Ralfy
Ralfy has now completed and uploaded his review in episode #124 Greenpsot Irish Whiskey
Visit Ralfy at www.ralfy.com and see for yourself…
Ian Macleod Distillers in good standing for TFWA* Asia Pacific 2010
April 2010, Edinburgh; Independent, family-owned Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd, has unveiled a dramatic new look for this year’s TFWA Asia Pacific (9-13 May), launching an innovative bespoke stand, designed to showcase the company’s growing portfolio of award-winning travel retail brands. See Stand N31.
The investment in the new, improved exhibition space represents the next phase in Ian Macleod Distillers’ initial five year travel retail sales and marketing strategy. This strategy commenced in 2007 with the appointment of Andy Lane as Director of Travel Retail and the launch of the company’s first ever travel retail exclusives, Smokehead Extra Rare and Glengoyne Burnfoot.
Moving away from the original shell scheme and traditional, standard glass displays, the new open design uses clean sharp lines with bespoke laminate white cases and custom-built lightbox. Combined with high impact branding and an informal meeting area, the new stand will give Ian Macleod higher visibility at the show, projecting the company’s dedication and investment in travel retail.
Key brands on display on Stand N31 at TFWA Asia Pacific include the ultra premium Glengoyne Highland Single Malt 40 Years Old and Chieftain’s Springbank 40 Years Old. Both luxury products will be accompanied by many other premium expressions including Glengoyne Highland Single Malt 14 Years Old litre, Smokehead Extra Rare and Smokehead 18 Years Old Extra Black. The hugely successful King Robert II Scotch Whisky will be presented in a new 50cl PET and the exclusive, stylish, award-winning Glengoyne Burnfoot, redesigned last year, will also be on display at TFWA Asia Pacific in litre and new 50cl PET variants.
Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers commented: “We are delighted with the finish of our new exhibition stand, which perfectly reinforces our strong and growing commitment to our global travel retail offering.
“Over the past three years, our travel retail sales and marketing strategy has focused principally on developing exciting new premium travel retail exclusives. We are now in a position to offer an enviable portfolio with global appeal, which our new stand shows off to maximum effect.”
Andy Lane commented: “TFWA Asia Pacific 2010 is already shaping up to be our most successful show to date. Our eye-catching exhibition space will not only play an essential role in attracting new and existing business partners, it will ensure Ian Macleod project a consistent and professional image between Cannes and Singapore, as well as building a stronger brand identity overall.”
“Ian Macleod Distillers has already achieved its strategic business objective set for 2012 to increase travel retail sales from eight to ten percent of the overall business. This is a fantastic achievement of which we are rightly proud but we will not rest!”
Established in 1933, Ian Macleod Distillers is one of the largest and most widely respected independent family companies within the spirits industry. The award winning Ian Macleod portfolio, which includes Glengoyne, King Robert II, Langs and Smokehead, as well as gin, rum, and vodka, currently has combined total sales of more than one million cases, with 85% being exported to over 65 markets worldwide.
Andy Lane and the travel retail team look forward to meeting both trade customers and press at the Ian Macleod Distiller’s Stand N31 at TFWA Asia Pacific, 9-13 May 2010. To book an appointment, please contact: andy.lane@ianmacleod.com
For further information visit:
www.ianmacleod.com or www.tfwa.com
Ian Macleod encourages responsible drinking
www.drinkaware.co.uk www.scotch-whisky.org.uk
-Ends-
* TFWA = Tax free World Association
Weekly Whisky Specials
Southern Comfort 1.75L $17.99
Cutty Sark Scotch 1.75L $19.99
Johnnie Walker Black Label $24.99
Johnnie Walker Red Label 1.75L $27.99
Canadian LTD 1.75L $10.99
Dewar’s White Label 1.75L $29.99
Evan Williams Bourbon 1.75L $18.99
House Of Stuart Scotch 1.75L $14.99
Jack Daniels Black $19.99
Jim Beam Bourbon 1.75L $21.99
Jim Beam Red Stag $15.99
Seagram’s VO 1.75L $17.99
*Prices valid W/Binny’s Card April 7 through April 13, 2010. 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
Ralfy emailed and reported “Just to let you know that Episodes #123 Redbreast 12yo and #124 Greenspot are looming over the malty horizon.”
Subsequently episode #123 Redbreat 12yo has been published and Episode #124 Greenpsot is merely a threat at this time.
Visit Ralfy at www.ralfy.com
Spirit of Toronto Masterclasses, Take 2!
As many of you found out the hard way, seat reservations for this year’s Spirit of Toronto 2010 Masterclass Series sold out after just 2 days.
