American Distilling Institute

313 People Attend 2010  Conference at Huber’s  Starlight Distillery

Two teams of five judges evaluated 65 whiskeys in a blind tasting

… and the Winners are:

Single Malt or Malt Category:

    1. Chatoe Rogue Single Malt Oregon Whiskey
    2. Prichard’s Distillery Single Malt Whiskey
    3. New Holland Artisan Spirits Zeppelin Blend

Bourbon Category:

    1. Great Lakes Distillery Test Batch
    2. Tuthilltown Spirits Four Grain Bourbon whiskey
    3. Woodstone Creek Straight Bourbon whisky

Rye Category:

    1. High West Rendezvous Whiskey
    2. Tuthilltown Spirits’ Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey
    Tie for 3rd place:
    3. Finger Lakes Distilling McKenzie Rye
    3. Corsair Artisan Distillers 100% Rye

Wheat Category:

    1. Dry Fly Washington Wheat
    2. New Holland Artisan Spirits Brewers Straight Wheat Whiskey

Corn Whiskey Category:

    1. Balcones Distillery Baby Blue
    2. Copper Run Distillery Ozark Mountain Moonshine
    3. Colorado Gold Distillery Colorados’ Own Corn Whiskey

Un-aged Whiskey:

    Tie for first place:
    1. Koval Organic Rye Chicago Whiskey
    1. High West Silver Whiskey Western Oat
    2. Corsair Artisan Distillers Wry Moon
    3. Catoctin Creek Mosby’s Spirit

Whiskey Idiosyncratic:

    1. Ballast Point Spirits Devils Share Whiskey
    2. Prichards’ Distillery Tennessee Whiskey
    3. Corsair Artisan Distillers Rasputin Hopped

Moonshine:

    1. West Virginia Distilling Company Mountain Moonshine Old Oak Recipe
    2. Copper Run Ozark Mountain Moonshine
    3. West Virginia Distilling Company Mountain Moonshine

Cask Strength:

    1. Corsair Artisan Distillers Wormwood Wit Barrel Strength
    2. Roughstock Black Label Montana Whiskey
    3. Corsair Artisan Distillers Triple Smoke

Flavored Whiskeys and Whiskey-based Liqueurs:

    1. Prichards’ Distillery Sweet Lucy
    2. Square One Vermont Night
    3. New Holland Artisan Spirits Hatter Royale Hopquila

Blended Whiskey:

    High West Distillery Bourye

Best of Craft American Whiskey:

    High West Distillery Bourye

Packaging Award:

    Tuthilltown Spirits Manhattan Rye Whiskey

After the judging had been completed …

After the judging had been completed, and the judges were able to view the entries, Chuck Cowdery noted a serious problem: High West, the Best of Show winner, had not personally distilled their whiskey. Several whiskies that were submitted were actually blends of whiskies purchased from outside producers. A discussion immediately ensued as to how to resolve this problem.
 
The choices were two-fold: (a) disqualify all of the those entries, or (b) allow them on a one-time basis. Alan Dikty spoke up and observed that no prohibition had been placed on such whiskies in the entry forms, that the entries had been made in good faith, and that the judges had made their decisions in good faith and to the best of their abilities.
 
It was therefore unanimously decided to allow the awards to High West to stand but to make it clear in all ensuing competitions the rules would have to be changed.
 
Subsequently, Jay Erisman noted that, among very high-end and respected wine merchants, a special class of producer is allowed, the négociant[1]. It was therefore decided that a special category for négociant whiskies would be created to accommodate these specialty whiskey producers.
 
Quite simply, the winners did nothing wrong, and they qualify under the published definition of craft producers, less than 40,000 proof gallons a year. Producers and judges alike played by the rules. To re-write the rules on the spot after the fact would be unfair. Blending is also an art in and of itself and should not be discounted.
 
When contacted, High West Distilleries also agreed that the rules changes would create a necessary distinction.
 
ADI will find a way to separate, recognize and reward DSPs who produce their products from grain to bottle without discounting craft producers who finish products. Future judging rules will be changed to reflect varying levels of hands-on production by the DSP.

