The Latest epistle from the Malt Maniacs #2011-02 by Davin de Kergommeaux, Canada is now available for your reading pleasure;
http://www.maltmaniacs.org/whisky-articles/Malt-Maniacs-2011-02-The-trouble-with-tradition.pdf
Dear Customer,
Gordon & MacPhail has had trading relationships with Japan for over thirty years and members of our family owned business felt it was important to show our support and raise funds to aid the relief. We all feel helpless in the face of a tragedy so we are looking to do something practical.
I was due to fly to Japan to take part in a series of events to launch Gordon & MacPhail Generations Glenlivet 70 Years Old when the disaster struck.
We have decided to donate bottle No. 1 of Generations Glenlivet 70 Years Old to a special charity auction to raise money for the relief effort. All funds will be paid to the Red Cross who will use them to help the Japanese people recover from this devastating natural disaster.
Bonhams Edinburgh, who are giving their services for free, will deliver the special charity auction on Tuesday 29 March 2011 at 7.00pm GMT. The auction will be held at Bonhams 22 Queen Street, Edinburgh and online at http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/19503/lot/1/
As I am sure you are aware Gordon & MacPhail launched Generations Glenlivet 70 Years Old at a special event at Edinburgh Castle on 8 March 2011. Distilled in 1940 only 100 full sized decanters have been released for sale in 2011. Whisky connoisseur Charles Maclean describes the single malt: “The Glenlivet 1940 opens a door into a different time, another country. To smell and taste this exquisite whisky is to experience the past in a unique way – layer upon layer of flavour, profound and evocative.”
The whisky is beautifully presented in a tear-shaped hand-blown crystal decanter with an elegant British Hallmarked silver stopper. The decanter nestles in a sterling silver base and is framed in a handmade box, crafted in Scotland using Scottish Elm.
I would be grateful if you could make as many people as possible aware of this special charity auction.
Your faithfully,
Michael
SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS, WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS
Michael Urquhart | Joint Managing Director
GORDON & MACPHAIL, GEORGE HOUSE, BOROUGHBRIGGS ROAD, ELGIN, MORAY, SCOTLAND, IV30 1JY
OWNER OF BENROMACH DISTILLERY | www.benromach.com
All highlighting by Whisky Intelligence
Now available to watch inside Warehouse 24, this series of
35 films offers hours of whisky pleasure for both new and old enthusiasts alike.
So why not explore The Whisky Academy and let industry experts, such as Charles MacLean, Gavin D. Smith and David Stewart, guide you through the history, science and craft behind malt whisky whilst answering some of the most frequently asked questions?
I hope you’ll find the time to enjoy these fascinating films.
I know I will.
Slainte mhath,
David Mair
The Balvenie Ambassador
“Working with filmmaker and single malt enthusiast Stuey Burnett, we’ve created something that really doesn’t exist anywhere else online…it’s a fascinating series that’ll have whisky fans enthralled.”
Sam Simmons, academic and Ambassador for The Balvenie
Ralfy’s back with a review …
Whiskey review 192 – Jameson Whiskey
viewer discretion advised !
… no marketing present in this review.
ARKWRIGHTS WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD and we’re offering 5% off to celebrate!
Arkwrights are delighted to announce that they have been awarded Whisky Magazine’s Retailer of the Year (Rest of the World, Single Outlet) at this year’s annual Icons of Whisky Awards.
This is really a “coming of age” for us after so much hard work over the last ten years building up our range of whiskies (over 800 now) from around the world. Although there have inevitably been many long hours nosing new expressions, visiting distilleries, prising a share of limited releases from producers and building relationships with the key figures in the industry, it’s really our customers who have properly put us on the map. Quite simply if it hadnt been for you we would have a very impressive collection of whiskies and little else!
As a thank you for your support, and to help us celebrate our award, we are offering 5% off whisky purchases for our newsletter subscribers (see below for terms & conditions). To take advantage of this offer please call us on 01793 765071, or order online, and quote “Icons Discount 2011”. Alternatively, print off this and bring it in to the shop with you where, as ever, we will be delighted to see you.
Slainte!
Ken and Fran
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com
(The 5% off is limited to whisky purchases only, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or discounts, and does not apply to any shipping charges. The expiry date for this offer is April 15th 2011 and it is limited to one order per household/customer. Please note that, due to technical constraints with our present website, if you are ordering online the 5% discount will not show on your order confirmation but it will be deducted when we charge your card.)
