Secret Spirits Crowdfunding Whisky Adventures

Having passed the first goal  of their Indiegogo Campaign, Secret Spirits is gaining momentum continuing towards the ultimate target of 500 calendars.

Husband and wife team Jonathan and Cindy Bray are excited to be sharing the entire journey with everyone this year. Regular updates and videos will document the adventure from start to finish and bring a new dimension to the their engaging brand.

Along with the 6^th edition calendar, Secret Spirits have also released the single cask remnants from the 5^th edition in full bottle format. This is the first time that these whiskies have been available and they are in very limited supply.

For all the details of the Indiegogo Campaign head to https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/scotch-whisky-adventuring-with-secret-spirits/x/12028663#/

Every penny helps and contributors can win referral prizes and also be included as a Secret Spirits Champion in the 6^th edition tasting booklet.

“This is a brand new way of producing our calendars and engaging our whisky loving community” said taster of Secrets Jonathan Bray.

“it is so exciting to be able to live what we love and take so many others along for the ride every year”.

www.secretspirits.com

A FIRST FOR AFRICA – LUXURY STAY AT A WHISKY DISTILLERY

Imagine being one of only a handful of people in the world to spend a night sleeping at a whisky distillery. Not close, but breaths away from where the whisky is being crafted.

In a first for Africa, Three Ships Whisky is offering whisky-lovers the ultimate experience of staying at Africa’s only commercial whisky distillery, The James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington.

Stargaze at night across the open Wellington horizon, uncluttered by buildings and sheltered from city-buzz whilst the whisky quietly slumbers in the maturation cellar right on one’s doorstep.

It simply is the finest way to immerse oneself in the art of whisky making.

This once in a lifetime two-night stay with luxury tented accommodation set overlooking the distillery dam, is only steps away from the distillery buildings with the soothing hums of distillery-life.

Thoughtful touches such as whisky-infused products, private seating areas, indulgent dinners, afternoon tea and whisky tasting, completes the unique getaway.

During their stay whisky-lovers will experience the lifeblood of the distillery, the maturation cellar with its ever-present Angel’s Share, be able to stand proud next to the aw-inspiring potstills that distil the award-winning Three Ships 10-Year-Old Single Malt spirit, and relax with the quiet hums of distillery-life at night.

Guests start their 2-night stay with a gourmet South African braai and after a restful sleep and breakfast, start their Three Ships Whisky distillery experience with a private guided tour of the distillery and food and whisky pairing.  Post some leisure time to stretch out on the comfortable seating areas, an indulgent afternoon tea is served with some delicious whisky cocktails followed by an exceptionally paired whisky dinner.

The second morning will arrive far too soon and after a light breakfast, the town of Wellington waits for some exploration of the town, numerous nature walks and mountain trails.

Bookings are made through Airbnb (Airbnb link – https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/33175021?s=51) at a cost of R10 000 per couple and is inclusive of two nights’ accommodation, all meals, beverages, whisky tastings, tours and experiences at the distillery. Profits from bookings will be donated to the Volunteer Wildfire Services who combats dangerous and devastating runaway wildfires. Their 200 strong volunteer members located at four stations (Newlands, Jonkershoek, South Peninsula and Grabouw), have assisted a number of national parks and districts across the Western Cape in saving lives and natural habitat.

Social media =              @ThreeShipsWhisky          #ThreeShipsWhiskyAirbnb            #MadeExceptionalMadeHere

The Whisky Barrel releases their latest exclusive single cask bottling – the GlenAllachie 11 Year Old 2007. 

Specialist online whisky shop, TheWhiskyBarrel.com, is proud to release an exclusive single cask malt whisky distilled at the Speyside distillery, GlenAllachie.

GlenAllachie Distillery is a Speyside distillery sitting on the eastern edge of the Ben Rinnes mountain where it is exposed to the elements and is often to be seen sitting within the snowline. The name GlenAllachie comes from the Gaelic, Gleann Aileachaidh, meaning ‘valley of the rocks’, hence the cleverly designed logo!

