The handicapping challenge with a bourbon twist.

The field for Kentucky Derby 136 has been selected. Login to the Buffalo Trace Saloon and pick the 3 horses you think will finish in the Kentucky Derby. If you guess all 3 in the correct order, you win! It’s that simple.

In the event there is a tie, shots from your regular Saloon activities will be added and used as the tie-breaker (so it could really pay to play around in the Saloon!)

The winner receives The Ultimate Buffalo Trace Distillery Experience: airfare, hotel and a private tour of the distillery.

Go to the contest page for complete details. http://tinyurl.com/buffalotrace

Not a saloon member yet? Sign up now and take your best shot. http://tinyurl.com/27rj9xw

Share this contest with your friends on Twitter.
Good luck,

Buffalo Trace
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

You will recall I teased you about the imminent release of four new expressions of Highland Park exclusively for global travel retail. Well, here goes…

The Vintage Editions range will replace the current expressions in duty free and consists of four whiskies which were distilled in 1998, 1994, 1990 and 1973. We looked into our maturing stocks to find sherry-seasoned casks which would showcase different dimensions of the classic Highland Park profile of honey sweetness and aromatic peat. Whisky Maker Max McFarlane identified specific vintage years with exceptional casks.

The differences between the expressions lie in the extent to which first-fill or refill European and American oak casks have been used; as always, maturation influences the colour and complexity of each whisky. So the 1998 and the 1990 Vintages emphasise the smokier notes whilst the 1994 and the 1973 highlight the sweeter characteristics.

We asked some whisky luminaries for their opinions. For example, Charlie MacLean found the 1998 “a flawless malt for its age”. Dave Broom reckoned the 1994 tasted of “ripe fruits and melting dark chocolate”. Dominic Roskrow thought the range as a whole was “amazing to see… totally unexpected characteristics”.

The whiskies are not available anywhere other than duty free – not even at the distillery – and will be priced as follows; 1998 Vintage €46 (1l), 1994 Vintage €65 (70cl), 1990 Vintage €99 (70cl) and 1973 Vintage €750 (70cl).
The Highland Park Vintages range is available with immediate effect. Full tasting notes can be found on our website.

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

 
Gerry
Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year, 2010

MARCUS FRASER LEAVES AN IMPRESSION AT BALLANTINE’S CHAMPIONSHIP 2010
 
Chivas Brothers Commercial Director Paul Scanlon is pictured presenting Marcus Fraser with the Ballantine’s Championship trophy and a cheque for €367,500, following a winning performance from Fraser on the final day of Asia’s fourth biggest golf tournament.
 
The Ballantine’s Championship took place on the picturesque holiday island of Jeju, Korea from 22nd-25th April 2010. The largest sporting event in Korea, the tournament is now an established platform which drives Ballantine’s long-term relationship with the iconic sport.
 
Chivas Brothers Commercial Director Paul Scanlon commented: “As we come to the end of another hugely successful Ballantine’s Championship, we are delighted to be presenting Marcus with the trophy, after a very impressive performance, which saw him leading from day one.
 
Scanlon added: “This year’s tournament is historic for the world’s No 2 Scotch whisky brand*, as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first Ballantine’s golf tournament – which took place at Wentworth in 1960. To mark the anniversary, we have also presented Marcus with a limited edition Scotch whisky blend, created by our Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, which combines extremely rare grains and malts taken from the time of the first tournaments fifty years ago. We hope he’ll get to enjoy a celebratory dram on his return home to Australia.”
 
A second bottle of Ballantine’s Championship blend was auctioned for charity on the opening night of the tournament, raising an impressive $12,500 for local charity Community Chest of Korea.
 
Fraser stayed calm amid the blustery conditions on the final day of the Ballantine’s Championship to claim the biggest title of his career. The 31-year-old carded a three-under-par 69 at Pinx Golf Club to win the €2.2 million showpiece by four strokes. Fraser’s only previous European Tour success came seven years ago at the BMW Russian Open, a dual ranking event with the Challenge Tour, and he admitted it had been a long and frustrating wait for his next win.
 
“Unbelievable, I can’t describe it,” said an emotional Fraser. “I just don’t know how I did that today. I’ve had so many chances to win in the last seven years, so to go out there and play like I did today and this week, it’s a big relief.”
 
The Ballantine’s Championship was once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.
 
