.. time for some TamTime @ Tam’s Drams with Tam & how a small Whisky shop get’s going in Scotland! www.ralfy.com WhiskyReview 168 – Tam’s Drams !
Tam & The Guzzlers
Straight from the still
Dear friends,
Greetings from Templeton. It is a very exciting time here at the distillery as we have finally reached a date we have been looking forward to for a long time. We called it “Whiskey Birthday” in our calendar and it was the date that our Batch 4 turned four years old. Batch 4 is our first product from when we started to scale up production four long years ago. Our volume is still a pittance in the grand whiskey world but it is a nice step forward for us that we will continue to build on for the next several years.
In our last newsletter we asked if anyone was interested in helping us bottle Batch 4 and to our amazement we had over 150 people sign-up to work in conjunction with our existing team. Our first bottling was yesterday, and our volunteers did a great job. In fact, we shattered our previous record. We worked hard and had a fun day. Thank you all for your interest and help! We still have some slots available for next week, Nov 29-Dec 3. If you are interested in helping out please send us an email at info@templetonrye.com.
We are looking forward to having product delivered to the State of Iowa and available for order on Monday, December 6th and at stores later that week. We will also be resupplying Illinois and entering San Francisco and New York on a very limited basis.
We are also excited about the Templeton Rye Mobile Speakeasy Tour December 8th-17th. Our team will be driving all around the State of Iowa with our new mobile speakeasy and doing events at various bars and restaurants. Please watch our Facebook Page for more details.
Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Cheers,
Scott Bush, President, Templeton Rye
The Federal Wine Black Friday (& Saturday) Sale
Carefully Selected Great Values
The Way It Works:
You need not come to the store!! Order by email or phone. Prices good till Saturday Midnight only or available stock is sold. Sale prices net per bottle. First come, first served. Some items will not be available for pickup or shipping until Tuesday. Call before coming in. Payment Must be Made with Order. Sale is for Pickup or One Delivery to one location only by Sat Dec 4
Malts
Joe writes
Glenfarclas reigns supreme!!!
Glenfarclas 40 Y.O. 43% Sale Price $499.99 – Reg. 549.99
Absolutely Stunning, there is not enough that I can say about this single malt. This bottle was rated very highly with critics and reviewers and could have been sold for $2000 – $2500. It is a Single Malt Scotch that is fit for a King or a Queen and you do not have buy the castle.
Glenfarclas 17 Y.O. 43% Sale Price $99.99 – Reg. 109.99
Port Ellen has been closed as a distillery since 1983 but now acts only as a maltster supplying all of the malted barley for the Islay distilleries, except The Bruichladdich Distillery. Port Ellen America has only received 3 releases and this year none of the 2010 Release From what I have been told there will only be two more. I think at a huge price tag, I hope I am wrong. If you do not want to gamble and just want to drink some great single malt. Port Ellen 29 Y.O. 55.3% $415 NET ( Tasting Notes Call or email Joe)
Gordon & MacPhail Speymalt Macallan 1972 34 Y.O. 43% This line of single malts has been so precious to me, I have seen so many smiling faces, tell me of a wonderful night tasting this single malt. ( Tasting Notes Call Joe) Speymalt Macallan 1972 34 – 35 Y.O. Reg.$ 325 – $279.99
Len Rothenberg
Federal Wine & Spirits
——————————————————————————–
Email: info@federalwine.com
Phone: (617) 367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/
VIP PRIZE DRAW WINNER DRAWN
On the 15th of October we randomly drew a name from the Warehouse 24 membership as the winner of our VIP trip to The Balvenie Distillery.
We are delighted to announce the winner as Jeff Goldrich from New Jersey, USA.
Jeff, who has been a member of Warehouse 24 for two years, has been a fan of malt whiskies for 15 years now, after being introduced to the world of whisky by a friend.
His first dram was Dewar’s, but his favourite Balvenie is our 12 year old DoubleWood.
Jeff, who works in the world of finance, is married with two children. He hopes to visit in May and will be joined by his wife Marie.
I very much look forward to meeting Jeff and Marie, and showing them around our distillery.
If you are in the Speyside area and want to visit us, take the tour and enjoy a generous nosing and tasting of The Balvenie range, simply arrange it using our online booking tool.
Look forward to seeing you in person some day.
Slainte mhath,
David Mair
The Balvenie Distillery Ambassador
THE BALVENIE DISTILLERY COMPANY LIMITED
Balvenie Maltings, Dufftown, Banffshire, Scotland AB55 4BB
www.thebalvenie.com
Thanksgiving & Christmas entertaining this year?
