Our friend Serge Valentin at Whisky Fun today celebrates the 7th birthday of Whisky Fun and has posted an amazing number of tasting notes and music reviews during the last 7 years.
Whisky Fun was registered on the 28th of July 2002.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHISKY FUN!
Visit WHISKY FUN at http://www.whiskyfun.com/
– They’re on of course
– Already confirmed: Adelphi, Allied, Amrut, Ardbeg, Benriach, Blackadder, Cooley, Glendronach, Glenfarclas, Glenmorangie, Gordon & MacPhail, Hart Brothers, La Maison du Whisky, Master of Malt, Malts of Scotland, Number One Drinks Company, Signatory Vintage, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Tomatin, Whisky Doris, The Whisky Agency and The Whisky Exchange (as well as some Taiwanese participants).
– Many more to follow
– First samples already arrived at our logistics centre (i.e. Olivier’s)
– Deadline for samples to arrive Sept 26.
– Results Dec 1. 00:00
Visit http://www.maltmaniacs.org/ for more on the Malt Maniacs and http://www.maltmaniacs.org/2008-whisky-awards.html for details on the 2008 Awards
Ralfy at Work
Ralfy has a new single malt scotch whisky video review (#64) online available at http://www.ralfy.com/ Click on “Whisky Reviews” to view his latest.
Arran 10y Anniversary Decanter Aged 10 years
Ardbeg Still Young 1998 – 2006
Ardbeg Almost There 1998 – 2007
Ardbeg Renaissance 1998 – 2008
Ardbeg Lord of the Isles Aged 25 years
Ardbeg Serendipity Aged 12 years
Ardbeg 10 Years Old L2 bottle code (L22604ML) (2002) Aged 10 years
Ardbeg Uigeadail old presentation (flip top) bottled 2003
Ardbeg Uigeadail old presentation (flip top) bottled 2004
Ardbeg Mellow Matured white label 1974 / 22y
Ardbeg 1993 white label for High Spirits 1993 / 10y
Ardbeg Connoisseurs Choice old white map label 1974 – 1995
Ardbeg Spirit of Scotland Single cask 1182 1991 – 2002
Ardbeg Vintage 1991 Casks 611-616, bottle No. 1954 1991 – 1999
Ardbeg Prenzlow Collection 1991, single cask, bottle 42/120 1991 – 1999
Balvenie Port Wood Extra matured in port casks Aged 21 years
Balvenie Single Barrel 15y (1980 !) 6.Oct 1980 – 24.Nov 1996, cask 13285 Aged 15 years
Balvenie Founders Reserve Brandy Bottle’ edition from 1980’s Aged 10 years
Benraich Pale blue annual release 10y with ltd ed Art print “North Bridge from Nat. Gallery” B. Rae Aged 10 years
Benromach Centenary Edition (1898-1998) 100y of Benromach Aged 17 years
Benromach Scott’s Selection 1978 1978 – 1996
Bowmore Cask Strength old ‘Clear Label’ presentation NAS
Bowmore 21 years old 1990’s presentation Aged 21 years
Brora Chieftains 20 years, June 1982, Sept 2002. Aged 20 years
Bruichladdich 1986 Dark Sherry Cask No. 494, Picture of Jim with cask. 1986-2006 Aged 20 years
Bruichladdich Flirtation 20y Second edition Aged 20 years
Bruichladdich Islands 20y Third edition Aged 20 years
Bruichladdich Duke of Edinburgh Special (internet only) 15y edition for 50y of DoE Awards Aged 15 years
Coleburn Connoisseurs Choice old white map label 1972
Dallas Dhu Connoisseurs Choice old white map label 1971 – 1994
Dallas Dhu Distilled 1979 (not ‘Conn. Choice’ 1979 – 1998
Glen Flagler Pure Malt Green label, gold lettering NAS
Glen Flagler Rare All Malt Scotch Red label, black diagonal stripe, with red bag Aged 8 years
Glenfiddich Havana Reserve Now obsolete due to USA – Cuba embargo Aged 21 years
Glen Mhor 1969 In wooden box, bottle No. 907 of 2265 1969
Glen Mhor 25 Years old In wooden box, bottle No. 830 of 1926 Aged 25 years
Glenmorangie 100 Proof Special Duty Free edition from 1990’s Aged 10 years
Glenmorangie 18 years Older presentation – distilelry picture / black tube Aged 18 years
Glenmorangie Fino Sherry Fino Sherry, special edition, wood finish NAS
Glenmorangie Tain L’Hermitage 1975, wooden box edition 1975
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) Queen’s Own Camerons (75cl – 43%) 1993 / 12y
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) The Black Watch (75cl – 40%) 1993 / 12y
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) The Highland light Infantry (75cl – 43%) 1993 / 12y
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) The Highland light Infantry (70cl – 43%) 1993 / 12y
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) Argyll and Sutherland (75cl – 43%) 1993 / 12y
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) Argyll and Sutherland (75cl – 40%) 1993 / 12y
Glen Moray Highland Regiments (in Tin) Argyll and Sutherland (70cl – 40%) 1993 / 12y
Glenugie Connoisseurs Choice old white map label 1967 – 1995
Glengoyne Aged 17 years in wood 1980’s bottling, dumpy style bottle, gold box, plastic front Aged 17 years
Hazelburn First Edition Stills Label one of only 1700 bottles Aged 8 years