– ENDS –
 
Notes
 
About Ballantine’s:
 
* Ballantine’s is the world’s No 2 range of blended Scotch whisky (17 years old and above – IWSR) and the No.2 Scotch whisky brand in the world. Ballantine’s has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.
 
• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until at least 2013
• Ballantine’s is an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open, held every July at the exclusive Loch Lomond Golf Club
• Ballantine’s was also sponsor of The Omega Mission Hills World Cup, held in China in 2009
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England
 
About 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 with a portfolio that includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.
 
Photography:
        
Caption: Chivas Brothers Commercial Director Paul Scanlon (left) presents the Ballantine’s Championship trophy to Marcus Fraser after his victory at Pinx Golf Club in Jeju, Korea, on Sunday 25 April 2010. Mandatory credit: Paul Lakatos/Parallel Media Group

The Balvenie Signature – third batch released

The Balvenie Signature is always released in small, numbered batches, and we can reveal that the third batch is nearly ready to meet its public. 

Members of Warehouse 24 can access a short film in the Special Features section, showing Balvenie Malt Master David Stewart selecting the casks and discussing the process.

David explains how, three years ago, he celebrated his 45th year in the whisky industry by creating a 12 year old single malt that embodied the spirit of The Balvenie. To do this he married The Balvenie matured in the three most traditional cask types; first fill bourbon, refill bourbon and sherry.

Signature Batch 3 will be on shelves from May in the UK and France and heading to other countries a little later.

Slainte mhath,

David Mair

THE BALVENIE DISTILLERY COMPANY LIMITED
Registered in Scotland. Registered Number SC138003
Balvenie Maltings, Dufftown, Banffshire, Scotland AB55 4BB
www.thebalvenie.com

April in Huntly

I was going to say Spring finally seems to have arrived but as the weather continues to be a little unsettled, no one can really say if we have seen the last of the snow for this year!

Worldwide Travel

Below is a picture of Mark Watt while at Whisky Live Aquitaine in Bordeaux last week which proved a great success with the Cragganmore and Laphroaig Octaves being well received along with the Black Bull 12 and 40 which were a particular favourite among many.  Mark is also making an effort to learn French hence the picture of his book which features whisky words in English, French and (Mark’s) version of French!!  

Lin Liu was due to leave for Taiwan today but as the air travel chaos continues she remains in the UK for the time being, let’s hope normality resumes soon.  Again she plans to visit the Far East at the end of May for Whisky Live Shanghai.
 

New Bottlings

We have had a number of new Rare Auld bottlings this month which I’m sure will be of interest to you all, a selection of these bottlings are listed below with some tasting notes, the Glen Moray’s have been especially successful; 

Rare Auld Glen Moray 1983 26yo Cask 3203
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Icing Sugar, lemon bon bons, pears, cooking apples and lily’s
Taste: Vanilla custard, orange peel, reed grass, sherbet, milky bars and honey 
Finish: Soft delicate crème Brule with a hint of spice
Comment: Beautifully creamy and fruity! – Stunning!

Rare Auld Glen Moray 1973 53.1%
Colour:  Russet
Nose:  Lots of sweet toffee, raisins, rum like notes, milk chocolate, nougat and bourbon biscuits.
Taste:  Warming, rich toffee, cherries, quite creamy, melted chocolate, tangerines and a touch nutty.
Finish:  Thick and lingering, lots of treacle toffee and some spiced fruits.
Comment:  A big Glen Moray – An excellent example of how good this whisky can be!

Rare Auld Glen Scotia 1991 18yo Cask 71375
Colour: Straw
Nose: Sweet, lots of vanilla, a trace of smoke, creamy medicinal notes and quite herbal, warm grass and mint
Taste: Malty, touch oily, more grassiness develops, dry spice and lemon
Finish: Finish long, citrus notes, creaminess develops with distant medicinal notes
Comment: A clean cut Glen Scotia – refreshing and coastal.

To view more tasting notes, please follow this link:
http://www.duncantaylor.com/products/new_bottlings.html
 

Upcoming Events

Spirit of Speyside – Whisky Festival Dufftown
Monday 3rd May 2010 – Mark will be holding a masterclass at the whisky festival with 6 fantastic whiskies including the new Black Bull 40 year old if your lucky!

There are still tickets available from the following website: http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=646

Social Networking

Remember to check our Duncan Taylor Blog for regular news updates at www.duncantaylor.wordpress.com/ and if you haven’t already done so, please feel free to add us as friends on Facebook and Twitter (dtcwhiskies).