The GlenAllachie 11 Year Old 2007 was matured in first fill sherry hogshead cask #900169 and bottled in February 2019 by Signatory Vintage exclusively for TheWhiskyBarrel.com, yielding 324 bottles.

Available exclusively from The Whisky Barrel, shipping to customers Worldwide including the United States of America, Canada and Japan. 

GlenAllachie 11 Year Old | 2007 | Signatory Vintage Un-Chillfiltered Collection for TheWhiskyBarrel.com | 61.3% 

Tasting notes 

Colour: Natural colour; copper orange.

Nose: A much sharper experience to the Glenlivet with less of the usual sugary sweetness and much more of the classic bitter sweet sherry influence. Hints of cereal and slightly burnt malt. 

Taste: Stewed plums, milk chocolate coated raisins, nutmeg and sweet sherry. There are also subtle notes of bees wax. 

Finish: A long dry and sweet finish. 

Price: £79.95 GBP / $88.00 USD (+ P&P) 

Notes:-

Q) What is the product called?
A)  GlenAllachie 11 Year Old 2007 Signatory Vintage Un-Chillfiltered Collection.

Q) When will this product be released/was it released?
A) Tuesday 26 March 2019.

Q) Where is it available?
A) Scotland, off-trade, TheWhiskyBarrel.com.

Q) Is this product already available in other markets?
A) Scotland only, TheWhiskyBarrel.com ships worldwide.

Q) How much is it?
A) £79.95 GBP / $88.00 USD (+ P&P)

Q) Who handles the product’s distribution?
A) In-house at TheWhiskyBarrel.com.

Q) What is the ABV of this product?
A) 61.3% ABV natural cask strength.

Q) Why has this product been launched?
A) Limited Edition single cask distillery exclusive for The Whisky Barrel. 

The Whisky Barrel is a specialist online whisky and spirits merchant based in Fife, Scotland and  was established in 2007. The Whisky Barrel won Whisky Magazine Online Retailer 2018 and was International Wine & Spirits Competition runner-up in 2016.

N.B. Prices correct at the time of publishing and are subject to currency fluctuation.

The Whisky Barrel – Your Specialist Online Whisky Shop, Scotland

Celebrating 10 Years | 2007-2017

thewhiskybarrel.com | 01334 650 353 | Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Whisky Magazine’s Online Retailer of the Year Award 2009-2016

International Wine & Spirits Competition Best Online Retailer 2015-2016

Jameson fans from around the globe bring St. Patrick’s Day to a corner of the world

it’s never reached before with the 17° 80° Jameson St. Patrick’s Day expedition. 

This year, Jameson searched the globe for Jameson fans who always celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and rewarded them with a trip of a lifetime. To show it’s not about where you are, but about who you’re with, the group travelled to the most northerly inhabited area on the globe, Svalbard, Norway to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It’s marked by the co-ordinates 17° longitude 80° latitude, a tribute to the year John Jameson set up his Dublin distillery.

The friends, from Ireland, India and Argentina, trekked over frozen terrain, overcoming obstacles along the way, to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the most unexpected way. In-between the snowmobile races, husky rides and ice cave climbing, the Jameson fans cemented their new friendships in the freezing Arctic conditions – bringing new meaning to Jameson on ice.

The group’s off-the-grid adventure was a success, arriving at their final destination, as close as humanly possible to 17° (longitude) 80° (latitude), where they raised a glass and toasted St. Patrick’s Day together.

NOTES  

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish whiskey, experiencing 29 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 7.3m cases in 2018. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 80 of those experiencing double- or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €250m to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin. 

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of €8,987 million in FY18. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,900 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 86 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

BEAM SUNTORY INTRODUCES LEGENT, A MASTERFUL COLLABORATION BETWEEN TWO CELEBRATED WHISK(E)Y LEGENDS

East Meets West as this first-of-its-kind bourbon melds Kentucky distilling tradition with Japanese blending excellence

The Whisky Barrel releases their latest exclusive single cask bottling – Glenlivet III. 

Specialist online whisky shop, TheWhiskyBarrel.com, is proud to release an exclusive single cask malt whisky distilled at the Speyside distillery, Glenlivet.

