TWE Whisky Show 2012 – Gordon & Macphail’s Greatest Hits

Our opening tasting of the second day of The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show was a bit different to the others. Firstly it was a sequel, following up from last year’s incredible Gordon & Macphail Timeline class, and secondly it was … Continue reading >>

Rittenhouse 100 Proof  Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey is a Pennsylvania style rye that carries a famous old Philadelphia name.

50%ABV. 90-95 Points Best Buy, Wine Enthusiast.

$19.99 – An unbelievable bargain.

 Learn More!

BACK IN STOCK… (items we’ve carried in the past that have just arrived again)

Bourbon and Rye

• Old Overholt Rye Whiskey 1Liter – 12 available ($19.99) Old Overholt is amongst the oldest more-or-less-continuously available distilled products in America. (They’ve operated for at least 150 years.) When one speaks of rye, others are most likely to think of this product, if they think of anything. Their Straight Rye product – which may well be their only product – is readily available at a moderate price. Like the Jim Beam, the Overholt had a subtle nose with hints of raisin, fruit (orange perhaps), and possibly almond. Overholt’s taste is light and similar to the Beam, but with slightly medicinal and bitter hints. Overholt did not have a particularly complex effect on a cocktail, though an anise presence appeared.

• Balcones Brimstone Corn Whisky 750ml – 9 available ($49.99) Named 2012 Craft Whiskey Distillery of the Year by Whisky Magazine. Balcones Distillery in Waco, Texas, is making some really exciting contributions to the American whisky tradition. Founder and Head Distiller Chip Tate is an innovator focused on working with sources and traditions native to the Americas, and “Brimstone” is made from 100% Blue corn smoked with Texas scrub oak instead of peat. This is Texas’ answer to Islay Single Malt and it’s totally out of control! Gold Medal winner in Brown Spirits in the 2011 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition.

• Jefferson’s Reserve Very Old Bourbon 750ml – 7 available ($39.99) Whisky Advocate: “The whiskey’s formula has been improved, and now consists of a higher percentage of older whiskies (into the high teens) than the original release…Nicely balanced, with candied fruit, blackberry jam, soft vanilla, kettle corn, and a kiss of mint. Pleasant, unpretentious, and uncomplicated. (Vol. 20, #3)” K&L Notes: A medium-weight, small batch, aged bourbon that delivers richness and elegance. Aromas of peaches, vanilla, raisins and butterscotch carry through to the palate, which also shows flavors suggestive of dates, orange and blackberry. Sweet, and warm through to the smooth, Cognac-like finish. 94 points Beverage Testing Institute: “Deep amber copper color. Sexy aromas of dark chocolate, dried cherries, and roasted nuts. A vibrant supple entry leads to a fruity-yet-dry medium-full body of rich toffee, nut, and dried cherry and golden raisin flavors with a long, hearty and sweet finish. Wonderful rich flavor and a lingering, warming finish.”

Canada – Rye

• Pendleton “1910” 12 year Straight Rye Whiskey 750ml – 4 available ($36.99) The old Pendleton Rodeo is at it again. Created as an homage to the first ever Pendleton Round-Up in 1910 and sourcing this distinctive Canadian Rye from the same distillery as their exceptional 25 year blend, this is the first 12 year Canadian 100% Rye on the market. While details about it’s exact origins are cagey, this should be the first 100% Rye coming from Alberta rather than Toronto. It’s richly spiced and very mellow. Wish there was a bit higher proof, but all in all, an interesting and incredibly drinkable limited offering bottled at the Hood River Distillery. -David Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

 • Glenfarclas 40 year old, Distillery Bottling 750ml – 6 available ($469.99) 95 points Whisky Advocate: “Glenfarclas has a proven track record for aging very well. I’ve enjoyed some amazing 25 and 30 year old expressions, in addition to some older vintage offerings. Does this new 40 year old follow suit? Absolutely! It’s complex and well-rounded, with great depth and no excessive oak. Lush, candied citrus (especially orange), old pot still rum, maple syrup, fig, roasted nuts, and polished leather, with hints of mocha, candied ginger, and tobacco. A bit oily in texture (which I find soothing) with good tannic grip on the finish. A classic, well-matured Glenfarclas — and a very good value for its age. (Editor’s Choice) ” K&L Notes: Glenfarclas is one of the Highlands’ finest, but somehow they managed to get the extra old whisky out for less than $500, which makes this, in my opinion, one of the finest values in single malt…period! (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

Duncan Taylor’s latest releases from the Rarest of the Rare collection are just in time for Halloween (not quite – WI). The Rarest of the Rare Banff 1975 comes from the now deceased Banff distillery which has a history of disaster. In 1877 most of the distillery was devasted in a fire. In 1941 a German Junkers plane bombed one of the warehouses and in 1991 another fire destoyed it completely. Duncan Taylor are please to announce this exclusive and rare bottling! This bottle is a 37 year old and is 45.1% ABV. There are only 155 bottles made.

Tasting Notes
Nose: Orange, lemon grass with tropical fruits. Vanilla with toffee emerging Taste: Dry taste with lime. Syrupy with a hint of tropical fruits – mango and grapefruit
Finish: A slight nutty finish with peaches and mangoes and a hint of toffee
Comment: A stunning Banff!!

