Ralfy and mad looking wee friend examine a sample of Bushmills Original in Episode #120.

See them at www.ralfy.com

Ralfy crosses the Irish Sea (in spirit) and wades through a forest of ‘Recommended Irish Whiskies’. To be sure at www.ralfy.com

Newsletter March 2010

March is here at last – to day it is very sunny, but we are not taking it too much for granted, we just have to hope it will last for a few days.

I have been on holiday for three weeks, to very sunny HOT climates, but am
back at work now ready to get on and get organised for the next Society bottle and the Springbank Open Day.

So let’s get to it!!!

Springbank Open Day – We’re well under way now, looking forward to the 20th May and hopefully a busy day with lots of happy visitors.

Masterclasses – We will have one Masterclass with Frank and one with Stuart.

Frank with host a Glengyle masterclass at 11.30 am with Stuart’s at
Springbank at 1.45 pm. The cost will be £5 for each class, and we have left a
break between the classes so that you have time to attend both if you wish.

In the Tasting Room – There will be a Cadenhead Tasting down in the tasting room at 3.15 pm with Grant. We have timed this so that those who are doing the Masterclasses won’t miss out. Grant has promised to have a nice variety for you, there will be a Cadenhead bottling round about then, so he should have samples available. He has a Banff 32y/o at 47.1%ABV which he has promised to open. The tickets for this will cost £15. I am sure Grant will make this a very enjoyable experience.

Food from Argyll – will be here, with something to tempt your taste buds.
Maureen from Eaglesome Sandwich shop will also be there with some of her
Brew Dog pies, sandwiches and various other temptations.

Music will be provided for part of the day by Campbeltown Brass – an
excellent band of young local people. We will also have music from Frank
Rochford who plays the fiddle – another talented young local musician.

Casks – of course there will be two casks bottled on the day – one a Springbank the other yet to be confirmed. I’m sure there will also be plenty of whisky for you to sample throughout the day.

Wood carvings – John Brown is a local man who makes wood carvings, and has used some staves from old Springbank casks to create a “wood spirit” – said to keep “bad spirits” away (I think he just made this up!!!!).

We have a new young florist in the town who has recently set up in business,
so we have asked him to come along with some of his creations.

Pottery – Simon Rochford of Campbeltown Pottery will also try to be there.
Simon makes the water jugs for us, and has also produced whisky glasses with the Springbank logo.

All in all we hope that there will be plenty to keep you amused from 11.00 am until about 5.00 pm. We will try to order some sunshine for the day so that most things can be outside, all we need now are people. So come along, bring your friends, bring people who aren’t your friends, just come and enjoy yourself.

If you wish to book Masterclasses or the Cadenhead tasting please let me
know so that I can book a place for you.

We have chartered a boat for the day from Kintyre Express, which goes
from Troon to Campbeltown, and have six places available. So here’s the
deal……we will have a competition and the prize will be a free trip from
Troon to Campbeltown and back, the first six correct answers will be the
winners. Can you get yourself to Troon for 9.00 am on 20th May?
Interested? The competition will be posted on the Forum, so to enter you
must go into the Forum, also your answer must be posted on the Forum
for you to be eligible.

Society bottle – The next Society botle will soon be available. We are in the process of getting labels printed, the cask has been chosen and we are gearing up for a busy time. This time we will be bottling a Springbank 15y/o from a sherry cask.

For the first time we will be sending Society bottles to the USA for
distribution by Preiss Imports.

All we have to do now is attract a few more members for Canada so that we
can do the same for our existing Canadian members.

I will send a further e mail when the Society bottle is ready, with details of
how to order.

Website – Have you logged on to the website yet? If you are having problems please let me know and I will help you out. There is now a Facebook link on the website so that you can go on to facebook and straight into the Springbank page, so check it out.

Tour Guide – We are looking for an enthusiastic person to undertake
the position of tour guide for our distillery during the months May to
September.

This is an interesting job, and requires someone who is articulate and
confident when dealing with members of the public. Fluency in English
essential with a good knowledge of languages.

You will be in daily contact with visitors from all parts of the globe, and it
is therefore essential that their tour experience is a pleasant one, giving
a good impression of the distillery and its staff.

You would be expected to work 37 hours per week, Tuesday to
Saturday inclusive. Full training will be given although a basic
knowledge of the whisky industry is desirable. Salary to be negotiated.

Accommodation is available if required.

Please reply by e mail to peter@springbankwhisky.com

Last year the position was filled by Bernhard, one of our Society
members. We could not have been too bad to him as he is still
speaking to us and hasnʼt given up his Society membership yet!!!!!

Whisky Ships, Lucerne: Frank and Jenny will be at Whisky Ships in
Lucerne on 26th and 27th March, so we hope you can go along and
give our new girl a warm welcome.

