Introducing Old Particular
Introducing the all new Douglas Laing’s Old Particular range of single cask Scotch whiskies.
‘Particularly’ sought after range of individually selected Malts from all over Scotland – each bottled according to the founders’ philosophy of topmost quality.
Port Ellen 31 Year Old 1982 (51.5%)
Classic Book Reviews: Whisky by Aeneas MacDonald
Tullamore Distillery is reborn
Ernie – Ernst J. Scheiner, The Gateway to Distilleries at www.whisky-distilleries.net
William Grant & Sons Ltd., announced on March 28th, 2012 it will invest in a new pot still whiskey and malt whiskey distillery in Tullamore, bringing whiskey production back to the town for the first time since the original distillery closed in 1954. In 2010 they aquired the brand Tullamore D.E.W. from the Irish drinks maker C&C Group plc – Frangelico and Irish Mist – for €300 million. Tullamore D.E.W. was largely produced by Midleton Distilleries in Co. Cork, Tullamore Malt came from Cooley Distillery in Co. Louth.
Offaly Council gave green light for the planners on December 18th, 2012. The new Tullamore distillery will be built at Ballard and Clonminch in Tullamore‘s north. Next to the distillery there will also be a new visitor centre with a restaurant.
See official briefing document of the proposed distillery.
New Start
On September 12th, 2013 the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney ‘turned the sod’ on the new Tullamore distillery.
Production will start in autumn 2014 and will bring back distilling to Tullamore after the original distillery had to close in 1954. About €35 million will be invested in the new state-of-the art distillery which will be situated on a 58 acre site at Clonmich on the outskirts of Tullamore. The grain and pot still whiskey distillery will emply about 25 people.
By breaking a ceremonial cask full of Tullamore whiskey with William Grant & Sons Global CEO Stella David the construction phase of the new grain and malt distillery started. The reborn Tullamore distillery will produce about 1.84 million litres of alcohol or 1.5 million nine-liter-cases annually when it is finished. In 2014 there will be two warehouses to hold 55,000 casks. Altogether there will 26 palletized warehouses and three dunnage warehouses. The water is piped for 14km to the production site.
The Scottish firm William Grant & Sons employs more than 90 people in Ireland, in Dublin, Tullamore and in Clonmel at its bottling plant.
Facts
Tullamore D.E.W. has doubled its worldwide sales to almost 850.000 nine-liter-cases since 2005. It is the world‘s second largest Irish whiskey brand (behind John Jameson) with enormous growing figures by over 20% anually. It is very popular in Germany, Sweden and the Czech Republic but will also grow in the four big markets U.S.A., France, Britain and Ireland where Tullamore whiskey is under-represented.
In Germany it is the No. 1 among the Irish whiskeys with a market share of 65.3%.
The refurbished Tullamore Visitor Centre near the Grand Canal attracts about 40.000 visitors each year.
Information:
www.tullamoredew.com
www.williamgrant.com
www.whisky-distilleries.net
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Tasting Notes: Tomatin Cù Bòcan
Tomatin has crept under the radar recently to become something of the hipster-namecheck distillery of the moment. This unexpected turn of events is probably down to a number of factors which include the revamp of the range in 2010 (with … Continue reading >>
“It is with regret that we pass on the news that John Black, a true Master Distiller within the Scotch Whisky Industry, passed away on Wednesday 18th September, 2013.
Born in 1942, John started his working life at Cardow (now Cardhu) distillery in 1958 and literally devoted the rest of his 55 years of life to the Industry and the making of Scotch whisky. John’s legacy lives on through the whisky he distilled at Glenburgie, Milton Duff, Ardbeg, Glencadam, Balblair, Pultney, Auchentoshan, Tormore, Ardmore, Scapa and last but not least Tullibardine.
John was as passionate about people as he was about distilling whisky and always had time for anyone who visited or called in for a chat. For those of us fortunate enough to have undertaken a tour of the distillery, or to have been guided through the history and process under his passionate tutelage we are eternally grateful. He had a story for every occasion & the saddest thing is that we probably never made the most of our time with him.
John Black, a friend, colleague, mentor and Master Distiller left his legacy in the whiskies he distilled and memories and thoughts instilled in the people he met.”
James Robertson, Tullibardine Distillery
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IRISH DISTILLERS REVEALS VISION FOR THE IRISH WHISKEY CATEGORY AT THE HOUSEWARMING
Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard – makers of Jameson Irish Whiskey – showcased a raft of new innovations that reaffirm the company’s commitment to the continued global growth of the Irish Whiskey category as it opened the doors of its Midleton Distillery in Co. Cork for The Housewarming last week
Irish Distillers unveiled an expansion of its famed Midleton Distillery as they showcased the new Garden Stillhouse. Demonstrating the importance it places on increasing understanding of the unique properties and provenance of the whiskeys made at the Midleton Distillery, the pioneering company also revealed its new Irish Whiskey Academy and an extensive Irish Whiskey Archive, which provides a thorough history of the Irish whiskey category.
The company also paid special tribute to former Master Distiller, Barry Crockett, who retired earlier this year after an impressive 47 years with the company, by revealing that the distillery’s old Stillhouse has been re-named the ‘Barry Crockett Stillhouse’ in his honour.
