The world’s peatiest whisky is now voted the world’s best.

Whisky guru Jim Murray, having tasted over 4500 whiskies from around the world, awarded the 2011 victor ludorum to Octomore “Orpheus” in his definitive whisky guide, the Whisky Bible, published last week.

Octomore, winner of the title “Single Malt of the Year”, is distilled at Islay’s Bruichladdich distillery, and is 3 times more peaty than any other mainstream whisky.

Winning 96.5%, Octomore “Orpheus” outperformed other category winners up to 10 times its age.  Being only 5 years old, it also won the title of best whisky under 10 years.

“This is no monstrous brute,” said Jim McEwan, head of distilling at Islay’s Bruichladdich Distillery, “it’s an iron fist in the velvet glove. That’s what you get when you combine massively smokey barley with the purest spirit around. It’s like nothing else on earth.”

“It also shows what great quality barley, slow, artisanal distilling, and premium quality wood can achieve; it makes a mockery of that assumption that old must equal better.”

Unusually, the award-winning whisky was matured in both  standard American and premium French oak – the latter from the prestigious bordeaux winery of Chateau Petrus.
15,000 bottles were made of Octomore “Orpheus” from barley malted to  140 ppm and bottled at 61% ABV.

The latest release, Octomore 3, is even peatier at an unprecedented 152 ppm and  is available exclusively from whisky specialists.

Monkey Shoulder Launches The Ultimate Mobster Adventure

Enter the swinging world of the urban jungle in Monkey Shoulder’s brand new interactive treasure hunt

Monkey Shoulder is today launching a brand new interactive adventure.  The Legend of the Blind Monkey, plunges you head first into an intense underworld of feuds, powerplays and mobster wheeling and dealing as the Boss Monkey searches for his successor to rule Golden City.

Three monkey mobster families will fight to rule Golden City through a series of engrossing on and offline challenges. Monkey Shoulder is challenging wannabe gansters to pledge allegience to one family to start their leadership campaign.  The adventure culminates on December 4th at the Mobsters Ball and a chance to win the top secret Golden Treasure.

Players must choose wisely to make sure their personalities match up to the demands of the three mobster families. Sign up to either the Utan Clan (strong as rock, subtle as brick), Zees (frisky, risky and likes whisky) or Society of Shadows (nimble, quick and handy with a candlestick) on facebook for the adventure to begin.

To complete the quest, players will have to scour websites, impress the boss of their Family, sleuth clues, solve puzzles, and swap codewords with other budding mobsters.

As online meets offline, players will discover some of the game’s characters positioned in key bars across the country armed with cunning clues to the treasure hunt. Family members will be alerted to their whereabouts on Google Maps, giving them the chance to be first on the case and get that all important clue.

The prize for those willing to take on the challenge is a ticket to the exclusive Mobsters Ball at a hidden London location. Those lucky enough to be at the ultimate monkey speakeasy can participate in a final challenge to win the priceless Golden Treasure of the Blind Monkey.

To begin your adventure, visit: www.blindmonkey.co.uk

“Gimme a whisky….and don’t be stingy, baby.”

Greta Garbo’s first spoken line on film harkens back to an era where women commonly drank Scotch, where there was beauty in enjoying a cocktail – and where there was no such thing as a ‘manly’ drink.

It’s an era Heather Greene is hoping to see once again – beginning with holiday tables.

Heather

 As one of the world’s only female Scotch whisky experts, Greene is on a mission to demystify the spirit that traces its roots to the 1400s – particularly among women, who drank Scotch regularly in the 40s and 50s, but in more recent times have gravitated to wines and softer liquors.

 “The notion that Scotch is a ‘manly’ drink is finally beginning to fade,” says Greene, a brand ambassador for Glenfiddich as well as a professional recording artist. “Not only have popular shows like Mad Men helped to glamorize classic cocktails and make whiskies less intimidating, the rules for ‘proper’ ways to enjoy Scotch are starting to relax and people are experimenting more.”