The 26th is a special day for Frank – he will be celebrating his 65th
birthday, although we hope he doesnʼt celebrate too much as he is
supposed to be working.

Out & About with Frank & Iain

Iain will be at a tasting organised by S H Jones, Leamington Spa on
26th March.

Frank and Iain will be doing tastings during April. Monday and
Tuesday 19th and 20th in Exeter, Wednesday 21st in Grengilly Wartha
Hotel in Constantine Falmouth, organised by Constantine Stores,

Thursday 22nd Arkwrights, Swindon, Friday 23rd Nicolls & Perks in
Stourbridge.

If you are interested in any of these please let me know and I will let you
know how to book.

Award

We are delighted to announce that Peter Currie has been awarded
Young Whisky Ambassador of the year 2010 in Whisky Magazineʼs
Global Icons Awards. Thereʼs no stopping him!!!!!! We will have to
get him a special T shirt for the open day.

Well, another long newsletter, hopefully interesting. Finally, I am also
attaching details of the Whisky Express seaplane which will be
operating from Campbeltown Loch to Islay, if anyone is interested there
is a contact telephone number for further details.

Hope to see a lot of Society members at the Open Day.

Slainte

Janet
for Springbank Society http://www.springbankwhisky.com/

 

WHISKY EXPRESS
Islay to Campbeltown in 14 minutes

Islay Whiskey Festival
Loch Lomond Seaplanes has offered to put on service between Islay and Campbeltown Harbour and back during the Whisky Festival, in May.

What: Express flights
When: 25 -26 May
Where: Campbeltown Loch
Time: on the hour
Other: Takes up to 9 passengers
Price: £65 each way (min of 4)
Call: To book call 01436 675 030

Attack of the Bruichladdich at the Park Avenue Liquor Shop

When most people visit our store looking for a single malt scotch, first they are amazed by the sheer number of malts they are surrounded by. The next thing we inevitably hear is, “Whoa look at all the Bruichladdich!” Indeed the well-known Islay distillery produces a stunning amount of fascinating new releases. We currently stock 33 different Bruichladdich and are excited share 10 of their newest bottlings with you now.

As always if you have a question about anything we carry – don’t hesitiate to contact the store.

We hope to see you at “Whisky Live” on April 7th at Chelsea Piers in New York. WhiskyLive 2010. We’ll be there sampling some of our new exclusives!

Cheers!

Jonathan & Eric
Park Avenie Liquor Shop
292 Madison Avenue
New York, NY  10017
212-685-2442
info@parkaveliquor.com
www.parkaveliquor.com
Follow us on Twitter

Bruichladich: Black Art,19Years Old, 1989

Notes provided by Bruichladdich:
A spellbinding dram created over the years by Head distiller Jim McEwan, in the gloomy darkness of warehouse #12. A rare complex spirit and a tribute to those earlier alchemists who sought the very secret of eternal youth: The water of Life. Black Art’s “Solferino” color comes from its multiple cask maturation that is being kept a guarded secret. The body is satin smooth with a texture as soft as rose petals. The nose has notes of strawberries, raspberries, pomegranate and cherry which rise seductively from the glass accompanied by the essence of mellow oak and honeyed syrup. We’ll let Master Distiller Jim McEwan describe the finish: “It’s exciting, it’s wicked, it looks wonderful and it tastes wonderful; it’s the future. Forget the Pipers in the glen, forget hairy Highland men and move into style and colour and taste modern single malts made by Artisans who distil 100% natural spirits without the expertise of chemists and marketing gurus.” Got that?

Bruichladdich Black Art
Our Price: $140
(limited to 6,000 bottles)

Bruichladich: Organic, 5 Year Old

Notes provided by Bruichladdich: Bruichladdich Organic  It’s soft lemon yellow color brings notes that are light, smooth and creamy. This young single malt is a handcrafted fully certified Organic single malt, where Bruichladdich can trace the barley to the farm where it was grown and even tell you the name of the farmer. Organic barley provides a more malty taste, the texture is more viscous and the fresh green fruity notes created during distillation are more pronounced. Fragrant floral blossoms intermingle with citrus flavors exciting the taste buds.  Also found are gentle notes of sweet pineapple.  On the palate the malted barley really emerges, it’s crisp and sweet,  like toasted ryebread.  Butter popcorn and the fresh oak bourbon flavor merge into the mix, adding structure and weight to the overall experience.  It’s a hedonistic experience, all the components are absolutely as good as we can find as distillers, and it’s so rewarding to see the evolution  of this youngster.

