A kind of magic – here come the Wizards

The world’s best non-Scotch whiskies are set to be given a new platform with the launch of a genuinely new, exciting tasting event. The Wizards of Whisky (The WOWs) will showcase whiskies from around the world with a unique three-pronged promotional approach.

One – world whiskies entered in to the Wizards will be judged in region-specific categories by the very best world whisky judges Two – the winning whiskies will be given the opportunity to take part in a 12 date consumer whisky tasting tour. Three- winning whiskies will be offered the chance to be included a five miniature Wizards whisky pack sold on line by the Whisky Tasting Club.

The new awards are the brainchild of leading world whisky writer Dominic Roskrow. He is uniquely qualified to showcase world whiskies. He publishes his own on-line world whisky magazine The World Whisky Review, has written extensively on global whiskies in his last three books, The World’s Best Whiskies, 1001 Whiskies To Try Before You Die and The Whisky Opus, and he added a section on world whisky to Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion when  he updated it four years ago. In the last two years he has launched The World Masters and Irish Masters for The Spirit Business, and he covers world and Irish whiskey for The Whisky Advocate.

He was the first writer to argue  that areas such as Australia and Asia deserved their own judging sections rather than be lumped together as ‘rest of the World.’ Launching the awards through his company True Spirit, Roskrow said: “The Wizards are launched through love, not money. World whisky is a passion of mine and I am genuinely excited by the new distillers from right across the planet bringing fresh thinking to the whisky category.

“I have been involved with judging various awards in recent years, and have for some time felt there was a need for fresh thinking. Not only do I want the industry and whisky lovers alike to recognised The Wizards as THE symbol of quality for world whisky, but I want to take the best whiskies out t= o the public and promote them, and through my links with The Whisky Tasting Club to give people the chance to taste them for themselves.”

The awards, which will cover every region of the world except Scotland, and including America, Ireland and Japan, will be held in September and whiskies will be judged by a new and exciting panel of judges who, unlike many of the other awards events, have extensive and specialist knowledge of world whisky.

Entries are now being sought, and the closing date for entrants is August 31, 2012, and whiskies will be judged by three different panels of judges over two days, with each panel specially selected for their knowledge of specific areas of world whisky and featuring retailers, writers and whisky experts.

Whiskies will be considered for a top award of a Wizard, or for a gold medal. There are no limits as to how many Wizards and golds can be awarded in each category. From each of the seven world regions represented in the awards, one whisky will receive the title of Grand Wizard. and from these seven one will be selected as the World Wizard of Whisky

Whiskies will be judged in the following categories:

American whiskey – bourbons
American whiskey – other styles
American whiskey – craft and specialist
Irish whiskey – blends
Irish whiskey – single malt
Irish whiskey – pot still
Japanese whisky – single malt
Japanese whisky – blends
Japanese whisky- blended malts
Canadian whisky
Australasian whisky – cask strength
Australasian whisky- under 50% ABV
Asian and African whisky- cask strength
Asian and African whisky- under 50%
European whisky
Elsewhere

Samples to Dominic care of Hogworts? – Ed.

EXCEPTIONAL 50 YEAR OLD MACALLAN LEADS WHISKY SALE AT BONHAMS EDINBURGH

A bottle of The Macallan 50 year old distilled in 1928 and bottled in 1983, leads Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Wednesday 27 June.

Estimated at £10,000-12,000 the bottle, bearing a label in particularly fine condition, comes in its own wooden presentation case. The Macallan 1928 was one of the first 50 year old malts to be released and is regarded as a key part of any serious whisky collection. Only 500 bottles were released, and as they rarely come onto the market they have become increasing difficult to find.

Among other highlights are a bottle of The Dalmore 50 year old 1926, estimated at £5,000-7,000, and two The Macallan Millennium 50 years old Decanters bottled in 1999. The whisky was chosen from 3 cases which had been filled the same day in 1949. The decanters are made from Caithness glass accompanied by a copper mounted stopper cast from copper reclaimed from No 9 still at the distillery. Both decanters come in their own presentation cases.

