Scotland’s Distillery Boom

New Morrison Distillery planned for Perthshire

Ernie – Ernst J Scheiner, The Gateway to Distilleries at www.whisky-distilleries.net

The Exchequer of James IV put the Tironensian and Lindores monk John Cor on the agenda of Scottish whisky history in 1495 by writing: “To Friar John Cor, by order of the King, to make aqua vitae VIII bolls of malt.” In Latin he noted: „Et per liberacionem factam Fratri Johanni Cor per preceptum compotorum rotulatoris, ut asserit, de mandato domini regis ad faciendum aquavite, infra hoc compotum viij bolle brasii.“

The wider Lindores area around Newburgh will become a distilling centre again with the working farm distillery Daftmill and the proposed micro Lindores-McKenzie-Smith-Distillery.

A further distillery will join the two Lowland distilleries according to plans which have been lodged with local planning authority and revealed just recently to The Gateway to Distilleries. The new whisky plant will be located just some miles west from the overgrown ruin of Frair Johanni’s Lindores Abbey in the small village of Aberargie, near Abernethy which is just south-east of the blending centre Perth.

The famous whisky dynasty, the Morrison Family of Bowmore, who sold their distilleries Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch to the Japanese drinks giant Suntory in 1994, will join in the distilling industry with verve again. Mid October plans were published by Tim Morrison who will built a 500,000 litre distillery in Glasgow’s famous Queen’s docks. After about 100 years the River Clyde will see a whisky distillery again.

His brother Brian, former chairman of Morrison Distillers, and his son Jamie will also invest in a distillery project in rural Aberargie where they own farmland around the proposed production site. Their intention is to use barley grown by their own farm and adjoining local farms. It is said that the new commercial distillery will produce double distilled single malt only. „Capacity has not been decided yet,“ explained Kenny MacKay, managing director of the Scottish Liqueur Centre in Perth. The Mackays and the Morrisons are the main shareholders (89%) of the Perth bottling and blending firm which has revived the former Thomson label Old Perth this year. Kenny MacKay has also set up the distinguished Cárn Mór cask bottlings launched in 2008. In their portfolio are also the Highland liqueur Bruadar and the premium cream liqueur Columba with single malt whisky sourced from Tullibardine distillery.

The new  distillery will not produce any grain whiskies but double distilled malts which would supply the whiskies for the new Blended Malt Old Perth. It would also allow „swapping spirits“ with other distilleries to secure further single cask bottlings of the Cárn Mór series. Thus they are following the footsteps of other successful Scottish independent bottlers like Andrew Symington and Ian Macleod who had aquired the Highland distilleries Edradour, Glengoyne and the Speyside Distillery Tamdhu.

‘Our project  is now in for planning permission, and once, and if, we know that we have it then we can start to look at the build project in much more detail, it doesn’t happen overnight,“ said Kenny MacKay, one of the main shareholders of the Scottish Liqueur Centre.

The distillery will be owned by a company (KIC Holdings Ltd, Perth) controlled by The Morrison family and the new site which will also contain a bottling and blending plant which will be operated by the Scottish Liqueur Centre.

Information:

www.scottish-liqueur-centre.com

www.whisky-distilleries.net

Photos

Kenny Mackay at the Whisky & Tobacco Days 2013 in Hofheim, Germany. Copyright Ernie- Ernst J. Scheiner 2013.

About the Author: Ernie – Ernst J. Scheiner M.A. was a director in an adult education centre. Ernie offers courses on whisky distilling, writes for newspapers, magazines and blogs in Germany. He is the editor of The Gateway to Distilleries at www.whisky-distilleries.net which gives an excellent photographic and educational insight into the whisky industry of Scotland, Ireland, Europe and Asia.

Please see also: http://www.whisky-distilleries.net

Dear whiskyfriends,

Those of you who where at Maltstock this year might have noticed: Someone was filming us and taking pictures! Just like the rest of our guests by the way 😉 but for a different reason.