Our Price: $73

Infinty 3rd Edition

Notes provided by Bruichladdich: Bruichladdich Infinity 3 The color is a ruby-tinged copper due to the Bourbon cask aging with additional enhancement from French Syrah casks. Infinity 3’s nose yields warm peat with notes of lemon and pepper followed by orange jam, peach and apricot. In simpler words:  Lots of fruit. The scent can evolve with aromas of sweet almonds and even cinnamon.  It’s a complex peaty dram with many interesting and compelling notes. However, even at 100 proof we do not recommend adding water.

Our Price: $82

Links Series: Birkdale, England 15 Year Old

Notes provided by Bruichladdich: Bruichladdich Links Birkdale This saffron gold beauty is super smooth at 92 proof. Birkdale gives you incredible aromas of fresh, spicy oak. There is also a wonderful blend of floral hints including primrose and honeysuckle as well as some juniper  and pine. On the palate malt and oak stand at the forefront, followed by pear, lychee and melon – a delicious balance. This edition from “Links” is a very refreshing and very aromatic one.

Our Price: $73

Pedro Ximenez Cask, 1992, 17 Year Old

Notes provided by Bruichladdich: Bruichladdich Pedro Ximenez
Its polished mahogany red color is a result of the PX maturation. We found it to  have a full, well-rounded and smooth texture. The nose explodes with warm toffee vanilla notes from the bourbon casks and rise  together with the light green fruits of distillation and the darker fruits from  the PX  casks. This is not something that happens regularly and what it tells you is that the time spent in the sherry casks was perfect thus the aromatic balance.   It’s the rich dark flavours from the PX grapes that can be detected on the front palate –  rich, crystallized,  plump,  dark and luscious with the lighter apricot, pear, melon notes bringing a heavenly sweetness to the spirit.  Then it’s soft brown sugar and cola heading straight into marshmallows and nougat with a twist of syrup soaked dried sultanas and raisins.  It all holds together beautifully.  Thanks to its time spent in the large intensely sweet sherry butts, this Laddie is very unique in taste and style.

Our Price: $105

Fino Sherry Cask, 1992, 17 Year Old

Notes provided by Bruichladdich: Bruichladdich Fino Cask  The coloring  is honey meets golden straw. The body is subtle, smooth with a lightness in the texture that gently ripples over the palate. Golden grapes followed by honeyed malted barley, sweet and crisp, all wrapped up  in the stunning mellowness of both American and Spanish oaks, one providing sweet vanilla notes,  the other the semi sweet dryness fill the nose.  There is also a  surprising key note of lemon juice providing a welcome injection of citrus sharpness. The sweet malty flavours are immediately apparent giving thoughts of golden barley fields.  The dry sweetness of Fino emerges slowly and tantalizing with unbound nuttiness and the lushness of the grapes coating the palate like fruit syrup. The skills of the farmer, the distiller, the coopers, the bourbon and wine maker all coming together wrapped up in time and providing a single malt of star quality and congeniality.

Our Price: $105

Octomore: Version 2.0

Notes provided by Bruichladdich: Octomore version 2.0 The world’s peatiest whisky just got peatier. This second bottling of Octomore is certified to an extraordinary 140PPM of peat. Now in it’s second limited open release, this remarkable spirit has become legend. An intrinsic distallation, the new cult Islay whisky brings a whole new dimension to peated whisky. There are all of the heady peat smoke aromas yet it is free from iodine and medicinal notes. It has a creamy textured feel that belies its youthful age. The color of lemon grass seems innocent after this  henomenol spirit mesmerizes your palate with its tidal wave of smoke. As Master  Distiller says, “Peatophiles, this one is for you.” And about the finish…”24 hours is about right.”

Our Price: $195
(Only 15,000 bottles made)

First Growth Series Cuvee C, 16 Years Old Original Cask: Bourbon Additional Cask Enhancement: Chateau Margaux

Notes provided by Bruichladdich: 04 Lalande Borie  Cuvee “C” glows gold with a blush of rose color. It has a silky smooth evenness of warmth and texture that excite and stimulate the palate. There is also a sweetness of the wine clinging to the lips and front palate. It’s a beautiful taste experience.
First to show on the palate are plump red grapes. There are also note of notes of red cherry, redcurrants, strawberry and pomegranate -sweet and succulent. The biscuity sweetness of the malt, the vanilla/caramel crème brulee of the toasted oak all emerge to intertwine and harmonise  beautifully. Add the soft green tropical fruits of distillation with a squeeze of lemon and honey and the olfactory system is in cruise control.  The quality and full flavours of the wine casks enhance and bring a French magic to the Bruichladdich spirit that has never before been experienced.