Duncan Taylor & Co Ltd Whisky Merchants and Brokers,
4 Upperkirkgate, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland AB54 8JU
website: www.duncantaylor.com
email: info@duncantaylor.com
Phone: +44 (0) 1466 794055
Fax: +44 (0) 1466 794618
 

Purveyors of the worlds most exclusive range of Scotch Whiskies

“Stronachie 12 Year Old Single Malt wins yet another award….this time a Double Gold in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  This precedes the new label format with distillery disclosure and the launch of our 18 Year Old on 27th May….more news to follow!”
 
Best regards
 
Nick White
Managing Director
A Dewar Rattray Ltd, “Whiskies of Distinction”

New Glenfarclas 40 Years Old Launched

Glenfarclas have added a new 40 Years Old whisky to their portfolio of premium Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. Glenfarclas 40 Years Old has been bottled at 46% vol. from casks filled in the late 1960s, and selected by George S. Grant, Director of Sales and the sixth generation of the family which own and manage the distillery.

With good stocks of casks filled in the 1960s, the distillery is now able to offer whisky with a 40 years old age statement as part of their core range. This whisky will be available worldwide, with a quarter of production destined for North America.
George Grant’s tasting notes for this new expression read: ‘The nose is reminiscent of relaxing in an old leather armchair, while eating walnuts and chocolate-covered raisins. It has a sweet initial taste – orange segments dipped in liquid chocolate – then a lovely flavour of burnt brown sugar at the back of the mouth. The dry finish oozes big tannins and more rich dark cocoa beans. Let this whisky breathe a little or add a drop or two of water to fully open up the dram.’

Glenfarclas 40 Years Old will be formally launched on the 29th April 2010, with a consumer tasting at the distillery during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Places at this unique tasting, hosted by George Grant, are available to book via the festival’s website.
 
Glenfarclas 40 Years Old is presented in the Glenfarclas amber bottle and a ruby gift tube, with a design akin to the Glenfarclas 10 Years Old. By deliberately not over-packaging this old whisky, J. & G. Grant are able to offer the Glenfarclas 40 Years Old at a competitive UK recommended retail price of GBP 350.00. As George Grant explained, ‘Compared to other whiskies of a similar age, this has been priced to open and enjoy.’ 
 
For those looking to try before purchasing a bottle, The Coburg Bar at the Connaught Hotel, in London’s Mayfair, and the Mash Tun Pub in Aberlour, Speyside, are already offering drinkers the chance to enjoy this exceptional whisky by the dram.

Glenfarclas
Email: info@glenfarclas.co.uk
Website: www.glenfarclas.co.uk
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/glenfarclas/
Tel: +44 (0) 1807 500257
Fax: +44 (0) 1807 500234
Address: Glenfarclas Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9BD, UK

By the time you set off for your summer holidays, we will have launched a whole new range exclusively for Global Travel Retail (which you and I still probably refer to as duty free). After check-in and security, remembering to put your shoes and belt back on, wander round the airport and you’ll be able to gaze in wonder at four new expressions of Highland Park.

I must stop myself here because that’s not the real reason to write to you at the moment. Don’t fret; you’ll find out all about the new range before anyone else.

Because of this new range, the days are numbered for Highland Park 16 year old and 21 year old. Both of these whiskies are being withdrawn so, if you are a fan or a collector, best snap them up while you can. They are available while the small amount of remaining stocks last.

Highland Park 16 year old was Best in Class at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2006. According to Whisky Magazine it is: “Malty, nutty, biscuity, mixed dried fruit (apricots?) Some creamy toffee and the faintest whiff of smoke.”

Highland Park 21 year old is a personal favourite of mine and I will miss it… Plenty to look forward to with the new whiskies, though; details will follow in a few weeks.

Highland Park 16 year old (40%) is available from our secure on-line shop at £49 (1 litre) and £6 (5cl miniature).

Highland Park 21 year old (40%) is available from our secure on-line shop at £80 (70cl) and £7.50 (5cl miniature).

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

Gerry
Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year, 2010

EARLY TIMES MINT JULEP NAMED “OFFICIAL DRINK OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY®”

Consumers will have chance to submit artwork to be featured on 2011 commemorative bottle

Louisville, Ky (April 20, 2010) – For the past 23 years, the Early Times Mint Julep has proudly served as the “Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby®.”  In celebration of this, Early Times Kentucky Whisky continues its tradition with the release of the 2010 commemorative Kentucky Derby bottle.