Gwen Jansen, who was our guest at Maltstock 2013, is a Dutch film maker who has set herself the task to make a documentary film about whisky in the Netherlands. She has taken a plunge into the Dutch whisky scene to make a film:

Since we very much like the initiative, and it is a crowd funding project, we thought it couldn’t hurt to bring it to your attention.

All the information about this wonderful project, and how to support it, can be found at this website: http://www.nederlandwhiskyland.nl/home.html

You can watch a Dutch TV news item (in Dutch) about this initiative here:

http://www.rtlxl.nl/#!/u/a88b8bde-48f2-4645-bae8-c554480ce58e

In a few day’s our regular newsletter will follow to keep you posted on the latest news about Maltstock.

Relaxed greetings,

Annette, Bob, Jeroen, Klaas, Stan and Teun
Maltstock

Hello everyone,

I took a very deep breath before I started writing these words. It was more than 4 years ago when I seized the opportunity presented to me and became Grant’s whisky first Global Ambassador. With a strong team of craftsmen, marketers, family shareholders and a blend whose name was already trusted in every corner… (please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

Kind regards,

Ludo

The top whisky in the 2014 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible will announced on Whisky Intelligence tomorrow (November 2nd) at 8AM PST.

Diageo Special Releases 2013

Autumn is upon us and the Diageo Special Releases 2013 are here. For those not up to speed on Diageo’s yearly release cycle, about now every year they release a range of whiskies from across the distilleries they own, including … Continue reading >>

“It’s beginning to look a lot like…”

It seems like Holiday decorations have been in stores since mid-August. While we’re in no rush to put you in the Holiday mood – we would like to share some ideas for Holiday
spirits.

The following are some new items that deserve early consideration as a Holiday gift. Also, take a look at what Marlon has in-store for the next MMD Dinner. Just click on the MMD logo on the right.
Please contact us with any questions and have a safe Halloween.

Cheers!
Jonathan & Eric
Park Avenue Liquor Shop
292 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017
212-685-2442
info@parkaveliquor.com

www.parkaveliquor.com

The next M.M.D. Dinner may be its best one yet!

The Madison Malt Drinkers (MMD) next event is one that is not to be missed. Highlights include Nikka Japanese Malt, Glenrothes Single Malts, Dinner at St. Andrews and at cigars at Nat Sherman’s Johnson Club Room. Click on the MMD logo below for all of the details.

Compass Box: Delilah’s (limited release)
Delilah’s is a legendary punk rock whisky bar nestled in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. The bar stocks over 400 unique types of whiskey, and is said to be “one of the most important bars in the United States,” according to whisky-expert Michael Jackson.

Compass Box Delilah’s Limited Edition Blended Scotch Whisky is a celebration of the eponymously-named bar’s 20th anniversary. The whisky was developed jointly by the bar’s founder Mike Miller and John Glaser, the founder of Compass Box Whisky Co. The whisky is a blend of single malt whiskies sourced from the cities of Alness and Longmorn (this comprises approximately 50% of the blend), together with a single grain whisky sourced from the city of Fife (this comprises the remainder of the blend). Once the whiskies were sourced, they were aged in a mix of experimental new American oak casks and rejuvenated American oak hogsheads. “Mike wanted a Scotch whisky that, in his words, ‘thinks it’s a Bourbon,” says Glaser, “so we sourced some single malts aged in new American oak hogsheads, something that’s very hard to find in Scotland.”

The aroma gives way to notes of honeyed oak, and red fruits on the palate, which are well-balanced by a creamy vanilla undertone. The finish is smooth yet bold, with a sweet caramel flavor balancing notes of cinnamon and baking spices.
Only 6,400 bottles of this craft Scotch whisky, which was bottled in July 2013, will ever be produced.