In November 2017 TheWhiskyBarrel.com released the Glenlivet 11 Year Old 2006 as part of The Whisky Barrel 10^th Anniversary Celebrations which received fantastic customer feedback. Then in March 2018, following a visit to the warehouses of Signatory Vintage, TheWhiskyBarrel.com was delighted to find another cask of Glenlivet maturing in a first-fill sherry cask. Glenlivet 11 Year Old 2007 vintage was then hand-picked for TheWhiskyBarrel.com.

Now TheWhiskyBarrel.com is proud to release the Glenlivet 11 Year Old 2007 as part of the Signatory Vintage Un-Chillfiltered Collection. Matured in a first fill sherry hogshead #900128 and bottled in February 2019 by Signatory Vintage exclusively for TheWhiskyBarrel.com, yielding 289 bottles.

Glenlivet Distillery sits in a remote glen in Ballindalloch, Banffshire. A fantastic new extension including an extra mash tun, eight wash backs and six stills was opened by the Prince of Wales in 2010.

Available exclusively from The Whisky Barrel, shipping to customers Worldwide including the United States of America, Canada and Japan. 

Glenlivet 11 Year Old | 2007 | Signatory Vintage Un-Chillfiltered Collection for TheWhiskyBarrel.com | 66.0% 

Tasting notes 

Colour: Natural colour; classic heavy sherry influence with the lovely deep blood orange hue.

Nose: Sweet and sticky sugary fruits. 

Taste: Cola Cubes, ripe summer fruits doused with sugar, dark chocolate and a subtle hint of tobacco leaf. 

Finish: Long and chewy, bringing together all those delicious flavours. 

Price: £99.95 GBP / $110.00 USD (+ P&P)

NOTES

Q) What is the product called?
A)  Glenlivet 11 Year Old 2007 Signatory Vintage Un-Chillfiltered Collection.

Q) When will this product be released/was it released?
A) Tuesday 26 March 2019.

Q) Where is it available?
A) Scotland, off-trade, TheWhiskyBarrel.com.

Q) Is this product already available in other markets?
A) Scotland only, TheWhiskyBarrel.com ships worldwide.

Q) How much is it?
A) £99.95 GBP / $110.00 USD (+ P&P)

Q) Who handles the product’s distribution?
A) In-house at TheWhiskyBarrel.com.

Q) What is the ABV of this product?
A) 66.0% ABV natural cask strength.

Q) Why has this product been launched?
A) Limited Edition single cask distillery exclusive for The Whisky Barrel.

The Whisky Barrel is a specialist online whisky and spirits merchant based in Fife, Scotland and  was established in 2007. The Whisky Barrel won Whisky Magazine Online Retailer 2018 and was International Wine & Spirits Competition runner-up in 2016.

N.B. Prices correct at the time of publishing and are subject to currency fluctuation. 

The Whisky BarrelE: info@thewhiskybarrel.com

Visit www.thewhiskybarrel.com

T: +44 (0)845 2248 156

Find us on: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Blood Oath Pact No. 5 Launches This Spring

Fifth expression in ultra-premium series is finished in Caribbean rum casks

(St. Louis) March 18, 2019 – Blood Oath Pact No. 5 – the fifth installment of the acclaimed Blood Oath ultra-premium bourbon series – launches in April. The Blood Oath series, the creation of Lux Row Distillers’ Head Distiller and Master Blender John Rempe, combines unique bourbons, expertly blended for a distinctively exclusive whiskey.

Not to be missed, Pact No. 5 starts with an eight-year-old ryed bourbon rested in used dark Caribbean rum barrels for six months to add a touch of warm island spice. Once this bourbon picked up some of the rum notes, Rempe combined it with an 11-year-old silky wheated bourbon and an extra-aged, peppery 13-year-old rye bourbon. The result is a well-balanced, spicy, sweet, lingering bourbon with complex flavor notes.

“When selecting these bourbons, I knew the dark rum sweet notes would be a perfect complement for these well-aged bourbons, and the result is extremely satisfying,” says Rempe. “On the nose, Pact No. 5 comes right off with dark fruit notes, brown sugar and a touch of orange zest, followed by sugar cane and dark chocolate notes and a little heat once you sip it. This one offers a lingering finish, accented by notes of honey.”

