SPRINGBANK SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

Greetings to all Society Members.

Summer is here, but as usual in Scotland we are still having four seasons in one day on a regular basis.

The tourists don’t seem to be put off by our weather as they still keep coming. The shop has been very busy with people wishing to tour the distillery and taste the whisky. Lea, our summer tour guide is getting plenty of practice, and is also out and about like a tourist herself, taking in the sights of Davaar Island, St Columba’s footprints at Southend, all the local beaches and, of course, the pub at night. She has fitted right in and seems to be enjoying her time so far in our wee community.

Customs & Excise

We are just about there with the customs problems. We have been advised that we have to ensure that the duty is paid on whisky in the country of final destination in the EU member states before we can dispatch orders. This means that we have to send out an invoice to our customer, who then has to go to their customs & excise and pay the duty then send the original receipt to me for dispatch with the order. We will of course deduct the UK duty so that these customers are not paying two lots of duty.

This will hold up orders a little and will entail some more admin work, but as long as you don’t mind waiting a little longer for your whisky, I certainly don’t mind the extra work. The invoices will be e mailed to you so that will speed up the process a little. At the present time we have a little “trial” going on with a few members to see how things work out. We really apprecialte your help in this and also appreciate the members’ patience with us at this time.

Society bottle

We still have a little of the Springbank 14y/o Society bottle – this is the only one available now, but if you ordered any of the others before our dispatch “crash” then they should still be on the reserve shelf for you and we will get them out as soon as we are back to full “distance selling” mode. Invoices to follow!!!

Open Day Bottles

The Springbank open day bottle, as you might know, sold out very quickly. However, we have a little of the Longrow open day bottle left, so if you are interested please let me know. The price is £45 plus p&p.

We also have some Glencairn Open Day glasses, £5 each or £25 for six plus p&p. We don’t have too many of these left, so if you fancy one or two or  even six, let me know and we’ll get them out to you.

Of course we still have some of the Society Glasses, again Glencairn, available only to Society members at the same price as the Open Day Glasses.

Upcoming events

Tiree Music Festival 24th & 25th July
World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow Green 14 August
Whisky Fringe 14th & 15th August
Campbeltown Music Festival 19th to 22nd August
Whisky Live Glasgow 11th September

New Releases

The new Kilkerran Work in Progress is now available from our shop, you can e mail me or buy online if you would like to sample this year’s release.

Hazelburn 12y/o will be available in August this year. As soon as possible I will let you know the cost and send you the tasting notes.

New Distillery Manager

Gavin has been working closely with Frank McHardy and seems to be taking to his new post like a duck to water. I am sure Frank will be a great support to Gavin while he settles in to his new role as DA BIG BOSS.

Whisky Bar of the Year

Dram Magazine have awared Whisky Bar of the Year 2010 to Ardshiel Hotel in Campbeltown. We are delighted for Flora (who is a Society Member) and her business partner Marion. They have both worked very hard to build up their business and their popular whisky bar. www.ardshiel.co.uk

Whisky School

As well as everything else he’s up to Frank is busy organising the Whisky School for this year and next year. The dates for this year are w/c 28th November and w/c 5th December.

Next year the school will run for six weeks from w/c 15th May 2011. If you are interested in joining the whisky school please e mail me at whiskyschool@springbankwhisky.com and I will send you the relevant information and registration form.

If this year’s school is anything to go by, you will have a great time, working with our friendly team and making new like minded friends.

Well, that’s about it for now. I am still on the case for the hip flasks, I am trying to get a sample made up so that I can send photographs of how it will look. The Society bottle will soon be in the USA and I will e mail the details to our American members so that they can order their bottles.

Right now the sun is shining over Campbeltown – which is unusual, the last few weeks have been very bleak. Here’s hoping for a nice sunny, warm week end.

Slainte

Janet

See all that you’re missing by not being a member of the Springbank Society? Contact Janet at society@springbankwhisky.com for information on how to join and the many benefits!

HIGHLAND PARK LAUNCHES THIRD BOTTLING FROM THE ORCADIAN VINTAGE SERIES

Highland Park, the creators of the Best Spirit in the World*, have launched the third bottling from the distillery’s Orcadian Vintage Series – a 1970 Vintage.

First launched in autumn 2009, The Orcadian Vintage Series draws on the distillery’s connections with Orkney’s rich cultural heritage and the islands’ intriguing myths and legends, which the distillery has come to be a part of since it was established in 1798.

