THE SEARCH BEGINS FOR ‘GLENROTHES WHISKY MAKER’

Four consumers will be appointed The Glenrothes Whisky Maker for a week following a worldwide competition launching in October 2010. The successful candidates will be recruited to work as The Glenrothes Whisky Makers in the heart of single malt production, Speyside, Scotland.

As part of this opportunity, the successful candidates will learn the time-honoured art of making The Glenrothes and the time-honoured skills that have been passed down from generation to generation. The winners will spend time working at each stage of the whisky-making process: testing the purity of the water source at the distillery’s two springs; milling the malt to achieve the golden proportions of husk, grits and flour; mashing to ensure maximum extraction of sugars in the wort; adding yeast to the washbacks and overseeing fermentation; slowly and carefully distilling new make spirit in our tall copper pot stills. From there our Whisky Makers will be involved in making casks at the cooperage, laying down casks for maturation and rolling casks to the warehouse.

The Whisky Makers will nose single malt from maturing casks to assess whether the contents are of sufficiently exceptional quality and maturity; only the top 2% of the distillery’s output is bottled as The Glenrothes Speyside Single Malt Whisky. Finally, the Whisky Makers will have the opportunity to create their very own selection of The Glenrothes – a unique bottle with their own hand-written tasting notes on the label.

After work, our Whisky Makers will enjoy the simple pleasures that Speyside has to offer; a spot of fishing, dining in the local Highland restaurants or perhaps a picnic in the hills surrounding the distillery. The Whisky Makers will stay in Rothes House, a private home belonging to the family that owns The Glenrothes. As with the distillery, Rothes House is not open to the public but is reserved for VIP visits. After making their own bottle of The Glenrothes, our whisky makers will spend their final day of the trip in Edinburgh

Entry will be simple; entrants will supply their name and personal details and then be invited to answer in 50 words or fewer why they are the perfect candidate for the job. Hundreds of runners-up prizes will be offered too. Entries will be accepted in English, Spanish and Chinese.

More details will follow in due course.

The competition will run from October 2010 to the end of January 2011 and can be entered at www.theglenrothes.com 

Notes:

1. The Glenrothes was founded in 1879
2. Little more than 2% of the distillery capacity is bottled as Single Malt to ensure exceptional quality
3. Of the 16 Vintages released to date, 12 have entirely sold out
4. It is matured in a combination of Spanish and American oak casks – the best of both worlds
5. The Glenrothes Select Reserve was voted Best in Class at the World Whiskies Awards 2008 and won two Double Golds at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2007
6. The Glenrothes 1972 was awarded a Trophy at the 2005 International Spirits Challenge
7. The Glenrothes 1978 Vintage was voted Best Speyside Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2008
8. The Glenrothes 1975 won a Double Gold award at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2008
9. The Glenrothes 1991 won a Gold Medal at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
10. The Glenrothes 1994 won a Gold Medal at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
11. The Glenrothes Alba Reserve won a Double Gold at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
12. “I have always felt that Glenrothes deserved to be more widely appreciated. Beautifully rounded…sophisticated after-dinner malt.” Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion
13. Jim Murray, in his Whisky Bible, refers to The Glenrothes Select Reserve; “One of the softest deliveries on Speyside, the silky barley and citrus caress the tastebuds with rare tenderness” and scores it 24 out of 25

As promised Whisky Intelligence is publishing the full press release with tasting notes.

Beckoning

Ground breaking new whisky from Amrut

Amrut, the innovate Indian distiller, has broken new ground again. It launching its first “Intermediate Sherry Matured” whisky, a limited edition addition to its award-winning range of Indian malt whiskies.

Amrut Distilleries Ltd is also taking the innovative step of launching each of its new limited edition products with a different international importer. Amrut has chosen La Maison Du Whisky, its French importer, for the launch of its latest limited edition whisky, Amrut Intermediate Sherry Matured single malt. With a restricted release, this unique single malt whisky will quickly become an exclusive collectors’ item after its launch at Whisky Live Paris on 25 September, 2010.