£360.00 BUY NOW

The Caperdonich distillery was constructed as a sister distillery to Glen Grant and was named Glen Grant 2 for some time. It finally closed in 2002 after being mothballed. The only official bottling was a cask strength released in 2005. Duncan Taylor has now released the Rarest of the Rare Caperdonich 1992 which is a 20 year old whisky that is 54.7% ABV. There are just 282 bottles.

Tasting Notes:
Nose: Toffee apples with a hint of mint. Slightly nutty with a hint of fruit
Taste: Apples, nuts, toffee and vanilla
Finish: Butterscotch, vanilla and toffee finish.
Comment: Delicious!!

£169.00 BUY NOW

Single Malts Limited | 36 Gordon Street | Huntly | Aberdeenshire | AB54 8EQ

www.ralfy.com delves a bit further into the blended malts with Whisky Review 316 – Blue Hanger Blended Malt (Edition 6)

Angels fly into Perth.

Angels whisky club; a flight of angels recently landed upon Perth, Scotland. Reason; celebrations! 1; Pre Halloween dramfest, and 2; Celtic Barcelona pre fixture challenge.

Halloween; a flight of angels pounced on Christies pub again, myself (Paul), Ming, Boab, Lizzie & Kev. With a little help from our friends (Ron, Billy and Irish Paul). Settlin doon at the usual corner of the bar (it’s a round bar in here) we set upon a pre fest thirst quencher. A mix of Dark Island (suitable for all Hallows), Black Bush and a pear cider (apples you see), telly was on sky sports. Ahead of us lay some weird animals, may the Lord be truly thankful. First dram was a refreshing Sheep Dip; The name came from Scots farmers –  a time when farmers distilled their own whisky, to avoid paying taxes to the excise man they put the whisky in barrels marked “Sheep Dip”.  A golden colour,  floral and fruity, pear, orange the main accent from the Highlands (Dalmore) and Speyside Glens. A nice easy start, we all dipped again! Then moving on to a Pigs Nose; came to the market in 1977 as a stable pal for Sheep Dip… the whisky in the bottle was as smooth as a pig’s nose. 16 different malts go into Sheep Dip, while Pig’s Nose has a high malt content of 40 per cent. Enough from the farm, we moved onto the water and sampled an Alligator; one of a brood from Islay with a bite and a snap to it. Flowery, chocolate notes, yer granny’s out of date humbugs and smokey bacon crisps (er, that could be Boab with his damn bag of prawn cocktail) developed into peat/smoke, this alligator is perfectly happy out of water! So what did we do? Added a wee pool of water to our glasses. Ardbeg’s drams always sing goin doon.

Time for a breather, Lizzie was getting tearful (farmers girl so she is) with all these animals consumed. As part of the brand campaign for Black Bottle Whisky a new Halloween party has been announced at Film City Glasgow in October. The campaign has been launched on the Black Bottle Whisky facebook pages. Further online and offline activities will be revealed at a later stage pre and post the event.  www.facebook.com/BlackBottleWhisky  – be quick! So we tried one, much to Boab’s displeasure, its his bottle!

After a few snacks from Helen & Billy, we dived into Halloween again, Raven’s Blood cocktail; grenadine, a good slosh of Black Bush whiskey  a lemon/lime to taste, many thanks go to Karen behind the bar for this concoxion. It certainly woke us all up! Reminded me of a Grouse with ice and appletise. This drink created some amusement in the bar, or was it us? Anyhow, onwards, on the “broom”stick trail with my first ex (she will be flyin aboot anytime noo) … see what we are doin here? Actually there is no need to introduce Dave Broom. He is one of the best whisky writers out there, you have read at least one of his books or magazine things already. So he does like a good whisky; “a Cutty Sark and soda in a bar about half an hour ago. The perfect drink for the moment”. See, even a credible expert admits to a soda! So we had to try it, (Paul just happened to have a bottle of the new Cutty Sark Storm). Too clever I know; witches, brooms and storms. Just then the local black cat wandered in through the open front door, took one look, and wandered back oot.

We ended our travel to Halloween with a Satsuma tangerine each, a perfect citrus finale.

Celtic Barcelona pre fixture challenge. we all were surprised and delighted we were only beaten 2 – 1 at the Nou Camp, Barcelona. Even then, it was 3 and a half minutes into extra time before the second fell into our net. So we end today with a salute to Celtic Football Club, with a suitable dram – a Wild Geese hot toddy – it started to snow here so we thought it apt!

Patrick Sarsfield’s army is defeated at the decisive Battle of The Boyne (July 1^st 1690). From this point on, his attempts to oust the English and place James II (see the Scottish link here) on the throne, were doomed. There followed the Treaty of Limerick where Sarsfield’s army was given a stark choice. Those that chose to live under English rule filed one way, others like Sarsfield and his followers turned the other way, to board French ships to take them to France. They took the name The Wild Geese in the hope and belief that this would be a temporary strategic exile in Europe much the same as Celtic’s season last time in Europe. Come on the hoops, lets give the Barca’s something to remember us by! Slainte!

Story written down (as remembered) by Paul McLean, www.angelswhiskyclub.com

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #25

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whiskyblogger, tries a young rum finished Laddie (Bruichladdich 8 Year Old 2001 Rum Cask), bottled especially for the Belgian market. Not a big fan of finishes, he has to admit that this one gets it right!

http://youtu.be/ubaYUSd6rM8

www.ralfy.com tackles the confusion surrounding Blended Scotch and Blended Malt,  both being blended Scotches, but only one is a blended Malt.

Whisky Review 315 – AD Rattray’s 19yo malt-blend Batch No: 1