New Delhi and Chandigarh

Hi,

It was only a couple of months ago that I was last in Delhi and having been particularly impressed by the local hospitality, I was delighted when I received an invitation to return to India for a series of events, which included the launch of Grant’s 12 Years Old at this year’s Whisky Luxe event.

THE LINK

Kind regards,
Ludo

www.ralfy.com reaches 250! . . . Whisky Rreview 250 – Black Bull 40yo

750 to go, I wonder if I will reach 1000 reviews! (Whisky Intelligence would like to congratulate Ralfy on his milestone and remind him it’s only one review at a time; we look forward to watching Whisky Review 1000).

World Wide Whisky Design Awards 2012

Great King Street Blended Scotch whisky by Compass Box (nominated in  Category 1 – Bottle, less than € 250)

Great King Street Blended Scotch whisky in 50cl bottle at 43% abv. Great King Street is a recent new mission from Compass Box; a mission to get people to rediscover the joys of Blended Scotch. “Great King Street will offer … Continue reading →

Key Milestone Reached for Virginia Distillery — Stills Are Set!

These pot stills are central to the promise of VDC whisky. In the U.S. anyone can call their whisky single malt, but to be authentic it must be double distilled in single batches in copper pots. This view is from the mezzanine level of the distillery. Here you can see the wash still and the spirit still are connected with the lyne pipes. In the center is nerve center of the distilling process, the spirit safe. That is where the quality of the whisky is controlled.

The spirits from the both the wash still and the spirit still are sent to the spirit safe. There the master distiller monitors the alcohol content with a hydrometer. The low wines are from the wash still are tested for quality. The spirits coming from the spirit safe are fractionated into thirds — the foreshots, the potable spirit and the feints. The foreshots and feints are returned to the process and redistilled. The remaining spirit goes into barrels for aging. The narrower the middle the lower the yield but the higher the quality. That’s how you can tell the quality of whisky before it’s aged a day.

Rare View of Copper Pot Still

This photo was taken before the final flooring was placed on the mezzanine which allows for a full view of the installed stills. The stand was specially fabricated by a roller coaster company because they were the only ones who could bend the steel to provide sufficient stability.

Inside the VDC Single Malt Distillery

 
VDC’s consulting engineer, Jim Taggart, sets the swan neck on the stills. The swan neck stretches to the rafters and will be the most visible section of the stills from the Mezzanine level.

The rakes inside a mashtun are rarely seen. This photo was taken before the top was installed. This equipment mixes the malted barley with water to make the mash. The liquid from the mash, called the wort, is then transferred to the fermenter where yeast is added.

The tanks and fermenters are now in place. The next phase is boiler and pipe installation followed by electrical.

Harry Cockburn, VDC’s master distillery engineer, visited from Scotland in January to check the status and plan the next phase. He, Chairman George Moore and President John McCray visited the distillery just prior to closing off the mezzanine floor.

Virginia Distillery Company
299 Eades Lane P.O. Box 509 Lovingston,
VA 22949
info@vadistillery.com
http://www.vadistillery.com/

Hello Fellow Whiskey Lovers –

I have three very exciting bits to discuss with you this week:

First, with the launch of the new ForWhiskeyLovers, we are now shipping to Massachusetts via a partnership with arguably the top whisky shop in New England. So if you or a WhiskeyLover you know resides in the great state of Bill-Belichick-inspired-despair, the good news is relief is now a few clicks/a couple of days away from being delivered to your door.

Next, we’re running a VERY exciting contest for the next week: The team at Wemyss Malts are about to bottle their latest release, and they’re stuck for a name.

So they sent Managing Editor Ian Buxton a sample of it, and he sent us tasting notes to “experience it” with him (ahem). Now we’re challenging you to check out his notes…get inspired(or at least have a flash of something snappy)…and send it to us.

If your name is chosen, you’ll receive a bottle for your bar signed by someone important, and instant cred’s in the world of whiskey….having recently named your first whiskey…arguably on your first try and with little effort. Not bad….

