Whisky Ramblings Via Video #27
Mark Dermul, Belgian Whiskyblogger, visits the Spirits in the Sky whisky festival in Leuven (Belgium). He runs into a few famous whisky people, discovers a brand new Auchentoshan 1979 and even learns how wonderful port can be. Check it out!
Happy Whiskey Saturday To You Fellow WhiskyLover
I have two exciting bits of news to tell you about this week.
First…Over the last several months we’ve received many emails from WhiskeyLovers requesting information on organizations that conduct private tastings at a home or office. Being the helpful sort that we are, we searched and searched, but were unable to find a resource that we felt would serve the needs of our readers.
And so we’ve decided to offer our own private whisky tasting service: ForWhiskeyLovers’ Private Tasting Expeditions.
A FWL Private Tasting Expedition is…
• a group of friends, enjoying each others company as they embark upon an evening’s exploration of a variety of outstanding hand-crafted whiskies from the world’s great whisky producing regions
• six sensational whiskies, selected specifically to match the interests and experiences of your group of Whisky Explorers,
• an evening’s adventure, guided by a nationally renown Whisky expert at a casual pace, that is as informative as it is entertaining.
• a night to remember…a new appreciation for fine whisky, and an unparalleled event that will be remembered by all, for years to come.
All taking place in the comfort of your home or office, country club or location of your choice.
Each private tasting expedition is designed specifically for your group of Whisky Explorers, and we come to you. Our team of renown expert whisky evangelists are available in most major metropolitan areas of the United States, and travel can be arranged to remote locations, for an additional cost.
ForWhiskeyLovers Private Tasting Expeditions start at $2,250 for up to 25 people, and includes all whisky for the tasting, and glasses for the evening. You can read about our six expedition packages here, or contact us directly to plan a customized adventure for your group of Explorers.
Next, and equally as exciting for me, is this weeks Whiskey Wednesday featured whisky: Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition single malt scotch whisky.
Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition encapsulates the fifth-generation, family-owned distillery’s innovative casking techniques. Using the highest quality of both Sherry and refill Bourbon casks, this rare liquid reflects the distillery’s historic 125 years of creating truly wonderful whiskies.
Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich’s Malt Master, is the bloke in charge of the distillery’s pioneering whisky making process, from cask selection and overseeing the marrying of different ages and characters, to managing the unique maturation process within the Glenfiddich warehouse in Dufftown, Scotland.
A chemist by training, Kinsman became Glenfiddich Malt Master in December 2009. He first served an eight year apprenticeship under his predecessor David Stewart, who held the post for 35 years and is currently the industry’s longest serving Malt Master at sister distillery Balvenie.
Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition has an ABV of 43%, and was selected from over 1,000 entries at the 17th annual International Spirit Challenge to receive a Gold Medal.
So it’s with great excitement that we can offer you Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition 2012 for $84.50/ bottle. But with only 18,000 bottles of this exceptional limited-edition whisky released worldwide, it certainly won’t be around for long.
So if you want a bottle, act fast, because once it’s gone…
Until next week…I wish you high spirits!
Doug Stone
Founder
ForWhiskeyLovers.com
GLENFIDDICH MALT MASTER’S EDITION 2012
Malt Master Brian Kinsman’s Tasting Notes
Color: rich, ruby red
Nose: entices with damp earth and whisky-soaked wood intermingling with vanilla and smoky embers.
Taste: zingy sherbet leads but this slowly turns to plum and spice with hints of almond and wedding cake.
Finish: silky smooth.
The brand new Balvenie 17 year old is now available to order! Free Postage on all orders over £50.00 still applies to mainland UK deliveries.
If you only drink one more whisky this year make sure it’s this stunning new release from Balvenie. A significant new addition to the range from Scotland’s longest-serving Malt Master, David Stewart. An elder sibling to Balvenie’s most popular expression, the new aged version shares the same DNA and the honeyed, spicy characteristics as the 12yo Although it is distinctly different, with deeper vanilla notes, hints of green apple, creamy toffee and a striking richness and complexity. To craft the 17yo, David Stewart, who celebrates his 50th year at The Balvenie, this year, returned to one of his most celebrated achievements – consecutive maturation in two different types of cask, a process often referred to as ‘cask finishing’. This technique is at the heart of DoubleWood – it sees the whisky matured first in American oak barrels, which impart soft sweet vanilla notes, before being transferred to European oak sherry casks, where the second cask ageing adds rich spicy flavours that a depth and fullness of flavour.