Matthew Turner, Global Controller of Highland Park said: “Following the success of the 1968 and 1964 Vintages, up to ten exclusive limited editions will be released over the next four years. The 1970 Vintage demonstrates the skilful hand-selection process carried out by our Whisky Maker Max McFarlane, to find casks from a specific year that, based on their maturity and exceptional character, will deliver consistency and Highland Park’s inimitable balance.”

Specifically chosen by Max McFarlane, the whisky has been created from seven casks which were laid down with new make spirit in 1970. All were refill casks comprising both butts and hogsheads, producing a total of just 1,800 bottles at natural cask strength of 48% abv.

According to Max McFarlane: “The refill casks used to create this Vintage have allowed the quality and delicate fragrance of the original new make spirit to shine through without being dominated by the wood notes.

“The bottling bursts with aromas of caramelised pineapple and lemon peel as well as Highland Park’s trademark balance of aromatic peat and heather honey sweetness. At natural strength it has an intriguing mix of vanilla and coriander seeds but a drop of water brings hidden peat smoke and cedar wood to the top. This single malt has a satisfyingly long sweet and spicy flavour that hangs on the palate.”

The liquid is bottled in a unique jet back glass adorned with a specially crafted silver embossed Pictish knot which circles the necker and banding. The distinctive pewter ‘H’ amulette completes the design.

The 1970 Vintage is presented in a naturally coloured oak wooden box finished to high specification cabinet quality. The box illustration celebrates Orkney’s Scandinavian heritage, inspired specifically by a carving in the Ringerike style on an 11th century tomb. The illustration is a combat motif featuring a dragon-like creature which is shown seizing a lesser beast.

The Highland Park 1970 Vintage is available in the UK from specialist independent whisky retailers, RRP £2,250.

Notes:

Tasting notes

Colour

A wonderfully rich and deep burnished gold still showing its clarity and brightness after all these years.

Nose

First nosed straight, the 1970 Vintage gives the signature honey sweetness you would expect from Highland Park. Next is a burst of caramelised pineapple quickly followed by a citrus kick from lemon peel. When water is added the sweet oak notes come through followed by the scent of nasturtium petals and spicy woodsmoke.

Palate

At natural strength it has an intriguing mix of vanilla and coriander seeds but a drop of water brings hidden toasted peat smoke and cedar wood to the top.

Finish

A satisfyingly long sweet and spicy flavour hangs on the palate before the palate dries making a long finish into exceptional.

1970

FIFA World Cup began in Mexico, often thought of as the finest tournament of all. The final was a triumph for free-flowing attacking football as the Brazil of Pelé, Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Rivelino and Tostão won 4-1 against Italy. As this was the third occasion on which Brazil had won the World Cup they were allowed to keep the Jules Rimet trophy permanently.

It was also a politically important year, as the Conservative Party won the UK General Election. Ted Heath became Prime Minister and subsequently took Britain into the EEC. In the USA, Richard Nixon signed an act making television cigarette advertising illegal; the act came into force the following year. Anwar Sadat became President of Egypt.

The Nobel Prize for Literature went to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn “for the ethical force with which he has pursued the indispensable traditions of Russian literature.” Patton dominated the Academy Awards with ten nominations and seven wins, including Best Actor for George C Scott, Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Ali McGraw in Love Story won Best Actress.

Highland Park

Established in 1798, Highland Park is one of the oldest Scotch whisky distilleries. More important than age though, is the combination of traditional whisky-making techniques with obsessive attention to detail that has made Highland Park arguably the most respected single malt in the world.

Five keystones contribute to making the Best Spirit in the World:

·         Hand-turned malt adds to the deliciously succulent, balanced layers of aromatic character found in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.

·         Aromatic peat gives a delectably seductive, luxuriant floral sweetness to Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.

·         Cool maturation enhances the smooth character of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.

·         Sherry oak casks contribute to the distinctive richness and multi-dimensional complexity of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.

·         Cask harmonisation ensures consistency and balance in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.

Its range of 12, 15, 16, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts.  Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio.

Awards and accolades

2010                   Global Whisky Ambassador of the Year – Gerry Tosh, Icons of Whisky Awards, Whisky Magazine

2005 & 2009    Best Spirit in the World – Highland Park 18 year old, F. Paul Pacult, Spirit Journal

2009                   World’s Best New Release – Highland Park 40 year old, World Whisky Awards, Whisky Magazine

2009                   Single Malt of the Year – Highland Park 21 year old, World Whisky Awards, Whisky Magazine

2007                   Distiller of the Year, San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Malt Maniacs Awards Update
August 16, 2010

The annual Malt Maniacs Awards began in 2003, in reaction to the large number of “chocolate medals” being awarded to everyday whiskies in commercial competitions. Not that they were bad whiskies, but the Malt Maniacs knew there were a lot better ones out there that simply had not been entered into competition.