For more information on the sale, go to www.bonhams/books.

NOTES FOR EDITORS
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to www.bonhams.com

GLENDRONACH’S “CASK IN A VAN” HEADS FOR BELGIUM ON TODAY!

FOR the fourth year running, award-winning GlenDronach has selected a rare single cask from its Aberdeenshire distillery and will tour it around Belgium next week…in the back of a small van!

The quirky tasting tour – called “Cask in a Van” – has proved so successful that it has become an eagerly-anticipated event by Belgian fans of the single malt.

The GlenDronach Roadshow starts in Zolder on June 11 and finishes in Beveren-Waas on June 16.

Conducting it will be GlenDronach’s Brand Ambassador Stewart Buchanan who said: “Belgium is one of our fastest-growing markets and we’re delighted to take this wonderful cask on our week-long tasting tour.

“With our specially-liveried van, we’re offering Belgians the chance to savour and purchase a truly excellent GlenDronach single cask whisky – this time it’s a 2002 release, cask 2024, at 55.5% vol. which has been matured in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon.

“In addition, we’ll be offering tastings of our 12, 15, 18 and 21 year-old core range along with our wonderful 15 year-old Tawny Port Wood Finish expression.”

Stewart added: “The 2002 is classic GlenDronach and it’s really superb. In appearance, it’s polished antique mahogany. On the nose, there’s soft toffee and vanilla with hints of caramelised pear and ginger. And on the palate, deep cherry and soft vanilla leading to honeyed apricots and a long, creamy toffee almond finish. It’s outstandingly good!”

He added: “As in previous years, people will be given the opportunity to fill their own bottle of GlenDronach straight from the cask and, as it’s a limited edition, it’s bound to be a highly collectable item.”

So look out for the cask at an outlet near you.

The tour dates and locations are:

11th June: Drankenshop, Zolder
 
12th June: Windels, Mechelen
 
13th June: Verachtert, Saint Georges Sur Meuse
 
14th June: Fisser, Westerloo-Geel
 
15th June: Vercauteren, Londerzeel
 
16th June: Cave St Jacques, Tournai
 
16th June: Soete Huys, Beveren-Waas
 
GlenDronach’s core range is available in over 100 specialist stores throughout Belgium.

CHIVAS BROTHERS INVESTS FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE

Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, is predicting a bright future for Scotch as consumers are showing a thirst for premium spirits in many emerging international markets. To capitalise on this trend, the company has announced a number of investments to underline its commitment to beating category value growth and achieving high single to double digit value growth.

According to Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers: “We are committed to a capital expenditure of £40 million annually to further increase our distillation capacity and production facilities. This investment, allied to strong market growth, a continued commitment to innovation and the best suited portfolio to target the most profitable opportunities, will provide the basis for future value growth for our company.”

A new bottling hall will open in Paisley in the summer of 2012, which will increase the emphasis on hand-bottling for prestige and ultra-prestige editions such as Chivas Regal 25, the Royal Salute range and high-end limited editions of The Glenlivet and Ballantine’s, as well as delivering excellent facilities for future new product development.

Malt whisky distillation capacity will be increased, with expansions at Glenallachie, Glentauchers, Tormore and Longmorn distilleries, and the reopening of Glen Keith distillery in April 2013, resulting in a 25% capacity increase across 2012 and 2013. New heat recovery technology is also being introduced to make stills 25% more efficient.

The current capital investment in production facilities follows on from a number of major projects over recent years including the re-opening of Allt-a-bhainne and Braeval distilleries, expansions at Glenburgie and The Glenlivet distilleries, and a series of investments at its sites in Paisley and Dumbarton to deliver high quality bottling facilities for the company’s expanding portfolio of premium Scotch whiskies.