Finally, an opportunity for the whiskey collector and those who appreciate the opportunity to get their hands on something really special.

A few emails back I told you about Silvano Samaroli, who has been selecting and bottling the world’s greatest whiskies since 1968. However I did a lousy job of communicating how much of a legend this guy is within the whiskey world. I had recently met a rep from the company, tasted a few of the whiskies, and was truly blown away. So we acquired some, and offered it to you.

However at the time I didn’t know who he is….

What I quickly learned after relaying my tasting experience to Ian, was that Silvano Samaroli is considered, amongst those who matter, the Zen Master (Ian’s words) Mac Daddy (mine) of whisky bottlers. These are the guys who hand-select barrels for themselves, often directing additional finishing to differentiate thier liquid, and then bottle it under their name. If you haven’t heard of Silvano Samaroli, it’s because his whiskies have just hit our shore in the last year or so, so you’re excused…

But you will know…as I now know…that the 70 year old Samaroli is truly The Master of this craft.

And so, I am thrilled to be able to offer you one of my favorites from the tasting: Samaroli Bunnahabhain 1990 Single Malt Single Cask Scotch Whisky from the island of Islay

The malt whiskies produced on the isle of Islay are generally phenolic (smoky), pungent and salty. However since 1883 Bunnahabhain has contradicted this taste profile, and has consistently produced a smooth, almost winey, whisky.

And with this being a small bottling from a single hand selected cask, there were only 276 bottles released for sale.

Fortunately we have Nicky The Neck, his connections in “the old country”, and more than our fair share of the whiskey as a result. So I’m happy to be able to offer it you at $214.95/ bottle, with a limit of 2 bottles/ customer and, as always, once it’s gone…it’s gone.

So this weeks assignment: 1) Send whiskey To Mass…2) send whiskey names to me…3) and send a bottle of Samaroli Bunnahabhain 1990 Single Malt Single Cask Scotch Whisky to yourself.

And have fun.

Until next Wednesday…

Doug Stone
Founder
ForWhiskeyLovers.com

________________________________________________________________________

SAMAROLI BUNNAHANHAIN 1990 SINGLE CASK SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

________________________________________________________________________
TASTING NOTES: courtesy of SILVANO SAMAROLI

Very penetrating refined bouquet.

Impetuous but at the same time clear.

Mature but lively.

Hard and also smooth, clean and at the same time ample.

Has great character. As deep as the ocean

Powerful – doesn’t pass unnoticed.

A-Z of World’s Best Bars: B & C

Last week we launched a list of what we’re calling the World’s Best Bars. As you would expect after A comes B…and C. Seems only fair to give you two letters this week in case you’re looking for more variety.

Now, this is just the opinion of the whisky team in here – if you know of a cracking place that starts with B or C, add it in the comments or let us know on our Facebook whisky page – who knows I might pop in soon!

B

Boulevard 1, San Francisco, USA

Chef Nancy Oakes culinary skills have made this restaurant one of the most popular in San Francisco. The menu is an amazing mix of American regional flavours mixed with just a sprinkling of French influence. Try the Wood Oven Roasted Angus Fillet served with a side of Dalmore – perfect!

Blue Bar, Taj Westend, Bangalore, India

This stylish, open-air bar is surrounded by water and the music is a blend of Buddha Bar, Lounge, House and Retro. Relax at a table in the gardens or get closer to the action. Either way the Blue Bar will work its irresistible magic.

Bar 252, Pune, India

Bar 252 is a well known bar for it single malts. It is a part of a five star hotel which has the name of sun and sand.

Bar 101, Pune, India:

A well-known bar known for its vast whisky collection

C

Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles, USA

The Chateua Marmont is not a place you would describe as understated and being its LA, then you wouldn’t really expect it to be. Housed in a chateau style building that is modelled on an infamous royal residency in France’s Loire Valley, this restaurant-come- bar-come hotel, takes you on a fantastic journey into the land of make believe. Some might it’s over the top, but we think it’s excellent!

