does not ship automatically with the gift packaging. Shipping the gift box as well requires a separate package on the side for an additional fee. Please indicate in the comment field if you would like the box, or call the store to request a separate shipping container.)

• 1985 Talisker 28 Year Old Maritime Edition Isle of Skye Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 12 available ($649.99)
  Here is the new limited release from Talisker. Bottled to commemorate the International Maritime Signal Flag System, used to send messages between ships and shore, this very old cask strength Talisker is sure to be as collectable as it is delicious.

NEW ARRIVALS

• 1989 Bowmore 23 year old “Port Cask Matured” Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $700) – 6 available ($599.99)
  This single vintage Bowmore was matured exclusively in Port Casks for a truly unusual and special example of this special distillery. One of the better 80’s Bowmore I’ve tasted without the slightest hint of FWP. Take advantage of some of the New Year’s deals with this special bottle at a very special price.

• Lagavulin 37 Year Old Limited Release Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 3 available ($2,899.99)
  From the pillar of Islay, this top notch distillate can stand up to an incredible amount of time in the cask, but of course the huge majority is dumped at 16 years of age. We’re lucky to get a few bottles of this ultra old legend. Serge from Whiskyfun.com seemed to like it, “Starts with something fragrant, like some perfumes for men that would include incense and sandalwood, as well as more and more vetiver. Certainly some aniseed and dill as well. Then it’s rather citrus and liquorice wood, then vin jaune or manzanilla (yes, fresh walnuts), a side that never stops growing over time. It’s actually very restless, it never stops changing, which is both fabulous and a drawback if you want to write tasting notes… Aaargh! Also wee touches of paint thinner (high quality paint thinner, of course), creosote, a new box of cigars, various oils and waxes, touches of turpentine, overripe apples, teak oil… Oh and there, it changes again, becoming much more coastal and almost as smoky as a youngster. Bonfire, oysters and such. Phew, this baby really shakes you off! With water: no huge changes, let’s say it became fresher and a wee notch more medicinal. Lemon juice with a few drops of antiseptic. Oh and vetiver, and sandalwood, and seaweed, and… Here we go again! Mouth (neat): the oak feels a bit (astringency) but only for fraction of a second, because lemons, smokes and especially lapsang-souchong tea are soon to come to the rescue…” -94 points

• Oban 21 Year Old Limited Edition Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 12 available ($399.99)
  The third limited release Oban ever, after the 20 year and the 32 year, this cask strength bottling is sure to go down as a legend. Only 2860 bottles.
• 1997 Arran 16 Year Old Single Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($124.99)
  Another exquisite cask of sherry-aged single malt from Scotland’s most up-and-coming distillery. This is pure cakebread, big sherry, rich, and decadent juice, all from one single butt and bottled at full proof. Anyone who’s overpaying for Macallan right now should look to Arran for help. This is serious whisky for a reasonable asking price. (David Driscoll, 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

Made from vineyards of between 15 and 25 years old, the wine making process includes 28 days of maceration with the skins on and then 12 months ageing in both American and French oak barrels, until it is bottled. 

Four Roses K&L Exclusive Single Barrel OBSO (US 55-1P) Cask Strength Bourbon 750ml ($59.99)

Three barrels of Four Roses have arrived, tasted by our spirits department at the distillery, directly from the Cox warehouse facility with Jim Rutledge himself. To make matters confusing, we ended up picked three fantastic barrels of the same Four Roses formula (OBSO), when there were ten different recipes to choose from. We couldn’t help it–our palates were simply drawn to the bold, woody flavors of that whiskey. This nine year, eleven month old cask managed to proof itself down to a respectable 53.5 percent and starts off with a red-fruited flavor before immediately headed into the more herbaceous and peppery realm. Pencil shavings and old fashioned Bourbon goodness on the finish bring the experience to satisfying climax. This is a punchy little whiskey that sticks to the tried and tested flavors of American Bourbon and does it very, very well.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 13, 2014
This is the most direct of the 3 barrels that were select by K&L’s spirits team. There are nice aromas of caramel and sweetness that are inviting. In the mouth this barrel selection is rich and round with a nice balance rounding out the flavors. It was my favorite of the 3 barrels.

Heard about Japanese Whiskies but have yet to try them? Wait no longer!

Hakushu 12 Year Old Japanese Whiskey $59.99

Hakushu Heavily Peated Single Malt Japanese $174.99

Hibiki 12 Year Old Japanese Blended Whisky $69.99

Nikka 15 Year Old “Yoichi” Single Malt Whisky $123.99

Nikka 17 Year Old Pure Malt Whisky $149.99

Suntory 12 Year Old “Yamazaki” Single Malt Japanese Whisky $54.99

Suntory 18 Year Old “Yamazaki” Single Malt Japanese Whisky $174.99

Suntory Group Alcoholic Beverages Business Strategy for 2014

In 2013, the Suntory Group’s alcoholic beverages business was up on the previous year due to factors such as the creation of new demand by breaking ground in the RTS*category, in addition to the strengthening of its core brands such as The Premium Malt’s, Kin-Mugi, All-Free, Kakubin, Yamazaki, Hakushu, and -196°C. The group will continue to roll out proactive initiatives in an effort toward further growth in 2014.