[1] A négociant is the French term for a wine merchant who assembles the produce of smaller growers and winemakers and sells the result under its own name.

Visit the American Distilling Institute at  http://www.distilling.com/index.html

WHISKY AN’ A’ THAT VII SATURDAY 29TH MAY 2010
AYR TOWN HALL 1PM-6PM

 
ONLY 12 DAYS TO GO
 
If you haven’t already purchased your ticket for our annual Whisky An’ a’ That Festival, then time is running out and we only have a limited amount of tickets left.
 
For all the details on this years festival, please click on the below link with details on which companies are attending this years event and how to order your ticket for the show.
http://www.robbiesdrams.com/festival_2010.asp
 
Whisky Festival Masterclasses
 
We also have a very limited amount of masterclass tickets left, which are being held throughout the afternoon.
 
MacKillop’s Choice Masterclass 1pm-2pm
 
The first masterclass of the afternoon will be hosted by MacKillop’s Choice which is a brand owned by Angus Dundee Distillers. “MacKillops Choice” is a range of specially selected Single Malt Scotch whiskies drawn from individual casks, and are bottled at either 43% or 46% alcohol, but more predominantly at their natural cask strength, without chill-filtering or the addition of any caramel colouring, which helps preserve the malts natural characteristics of aroma and taste.
 
The tasting will be hosted by Lorne MacKillop (pictured above), who is the heir to the chief of the MacKillop Clan. After seven year’s extensive training in wines and spirits, Lorne became a member of the Institute of Masters of Wine in London in 1984, and at that time was the youngest person to be accepted as a Master of Wine. Lorne will use his comprehensive knowledge of whisky as he talks you through the following six specially selected whiskies in what should be a very interesting and entertaining session.
 
1989 17y/o Benrinnes 43%
1990 17y/o Caol Ila 56.3%
1986 17y/o Dalmore 60.1%
1991 15y/o Highland Park 53.9%
1988 18y/o Macallan 55.5%
1992 15y/o Tormore 43%
 
Balblair Masterclass 3pm-4pm

The second masterclass of the afternoon will be hosted by Balblair which is a Highland Single Malt from Edderton in Tain, Rosshire.
 
Many single malt Scotch whiskies distinguish between their expressions with an age statement, rightly proud of the long maturation their distillates have undergone.At Balblair they pursue a Vintage statement by which to differentiate their various expressions. In doing so, they take a complimentary approach between age itself and the fundamental character of the spirit that is Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
 
Inver House Distillers, Master Blender Stuart Harvey will be presenting this Masterclass with a full range of six Balblair expressions for you to savour.
 
Tickets are £12 per person for both classes and available on a first come first serve basis as numbers are restricted.

To reserve your ticket please phone the  TICKET HOTLINE NUMBER 01292 284279

Alternatively you can call into our shop in the Sandgate or e-mail festvial@robbiesdrams.com

Remember that tickets are limited, and only available to customers who have already purchased tickets for our Festival.

Time is running out.

Regards

Robbie

Photographs of the 2010 Spirit of Toronto can now be viewed at

http://www.spiritoftoronto.ca/photos.html

The Spirit of Toronto returns in 2011!  Saturday, May 14th, 2011.

Updates wll be posted in the new year……

Your chance to sample The Irishman Rare Cask Strength

Following the very successful take up of our offer to whiskey clubs for St. Patrick’s Day in March of a miniature (50ml) of The Irishman Irish Whiskey (Superior Blend or Single Malt) to let you nose and taste our excellent whiskey, we would now like to offer you the chance to sample The Irishman Rare Cask Strength. A limited number of (unlabelled) miniatures of our Rare Cask Strength have been hand filled at the bottling plant. If you’re interested, drop us an e-mail with full mailing address and the name of your whisk(e)y club (you’ll understand that, as before, we need to limit this offer to one miniature per whisk(e)y club for logistical, packaging and postage cost reasons).

And the Winner is….

Did you know….

…The Irishman Single Malt has been rated as the 3rd best Irish Whiskey in the U.S. by rating agency Proof 66?

…The Irishman Irish Cream has recently won a Silver Medal at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirit Competition (Cream Liqueur Category)?