 As an example, Greene says Scotch can be enjoyed not just as a pre-dinner cocktail, but throughout a meal.  In fact, she says with notes of spice, honey and apple, Scotch is an ideal spirit to pair with upcoming holiday feasts.  Here are a few of her top pairing tips:

For a pre-dinner cocktail, Greene recommends a Rob Roy or an Old Fashioned

“The beauty of a Rob Roy, Old Fashioned or even a Maple Old Fashioned is that they aren’t too sweet, are wonderfully balanced, and, because they contain a small amount of aromatic bitters – which stimulate our appetites by making our mouths water – our palettes are actually encouraged and prepared for a feast before us. Many people don’t realize that fruit juices and creams, when added to cocktails, can have the reverse effect.”

During dinner, she says there is nothing more delicious than a Single Malt with ice. 

“Purists generally are opposed to adding water to Scotch, but doing so can make it very enjoyable with food,” she adds. “The ice cools down the Scotch, and the alcohol ‘ping’ that many drinkers experience is mellowed, bringing out notes of vanilla and oak, which make perfect pairings for winter dinners.”

 And for post-dinner festivities, an aged whisky “neat” is a gorgeous compliment to fruit pies, chocolates and other desserts.

 “The notes of Scotch pair so well with desserts that many chocolatiers have experimented with Scotch-infused treats. For the do-it-yourself version, a small piece of dark chocolate with an aged whisky featuring notes of raisin, dark chocolate, caramel and maple is the perfect “lite” ending to a dinner.”

Heather Greene would be delighted to discuss the trend of women increasingly embracing whisky as well as stir up some perfect holiday Scotch pairings using beautiful glasses from her personal vintage collection.

About Heather Greene:

One of the world’s only female Scotch whisky experts, Heather Greene – who is also an acclaimed performing artist – joined William Grant and Sons in 2007 as a Whisky Ambassador and Scotch specialist for Glenfiddich, the world’s top-selling single malt Scotch.  Having moved to Scotland two years earlier after the release of her debut album, Greene discovered a passion for what has since become her “day job.” She joined the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Edinburgh, becoming the first American woman to be invited to serve on the Society’s prestigious tasting panel, prior to being recruited by Glenfiddich and returning to New York City, where she often performs and records in addition to hosting tastings.  Her next album – Argon40’s “Fair Lawn” Featuring Heather Greene – is due out in January when she will travel nationwide to host a series of shows accompanied by her classic cocktails and vintage Glenfiddich.

blood and sand

Smokehead Joins The Search For The UK’s Greatest Unsigned Rock Band With The Marshall Ultimate Band Contest
 
Edinburgh: Smokehead Whisky, in association with Marshall and Lick Library, is sponsoring the greatest unsigned rock band battle of all time, with the most coveted prize in the music industry: The Marshall Ultimate Band Contest (UBC).

Launched on 1 October in partnership with rock ‘n’ roll’s spirit of choice, Smokehead Whisky, the Marshall UBC is calling all rock gods in-the-making to get online and submit their music video. Not only will the winning band receive an amazing set of prizes, their music will be heard by top music industry insiders and influencers, receiving the honour of a Marshall endorsement for one year.

A full endorsement for guitar and bass players from Marshall Amplification is sought after by all the top artists around the world. Bestowed on the likes of Slash and Jimi Hendrix, in the past the only way to get the endorsement was to already be signed and making waves within the music industry.

Not only will the winning band have full Marshall artist support and loan of gear for a year, they will also win a fantastic bands’ worth of Marshall amps including a bass stack and guitar stack. The prize also includes Smokehead Whisky, the powerful Islay Single Malt which has become the drink of choice at rock events including the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards and High Voltage Festival; a four-track demo re-master courtesy of Metropolis Studios; Licklibrary DVDs and Classic Rock magazine will put a track from the winning band on a classic rock covermount CD.

Entry is simple and free. Bands need to register with the website, uploading their own YouTube video of original music to www.marshallubc.com. The top 20 groups with the most votes will then go through to the second round, where five bands will be selected to compete in the final before Christmas at Marshall HQ in Milton Keynes, performing live in front of an audience and respected industry judges.

Paul Marshall, Artist and Customer Liaison Manager of Marshall Amplification said: “The aim of the Marshall UBC is simply to find the best unsigned band out there and give them a shot.  We have brought together some huge music-obsessed sponsors in Smokehead, Classic Rock Magazine, Lick Library and Metropolis, all passionate and committed to supporting and promoting some of the best raw talent that the UK has to offer. Entries have just opened and already the standard is immense.”

