Springbank Society Newsletter February 2011

Greetings Society Members from a very cold, windy Campbeltown.   Mother nature is playing tricks on us – the day can start off very sunny and mild then just when you are thinking ‘this is nice, we must be heading for Spring’ down comes the rain and the wind is nearly blowing your head off!

Never mind, we have lots of things to look forward to this year.   We’ll start with the new releases but we’ll keep the new Society Bottle until nearer the end so that you have to read all of this first.   No cheating and scrolling through to the end or you might miss something important.

The first week in March will see the Hazelburn Sauterne in the shops, then in June we will have a Longrow 18y/o and in September another Hazelburn 12y/o.   I can take advance orders for any or all of these releases, just let me have a wee e mail and I’ll make sure that as soon as it’s available it can be sent out to you

We still have the problem with the Customs & Excise for the EU.   I have been able to send out to France, Sweden and Germany, with customers paying the Excise duty in their own country and sending me the receipt so that orders can be dispatched.   The Netherlands and Finland have advised me that we cannot follow this procedure for these countries, so up till now people in the Netherlands and Finland have to have an address in the UK where I can send whisky.   I am trying to find a way round this problem, but it seems there is no easy answer.

Countries outwith the EU do not pose a problem as far as Customs & Excise are concerned.

Springbank Open Day

Thursday 19th May is the date for this year’s open day.   We will have two single casks to bottle on the day, I will get more information on the casks very soon.   We will of course have Masterclasses with Frank, Gavin and Peter.   The cost this year for the Masterclasses will be £15 and will include a glass.

Tastings in the Warehouse will also be part of the open day, at a cost of £5 which will include a discount voucher for Cadenhead Whisky Shop.

At set times throughout the day there will be free distillery tours for people who do not wish to participate in the Masterclasses.

Grant is again hosting a Cadenhead Tasting in the Tasting Room in the afternoon.   The cost of tickets will be £20 and places will be limited.

We will also have food from Auntie Mo, Food from Argyll, Seafood from McMillan Smokehouse.   A bar will be provided by Fyne Ales who will be joining us for the first time with some of their fine ales (of course).

John Brown will be there with his wood carvings – some nice new creations this year from John.   The Blacksmith’s Shop is setting up a stall to show off some of their metal art work  and hopefully they will also bring along a wood burning stove that we can gather round if it’s cold.   Various other craft stalls will also be there.

Gavin’s team will be preparing some half casks for sale as garden tubs, they also have some cask ends – do you fancy having your date of birth stencilled on one of these?

Music will be provided by local artistes.

We thought that this year we would have a BBQ and a tiny wee bonfire at about 6.30 pm, with maybe a Spooks tour round the warehouses.   I know it will not be dark but we won’t put the lights on so that you get really frightened.   I believe there are lots of spiders in the warehouses away at the back in the dark bits so I won’t be going in there!!!

Fyne Ales have agreed to stay with us for the BBQ at night and hopefully we will have some music too – maybe a piper in the warehouse to add to the atmosphere.   If you’re lucky you might even see some of the angels.

If you would like to book Masterclasses or the Cadenhead Tasting, let me know.

Society Golf Competition

We have teamed up with Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course to host a Society Golf Competition, to take place on Friday 20th May – a perfect follow up to our Open Day.   We intend making this an annual event if it proves popular.   Machrihanish Dunes have put together a very attractive package for Society Members as you will see in the attached flyer.   If you are interested in taking part in this event and in taking advantage of the special B & B rates offered by them,  details of how to book are also in the flyer.

Society Bottle

The chosen one is sitting in the warehouse, waiting patiently for labels so that it can be bottled.   Now the waiting is almost over, after 11 long years it’s just about ready for you to enjoy.

The barley used for this whisky is from Machrimore Farm in Southend, the barley type is Prisma, the strength is 57.9% ABV and the wood type is  a recharred sherry butt, the type of whisky is Springbank. 

So there you have it Springbank Local Barley, 11 years old, 57.9% ABV from a recharred sherry butt.   You lucky, lucky people.   I did tell you we would have something special for you this time!!!

As usual we have kept the price very low for our Society Members, so you are getting something very special for a very special low price of £70.00 plus postage and packing.

I would remind you of the difficulties with Customs & Excise as mentioned at the beginning of the newsletter, and hope that you can find a way to overcome the problems.

The only other Society Bottle we have at the present time is the Springbank 14y/o from last year, cost £45 plus postage and packing.

Hip Flasks

At last we have a hip flask to look at and decide whether or not it is what we are looking for.   The intention is to have it engraved with the Springbank logo rather than the Society logo so that we can appeal to a wider market, and keep the cost down, of course.  

