The Glenlivet is the world’s #2 single malt, and is taking aim at the top spot with a new distillery expansion. Chivas Brothers celebrated the $15 million dollar project today (June 4th) with a Royal Salute…literally. Prince Charles was on hand for the dedication, and you’ll get a taste of the festivities on this episode of WhiskyCast recorded on location at The Glenlivet.
(From Stuart at Glenglassaugh Distillery)
The good weather has arrived at the distillery and as with it the promise of change and things a fresh.
We have moved our offices to slightly more spacious accommodation at the distillery and also one that provides a nicer and improved environment for working. We aim to develop the two older cottages which we had been using as offices for use as on-site accommodation.
Kyle Mackinnon has joined us a temporary member of the team for the summer and is already showing that he is a quick learner who can turn his hand to most things. The rate at which the grass is growing means that he spends a lot of time just keeping that down.
We have been sampling some casks which have been maturing for around a year and were so excited by them we shared them with some of our visitors who in turn thought that they were great so we decided therefore to release another spirit drink ( cannot call it the W word as it has not matured for the requisite 36 months). This new spirit drink is called “Glenglassaugh Spirit Drink – Fledgling XB” and is the result of maturing for 12 months in an ex first-fill bourbon barrel. If you like rich vanilla and buttery flavours then you will not be disappointed.
We are also ready to share our new-make spirit made from peated malted barley and are very sure that you will be very surprised and impressed by the result . The peat is not overwhelming on the nose but the smokiness in the taste just grabs you. Great drink in its own right and a sign of things to come. “Glenglassaugh Spirit Drink – Peated”
There are some changes to our existing spirit drinks and all 4 of these will be available in 200ml bottles shortly. We will send out more information on all of these products shortly.
We have also created a sloe berry liqueur which will be available only through our web site or by visiting the distillery. This sweet distinctive drink is just right for summer and will retail for £18.00 for a 500ml bottle and is produced at 26% abv, it will be available within a couple of weeks.
Our new triple pack of aged rare whiskies will also shortly be available and consists of 3 by 200ml bottles, one with our 26 year old release, one containing a 37 year old whisky and one with a 43 year old whisky which are packaged in a leather clad box and come complete with tasting notes. This will retail in the UK for £299.00 and will be available shortly.
That is all for the moment but we are working on other products and will update you as soon as they come to fruition.
Slange
Stuart
Visit Glenglassaugh Distillery at http://www.glenglassaugh.com
The U.S. deserves revived single malt Glenglassaugh
story by Ian Buxton*
Long-time distiller Stuart Nickerson is a frustrated man. After a distinguished career (Glenrothes, Highland Park, Glenfiddich) he’s just spent around $2 million re-opening long-lost Highland single malt Glenglassaugh. First opened in 1875, Glenglassaugh has had a checkered history but looks set fair under new ownership.
And its two top whiskies, long slumbering in the seaside warehouses but bottled in 2009, have just collected the blue ribbon trophies for 30 and 40 year old Scotch from the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond turned out to restart the distillery, and former Glenmorangie manager Graham Eunson has been hired to take on day-to-day operations. Seems rosy, doesn’t it?
So what’s bugging Nickerson? Getting U.S. distribution, that’s what. First problem is the convoluted three-tier system that sometimes ties small companies up in ribbon, when they’re not dealing with labelling requirements and introducing a (for them) non-standard 75 cl. bottle. Then Glenglassaugh has had to cope with the economic climate.
“It’s no different for anyone else,” admits Nickerson “except that we had to try to find new partners for an unknown super-premium single malt just as everyone was drawing back and cutting inventory. We know the quality of what we’ve got and can prove it; we just need the chance.”
He’s not alone in his enthusiasm. To take one example, Brett Pontoni, Speciality Spirits Buyer for Chicago’s Binny’s Beverage Depot told me, “This is a gem of a distillery. Inquiries I receive from consumers and collectors tell me I’m not the only person welcoming Glenglassaugh back.”