Amrut Intermediate Sherry Matured is uniquely different from the usual sherry finished or sherry matured whiskies. It is the first “intermediate sherry matured” whisky – with the malt aged in sherry casks between periods maturing in either bourbon or virgin casks at Amrut’s Bangalore distillery.

Ashok Chokalingam of Amrut Distilleries Ltd explains the thinking behind this new maturation process. “In our belief, it is not all about the influence of sherry in the whisky. It is about the balanced profile of the whisky – to see how the sherry butts can complement the whisky rather than dominating it. “As a result we tried the intermediate sherry matured concept where our new spirit was matured in exbourbon or virgin casks, then the whisky was matured in sherry butts for a certain length in time in the tropical climate of Bangalore. Next the sherry butts were emptied and the whisky put in ex-bourbon casks and matured for a further period. The result is something unique and we achieve a better fusion of bourbon and sherry notes in complementing the trademark Amrut characteristics in this single malt whisky,” added Ashok.

Thierry Bénitah, Director La Maison du Whisky, is excited by this unconventional malt: “I am surprised by this whisky’s maturity, its rich texture and its ‘gourmand’ quality. It’s almost a whisky you could eat. For me, it is one of the finest sherry casks of 2010 and the best young sherry cask selection of the year. I am honoured to be able to promote a single malt whisky with this level of quality.”

French Malt Maniac, Serge Valetin, is also a fan: “This new style is impressively to my liking,” he concluded after tasting Amrut Intermediate Sherry Matured. www.whiskyfun.com

Gordon Homer, the creator of the respected Spirit of Islay website (www.spiritofislay.net), believes Amrut is perfectly suited to sherry. “There is a perfect balance to this expression [Amrut Intermediate Sherry Matured]. The distillery seems to have got it spot on with the time it allowed the spirit to rest in the sherry casks. This is a great twist on whisky finishing and has produced a top class expression.”

Bert Bruyneel, a Malt Maniac from Belgium, agrees: “This is a type of maturation many others will follow for sure. I’m absolutely a fan of this.”

Amrut Intermediate Sherry Matured is a limited edition of 275 cases and is released into Western Europe, Scandinavia, Western Canada and the USA.

Tasting notes Amrut Intermediate Sherry Matured

Serge Valetin

Malt Maniac and creator of Whisky Fun website www.whiskyfun.com

Colour: deep gold. Nose: it’s sherried but not that much. Notes of cherries, raspberry, kirsch, a little orange liqueur, rosehip tea… Maybe old roses as well. All that is very clean, fragrant… Notes of raspberry ganache. With water: more spices from the wood, ginger and lemon balm. The oak was quite active here. Mouth (neat): rich and creamy, very appealing, sweet, more aromatic than the “average” sherried malt. Notes of Turkish delights, rose water, orange marmalade… Very pleasant spiciness (star anise, cinnamon). Again, it’s very clean, almost a little zesty. With water: very nice citrusy notes and many spices. Most unusual but perfect. Liquorice, pepper, ginger and marmalade. Finish: long, on the same notes, with a faint saltiness and maybe a little peat.

Comments: this new style is impressively to my liking. Perfect first fill sherry without any cloying elements, and no single traces of burnt matches/rubber whatsoever. SGP:553 – 91 points.

Dominic Roskrow

drinks industry journalist and whisky writer

Nose: A fruity taste sensation, with tangy blood orange, and kumquat and then sweet tinned pear, peach and apricot. Very welcoming. Palate: Surprisingly crisp and clean after the nose, but sweet and full, with the sherry more in evidence through spicy black and red berry. Vanilla holds his head up in the fruity mix however. Finish: Elegant and balanced mix of soft fruits and spice.

Benny Ingman

President of Carlstad Whisky Connoisseurs, Sweden

Colour: straw. Nose: sweet, brown sugar, a little sherry, vanilla, toffee, tropical fruits, good casks, some fungus. Mouth: quite mellow, sweet, peppery, fruity, a small portion bitterness, some complexity. Finish: as the mouth with a quite good length.