Our Price: $105

First Growth Series Cuvee D, 16 Years Old Original Cask: Bourbon Additional Cask Enhancement: Chateau Haut Brion

Notes provided by Bruichladdich: Cuvee D  Cuvee D has deep gold and copper coloring. This is a spirit with lots to offer both in aromatics and taste. When you add flavors of one of the acknowledged super wines of the world you move into a whole new sphere of sensory pleasure. On the palate  red apple aromas move to strawberry cream with a smooth drift of Muscat & figs.  With time the aromatics expand offering wild honey both on nose and taste, then  the buttered toast from the malt emerges almost sweet like popcorn with syrup.  The wine influence is interwoven and it provides the red fruit backdrop to the natural flavours of the malt whisky. It’s a brilliant coming together of styles and contrasts. Bruichladdich and Haut Brion – who would ever have believed that the Islay urchin would be taking Cinderella to the ball, and boy, did they have a great time?

Our Price: $105

Due to ever-changing inventory and stock limitations – we cannot guarantee bottle availability.

Please contact the store regarding any shipping questions. Not responsible for typographical errors.

www.mcleanscotland.com    Scottish Whisky Tour Specialist

WHISKY WITH ICE

After the Olympics McLean Scotland are now back on the ice with their Curling & Whisky “Lion Challenge”  This is a fun curling event in Perth (October 2010) with plenty of whisky!  Part sponsored by Dewar’s World of Whisky, all competitors will be visiting the distillery on the the tour and enjoying a special tasting at the hotel with Dewar’s. The curling is a fun challenge so anyone can join in, a single person or teams.  Follow the web link for all details.  Booking now.

 

MCLEANSCOTLAND are recognised as one of the best (if not the best) whisky tour companies in Scotland.

www.mcleanscotland.com/2010whiskycurlingcomp.asp

Paul’s whisky tour was outstanding. He took the time to show us some of the country we would otherwise never have seen. Lamont took over on Islay and continued what Paul had commenced. We not only saw a beautiful country, but also learned a great deal about its colorful history and culture. The B&B on Islay at Bowmore was one of the most charming I’ve ever had the pleasure of staying with its view of the sea. Inveraray had a bar with a truly impressive selection of highland malts.  Just across the street they had a malt store which carried an impressive selection of malts. I was fortunate to find a rare malt I had been looking for without success. I would not hesitate to recommend this trip to anyone. Canada.

A new edition of the Collectors’ Loft is expected in the next few days with a fresh selection of old and collectable bottles from the top of the shop.

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

MacSorley’s Abhainn Dearg Cask Opening (filmed by Mark ). This video log doesn’t have an episode number but it’s there for you to see none the less.

www.ralfy.com

From Mark at WhiskyCast;

For some reason, I always wind up doing a show on Irish whiskies around St. Patrick’s Day. Irish whiskies have the fastest-growing sales in many markets, and we’ll get some ideas why from Abigeal Hendron of Michael Collins Irish Whiskey. Bushmills Master Distiller Colum Egan explains what he’s looking for as Bushmills starts a competition to find someone to spend 30 days working at the distillery this autumn, and I’ll compare two distillery bottlings with independent bottlings in the “What I’m Tasting This Week Department.”

www.whiskycast.com

Whisky Intelligence has reproduced (with permission) The Gauntleys Whisky Newsletter for October 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.  Enjoy!

Dear Whisky Customers

Welcome to the latest edition of the whisky newsletter. With that time of the year fast approaching when copious quantities of fine single malts will be purchased and consumed, what have I been tasting, that may find its way into your Christmas stocking?

Well first off I was advised to seek out the independent bottling company Duncan Taylor, who duly sent me their list and some samples which meant an enjoyable Wednesday afternoon tasting session. As you know I am always open to new whiskies and love to champion the small independent bottling companies, and with a staff of about 15 they don’t come much smaller – more about the whiskies that I tasted later. Then there are the new releases from Bruichladdich, the 1968 Legacy series 3, and a 20 year old which has been courting controversy and is well sort of pink!

Other highlights from the past month or so was a delightful tasting of John Glazers compass box range, as they have now added a few new products to the range. And in another entertaining evening of food and whisky I was blown away by the latest bottling of Ardbeg, a baby it may be but with a maturity beyond its years!

DUNCAN TAYLOR

Four years ago Euan Shand and his business colleague, Alan Gordon were approached by the trustees of the legacy of Abe Rosenberg and his wife, with the offer of purchasing a few casks of whisky, and what a few they were!

Abe Rosenberg was a whisky fanatic. Just after the Second World War he decided to go into partnership with a gentleman called Charlie Guttman who was the owner of Paddington Industries , importers of J&B Scotch Whisky to the U.S. It was not a prolific brand at the time and had distribution of around 25,000 cases per year. Rosenberg ran the company and Guttman took a backseat. His expertise in wholesaling and distribution grew the brand over 30 years to be one of the biggest in the U.S. with sales in excess of 3.5 Million cases. The business was ultimately sold for many multi million dollars to Grand Met in 1980.