The Whisky Shop Tel 0141 440 0600 info@whiskyshop.com www.whiskyshop.com
Grant’s 25 Year Old Launches in the UK
Hello all,
Last week saw the UK launch of Grant’s 25 Years Old at London’s famous Selfridges store. Around 40 journalists, customers and whisky bloggers joined us inside Selfridges’ wine and whisky shop for an evening discussing blends, Grant’s and the story behind the 25-year-old.
Initially launched as a duty-free exclusive back in 2010, Grant’s 25 Years…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…
Kind regards,
Ludo
Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks ‘Glencadam 1982 30yo’ and ‘Old Ballantruan 10yo’
Glencadam 1982 30yo
46% abv
£250.00 inc vat
£208.33 ex vat
Old Ballantruan 10yo (Peated Tomintoul)
50% abv
Special introductory DEAL! price:
£39.90 inc vat
£33.25 ex vat
Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk
TOP PICKS, New Arrivals & Back in Stock
• 1999 Benrinnes 12 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($75.99)
One of our favorite experiences when visiting Scotland is the chance to taste whisky from distilleries that don’t bottle their whisky as a single malt. Diageo owns the whisky from more than forty distilleries, many of which are used only for the company’s blended Scotch labels like Johnnie Walker. Benrinnes is one such distillery. Named after the famous Speyside mountain, it is known for its lively character and fruity essence, providing the backbone of expression to many successful blends. Our cask is very much reminiscent of this reputation, beginning with plenty of fresh fruit with barrel spice and a playful palate that reminded us of our Bladnoch selection from last year. With a few drops of water the oils come out, bringing more texture, soft flavors of oak, and plenty of vanilla to balance out all the fruit. The result is a wonderful bottle of Scotch, offering depth, variety, and drinkability. Benrinnes isn’t as widely-known as many of the other distill eries whose whisky we’ll be importing and it is precisely for that reason we’re excited to bring it to our customers. In the great hunt for value in single malt whisky, we must continue to search outside the box. In this case, we’ve found a real winner from a distillery we’d like to see more of. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)
• 1980 Glenlochy 31 Year Old K&L Signatory Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($449.99)
I’ve maybe glossed over a mention of Glenlochy in the Malt Yearbook or one of Michael Jackson’s books, but it has never had a form or context for me. It has not been on our radar because it is absolutely one of the rarest single malts on the market today. Purchased by DCL (the company that would become Diageo) in 1953, Glenlochy is one of these distilleries that met its demise during the whisky slump of the early ’80s. It had only one wash still and one spirits still. That is to say, they made very little whisky. This is the only bottle of Glenlochy currently available in the US market. It also happens to be the sister cask to the incredibly acclaimed 31 year old Glenlochy that was recently rated 92 points by Serge Valentine of Whiskyfun.com. I cannot express how outrageously complex this whisky is. The range of flavors is unfathomable. This thing is absolutely packed up. It’s like unraveling a giant ball of yarn. We start on the almond, nougat, exotic wood , all savory and powerful. Subtlety shifting into the herbal and fruit aromas, this nose is like a chameleon, at once beautifully exotic and powerfully brooding. On the palate, fabulously rich in texture, the whisky is like a ball of plasma oscillating through multiple states of being. It leaves you smiling and exhausted. Seriously, this is one of a kind. (David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer)
• 2002 Longmorn 10 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($55.99)