Iain Weir, Marketing Director of Ian Macleod Distillers, brand owners of Smokehead Whisky said: As a powerful, peaty Islay Single Malt, Smokehead is irreverent, powerful and not for the faint-hearted – the perfect mix to become a true rock brand.  We are honoured to be involved and working with the iconic Marshall Amplification on this exciting project. Through the Ultimate Band Contest, our work with Classic Rock Magazine and High Voltage Festival, we are cementing Smokehead’s reputation and its synergy with the rock world.”

For more details, rules of entry and to enter see www.marshallubc.com & www.facebook.com/marshalUBC  Closing date for entries to Marshall UBC is 15/11/10

Described as being like a cannonball, Smokehead is an explosive combination of peat, smoke and spice with some delicate sweetness. The single malt flavour is described as fresh, fruity and immense, with notes of sherry, iodine, toffee, smoke and sea salt. The taste hits the palate at once with cocoa, peat and some honey sweetness, before exploding with peppery spice and more earthy peat.

In his new book 101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die, Ian Buxton says of Smokehead 18 Years Old: “I saw Extra Black compared to the amplifier that goes all the way up to 11 in Spinal Tap. This is just as rock and roll as that.”

Smokehead is widely available throughout the UK and worldwide, RRP £31.99. Details of stockists, including Sainsbury’s can be found on the website www.smokehead.co.uk

Curious to discover more, visit www.smokehead.co.uk

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky encourages responsible drinking www.drinkaware.co.uk www.scotch-whisky.org.uk

Notes:

The Prizes
Marshall Artist Endorsement for 1 Year – Marshall artist support with loan for any gigs* for a year after the date of the final.
– Marshall JVM 210H
– Marshall 1960A
– Marshall MB 410H
– Marshall MBC 810
*Subject to certain terms and conditions, and the band will be responsible for any carriage.
Smokehead whisky
LickLibrary DVDs’
Metropolis studio – master a bands demo (up to 4 tracks) via their ‘unsigned mastering’ service
Classic Rock – Will put a track from the winning band on a classic rock covermount CD

Tasting notes:
Nose: Heavy smoke and peat.   Amazing richness.   Lemon, fresh ginger, plum jam.   Salty and spicy.  
Body: Like a cannonball – hits the palate at once with cocoa, peat and some honey sweetness then explodes with peppery spice and more earthy peat.   Spreads to all the areas of your mouth with more peat and light sweetness.
Finish: Even more peat, spice, mandarin – then dries up.   When you think it’s all over the peat comes back to hit you again.
Impression A rollercoaster of peat and spice with some delicate sweetness.

Canadianwhisky.org Reaches Another Milestone

Just over 3 months since its launch, the five top reviews on canadianwhisky.org have each attracted over 1,200 readers.  Which Canadian whiskies are people most interested in reading about?

WhistlePig 100% Straight Rye

Dave Pickerell is a true icon of the American whisky industry so when he declares Canada as the source of the world’s very best rye whisky, that’s news to be shouted from the rooftops.
http://www.canadianwhisky.org/news-views/whistlepig-10-year-old-straight-100-rye-whiskey.html

Wiser’s Legacy

John Philip Wiser, distiller. Born October 4, 1825, Trenton, New York; died April 30, 1911, Prescott, Ontario. Legacy: Wiser’s family of great Canadian whiskeys and now a brand new one.
http://www.canadianwhisky.org/news-views/introducing-the-new-wiser’s-legacy-canadian-rye-whisky-45-alc-vol.html

Alberta Premium 25year old

Sweet vanilla pods and fresh-cut lumber. A complex mosaic of flavours from cedar to tropical fruit set on a creamy base with hot pepper and a delicate underlying citric zest.
http://www.canadianwhisky.org/reviews/alberta-premium-aged-25-years-40-alc-vol.html

Crown Royal Extra Rare

A rich, weighty, hugely complex and skillfully structured whisky displaying ripe red fruit, fresh-cut oak, hot spices, dry grain, and violets.
http://www.canadianwhisky.org/reviews/crown-royal-xr-extra-rare-40-alc-vol.html

Gibson’s Finest Rare 18 year old

Sweet, spicy oak and pine sawdust, rich in toffee, vanilla, and hot spicy pepper. Biscuits, with typical rye dustiness, spice, fruit, and just a drop of pickle juice.
http://www.canadianwhisky.org/reviews/gibson’s-finest-rare-18-years-old-40-alc-vol.html
The site currently features a Canadian whisky that’s selling well in the U.S. but won’t be available north of the 49th parallel until spring 2011.

