The Whisky Barrel has a new blog post “Tasting the World’s Oldest Scotch” …(please cleick on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

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We are pleased to announce our events for the 2013 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which this year runs from the 2nd the 6th of May.

Friday 3rd May 2013 – 10.00
Manager’s Tour with Callum Fraser
Join Callum Fraser, our new Production Manager, for a tour of the Glenfarclas distillery followed by a tasting of five whiskies. Callum, who has 22 years experience in whisky distilling, joined Glenfarclas in December 2012. This promises to be an interesting tour as Callum reflects on his first few months in post, and shares his enthusiasm for the future of the distillery. After the tour Callum will introduce you to a selection of five of his favourite Glenfarclas expressions. This is the first time Glenfarclas has hosted a Manager’s tour during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, so join us for this historic event.
£40.00 per person
To book please click here.

Friday 3rd May 2013 – 14.00
Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength Tour and Tasting
After a tour of family owned Glenfarclas, celebrate the distillery’s iconic Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength with a tasting featuring the Glenfarclas 105, and the limited edition Glenfarclas 105 Aged 20 Years and Glenfarclas 105 Aged 40 Years, and for comparison a special cask sample from our warehouses also at 60%. Kate Wright, Marketing Executive, will host this unique cask strength tasting, which gives you the rare opportunity to taste all three 105s in one tasting.
£35.00 per person.
To book please click here.

Saturday 4th May 2013 – 10.00
Glenfarclas – Anniversaries Tasting
Fully booked.

Saturday 4th May 2013 – 15.00
Glenfarclas Tasting at the Mash Tun
Join George Grant at The Mash Tun, in Aberlour, for an informal Glenfarclas whisky tasting.
£20.00 per person.
To book please click here.

Sunday 5th May 2013 – 13.30
Connoisseur’s Tour & Tasting
Enjoy a tour of Family owned Glenfarclas, after which Robert Ransom, Director of Sales & Marketing, will introduce you to a selection of four of his favourite expressions of Glenfarclas.
£25.00 per person
To book please click here.

Monday 6th May 2013 – 14.00
The Family Casks – Help choose the 1998 bottling
The Family Casks are a unique collection of single casks whiskies, with at least one cask bottled for every year from 1952 to 1997. To select the casks for each year, George Grant has nosed over 200 different casks. Now he would like you to assist in selecting the cask for the 1998 vintage to add to the collection. After a tour of the distillery, and a tasting of a selection of The Family Casks, George Grant will introduce a short list of 1998 cask samples, for you to nose, taste, comment on and then vote on. The chosen cask will then go forward for bottling, to be released for sale later in the year.
£45.00 per person.
To book please click here.

We look forward to welcoming you to Speyside in May.

Glenfarclas
Email: info@glenfarclas.co.uk
Website: www.glenfarclas.co.uk
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/glenfarclas/
Tel: +44 (0) 1807 500257
Fax: +44 (0) 1807 500234
Address: Glenfarclas Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9BD, UK

Greetings!

Do you like whiskey? (I know, stupid question)

Was there a new whiskey you tried this year that was truly memorable? Or a whiskey package design that you really loved? I’m certain there was a marketing campaign that made you think “you’ve GOT to be kidding me!”.

Tell the whiskey industry what you think, by entering your nominations for the 2013 Drammie Awards: The Voice of the Whiskey Consumer.

And speaking of memorable whiskies released in 2012, I have a really exceptional treat for you this week, from one of Scotland’s truly legendary distilleries: Isle of Jura 1976 Feith A’ Chaorainn 35 YO Whisky.

Jura distillery is on the island of Jura, located off the West Coast of Scotland. The island is just 7 miles wide and 30 miles long, with is but one road, one hotel and one distillery.

The island belongs to a group of islands collectively known as the Inner Hebrides. Diurachs is the Gaelic word for the people of Jura, a small and close-knit community of less than 200 people.

The Isle of Jura is famed for its strong superstitions as well as mystical legends. Amongst the many superstitions is the belief that peat should never be cut before May, haystacks should only be built clockwise, and that the Rowan Tree can bring good luck to them.

You can read the history of The Isle of Jura distillery here.

The 1976 Feith A’ Chaorainn vintage is named after the Rowan Tree, as the translation literally means ‘the lands around the rowan’. Bringing good fortune to the Islanders over the years, sprigs of the rowan are placed over doorways to ward off lightning, carried on boats to keep storms away and are even fixed to cattle sheds to protect livestock.