From the beginning the Awards have been a little bit different.  Johannes van den Heuval and Serge Valentin began with the germ of an idea.  A lot of these competitions were held just to make money, they thought.  “You pay me 500 dollars, and I’ll give you a double gold medal” seemed to be the modus operandus.  So right from the start the Malt Maniacs Awards were free to enter. To ensure they send only their best, distillers are limited to three entries, while independent bottlers may enter up to 5 bottles from various distilleries.

Entries are received at a central location in France, then split into samples which are dispatched to judges, literally, around the world.  No clues are given as to what is in the bottles and the judges are strictly forbidden to talk among themselves until their scores are in.

Once the twelve judges have submitted their scores, awards are decided and on December 1 they are announced to the world.  Past winners range from everyday affordable whiskies such as Glendronach 15yo, Benrinnes 13yo, and Clynelish 12yo (turns out some of them really ARE very good), to the more esoteric independent releases.  Entries are divided into three price ranges to ensure every pocketbook can find affordable whiskies among the winners.

With the industry already showing so much interest in Malt Maniacs Awards 2010, consumers can look forward to knowing what whiskies really are the best of the best, just in time for Christmas shopping.

And to the judges … Gentlemen, start your noses!

The Malt Maniacs have once again thrown down the whisky gauntlet. Preparations are well underway for the eighth annual Malt Maniacs Awards.  And though the deadline for receipt of bottles is September 27, already more than 40 companies from six countries have committed to enter more than 125 bottles.  With judges coming from four or five continents this is truly an international whisky competition.

Some Malt Maniacs at lunch

http://www.canadianwhisky.org/

Hey, Whisky World, CanadianWhisky.Org says THANK YOU!

August 11, 2010

CanadianWhisky.org went public on Tuesday July 20 to an overwhelming welcome from the whisky community.  The new website, focuses on Canadian Whisky, providing visitors with news reviews, opinions, and most important, an opportunity to contribute their own commentary.

The top post so far include:

Introducing WhistlePig 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

Introducing 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

Crown Royal Extra Rare Review

“A rich, weighty, hugely complex and skillfully structured whisky displaying ripe red fruit, fresh-cut oak, hot spices, dry grain, and violets. Rich & Oaky. ★★★★☆”

http://www.canadianwhisky.org/reviews/crown-royal-xr-extra-rare-40-alc-vol.html

Forty Creek Barrel Select Review

“Creamy, sweet corn whisky with dusty, earthy rye, ripe red fruits, sherry, sweet-and-sour sauce, floral perfume, ginger, cinnamon, hot pepper, and hints of citric peels. Fruity & Spicy. ★★★★”

http://www.canadianwhisky.org/reviews/forty-creek-barrel-select-40-alc-vol.html

Gibson’s Finest 18 year old Review

“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. Rich & Oaky. ★★★★☆”

http://www.canadianwhisky.org/reviews/gibson’s-finest-rare-18-years-old-40-alc-vol.html

A huge canadianwhisky.org thank you to Whisky Intelligence, (Hey! That’s us!) Whisky Fun, Whisky Cast, Rob Allanson, Whisky Magazine, Dr. Whisky, Quebec Whisky Club, Chuck Cowdery, John Hansell, Malt Advocate, Straight Bourbon, Sku’s Recent Eats, Ralfy, Bourbon Enthusiast, Whisky Whisky Whisky, Het Whisky, The Ardbeg Project, Whisky Emporium, Bourbon Enthusiast, Glasgow Whisky, and so many others for your kind support.

iMalts HD is Now Available for the iPad

Copenhagen, Denmark – August, 2010

iStolz today announced a new edition of its popular single malt app for the iPhone and iPod Touch available on the Apple App Store. This version of iMalts, called iMalts HD, is developed specifically for the iPad.

iMalts has since its launch in June last year been a favorite among single malt lovers because of its detailed information about Scotch single malt distilleries and more than 400 of their whiskies. Also the possibility of adding new single malts and keeping track of their tasting notes, collections and wish lists has played a big role.