Royal Canadian Small Batch

A very sweet fruit smoothie with earthy rye, hints of fresh oak, hot pepper, baking spices, pickle juice, spirit, and refreshing bitter notes.
http://www.canadianwhisky.org/reviews/royal-canadian-small-batch-40-alcvol-80-proof-2.html

New reviews appear regularly on www.canadianwhisky.org.

Borderless Luxury – Transforming the Online Whisky Trade

Today, Wednesday 3rd November 2010, Elitemarket.com officially launches the Fine Malt Whisky Cellar, the first ever virtual platform to offer a fully immersive environment in which users can access some of the finest malt whisky brands on the market.

Supporting this new venture Uché Okonkwo, Executive Director & Founder, Luxe Corp, Author of Luxury Online says: “Elitemarket presents a platform that focuses on an immersive virtual luxury experience, which complements the spirit of luxury. I am pleased that the luxury industry finally has an online destination that befits luxury brands.”

Andrew McErlain, founder and CEO of Elitemarket.com said: “This is a momentous step for the online luxury goods market as well as an important development for the British web industry.

The Fine Malt Whisky Cellar showcases some of the finest brands available on the luxury market. For the first time whisky connoisseurs from around the world can visit dedicated virtual stores, bespoke for each brand, offering an unparalleled choice of fine malt whisky. Furthermore, visitors are presented with tasting notes along with essential information on the product.

Consolidated on one website, the consumer will be able to view, research and purchase multiple brands effortlessly from the comfort of their own homes”.

The Cellar is initially launching with four brands (The Dalmore, Fettercairn, Balblair and Old Pulteney) but will be adding further varieties, including Isle of Jura and Ben Nevis in the next few months.

The excitement is not just about the brands which are represented but also the depth of the range available across each of the brands – for example on Dalmore and Fettercairn this will be the most complete collection of their fine malts available anywhere on the web. Similarly, for Balblair and Old Pulteney, there is a tremendous range available within the virtual stores and visitors to the site will be able to buy the newly released Balblair 1978 vintage which has limited availability elsewhere.

The exclusive launch event will include a tasting of the afore-mentioned brands and presentations by David Robertson, Rare Whisky Director at The Dalmore and Andy Hannah, Brand Manager of Balblair.

David Robertson, Rare Whisky Director at The Dalmore said: ‘We are delighted to be involved in such a ground breaking and stylish partnership. The Dalmore continues to attract discerning consumers globally following our radical make over ~ confirmed very recently when a single bottle of our 64 year old Trinitas was acquired for a world record £100,000!  Proof, if yet more proof was needed, of our whiskies sublime quality and revered status. Visibility in Elite Market with its high end graphics and intimate shopping experience is a match made for The Dalmore.  Delivering a memorable shopping experience is fundamental to our success and allows discerning connoisseurs, epicureans, collectors and investors the chance to truly assess before they acquire.’

Andy Hannah, Brand Manager at Balblair said: “We are delighted to be working with elitemarket.com on this exciting project. As a premium brand with a global reach and a reputation for innovation, it fits well with the brand strategy. Balblair is the only malt that releases Vintages exclusively, so it makes sense for us to have a presence in a virtual luxury world”.

Margaret Mary Clarke, Senior Brand Manager for Old Pulteney commented: “This exciting new partnership provides the perfect platform to reach new international markets within the luxury goods sector. Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky is firmly established as a quality choice for malt whisky enthusiasts worldwide and we are delighted to partner with elitemarket.com to showcase our award-winning expressions to an online global audience.”

Elitemarket.com, brings together the very best luxury products in a visually stunning environment, and can be viewed at www.elitemarket.com

The launch of the Fine Malt Whisky Cellar will be followed by the Luxury Ski Retail area (launch date 25th November), the Marina (with a special focus on Super Yachts), Jewellery and Watches, Fashion and Leather Goods and, of course, wider expansion of the Wines & Spirit Cellars.

Notes:

Elitemarket.com

Elitemarket.com is an innovative website, presenting a selection of the world’s luxury elite brands in a visually exciting high end graphical environment, where visitors can access multiple brands in one location. This unique virtual platform really does justice to the luxury goods and services exhibited.