The distiller’s tasting notes are:

“Subtle notes of lemongrass, vetiver, wormwood and narcissus stimulate the senses and reinforce the true elegance of this single malt. However it is the soft warm honey notes, fudge, sage and cinnamon which complete this spectrum of sensuality.

Bring the dram to your lips and the merest hints of soft rich bitter chocolate, coriander, liquorice and caramelised fruits reward the palate, Lingering sensations of Christmas pudding, glazed orange segments and crushed apples fulfill this galaxy of warmth.”

This is truly an exceptional whisky, and extremely rare, with only 500 bottles worldwide and only 100 bottles available in the US. But fortunately for us, our man Nicky The Neck likes to spend his winters visiting the islands, and so w’ve been able to procure the last few remaining bottles available in the US.

So if you want a bottle of Isle of Jura 1976 Feith A’ Chaorainn 35 YO Whisky ($750/ bottle), order it now. Because once it’s gone, it’s gone…

Until next week…I wish you high spirits!

Doug Stone
Founder
ForWhiskeyLovers.com

JURA 1976 FEITH A’ CHAORAINN’ 35YO SCOTCH WHISKY

JURA 1976 FEITH A’ CHAORAINN’ TASTING NOTES –
Courtesy of The Whisky Advocate

NOSE: Tinned peaches, a hint of smoke, and developing cream

TASTE: Soft toffee and ultimately, chimney soot. The palate is full and fruity, with Brazil nuts, drying quite rapidly, with coriander notes.

FINISH: Dark chocolate and licorice

The Whisky Exchange BLOG

Tasting the 2012 Diageo Special Releases at TWE Vinopolis

Since 2001 Diageo have announced, in October of each year, their Special Release Range. Each series of bottles is picked to highlight the best of their distilleries and are acknowledged to be landmark bottlings, representing the very best liquid Scotland … Continue reading >>

If you haven’t already signed up for our February Outturn tastings, where you get to try all seven of February’s single cask releases, enjoy some light food and the comraderie of fellow scotch lovers, now is the time!

Both the Vancouver and Victoria tastings are accepting registrations; bring some friends and explore our wonderful whiskies!

Vancouver February Outturn Tasting
Monday, February 4
6:45 – 8:15pm
$40+HST for SMWS members/$50+HST for non-members
Edgemont Fine Wines, Spirits & Ales
3020 Edgemont Blvd., North Vancouver
For more info call 604-984-9463

Victoria First Friday Tasting
Friday, February 1
6pm
$40+HST for SMWS members/$50+HST for non-members
The Strath Ales, Wines & Spirits
919 Douglas Street
Victoria, BC
250-370-9463
Register in person at the store or by phone

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
104-1240 Kensington Road NW, Suite 160
Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 3P7
Email – curious@smws.ca

Bunnahabhain 1979/2012, 33yo CS by Rose Wylie “Grey Castle, Green Tartan”

Bunnahabhain 1979/2012, 33yo CS by Rose Wylie “Grey Castle, Green Tartan” Artist – Rose Wylie Distilled April 28th 1979, Bottled May 1st 2012 Cask Strength 52.2% ABV Includes lithograph – Grey Castle Green Tartan, 2012 (Lithograph courtesy of Poligrafa, 42cm … Continue reading →

1984 Benriach 27 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Single PX Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($199.99)
BenRiach is located in Scotland’s Speyside region and was owned by Seagrams until 2002, when it was mothballed and later sold to what is now called the BenRiach Group. In the early ’80s, it was a laboratory for Seagrams, which experimented with peated expressions and various cask-aging methods. This is one of those rarities. This is a Pedro Ximenez sherry barrel-aged, peated whisky of 27 year old maturity with the same integration of richness and smoke that one finds in old Islay malts or the legendary peated Brora. In fact, we were so floored by the quality we thought it was better than some of the older Lagavulins and Broras we had tasted. “No one is going to believe us if we talk that way,” we said, but the truth couldn’t be denied. This whisky is phenolic, oily, briny, supple, chewy, rich, raisined and smoky. It hangs with the great aged island malts, but is priced far below them. Destined to become a classic. (David Driscoll, K&L Wine Merch ants)

1993 GlenDronach 19 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($139.99)
Located in an isolated portion of the Aberdeenshire, amid rolling green hills and sinister shadows, GlenDronach is churning out sherry-aged single malt that simply destroys many of its competitors. This 19-year-old selection smells of Armagnac and rich caramel, with roasted fruits and big sherry aromas. The palate is soft, integrated and very smooth, even at full proof. The richness is powerful, but unlike some of their older selections, it is completely in check and balanced by the spice and alcohol in the malt. This is a bigger, more expressive version of Macallan 18. It’s going to be a huge hit!◦1998 Benrinnes 14 Year Old A.D. Rattray Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 12 available ($89.99)
Here is a great example of funky Benrinnes from a sherry cask. Wonderful, rich and fulfilling, this rare distillery is always interesting to taste.

