Whisky Tasting: The Glenlivet at TWE Vinopolis
We had a superb tasting at Vinopolis a couple of Mondays back. We were delighted to welcome the affable and gregarious Ian Logan, ‘The’ Glenlivet’s global brand ambassador to introduce no less than eight outstanding drams to a packed crowd in Vinopolis’s newly-revamped … Continue reading >>
A quick note of note from Colin Southcombe General Manager The Strath Ale Wine & Spirit Merchants located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada;
Vancouver Island Based Members of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
I am pleased to announce that I now have bottles of the December Outturn available for tasting. Unfortunately we weren’t able to present these in the soon to be regular “First Friday” format. However we wanted you to have the opportunity to taste these fabulous new whiskies; you should all have received a copy of the December Outturn by email from our Canada headquarters.
You are invited to attend an informal stand-up tasting in the store next Saturday December 15th between 3:00pm to 6:00pm. I will be pouring all seven of the December Outturn and thanks to generous subsidizing by the Society, I am offering this for a nominal $10 per member and $15 for non-members. If anyone wants to check out any of the remaining October and November releases, you are most welcome to do that too.
Just drop in any time between 3:00pm and 6:00pm. No ticket is required, just pay at the door, but don’t miss out. If you can let me know you are coming, that would help.
New members who have not as yet picked up their Membership Kit, can do so at the same time. Anyone joining the Society at the time, becomes instantly eligible to purchase any Society whiskies. Gift memberships can also be purchased and we have the kits here, so there is no delay.
As always, if you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Slainté!
Colin Southcombe General Manager The Strath Ale Wine & Spirit Merchants 919 Douglas Street, Victoria BC, V8W 2C2 Tel: 250-370-9463 Email: whisky@strathconahotel.com
Email the Society in Canada at curious@smws.ca for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers. Bottlings are currently available in Alberta (via Kensington Wine Mart Calgary) and in British Columbia (via The Strath Ale, Wine & Spirit Merchants Victoria and Edgemont Fine Wines, Spirits & Ales, Vancouver).
I hope my festive season letter finds you well.
It is the time of year when I look back on some of our highlights – and what a year it has been! We reached two major milestones: It was the ‘coming of age’ for the Friends of Laphroaig as we celebrated our 18th birthday at this year’s Feis Ile and, just before we reached our 18th birthday, the 500,000th plot was taken! Our Cairdeas special bottling this year also commemorated the FOL 18th birthday.
The Distillery
I am pleased to say that we had a record year for distillation, so it’s hats off to the whole team – please toast them, they deserve it! Indeed it was also a record for visitors to our distillery with over 17,000! Many if not most were Friends of Laphroaig making their pilgrimage and claiming their “rent” – a dram of our finest of course. What really pleases me is that both these records have meant that we have had the pleasure of recruiting four more local islanders to our team, two working in distillation and production and two in the Visitor Centre. It’s great to be able to do our bit in these difficult times.
Islay
Talking of our island community, may I thank all of you who participated in our monthly charity auctions on the website. You raised £5,000 which went to the Islay Museum for the installation of a temperature controlled environment – very important for some of the more delicate artefacts. If you would like to read more about this there is a picture and link on our facebook page.
Friends of Laphroaig Tartan
As you know we ran a competition this year to design the official FOL Tartan and we had 5,000 entries! The winning entry has now been hand made and you can see a picture of of our winner Patrick McCoy wearing the new kilt on our facebook page. The first items for sale have now been made at the Woollen Mill; they are a tartan scarf with the FOL logo embroidered on it and a beautiful blanket/throw. If you would like one they are now on sale in your online shop. We will be adding other FOL tartan merchandise in 2013.
Laphroaig Live Germany
In late September we had our annual ‘Laphroaig Live’, which this year came from Nürnberg in Germany and broke all previous viewing records around the World! I hope you all enjoyed it (any of you who did not see it at the time can view the recorded show at www.laphroaig.com/live). It was terrific fun comparing our classic 10 year old Laphroaig with two other peated single malts from the Highlands (Ardmore) and Ireland (Connemara), but perhaps the most unusual aspect was tasting a special German ‘Smokey’ beer that had been matured in Laphroaig Quarter Casks.
Friends of Laphroaig Christmas trees
Some of you will recall that this Spring we had to extend the original FOL Plots area as we had run out of land – indeed we had been placing plots in the nearby fir tree wood. Earlier in the year we expanded the FOL area and this has meant that the wood is now free of plots. As a result we have therefore been able to donate two of your Christmas trees to the local community in Port Ellen, and have taken one for ourselves which now has pride of place in the courtyard outside my office!
All that is left for me to do is to wish you Seasons Greetings from myself and all of us here at Laphroaig. I hope you have a great holiday and a superb Hogmanay.
Slàinte,
John Campbell
Distillery Manager, Laphroaig
Visit www.laphroaig.com to join the Friends of Laphroaig; it’s free!