The web has long been dominated by sites that are based purely on text and images; Elitemarket has been revolutionary in creating a virtual and interactive shopping environment that challenges traditional online marketing and sales.

Visit the Elitemarket website at http://www.elitemarket.com/

The Dalmore

The Dalmore whisky is crafted in small batches using an artisan philosophy that has been passed down through generations. The Dalmore converts crystal-clear water from the nearby river Alness in the Highlands into liquid gold. The small band of stillmen that run the distillery all originate from a handful of local families with years of experience, along with true craft and pride in their work. This ensures The Dalmore whisky’s unique character. The Dalmore is renowned for its loyal admirers and unique, full taste that reflects its deep history and origins.

Visit The Dalmore website at http://www.thedalmore.com/

Balblair

Balblair whiskies are uniquely Vintage, named for the year they were made, not with an age statement.

Every year, Distillery Manager John MacDonald tastes, judges and selects straight from the cask. And at exactly the right moment, when the balance between the age and the character of the whisky is just right, we bottle it. He selects the finest examples of Balblair from the maturing whiskies which he believes best exemplify Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky: rich spices; fruits and a pleasant leathery note. Of the thousands of barrels sampled each year only a limited number of casks which have reached perfection are chosen for release.

Each Vintage represents an exact moment in time. A moment of perfection. It’s the ability to judge that precise point in time that makes Balblair so special.

Visit Balblair at http://www.balblair.com/

Old Pulteney

The Pulteney Distillery is found in the heart of ‘Pulteneytown’, the town created to house fishermen during Wick’s ‘herring boom’. The most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland, the spirit crafted here is a distillation of this unique location.

Founded in 1826 by James Henderson at the height of Wick’s celebrated herring boom, the Pulteney Distillery is the most northerly on the British mainland.

Over time, the distillery has passed through the hands of various owners, and even closed during times of trouble for the industry in 1930. However, throughout this history what has endured is the quality of the whisky. Traditional craftsmanship and the distillery’s windswept location continue to contribute to the award-winning whisky that is Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch.

Visit Old Pultney at http://www.oldpulteney.com/

Award-Winning BUSHMILLS® Single Malt Irish Whiskies Get Stunning New Pack

Today BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey unveiled new premium packaging for its 10, 16 and 21 Year Old Single Malts which is guaranteed to drive awareness of the multi-award winning Irish Whiskies.

The new packaging was unveiled to global media at a special event at London’s famous Irish bar, Waxy O’Connor’s. Hosted by Helen Mulholland, Master Blender for BUSHMILLS, the exclusive gathering had the opportunity to be the first to taste from bottle number one of the new look BUSHMILLS 21 Year Old Single Malt.

The bold redesign looks set to bring the BUSHMILLS range of Single Malt Irish Whiskies to the attention of a wider audience, at a time when Irish Whiskey is outperforming all other International spirits categories¹.

The new packaging features striking imagery of the Old Bushmills Distillery, embossing of the 1608 original licence to distil date and a prominent display of the trademark BUSHMILLS Pot Still – features which are testament to the heritage, authenticity and quality of the entire range of BUSHMILLS Single Malt Irish Whiskies.

In March this year, the BUSHMILLS 10, 16 and 21 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskies all won gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while, in February, BUSHMILLS 21 Year Old Single Malt was also named the World’s Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards in London.

Helen Mulholland, Master Blender for BUSHMILLS, said: “We’re immensely proud of our Single Malts and it’s great to see their quality recognised around the world this year. The new packaging builds on that sense of pride and helps us tell a unique story about the 400 years of local Malt distilling expertise which has led BUSHMILLS to be voted the world’s best Single Malt Irish Whiskies*.”

BUSHMILLS Global Brand Director, Sam Reader, added: “Irish Whiskey is outperforming the market growing at 7% year on year, faster than any other International spirits category¹. This is a great opportunity for both BUSHMILLS and the trade to drive sales of Single Malt Irish Whiskies in a growing and competitive market.

“We know that today’s consumer wants to know, more than ever before, that what they’re buying has real heritage and roots. When they buy BUSHMILLS they know that they are buying a whiskey with a unique history and provenance. As we designed our new packaging we wanted to create something that would tell that story and emphasise the authenticity of BUSHMILLS Single Malts. I believe it’s something we can all be very proud of.”