The 2010 Early Times Mint Julep commemorative bottle holds special significance as the 11th and final in a series of paintings by the inimitable Celeste Susany, whose creations have graced the bottle every year since Kentucky Derby 126. In this year’s masterwork, entitled “A Golden Moment,” Susany adopts a more impressionistic style to capture the essence of this grand race. The scene spotlights the field of contenders galloping along the back stretch while the twin spires stand majestically in the background.

“Celeste’s work captures the true essence and emotion of Derby day and we’ve been so very fortunate to have her as our artist for the past 11 years,” said Joe Murray, Brand Manager for Early Times Kentucky Whisky. “The Early Times Mint Julep bottle has truly become a collectible among art, horse racing and whisky fans and is a must-have for Derby parties as the perfect way to serve a delicious mint julep in less than ten seconds.”

With 2010 marking Susany’s final year of doing the artwork for the commemorative bottle, Early Times is giving consumers the opportunity to submit their artwork for the chance to be featured on the 2011 Kentucky Derby bottle. Beginning April 20, consumers can log onto www.earlytimes.com/etmjartistsearch to submit their “What Derby Means to Me” artwork, as well as to see official rules and contest details.  The winner will win a VIP trip for two to the 2011 Kentucky Derby, $5000 in cash, along with having their artwork featured on the 2011 Early Times Mint Julep bottle.

 “It has been an honor to have the opportunity to do the artwork for the Early Times Mint Julep bottle for the past 11 years,” added Susany. “It’s time to give another artist the chance to have their work displayed for horse racing fans to collect and enjoy.”

During this year’s Derby week, more than 120,000 Early Times Mint Juleps are expected to be served at Churchill Downs®. Over the past 23 years, more than 2.5 million Early Times Mint Juleps have been served between Kentucky Oaks® and Derby Days at Churchill Downs. This year’s Kentucky Derby will take place Saturday, May 1, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Launching in April 2010, the newly labeled one-liter pre-mix bottle will be available in limited quantities throughout the United States for a suggested retail price of $14.99.

About Celeste Susany:

Celeste Susany was born in eastern Ohio in 1952. She spent a large portion of her life around horses in Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, and Del Mar, California. She received her degree from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. Susany received recognition as a top American artist in the book Racing in Art, by John Fairley, published in 1990. She produced artwork in 1989, 1990, and 1996 for the Kentucky Derby.

About Early Times Kentucky Whisky:

Early Times Kentucky Whisky, 40% ABV, is the “Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby” made at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. Early Times Kentucky Whisky is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by Brown-Forman Corporation, a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality consumer products, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Tequila Herradura, el Jimador Tequila, Woodford Reserve, Canadian Mist, Old Forester, Fetzer Wines and Korbel California Champagnes.  Early Times reminds you to drink responsibly. For more information on Early Times Kentucky Whisky visit www.earlytimes.com.

About Churchill Downs®:

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2010 and the Kentucky Oaks on April 30, 2010. The track will conduct its 2010 Spring Meet from Saturday, April 24, through Sunday, July 4.  Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on Nov. 5 and 6, 2010. Churchill Downs tickets are available at Tickets.ChurchillDowns.com or by calling (502) 636-4400. Additional information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.ChurchillDowns.com.

Churchill Downs®, Kentucky Derby® and the Twin Spires design are registered trademarks of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

Kilchoman Distillery Appoints Exclusive Importer for the USA

Kilchoman Distillery is delighted to announce it has appointed ImpEx Beverages Inc. as it’s exclusive importer for the USA.

The first bottles from the summer release 2010 will be available in September 2010.

Kilchoman’s Distillery owner, Anthony Wills said, ‘I’m delighted to be working with ImpEx Beverages. They have similar views on the best ways of
marketing premium, single malt and I’m looking forward to working with them over the coming years in the USA’.

Kilchoman Distillery is the first to be built on the Island of Islay, Scotland in 124 years. The Distillery uses barley grown on site of the Rockside Farm. The malts are produced on the distillery’s own malting floor, thereby taking the art of production backwards 200 years, the way Scotch orignally was made, on small farm distilleries.

For more information contact:
ImpEx Beverages, Inc.
650-872-1114
office@impexbev.com
Kilcholman Distillery Encourages Responsible Drinking