“This new release brings iMalts to the iPad. Over the past year I have had a great dialog with the iMalts users who both are whisky novices and connoisseurs. What they want is great flexibility and a high level of detail. I have managed to fit this into iMalts on the iPhone but with the larger screen size of the iPad you get a much better overview of each whisky.” said Lasse Stolz, iMalts Developer. “It also gives the possibility to show larger sized photos of the whiskies so you can see the details of the labels”.

The core iMalts application enables the user to keep a detailed log of the bottles of single malts that he or she owns. Details like place and date of purchase, cost, current market value, the date the bottle was opened and how much is remaining are all possible to track. iMalts also has a unique and easy-to-use framework which makes it fun for both newcommers and connoisseurs to detail those tasting experiences.

Lasse Stolz said: “Because of the way you interact with the iPhone or the iPad or any mobile device for that matter I had to come up with a different way of tracking tasting notes. You really want to keep typing to a minimum so where others would use text fields only I also use sliders and pickers. If you for example want to specify the nose of a whisky you will just have to score eight basic smells from 0-5 using sliders. This approach also makes it a lot easier for whisky novices to start tracking their tasting notes because they have something to choose from.”

In iMalts you will find a detailed guide on how to determine the color, the nose, the body, the taste and the finish of a whisky. Furthermore iMalts comes with a whisky glossary of almost 300 terms and phrases so when other whisky enthusiasts talk about angel’s share you will know that it refers to the evaporation and loss of alcoholic vapor through the porous wooden casks.

Both iMalts HD for the iPad and iMalts for the iPhone and iPod Touch includes the following key features:

– Database with more than 400 single malt whiskies and almost 100 distilleries
– Add single malts and distilleries
– Keep track of single malt and distillery details
– Easy-to-use framework for tracking tasting notes
– Order single malts by distillery, region, classification, rating, tasting event, those you own, those you have emptied and those you want
– Glossary with almost 300 whisky terms and phrases

CHIVAS LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION GIFT TIN BY ALEX TROCHUT

Chivas Regal, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, has teamed up with award- winning graphic designer and illustrator Alex Trochut, to launch a limited edition gift tin for its 12 Year Old expression.

The gift tin, which will be available globally, was inspired by the Chivas Regal heraldry and label crest, and incorporates a contemporary, bold monogram based on the twists and movements of a steel ribbon.  The tin, which has a dramatic metallic finish, is simple, elegant, contemporary and masculine – the qualities that perfectly match those of the multi-award-winning Chivas Regal 12 Year Old.

Lisa Woodward, International Marketing Manager for Chivas Regal, comments: “Chivas Regal 12 Year Old embraces luxury and creativity in everything it does, so teaming up with Alex, who has a reputation for exuberant and unexpected designs, was a perfect fit.  The heraldic symbolism reflects the brand’s commitment to chivalry; exhorting its predominantly male aficionados around the world to Live with Chivalry by being more and not just aspiring to have more. Reflecting the brand’s chivalrous values such gallantry, brotherhood, honour and courage, the striking gift tin is a piece of graphic design that will grace any home bar.”

Trochut adds: “Chivalry to me is something you trust, something you respect, a good relationship like you would have with your brother…it’s a good rhythm of living.  With this project, it was important for me to capture this feeling in a modern image that could then be applied to a 3D object.  The ribbon swirling into the abstract heraldic shapes, along with the letters C and R knotting with each other form the perfect monogram.”

Trochut’s belief in the power of a strong aesthetic, and that “more is more” makes him the ideal partner for this exuberant Scotch whisky.  Chivas Regal is the original luxury Scotch, first launched in 1909, and like all iconic brands, carefully maintains a blend of heritage and contemporary relevance.

Chivas Regal has long embraced the design community and has previously partnered with high profile names such as Christian Lacroix, Alexander McQueen and Evan Douglis.

Notes:

Chivas Regal, the world’s leading Scotch whisky and the flagship brand within the Chivas Brothers portfolio, is available in over 200 countries. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity.

Alex Trochut:

Alex Trochut is a multi-award winning graphic designer, renowned for his technically exquisite type creations and designs. He is a graduate of Barcelona’s ELISAVA Escola Superior de Disseny and his education was enriched by an Erasmus placement in Berlin, where he also undertook internships with Moniteurs and Xplicit. His designs and typography challenge the very notion of minimalism with a work philosophy of “more is more”. Today based in Barcelona, he is on the very top rung of the illustration ladder.
 
Chivas Brothers:

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.

HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL EDITION OF “PARKER’S HERITAGE COLLECTION” AMERICAN WHISKEY SERIES

Cask strength, wheated 10-year-old Bourbon promises to be worthy next entrant in highly decorated whiskey series

BARDSTOWN, KY—Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the country’s largest independent family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer, announces the September release of the fourth edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection, a limited annual series of rare, aged American Whiskeys that pays tribute to 6th Generation Master Distiller Parker Beam.  The fourth release is a cask-strength, non-chill filtered wheated Bourbon, meaning it uses soft winter wheat instead of rye as the “small grain” to produce a less spicy, rounder Bourbon.

This year’s release of Parker’s Heritage Collection follows last year’s “Golden Anniversary” Bourbon edition, which captured the “American Whiskey of the Year” award from Malt Advocate Magazine, in addition to being named “World’s Best New Release” in Whisky Magazine’s annual 2010 World Whiskey Awards. The 2009 release, a 27-year-old Bourbon, was the first American Whiskey to ever win “Best of Show, Brown Spirits” at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The new release marks the first in the Parker’s Heritage Collection to depart from the traditional Heaven Hill rye-based Bourbon mashbill.  Instead of the more commonly used corn/malted barley/rye recipe, the newest edition uses corn, malted barley and Kentucky winter wheat.  This recipe was first used at Heaven Hill in the spring of 1999, after the company acquired the wheated Old Fitzgerald line of Bourbons.  This new bottling of Parker’s Heritage Collection will mark the first release of Heaven Hill made, extra-aged wheated Bourbon.  And it will delight whiskey connoisseurs because not only is it non-chill filtered, but it also is being released in two very small batch dumps at barrel proof.  And like the previous three editions, it is being released in very limited quantities—only 52 barrels, kept in high storage in open rick warehouses, were dumped for this edition, yielding approximately 4,800 bottles for the United States and limited international distribution.

And in what will be welcome news in still-unsettled economic times, the fourth release, at $79.99, is priced considerably lower than previous releases, which carried an average national retail price of $150 for last year’s “Golden Anniversary” bottling and$200 for the 27-year-old Bourbon released two years ago.  Whiskey aficionados will also appreciate that the natural esters and fatty acids, which are by-products of whiskey distillation and aging, are not stripped away from the Bourbon in a process known as chill filtering, but are left in the whiskey to provide a fuller taste profile and richer mouthfeel.

Packaged in the same upscale 750ml bottle as the previous three editions, the Parker’s Heritage Collection Wheated Bourbon is available in a three bottle case that should start hitting retail shelves during September, nationally recognized as the start of the Bourbon season.

“I am genuinely excited to introduce a nicely aged, cask-strength wheated Bourbon for this next version of my Parker’s Heritage Collection,” noted Heaven Hill’s Parker Beam.  “At this age and barrel-proof, is how a wheated Bourbon shows best…it has the caramel and smoke notes that only ten years in the top floors of our rickhouses can produce.  And it has the long, smooth finish that I always look for in a Bourbon, with that softness that wheat brings to the recipe. I am very pleased that we now have wheated Bourbon that I feel has aged long enough to wear my name on the label.”

Only Heaven Hill Distilleries, with the world’s second largest inventory of aging Bourbon and over 50% of the world’s supply of Bourbon barrels over 8 years old, could bring such rare and aged whiskeys to market.  Parker Beam, along with his son Craig, oversees one of the world’s most highly esteemed distilling operations, where renowned brands such as Elijah Craig, Old Fitzgerald, and Evan Williams, the world’s second largest selling Bourbon, are produced according to Parker and Craig’s seven-generation-old family recipe and yeast strain.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

Whisky and the Silver Screen

The movies and whisky go hand in hand; Richard Burton, Humphrey Bogart and Sam Peckinpah were all dedicated drinkers of Scotch. They were also all men’s men – hard boiled and charismatic rather than foppish thespians.

Whisky is an essential part of this alluring image and this goes some way to explain its appearance, more often than not, in the hands of many of the silver screen’s most legendary heroes and notorious villains.

This month we explore whisky’s role in cinema,  both on and off screen and we want to hear about your favourite whisky-related celluloid moments too.

Visit the Glenlivet Whisky & the Silver Screen at  http://tinyurl.com/369fg63

EDRINGTON MALT PORTFOLIO CELEBRATES IWSC SUCCESS

The Edrington Group, producers of The Macallan and Highland Park, are celebrating an impressive haul of four Gold Best in Class awards for its premium single malt brands, at this year’s International Wine and Spirit Competition.