Helen Mulholland added: “Our Single Malts have a great taste and there’s something for everyone in the range – even for those who have never thought about drinking a Single Malt before. They’re triple distilled for extra smoothness and unlike Scotch Malts they have no smokiness, allowing you to get straight to the unparalleled taste of Malt.

“We’re delighted that the new Single Malt packaging continues to match the undoubted quality of our whiskey.”

The new packaging is available now in global travel and key Bushmills markets.

The new BUSHMILLS Single Malt Irish Whiskey packaging:
• Features the Old Bushmills Distillery on the outer case to reflect the brand’s heritage and authenticity
• Highlights the taste created by the fine casks used in the maturation process at the Old Bushmills Distillery
• Features 1608, the date of the original licence to distil granted to the area now known as Bushmills, embossed on the front of the glass bottle, making it more tactile
• Includes the original BUSHMILLS trademark Pot Still device, an indication of the quality of the brand.

About BUSHMILLS:
BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey is made at Ireland’s oldest working distillery in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. The brand portfolio includes six multi-award winning whiskeys: BUSHMILLS Original, BLACK BUSH, BUSHMILLS 10 Year Old Single Malt, BUSHMILLS 16 Year Old Single Malt and BUSHMILLS Malt 21 Year Old Single Malt. BUSHMILLS is the only distillery in Ireland to make triple-distilled Malt Whiskey. This is at the heart of all BUSHMILLS Whiskies and creates a unique combination of smoothness and richness.

Far Flung Flavours show the Society’s pioneering side
 
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has always done things differently, from the dogged determination to uncover the most fascinating whiskies for its members to the curious and distinctive tasting notes that accompany each bottling. It’s adventurous, brave and, most of all, pioneering.
 
To reflect this pioneering spirit, the Society is making three outstanding single cask malts available for its members around the world to buy, each of which takes inspiration for its names and labels from particularly playful tasting notes. These rare and unusual bottlings are part of the Far Flung Flavours series, a celebration of the unique nature of the Society.
 
They’re still single malts and they’re still single casks but the Society feels that these are bottles that embody the enormous diversity of flavours that members can discover. So, this year the Society has created three wonderful bottles that are just a little more pioneering than all the rest; Clint Eastwood, Sweet Innocence Sacrificed on the Bonfire (Joan of Arc) and Hansel and Gretel.
 
Available for UK Society members to buy from November 5 this collection focuses on the pioneering characters hidden in the tasting notes. Clint, Joan and the witch-baiters – adventurous characters one and all, just like each whisky.
 
The bottles will only be sold as sets of three and stocks are limited. 209 full sets are available world-wide with only 30 of those destined for the UK. The trio of bottles will sell for £220. The three bottlings/casks come from distilleries in Islay (53.142 ‘Sweet innocence…’), Campbeltown (27.84 ‘Clint Eastwood’) and Speyside (76.77 ‘Hansel & Gretel’).
 
Paul Miles, Managing Director of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, said: “We don’t release many Far Flung Flavours but when we do we know they’ll cause much debate with our members. We’ve put a few cats amongst the pigeons with Far Flung Flavours before but the cats have grown sharper claws and the pigeons should be looking worried.  Far Flung Flavours will provide whisky lovers the chance to sample something new, exciting and truly unique.  We can’t wait to hear feedback from our thrill seeking members.”

TASTING NOTES
 
Springbank 1997 (cask no. 733)
27.84 Clint Eastwood in the saddle
The nose was meaty (lamb with lemon and herbs) and medicinal, with tar, treacle, tobacco pouches and ropes on a boat. We also got some chocolate, heather and vanilla. The palate was fantastic – big, sweet, salty, citric, spicy and smoky, “like chewing a lit cigarette”, with pleasant brown sugar after-tastes. The reduced nose evoked figs, green grape, machair, honey, lanolin, leather – we imagined a meerschaum-smoking fisherman’s woollen jumper, after one inadequate wash. The reduced palate had enough masculine weight (leather, tobacco, wool) to guarantee interest; “Clint Eastwood in the saddle” someone said. This 1828 distillery is still in private hands.
 