News from the distillery:

The Springbank boiler is now back in full working order after having a complete overhaul and production for Springbank spirit is in now in full swing and willcontinue until the end of March . During April we will be malting and from early May through to mid July will be malting , mashing and distilling  which will keep the whisky school pupils busy.

Frank has told me in confidence that the boiler is almost as old as him, hence the complete overhaul.   I have promised that I would not tell anyone this, but I know you won’t tell anyone else.

Whisky School

The whisky school is starting on 16 May this year and will have eight terms of one week each.   There is only one place left for this year, week beginning 4 July, so a very busy time ahead for everyone involved in the Whisky School.   Frank and Gavin are discussing the possibility of having another few terms of the Whisky School in the autumn of this year.   If this comes to fruition I will certainly let you know.

Well that’s about it for now, plenty to think about, and remember if you would like to order anything that’s coming out let me know and I will make sure that your bottles are set aside for you.

Roll on Spring,  we have a case of the SAD’s and need some sunshine to make us feel a bit more lively.

We’ll maybe have another wee competition soon to cheer us all up.   Thinking caps on!!!

As usual, if you have anything you would like to comment on please feel free to do so, it’s your Society and your Newsletter.  

Slainte

Janet
for Springbank Society

Contact Janet via society@springbankwhisky.com  for your chance to join the Springbank Society

February Outturn: J’adore FOUR more?

We’re flaunting our ongoing love of the single cask by releasing four additional new bottlings this February Outturn…

25.58 Floaty and relaxing (Closed distillery)
Lowland
£83.60 inc free p&p  
Bright, floaty and relaxing, with dimpled, cheeky smiles; sweet perfumed toffee, floral soap, apricot, peach, lemon, brown sugar, pastry and pleasant woody notes

125.43 Dancing dolls in flower meadows
Highland Northern
£71.20 inc free p&p
Enchanting – lots of gorse flowers, coconut macaroons, dark chocolate-covered almonds, brown sugar, tablet, marmalade, coffee and vanilla – also hints of sandalwood, oak, charcoal and smoke

35.49 Ticklish and dreamy
Speyside Lossie
£47.50 inc. free p&p
This intriguing sample tickled our noses, its ginger and nutmeg spices dancing with aromas of marmalade, barley sugar, raisins, coconut, honey buns, toffee and chocolate brownie

3.174 Herbal and hot, with muted smoke
Islay
45.30 inc. free p&p
The nose had discreet smoke (far off bonfires), magazines in a fireplace, wood shavings, and barrel staves. We also found candles, perfumed soap, bath balls, honey and Murray Mints

Not forgetting our February Offers:
PAIR: 53.146 & 36.51 for £90 (save £17.70)
THREESOME: 29.89, 64.28 & 44.48 for £131 (save £26.40)
CASE OFFER: 53.146, 36.51, 29.89, 64.28, 44.48 & 1.156
for £259.50 (save £50.00)

Society Tastings & Events (47 Society tastings online)
Wokingham Preview Tasting – Cantley House Hotels, Fri 25 Feb
Harrogate Preview Tasting – Hotel du Vin, Fri 25 Feb
Brighton Preview Tasting – Hotel du Vin, Fri 25 Feb
Stirling Preview Tasting – Golden Lion Hotel, Fri 25 Feb
Birmingham Preview Tasting – Malmaison, Fri 25 Feb
6 Nations Ireland V Scotland Lunch – The Vaults, Sun 27 Feb
6 Nations Ireland V Scotland – Queen Street, Sun 27 Feb
Bon Voyage Tasting – The Vaults, Wed 2 Mar
New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Sat 5 Mar
New Outturn & Sunday Roast Tasting – The Vaults, Sun 6 Mar
New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Mon 7 Mar
Spanish Wine Dinner – The Dining Room, Queen Street, Tue 8 Mar
Springbank Tasting – The Vaults, Thu 10 Mar

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.

A lot of our emails to you begin with how the weather is. The main reason for this is the weather in England is the worst in the world; it’s dull, grey and dreary.

Right now the weather outside isn’t frightful, it’s just yawn-inducing, so we’ve planned ourselves a world trip! But what would any trip be without a fine dram? Boring, that’s what. So we’re going to take you on a tour of the world’s whisky regions, in a lovely old Bullnose Morris, only driving through countries where they drive on the left.