TOP PICKS
• Lagavulin 12 Year Old 2012 Edition Natural Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($109.99)
Whisky Advocate: “Brought back as an annual limited edition to satisfy the cravings of those who like their peat full-on and never understood why Lagavulin moved to 16 years of age, this is the Kildalton coast single malt at its most boisterous. Aromatically, it blazes a seaweed-strewn, zigzag pathway between sea, shore, and land: bog myrtle and samphire, beach bonfire, sea spray, and melon before, with much-needed water, there’s slow-burning Latakia pipe tobacco and Lapsang Souchong tea. ” K&L Notes: A limited edition, natural cask strength single malt whisky from the essential Islay distillery, Lagavulin, on Islay’s rocky south coast. Ninth of a series of special 12 year old releases from the original distiller’s stocks. Vatted from refill American oak casks, each at least 12 years old. Available in limited quantities worldwide. An elegant classic; massive smoke and purity of flavour supported by complex aromas and delicious sweetness. Less rich and plummy than the 16 year old, this starts with a fresh moss nose that is well hidden in the standard bottle.
• Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($109.99)
The 2012 limited edition is here, loaded with the Pedro Ximenez sherry from the double maturation. Big, cakey, and round with tons of richness. This whisky is always a big hit. We’ve been getting about five requests a day for this lately, so it appears the DE Lagavulin is the new hot thing on the street! I have never been a big fan of this whisky, but I finally got around to tasting this year’s expression and I was quite taken aback. This 2012 edition is exactly what I hope Lagavulin with extra sherry will taste like, but never seems to actually do. A burst of rich raisiny sherry comes first with all the classic Lagavulin smoke and brine on the back end. The fudge lingers long on the finish, mingling between cocoa and campfire smoke. I’ve found that previous editions have overdosed on the sherry and drowned out the peat. Not this one. It’s perfectly harmoneous. It’s totally balanced and right where it needs to be. I think it might be the best Lagavulin I’ve tasted in years. Much better than the standard 16 in my opinion. Fans of the distillery will be very pleased. This whisky is delicious. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)
NEW ARRIVALS
Scotland – Blended Scotch
• White Horse “HM King” Cellar Blended Scotch Whisky – 1 available ($649.99)
Scotland – Single Malt Scotch
• 1966 Ben Nevis 26 Year Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere 1200) – 1 available ($899.99)
• Clynelish Distiller’s Edition Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($89.99)
• Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 1 available ($299.99)
• 1975 Glen Garioch 12 year Samaroli Eastern Highlands “Fragments of Scotland” old Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $620) – 1 available ($549.99)
• 1979 Glenrothes Vintage Distillery Bottle Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 1 available ($399.99)
• Longrow 11 Year Old “Red” Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($84.99)
• Longrow 14 Year Single Burgundy Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($109.99)
• Longrow Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($54.99)
• 1973 Longrow First Distillation, Last Cask Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky (Elsewhere $5700) – 1 available ($4,095.00)
• Mortlach 12 Year Old Gordon & Macphail Single Malt Whisky (Elsewhere 500) – 1 available ($299.99)
• 1972 Mortlach 22 Year Old Rare Malts Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $600) – 1 available ($499.99)
BACK IN STOCK
United States – Bourbon and Rye
• Russell’s Reserve 10 year old Small Batch Bourbon 750ml ($33.99)
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
Balvenie DoubleWood 17 Year Old
Balvenie‘s 12 year old DoubleWood is one of Speyside’s most-loved drams amongst the whisky fraternity, with many whisky nuts (yours truly included) citing it as a key ‘gateway’ malt. I certainly have vivid memories of it being poured liberally in my … Continue reading >>
We couldn’t leave you to your own devices in the lead up to Xmas, so here are a few little choice ideas for you and the whisky-lover/s in your life for the big day…
IDEA NO.1
PERSONALISED DRAM 101
£20 delivered or £30 gift-boxed & delivered
A delicious blended malt (or vatted malt for the old school among us) containing 3 different Speyside single malt whiskies. Fresh, sweet vanilla and citrus. Simply order on it’s own or in combination with one of our swanky gift boxes with two Glencairn tasting glasses and then email us with the name of the lucky recipient. Easy-peasey!
IDEA NO.2
WHISKY SCHOOL
Have a whisky-lover in your life that seems to have everything? Stuck for ideas? Enrol them in a Whisky School near them in 2013! Tasting, learning, blending and everything they need to know about Whisky in a one-day shift at a Malmaison or Hotel du Vin in one of 10 locations around the UK.
IDEA NO.3
SINGLE CASK BOTTLINGS
Want something really special and unrepeatable? Try one of our single cask, single malt whiskies. Bottled in 20cl bottles in order to make them accessible – they range from our famous ‘Salty Sea-Dog’ at £29.99 delivered, up to a 37 year-old, 1974 Glen Grant for only £64.99.
IDEA NO.4
BURNS’ NIGHTS
Fancy giving the gift of a great night out in a location close to the recipient? Our Burns’ Night tastings and dinners are great value and great fun, with slightly different offerings at each venue. These range from a tasting with a little food involvement all the way up to 3-course meals with the full monty of piper and poems!