Highland Park picked up three Gold Best in Class awards for its 18 year old, 25 year old and Earl Magnus 15 year old expressions whilst The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 year old brought the top honours at the world renowned competition to four.

Both brands achieved further recognition across their product ranges with three Gold awards for the travel retail exclusives Highland Park 1994 and 1990 Vintages plus The Macallan Fine Oak 15 year old. 

Ken Grier, Director of Malts at Edrington said: “Once again we have made a real mark at the IWSC with an impressive 15 gold and silver medals.  This demonstrates that our single malt whiskies continue to be world class and showcases the commitment of our people to strive for the very best within our premium authentic portfolio.  This is a highly competitive and rigorous competition and I’m delighted that we’ve maintained strong results and presence in 2010.”

A panel of judges from consumer and trade organisations sampled a large range of Scotch whisky products. The whiskies, like all of the spirits and wines in the event, were blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage and awarded points accordingly.

Judges credited the Highland Park 18 year old with a ‘rich, deep flavoured mouth where creamy caramel and toffee work well with the peat and sweet malt’, whilst their praise for the Highland Park 25 year was expressed as, ‘the nose has just about everything! Excellent structure, beautiful whisky. An absolute class act’.  The 15 year old Earl Magnus was described as ‘rich and full in the mouth with layers of flavour and hints of caramel, smoke and peat joining all the nose had to offer.’

The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 year old captured the judges’ imagination and palate, describing it as; ‘a very complex and satisfying dram, a complete joy.’

Full results:

Gold Best in Class

Highland Park 18 year old

Highland Park 25 year old

Highland Park Earl Magnus 15 year old

The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 year old

Gold

Highland Park 1994 Vintage

Highland Park 1990 Vintage

The Macallan Fine Oak 15 year old

Silver Best in Class

Highland Park Hjarta 12 year old

Silver

Highland Park 1998 Vintage

Highland Park 12 year old

The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 year old

The Macallan Fine Oak 10 year old

The Macallan Fine Oak 21 year old

The Macallan 1824 Collection Select Oak

The Macallan 1824 Collection Whisky Maker’s Edition

Please enjoy our brands responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk

NOTES

HIGHLAND PARK:

Highland Park distillery was established on Orkney in 1798.  With its windswept moors, craggy outcrops and ancient religious sites, Orkney is a land full of mystery.  At the heart of the single malt is its remote island location and exposure to the elements, with additional influences from barley malting at the distillery and the use of peat, which combine to create a highly distinctive taste.

For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection and produce a single malt range that is consistently lauded by connoisseurs and experts. 

THE MACALLAN:

Easter Elchies House proudly watches over The Macallan distillery in Speyside, Scotland. Built in 1700, this Jacobean manor house is The Macallan’s spiritual home.  The secrets to The Macallan’s precious spirit comes from the curiously small and uniquely shaped copper stills which help to concentrate the flavour of the ‘new make’ spirit.  The Macallan takes one of the finest ‘cuts’ of any distillery in Scotland, typically just 16% goes forward to fill our casks and mature into The Macallan. 

An unfaltering obsession with selecting exceptional oak casks brings an unsurpassed, timeless quality to The Macallan.  In addition, natural colour is something we insist on. It is the interaction of spirit and wood alone, which delivers the rich variety of colour.

Scottish Whisky Tour Specialists have over 1,000 bottles for sale in a huge private whisky collection.

MCLEANSCOTLAND recently purchased a complete whisky collection from a Scottish collector. It contains over a thousand miniatures, some of which are rare and some very collectable bottles here. Also many full size Bell’s decanters, novelty items and full size bottles. A very special 60 year old miniature, a still decanter in presentation box and many other collectable items.

All are unopened and many in the original condition, some have had the angels take a few drams from them!   For the collector just starting out on the journey, to the serious collector, there is something here for everyone!  OFFERS ARE INVITED FOR EVERY ITEM.

See; www.mcleanscotland.com  go to the whisky pages, stop press.

MCLEANSCOTLAND are recognised as one of the best (if not the best) whisky tour companies in Scotland. With vast experience and untold knowledge of the whisky industry, they design whisky tours to suit the client and then add a wee bit more fun into the blend; special tastings, educational trips, whisky dinners and distillery tours, a blend of golf & whisky, sightseeing, historical sites, not only that, allow them to look after all your needs!