– The Chaps at Master of Malt –

Around the World in 8 Drams

English Whisky Chapter 6

Made in Norfolk at England’s only whisky distillery – this is aged for 3 years and distilled from locally grown barley…
Now £40.95

Penderyn Welsh Whisky

Wales’ very own single malt, aged in bourbon barrels and finished in Madeira casks for a fruity, creamy flavour…
Now £33.95

Millstone American Oak

A stunning Dutch malt distilled in 2000 and aged in American oak casks. Loads of complex flavour – delicious…
Now £58.45

Mackmyra Special 02

Released to celebrate the Swedish distillery’s 10th birthday. This is actually aged in Swedish oak…
Now £58.45

Nikka Whisky from the Barrel

Best value for money blended malt ever? We think so. This Japanese gem offers big toffee and hints of peat…
Now £25.45

Amrut Fusion
 
This wonderful Indian single malt is made with both Scottish and Indian barley – Jim Murray gave it 97 points!…
Now £34.95

Roughstock Montana Whiskey

This American single malt was produced in the state of Montana! It’s musty, leathery and full of character…
Now £54.95

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky

A South African single grain whisky! This is delicious stuff, and stunning value for money…
Now £24.45

Visit Master of Malt at www.masterofmalt.com

Bill Mackintosh! You owe me a customer!
  
Still catching up on some stuff after a hectic few weeks but this interview with journalist, whisky drinker and Glasgow Whisky Festival organiser Bill Mackintosh was pointed out to me – in particular the part where it’s pointed out that his family switched to Ballantine’s because they thought the Whyte and Mackay was being watered down…
Of course it wasn’t being watered down at all – well, at least not by us – but young Bill was helping himself to a dram when his mum and dad were out and topping the bottle up with water. However, this lead to unintended consequences by the senior Mr Mackintosh:

“As the bottle got lower, dad said “Those b*st*rds are watering this” & switched to Ballantine’s.”

So there you have it. If you ever read this and thought your whisky at home tasted a little different, check with your younger kids – or see if you’ve had Bill Mackintosh over!

And I hope in later years that Mr Mackintosh has made up for the lost sales by buying a few bottles of Whyte & Mackay! I’ll certainly be having a word with him the next time he’s in my tasting suite.

Loch Fyne Whiskies has stocked FIVE new items in the ‘New Collectors’ Loft’

It’s just a month to St Patrick’s Day so we thought we would have an Irish theme to our Collectors’ Loft

You may view the latest post at https://www.lfw.co.uk/blog/2011/02/16/new-collectors-loft-4/

You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted.

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Canadian LTD 1.75L…$11.99
Evan Williams Bourbon 1.75L…$19.99
Gentleman Jack…$26.99
Jameson Irish Whiskey 1.75L…$34.99
Jim Beam Black Label 1.75L…$32.99
Jim Beam Bourbon 1.75L…$21.99
Johnnie Walker Black Label 1.75L…$49.99
Johnnie Walker Blue Label…$159.99
Johnnie Walker Red Label 1.75L…$26.99
Maker’s Mark Bourbon 1.75L…$34.99
Seagram’s Crown Royal…$18.99
Seagram’s VO 1.75L…$18.99
Seagram’s 7 Crown 1.75L…$14.99
Canadian Club 1.75L…$16.99
Southern Comfort 1.75L…$19.99

*Prices valid W/Binny’s Card February 16 through February 22, 2011. Not responsible for misprints or typographical errors.  Sizes 750ml unless otherwise stated. Advertised items limited to quantities on hand. Don’t forget to use your Binny’s Card! Get discounts on mixed case wine purchases and work towards a 2% rebate on every $500 of eligible purchases. Get your free card at a Binny’s near you. www.binnys.com

Exciting Times Ahead

Some Extra Special Casks Arrive

Imagine a winery with world-class wines similar in style and quality to the very best Sherries, Ports and Madeira’s. A winery that is located on the same latitude, 45 degrees North, as the Southern Regions of France, Spain and Portugal, ideal for growing wine.  A winery  that was so highly regarded by generations of Russian rulers that the Tsars had their favourite wines produced here, then when Stalin came to power he repatriated  the wines from all of the Tsars palaces to the cellars of this winery and when the Germans invaded the Crimea the wines from this winery’s cellars were removed for safe keeping until the invaders left at which time they were returned.

Overlooking the Black Sea. Imagine taking some casks from this winery, that have been used to ferment and age these exceptional wines, and then shipping them to Portsoy and using them to mature exceptional single malt scotch whisky. The result, hopefully, will be a truly exceptional range of whiskies and the good news is that we may not have to wait too much longer to find out the answer, well about 9 to 12 months.

We are very pleased that the world famous winery of Massandra in the Crimea and the Glenglassaugh Distillery Company  have reached an exclusive agreement for the use of used Massandra casks for maturation of Glenglassaugh Scotch Whisky.

Today the wines from this winery are as highly regarded in Russia and Eastern Europe as the top quality Sherries, Ports, and Madeira’s are in the West. Having visited the winery twice within the last 14 months I can testify to the quality of the wines and the knowledge and skills of the winemakers.  I am really looking forward to the impact that these casks will give to our whiskies.