More from Edinburgh on this edition, with a look at some of the key places whisky lovers seek out on a visit to Scotland’s capital. We’ll check out Royal Mile Whiskies, The Scotch Whisky Experience, and one of Edinburgh’s best whisky bars. In the news, Whyte & MacKay is about to release a replica of Shackleton’s whisky from Antarctica, Australian whisky comes to the US, an update on Japan’s distilleries after the earthquake, and much more!
Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com
Hello Fellow Scotch Lovers –
This weeks Whisky Wednesday dilemma: A chance to acquire a hard to find whisky….or a great deal on a spectacular mainstay.
What the hell…lets do both!
First up is the chance for a select few (read: those who act fast) to acquire a bottle of Ardbeg Corryvreckan, a very limited production whisky. Corryvreckan takes its name from the famous whirlpool that lies to the north of Islay, where only the bravest souls dare to venture. Like the whirlpool itself, Corryvreckan is not for the faint-hearted! Swirling aromas and torrents of deep, peaty, peppery taste lurk beneath the surface of this beautifully balanced dram.
A bottle of Ardbeg Corryvreckan is $94.50. If you want one, make sure to buy it now. We have an inadequate amount of bottles, so limit is one bottle to a customer please.
Next is the opportunity to acquire a truly wonderful whisky, Glenmorangie Signet, at an unbeatable price. A fusion of unique and rare elements, and clouded in secrecy, Signet is a blend of Glenmorangie’s oldest whisky – distilled over thirty years ago when malting still occurred on site – and spirit matured in a selection of the world’s finest casks, this undoubtedly is the richest whisky in the Glenmorangie range. It was also named Whisky Magazine Best Highland Single Malt for 2011.
Thanks “Nicky No Neck”, we are able to offer you Glenmorangie Signet at the unbeatable price of $150.99, down from our usual price of $187.50
Finally, one last reminder that ForScotchLovers will have a booth at this years Whiskies of the World Expo on March 26th in San Francisco. Because we are participating in the show, I’m able to offer you a great discount on tickets (see below).
I hope you will take advantage of both of these offers. And if you do attend the Whiskies of the World Expo, ya better stop by our booth and say hello.
I hope to see you all there,
Doug Stone
Founder
www.ForScotchLovers.com
ARDBEG CORRYVRECKAN
ARDBEG CORRYVRECKAN REVIEW – by JOHN HANSEL of THE MALT ADVOCATE
Powerful, muscular, well-textured, and invigorating. Even within the realm of Ardbeg, this one stands out. The more aggressive notes of coal tar, damp kiln, anise and smoked seaweed are supported by an array of fruit (black raspberry, black cherry, plum), dark chocolate, espresso, molasses, bacon fat, kalamata olive, and warming cinnamon on the finish. Quite stunning…This is a great whisky!
Malt Advocate magazine rating: 96
DISTILLERS TASTING NOTES
Colour: Deepest amber
Aroma: Heady, intense and powerful.
With the first sniff, encounter the deep and turbulent force of Corryvreckan as it pulls you inwards. Swirl the glass and dip your nose into the torrents of tarry ropes, creosote and linseed oil rising from deep within the vortex. As you succumb to its power, a collision of waxy dark chocolate, warm blackcurrants and muscovado sugar pulls you under its spell with a burst of plump cherries and earthy pine needles leaping from its depths.
Swirl water into the glass, and observe the magical collision of whisky and water. As the liquid warms up, the seething cauldron bubbles and bursts, as you edge closer to sniff a pot full of gutsy cayenne-peppered steak and oysters smothered in hot pepper sauce. Salty seasoning brings a briny character with tangy crisp seaweed and smoky bacon swirling on the surface with hints of sweet vanilla, spicy cloves and blueberries.
As the whirlpool narrows and quickens moving ever deeper, surrender to its dangerous depths with the heady force of menthol, treacle and chilli sauce.
Taste: Plunge into the whirlpool and taste the mysterious depths of Corryvreckan. Torrents of taste well up on the palate; deep, peppery and chewy, bombarding the tongue with its intense tastes and textures.
The first plunge brings forth chewy peppered steak soaked in pepper sauce with the tang of crispy seaweed. As you descend deeper, encounter a mouthful of black tarry espresso coffee that coats the palate with rich melted dark fruits (blackcurrants, blueberries and cherries) and bitter almonds. As the taste soaks in deeper, star anise and hickory dry out the palate before a surprise of chalky effervescent violets fizz to the surface.