Comments: for me its more bourbon cask here than sherry especially in the mouth, a really good whisky that maybe could have been a little longer in the sherry casks. Points: 86

Gordon Homer

Creator of Spirit of Islay website www.spiritofislay.net

A lovely orange marmalade in colour, initially heavy on the sherry on the nose then a spiciness (cloves amongst othersB) interplaying with millionaires’ shortbread, liquorice and vanilla. With each nosing you get a different aspect, one minute the sherry, the next the liquorice, shortbread and vanilla. Wonderful! Eventually when you do get around to tasting it the sherry mixes beautifully with the Amrut traits, it seems to have more liquorice notes than standard Amruts, very spicy as well with a touch of chocolate, but all the time enveloped in a beautiful sherriness. An incredibly long, warming, spicy, sherried, liquorice finish! The perfect end to an unusual Amrut. The sherry maturation certainly is an interesting addition to Amrut spirit, but you’d never have guessed that the sherry maturation has been sandwiched in between two ex-bourbon casks maturations. Amrut seems perfectly suited to sherry: there is a perfect balance to this expression. The distillery seems to have got it spot on with the time it allowed the spirit to rest in the sherry casks. This is a great twist on whisky finishing and has produced a top class expression.

Bert Bruyneel

Malt Maniac, Belgium

Nose: first a bit alcoholic, then again the typical Amrut liquorice, nose remains a bit closed and hard initially, gets open and smoother eventually, white pepper, some red fruits coming through, and a minor nuttiness on the background. Sherry is there, but in a really discrete and polite way. Palate: explosive and rather dry, again a nice mouthfeel, than getting fruitier. A true candystore, nice fruity sweetness and a very pleasant evolution. Probably the most complex Amrut I’ve ever tasted. Finish: is nice and warm, liquorice and a wee mineral, but then nicely evolving, to pleasant fruity notes, the sherry comes in very subtle and gentle without dominating in any way, only adding to it. Balance: this one can perhaps use a drop of water, and some time. Then reveals it’s real face. The sherry adds to it in a great way. Score: 88/100.

Comments: Here, one can indeed detect that the sherry (as I described) comes gentle and polite, only giving it’s best to the whisky without dominating it in any way. This is a type of maturation many others will follow for sure. I’m absolutely a fan of this.

Amrut Distilleries Ltd, The Grainger Suite, Dobson House, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 3PF, UK. Tel + 44 (0) 7838 229914 or + 44 (0) 191 233 6316.  www.amrutdistilleries.com

Richard Paterson, the Master Blender is at it again;

I’ve gone on at length, telling people how good the Whyte & Mackay 30 year old whisky is and it’s won countless awards to back up the claim that it’s one of the best blended whiskies in the world.

Now, we wanted to have a bit of fun and give some more people the chance to try this whisky (it normally sells for £150 a bottle), so we’ve come up with an event across the UK that’s a little bit Willy Wonka and a little bit… Special.

So if you fancy the chance to win £300 worth of whisky for £15 read on…

As we speak, stores large and small across the UK are receiving their bottles of Whyte & Mackay Special – but they’ve got new labels on them and those labels say that 250 of the bottles are filled with 30 year old whisky and not the Special.

So here’s the deal. Find one of the bottles with the label on it. Buy it. Open it and look at the inside of the cap and you’ll be told if you’ve got Special in the bottle or 30 year old. If you’ve got 30 year old, get in touch (details are on the label) and not only can you keep the bottle you have, we’ll send you another bottle of 30 year old in its original packaging free (and if you insist, we’ll send you a bottle of Special too if we’ve got any lying about, but I think most people will be happy with two bottles of 30 year old).

I know where the bottles have gone – there’s a sealed brown envelope in my desk with all the details – but no one else does.