First few Massandra casks – filled with new spirit The first shipment of these casks arrived in Scotland just before Christmas and are now filled and maturing in our warehouses. Some are filled with new spirit for full maturation and some with older whiskies which will be used for finishing.

I will keep you abreast of this exciting development.

January Round-Up

Stuart, Alex Salmond (First Minister for Scotland) and Mr Li Keqiang (Vice Premier of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China) A busy start to the year with my visit to Edinburgh Castle to meet the Chinese Vice-Premier as his visit was toasted with a dram of Glenglassaugh, while back at the distillery Graham got production under way with his usual efficient and effective way.

The bad weather at the end of 2010 had led to casks which were coming from USA being held-up in Grangemouth and consequently our filling store vat was full over Christmas. We have now caught up with the filling programme and are moving ahead with filling this years’ production.

The changing face of the old office block. The mild start to 2009 has also allowed us to carry-on some work outside including removing a couple of chimneys from our old office block, which we are turning into a small visitor centre. The plan is that we will have the facility open in time for the Speyside Whisky Festival when we will be having tours plus  a special day to fill your own Octave cask and the opportunity to fill your own bottle of 2 year old Glenglassaugh.

February and another busy month

I have never been to  Japan, Singapore, Australia or New Zealand but by the end of February I will have visited all of these countries.

I am heading off later this week to visit Whisky Live Japan where Glenglassaugh is imported by Whisk-e  and then from there I go to Singapore to discuss the possibility of having our products imported there. Then it is off to see our importer in Australia, World of Whisky, where I will be carrying-out a private tasting. I then go onto Christchurch, New Zealand where our importer, Whisky Galore ,organises Dramfest  and where I will also have a master-class.  An exciting trip and the opportunity to meet new friends and hopefully introduce more people to the range and quality of whiskies that we produce.

This coming weekend, 18th February,  also sees Graham over at Munich Whisky festival where he will also be carrying out a master-class.

New Products

Back at the distillery we have also been busy in assessing the quality of the maturing spirit as we chose the next casks for the “Aged over 30 year old” and “Aged over 40 year old” products as we have finished the existing casks. I can tell you that the casks which we have chosen are both excellent with “Aged over 30 year old” particularly exciting as it has been maturing for the last 12 months in an ex-Sauterne cask which has given it an added layer of complexity. This should be available in March.

The next “Aged over 40 years” which is from a re-fill sherry cask will be available from June.

The Manager’s Legacy – Bert Forsyth – 1968 Vintage – 42 Years Old Following the success of the first two release of the Manager’s Legacy series, both of which sold out, we have now released the third in the series, a 42 year old whisky celebrating the contribution of “Bert Forsyth”. The final bottle in the series “Walter Grant” is a 43 year old and will be available from March 2011.

Slange

Stuart

Visit Glenglassaugh Distillery at http://www.glenglassaugh.com/

We are pleased to announce that The Spice Tree is now available in Ontario at LCBO stores around the Province. You can find your local store via searching for The Spice Tree (LCBO #220806) at www.lcbo.com. For those of you not in the immediate area, you can also find The Spice Tree at select stores in Alberta and New Brunswick.

The Spice Tree recently won ‘Best New Scotch Brand of the Year’ in Jim Murray’s 2011 Whisky Bible. For more detailed information on this innovative, unique whisky click here.

See below for a full list of availability in Canada of our range of whiskies.

Alberta – Asyla, The Peat Monster, The Spice Tree, Flaming Heart 10th Anniversary, Double Single 10th Anniversary,  Hedonism Maximus and The Peat Monster Reserve.  
British Columbia – The Peat Monster.
Manitoba – The Peat Monster.
New Brunswick – The Peat Monster and The Spice Tree.
Nova Scotia – Oak Cross.
Ontario – The Peat Monster and The Spice Tree.

Regards,

The Compass Box Team
hello@compassboxwhisky.com

Follow the link below to see the latest blog post on Behind the Blend from Ludo

Single Grain Scotch Whisky

Good evening all,

I can’t find ‘official’ figures to back this claim but simple maths tell me more single grain whisky is produced in Scotland’s seven grain distilleries than single malt is in the country’s 90-odd malt distilleries. After all, 93% of all Scotch whisky sold in 2009 was blended whisky, and blends usually contain more…

http://blog.grantswhisky.com/2011/02/single-grain-scotch-whisky/

Kind regards,
Ludo

Whisky Review 185 – Glasgow’s Innaugral Festival Bottling called Highland Park  (and useful Independedent Whisky sourcing advice too)   …. at www.ralfy.com.