The Signatory warehouse in Pitlochry is bursting with hidden treasures, many of them at a tremendous price point. While the big names draw even bigger prices, we found ourselves more inspired by some of the lesser-known distilleries – the ones with reputations for great booze without the designer label. Pernod-Ricard’s Longmorn distillery, ensconced deep within the Speyside region, produces one of the most respected single malts in the business, known for its balance and elegant richness. Stateside, we only get the lovely 16 year old, but at a price most people aren’t willing to pay. That makes independent bottles of Longmorn quite the coveted item amongst American collectors who want serious whisky at a bargain price. Our ten year old barrel, from a Bourbon hogshead fitted with new toasted ends, is wonderfully fruity and expressive. The palate is light, fresh, and full of supple vanilla across the backend. The finish is malty with sweet grains dancing long after the whisky has vanished. We strongly felt that whisky tasted better at 46%, which is why we decided not to bottle at full proof. That brought the price down even lower, making this whisky one of the best values from our entire trip – period! (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)
• Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch #6 Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($249.99)
• 1979 Dallas Dhu 33 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 12 available ($349.99)
United States – Bourbon and Rye
• Breuckelen Distillers 77 Whiskey “Local Rye & Corn” Whiskey 750ml – 11 available ($44.99)
• Breuckelen Distillers 77 Whiskey “Wheat” Whiskey 750ml – 11 available ($39.99)
• Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection 19 Year Old “Giant French Oak Barrels” Bourbon Whiskey 375ml – 3 available ($199.99)
• Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection 23 Year Old “Giant French Oak Barrels” Bourbon Whiskey 375ml – 3 available ($199.99)
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
Robbie’s Drams Presents
Whisky An’ A’ That X
Whisky An’ A’ That is Ayr’s annual Whisky Festival held on the first Saturday June 2013 marks the tenth year of this much loved celebration and it promises to be the biggest and best yet! From every Whisky producing area in Scotland, exhibitors will showcase an array of Whiskies including Limited Editions and rare, hard to find examples. A fun and educational day out, for both the novice and connoisseur alike. Telephone our Ticket Hotline on 01292 284279 or order online by clicking on the banner below.
Whisky and Art?
[We are joined this week by one of our newest recruits in the shop – regular target of antipodean jokes and actual Australian, Mr Joel Eastman] After an Olympic-sized hiatus, our regular tasting evenings finally returned to Vinopolis. 35 eager … Continue reading >>
Laphroaig Cardeas Origin 2012
You may not understand what is in the bottle, but boy are you gonna like it. Smokey whisky fans are gonna love this new offering from the Laphroaig Distillery on Islay. This new Origin bottling for 2012 was released to commemorate the 18th. year of the program “Friends of Laphroaig,” and so named Cardeas, “friendship” in Gaelic.
It is a blend of casks in the experimental Cardeas range, varying in age from 13 to 21 years old. This blend is half of the vatting for this bottling; The other is 7 year old Laphroaig which has been fully matured in smaller “quarter” casks”. The result is a vibrant and spicy Laphroaig, punchy at a cask strength of 51.2% but tamed by water to become a mature, creamy malt that makes reference to the distillery’s entry level bottling while showing the complexity and subtlety that only comes from long-term aging.
This is a very limited release. First come first served
2012 Laphroaig Cardeas 51.2% $84.99
Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits
________________________________________
Email: info@federalwine.com
Phone: (617) 367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/
Old Pulteney 40 Year Old
Old Pulteney 40 year old, the oldest official bottling of single malt from the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland. Old Pulteney 40 Year Old was matured in Spanish ex-sherry and American oak ex-bourbon casks. This unique single malt has been bottled at cask strength, has not been chill-filtered or coloured.
The spirit shows remarkable freshness and intensity and boasts an unmistakable Pulteney character.
£1450.00 (£1208.33 ex vat)
Old Pulteney 40 Year Old – Official Tasting Notes
Colour: Rich amber with a red hue.
Nose: Fruity and floral with hints of oranges, green apples and butterscotch; slightly spicy.
Palate: Sweet and spicy, with traces of toffee and pears; full bodied with sherry notes and a long lasting finish.
Click here to buy Old Pulteney 40 Year Old from Abbey Whisky, Online Whisky Specialist
Abbey Whisky
enquiries@abbeywhisky.com
www.abbeywhisky.com
0800 051 7737