Did you know….
…that you’ll really impress your guests by serving a different whiskey with each course, instead of serving wine, when entertaining this Thanksgiving and/or Christmas?
A suggested seasonal menu would look something like this:
Organic Smoked Irish Salmon on Brown Soda Bread
served with
The Irishman Single Malt
Roast Turkey & Ham with Brussels Sprouts,
Carrots and Creamed Potatoes
served with
The Irishman Original Clan or The Irishman 70
The Irishman Irish Cream Liqueur Cheesecake
served with
The Hotirishman Irish Coffee
The Irishman Cask Strength
(with a nice cigar)
Sláinte!
A message from Raj Sabharwal of Purple Valley Imports (The agents for the English Whisky Company)
Many of you will recall that last year I wrote lamenting about the TTB’s decision to not allow Amrut to be designated as a “Single Malt Whisky”. After appeals and clarification they relented allowing US consumers to enjoy another Single Malt Whisky.
At Purple Valley Imports we are focused on bringing world class Single Malts to US consumers and have been working to offer the English Whisky Company Single Malts to the US market.
Well, the powers that be are up to the old tricks again.
We recently presented The English Whisky Company’s Chapter 6 and Chapter 9 to the TTB Beverage Lab ( http://www.ttb.gov/ssd/index.shtml ) for analysis. (Any “Whisky” not from Scotland, Ireland, Canada or the US must go through lab testing).
Although the English Whisky distilled spirits taste, smell and drink like Single Malts the TTB department has deemed that we may call these “Whisky or Whiskey” but not “Single Malt”. Their reasoning? Well, the spirits are not aged in “new oak charred barrels”.
As all of you are aware the majority of distilleries in Scotland use ex-Bourbon barrels. Bourbon is aged in new oak charred barrels and can only be used once. So, technically whisky is being aged in “new oak charred barrels that have had bourbon pass through them”.
The English Whisky Company, is the first new distillery in England in over a century. Located some 250 miles from Scotland they produce “Single Malt” Whiskies using barley grown and malted in England. (By the way some 60% of the barley used for Scottish Malt Whiskies is grown in England).
Andrew Nelstrop, Managing Director of The English Whisky Company commented: “We use only English barley, malted in England. The whisky we are producing at present was also peated in England. I am not aware of any distillery that can claim they use 100% barley, water and yeast produced in their own country other than ourselves”.
So, here is a small Distillery producing a wonderful dram (can I call a whisky that isn’t from Scotland a dram?), that the US will not allow to be labeled as “Single Malt”.
Yet, they will allow whiskies from a distillery in Wales (which is much further in distance to Scotland then the English Whisky Company is) to do so.
Well while the rest of the world enjoys The English Whisky Single Malts, the consumers in the US can only dream.
We are appealing this from here and from the UK. As always we appreciate your support and comments
Cheers
Raj
MILROY’S OF SOHO DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
December’s newsletter carries information about four new single cask releases from Speyside’s GlenDronach distillery, as well as a unique bottling from Glenfiddich – Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix.
It is also, I am sad to report, my last newsletter. At the end of November, I’ll be finishing up at Milroy’s of Soho, and heading to Australia (with a tour of the sub-continent en-route) to put down roots. I am delighted to report, that the running of Milroy’s of Soho remains in good hands. To that end, I’d like to introduce Lee Tomlinson. Lee is based at Milroy’s of Soho full-time and will take over the responsibility of drafting the monthly newsletter.
On to the whiskies…
GLENDRONACH BATCH 3 SINGLE CASK RELEASES
GlenDronach distillery is very much “on form”. When the team behind BenRiach distillery acquired GlenDronach a few years ago, they set out to re-establish GlenDronach as one the premier sources of fine Sherry matured whisky. On evidence thus far, they are well down the track to achieving their goal. This success is thanks in no small part to the limited release single cask whiskies, bottled at cask strength. In our view these single cask releases are a must buy for lovers of richly Sherried malt whisky. They represent excellent value for money, and possess an intensity of flavour not seen in standard distillery releases. Sadly, quantities are tiny. Do act quickly to secure a bottle.