Sláinte!

www.thehotirishman.com

Jim Murray’s Liquid Gold Award- Wild Scotsman 15yr Vatted Malt Scotch
By Jeffrey Topping

Wild Scotsman 15yr Vatted Malt Scotch Whisky has officially received a Liquid Gold Award from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. Wild Scotsman 15yr earned the rating of 95 out of 100.

Wild Scotsman 15yr is available in Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Great on a warm day with a mild cigar.

Wild Scotsman 15yr Liquid Gold Award- Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible

http://wildscotsman.com/whisky/

Woodford Reserve® Bourbon Announces Partnership with KFC Yum! Center

Louisville, Ky., (May 10, 2010) – Woodford Reserve bourbon along with Louisville Arena Sports and Entertainment Properties (LASEP) today announced a new partnership with the KFC Yum! Center. LASEP is the locally based entity of Learfield Sports which oversees the arena’s advertising and sponsorship sales initiatives.

Woodford Reserve’s five-year agreement provides the naming rights for the KFC Yum! Center’s largest meeting/event room overlooking the Ohio River. This scenic lounge will be accessible to anyone with a ticket to get into the facility. As part of the agreement, the room will be called “The Woodford Reserve Club” and will serve as a full service bar during games, concerts and special events. Woodford Reserve will also have exterior and inner-bowl signage as part of its sponsorship agreement.

“Since its introduction in 1996, Woodford Reserve has quickly grown to become Kentucky’s best selling small batch bourbon,” said Wayne Rose, vice president and group brand director of Woodford Reserve. “We are proud to add our name to the list of local companies supporting the new arena.  When adult patrons come for a game, concert or special event, the Woodford Reserve Club will be the perfect place to gather for a cocktail.”

Today’s announcement comes on the heels of a naming rights announcement in April. A $13.5 million, 10-year agreement is between Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM) and Team Services, LLC. resulted in the arena officially being named the “KFC Yum! Center.”

About Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve, the “Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby”, is crafted at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky – the heart of thoroughbred country. Woodford Reserve is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by the Brown-Forman Corporation. For 140 years, Brown-Forman has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands.  The company’s brands are supported by nearly 4,000 employees and sold in approximately 135 countries worldwide.  For more information about the company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com, and for more information on Woodford Reserve visit www.woodfordreserve.com. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly.

For more information regarding the KFC Yum! Center, please visit www.arenaauthority.com.

GLENFIDDICH COOPERS MAKE PIONEERING CLIMB UP BEN NEVIS

Team of ten build 40kg barrel at the top of Britain’s highest mountain

Dufftown, 10th May 2010: A team from Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single-malt Scotch whisky, this weekend (8th May 2010) completed a pioneering 1,344 metre climb up Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, armed with a 40kg barrel – which they re-constructed at the summit.

The feat, organised to celebrate cooper Jackie Ross’ retirement after 42 years as a Glenfiddich cooper, took a gruelling three hours to complete. The team of ten, which collectively have more than 200 years of service at Glenfiddich, included six coopers and a piper.

Jason Roberts, leading the team said, “We wanted to do something special to mark the end of Jackie Ross’ career at Glenfiddich and what better way to echo Glenfiddich’s pioneering spirit than to do something truly unique with his final cask?”

The climbers raised a total of £1,000 for local causes, including the Girvan Muat Thai Class, Girvan under 10 football team and Girvan under 19 football team.

Notes  

* The eleven coopers’ names are;

·         Jason Roberts

·         Paul Ross

·         Robert Davidson

·         James Brown

·         Peter Copland

·         Kenny Doak

·         Barry Cunningham

·         Wallace Sheddon

·         Tam Houston

·         Taylor Davidson

About William Grant & Sons

William Grant & Sons is an independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today still controlled by the fifth generation of his family.  The Company distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie® single malts and one of the world’s leading blended Scotches, Grant’s®, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick’s® Gin and Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum

Click on www.williamgrant.com for more information on the Company and its brands

The starting point for any great whisky is the new make spirit. The liquid that comes off the still is, literally, the essence of single malt Scotch whisky. I’ve always thought we make excellent spirit and that we should sell it. At last, the powers that be have seen sense.