Finish: Long, deep and remaining powerful into the finish with black tarry coffee, chocolate coated cherries and hot pepper sauce, the lingering memories of your mysterious and daring journey into Corryvreckan.
GLENMORANGIE SIGNET
REVIEW – COURTESY OF JIM MURRY’S WHISKY BIBLE 2010
“This has to be Morangie Untraditional. An entirely different directon for this malt thick oak, intensity unique not just to the distillery but any other Highland malt I can think of, beleive me, you are in for one hell of a show.”
DISTILLERS TASTING NOTES
Colour: Deep amber
Aroma: A strong Aruba espresso fused with a treacly plum pudding, rich with sherry, and candied orange peel.
Taste: A contrast of rich sweetness with an explosive crackle of sizzling spices and bitter mocha.
Finish: A fresh spring-like breeze of mint with a bright citrus lemony-green quality.
Grant’s in the Russian Media
Good morning,
On a recent trip to Russia, our local ambassador and I were interviewed by a number of journalists and I thought our Russian-speaking readers (and there are a few!) would enjoy reading the articles below. As always, do get in touch (in English please!) if you have any questions and don’t hesitate to recommend…(click on the link below to read the rest of the post).…
http://blog.grantswhisky.com/2011/03/grant%e2%80%99s-in-the-russian-media/
Kind regards,
Ludo
Angels
W H I S K Y C L U B
Angels Whisky Club – St Patrick’s Day Tastings 2011
O’Neill’s Dublin, Clontarff castle and Kilkenny.
We’ve been tasting whiskey for St Patrick – Angels’ Whisky Club members have, during the week ending 10th March, been tasting as many Irish Whiskeys as possible. Back in January when this idea was conceived we set ourselves an extremely ambitious target but, with the help of Angels’ members around the globe (too numerous to mention), I think we’ve succeeded. Our members have again excelled themselves, giving up their valuable time totaste whiskey – it’s an onerous task but someone had to do it, and Angels’ members, showing no small measure of self sacrifice, volunteered.
A huge success it was with so many drams being tasted around the world, including; Green Spot, 3 varieties of Bushmills, many types of Cooleys inc Connemara (x 6), Tullamore Dew, Clontarf, Knapogue Castle, Hot Irishman, Redbreast, Tyrconnel, Jamesons, Colraine, even a homegrown potcheen! Irish Mist, Paddy’s, Black Bush, Power, Lockes, Kilbeggan,Greenore, Hewitts, Feckin, Midleton, and Michael Collins. We did our best! Our thanks go to Angels’ members from: Germany; Australia; Holland; South Africa; Israel; Norway; Sweden; Italy; Canada; USA; Scotland; Russia; even England! and of course Ireland.
Some of the results of their labours are as follows:
Knapoggue castle 12 year old Liz; vanilla and peaches, I can drink this easy and like it. She did. Light and easy to drink, citrus, spice, a nice dram. reminds me of donkey’s in the fields of Kilkenny. PAUL (he has a thing about donkey dung, too much whiskey). WILLIE said; fruity nose, lemon and apple, quite a sharp taste, wee bit of straw, confectionary sweetness here, never seen this one before, fascinating; nose and taste so different from each other. JANICE: medicinal but smooth, a good intro whisky, ie; more than one is ok.
Connemara Turf Mór Again Cooley, but this time a peaty one. Bloody awesome mellow, warm and peaty! Our notes go like this: mmhmmmm hmmm mmmhhhhmmmm….Me likey, me want!!!! A definite hit in Germany then.
Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey A very light Whiskey floral in the nose and indeed fruity in the palate.
It does fit perfectly in my Irish Coffee and indeed Hot Toddy (isn’t it, Liz?)
Connemara Peated Single Malt Matured in Bourbon casks, the beautiful lingering peaty taste is complemented by vanilla and honey notes which lead to a silky smooth finish and the peat returns, making you come back for more
TYRCONNEL SINGLE MALT nose of cherry boot polish, iodine? After the swallow it creeps back up my tongue. So unlike potcheen it hurts! This is easy and could be drunk too much, nice warm mouth to it lads!.
GREEN SPOT A grand wee dram so it is, a touch of the farmyard here somewhere? A favourite of a real whisky man Mark from Speyside, one wonders; why? Says Paul “will take the paint off a door”.
MICHAEL COLLINS as rare a dram as the man himself so it is, hard to fine, like man like whiskey! Seamus. First saw this in New York State, been drammin it ever since, no so much for the drink as fer the man. Sean.
