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For Scotch Lovers Whisky Selection: Edradour 2003 Port Cask #379 – Scotch Whisky News

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Hello Fellow Scotch Lovers –

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: “size matters”. This weeks Whisky Wednesday offering is all about size…as in size small. A small production whisky, from the smallest distillery in Scotland.

Once again, the relationships that resulted from my trip to Scotland this past April have paid off. And so this week I am thrilled to be able to offer you a very rare bottle of Edradour 2003 Port Cask #379 Whisky. Produced by Edradour, the smallest distillery in Scotland, the whisky is not chill-filtered, and was bottled in 2009.

What is really wonderful about this whisky is the fact that it isn’t finished after the usual maturation on bourbon or sherry casks. Instead, this whisky is fully matured in port bodega butts previously used to mature port for a period of at least 20 years. The color is a bit like rosé wine, but a shade darker. This release is from a batch of 10 such port casks, put to sleep in November 2003.

This is a limited production whisky, with only four releases in total planned. But with our man Nicky-The-Neck on the job, we’ve been able to secure more than our fair share.

The ForScotchLovers retail price is only $72.50. If you’re interest, please purchase your bottle(s) ASAP. We have a limited inventory available to us, and once they’re gone, they are gone.

Doug Stone

Founder

www.ForScotchLovers.com

EDRADOUR 2003 PORT CASK #379 WHISKY

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EDRADOUR 2003 PORT CASK WHISKY – TASTING NOTES

Colour – Like rosé wine, but a bit darker

Aroma – Wave after wave of aromatic ecstasy…like riding a bicycle through a flower garden: Dark berries, redcurrant, gooseberries (a whole jar of berry jam). Creamy coffee liqueur (like Baileys) with quite a bit of spices.

Palate – Crisp with loads of fruit – exotic like strawberry and pineapple – extremely sweet (even more than on the nose) and very clean.

Finish – Long and luscious fruit finish. If that’s up your alley, then you’ll surely appreciate this Edradour.

ABOUT THE EDRADOUR DISTILLERY

Edradour is the smallest whisky distillery in Scotland; possibly the smallest legal distillery of any kind in the world. John Reid and his two assistants hand-craft Edradour without automation, using skills handed down through generations…

It takes the man-power of just three men to produce Edradour – three men whose expertise and attention to detail produces the most unique malt whisky in the world.

Using skills handed down over the generations, the men of Edradour distillery follow the standards of those who have gone before. John Reid, David Ramsbottom and James Kennedy continue to produce the finest single malt whisky available.

Grant’s Scotch Whisky Our Russian Facebook Page – Scotch Whisky News

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Our Russian Facebook Page

Hi,

Our Russian Ambassador, Anastasia Bakhtina, has launched a facebook page where she plans to interact in Russian with our local fans. As well as publishing pictures of events across Russia, answering questions and relaying some of the stories I share on this blog, Anastasia will be writing about her experiences as she travels across the…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

http://blog.grantswhisky.com/2011/06/our-russian-facebook-page/

Kind regards,
Ludo

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Happy 4th of July From Maker’s Mark Bourbon! – American Whiskey News

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Happy 4th of July From Maker’s Mark Bourbon!

With Fourth of July around the corner, let’s talk about something distinctly American…bourbon. Bourbon is America’s official native spirit, and Maker’s Mark, made in Loretto, KY since 1953, was the first premium bourbon ever produced in the US.  Its signature red wax dipped bottleneck is an international icon signifying American tradition and craft and its distillery is a National Historic Landmark.

We at Maker’s Mark have put together a few must haves for a traditional 4th of July cookout – recipes for a refreshing summer cocktail and perfect side dish for burgers and hot dogs, plus the ultimate grilling apron.

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Mark Collins (our twist on the traditional Tom Collins)

2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

1 part fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon sugar

Club soda

Cherry and orange garnish

In a shaker half filled with ice, combine the Maker’s Mark, lemon juice and sugar. Shake well. Strain into a Collins glass (tall glass) filled with ice. Add the club soda. Stir gently and garnish with a cherry and lemon slice.

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Maker’s Mark may have just created the definitively cool grilling apron. Besides the necessary utility strength pockets, it has an insulated pocket perfect for keeping an ice cold beer or Maker’s Mark cocktail cold and a bottle opener attached to a retractable string so you never lose it.

$29.95 Available at www.makersmark.com.