Chivas Brothers will also continue to invest in its significant inventory, which already contains more than 6 million casks and includes significant stocks of exceptional aged whisky. This includes increasing annual purchases of high quality bourbon and sherry casks to ensure the continuing supply of Chivas Brothers’ luxury Scotch whisky offering. The business will continue to promote The Age Matters – a consumer campaign launched in 2010 to communicate the importance and value of age statements.

Notes

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information please visit www.chivasbrothers.com

Cuba Gooding Jr. Backs Chivas Regal’s Campaign to Raise Awareness of FilmAid International

FilmAid UK Chair Iliane Ogilvie Thompson, Chivas Regal Brand Director James Slack and Academy Award winning actor, Cuba Gooding Jr., celebrate FilmAid’s work in Cannes.

Chivas Regal, the original luxury whisky and official sponsor of the 65th Festival De Cannes, reaffirmed its commitment to its global brand partner FilmAid International after announcing plans for a new global fundraising programme.

To mark the first year anniversary of the Chivas Regal FilmAid partnership, Chivas unveiled a new short film documenting the amazing work of FilmAid focussing on a FilmAid project at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.

FilmAid is a non-profit organisation that uses the power of film and media to transcend language and literacy, bringing life-saving information, psychological relief and much-needed hope to refugees and other communities in need.

The announcement was made yesterday at an intimate event in the Chivas House on the Croisette and is part of Chivas Regal’s renewed ambition to raise awareness of FilmAid’s work whilst at the same time continuing to provide financial support for projects in East Africa to Asia and Haiti.

Oscar winning actor and FilmAid supporter, Cuba Gooding Jr., joined FilmAid UK Chair Iliane Ogilvie Thompson and Chivas Regal Brand Director, James Slack on stage for an exclusive screening of the new short film commissioned by Chivas.

In addition, to help bring the partnership to life in Cannes, the film was supported by an exhibition of images captured during filming by distinguished Magnum Photos photographer, Olivia Arthur.

Cuba Gooding Jr. praised FilmAid’s unique work in using the power of film to bring hope and joy to refugees. He said: “Communities in crisis need information and empowerment. FilmAid provides both through the power of film, and I am delighted to be here to support their work and the generosity of Chivas Regal.”

Cuba is in Cannes for a special screening of the film, Red Tails, which he stars in and which tells the true, heroic story of the Tuskegee airmen. He is joined by George Lucas, director Anthony Hemingway, and producer Rick McCallum for a special screening on Friday, May 25th at 9:30PM on the Cinema de la Plage.

James Slack, Brand Director, Chivas Regal, said, “After a successful first year of the partnership, we are delighted to reaffirm our commitment to FilmAid. Generosity of spirit lies at the heart of the Chivas brand and we are proud to play a continued role in providing financial support to projects worldwide.”

“The FilmAid film will help kick-start our fundraising plans for the year ahead but equally as important raise awareness of the charity’s amazing work by bringing FilmAid’s inspirational story to Cannes.”

Caroline Baron, FilmAid Founder, said, “FilmAid was formed in 1999 with the belief that movies could have a healing effect on refugees and displaced people, specifically those fleeing war in Kosovo.”

“More than a decade later, FilmAid’s work exhibiting and producing educational and inspirational films is thriving in communities affected by war and natural disaster in Haiti, Kenya, Thailand and beyond. Our work would not be possible without the generous support of organizations like Chivas Regal. We are deeply grateful.”

Since the launch of the partnership, Chivas Regal has pledged over US$250,000 investment to support FilmAid projects around the world. The funds raised have assisted with the operational costs of these projects, in particular areas such as film workshops, outdoor evening screenings and community based film production.

This year, the partnership continues with greater global ambition to raise awareness for FilmAid. Plans are already underway for a second Chivas Legend’s fundraising dinner in Dubai, as well as an increased presence at future events and film festivals providing more opportunities to promote the partnership and raise much needed funds.