As you know, Highland Park is the most respected single malt in the world: Earl Magnus winning New Release of the Year at the World Whisky Awards 2010 is simply the latest in a long line of awards for every expression we produce.

This wouldn’t happen without the highest quality spirit. It always surprises me by its freshness and complexity; the spirit already features the trademark balance between sweetness and peat. Highland Park’s spirit forms the DNA of the flawless character of every expression of our award-winning whiskies. Now you can taste it for yourself…

It is distinctively aromatic, full-bodied and floral. Orkney peat – thousands of years old and based on hardy heather – imparts wonderful honey sweetness. The shape of the stills, coupled with the expertise of our stillman, emphasises the delicious fruity flavour.

The judicious addition of water assists in the revelation of the sprit’s complexity; peat, pear drops and freshly cut grass are immediately obvious. These flavours develop until the arrival of a lingering, smoky aftertaste which gently dries the mouth.

Highland Park New Make Spirit is being sold reduced to 50% abv. Why reduced, you ask? Well, although we sell whiskies at a higher strength than this, they are at a much higher price. At £20 for a 35cl bottle we would not like to be thought of as being socially irresponsible by bottling at full strength.

Highland Park New Make Spirit is available exclusively from our secure on-line store and the distillery.

For more information on the Best Spirit in the World visit www.highlandpark.co.uk
 

 
Gerry
Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year, 2010

This month, we place the spotlight on Speyside, and the new releases from some of its most loved distilleries.  Glenfarclas, The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and Tomintoul are all featured.

If you can make it to London for mid-June, please do pop in to Milroy’s of Soho to taste the latest Compass Box whiskies.  Please read on for further details.

MAY WHISKY OF THE MONTH – GLENFARCLAS 15 YEAR OLD

Glenfarclas 15 year old takes the spotlight as our whisky of the month for May.  This cultured Speysider matured in a combination of American and European oak.  Bottled at 46% ABV without chill-filtration, the whisky pours mid-amber in colour.  The nose suggests a generous Sherry influence in the form of toffee, caramel and wood-spice, reflected on the palate, which is full bodied, voluptuous and silkily textured.  Glenfarclas 15 year old is a mighty fine malt, especially for those that like their whiskies packed full of flavour.

£39.95 per bottle

Free miniature of Glenfarclas 15 year old with every bottle

GLENFARCLAS 40 YEAR OLD

Kudos to George Grant and the team at Glenfarclas distillery.  In an era when greedy brand-owners seem to be outdoing themselves to produce the most expensive mature malt whisky, Glenfarclas has release a new 40 year old expression that is just about affordable to the ordinary whisky lover. 

This new addition to the Glenfarclas line-up is bottled at 46% ABV and is everything one would expect of this distillery.  Deep amber in colour, the whisky yields a distinctive spice laden, rum-like nose, with hints of demerara sugar. In the mouth, it is sweet, rich and full bodied.  The dark rum characters follow through, together with dried fruit, roasted spices and a hint of wood.  A drop or two of water brings it to life.

£295 per bottle

Exclusive Newsletter Offer – receive a free bottle of Pol Roger Vintage 2000 with every bottle of Glenfarclas 40 year old.

GLENLIVET TRIUMPHS – THE GLENLIVET NADURRA TRIUMPH 1991

The Glenlivet Nadurra was an extremely welcome addition to the distillery’s core range when launched a couple of years back.  Following the success of the cask strength Nadurra bottling, the folks at The Glenlivet distillery have announced the releases of a new expression, Nadurra Triumph 1991.

What makes this new expression different you may ask?  Nadurra Triumph is based solely on spirit distilled in 1991, using the Triumph barley variety.  In the early 1990’s Triumph barley was highly regarded for its ability to boost alcohol yield.  Unlike the cask strength non-vintage Nadurra (which undergoes maturation exclusively in 1st fill Bourbon casks), Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph 1991 is matured in a combination of American and European oak casks.