Abe Rosenberg was not only an expert in business he was also passionate about Scotch Whisky and in particular single malts. From the early 1960’s he purchased casks of new fillings (whisky freshly distilled for laying down and maturing in warehouses) from a large proportion of Distillers throughout Scotland, in particular those produced on the Island of Islay. He was also keen on specific whiskies which at the time were favoured as whiskies used for blending, whiskies which are now “the” premium malts selling tens of thousand’s of cases. His vision was extraordinary and his knowledge of whiskies second to none. His holding company for these was Duncan Taylor & Co Ltd.

Duncan Taylor & Co Ltd eventually had stock in excess of 3000 casks of Single Malt and Single Grain Whiskies, averaging 35 years old. This made it one of the largest privately owned collections of aged and rare whiskies in the World. The company was his private investment vehicle which traded as whisky merchants and brokers. In the final years of his life he wound down trade and eventually on his death in 1994 at the grand old age of 85 the business finally was mothballed leaving nearly 4000 casks in bond ranging from 21 to 40 years old.

This is where Ewan and Alan come in. They have bottled a range of Cask Strength Single malt and Single grain whiskies which have received critical acclaim within the industry and from whisky connoisseurs worldwide. Most recently a couple of their bottlings won ‘Golden Thistles’ at the recent Eurowhisky awards in Switzerland, beating some impressive bottlings from the big boys.

Anyway, history lesson over, I know that you want to know about the bottlings. Essential there are three ranges. The first is The ‘Whisky Galore’ Range, all bottled at 46% without colouring and chill-filtration. The second is ‘The Peerless Collection’, these are all single cask bottlings, bottled at natural cask strength, again without colouring and chill-filtration. There final range is called ‘Rarest of the Rare’, and I think you can guess what that means.

So without further ado, these are the one I have chosen to add to our list.

THE WHISKY GALORE RANGE

Aultmore 1987 (15 year old) 46% £29.95

Speyside.

An interesting nose, youthful and heady with cereal fruits heavily laden with oily aromas, a hint of earthiness and a nice touch of sweet creamy oak. Dry on the palate, medium bodied, with lots of deep, mouthfilling, oily cereal fruit. Nicely balanced with a touch of sea air and a tangy shimmer. Lovely length with a slight earthy note.

Rosebank 1990 (13 year old) Re-fill Sherry Cask 46% £31.95

Lowland.

A lovely summer-gold colour in the glass. Soft citrus/ grassy fruit aromas spring from the glass delightfully set against a delicate sherry fruit background, which develops a beguiling candied fruit sweetness. Dry and fairly light in body with initially quite a salty note which is followed by waves of lavishly spiced citrus fruit and a burst of cinnamon coated apples on the middle. This descends into a delicious fruit cocktail with a touch of light syrup and a dusting of icing sugar. Very long and very good.

Auld Reekie (12 year old Islay) 46% £25.95

It seems these days that everyone is offering a vatted Islay Malt, some are exceptional (Blackadders smoking Islay) and some are disappointing (Compass box Peat Monster – more about that later). This bottling falls into the former category. This is superb, it pulls no punches on the nose with a superb peat reek, manure, smoke, earth and a briny intensity. This is not one-dimensional, beneath all that peatiness lies a scented fruitiness. This is very complex with a definite stinky old vegetation/ bog myrtle. Like falling face first into an Islay cow pat!

On the palate it is medium-sweet, quite light in body and texture with buckets of peat, earth, vegetal, boggy manure and smoke character which builds in the mouth leading to a tangy, slightly floral middle, laced with winey apricot, peach and white stone fruits. Superb intensity throughout with a subtle soft, smooth, oily finish.

THE PEERLESS COLLECTION

Glengarioch 1988 (16 year old) Sherry Cask 56.1% £42.95

East Highland. Mothballed in 1995. Cask No 1551

Wow, a stunning nose, clean and full of rich sherried fruits, earth, nuts, orange tea and rich creamy vanilla oak. There is a slight perfume reminiscent of summer flowers and a touch of smoke. I could sniff this all day!

The palate is equally complex, medium bodied, with mature rich fruit, dried fruit cake and nuts. Glorious depth, soft and mouthfilling with a very spicy middle and finish. Great length which lingers on the palate for ages.