Chivas Regal and FilmAid International: Inspiring and educating displaced communities through Film.

Notes

About Chivas Regal
• Chivas Regal is now in its fourth year as official supplier of the Festival de Cannes – the most exclusive and celebrated international film festival.
• 2012 Festival de Cannes marks the second year of the global brand partnership between Chivas Regal and FilmAid International
• Chivas Regal provide financial support for FilmAid projects around the world; this started with an initial donation of $100,000USD presented at the partnership launch at the Festival de Cannes in 2011. The partnership continues with greater global ambition to raise further funds and awareness of FilmAid projects worldwide.
• In March this year, Chivas Regal commissioned a film crew and Magnum Photos photographer, Olivia Arthur, to shoot on location at a FilmAid project at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.

About FilmAid International
• FilmAid International is a non-profit organisation that uses the power of film and media to transcend language and literacy, bringing life-saving information, psychological relief and much-needed hope to refugees and other communities in need around the globe.
• Working in refugee camps, urban slums, disaster zones and other communities in crisis, FilmAid’s screenings provide a vital channel for conveying knowledge, empowerment and hope.
• FilmAid operates two on-going programmes in Kenya: the Kakuma Refugee Camp (93,000 people) on the border of South Sudan and the Dadaab Refugee Camp on the border of Somalia (nearly 500,000 people). These programmes serve refugees from Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Burundi and Ethiopia. FilmAid also works with challenged communities within Kenya, including the Mathare and Kibera Slums. In late 2009 FilmAid started working with Burmese refugees in Thailand, and in 2010 began work with Internally Displaced Persons in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake

EAGLE RARE LAUNCHES THIRD ANNUAL RARE LIFE AWARD

Award Winner Will Receive a $30,000 Donation to the Charity of their Choice

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY. – Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey has won its share of honors and awards. Now the bourbon is sharing its passion for excellence for a third year in a row by opening the nomination season for the 2013 Rare Life Award. This past February, the 2012 Rare Life Award was awarded to Grand Prize winner Edward E Clark Jr. for his incredible story. Throughout his life, Ed Clark has inspired and enabled millions of people to become involved in protecting wildlife around the world. For his amazing story Eagle Rare donated $20,000 to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit set up to provide immediate veterinarian care for injured wildlife. The 2013 award will be awarded to a person with an amazing life story that demonstrates the bourbon’s core values of courage, leadership, survival, heroism, devotion and character.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2013 Rare Life Award at www.eaglerarelife.com. The 2013 Grand Prize award winner will be awarded a $30,000 donation to the charity of their choice. In addition, six others will be selected and awarded $3,000 to the charity of their choice. The total prize amount was increased for the third consecutive year. Entries will be posted at the Eagle Rare website online and the general public can vote on who they think most embodies the “Rare Life” core values through January 4, 2013. All winners will be chosen from the top 20 stories that receive the most votes and announced in early February 2013.

“We are thrilled to increase the Rare Life Award prize money for the third consecutive year,” said Kris Comstock, Eagle Rare brand manager. “Over the past two years we’ve received hundreds of nominations and hope to hear more amazing stories this year. This country is filled with courageous, generous, hardworking people who lead rare lives every day. We want to hear their stories. Eagle Rare Bourbon embodies life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This award will honor those who do the same. We want to hear their stories and award them.”

About Eagle Rare Bourbon

Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey is part of the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery, a family-owned company based in Frankfort, (Franklin County), Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Eagle Rare Bourbon is a ten-year-old single barrel bourbon that has won multiple awards, including five double gold medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. To learn more about Eagle Rare visit www.eaglerarelife.com.

NEW CANADIAN WHISKY BOOK – CHAPTERS-INDIGO PICK FOR FATHER’S DAY

Father’s Day shopping for the man who has everything is a whole lot easier this year thanks to Chapters and Indigo bookstores. Canada’s nationwide bookseller recommends Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert for Dad this year.