Guests were welcomed to the distillery for an afternoon of activities and festivities, including tastings of the company’s comprehensive range of whiskeys – led by members of the Irish Distillers’ production team, including new Master Distiller, Brian Nation, a demonstration from Ger Buckley, Master Cooper, a whiskey Trends Lab and many others. Further entertainment was provided with live music throughout the day and an artisanal food village showcasing the best of Irish food and craft. The event ended in the evening with the Jameson’s Barrelman’s Feast where guests were able to enjoy a variety of performances including a show from a traditional Irish band The Chieftains.
Anna Malmhake, Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, said: “We’re thrilled to have so many of our friends from across the world with us here at the Midleton Distillery for what has been a very special celebration of Jameson and all of our whiskeys and in particular, the contribution of the many great people who make Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard such an exciting, innovative and fun company to be part of.”
“We are delighted to reveal all the new elements that we have been working hard on here at the Midleton Distillery. We are hopeful that our new Irish Whiskey Academy and Archive will herald a new era of increased understanding of the provenance and quality of Irish Whiskey, which is something the whole team is passionate about, and we hope that it is what everyone who has joined us for the Housewarming takes away from the day.”
For further information about the day’s activities please contact: irishdistillers@rt-com.com
Cragganmore 12-year-old Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($45.99)
90-95 points Wine Enthusiast: “The succulent aroma develops with aeration in the sweet forms of barley, cream, light caramel, and a trace of tropical fruit. Palate entry is round, borderline plump, breakfast-cereal sweet, and honeyed; at midpalate, there’s a slightly oily peat smoke. Sweetly concludes with the focus on the malt.” (04/2004) Whisky Advocate: “This oft-overlooked Speysider has been frustratingly variable in the past, but now seems to have hit greater consistency. Worm tubs and weird stills combine to give a complex malt, but one that needs help from oak to blossom fully. There are hedgerow aromas: black currant leaf, hawthorn berries, and lots of honey. A chestnut note continues on the tongue where, on the finish, a hint of smoke lurks. (Vol. 21, #2)” K&L Notes: Barley is naturally a major crop, and the presence of Scotland’s fastest flowing river – together with peat from the uplands to the south – was the reason original Cragganmore owner ‘Big’ John Smith felt that it would be the perfect place for the perfect distillery. And who could argue with his genius? Successive managers of Cragganmore have strived to continue his vision to deliver the sweetest, most complex malt whiskies: fruity, honeyed notes are often found. And many a taster of has talked lyrically of fruitcake and toffee flavours. “One of Speyside’s greats. Elegant and austere. Gradually, almost reluctantly, reveals itself. The most fragrant of whiskies: delicate, herbal, flowery. A palate blossoming with flavours, and a long, lingering, finish.” Michael Jackson, whisky writer and expert.
Laphroaig “Quarter Cask” Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($54.99)
91 points Whisky Advocate: “The whisky begins sweet and creamy, with notes of vanilla, honey, and ripe malt (reminiscent of a malting floor). Then the Laphroaig signature peat smoke, seaweed, tar, and medicinal notes emerge. Bottling at 48% and without chill-filtering keeps the whisky from being dulled down. A whisky that is very dynamic. Nicely done. (Vol. 15, #2)” K&L Notes: Two hundred years ago, malt whisky was carried through Scotland in small casks that were easily transported on the backs of pack horses. As transportation methods improved, Scottish distillers turned to more economical larger casks, which became today’s uniform standard for maturation. Until now. Realizing that using the original small cask maturation process would be an innovative way to add new character. Laphroaig Quarter Cask is handcrafted to deliver a new expression of Laphroaig’s powerful, smoky flavors with smoother, creamier and more complex notes. Laphroaig Quarter Cask is initially matured in American oak bourbon barrels, and then is transferred into new, specially produced quarter-casks for a final seven-to-eight month period. As a result, the maturing spirit receives 30% more contact with wood than other single malts aged in larger, more commonly used barrels. The additional wood influence imparts a very special character to the spirit . The result is a single malt with the unmistakable peat smoke that is so unique to Laphroaig, and a creamy, coconut-like nose with a soft sweetness, a hint of salt.
W. L. Weller 12 year old Bourbon 750ml ($25.99)
Whisky Advocate: “A “wheated” bourbon, meaning that it doesn’t have the spicy rye notes found in a more traditional “ryed” bourbon. A pleasantly sweet, easy-going, well-balanced experience. Creamy vanilla, caramel, candied corn, and ripe berried fruit , along with more subtle notes of glazed orange, cocoa powder, and wood shavings. If I were going to ease a new bourbon drinker into the category, I might pick this one. ” K&L Notes: “From its deep, bronze color to its initial aromas of lanolin, almond oil and creamed corn, this tipple delights! A second sniff highlights the oily grainy quality that’s firm and pungent, this one’s a high-spirited, lusciously toasty, and animated bouquet that has top-notch Bourbon written all over it. The dry, complex, and toasty palate entry is reminiscent of the Centennial 10 Year Old’s. The mid-palate flavor profile is heavily wheated (like Wheat Thins crackers), oily, layer, moderately sweet and sap-like. The finish is long, sweet, oaky, and intensely grainy; follows in the footprints of the legendary Centennial and delivers the goods, all for an unbelievable price.” (Paul Pacult, The Spirit Journal
Scotland – Irish and Blended Scotch
Johnnie Walker Platinum 18 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky 750ml – 11 available ($84.99)
Scotland – Single Malt Scotch
2002 Glen Grant 10 Year Old Gordon & Macphail, Single Malt Whiskey 750ml – 2 available ($45.99)
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
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