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Drunken Cowboy Beans           

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Makes 8 cups

By Sheamus Feeley Executive Chef & Partner, Farmstead Restaurant (Saint Helena, CA)

Prep Time: 1 day beforehand. Cook Time: 2 hours. Level: Intermediate

Cooked Beans:

1 lb. Rancho Gordo dried pinquito beans, soaked in cold water overnight

1 small onion, peeled and quartered with the root still intact

1 medium carrot, peeled and quartered

2 stalks of celery, cut into 3” pieces

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 bouquet garni (1 bay leaf, 1 sprig thyme, 8 peppercorns), tied up in cheesecloth

1 tablespoon kosher salt

8 cups water

Combine all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a medium simmer and cook the beans until they are tender but still firm, about 30 minutes. Drain the beans and discard the vegetables and aromatics, reserving 4 cups of the cooking liquid.

Cowboy Beans:

1 lb. Benton’s Slab Bacon, cut ¼” x ¼”

1½ cup yellow onion, minced

¼ cup garlic, minced

2 tablespoons cumin seed, toasted and ground

¼ cup chili powder

2 tablespoons dried oregano

4 cups chicken stock or pot liquor from beans

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

1 recipe cooked beans

2 cups barbecue sauce, vinegar based

2/3 cup Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

Salt to taste

Render the bacon until crisp in a large pot over medium-high heat, stirring often, about 10 minutes.
Add the onion and sweat on low heat for 3-4 minutes.  Do not brown.
Add the garlic and cook for 10 seconds.  Do not brown.
Add remaining ingredients, except for the barbecue sauce and Maker’s Mark®.
Simmer for an hour.  Remove from the flame and stir in the bourbon and barbecue sauce.
Return the pot to the heat and cook for an additional 15 minutes on low heat, until alcohol is not “hot.” Adjust the seasoning with salt.
Place in a cast iron skillet, or casserole dish and bake at 500°F until the sides begin to caramelize and bubble.  8 – 10 minutes. Serve immediately. 

Notes from Chef Feeley: “I only use Rancho Gordo beans in the restaurant, as I feel they are the best dried bean available.  I never have to soak them and they cook fast, with great tasting pot liquor.  Pinquito beans are a classic side to Central Coast barbecue (Santa Maria style) here in California.  I call them “Cowboy beans” when I serve them with my whole-hog barbecue. But with a little Maker’s… I think “drunken cowboy beans” is a better title.  Think Blazing Saddles campfire scene…”

Notes: Benton’s Bacon, which you can also order online, just happens to be some of the smokiest bacon in the country. You can substitute any other bacon, but we highly recommend you get your hands on some Benton’s bacon anyways, especially if you happen to be a connoisseur of America’s favorite cured pork delight. 

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Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks Kilchoman Inaugural 100% Islay – Scotch Whisky News

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Kilchoman Inaugural 100% Islay 50%abv

(LFW comments) Hugely entertaining peaty dram from Islay’s new go-it-aloners.

Kilchoman’s remarkable history develops with this limited first release of whisky entirely sourced, produced and packaged on site. Is this all-Islay production the first ever such achievement? This is also the first appearance of their new bespoke (at 2kg, very-heavy-for-shipping-overseas) bottle.

A glass-filling aroma that canoodles the nose; soft, peaty, lemon, biscuit, lime, smoke………. Sea-spray made with butter…

A unique tongue experience! It neutralises the sweet and goes straight to bitter, then salt, then the sweet recovers and the swallow clicks with the sour, it’s hardly balanced – but it is very instructive, hugely entertaining and sooooo subtly overstated! Returning to the glass it’s vegetative, salty with a lively smoke, weirdly both very peaty and yet only subtly phenolic. With water it becomes something that should be served in ‘lashings’ (as in “a picnic with lashings of pop! Hurrah!”) Best served in pint pots.

Still the peat comes and goes… Chewy and nutty with a long playful finish. Another perfect whisky that dismisses concepts of age in single malts, and an ace, well done!

On the Flavour map I have it in square F10
On the smoky side of light and smoky

Kilchoman Inaugral 100% Islay
Barcode: 5060210700140

Very limited and so strictly restricted to 2 bottles per customer.

Overseas Customers: This is a very heavy bottle and a shipping supplement is applied.