Stuart Nickerson (left) receiving the International
Wine and Spirits Competition trophy for best
40 Year Old Scotch Whisky from Sir Ian Good
Back in Scotland’s speciality liquor stores the 21 Year Old version retails at around $235, including tax ,and the range runs up to a swanky 40 Year Old (the big trophy winner) at close to $2,500 for a 70 cl. crystal decanter. So it’s not an everyday dram; but, asks Stuart Nickerson, “Doesn’t America deserve the best?”
*article provided by Stuart Nickerson
(This article was kindly provided by Stuart Nickerson)
The Summer 2010 edition of Whiskeria – 28 May 2010 Welcome to the Summer 2010 edition of Whiskeria – …(& past editions)
Link to full article: http://www.whiskyshop.com/News/?id=10039
The Whisky Shop
www.whiskyshop.com
Amsterdam, June 1, 2010
Dear reader of these ‘broadcasted’ words,
I’m happy to report that the Malt Maniacs Awards are ‘ON’ again this year. Most producers, bottlers and traders that have participated in the Malt Maniacs Awards in the past will receive a personal invitation in the weeks to come. However, with the number of spirits competitions growing and growing, we wanted to make sure that potential participants would be aware of the fact that we will be organising the eighth edition of the Malt Maniacs Awards this year. As far as we know, our competition is still the only FREE international whisky competition that’s really 100% independent and non-commercial – and therefore widely respected by tens of thousands of (malt) whisky lovers around the world.
That’s it for now – expect more details about the Malt Maniacs Awards 2010 in the weeks to come…
Sweet drams,
Johannes van den Heuvel
Editor Malt Madness / Malt Maniacs
www.maltmadness.com
www.maltmaniacs.org
JOHNNIE WALKER GREEN LABEL
SCOTCH VATTED MALT OF THE YEAR – 95 POINTS – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010
PRICE: $69.99
CSPC: +196188
STATUS: Specialty
SIZE: 12 x 750 ml per case
NOTE: Four signature malts provide the key taste influences giving this 15 year old whisky its status as a malt of substance. TALISKER™ introduces power and depth of character, CAOL ILA™ contributes mystery and intensity, at its heart, CRAGGANMORE™ provides a sweet overt maltiness and LINKWOOD™ touches it with finesse. Blending the whisky entirely from malts produces a smooth whisky in which the flavours of individual components are more distinctive.
Of rich gold amber appearance, this medium full malt summons up a multiplicity of complex natural aromas. It starts on the seashore, then drifts inland over moist moss and through evergreen forest. Next come the exotic notes of Seville orange peel, stewed peaches, cooked black fruits and sour cherry.
Ever-changing on the palate too, JOHNNIE WALKER GREEN LABEL has a soft rich core with suggestions of heather honey, banana chips, loganberry baked apple and butterscotch. Sweet spices touch the sides and a nutty note allows intense flavours to filter through. All this is framed by subtle oak and finished in spice, cocoa, cedar and smouldering tobacco.
… whisky review 134 at www.ralfy.com (whisky reviews) concludes a wee Islay run of Vlogs to coincide with the Feis Ile Festival on Islay.
It’s “the Ileach” Cask Strength single malt from an unspecified Distillery somewhere near Bowmore.
The Port Ellen Maltings supplies malt for many of Islay’s distilleries, and I’ll wrap up the special series of Feis Ile episodes from Islay with a rare tour inside the Maltings led by native Ileach manager Graham Logie. There’s music from Robin Laing and some final thoughts as I wind up coverage of the 25th Islay Festival of Malt & Music.
Ardbeg has the final distillery day of the annual Islay Festival of Malt & Music, and even though there wasn’t a full-size roller coaster on hand for the carnival Ardbeg threw, there was a full-proof Rollercoaster — the special bottling marking the 10th anniversary of the Ardbeg Committee. Today was also the official debut of the 2010 version of Supernova, and you’ll get tasting notes in this episode, hear from some of the 300-plus people who started lining up last night to get the Ardbeg Feis Ile bottling, and listen as I get up close and personal with some peat.