In 2014, Suntory Liquors Limited will make “premium” in the sense of high added value our key focus and work to build demand by offering value. In addition, we will take on the challenge of innovation in every area from product development to the creation of new categories, all oriented toward creating new value.

Suntory will roll out proactive marketing initiatives for core brands such as The Premium Malt’s, Kakubin, and -196°C, RTS beverages, and more.On top of that, outside of Japan we will seek to develop a portfolio of brands that engage the unique circumstances of each region in order to establish solid bases for business.

Spirit Business

Suntory’s spirits business in 2013, due to the breaking of new ground in the RTS category and other achievements in addition to the favorable growth of core brands including Kakubin, Yamazaki, Hakushu, and -196°C, 3% growth was achieved compared to the previous year. In 2014, we will aim for 1% growth compared to the previous year by continuing to cultivate and strengthen our brands further in growing categories including highballs, premium whiskies, RTDs, and RTSs.

Whisky

Review of 2013

The whisky market is estimated to perform better than the previous year due to expanding demand for highballs and premium category beverages. With that, there were effects due to some changes in the brands of imported whiskies purveyed, but the core brands performed favorably.

Kakubin showed growth of 3% compared to the previous year as a result of efforts to more actively promote its compatibility with food with the aim of further market expansion and the establishment of highballs. Additionally, Premium Kakubin, which went on sale in May, has received high praise.

As for domestic premium whiskies, Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki 12 Years Old (in a 500 mL size) made favorable movement, up 16% compared to the previous year. Suntory’s whiskies have taken prizes in worldwide liquor competitions, with Hibiki 21 Years Old winning a “Trophy,” the highest prize in its category, “Worldwide Whiskies,” and Suntory Liquors Limited being named Distiller of the Year for the third time at the 2013 International Spirits Challenge (ISC).

Further, Jim Beam, the world’s top*6 bourbon, which Suntory began handling in January, has made great contributions in terms of acquiring new consumers and activating the import whisky market.

*6 2012 sales numbers (Source: IMPACT NEWSLETTER February Volumes 1 & 15, 2013)

Strategy for 2014

Suntory will work to activate the whisky market through such efforts as bolstering marketing activities for Kakubin, strengthening premium whisky value promotion activities, strengthening marketing activities for Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, all with the aim of 1% growth over the previous year.

Strengthening Kakubin marketing activities

Suntory will strengthen its marketing activities related to Kakubin using good flavor and compatibility with food as themes. The relevant television commercials will be re-launched in February, and in conjunction with those commercials Suntory will make appeals to shops involving how to create delicious kaku highballs and the allure of the same as drinks to go with food. Suntory will work with drinking establishments to expand kaku highball fandom by further bolstering activities related to quality at the point of consumption.
 
Strengthening premium whisky value promotion

In order to help consumers experience the luxurious frame of mine inherent to whisky, Suntory will continue to strengthen its marketing activities related to premium whiskies with a central focus on the Hibiki brand and appeal to the high quality that comes with the group’s various malts and superior blending techniques. Additionally, by strengthening marketing activities for smaller size units of Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki 21 Years Old, the group is working to expand the arena of premium whisky drinking. The Hakushu brand has garnered high praise from the younger generation for Hakushu highballs with mint, and Suntory will work to make active proposals for television commercials and more to promote the brand and acquire new consumers.
 
Strengthening marketing activities for Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark

Suntory will be investing in new television commercials starting in mid-January for Jim Beam, the world’s top bourbon, keeping “cool bourbon” as its key message with the aim of further improving brand recognition and desirability. As for Maker’s Mark, the group will make appeals based on the high quality carefully distilled into each and every bottle through seminars and other events.

Overseas Alcoholic Beverage Business

Review of 2013In terms of whisky, our active promotion of Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki in Europe and America and Kakubin in Asia enjoyed favorable reception, and we expanded our whisky sales abroad. The Premium Malt’s showed favorable growth in Asia. With Morrison Bowmore Distillers Limited we have expanded sales with a focus on Bowmore and Auchentoshan single malt whiskies.Strategy for 2014We will strengthen marketing campaigns in accordance with the unique circumstances of each region throughout the world. In Europe and America, we will develop the Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki lines of premium whisky, as well as the liqueur MIDORI, while in Asia we will develop Kakubin and The Premium Malt’s. Similarly, we will continue our active efforts to strengthen Bowmore and Auchentoshan single malt whiskies as global brands.

*RTS (Ready to Serve): Alcoholic beverages finished with a balanced taste optimized for drinking on ice, with an alcohol content between roughly 10% and 20%.

UK vlogger Joe Ellis from Whisky Wednesday reviews Cutty Sark 12 Year Old 

http://youtu.be/PtV9ZgoCuMs 

http://Facebook.com/whiskytube 

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

Compass Box Delilah’s Blended Scotch Limited Edition 80 Proof – $69.99 (3 bottles available) 

Compass Box The Peat Monster Tenth Anniversary Blended Malt Scotch 97.8 Proof – $99.99 (6 bottles available) 

Compass Box Great King Street New York Edition Blended Scotch 92 Proof – $64.99 (3 bottles in stock)

Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits

www.moraswines.com

631-941-4458

sev.clemens@moraswines.com

www.ralfy.com opens another bottle of whisky with Whisky Review 421 – Tomatin 30yo scotch