Colour – deep honey gold
Cask – refill barrel
 
Drinking tip
An ideal Father’s Day dram
 
Bottle note
The nose is meaty and medicinal, with tar, treacle, tobacco, hints of vanilla and chocolate. Figs, honey and leather appear later. The palate is big, spicy, smoky and sweet, (chocolate, brown sugar) with enough weight (leather, tobacco) to command respect
 
Caol Ila 1989 (cask no. 5427)
53.142 Sweet innocence sacrificed on bonfires
The complex nose suggested seashores, smoked fish, bacon, space hoppers, mouthwash, Elastoplasts, pine-resin, lemon, herbs, barley sugar and toffee. The palate drew particularly positive comments; “A class act!” and “Scotland in a glass – the bottom line!” The balance, between nutty toffee sweetness and smoke, tar, ash and soot, was impressive, with touches of mint and spice rounding it off. The reduced nose was salty, lemony, floral and waxy (one panellist imagined a girl wearing a PVC coat, smoking in a bar). The reduced palate – honey, vanilla and ashes – sweet innocence sacrificed on bonfires. The distillery was built by Hector Henderson.
 
Colour – august sunset on corn fields
Cask – refill hogshead
 
Drinking tip
A sipping whisky for special moments
 
Bottle note
The nose is definitely complex – seashores, bacon, Elastoplasts, lemon, pine-resin, toffee and barley sugar; salty, floral and waxy with water. The palate impressively balances nutty toffee, honey and vanilla against smoke, tar, ashes and soot; sweet innocence sacrificed on bonfires.
 
Mortlach 1994 (cask no. 4848)
76.77 Hansel and Gretel
The panel enthused about autumn scents on the nose: an oak forest with wet leaves and mushrooms; yet there was sweetness throughout – orange marmalade and candy, Oddfellows dipped in butterscotch, spiced Madeira cake and dark chocolate.  The neat palate was rich with sweet and spicy combinations; Terry’s chocolate orange and clove oil, Nepalese tea and cinnamon, gingerbread and Demerara.  The reduced nose was of dried fruit (raisin and sultana), and there was a toasted aroma, perhaps cinnamon toast, a chocolate pop tart and burnt caramel.  The reduced taste reminded the Malt-meister of Mon Cherie chocolates (dark cherries dipped in chocolate). Cherry blossom brought a floral and elegant finish to the taste. The distillery was the first to be licensed in Dufftown in 1823, and was completely rebuilt in 1963.
 
Colour – amber jewel
Cask – 1st fill sherry butt
 
Drinking tip
One to savour in the late autumn sun – on a romantic walk in the woods.
 
Bottle note
The nose has deep oak and orange (marmalade and fudge), with candy, butterscotch and chocolate; more sherry-like with water (raisin and sultana, cinnamon toast). The palate is sweet and spicy (cloves and tea, gingerbread and Demerara); later, cherry blossom and chocolate.
 
Notes:
 
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society began 26 years ago when a group of discerning friends shared the price of a single cask of fine malt whisky.
 
The Society has over 26,000 members around the world with branches in 14 countries. It bottles over 300 single casks a year for its members from a range of more than 125 distilleries.
 
Members can choose from the world’s widest selection of single cask, single malt whiskies with only the very best selected and approved by the Society’s respected Tasting Panel.
 
Exclusive Members’ Rooms are located in Edinburgh and London for tastings, dinners, meeting and presentations.  www.smws.com

Woodford Reserve Releases Limited Edition Maple Wood Finished Bourbon

Industry’s First Bourbon Finish Aged in Maple Wood Barrels Available November 1

November, 2010, Louisville, Ky. – Woodford Reserve announces the latest extension of its acclaimed Master’s Collection which will be released on November 1. Called ‘Maple Wood Finish,’ it is the fifth in the series of limited edition bottlings and continues Woodford Reserve’s tradition of crafting rare whiskeys that extend the category in bold new directions.

This whiskey is one of the most unique Master’s Collection’s to date as it is the industry’s first bourbon to be finish aged in barrels made from sugar maple wood. Barrels play a key role in producing bourbon, with approximately 70 percent of the spirit’s flavor and aroma and all of its color provided by the barrel. Woodford Reserve’s new offering features bourbon finish-aged in uniquely crafted barrels made of maple wood, something never before done in the industry.