How does it taste?  In response to the most important question, our answer is an unquestionable “Mighty fine!”  As always with Glenlivet, the nose is lively and fruity (peaches, pears).  The European oak lends a touch of sweet caramel and toffee, reflected on the palate, which is at one elegant and full flavoured.  Barley sugar, orange zest and sweet vanilla lead to a long and satisfying finish.

£47.95 per bottle

Exclusive newsletter offer price – £44.50 per bottle

TOMINTOUL STEALS THE SHOW AT WORLD WHISKY AWARDS – TOMINTOUL 33 YEAR OLD

We have a bit of a soft spot for the much under-rated Tomintoul distillery.  It is elegant, subtle, gently fruity with a slightly floral edge; perfect as an aperitif for warmer weather drinking or when one wants something lighter. 

We were therefore extremely pleased to hear that at the 2010 World Whisky Awards, Tomintoul 33 year old was recognised the Best Single Speyside Malt – 21 years or over.  With 30 plus distilleries in Speyside this is no small achievement.

The whisky is very much in keeping with the Tomintoul house style – elegance takes centre stage.  In the mouth, the whisky is supple and round, with a touch of toffee and rum-like sweetness, balanced by cedar-wood, vanilla and a touch of spice (cinnamon, nutmeg).  It is a great malt, and the price is more than reasonable.

£125 per bottle

Exclusive newsletter offer price – £115 per bottle

GLENFIDDICH RICH OAK

On the back of the very successful Distillery Edition 15 year old Cask Strength, Glenfiddich has launched another new bottling, Glenfiddich Rich Oak.  As the name would suggest, Rich Oak is finished in new oak casks, a combination of new American and European oak.  Bottled at 40% ABV, Glenfiddich Rich Oak boasts a supple palate of spicy oak, sweet vanilla, dried fruits and roasted nuts.  It is very much in the Glenfiddich house style, but is elevated from partial maturation in new wood – a real crowd pleaser.

£31.50 per bottle

Exclusive Newsletter Offer Price – £28.95

ENGLISH WHISKY HAS LANDED – ST GEORGE’S CHAPTER 6, ENGLISH WHISKY COMPANY

We are delighted to welcome to Milroy’s of Soho the only English whisky.  Distilled, matured and bottled at the St George’s distillery in Norfolk, this highly anticipated arrival is a fascinating insight into an evolving malt.   On tasting St George’s, my colleague and I were mightily impressed by the quality of the spirit.  We look forward to following its progress over future releases.

£37.95 per bottle

COMPASS BOX WHISKIES IN-STORE TASTING – MONDAY 14 JUNE

Gregg Glass of whisky innovator Compass Box whiskies will be joining us during the afternoon of Monday 14 June to taste through the range of Compass Box whiskies.  This is a great opportunity to taste some of their wonderful distinctive whiskies and perhaps buy a bottle or two.  Any purchases from the Compass Box range on the day will be eligible for a 5% discount.

Until next month, slàinte!

Best regards

Philip Shorten

Milroy’s of Soho

3 Greek Street

London, W1D 4NX

T: 020 7437 2385

F: 020 7437 1345

E: philip.shorten@milroys.co.uk

W: www.milroys.co.uk

£20,000, VERY RARE BOTTLE OF 1937 GLENFIDDICH AT BONHAMS WHISKY SALE

ONLY 11 BOTTLES MADE

An exceptionally rare bottle of Glenfiddich distilled in 1937 is for sale at Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on 16 June.

It is one of only 11 bottles of the 1937 produced by the distillery and is the first to appear at auction.  Having matured for 64 years it is also one of the oldest whiskies ever released onto the market.  It is estimated to make between £15,000 – 20,000 and is likely to be keenly sought after.

Bonhams Whisky consultant, Martin Green, commented, “It isn’t very often that such a rare bottle comes along and it’s a privilege to be handling it.  As soon as I recognised the significance of the bottle I got in touch with the distillery to let them know that we were including it in the auction.”

Libby Lafferty speaking for Glenfiddich said, “We were very excited when we heard that the 1937 was going into the sale and immediately invited Martin Green from Bonhams to bring the bottle back to its home distillery to photograph for our archives.  It really is that special.”

ends

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 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).

Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, London,  W1S 1SR United Kingdom