Forget the joke socks and blaring neckties. The most difficult member of the family to shop for will spend hours pouring over this new book about North America’s most popular whisky.

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is displayed on Father’s Day tables in Indigo and Chapters bookstores and is featured on-line in Indigo’s Father’s Day brochure.

Thank you Chapters/Indigo for thinking about Dad.

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is available on line from Indigo here 

June 2012 Outturn Offerings 

Boiled sweets and grapefruit peel 

Cask No. 17.32                     

Highlands, Orkney 

Bubble-gum and vanilla sponge, with boiled sweets (pear drops and lemon sherbets); apple & elderflower cordial, white wine jelly; after a while a light soapiness. Fresh and clean overall. The taste is sweet, sharp and hot – grapefruit and lemon peel; powdery, with a pinch of salt. The scent of grapefruit skins increase at reduced strength, and the other aromas remain intact – vanilla, lemon sherbets, pear drops, washing powder. The taste is now sweeter and more salty, with light acidity and an aftertaste of lemon bon-bons. A fresh young aperitif from Orkney’s second distillery. 

Drinking tip: A springtime aperitif 

Colour: Pale gold                                              

Cask: Refill barrel                                            

Age: 9 years                                         

Date distilled: January 2002

Alcohol: 56.2% 

$90 

Powerful, elegant and atmospheric 

Cask No. 33.112                   

Islay, SouthShore 

Youthful, powerful – yes – but also elegant and atmospheric – the nose seemed quintessentially Islay – peat fire smoke and bog myrtle – as well as chocolate, beeswax, salty earthiness, tar and carbolic. The unreduced palate had a tongue-shriveling attack, yet with amazing toffee sweetness; birch tar and waxy textures. Water altered the nose to combine seafood saltiness, herbal, pine resin and citrus elements and something savoury (someone suggested lobster and chorizo). The reduced palate evoked lobster or crab from the grill, some leather, plenty of sweetness and a juicy, youthful energy – we thought it stunning. From the distillery that Glenmorangie re-awakened in 1997. 

Drinking tip: With oysters and lemon wedges in the Harbour Inn; fishing boats bobbing outside… 

Colour: Sunlight on Islay                                 

Cask: Second-fill Sherry butt                            

Age: 5 years                                         

Date distilled: December 2005

Alcohol: 60.8% 

$85

Eve’s pudding in a glass 

Cask No. 50.46                     

Lowlands, Borders 

The room was instantly filled with sweet fruity scents – bruised apples, pineapple, set honey; mellow, rich and opulent: Eve’s Pudding (apple topped with soft sponge), or even tarte tatin. The taste at full strength was not so rich: sharp, after a sweet start – one panellist was reminded of ‘strawberry flavoured cornflour’. Water raised soft pastry, tinned pineapple and baked apple, with some dry straw and boiled sweets (travel sweets dusted with icing sugar), and the taste is now much improved: soft and smooth, with light sweetness, a spicy finish and an overall taste of fresh mandarins. A-typical of the make from our southern-most distillery. 

Drinking tip: Chilled, with Eve’s pudding 

Colour: Full gold                                              

Cask: Refill hogshead                                       

Age: 21 years                                        

Date distilled: May 1990

Alcohol: 54.6% 

$145 

Fascinating and inspiring 

Cask No. G7.2                      

Grain 

We found the nose both fascinating and inspiring – lightly varnished wood, then honey, toffee popcorn and marzipan sweetness; fruit cake (raisins and cherries) and Italian sponge (lemon and vanilla). Typical of grain whiskies, the taste lagged slightly behind – but definitely pleasant – peach and apricot, lemonade, manuka honey, toffee, vanilla, scorched wood, almonds and a lemon peel finish. The reduced nose was light and bright – like sunshine on barley; pineapple, pear, marshmallow, meringue, crème brûlée and sugared rose petals! The palate benefited from water – scented wood, incense, Demerara and a little frisson of nutmeg. The distillery is near the Ayrshire coast. 