The Corinthian, Glasgow, Scotland

The Corinthian, was built in 1842 in Whyte & Mackay’s hometown of Glasgow and is possibly one of the most captivating buildings in the city. The beautiful building started as Glasgow Ship Bank before being a court building and in its most recent transformation into The Corinthian bar and restaurant which is a must visit destination in the city. Superb meals, fantastic cocktails, a luxurious collection of single malts and even a casino await you.

Caledonian Hilton, Edinburgh, Scotland

Originally built as a railway hotel in 1903, it is one of the oldest hotels in Edinburgh. It’s staff are brilliantly educated when it comes to whisky, which is just as well as it’s bar boasts one of the largest selections of whiskies in the capital.

Cameron House Hotel, Loch Lomond, Scotland

Set on the famous bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, Cameron House is one of the most iconic hotels in Scotland. In “The Great Scots Bar” you can enjoy a single malt from their vast collection, whilst taking in the stunning views over the Loch to Ben Lomond.

Cuan Mor, Oban, Scotland

This is a fantastic bar/bistro in Oban that is so good you will want to keep it as your own little secret. Sneak through the back of the building you and you will find the Oban Bay Micro Brewery and a huge selection of single malts – the most exclusive of which you will find behind locked iron cages!

Other notable C’s include:

The Curly Coo, Crieff, Scotland

The Coo has over 100 malt whiskies all served by major whisky fan (and owner) Mandy Silver. Their 100th whisky of the collection was the Mackinlay’s Shackleton malt.

Chaya Downtown, Los Angeles, USA

A great selected on Euro-Asian cuisine perfectly complements the large whisky selection on offer

Craft, Los Angeles, USA

Superb fresh menu in both their restaurant and bar.

Canny Man’s, Morningside, Edinburgh

A treasure trove of bits and bobs and a brilliant selection of whiskies.

The Clyde Bar, Helensburgh, Scotland

Instantly recognisable from either land or sea due to its vibrant colour scheme. An eclectic (but friendly) mix of locals, tourists and sailors from the local Navy Base enjoy live music whilst sipping one of the many many whiskies on offer.

The Counting House, Glasgow

Right in the heart of the city, this former bank is now home to a busy bar which is enjoyed by local and tourists alike.

Cape Town, Goa, India

A well known Lounge bar in Goa, Cape Town creates a buzz with its beautiful cocktails, delicious food and innovative theme nights.

The Mighty Thor

by Billy (at The Whisky Exchange)

Highland Park are an interesting bunch. Their fans are numerous and (in the nicest possible way) rabid; their detractors are a much smaller group who in recent times have focused on a couple of things that they do, one of which is packaging. Over the last couple of years HP have put out some incredible whiskies – some of them incredible in taste, some of them more incredible by way of their appearance.

The Highland Park 50 is a magnificent dram, but in the end the juice got overshadowed by its price, box and bottle – a driftwood inspired box with a porthole that looked in on a silver seaweed wrapped bottle, complete with carved piece of Orcadian sandstone and a silver replica of the Rose window from St Magnus’s Cathedral in Kirkwall. The designer is a famous Scottish jewellery maker and the whole package does look rather special, but in the end that was what it became about – finding notes about the whisky was much harder than it should have been.

Along with single bottlings they’ve also jumped into the world of series, especially as the market for collecting whisky has become a more mainstream segment than it has in the past.

Their last complete series was ‘The Earl Magnus Editions’, a set of three bottles celebrating a small piece of Orkney’s history. The three editions were well presented, in the solid wooden display cases that are becoming their trademark, but they did something a little clever with the release numbers. Earl Magnus, first in the series, 5976 bottles; St Magnus, second, 11994 bottles; Earl Haakon, third, 3300 bottles. So, not everyone who bought the first whisky in the series to collect was going to be able to buy the third, a perfect way to sell out quickly, which has also created a bit of a market for speculators.

So, this brings us on to their new series – The Valhalla Collection. Delving again into Orkney’s Scandinavian past they’ve hooked on to the Norse pantheon and their first release is in honour of the hammer-flinging god of thunder – Thor.