Given the unprecedented demand for these tutored tastings, extra seats have now been added for the following sessions (which are already filling up fast):
5:30pm The Art of Grain Whisky
5:30pm Highland Park
7:00pm Islay’s Gentle Giants
8:30pm Yamazaki: The Art of Japanese Whisky
8:30pm Remy Martin: The Heart of Cognac
8:30pm The Macallan
If you’ve already purchased tickets to the show and would like to add a masterclass reservation to your order, please contact Roy Thomson Hall’s box office directly at 416-872-4255. Those of you who have yet to buy your ticket can do so by telephone or online at the link below:
Gordon Homer of the Spirit if Islay blog is celebrating, along with the entire blogosphere, the 10th Anniversary of the founding of his excellent blog today.
April 6th 2000 ~ April 6th 2010
Visit Gordon and the Spirit of Islay at http://www.spiritofislay.net/
Well done Gordon!
HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES’ ELIJAH CRAIG SINGLE BARREL WINS “BEST BOURBON” AT 2010 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION
Family-owned distiller’s American Whiskeys win 2 Double Gold, 3 Gold and 4 Silver Medals at nation’s premier spirits tasting competition
BARDSTOWN, KY—With a haul rivaling that of the record-setting U.S. Winter Olympic Team, the American Whiskeys of Heaven Hill Distilleries claimed 9 medals at the recent 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, including “Best Bourbon” for the company’s Elijah Craig 18-year-old Single Barrel.
As today’s consumers broaden their tastes and begin to discover the full range of American Straight Whiskeys, it is significant to note that Heaven Hill, the largest independent family-owned and operated spirits company in the country, is also the only remaining distiller that produces all the major styles of American Straight Whiskey—Bourbon, Rye, Corn and Wheat Whiskeys. And equally significant is the fact that in this competition Heaven Hill won Gold Medals for their Elijah Craig, Evan Williams Single Barrel and Parker’s Heritage Collection Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; their Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey; their Mellow Corn Straight Corn Whiskey; and a Silver Medal for their Bernheim Original Straight Wheat Whiskey.
In capturing “Best Bourbon, Double Gold Medal”, Elijah Craig 18-year-old Single Barrel was named a Gold Medalist on every judge’s ballot, thereby qualifying it as a Double Gold Medalist, and it was then voted best among the other Bourbon category Double Gold Medalists. Elijah Craig adds the “Best Bourbon” title from San Francisco to a track record that includes a Double Gold and Gold Medals at previous San Francisco competitions, a Gold Medal at the International Spirits Challenge, and a “Five Star/Highest Recommendation” from renowned spirits critic F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal.
It is also the fourth time Heaven Hill’s American Whiskeys have captured a “Best of” title in San Francisco, having won “Top North American Whiskey Trophy” with Rittenhouse Bottled-In-Bond Rye Whiskey in 2006, and “Best Rye Whiskey” with Rittenhouse 23-Year-Old Single Barrel Rye Whiskey in 2008 and “Best of Show, Brown Spirits” with Parker’s Heritage Collection 27-year-old Bourbon in 2009.
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the most influential and respected spirits competition in the world. Celebrating its tenth year, the 2010 Competition was the biggest in its history. 30 judges gathered at the Hotel Nikko in downtown San Francisco on March 13th and 14th to reward spirits excellence by evaluating 1,024 different spirits from 57 countries. These judging panels were comprised of spirits experts from noted restaurants and hotels, well-known spirits journalists from major national media, spirits buyers for large purveyors, and spirits consultants. Judging was based on a blind, consensual procedure, ensuring competitive integrity as it remains the most recognized competition in the spirits industry. To learn more about the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, visit www.sfspiritscomp.com.
In addition to the top showing by Elijah Craig 18-year-old Single Barrel Bourbon, Heaven Hill took another Double Gold Medal for Evan Williams Single Barrel 1999 Vintage Bourbon, and Gold Medals for Rittenhouse 25-year-old Single Barrel Rye Whisky, Parker’s Heritage Collection “Golden Anniversary” Bourbon, and Mellow Corn Bottled-in-Bond Corn Whiskey. Heaven Hill, the nation’s second largest holder of aging American Whiskey, also captured Silver Medals for Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey, Evan Williams Single Barrel 2000 Vintage Bourbon, Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond Rye, and Evan Williams Honey Reserve Kentucky Liqueur.
“We have always taken great pride in our heritage of producing the finest American Whiskeys, dating back to our company’s founding after Prohibition ended,” noted Heaven Hill Distilleries president Max L. Shapira. “Our father and son team of Master Distillers, Parker and Craig Beam, bring 7 generations of expertise that shows in all of our Bourbons, Rye, Corn and now Wheat Whiskeys. We are pleased that others share in our opinion that Heaven Hill American Whiskeys are unsurpassed not only in their variety, but in their quality.”
Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.
Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”
It’s the start of the festival season in Scotland, which saw gains in tourism last year despite the global recession. Scottish Minister of Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop joins me to discuss whisky’s impact on Scotland’s tourism and economy, and will help me announce a competition to win a trip for two to Glasgow for Whisky Week in September! In the news, the winners of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition have been announced, Maker’s Mark wins a battle in court over its dripping red wax trademark, and the results of the WhiskyCast March listener pledge drive!
Whisky Intelligence has reproduced (with permission) The Gauntleys Whisky Newsletter for June 2004; a small sample of scotch whisky archeology. The author, Chris Goodrum, has some excellent insights of whisky, which makes for excellent reading on a Sunday. However as you may have noticed we are nearing the end of the series of his excellent newsletters. Enjoy this one !
Dear Whisky Customers
Welcome to this current newsletter. So what’s in this newsletter? Firstly I have a soap box to get on…….
COMMENT
I like the whisky magazine, really I do, and normally top 10 whisky lists produced by Dave Broom et all are just a bit of fun. But their latest list of the 90 top Distillery bottled Scotch Whiskies that appears in the latest edition of the magazine, well, left me scratching my head in disbelief.
Ok I know what you are thinking I’m just miffed that the Bruichladdich 20 year old only just scrapped in at number 89, but that is not my main gripe. However if you are going to tell me that the 10 year old Glenmorangie (No 77) and the 12 year old Craggenmore (No 26) are better whiskies, then I’m surprised to say the least.
No, my biggest problem with this list is that In my opinion you must have a level playing field, you should only compare like with like, ie 10 year old versus 10 year old, or by retail price. The only good reason for a list of this type is to fill their letters pages with “why wasn’t my favourite malt in the list” letters.
And what was the No1 malt I hear you ask. Springbank? Talisker? Ardbeg?. No it was the 18 year old Macallan – Really?! And with 4 entries in the top ten it, according to the magazine it cements its place at the top of the Premier League of Whisky distillers. Hmmm, call me cynical, but doesn’t this just give credence to their continued churning out of limited edition bottlings with inflated price tags, that only a handful of very wealthy and/or privileged few will ever get the chance to taste. I mean what was the point of including the 50 year old Millennium bottling in the list.
Ok rant over, here’s what’s been happening in Gauntleys world of whiskies….
BRUICHLADDICH
Just released is the second bottling in their Links Series. The ’16th Hole Augusta’ is a 100% Refill Sherry matured 14 year old. Retailing for £36.95. Limited to 18,000 bottles world wide it is a lovely, fresh, crisp, floral nose similar to the 10 year old with the addition of a subtle sherry background. Unmistakably Laddie with honeysuckle, apples, pear, salt and a whiff of creamy bourbon. First up on the palatte is the subtle sherry fruit, then that saline Laddie freshness, citrus, oil, bourbon and lashings of spice. Tangy and long with hints of digestives, finishing with a salty flourish.
Also I was privileged to taste their two peated malts the Port Charlotte and the Octavulin. As these two malts were only distilled last year, they won’t be commercially available until at least 2013, by which time it will be interesting to see what level of complexity the oak adds to them. So for nothing other than curiosity value here are my tasting notes.
Port Charlotte (Distilled 15/10/03, sample drawn 5/5/04)
As expected it had that ‘straight off the still’ pungency with quite a lot of smoky-peat flavours, yet beneath this there was an underlying fruitiness – apples, honeysuckle, all that you would expect from Bruichladdich. A drop of water brought forward its natural oils and smoothness, while subduing its peatiness. I think I can see this being similar to the Bruichladdich links, in so far as it will be a classic Bruichladdich but with a back drop of gentle smoke/peat.
Octavulin (Distilled 7/11/03, sample drawn 5/5/04)
Whoar, this is an all together different animal. Very complex even at this young stage. It is deeper, more intense and oiler than the Port Charlotte. It has a remarkable cereal sweetness and huge globs of earthy-peat, soil and dunnage floors. Fat and rounded but still with that characteristic Bruichladdich delicacy. A small drop of water brings out its animal/ farmyard nuances and tames the peat, making it more earthy in character. The finish is stunning, it last and lasts. Once this had had a bit of oak influence it is going to be a storming malt – Can’t wait!
JOHN McDOUGALL
I have had the opportunity to taste the new additions to the Golden Cask series that I mentioned in my last newsletter, which appear below. Also and here is the good bit we have decided to offer a discount to our whisky customers to support the launch of these fantastic new malts, details of which again are below.