GLENDRONACH 1990 Pedro Ximinez Puncheon, Cask #3059, 54.9% ABV
Deep mahogany and teak in colour, with an amber edge. Intense Pedro Ximinez aroma at the beginning followed up by ripe berry fruits with brambles and ripe plums. The palate displays ripe berry fruits and rich cocoa/chocolate, verging to sweet sugar syrup.
£79.99 per bottle
GLENDRONACH 1990 Pedro Ximinez Puncheon, Cask #3068, 52.6% ABV
On the eye, dark gold combined with russet bronze rim. The nose is dominated by ripe raisins and dates, together with allspice and Pedro Ximinez notes of sweet toffee. The mouthfeel is creamy and smooth. Flavour-wise, the whisky is intensely Sherried with pronounced dark chocolate sauce, sweet cinnamon and clove. It is an exotic whisky that will bring out your inner hedonist.
£79.99 per bottle
GLENDRONACH 1991 Oloroso Sherry Butt, Cask #2512, 51.9% ABV
This Oloroso Sherry-matured GlenDronach delivers powerful rancio characters of walnuts, roasted hazelnuts and freshly polished timber, all underpinned by sweet toffee and just a hint of demerrera rum. In the mouth, it is vibrant and unctuous, a veritable treacle tart of rich Sherry spirit; dark chocolate, roasted spices and fudge.
£70.99 per bottle
GLENDRONACH 1996 Oloroso Sherry Butt, Cask #202, 58.3% ABV
Younger than the other release, this bottling displays a fruitier edge, with a distinct note of morello cherries and stewed plums on the nose, intermingled with raisins and allspice. The palate reveals sweet plum pudding and chocolate coated raisins. What could be better than luxuriating with a dram of this heavenly nectar on Christmas day?
£52.99 per bottle
GLENFIDDICH Snow Phoenix, 47.6% ABV
Now here’s a whisky with a story behind it! Snow Phoenix was born in the middle of last winter, when a roof on one of the warehouses at Glenfiddich distillery collapsed under the weight of snow. With the support of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, distillery staff worked around the clock to clear the snow. Inspired by this event, Brian Kinsman of Glenfiddich bottled Snow Phoenix, a blend of cask strength whiskies ranging from 13 years old to 30 years old, matured in American oak barrels and Oloroso Sherry casks. The result is a “one-off” rare and collectible Glenfiddich. Bottled at cask strength, without chill-filtration, it should appeal to drinkers and collectors alike.
£49.99 per bottle retail price
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FESTIVE TREATS
With this being my last newsletter, it would be remiss of me to sign off without making some recommendations of whiskies to enjoy over the forthcoming weeks. The last couple of months have seen some truly outstanding whiskies hit the shelves, though many are limited releases and are not likely to hang around for long…
ARRAN 15th Anniversary
This 11 year old cask strength whisky has been out for a while now. Finished in Amontillado Sherry casks, it delivers a wonderful combination of sweet stonefruit and subtle saltiness on the finish. Sadly, there is but 1 bottle left!
£53 per bottle
YAMAZAKI Puncheon
My malt of the year thus far – elegant, creamy, sweet and malty with a touch of fruity complexity. Hats off to Team Suntory. This is selling quickly and won’t be around for long.
£65 per bottle
HAKUSHU Heavily Peated
Although “heavily peated” is a misnomer for this rather elegant malt, we were bowled over by its impeccable balance.
£65 per bottle
COMPASS BOX Flaming Heart 10th Anniversary Edition
John Glaser does it again! Each edition of Flaming Heart gets better and better. This 10th Anniversary bottling marries bright fruit with sweet peat. Presented in a very slick perspex box (for collectors out there).
£66 per bottle
GEORGE T STAGG, 70.3% ABV
It’s Bourbon and it’s big. No it ain’t cheap, but at over 70% ABV it’s effectively two bottles for the price of one, and the whiskey is superb; rich, complex and with a finish that goes on and on.
£100 per bottle
BRUICHLADDICH 1984 Golder Still
Gently sweet, creamy, fruity and malty…Bruichladdich as god intended! Glorious stuff. Just 2 bottles left.
£125 per bottle
COMPETITION – “GLASGOW BOYS” EXHIBITION AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS
I am delighted to announce the two winners of tickets to see “Glasgow Boys” exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts were Mr. Dan Brown and Mr. Warren Reid
Thanks to all those who entered. For those interested in attending, the exhibition runs through to 23 January 2011.
That brings to an end the December newsletter. I sign off with our founding father John Milroy’s words….Happy Drams!