Drinking tip: Add a touch of water and take time to enjoy the fabulous nose 

Colour: Brassy gold                                           

Cask: Refill hogshead                                       

Age: 27 years                                        

Date distilled: May 1984

Alcohol: 60.3% 

$175

Please visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America at www.smwsa.com

The Dalmore Introduces New Packaging

The Dalmore is introducing new packaging across its core range designed to reinforce its luxury credentials and give the bottle and packaging greater prominence “on shelf”.

Each and every bottle of The Dalmore will now feature a solid silver stag, which proudly represents the distillery’s iconic heritage and links with the notable Mackenzie clan, who were awarded the use of the 12-point royal stag emblem upon saving the life of King Alexander III in 1263.

Clean and contemporary lines, labels and communication feature heavily in the new range which increases clarity and brand stand out, meaning consumers can easily identify with the brand, the expression and its maturation statement.

The cartons will have a textured dimension to add a sensory experience to purchase and the King Alexander III expression will be in a front reveal style carton which can be opened up to display the bottle on shelf. The colour palate used across the new designs are deep heritage inspired colours chosen to reflect the rich history of the brand and also the colours in the famous painting ‘Fury of a Stag*’ which depicts the event in which the Mackenzie clan saved the King.

The new pack design will be applied across the core Dalmore range – 12, 15, 18, Cigar Malt Reserve and King Alexander III – and will demonstrate a clear progression of a luxurious look and feel between the core range and the prestigious rare Dalmore range, which includes gems such as Trinitas, Aurora and Candela.

Packaging will be rolled out across markets from May 2012.

* The ‘Fury of a Stag’ painting by Benjamin West which depicts Colin Mackenzie (Fitzgerald) saving the King’s life can be viewed in the National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh.

Chris Watt, The Dalmore Head of Brand:

“Our distillery has been producing exceptional single malts since 1839 and we have some of the rarest aged whisky stocks in the world. Our malts exude quality, craftsmanship and liquid excellence and we feel that the new packaging introduction brings our image proudly in line with that.”

About The Dalmore

The Dalmore is home to some of the rarest and most exclusive whiskies in the world, including The Dalmore Trinitas which was the first whisky to break the £100,000 barrier. Situated on the banks of the Cromartie Firth, Scotland, the distillery has been producing exceptional single malts since 1839.

The legend that surrounds The Dalmore harks back to 1263 when a member of the Mackenzie clan saved King Alexander III from being gored by a charging stag. The grateful King granted the Mackenzie clan the right to bear the 12-point royal stag in their coat of arms. The Mackenzie clan was long owned by The Mackenzie family which is why every bottle of The Dalmore is adorned with the proud stag emblem, reinforcing its royal pedigree.

www.thedalmore.com 

PARK AVENUE LIQUOR SHOP HELPS YOU PICK

THE BEST SINGLE MALT WHISKY FOR DAD ON FATHER’S DAY

New York, NY (June , 2012) – June is just around the corner and you may be asking yourself – what in the world am I going to get dad? Another tie? Swim Trunks? Fancy razor? No, no not this year!  This year give him something that will make you both happy (because you hope he’ll share) – Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The experts from iconic spirits and wine retailer Park Avenue Liquor Shop have put together a little checklist to help you navigate the special world of single malt scotches and get dad what he really wants for Father’s Day (June 17).  Park Avenue Liquor Shop boasts one of the largest collections of single malt whiskies at retail in the country and they are happy to make delivery arrangements for dad.  All you have to do is decide on the bottle(s) and either visit the store or place your order online or via phone (212.685.2442; http://www.parkaveliquor.com/).

There are a number of questions you have to consider before zeroing in on that special bottle for Dad.  From Jonathan Goldstein, Park Avenue Liquor Shop proprietor, single malt expert and a Keeper of the Quaich, here is your checklist:

1.    Does he even like Scotch? Have you seen him drink it before? You would be surprised how many people come in and ask for a Single Malt because their Dad drinks Wild Turkey. Well this is nice but Wild Turkey is Bourbon and this is a different animal entirely (no pun intended).