Hazelburn First Edition full set of all three – Stills / Malt floor / Cask labels Aged 8 years
Lochside Macnab Famous old Macnab bottling of Lochside Aged 10 years
Macallan 1976, 18y dated classic label 18y from Macallan. 1976 – 1994
Macallan 1977, 18y dated classic label 18y from Macallan. 1977 – 1996
Macallan 1979, 18y dated classic label 18y from Macallan. 1979 – 1997
Macallan 1841 Replica The 1841 edition of the Replica series NAS
Macallan 1851 Inspiration Older presentation with different label & box, shoulder label NAS
Macallan 1861 Replica The 1861 edition of the Replica series NAS
Macallan 1874 Replica The 1874 edition of the Replica series NAS
Macallan 1876 Replica The 1876 edition of the Replica series NAS
Millburn 1980, Cask No. 2021 Bottled by G&M for World of Whiskies (Duty Free UK) 1980 – 1998
Mortlach 1961 (not ‘Conn. Choice’ 1961 – 1995
Rosebank Flora & Fauna (Cask Strength) Bottle No. 1392 1981
Rosebank Zenith Aged 12 years
Rosebank Zenith Wrapped in plastic film, how I bought it originally. Aged 15 years
Rosebank Distillers Agency Three stills label, complete with original box Aged 12 years
Rosebank Millenium Edition Signatory Millenium Ed. In pale blue tin 1990 – 2000
Rosebank Old Malt Cask One of only 828 bottles 1981 / 20y
Springbank 1974 Private bottling, Cask 1157 1974
Springbank 1974 Private bottling, Cask 2283 1974
Talisker Distillers Edition 1986 Matured in Jerez Amoroso cask wood 1986
Talisker old Western Isles map, 10y Old presentation of Talisker 10y Aged 10 years
And the fine print directly from Keith;
I am offering a selection of the most interesting ones for sale to collectors and enthusiasts world-wide. Most of these being offered are from closed distilleries or are special editions. Some of the gems are older presentations from the 1980’s, like the famous old Talisker 10y edition with the Western Isles map on the box and label.
I haven’t listed any prices as I am willing to negotiate around what I believe them to be worth. Anyone interested can contact me directly on Keith.Wood@Whisky-Emporium.com and I can them point them to online prictures of the actual bottles or supply return pictures by E-Mail so they can see what they may buy.
Almost all the fill levels are excellent, with the exception of just a couple and once again I will state the exact fill level when speaking with interested parties. I am willing to ship world-wide, but any buyers must be aware of any customs issues for their own countries. I will of course mark parcels in such a way as to not make them look like commercial sales (which they aren’t!) and will probably ship them as something like “Collectible Glassware”.
I will not make any money on shipping, but will cover my costs of postage and where necessary, any new boxes or packaging bought. As these really are collectible items of value I recommend shipping by Air Freight which allows for insurance up to 500 Euros. It isn’t the cheapest shipping, but it is the quickest and the most secure! Should anyone in the Munich area wish to purchase any bottles, they are welcome to call at the house, view the bottles and pay directly. I can also personally deliver in the Munich area.
It’s been a busy year at GlenDronach and BenRiach distilleries…the investor group led by Billy Walker added GlenDronach to their portfolio less than a year ago, and are already revamping the entire range. Their BenRiach malts have won 17 medals in competitions over the last few weeks…and Alastair Walker brings us up to date in this episode. In the news, the Scottish Government may offer Diageo public funding to keep the Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock open, Heaven Hill unveils the latest release in Parker Beam’s Heritage Collection of bourbons…and tasting notes for some new spirits.
To listen to WhiskyCast Episode #210 visit http://www.whiskycast.com/
Ralfy at Work
Ralfy has a new single malt scotch whisky video review online available at http://www.ralfy.com/ Click on “Whisky Reviews” to view his latest.
On the road in Michigan this week, but had the chance to sneak across the Detroit River to Windsor, Ontario…where Canadian Club has been produced for 151 years at the Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery in the Walkerville neighborhood of Windsor. Hiram Walker’s headquarters building is now the Canadian Club Heritage Center, and this classic building patterned on a 16th century Italian palace will appeal to whisky lovers, art lovers, and architecture fans alike. CC’s Tish Harcus tells us about the building’s history over a dram or two. Plenty of new releases in the news, including a 50-year-old Glenfiddich, the debut of Suntory’s Hibiki blended whisky in the U.S., and a dozen single-cask bottlings!