Strathmill 1975 (28 year old) 48.7% £71.95

Speyside. Cask No 1891

Michael Jackson refers to this malt as the ‘Orange muscat of the Whisky World’, and he is not wrong! Wonderfully clean aromas of oily orange fruit jump from the glass with subtle vanilla oak, earth, peach, nectarines and a complexity of wine soaked stone fruits. Medium bodied, like drinking orange liquor, deep and spicy with nectarine and peach. Balanced and tangy with a perfumed middle and this winey orange character throughout. Great length, a superb desert malt

Invergordon Single Grain 1965 (38 year old) 51.6% £69.95

Cask No 15537

A lovely perfumed nose of violets and winter flowers, delicate yet pronounced. Followed by an intensity of vanilla dusted sweet citrus fruits, a complex melange of spicy red wine infused fruits and a whiff of toasty oak to finish – simply sensational!

The palate is medium-sweet, with a cognacesque quality to it. Full of dried citrus fruit and grain. This opens into an intense wine infused creamy middle with a slight suggestion of spice and ends with the floralness that the nose evokes. Delicate, interesting and very long.

Springbank 1967 (37 year old) 41.6% £217.95

Campbeltown. Cask No 1942

Ok let’s be honest. I could wax lyrical about this malt all day, but they wouldn’t let me have a sample! Retailing for what it does I’m not surprised. However I have been reliably informed that this is a simply stunning bottling, and if the quality of their other malts is a reliable bench mark, then I’m inclined to believe them. Big, quite woody (as expected) with vanilla custard, honey and cream. Together with a huge malty, fruity character and a long lingering finish with touches of strawberry fruit.

RAREST OF THE RARE

Kinclaith 1969 (35 year old) 53.2% £567.95

Lowland. Dismantled in 1982. Cask No 301455

Sightings of this malt are about as common as the dodo. The distillery was built in 1958 to compliment the construction of the Strathclyde Grain distillery, and was the last distillery to be built in Glasgow. As Strathclyde incorporated vast storage, cooperage and blending facilities, it was natural to have a malt distillery close by. The entire production was used for blending until it was soldin 1975 by Whitbread & Co. It was finally dismantled in 1982 to make way for the new distillery at Strathclyde.

Just as an aside, when it appears at auction it always fetches a high price. For example in 2002 a 5cl minature of 1966, bottled by Gordon & MacPhail fetched ?107, and a cask strength (52.3%) Signatory bottling of 1975 (26 year old) fetched ?800!

As for its taste it has been described as ‘rather perfumed for a Lowland, with light, grassy notes and a whiff of caramel’. Michael Jackson describes it as “melon dusted with ginger”.

BRUICHLADDICH ‘FLIRTS’ WITH CONTROVERSY

Well, by know you will all have heard about the pink laddie called “Flirtation” that has been provoking much discussion. So what is it and more importantly why?

Initially this story seems to have been picked up by the Whisky Magazine, the Independent and the Times. They claimed that this was to aimed at women drinkers, and from the picture in the Whisky Magazine, it is indeed very pink and by naming it flirtation, it seemed to back up this theory. Now I’m sat here writing this looking at a bottle and I don’t know if it was a trick of the Islay light or a bit of judicious use of cyan in the magazines printing process, but extremely pink it is not. Standing it next to the 10 year old it is definitely a darker hue, and one could say it was a partridge eye pink, a la Tempier’s Rose.

So in pursuit of answer’s I spoke to Lynne McEwan. She told me that they [Bruichladdich] didn’t want to cheat those customers that had bought the first release of the 20 year old, by just releasing another 20 year old whisky. “Even if we wanted to make it the same, we couldn’t as the casks chosen for this bottling were considerably different”, she went on to say.

Through his contacts in the wine industry Marc Reynier knew of a small property in the south of France that had some superb ex-mourvedre casks, and along with Jim McEwan they had a brain wave. So into these casks went the prized 20 year old malt, and I’m sure fingers were crossed and maybe a few prayers uttered. Every day In to the warehouse they would troop to check on the babies progress until after a mere five weeks, enough was enough and a pink laddie was born. So why call it flirtation I asked Lynne “Because the whisky had just flirted with the mourvedre oak”.

Now finishing casks of whisky in wine barrels is nothing new. Glenmorangie and Glen Moray to name but two have been doing it for years, so most of the ‘controversy’ seems to have been created by journalists, who are playing up the marketing angle claiming that “The Scotch whisky industry has been battling to break free from the heather-and-golf-clubhouse image for years to reach out to a new generation of consumers.” (The Scotsman) and with Neil Rafferty in the Times going so far as to proclaim. “IT IS pink, called Flirtation and guaranteed to have traditionalists gagging on their malt.” and “… is expected to be popular with women and gay whisky lovers!”

So with Bruichladdich/ Murray McDavid being sort of left of field, they are more than happy about this publicity, as Mark quite adroitly puts it. “We want to show that whisky is not an old farts thing”.