1993 Glen Keith 19 Year Old Duncan Taylor Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($139.99)
Currently out of production, the Glen Keith distillery has been lying dormant since the mid-90s, but the whisky continues to live on in the independent world of single malt barrels. This is a spectacular example of what the distillery can offer – soft fruits, heather and flowers, sweet grains, and a pleasantly rich finish. The low 50s proof makes this quite drinkable right out of the bottle.

1993 GlenDronach 19 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($139.99)
Located in an isolated portion of the Aberdeenshire, amid rolling green hills and sinister shadows, GlenDronach is churning out sherry-aged single malt that simply destroys many of its competitors. This 19-year-old selection smells of Armagnac and rich caramel, with roasted fruits and big sherry aromas. The palate is soft, integrated and very smooth, even at full proof. The richness is powerful, but unlike some of their older selections, it is completely in check and balanced by the spice and alcohol in the malt. This is a bigger, more expressive version of Macallan 18. It’s going to be a huge hit!

1996 Longmorn 16 Year Duncan Taylor Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($115.99)
Delicious, classic, unsherried Speyside whisky from perhaps the best distillery in the region. This Longmorn is full of sweet malted barley with accents of fruit and flowers, finishing with hints of vanilla and spice. Another reason to love Longmorn, as we continue to mourn and long for it here in the States.

1996 Macallan 15 Year Old Duncan Taylor Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($139.99)
Unsherried, but full of round, supple, malty goodness. A nice break from the normally Oloroso-saturated style of the venerated Highland distillery.

Springbank 21 year old 2012 Release Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 2 available ($449.99)

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.)

Aberlour 16 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 5 available ($64.99)
9/10 points Whisky Magazine. Dave Broom writes: “Nose: Gentle, but complex. Sultana cake, baked fruits, wild flowers, melting milk chocolate truffle. Rich, mellow and gorgeous! Palate: Lively and exciting. Complex nose: sweet spices, apple juice. Good depth and mouthfeel. Finish: Macaroon bars and light fruits. Comment: Has the wow fact that separates the very good from the truly great.” 90-95 points and Highly Recommended by Wine Enthusiast: “The bouquet is austere and leathery with curious aromas of beeswax, vegetable oil and oaky resin. Palate entry is focused on the resin; midpalate is splendidly multilayered and offers elements of black pepper, dried orange blossom, honeysuckle, dried fruit, sage, fennel and confetions. Aftertaste is deep and unabashedly sweet and honeyed.” (12/09)

1991 Auchentoshan 21 Year Old A.D. Rattray Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 3 available ($73.99)
One of the better deals on single malt whisky I’ve seen in months (not including our fantastic casks, of course!). Every now and again I feel like my friend Stan Morrison at A.D. Rattray doesn’t know what he’s got in the bottle. I feel like I’m abusing our friendship by purchasing whisky this good for so little! This 21 year old Auchentoshan is absolutely delicious. Bottled from a refill sherry butt, the entry is very woody, but not really tannic or bitter, just rich with wood! It’s different than the standard vanilla note you get from some casks, it’s more like a combination of sweet wood with whisps of hay or straw. It sounds crazy, but it’s utterly spellbinding! The finish brings the vanilla and all the standard malt flavor you expect from a whisky this mature. For $74 it’s a no-brainer. Jump on it. (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

A message from Scotch Whisky Auctions;

Apologies for the delay, but we have had a record number of entries.

Best wishes from Glasgow

The SWA team

The 22nd Auction

www.ralfy.com discovers a blended scotch which surpasses expectations with Whisky Review 335 – Buchanans 12yo

Gordon & MacPhail Whisky Tasting Friday 1st February 2013

Ok, so it’s a wee bit after Burns Night, but all the same, we’ll be offering our guests haggis, neeps and tatties to help keep out the cold , along with Six fabulous different malts on taste:

Macallan Speymalt 1990 22 Year Old
Bladnoch 1993 20 Year Old
Longmorn 12 Year Old
Benromach 30 Year Old
Highland Park 8 Year Old
Mortlach 21 Year Old

Hosted by Nickolls & Perks and Gordon & MacPhails’ representative on earth, Stan Reid!

In our cellars 7.30pm kick off.

Buy online or phone David on 01384 394518

Sláinte!

£25.00 inc VAT
£20.83 ex VAT
BUY