To listen to Episode 209 please visit WhiskyCast at http://www.whiskycast.com/
Concert Event
On 29th August 2009, an estimated 20,000 fans will visit the shores of the Tay for a special Runrig concert event. This continues the band’s well travelled quest for live concerts in scenic and iconic outdoor locations that celebrate Scottish history and heritage.
The supporting bands for the day will include:
° Peatbog Faeries-traditional composer of the year
° Blair Douglas Band-featuring Kathleen McInnes
° King Creosote-new kid on the Fife block
° Fred Morrison-renowned piping sensation
The concert will be in the Scone Palace Parklands, half way between the North bank of the River Tay looking up towards the Palace itself. The venue campsite opens 12 noon on Friday 28th August and will close at 12 noon on Sunday 30th August.
Tickets are selling fast, so don’t miss this memorable event! For ticket sales and additional concert information, visit Runrig’s website at http://www.runrig.co.uk/scone/
Whiskie of Scotland Marquee
Duncan Taylor & Co will be exhibiting at the exclusive Whiskies of Scotland marquee located in the bars and stalls area within the general arena. We will be promoting the Scotch Whisky industry to visitors from the UK, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.
Visit the marquee and enjoy sampling select whiskies from Duncan Taylor & Co as well as twenty other exhibitors, relax with a dram from the bar, and place orders for products that will either be available when exiting the arena or shipped to you directly.
Dram of Destiny
Duncan Taylor & Co will also be releasing a limited edition ‘Dram of Destiny’ to commemorate this Homecoming 2009 Runrig event. The bottling is a Highland Park distilled in 1986 and at 46%. Each bottle features a custom label with details of the concert, cask and bottle numbers.
The Bruichladdich bottling hall will be humming;
Bruichladdich Distillery have announced a few forthcoming releases for the summer:
17yo Rum Finish RRP £53.99
Classic 3ppm multi vintage bourbon casked RRP £33.99
Sherry Classic 3ppm multi vintage mix of sherry types RRP £33.99
Infinity 3rd Edition 20ppm Multi Vintage, refill sherry/Tempranillo 50% RRP £43.99
X4+3 3ppm, bourbon, 63.5%, 15,000 bottles worldwide RRP £49.99
Organic 5yo, 3ppm bourbon casked, 15,000 bottles worldwide RRP £39.99
1992 17yo Fino 3ppm bourbon/fino sherry RRP £55.99
1992 17yo Pedro Ximenez bourbon/PX sherry RRP £55.99
1989 Black Art 19yo 3ppm, 51.1% Bourbon Ace’d assorted French Wines RRP £79.99
Port Charlotte 8yo 40ppm packaged in 6 different tins 60.5% 40ppm RRP £66
Octomore II 140ppm RRP £79.99
For full Bruichladdich Information visit them at http://www.bruichladdich.com/
Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,
The Stampede hangover has descended upon Calgary… though I’m not sure its biting most of us back as much as it has in the past. The post Stampede can be a little depressing, for months the city builds itself up both emotionally and physically for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Time clocks all over town count down in anticipation of the first day. Love it or hate it for 10 days every year the city lives and breathes Stampede. But for another year it’s over, the hangover is setting in and what better way to deal with a hangover than with a little of the “hair of the dog that bit yah”!
There are some excellent new whiskies in store this month: two expressions from Tobermory Distillery (In Alberta for the first time, the only distillery on the Island of Mull; and three expressions from Bunnahabhain, the Gentle Giant of Islay. You may recall the old Bunnahabhain 12Yr which some 8-10 years ago used to be available in the Province. It came in a stout bottle, in a squat tin, with a string handle and a saluting Highland mariner on the label. I used to love this dram in University, mainly because of the price… I dare not say what I used to buy it for, it’s considerably more now. Relatively speaking it’s still good value, and well worth a try. I’ll have more on Bunnahabhain and Tobermory in the next full Malt Messenger. There are very small quantities of all of these whiskies coming, so don’t delay. The new releases to Alberta from Burn Stewart Distillers are as follows:
1. Tobermory 15Yr – A limited edition bottling matured in Oloroso sherry casks. – $112.59
2. Ledaig 10Yr – Exclusive to Kensington Wine Market – This heavily peated expression of Tobermory from Mull is new and improved. Already winning a gold medal at the International Wine and Spirit Competition. – $73.99
3. Bunnhabhain 12Yr – Nutty and malty with a hint of peat! – $70.49
4. Bunnhabhain 18Yr – Sherry, mint and cherries with a hint of cognac. – $110.99
5. Bunnhabhain 25Yr – Older, more refined and more austere, very limited. – $261.99
These products will all be in store next Wednesday. Some of them might not even make the floor, as they are in very limited quantities.
Slainte!
Andrew Ferguson
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If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.
All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at http://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/.. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change!
Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger!
Slainte!
Andrew Ferguson