Best regards
Philip
Philip Shorten
Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London, W1D 4NX
T: 020 7437 2385
F: 020 7437 1345
W: www.milroys.co.uk
Hello Fellow ScotchLovers –
Yes, I know its not quite Wednesday (well it is now- WI). But lets face it, it would be dicey at best to get your attention tomorrow, and I didn’t want anyone to miss this whisky.
This weeks offering is a rarety indeed: An opportunity to acquire a bottle of Glenallachie 1992 Bourbon Finish 14 YO Whisky. Produced by Glenallachie Distillery, whose three million litre annual production goes almost exclusively to blends, this is an extremely limited offering with only a couple of cases of the whisky in our hands.
The ForScotchLovers retail price is $65.95. If you want a bottle, please purchase it ASAP. We have a limited number of bottles available to us, and once they’re gone, they are gone.
I wish you and your family a most wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday….but please, be careful mixing your whisky with tryptophan….it inevitably ends up with a long nap on a couch, and it aint pretty.
Doug Stone
Founder
www.ForScotchLovers.com
Glenallachie 1992 Bourbon Finish 14 YO Whisky (750ml)
Tasting Notes:
Nose: quite light and youthful with a certain freshness. Gristy notes of barley sugars and fudge with a touch of cut hay and cut herbs with a selection of herbal teas and cut grass. Notes of toffee and honey.
Body: Medium with a good balance.
Palate: Notes of barley sugar and toffee, vanilla fudge and mixed peels with a dry oaken note with a touch of tannic bitterness.
Finish: Medium length with oaken warmth.
The Glenallachie Distillery
The Glenallachie Distillery: One of a few distilleries built to produce blending whisky, Glenallachie (pronounced ‘Glen-al-ACK-ee’) was founded by Mackinlay, McPherson and Co to provide malt whisky for Mackinlay blends. The distillery stands in the heart of Speyside, at the foot of Ben Rinnes and in relatively close proximity to Aberlour. Both whisky distilleries draw their water from springs in the mountains.
All of the three million litre annual production is intended for blending and it is rare to find single malt whisky from the Glenallachie distillery. All of the spirit is matured onsite in ex-bourbon casks. The distillery boasts fourteen onsite warehouses. The building was planned as early as 1940 by the famed architect William Delmé-Evans, designer of Isle of Jura, though Glenallachie was not founded until 1967.
Invergordon Distillers acquired Charles Mackinlay Ltd from Scottish and Newcastle Breweries Ltd. The deal included the Isle of Jura and Glenallachie distilleries. Following a brief closure in 1987, Campbell Distillers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, acquired the distillery in 1989. Glenallachie was later transferred to Chivas Brothers hands. There is but one official release and just a handful of independent bottlings.
The Tweeddale Blend returned to the Scottish Borders this week.
Today 18th November 2010, was the day that The Tweeddale Blend returned to the Scottish Borders. Back to the Borders including Coldstream where my Great grandfather produced it in Duke Street and before him J & A Davidson (Established 1820). From today you can Discover the lost blend in The Besom Inn, 75 & 77 High Street Coldstream a pub where my Great Grandfather himself enjoyed a dram or two. The Besom Inn still has a mirror in the bar with “J & A Davidson” proudly displayed on it. The Castle Hotel also in Coldstream High Street from today is serving drams of The Tweeddale Blend.
Elsewhere in the borders The Borders Hotel in Kirk Yetholm and The Kingsknowes Hotel in Galashiels from today are serving The Tweeddale Blend. Aye! Today the Tweeddale Blend returned home after a 70 year absence, it really is a “Grand Affair” as old Dickie Day used to say.
www.castlehotelcoldstream.co.uk/
—
Alasdair Day
alasdair.day@stonedean.co.uk
Stonedean Limited
http://www.stonedean.co.uk
http://twitter.com/@tweeddaleblend
Discover the lost blend……..
THE TWEEDDALE BLEND.
Whisky truly is the “water of life”, and as many as 60,000 people will benefit from the sale of one very special bottle of whisky this past week. The Macallan in Lalique Cire Perdue Decanter is the largest and heaviest Lalique decanter ever made, and holds the oldest Macallan whisky ever bottled. It sold Monday night at Sotheby’s in New York for the highest price ever paid for a single bottle of whisky: $460,000. There’s complete coverage of the auction in this week’s episode, along with news from the Bonhams whisky auction in Edinburgh, several whisky competitions, and the Holiday Gift Guide has a Vegas flair.
Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com