SPEYSIDE
Aultmore 1989 58.3% – Special Price £38.95 saving £3.00
(Cask 3076 filled 21/09/89 – 14 year old)
A lovely, soft, cereal, earthy nose with hints of peat, biscuity fruit and salt. Aromatic with a developing floral character – white flowers, honeysuckle. The palate has elegance, purity and a wealth of biscuity white fruits, tangy acidity & spice notes. Complex and serious with an earthy/ smoky character and a long, dry finish.
Tomintoul 1992 63.5% – Special Price £35.95 saving £2.00
(Cask 3058 filled 20/5/92 – 11 year old)
Superb complexity on the nose. Intense grassy and earthy initially. Next up comes bourbon, toffee, caramel and sweetish malt, with a delightful floral edge. On the palate it is smooth yet intense. The flavour build on the tongue. Cereal, wheat, grass and fruit. Wow, this is stunning. The middle displays a huge depth of sweet malt with the ever present cereal nuances, and finally the bourbon arrives on the finish. I certainly wasn’t expecting a malt of such complexity.
HIGHLAND
Glen Moray 1990 62.1% – Special Price £39.95 saving £2.00
(Cask 4561 filled 15/5/90 – 13 year old)
Quite a lively, soft, earthy, summery apricot fruit scented bouquet. Lots of earthiness, a touch waxy and subtle Bourbon oak (much less than on the previous bottling). Luxuriously smooth and complex on the palate, full of rich apricot fruit, earth, cereal, fudge and restrained Bourbon oak. Adding a touch of water reveals hidden dimensions to this glorious malt, emphasising its apricot and yellow fruit and brining out the most glorious perfume hints on the nose. I loved the earlier bottling of this malt, but this is even better.
Macallan 1989 57.1% – Special Price £38.95 saving £2.00
(Cask 2810 filled 23/2/89 – 13 year old)
I do like Macallan, my earlier comments have nothing to do with the quality of their malt, but rather their marketing/ cost. That is why I am always interested in private bottler’s versions because they offer such better value for money and this one doesn’t disappoint.
Powerfull, big, characterful and aromatic, with a huge amount of oily/ waxy orange fruit aromas to the fore. Stunning depth and purity, with a background of earthy, delicate sherry and a vague whiff of Bourbon oak. The palate is oily, rich and smooth. Very complex, very long, with a mouth wateringly intense middle and finish. Water brings out the spiciness and earthiness of the orange fruit and adds a lovely creaminess to it character. Absolutely superb.
LOWLAND
Bladnoch 1988 56.4% – Special Price £41.95 saving £3.00
(Cask 2644 15 year old)
John has selected a rather fantastic cask from Raymond Armstrong. Floral and delicate with a depth of citrus – orange, lemon and lime fruit with a hint of Bourbon. Smooth, fruity and earthy with a delightful soft creaminess. Water emphasises the oak and brings out straw, perfume, oriental spice, white peach notes. Superb complexity with a nice cereal sweetness overall.
ISLAY
Caol Ila 1991 59% – Special Price £43.95 saving £3.00
(Cask 13197 filled 18/9/91 – 12 year old)
And saving the best until last. This Caol Ila provides on hell of a wake up to the senses. Big and phenolic, with medicinal peat, iodine, tar, rope and pungent, oily citrus fruit. Damn this is good (written several times in my initial tasting notes!) There is absolutely no let up in the intensity on the palate – earthy, medicinal peat, plus an ‘off the still’ pungency. Without water it is an almost painfully overwhelming expeirience, yet as it fades into a charcoal fruitiness I can’t help thinking:
Damn, you’ve been Islay’d
AND SPRINGBANK (er sort of!)
As you are all now well aware of, a whisky newsletter just isn’t complete without Springbank cropping up in it. On Thursday 25 March saw the opening of the refurbished Glengyle Distillery, the first new distillery to be opened in Campbelltown for over a century.
Glengyle distillery was closed in 1925 and after various false starts to revive the plant from outside investors, J&A Mitchell & Co Ltd bought the empty, dilapidated buildings in November 2000. Around 60,000 litres of spirit will be produced this Spring season using floor-malted barley from the Springbank distillery. The spirit after maturation, will be bottled as a Campbeltown Malt called Kilkerran, which is derived from the original Gaelic name for the area of Campbeltown.
CONTACT
We would welcome any comments you would like to make about this newsletter, any of our products, or how we can improve our service. Please note that any comments in this newsletter are attributed to the author and not necessarily the views of Gauntleys of Nottingham. Please feel free to contact us on rhone@gauntleywine.com
Sincerely
Chris Goodrum
Visit Gauntleys of Nottingham at http://www.gauntley-wine.co.uk/