Now you may be wondering what brought this about? Instead of telling, let me show you a video which shows why you never say no to Richard Paterson…

Whyte & Mackay #whiskyhunt2 30 Year Old Whisky Special Promotion, And for those who haven’t tried it, here’s the tasting notes for the 30 year old (and the Special, so people can tell the difference):  Tasting notes for the Whyte & Mackay 30 year old whisky, Tasting notes for the Whyte & Mackay Special whisky: Click here to view the embedded video (for all three). http://www.themasterblender.com/2010/09/22/announcing-whyte-mackay-30-year-whisky-special-promotion-whiskyhunt2/

Let’s see who can be first to find a bottle. We used the hashtag on Twitter #whiskyhunt when we did the Whisky Safari in Glasgow and London, let’s update that to #whiskyhunt2 for this.

Happy hunting!

Richard Paterson at work..

Duncan Taylor Club Newsletter September 2010

We can’t believe it is September already, where has the year gone?!  With colder days, torrential rain and the nights closing in, there is not a better excuse to treat yourself to a lovely warming bottle of DTC.  Read on for new bottlings, tasting notes and general news of what is happening with us here at Duncan Taylor.
  
New Bottlings

  
Duncan Taylor Rare Auld Collection Single Malts

Aberlour 1993 17yo C2840 54.7%
Caperdonich 1972 37yo C6735 51.4%
Glen Grant 1972 38yo C1648 48.7%
 
Duncan Taylor OQ Cask Range

Glen Grant 1972 38yo C446483 54.8% 
  
Lonach

Bunnahabhain 1969 40yo 40%
Glenlivet 1970 40yo 40%

Tasting Notes

Duncan Taylor Rare Auld Glen Grant 1972 38yo C1648 48.7%
Nose:  Stewed fruits, bramble bushes, aniseed, old leather, earthy, soft red apples and traditional lemonade.  Water brings out candyfloss, barley water and juicy fruits.
Taste: Liquorice, green pears, syrupy.  Touch of Parma violets and limeade.  With water much softer and more fruity, very refreshing.  Pear drops, fruit salad – melon and black grape.
 
Lonach Glenlivet 1970 40yo 40%
Nose: Sweet, fruit cake mix, hot cross buns, spiced apples. Delicate hint of oak.  Water brings out raisins, fruit dumplings and bruised apples.
Taste: Initially spicy, lots of apples and a mixture of Custard and tablet.  With water a pinch of salt, more vanilla custard notes and a little grassy finish
 
Duncan Taylor Rare Auld Aberlour 1993 17yo C2840 54.7%
Nose: Mint, cinnamon, brown sugar, gingerbread, Satsuma and glacier cherries.  Water adds more caramel, toffee and heather notes with a touch of carrot cake and pine sap.
Taste: Oranges, chocolate, spring water and victory v’s.  Water makes this much creamier with pancake mix and hot crumpets and then liquorice and blackcurrant develop.
 
Staff Updates
 
Jemma is back to work having been on maternity leave for the last year and is getting right back into the swing of things!  The tasting of the new bottlings helped!
 
Awards

At the recent Whisky Magazine Independant Bottlers awards we were very lucky to pick up the following awards.
 
Independent Bottlers Challenge 2010

Campbeltown
12 YEARS & UNDER
BRONZE – NC2 Springbank 1996
 
19 YEARS PLUS
SILVER – Rare Auld Glen Scotia 1991
 
Highland
12 YEARS & UNDER
SILVER – NC2 Ben Nevis Madeira 1998
13-18 YEARS OLD
BRONZE – Lonach Glengarioch 1989
 
Islands (non Islay)
19 YEARS PLUS
GOLD – Runrig Highland Park 1987
 
Islay
13-18 YEARS OLD
BRONZE – NC2 Laphroaig 1997
 
Lowland
12 YEARS OLD & UNDER
GOLD – Whisky Galore Auchentoshan
19 YEARS PLUS
BRONZE – The Octave Cameronbridge 1978
 
Speyside
12 YEARS & UNDER
SILVER – NC2 Craigellachie 1999

 
Whisky Magazine – New Releases

Our Rare Auld Glen Moray 35yo and our Octave Range Glenrothes 40yo have won recommended awards in Whisky Magazine Issue 90 in the new releases tastings.
 
The whiskies are judged blind by their tasters and then marked out of 10.  Only whiskies scoring more than 17 out of 20 in each edition are awarded the recommended title.
 