IDEA NO.5
Our Whisky Festivals are the finest way for the budding whisky-enthusiast or hardened whisky-nut to spend the day in a city near them. For a very modest price, the attendees are gifted a tasting glass, a bottle of water, a festival guide, a food voucher and an ‘under the counter’ drams token as they walk into the venue. These are once a year occasions and are looked forward to by all! We can email you PDF tickets to print and trim in plenty of time for Crimbo, plus we have a stunning, but limited ‘2 for £40’ offer on for Brighton on the 6th April.
IDEA NO.6
For only £50, you can give the gift that keeps on giving for a whole year! New members receive 2 free tasting vouchers (can be used at any tasting event priced at £20), 10% off TWL website purchases (excluding some ludicrous offers), a Glencairn tasting glass, ‘under the counter’ dram tokens at festivals they attend plus, for a limited time only, a personalised 20cl bottle of our very own Dram 101. All of this sent to you in a smart gift box to wrap in time for the big day.
IDEA NO.7
Bewildered by the choice? Why not go for a Whisky Lounge Gift Voucher and let them choose themselves? Valid for a year and available in any denomination you like (within reason!), simply order through the website or email us with your requirements if you don’t see the value you need. We then email you a PDF to print and trim to pop in a card of your choice, or for a little extra we can post out to you in our 2012 Xmas Card.
Our mailing address is:
The Whisky Lounge Ltd
Unit 3
61a Osbaldwick Lane
York, North Yorkshire YO10 3AY
United Kingdom
Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks ‘Arran Orkney Bere’
Arran Orkney Bere
46% abv
£44.90 inc vat £37.42 ex vat
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk
Glendronach Cask Strength, Batch 1
This new release from the ever popular Glendronach distillery is a first. This cask strength, non chill filtered and at natural colour, has no age statement. This expression was released to bridge the gap between the core range of 12, 15, 18 and 21 and the various single cask bottling’s available hence providing the strength of flavour associated with the single cask bottling’s yet not breaking the bank. This first batch comprises of 12,000 bottles. Deep crimson in colour, glistening with crimson with a palate of intense toffee and cocoa with rich sherry soaked dark fruits, zested orange exploding in the long alcohol infused chocolate fondant.
£52.99 inc VAT CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW
UK exclusive GlenDronach single cask bottling – 1993 cask # 26
This is aged 19 years old, and is from a Pedro Ximenez sherry butt, bottled at cask strength – 57.1
Appearance: Rich ruby – mahogany.
Nose: Chocolate, figs and spices in abundance.
Palate: Layers of dark chocolate and orange in harmony with nutmeg, raisins and delicate spices.
£73.99 inc VAT CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW
Santa’s Little Helper: Gift Ideas
Some Society suggestions for Santa, on the first day of Christmas which bottlings will be under the tree…
Last orders for guaranteed delivery: Wed 19 Dec (midday)
*Light, fruity dram….tasty, very easy drinking
50.50 Conifers, grasses and flowers
22yo Lowland, £68.70
Conifers, grasses and flowery perfumes before fruity sweetness emerged –apricot flan, yellow plums, lemon cake, honey, flapjacks, ginger ale and butterscotch. BUY 
*Delicate, sweet with bags of character…nurse this one!
85.24 Autumn Kitchen
27yo Speyside Lossie, £87.60
Oranges, sandalwood, tobacco, quinces, and woody spices reminded some of North African cuisine, others more of an Autumnal kitchen with stewed apples, pecan pie, fruit cake, raspberry jam, milk chocolate, crème fraîche on Madeira
cake and cognac. BUY
*Smoky seductress…mmm, and a sherry cask
29.128 Deep, dark and hugely entertaining
21yo Islay, £79.50
The nose had sweet hickory smoke, pagoda roof timbers and a boat-builder’s workbench; rich, delightful savoury notes (grilled prawns and scallops in balsamic glaze, roast pig with an apple in its mouth); plus molasses, cough syrup,
five-spice powder and leather. BUY
*Honey-sweet smoke
3.199 Life is a beach
16yo Islay, £66.50
We sniffed – and were once again young and carefree, enjoying beach bonfire/barbeques – hot stones, burnt sticks, charcoal, ash, wood smoke, scallop shells, lemon, flame-roasted pork, salt-encrusted rocks and sun cream!
BUY
*For the Hippy at Heart?
35.72 Vinyl Revival
23yo Speyside Lossie, £69.90
Richly textured whisky reminded our panel of the warming fragrance of a vinyl record in the middle of play. This was accompanied by the smell of a stir-fry with raisins and Hoisin Sauce. BUY
Stocking Fillers: Mighty Mini packs
Sweet & Savoury or a smoky Surf & Turf Seaside BBQ pack
Four-not-of-a-kind bottlings, pack and tasting book. More
Christmas Parcels on-sale NOW
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).
Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.
Hi folks. We’re rapidly filling up for the 21st auction which will run from December 28 till January 06. Accordingly, we will be unable to accept any more bottles from Wednesday, December 19.
Kind regards from Glasgow
Bill,Tam & Mick