2.    Do you know what brands he drinks? This will help your ‘expert’ determine what area(s) of Scotland to select from. An Islay whisky like Bowmore is very different from a Speyside whisky like Balvenie. The names of even a few of the labels will help greatly. It might even help to know what he doesn’t like.

3.    Budget. How much are you willing to spend and how many bottles do you want for your money. Do you want one super bottle? Do you want a variety of bottles to start a collection? Again, something to think about in advance. Your ‘expert’ should be able to find excellent choices in all price ranges. In addition, he or she should be able to offer something new. Distilleries are always trying to keep things exciting with new offerings. Highland Park just released THOR – part 1 of a 4 part Valhalla series. Glenmorangie has a line-up of malts in all price ranges.

4.    Is Dad a serious collector of Single Malt Whisky? Many distilleries create investment worthy bottles. These can get quite expensive. A recent bottling of Dalmore Sherry Finesse retails for $785. A great alternative for collectors are “exclusive” bottlings.  Here at Park Avenue Liquor Shop we have more that a dozen exclusives, like casks of whisky that we have purchased for the shop. These bottles cannot be purchased anywhere else. For example, we have a Glen Garioch 13 year old for $100 a bottle, a 35 year old Single grain bottled by Clan Denny from Cambus distillery at cask strength for $190 a bottle, and a 42 year old Strathisla bottled by Gordon and MacPhail for $400 a bottle.

All of the above questions are meant to help you and your ‘expert’ determine the best choice for dear old Dad. Do your homework now and feel confident that the bottle Dad receives is the one he really wants.

For the ultimate hard-copy guide to single malts, ask Park Avenue Liquor Shop to send you THE LIST – their all-encompassing brochure of more than 300 single malt Scotches available at retail.  THE LIST is a jaw-dropping selection of Scotch, arranged by region (Speyside, Eastern Highlands,NorthernHighlands, Southern Highlands,WesternHighlands, Lowland, Campbeltown, Islay, Orkney, Arran, Jura, Mull and Skye) that includes exact age statements, proofs and prices.  For single malt aficionados, this list is worthy of a long meditative moment, most likely while sipping a Scotch and perhaps having a double corona size cigar.  

ABOUT PARK AVENUE LIQUOR SHOP (http://www.parkaveliquor.com)

Considered by many to be one of the most respected spirits and wine retailer in the United States, Park Avenue Liquor Shop opened its doors in 1934 on Park Avenue in New York City, not long after Prohibition was repealed in December 1933.  In 1955, Herman J. Goldstein took over as owner and it has been with the Goldstein family ever since.  In 1975, the family relocated the store to its current address at 292 Madison Avenue and today, the second and third generations of Goldsteins are at the helm – father Michael is president and sons Jonathan (whisky expert and member of The Keeper of the Quaich) and Eric run the operations, along with manager/part owner Scott Abramson who has been with the company since 1988.  Park Avenue Liquor Shop was named 2010 Retailer of the Year by Whisky Magazine because of its knowledgeable staff and extensive selection of single malt whiskies (close to 400 bottlings currently in stock; more than any other retailer in the U.S.).  Park Avenue Liquor Shop is also one of the world’s premier wine shops, carrying a vast and enviable inventory of Bordeaux and Burgundies, many of which are very rare and hard to find. 

 Park Avenue Liquor Shop                  EM: info@parkaveliquor.com           WEB: http://www.parkaveliquor.com/       

292 Madison Avenue                          FACEBOOK: http://bit.ly/b9ClrN     TWITTER: @ParkAveLiquor

New York, NY 10017                          PHONE: 212.685.2442 

Store Hours: Monday thru Friday 8am – 7pm; Saturday Closed in the summer; Sunday Closed