Price excluding VAT: £56.58
£67.90 Including VAT at 20%

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Anthony Wills & his 100% Islay Kilchoman

Visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at www.lfw.co.uk

Malt Maniacs Publish A New E-pislte – Scotch Whisky News

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Johannes reports that Foreign correspondent Benjamin Chen just submitted an E-pistle about the whisky world in Singapore. Check out: http://www.maltmaniacs.org/whisky-articles/Malt-Maniacs-2011-05-Whisky-In-Singapore.pdf

Binny’s Chicago Fourth of July Blowout Sale – Save up to 33% Store Wide – Whisky News

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Bushmills Irish Whiskey…$15.99
Canadian Club 1.75L…$16.99
Canadian LTD 1.75L…$10.99
Crown Royal…$17.99
Crown Royal 1.75L…$37.99
Dewar’s White Label 1.75L …$26.99
House Of Stuart Scotch 1.75L…$14.99
J & B Scotch 1.75L…$25.99
Jack Daniels Black 1.75L…$34.99
Jim Beam Bourbon 1.75L…$21.99
Johnnie Walker Black Label…$25.99
Johnnie Walker Black Label 1.75L…$53.99
Johnnie Walker Red Label 1.75L…$27.99
Maker’s Mark Bourbon…$22.99
Seagram’s 7 Crown 1.75L…$15.99
Seagram’s VO Canadian 1.75L…$18.99
Southern Comfort 1.75L…$19.99

*Prices valid W/Binny’s Card June 29 through July 5, 2011. Not responsible for misprints or typographical errors.  Sizes 750ml unless otherwise stated. Advertised items limited to quantities on hand.Visit Binny’s at www.binnys.com

The Whisky Exchange Blog at Spirit of Speyside: Pt.1 – Scotch Whisky News

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The Whisky Exchange Blog at Spirit of Speyside: Pt.1

Now and again, working in the whisky industry and trotting out the occasional overly verbose blog throws up some spectacular fringe benefits that fully justify the grinding rectal ache of the three hour daily commute required to trek between southeast and northwest London for work. The honour of being invited to join a group of .…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

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Ralfy Publishes Masterclass Episode 1 of 7 – Scotch Whisky News

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Ralfy presents his anticipated (and requested) Masterclass, …. the most comprahensive to ever appear on the internet.

Whisky Review #209 (1/7) – Whisky Masterclass (Preparation) … six more episodes to go.

See for yourself at www.ralfy.com

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The Famous Grouse Festival – Scotch Whisky News

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Dear Famous fan,

We are getting very excited about our brand new upcoming Festival and wanted to update our loyal friends.

The very first Famous Grouse Festival takes place on Friday 12th & Saturday 13th August 2011. Set outdoors at Scotland’s oldest and most visited distillery; Glenturret, an eclectic blend of music and whisky is set to transpire.

There are only 1,200 tickets available for each day and they are on sale now and selling fast.

Rocking the stage on Friday evening is the legendary Donnie Munro and Eric Faulkner with supporting acts including Jill Jackson, formerly of Speedway, Michael Marra and The Gospel Truth Choir.

Saturday 13th will see the Celtic band Skerryvore headlining with blazing bagpipes, fiddle and accordion fused with funky rhythms and soulgripping songs. Piperactive, Manran, Mike Lee and Jill Jackson will also be making an appearance.

We are also running a battle of the bands competition in conjunction with Radio Tay (www.radiotay.co.uk) to find the final up and coming Scottish band or artist that will complete the Saturday line-up.

Festival goers will be treated to three free drams of whisky with every ticket and learn about The Famous Family (The Famous Grouse, The Black Grouse & The Snow Grouse). Gordon Motion, The Famous Grouse Master Blender will be running master classes and TV celebrity mixologist Andy Gemmell will be shaking up some whisky cocktails.

Tickets are £30 per day and are on sale from www.ticketmaster.co.uk, until stocks last. We are expecting the event to sell out in advance.

Tickets are restricted to those aged 14 and above and all over 18s will be treated to three free drams (25ml measure). Disabled access and parking is available on prior request.

For all the latest festival news please visit: www.thefamousgrouse.com/festival.

We hope to see you there!
 
Yours famously,
The Famous Grouse Team

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Grant’s Scotch Whisky “Our Company Crest” – Scotch Whisky News

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Our Company Crest

Good evening all,

You may have seen it on our labels or moulded into the back of our bottles but have you ever wondered where our Coat of Arms came from or what it stands for? I have been asked these questions on a number of occasions and even though I had a general understanding of…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

http://blog.grantswhisky.com/2011/06/our-company-crest/

Kind regards,
Ludo

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