Our price: $70/btl

Compass Box: The Peat Monster,
10th Anniversary Edition

We can’t quite believe it but it is ten years since our own Jonathan Goldstein of the Park Avenue Liquor Shop and John Glaser, founder of Compass Box created a bespoke blend of very peaty single malts as an exclusive bottle for our store. It sold so well that when this “Monster” became endangered Compass Box decided to share the idea with the rest of the world. It has gone on to become their best-selling whisky. In 2013, Mr. Glaser and Compass Box have created this special Limited Edition bottling of The Peat Monster with intense aromas of peat-reek, smoke, seaside character and burnt ropes and a subtle apple-fruitiness in the background. This unique recipe is a fitting tribute to such a full, round and tremendously complex whisky. For this special bottling, they produced a special recipe of The Peat Monster, maintaining the smoky, heavy-peated intensity of the classic bottling and adding a bit more malty richness through the use of some very special, quite odd casks of peaty Highland single malt. And rumor has it that Park Avenue may be bringing in yet another exclusive Monster of their own. Stay tuned.

Our price: $110/btl

Wild Turkey: Forgiven

Wild Turkey Forgiven Whiskey was created by accident when a distillery crew-member mistakenly mingled together a perfectly-matured, six-year old Wild Turkey Bourbon (78%) with a high-proof, four-year old Wild Turkey Rye (22%) (each had matured in American oak casks with a #4 char). After the mistake was made, Eddie Russell tasted the blend and quickly concluded that the exceptional whiskey should be brought to market, giving birth to Wild Turkey Forgiven. “I was mad when I first discovered our crew’s mistake,” says Russell, “but once I tasted it, all was Forgiven.”

Wild Turkey Forgiven has a bold and spicy aroma, with notes of cloves, oak, cinnamon and rye bread. “At Wild Turkey, we like the spicy note the rye gives you,” says Russell. The aroma gives way to a more mellow flavor profile, with notes of caramel, creamy vanilla and toffee that lead to a finish accented by touches of pepper and whipped cream.

Our price: $62/btl

Tullamore D.E.W.: Phoenix

Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey is made from three different grains, including malted barley, unmalted barley and corn. Once the grains are harvested, they are milled and mashed with hot water before being fermented in wooden washbacks. During fermentation, the grains’ sugars are converted into alcohol, creating a strong yet sour beer called wash. The wash is then triple distilled through three copper-pot stills: a wash still, a low wines still and a pot still. Through each distillation process, the alcohol content and flavors of the whiskey are intensified.

Following distillation, the whiskey is matured in traditional oak casks until it reaches its peak flavor. Then, a portion of the whiskey is double-barreled, or finished, for an additional two years in Oloroso Sherry casks. Once the whiskey has been finished, it is bottled at 110 proof without the use of chill filtration.

Tullamore DEW Phoenix Irish Whiskey has a creamy and rich aroma, with hints of vanilla, molasses, toffee, brown sugar and spicy ginger. The aroma gives way to notes of malted barley, cinnamon and woody spices on the palate, which are complemented by a sweet undertone of honey and red fruits. The finish is long and smooth, with a warming touch.

Gold Medal at the Irish Whiskey Masters Competition in 2013.
Only 2,500 cases of this limited edition whiskey will ever be made.

Our price: $65/btl

Wassmund’s: Copper Fox Rye

Wassmund’s latest way of “shaking up” the whisky world is this remarkable rye whisky made with an extraordinarily generous amount of their smoked malt. The mash bill is 2/3 Virginia rye and 1/3 Virginia Thoroughbred hand-malted barley-kiln dried with Applewood and Cherrywood smoke. Double pot-stilled to between 150 and 160 proof and aged with a progressive series of new and used apple wood and oak chips inside used bourbon barrels. Their innovative aging process results in a truly unique rye whisky that is savory and complex with the characteristic Wasmund’s finish. Copper Fox Rye has a copper gold color, along with an aroma of buttered biscuits, rye spices and honeyed oak. Notes of cinnamon, allspice and cloves dominate the palate, and are well-balanced by touches of dried fruits, chestnuts, figs and cola. The finish is long and well-balanced, with notes of rye and caramel complementing each other.
Copper Fox Rye Whisky earned a score of 94 points from the Beverage Testing Institute

Our price: $47/btl

Talisker: Storm

Talisker Storm Single Malt Scotch Whisky takes its name from the harsh conditions that the Isle of Skye often experiences. “We were inspired to craft an expression as unique as the dramatic terrain of the island from where it hails,” says Jim Beveridge, Talisker’s master blender. The whisky is crafted by marrying together both rejuvenated and refill casks of different ages to enhance the vibrant intensity that is the signature of Talisker Distillery. This approach allows Beveridge to create “one vibrant dram.”