Yes that’s all well and good I hear you say, but what does it taste like, is it a good whisky, is it all hype and no trousers?

Well in a word, no. It is another fantastic laddie, and quite different too. Anyway I think my notes below should give you a good idea. Oh and you don’t have to bat for the other side to enjoy it!

Bruichladdich 20 year old Second Edition 46% £72.95

A clean quite perfumed nose. Lashings of creamy Bourbon oak, cereals, mature wood, dunnage floors and mature fruit rise from the glass, with an additional spicy/ winey note. Dry on the palette. Initially the most noticeable aspect is the slight winey sweetness of the mourvedre casks, followed by a tangy complexity of mature fruit, oak and earth. Then out of nowhere comes this incredible burst of tandoori/ asaian spice spices, finishing with waves of sweet vanilla, smoke, earth and a touch of peat. The finish is incredibly long. Laddie goes to Bombay!

As for the 3rd Edition Legacy bottling I’ll leave Jim to tell you about it –

Bruichladdich 1968 Legacy 3 46% £Price to be announced

Matured in Fresh Bourbon Hogsheads.

The bouquet is a harmony of raspberry and strawberry cr?me, plus a little Kirsch followed by nuances of vanilla extract, chocolate orange and hot mash tun maltings. Add the sweetest oaky vanalin you have ever discovered and you have an intriguing, fragrant spirit that tantalises the olfactory senses like never before. On the palate it is like sweet, malty snowflakes melting on the tongue, succulent and soft. The sweet red fruity flavours flirt with the oaky bourbons and the creamy sweet vanilla, add the coastal freshness and it all makes sense. It?s absolute quality, the Laddie proud and ready to deliver the message of the West Coast. Generous and heart warming, a glorious example of just how fantastic an Islay can be without pillars of peat for support. The body full and voluptuous with a softness of texture that is astonishing, and the finish is luscious, lingering long after the fires have gone out.

COMPASS BOX WHISKIES

As you may or may not know we have been stocking the Asyla, Eluthera and Hedonism bottlings for some time now (new tasting notes follow). John Glazer aim is to revitalise the art of whisky blending. For too long the term blended whisky has been a derogatory one, used to describe a lower whisky life form. John produces these whiskies by blending small batches of painstakingly chosen barrels, to create a range of whiskies that have a softness, a sweetness and a silky mouthfeel.

As far as I can tell there have bee slight changes to the blends of the Asyla, Eluthera and Hedonism bottlings, but the quality of each remains very high. It is however it is the new additions to the range, which I am not overly fond of. The Juveniles is a blend of Glen Elgin, Glen Ord and Clynelish of 10-12 years old and is a fine beginners whisky, smooth and unassuming, and ultimately not overly exciting. The Orangerie is marketed as a Scotch whisky infusion, and I sure that it appeals to a lot of people, but unfortunately not for me. It is rather over sweet and a bit sickly, like an alcoholic white chocolate orange egg.

And finally we come to the ‘Peat Monster’, so with a name like that you kind of expect it to jump out of the glass and beat you about the head with a lump of peat and bite your head off. The reality is that it ambles out of the glass and licks your nose. More of a peat pussycat than a monster! Now there is nothing wrong with this whisky itself, it is pleasant, restrained with a nice fruitiness. The problem is that it has no wild side, it is all nicely polished, and I think the Auld Reekie beats it hands down, and its cheaper too!

Anyway enough about the ones I didn’t like and more about the ones I do.

Asyla 46% £24.90

A blend of Linkwood, Craggenmore and Glen Elgin malt, plus Cambus and Cameronbridge grain, all aged between 11 and 12 years.

Clean and youthful nose, with a nice intensity of straw, cereal, yellow fruits, orange and sweet, creamy oak. All nicely balanced with a saline freshness. Dry, quite light in body, fruity and cerealy with a hint of salt and creamy oak. Soft alcohol and well balanced with a good length and a touch of spice in the finish. An ideal aperitif whisky.

Eleuthera 46% £33.90

A blend of 18 year old Glenlossie, 12 year old Caol Ila and 12 year old Clynelish.

A youthful, pure Bourbon oaked nose. Restrained peat aromas mingle with smoke, sea air and a lovely soft fruit background. Dry on the palate, young, soft and fruity with hints of dry peat. Waves of beach bonfire smoke come through on the middle and finishes with a tangy flourish. Lovely balance, length and complexity.

Hedonism 46% £42.90

A blend of Cambus and Cameronbridge grain, aged between 12 to 23 years old.

A complex, oily nose with a wonderful depth of creme brulee, nutty fruit, creamy vanilla oak. Topped by a slight floral note and grainy crispness. Medium-sweet and quite full bodied. Lots of oily, nutty dried fruit, creme brulee and citrus peel notes. Lovely complexity and a tangy finish.