This year’s release returns to its original fire-branded wooden display box. Like its predecessors, the bottle is topped with a custom, eco-friendly natural cork, sealed and hand-labeled with certificate-style paper stock, including Rempe’s signature, and bottled at 98.6 proof. Pact No. 5 is available globally in 750ml bottles, with a suggested retail price of $99.99.

Pact No. 5 is a limited release, with only 15,000 cases (3-packs) created; this bourbon will never be made again. The Blood Oath series launched in 2015 with Pact No. 1, and will highlight a different variant, or Pact, each year.

“This series, and the creativity it allows, is something I am passionate about and always looking for new combinations and ideas,” says Rempe.

For more information about the distillery, visit www.luxrowdistillers.com. You can also like Lux Row Distillers on Facebook or follow the distillery on Instagram @luxrowdistillers. For more information on Blood Oath, visit www.bloodoathbourbon.com. 

About Luxco
A leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products, Luxco’s mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Founded in St. Louis in 1958, Luxco remains locally owned and operated by the Lux family. Lux Row Distillers is bringing the family’s legacy to the heart of Bourbon Country in Bardstown, Kentucky and is now the home of Luxco’s bourbon portfolio, including Rebel Yell, Blood Oath, David Nicholson, and Ezra Brooks. Luxco has also built a new distillery in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico – Destiladora González Luxco – where the company’s 100 percent agave tequilas, El Mayor and Exotico, will be produced. Luxco’s innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit www.luxco.com.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society are hosting a ‘dram’atic Scotch vs Irish whisk(e)y tasting for rugby fans ahead of their big European match in Edinburgh this weekend.

RUGBY FANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD IN ‘DRAM’ATIC SCOTCH VS IRISH COMPETITION 

RUGBY RIVALRY EXTENDS TO WHISK(E)Y AS EDINBURGH AND MUNSTER FANS COMPETE OVER DRAMS

Edinburgh whisky experts, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), are hosting the ultimate Scotch vs Irish whisk(e)y tasting to celebrate a big weekend for European club rugby in the capital.

Before Edinburgh Rugby host Munster Rugby at BT Murrayfield this weekend, fans of both sides are being welcomed to The SMWS’ venue at 28 Queen Street, on Friday 29^th March, to face off in a battle of two great whisky producing nations.

Friendly rugby rivalry will extend to drams as travelling Irish rugby fans will be greeted at one of the city’s great whisky venues to experience a range of rare and remarkable single cask, single malts in the company of fellow dram and rugby lovers.

An ambassador from the world’s leading whisky club will guide fans through four drams of the most exceptional examples of Scotch and Irish single casks.

Guests will then score the different whiskies out of ten, with the undisputed champion whisky (or whiskey!) producing nation being crowned victorious before the more physical 80-minute encounter on the Murrayfield pitch.

In-keeping with the spirit of the sport, fans are encouraged to back their teams, and whisky nations, while coming together to experience the pinnacle of single casks drawn straight from the barrel in this unique shared experience.

The match itself, which has now sold over 30,000 tickets and is on course to break a UK attendance record for a Quarter Final fixture, is expected to bring an influx of Munster Rugby fans to the city over the weekend.

[Online]

For rugby and whisky fans to buy tickets;

Edinburgh Rugby fans: https://bit.ly/2Y7LFoB

Munster Rugby fans: https://bit.ly/2UNI5h7

[Print]

For more information on how to purchase tickets, visit smws.com/events

Notes:

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 26,000 members and branches around the world
• The SMWS bottles rare single cask, single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
• The Society bottles single malts, unique single casks and exclusive blends
• The Society has bottled whisky from more than 138 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 30 single cask, single malt whiskies every month
• The Society offers a variety of membership’s packages which can be tailored. Please see https://bit.ly/2uqKanT
• For more information about the Society, visit https://bit.ly/2HHiNyC
• Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk

MMA2018 The Report

Since 1997, the Malt Maniacs (an international collective of malt whisky enthusiasts) have been enjoying and discussing the pleasures of (single malt) whisky with like-minded whisky lovers from all over the world. Since 2003, we have organised (non-stop) our very own annual ‘amateur’ whisky competition. We like to think that, over the years, our modest little initiative has evolved into one of the leading (and most independent) whisky competitions in the world. You can find more details about our collective and its history on: www.maltmaniacs.net

For this 16th edition of the Malt Maniacs Awards (MMA), we were delighted in receiving new comers, such as Valinch & Mallet, Sansibar, The Spirits Shop Selection, Whisky & Rum or Asta Morris, as examples.

Not only Scotch single malts were entered in this prestigious whisky competitions, but single malts, blended malts, blends, grain whiskies or whiskey produced in Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, India, Japan, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Switzerland shipped from Europe and Asia. Thus, the MMA is truly an international representation.

MMA 2018: The Rules

Our fundamentals, since beginning have been for the judges: 

• 100% independent
• 100% Blind

Awards

In the Malt Maniacs Awards, medals are won on merit, similar to the system that is used by the boy scouts. The winners in specific categories receive awards instead – hence the name of our competition. There are six award categories in three price brackets. We distinguish between these six awards categories:

• Non-Plus-Ultra Award (Overall top scoring whisky out of all Malt Maniacs Awards entries that year)
• Best Natural Cask Award (Best whisky matured exclusively in ‘untreated’, regular casks)
• Best Sherry Cask Award (Best whisky matured exclusively in sherry casks)
• Best Peated Malt Award (Best whisky distilled from – relatively – peated malted barley)
• Thumbs Up Award (Most exciting new release in that price category that year)

Every bottle that is entered in our competition can win only one award (as well as only one medal). Apart from the six awards categories listed above, there are three different price brackets –

Daily Drams (the bottles with a retail price of up to 60 Euros), Premium Whiskies (the bottles with a retail price between 60and 200 Euros) and Ultra Premium Whiskies (the bottles with a retail price of more than 200 Euros).So there are 18 ‘standard’ awards that are assigned each year – provided we can find a suitable candidate.

If we feel that a certain whisky, bottler or distillery deserves special recognition in a particular year, we sometimes add one or more ‘special’ awards.

Note: the price category was received from the participants and not all medals might have been attributed. The full list of the results can be found at http://www.maltmaniacs.net/awards/

The participants 

The MMA cannot take place without the participating companies submitting their bottles to us. So, a big thank you to them!

The participants were:

MMA 2018 Companies:

Acla Selection, AD Rattray, Adelphi, ARen Trading Co., Ltd, Amrut, Armorik, Asta Morris, Atom Supplies, Bass Chaos, Beam Suntory, Berry Bros & Rudd, Blackadder, Boston Tung, Cadenhead’s, Chamber Premier, Douglas Laing, Elixir Distillers, FI FA SHANG HAO, Glenallachie distillery, Hot Malt, JemmyYeh, Millstone/Zuidam distillers, Nantou, Paul John, Penderyn, Sansibar, Slyrs, Southarea Club, Spirit Shop’s Selection Dong Fang Ming, Tiger Huan, Tomatin, Valinch & mallet, Vito Yao, Walter Lee, Whisky &Rhum, Wilson & Morgan and some anonymous as well

And finally, the moment you are waiting for……!!!!

The full list is at the end of the document, with all individual scores

AWARDS –Supreme Winners

• Kavalan (57.8%, OB, C#O090619031A, Port Cask, 184Bts)

• Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (57.8%, OB, C#S081215028, Sherry Butt, 496Bts)

AWARDS – Ultra Premium Category

• Non-Plus-Ultra Award (Ultra Premium)

• Benrinnes 20YO 1997/2018 (55.0%, Signatory, C#9734, Sherry Hogshead, For LMDW, 239Bts)

• Best Natural Cask Award (Ultra Premium)

• Ledaig 20YO 1997/2017 “Stealing Beauty” (61.1%, Spirits Salon, C#800111, bourbon barrel, 120Bts)
• Kavalan Solist Moscatel (56.3%, OB, C#MO100625020A, 1st Fill Moscatel Sherry Cask)