PADDY’S easy to snuffle down and even better when yer cousin buys it!
HOT IRISHMAN is this a ladies drink? Very difficult askin at the bar fer it when we are three fellas! Did this just so we could write it for you all. It is a good drink says Liz. Better than Baileys said Mahri. Its what I want goin to me bed says Marie. Stop that girl.
KILBEGGAN Liz loved the shape of the bottle! Paul just liked the dram, as did many others. A blend but a good one, one of those you can drink all night, where’s the donkey?
FECKIN easy to get at duty free and all over Ireland, basically, its what you say after a swig of this
COLRAINE is it a whiskey? Infamous quote from Russia. Scots love it!
Greenore from Ireland. I found this strange but nice (Paul). Bit like my pal in Derry actually, ok and sometimes fine but don’t need too much of it. Grant; never heard of it, but will put it on the shelf now in the pub! Willie, never had a grain before, don’t know what to think? Bob, “is it free?”
Connemara Peated Single Malt; Colour: light gold. Nose: pretty smoky, tannery aromas, hints of unripe hazelnut and Amaretto liquor, pastry. Palate: rather sweet and smoky (notes of smoked ham), lots of liquorice, iced caffe latte, Demerara sugar, drop of menthol. Finish: develops the palate, liquorice with milk and coffee, slightly bitter in the end. Summary: 8/10 our expert in Russia liked it.
BLACK BUSH almost got a smack asking for this in the pub, but after explaining, it was a really excellent dram.
IRISH MIST true to its name, I tasted this and ended up in it! Mind, we did have one or two too many, but all in a good cause.
HEWITTS for what it is and hard to find, this is a really good dram, a hidden gem. It’s available in the Foundry in Perth (Paul’s local) along with a few other Irish drams, we need keep the flag flying here for Irealnd. The pub now has two more Irish than it had before; Greenore and Kilbeggan, available for St Pats Day everyone.
POWER seems this is popular in Ireland with the older set, sorry, cousins of an age past 40. Its good as a side kick to a pint of Kilkenny beer. Says Cormac “its got a donkey kick, and tastes the same”. Michael; he cant tell the difference. Marie; they all have the manners of a donkey after it! The Daley’s should have tasted this away from each other I think!
POTCHEEN aye well, memories come to mind, Andy almost was divorced after his taste, his missus is still lookin to kill Paul, who forgot where he lived, Willie – never seen a face like that before! Ray liked it! Tracy fell over, Dave spat it out, Bob said he liked it, but he takes anything for free, Ron would hate it but drink it all. If you are sane and sober, you won’t go anywhere near this stuff. But – och after a dram or 7 it does tempt you…
Someone mentioned a Bailey’s …come on lads we are tasting REAL Irish drinks, what whiskey is in this one? Many of our Irish tasters ended up with an Irish coffee, no bad you would think and maybe what you would expect. Well – an Irish coffee to an Irishman is a hot whiskey with no coffee near it! There’s Irish for ya.
Overall best liked Irish whiskey tasted by Angel members; most of the Connemara’s! Well done to Cooley’s!!!
Angels Whisky Club is free to join, has membership all over the world, patron is Charles Maclean and ambassadors in place all over the globe. The website is full of facts and figures, photos, tastings, interviews, video links and fun! www.angelswhiskyclub.com Contact them to join up to an ever growing membership for whisky lovers!
Whisky Magazine has provided an update on the status of the Japanese distilleries
http://whiskymagazine.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/updates-from-japanese-distilleries-16th-march-2011/
You may donate to the Japanese Red Cross at;
http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html
“We heartily appreciate your kind offer of donation.
If you want to donate money to the affected population of earthquake and tsunami, please contact your national Red Cross/Crescent society, which may have already launched fundraising campaign within your country.
If your national society doesn’t collect donation or you wish to send your donations directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society, please direct your fund to the following bank account. If you need the receipt of your fund, please state so clearly in the comment section of the bank transfer order. All the fund received under this account will be transferred to the Distribution Committee, which is formed around the local government of the disaster-affected prefecture and to be distributed directly among the affected population of earthquake and tsunami,
Name of Bank: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Name of Branch: Ginza
Account No.: 8047670 (Ordinary Account)
SWIFT Code: SMBC JP JT
Payee Name: The Japanese Red Cross Society
Payee Address: 1-1-3 Shiba-Daimon Minato-ku, Tokyo JAPAN
Thank you once again for your generous offer. It is surely the source of encouragement for the affected population in Japan.”