“Sugar maple trees have a complex natural chemistry, rich in calcium, potassium and other minerals, but they are best known for their flavorful sap which contains as much as 3% sugar,” said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris. “Though it was thought that whiskey barrels could not be crafted from sugar maple wood, our Brown-Forman Cooperage has done just that. Of all the distillers in our industry, we are the only bourbon company that crafts its own barrels, giving us unique knowledge and control of the process. The Master’s Collection Maple Wood Finish uniquely finish-ages Woodford Reserve in a toasted, not charred, maple wood barrel, resulting in a whiskey enhanced with hints of maple, honey and cinnamon.”

Ever year, one of the five sources of flavor is changed for the Master’s Collection expressions. These five sources – grain, water, fermentation, distillation, and wood-aging – are unique to bourbon whiskey, and altering just one of them creates a totally new flavor profile.

“Bourbon must be matured in new, charred oak barrels, and in our quest to fully understand the contribution oak wood makes to bourbon, we have studied other Kentucky hardwoods as well,” said Wayne Rose, brand director for Woodford Reserve. “This has led to some exciting discoveries and innovative barrel finish concepts. One of these – Maple Wood Finish – is a first for the spirits industry and has resulted in an amazing, elegant whiskey.”

Maple Wood Finish is the fifth in the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection series following the Four Grain, Sonoma-Cutrer Finish, Sweet Mash and Seasoned Oak offerings. Released periodically at the master distiller’s discretion, the Master’s Collection whiskeys are extremely limited in quantity and bottled only once, in a proprietary package inspired by the copper pot stills of The Woodford Reserve Distillery.

The inspiration for the Master’s Collection is rooted in the rich history and tradition of what is today known as The Woodford Reserve Distillery. In the mid-1800s distillery owner Oscar Pepper and Master Distiller James Crow studied and recommended use of key processes like sour mashing and charred barrel maturation at the historic Woodford County distillery. These practices are still maintained in the bourbon industry, and today the distillery receives more than 100,000 visitors annually and is the only one in America to use bourbon triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills.”

Woodford Reserve Maple Wood Finish will be sold in 45 U.S. markets, and a limited quantity will be available in Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Germany, New Zealand and Australia. Each bottle is individually hand-numbered and presented at 94.4 proof. Available in major metro markets, only 1,676 cases are available with a suggested retail price of $89.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Tasting Notes for Woodford Reserve Maple Wood Finish

Color:            Golden brown.

Aroma:         Rich and sweet with hints of brown sugar glazed baked apricots, milk chocolate and fresh toasted oak.

Taste:            Warm with cinnamon spice, faint hints of maple syrup, berry fruit and a touch of nuttiness.

Finish:          Crisp with delicate maple syrup notes lingering on with a touch of warm fruit.

Woodford Reserve is a product of the Brown-Forman Corporation, a producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands such as Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Fetzer, Korbel, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, Tuaca, and Bonterra. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly. For more information on Woodford Reserve, visit www.woodfordreserve.com.

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.2% Alc. by Vol., The Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY ©2010.

STARS ON WHISKY TRAIL TO RAISE CASH FOR NEEDY CHILDREN AT BONHAMS EDINBURGH

50 BOTTLES FOR SPIRIT AID

Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on 17 November features 50 rather special bottles being sold on behalf of Spirit Aid, a charity which offers help and support to needy children in Britain and around the world.

The bottles have been collected by Scottish actor David Hayman, star of TV’s Trial and Retribution and three colleagues, Whisky Magazine Editor, Rob Allanson, comedian Vladimir McTavish and the writer Tom Morton.

They followed the trail of the Victorian eccentric Alfred Barnard who in 1875 set out on a three year journey to visit and write about each of the 162 distilleries in the United Kingdom.  Of the 106 distilleries still operating, David and his team have visited 50 ranging from Highland Park in Orkney to Bushmills in Northern Ireland, Penderyn in Wales and St George’s, England’s only distillery, in Norfolk.

The bottles are signed by the team and are estimated to raise over £2,500.  

Bonhams Whisky specialist, Martin Green, said, “This is a really imaginative idea and we’re very pleased to be supporting such a worthwhile cause.”

Spirit Aid was set up in 2001 by David Hayman who is also the charity’s operations director.  It is dedicated to relieving suffering to children caused by wars, genocide, poverty and abuse.

For further sale information please go to www.bonhams.com/whisky

Notes

Bonhams

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. 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 five throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Boston in the USA; Toronto, Canada; and France, Monaco, Hong Kong, Sydney and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com (February 2010).