• Best Sherry Cask Award (Ultra Premium)

• Springbank Blackadder Statement 2001/2018 (59%, Blackadder, C#130, Sherry Hogshead, 96Bts)

• Best Peated Malt Award (Ultra Premium)

• Blackadder Raw Cask Loch Indaal 10YO 2007 (63.3%, Blackadder, C#3413, Hogshead, 244Bts)

AWARDS – Premium Category

            Non-Plus-Ultra Award (Premium)

• Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (57.8%, OB, C#S081215028, Sherry Butt, 496Bts)
• Kavalan (57.8%, OB, C#O090619031A, Port Cask, 184Bts)

• Best Natural Cask Award (Premium)
• Amrut Chronicles 2012/2018 (60%, OB for La Maison du Whisky, Bourbon, 660 Bts)

            Best Sherry Cask Awards (Premium)

• Kavalan Solist 7YO 2010/2017 (58.6%, OB For Asia Palate Association, C#S100309004A, Sherry Butt, 504Bts)
• Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (56.3%, OB, C#S090102018, 1st Fill sherry butt, 473Bts)
• Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (59.4%, OB for Tiger selection Fu Yun, C#S090306028, 1st Fill Sherry Cask, 463Bts)
• Kavalan 7YO 2010/2017 (56.3%, OB C#S100303016A, Oloroso Sherry Butt, 502Bts)

• Best Peated Malt Award (Premium)
• Caol Ila 7YO 2011/2018 (56.1%, Asta Morris, C#AM055, 580 Bts)

             Thumbs Up (Premium)

• Edradour 2008/2018 (57.9%, OB, C#8, First Fill Sherry Butt for LMDW, 515Bts)

AWARDS – Daily Dram Category

• Non-Plus-Ultra Award (Daily Dram)
• English Whisky Company, 8YO 2009/2017 (52.3%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, C#800/424, Sauternes/Bourbon Barrels, 845 Bts)
• Ledaig 12YO 2005/2018 (57.9%, Wilson & Morgan, C#8000073-74, Sherry finish Oloroso, 587Bts)

• Best Natural Cask Award (Daily Dram)
• Elements of Islay Peat Full Proof (59.3%, Elixir Distillers)

• Best Sherry Cask Award (Daily Dram)

             Thumbs Up (Daily Dram)

• Scallywag 10YO Speyside Blended Scotch Whisky (46.2%, Douglas Laing, 4,500Bts)
• Millstone Peated (46%, OB, PX Cask)
• Best Peated Malt Award (Daily Dram)
• English Whisky Company, 8YO 2018 (61.9%, Cadenhead’s, Bourbon Hogshead, 228 Bts)

Panel of Judges

Olivier Humbrecht (OH), France ,Konstantin Grigoriadis (KG),  Austria Patrick De Schulthess (PdS), Switzerland Krishna Nukala (KN), India Robert Karlsson (RK), Sweden, Pete Silver (PS), USA Ulf Buxrud (UB), Sweden Patrick Brossard (PB), Switzerland Tim Puett (TP), USA Technical support provided by Benjamin Chen (SG)

The results can be found in the attached PDF file (please click on the icon). The participants provided Price categories. Entries with a median score below 80 are not presented.Some impressions of the judges on this year’s entries:

Tim Puett (USA) about: Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (57.8%, OB, S081215028, Sherry Butt, 496Bts) “Old school sherry, tastes like old Speyside whiskies” 

Penderyn Rich Oak Single Cask (59.8%, OB, C#D161, 289Bts) “Fun, potpourri, gooseberry, super fruity, taste like old Irish whisky”

Olivier Humbrecht (FR) about: Amrut Chronicles 2012/2018 (60%, OB for La Maison du Whisky, Bourbon, 660 Bts):“Elegant bourbon medium power. Nice peppery mineral. Long finish. Beautiful fruit on finish. Gorgeous.