There’s been a lot of talking on the internet about Thor over the last couple of weeks thanks to the blogger-focused advertising campaign – they sent out four parcels, each containing a shiny silver stone marked with a rune (from the Elder Futhark alphabet if my obsessive Wikipedia-ing is correct), with the fourth parcel also containing a sample of the whisky. Add to that a Twitter account (that swings in tone from serious to beautifully self-mocking), Facebook page and blog all written in the name of Thor and you have an online campaign

That’s as maybe when it comes to the wider world of whisky buyers, as my (and maybe your) online community may have seen a load of Thor but the general public will have noticed one specific thing – its packaging:

The packaging shows a dividing line between different types of whisky consumer. Before anyone had even tried Thor, a large number of whisky enthusiasts had dismissed it as being unworthy of attention due to the ‘boat’ frame (aka The Lyre). Some seem to be personally insulted by the concept of a cask strength 16 year old whisky being sold for £120, claiming that the only justification for the price is the packaging. Others questioned its limited edition nature due to the 23000 bottles that were being released worldwide, and asked how that justified the price. Outside of the whisky fans people generally seemed to say ‘Ooh, that looks rather pretty. I wonder what it tastes like?’. Whisky isn’t only for whisky fans any more and there are many people in the world who don’t mind paying for something to look good as well as taste good.

Speaking of taste:

Nose: Salted caramel, evergreen leaves, light mint and menthol rounded out with a hint of woody smoke.
Palate: Juicy oranges and lemon, hot ginger and cinnamon, fruitcake richness, black liquorice and more wood smoke.
Water: A few drops calms down some of the heat, revealing ferns, damp forest and woody spice on the nose, and more caramel and polished wood on the body. It still has a big hit of warmth, although it’s more ginger and cinnamon than it is alcoholic burn.
Finish: Tongue-tingling heat, sweet wood, muddy paths and fallen leaves. As it fades, a dark but sweet liquorice root note kicks in.

It’s a good whisky and I’d thoroughly recommend that any Highland Park fan have a try of it if they can find a dram. It works best for me with a drop of water but those who like their whisky untamed and rampant will enjoy this. It’s not subtle, but with only a bit of shoehorning you can pair it up with its namesake – a rampaging god with a fondness for lightning and hitting things with a hammer.

So where am I going with this? I’m not really sure. I’ve been playing devil’s advocate around the discussion boards in an attempt to work out my own opinion on the situation and I think I’ve just about worked it out:

There are lots of people who buy whisky. They all buy whisky for different reasons. Companies will make whisky to sell to all the people who want it. Some of those whiskies will be for people who aren’t you.

Thor falls happily between two different categories of whisky buyer – those who buy pretty things and those who buy good spirit. Luckily they’ve made enough of it to go around.

Loch Fyne Whiskies Reports;

The Arran Malt ‘Icons of Arran’ #4 The Eagle
(Due March 2012)

The fourth and final instalment of the Icons of Arran brings this series to a stylish close. The Eagle, perhaps the defining symbol of the Isle of Arran Distillery, is bottled from a selection of casks from our 1999 vintage and bottled at 46%. This limited release of 6,000 bottles will be bottled at 46% without chill-filtering.

The Arran Malt – Devil’s Punchbowl
(Due May 2012)

This Limited Edition release will highlight the cask selection skills of our Master Distiller and Blender James MacTaggart. Created from a vatting of our oldest and finest casks, the Devil’s Punchbowl will be bottled at Cask Strength and limited to approximately 6,000 bottles worldwide. With stunning packaging combined with superior whisky, we anticipate The Devil’s Punchbowl forming the first chapter of a new and highly sought after collection.

Introducing… the A to Z of the World’s Best Bars

As most people know, I do a fair bit of travelling as the Master Blender for Whyte & Mackay Whisky and a question that often pops up is “where do you and your team suggest for a drink in…” and it got us thinking, why don’t we put together a little list of some of the best bars we know.

Nice to already have a third E-pistle published this year from the Malt Maniacs! Pit reports about a trip to Scotland for finishing single malts in Bavarian beer casks.