ARDBEG’S BABY

While on the subject of all things peaty. As I said earlier I had the opportunity to taste this rather new whisky from Ardbeg. I do love Ardbeg, but until recently I have found the distillery bottlings to be somewhat disappointing. The 10 year old was a bit unbalanced, too much alcohol and not enough complexity, and the old 17 year old was again a bit so-so. Only the 25 year old Lord of the Isle’s, and the most recent edition the ‘Uigeadail’ showed how good this distillery could be.

I think that Ardbegs biggest problem has been with producing a consistant quality product. This is not suprising due to its previous owners Hiram Walker and Allied Domecq having little real interest in marketing or stockpiling any malt other than its Laphroaig brand. Most of the Ardbeg that was produced then ended up in blends such as Teacher?s and Ballantine?s. So with no real commitment to quality and with only with only intermittent production in 1990-96, and no production between 1981-89, the distillery was sold to Glenmorangie in 1997 for £7m.

Distillery manager Stuart Thomson says the place was in the worst state of any distillery he had seen when Glenmorangie took it over. “The distillery was dying. It was in awful condition having been semi-mothballed for 15 years.” As a result, stocks of anything between six-year-old malt  which dates from after the stills became active again under Glenmorangie’s ownership, and the much older casks ? tend to be in short supply.

I was interested to see if Glenmorangie input of money and know how had paid off. Now you might think that 6 years old is a bit youthful, especially for a whisky that is somewhat powerful in its youth, and is bottled at 58.3% too. If this had been released say ten years ago I would have been a little apprehensive about tasting it. Yet this baby had been extensively road tested by members of the Ardbeg committee, and judged too good to be kept to themselves.

The plan now is to continue releasing limited bottlings of 1998 spirit at 7, 8, and 9 years of age until it reaches 10 and will then replace the current 10 year old. So is it any good?……er…….yes. I think my tasting notes will reveal all.

Ardbeg Very Young 6 year old 58.3% £31.95

Very pale in colour. Very pungent and almost overwhelming aromas of earthy-peat, charcoal, drift wood bonfires, more smoke and all things Islay. This is not mucking about, it’s an ‘in yer face’ Islay malt. Yet it is not all smoke and peat there is a beguiling citrus fruitiness beneath (a quality which set the Murray McDavid bottling above the previous distillery ones).

There is no let up on the palate. Intense, raw (yet smooth), lots of smoke, peat and charcoal fires, combined with a lovely depth of slightly sweet, tangy citrus fruit. If this whisky was a celebrity it would all itself ‘Jordan’ and crash your party.

AND FINALLY…….SPRINGBANK

Aha, you though I’d forgotten. But no newsletter is complete with out a mention of this this prestigious whisky. The latest limited edition release from them is the 14 year old port finish, which has just arrived in the shop, and is of the usual high standard.

Springbank 14 year old port wood finish 52.8% £48.95

The nose is initially very fruity. The rich winey red fruit aromas dissipate quite quickly, bringing forth the creamy Bourbon oak, with hints of salt, spice and a whiff of peat. Dry and quite oily with a subtle intensity of soft red fruits, malt, salt and creamy oak. The mid palate is dominated by its spicy/ peppery character which tails off to leave an impression of peppery tannins and a slight sea tinged perfume note. A lovely after dinner dram.

I think that’s enough for now. If you have any comments to make, or would like to order one of these whiskies I’ve reviewed, please let me know.

Sincerely

Chris Goodrum

Visit Gauntleys of Nottingham at http://www.gauntley-wine.co.uk

Joshua “Yossi” Hatton of the Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society blog has decided to start a new series of interviews to help demystify some of the many aspects of the whisk(e)y industry.  Who makes it, how they do it, how they got into it, how to they sell, promote it, market it, etc…

While this series is called “A Day in the Life” (the title was inspired by the Beatles, in case you didn’t spot it), it will focus on more than a day in the life of a Cooper, Sales Person, Ambassador, Master Distiller, Independent reviewer/critic, etc…  Yossi will try to get a little personal (without making said person blush).

Being that Serge Valentin just interviewed Yossi on whiskyfun.com (http://www.whiskyfun.com/#090310), he figured turnabout was fair play and asked that Serge be his first interviewee.  As luck would have it, Serge agreed.

Serge’s Whisky Fun site has helped, and continues to help so many people along this strange and wonderful journey through the world of whisky.  As Yossi said “Serge’s website, as it currently exists, has been up and running since 2002 and he posts whisky reviews nearly every single day.  Quite amazing really.”

Readers, read on:

http://jewishsinglemaltwhiskysociety.com/?p=271