Kavalan 8YO 2009/2017 (57.8%, OB, C#S090319003, Sherry Cask, 473 Bts)“Dark sweet sherry. Round balanced. Great old refined. Fabulous”

Patrick de Schulthess (CH) about: Caol Ila 7YO 2011/2018 (56.1%, Asta Morris, C# AM055, 580 Bts) “light amber, ripe peach, rock, melon, honeycomb, peat, tar, camphor, with a long finish without default, on sultana, fresh almond, milk chocolate and camphor. Superb”

Springbank Blackadder Statement 2001/2018 (59%, Blackadder, C#130, Sherry Hogshead, 96Bts) “dark amber, with a shy creamy nose, a palate on powerful milk and dark chocolates, creamy caramel, balanced tar and camphor flavours. Superb palate. The finish is long, without default, buttery, on liquorice, tar and peat. Very well balanced.

Krishna (IN) about: Amrut Chronicles 2012/2018 (60%, OB for La Maison du Whisky, Bourbon, 660 Bts): On first tasting- Classic smoke and fruits..rich nose….lots of dried fruits.. Raisins.. etc..fruit cake….this is something special at least on nose..very smooth, classic palate that is not so sweet, not so bitter, but has some elegance..Re tasted- Lovely coconut caramel toffees…. Beautiful sweet smoke. Some heavy dry fruits..Some luxurious dry fruit notes. Very sweet and smooth, easy to drink…. Lovely fruity finish with some organics.

Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (58.6%, OB for Tiger Selection QianZhuo, C#S090306021, 1st Fill sherry butt, 476Bts) “Classic rich, complex nose of a deep sherried whisky….dry fruits galore.. Figs, dates, raisins, spices like cloves, cinnamon, Christmas cake..mandarin oranges….exceedingly sweet and thick, with organics, fruit cake, what not … brilliantl y sweet and sherry finish that is everlasting..

Benromach 10YO (57%, OB,  100 Proof)Initial tasting- Sweet and smoky. Lovely nose. Classic taste. Very delicious. Thouroughly enjoyable whisky Retasted-Smoke. Sweet and salts..liquorice toffee…some peat….spicy, hot, sweets galore..Lovely round and syrupy stuff, very sweet. Hot and honeyed finish. 

Patrick Brossard (CH) about: English Whisky Company, 8YO 2009/2017 (52.3%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, C#800/424, Sauternes/Bourbon Barrels, 845 Bts)A   whisky with a fresh nose, aromatic, intense, floral, slightly smoky, with some bitter and aromatic herbs. On the palate, it is fruity, intense, mellow, round, floral, on exotic fruits, some aromatic herbs, peat smoke, other stewed fruits, sugary flavours and light aromatic herbs. Well balanced.Very good and complex.

Millstone Peated (46%, OB, PX Cask)A whisky with a peaty to very peaty nose, slightly young on the palate, rich, fresh, peaty, aromatic, camphor, some iodine, soot and fudge. A very nice fresh whisky, with a complex and subtle aromatic peat smoke. Well made.

Conclusion 

This 16th MMA edition has seen some changes compared to the last edition, with changes in the price categories to reflect the increased prices on whisky. As for the previous editions, Kavalan won again this year, even if we had some changes in the judges, with the return of Ulf Buxrud. This highlights the excellent quality of their Solist single casks. Interestingly, we have seen some serious contenders from Scotland, with a Benrinnes from La Maison du Whisky, a Springbank from Blackadder and a very surprising Caol Ila from Asta Morris, showing that a single malt can be stunning already at 7 YO. The Amrut Chronicles for La Maison du Whisky or the Dutch Millstone PX Peated are further demonstration that age does not always matter. Often sherried whiskies obtain high ratings, but this year, we have seen some non-sherried whiskies doing very well, as example the English Whisky Company from That-boutique-y Whisky and Cadenhead’s, without forgetting one of two overall winner, a Port version of Kavalan.

I wish to thank again all the participants for submitting their entries to this competition, as well as all the judges and Benjamin Chen, Singapore for the additional formatting. I hope that the number of participants, entries and judges will increase in years!

Slainte,

Patrick Brossard

MMA2018 organiser, on behalf of all the MM who have been involved in this work.