Talisker Storm has an aroma of spicy oak, smoked beef, black pepper and honey. The aroma gives way to notes of mellow and rich caramel on the palate that are followed by warming notes of pepper and cloves. The finish is smooth and lasting, with touches of smoke, pepper and salt.

Our price: $75/btl

www.ralfy.com enjoys a classy moment with Whisky Review 406 – Brora 30yo (2010)

NEW CASK STRENGTH BEAUTIES

SPRINGBANK Gaja Barolo £57.95

Should be just as good (if not better) than the long gone Longrow Gaja Barolo. Feisty and fruity, yet another quality combination of casks from Springbank.

BENRIACH 1994 Virgin Oak £79.95

There are an awful lot of chaste whiskies about these days! Exclusive to UK retail only, a divine 19 year old Virgin Oak for your delectation.

GLENDROANCH 1990 Pedro Ximenez £111.95

We love Pedro Ximenez and the amazing complimentary effect it has in making fantastic whiskies even better. Another exclusive to UK retail only.

NEW ADDITIONS TO RANGES

CARDHU Special Cask Reserve £42.95

A wee while ago there wasn’t enough stock to meet demand. Now there is a great range of single (not ‘pure’) malts. Nothing to do with the collapse of their biggest market then?

GLEN GRANT 16 Year Old £44.95

Major Grant would surely have approved of this addition to the portfolio and undoubtedly kept a bottle in his not-so-secret garden hidey-hole.

OLD PULTENEY Navigator £39.95

Not a permanent addition to the Old Pulteney range, but a great limited edition celebrating the Clipper Round the World Race.

RARE, CLOSED & LESSER KNOWN DISTILLERIES

TAMNAVULIN 25 Old Particular £99.95

This single malt has always been hard to get hold of due to intermittent production and primarily being used for blending purposes. Which makes this 25 year old a ‘particularly’ good buy.

GLENUGIE 1980 Deoch an Doras £275.00

Deoch an Doras translates from Gaelic as ‘Drink at the door’ (i.e. savour a ‘last wee dram before you leave’). Better priced than official bottlings from certain other closed distilleries.

INVERLEVEN 1973 Deoch an Doras £285.00

Both this and the Glenugie Deoch an Doras are extremely rare official bottlings from two long gone distilleries. Modestly presented and emminently collectable, both are worthy investments.

“Some like wine and some like hops but what I really love is my scotch It’s the power, the power of positive drinking”(The Power of Positive Drinking, Lou Reed 1942 – 2013)
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FOR ALL GENERAL ENQUIRIES PLEASE CALL: 0131 524 9380 or email: contact@royalmilewhiskies.com

Royal Mile Whiskies
Whisky Magazine’s ‘Retailer of the Year 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011’

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert

 Canadian Whisky is on the shortlist for Taste Canada 2013 book awards.

SHORTLISTED, TASTE CANADA  BOOK AWARDS

CULINARY NARRATIVES (winner to be announced Nov 4)

Vote here for the CBC People’s Choice Award

 WINNER, GOURMAND BOOK AWARDS 

BEST SPIRITS BOOK CANADA 2012

 WINNER, 2013 IACP BOOK AWARDS

WINE, BEER AND SIRITS

 Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is published by McClelland & Stewart and distributed by Penguin Random House. It is available from most book shops and on-line book sellers.

Tasting Notes: Redbreast 21 Year Old

It’s a matter of record that I’m a huge fan of Irish Distillers, as evidenced by all manner of embarrassing fanboy gushing across the virtual pages of this blog.  I was obviously over the moon, then, when I heard that … Continue reading >>