Glen Moray – Scored 17 out of 20
Glenrothes – Scored 18 out of 20
 
You can see the certificates on our website http://www.duncantaylor.com/reviews.htm
 
Reviews

Our 1970 Caperdonichs go down a treat with Serge at Whiskyfun.com, 15th Sept 2010

These 1970 Caperdonich are rather less well known than the excellent 1972s, maybe because Duncan Taylor have fewer of them?

Caperdonich 38 yo 1970/2009 (42.3%, Duncan Taylor, Rare Auld, cask #4376, 158 bottles) Colour: gold. Nose: we’re close to a fruitbomb at first nosing, the oak being quick to kick in but in a gentlemanly manner. Develops very classically after a few seconds, with the expected honey, mirabelle jam, quinces, beeswax, yellow flowers and just a little cinnamon and ginger plus vanilla and mint. Archetypical, as they say. Mouth: perfect attack, superbly fruity, fresh, hugely complex right from the start, with all things around bees and their products, many dried and stewed fruits and a wide asortment of secondary notes such as tobacco, lime, pina colada, longans, mead… All perfect. Finish: medium long, clean, easy, honeyed. White pepper, mint and cinnamon in the aftertaste, as almost always with these oldies. Comments: ha-ha, the 1972s have serious competition! But warning, this is very drinkable. SGP:641 – 91 points.

Caperdonich 38 yo 1970/2009 (45.9%, Duncan Taylor, Rare Auld, cask #4377, 205 bottles) Colour: gold. Nose: this is going to be short: less fruits and honey, more nutmeg, eucalyptus and vanilla than in its sister cask. Still very nice on the nose but suffers from the comparison with its fruitier twin… Until it starts to become a little rounder and herbal at the same time. Hints of dill and celery and then a little ginger, as if it was re-racked in newer oak – which I doubt would have happened. Mouth: we aren’t too far from #4376 but this is rather less luxurious and ‘wide’. A little more on plums and on oaky spices, cinnamon, nutmeg… But there a very nice citrusy notes in the background. Finish: a tad longer that cask #4376 but also a little narrower. Quite some pollen. Comments: all good and even almost perfect, it’s just that #4376 was in its way. SGP:541- 89 points.

Caperdonich 38 yo 1970/2009 (46.8%, Duncan Taylor, Rare Auld, cask #4381, 153 bottles) Colour: gold. Nose: hold on, this is funny, this one’s even grassier and less fruity than cask #4377. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful whisky, it’s just that you can’t beat an old fruitbomb that aged to perfection. After a few minutes: more quinces and orange marmalade as well as a little soot and something pleasantly metallic. Citron jelly. Globally fruitier. Mouth: it’s now really wunderbar, rich, punchy, fruity, honeyed, spicy… Old liqueurs, various honeys, lemon marmamalde, herbs, thyme, mint, liquorice… Even hints of ‘mojito’ – yes. Finish: long, punchy, fruity, citrusy, with just the right amount of spices. Comments: right, maybe it was a tad more austere than the others at very first sniffs but it just would stop improving after that. Frankly, this is perfect whisky at almost 40 years of age. As I may have suggested before, buy one, pour it into a shiny crystal decanter (you can find some nice ones for EUR 10 each in any flea markets but watch lead) and there you go, you have your prestige bottling (and just saved a few Ks). SGP:541 – 92 points.

Events & Shows

Hi everyone, it’s Mark here,
 
I had a couple of hectic weekends back to back in Denmark recently. The first weekend was at Hans-Henrik’s excellent Hotel Falster where Lago held their annual get together with Duncan Taylor stockists from across Denmark.  We previewed the Macallan sherry finish, which will be exclusively bottled for Denmark next week.
 
The following weekend I was back in Copenhagen for Whiskymessen meeting up with 3500 whisky fans with a large contingent coming from Sweden.  I was on a busy stand with Michael and his team from TØNDEN where we had 65 different whiskies on offer – all Duncan Taylor bottlings from Big Smoke 40 toNC2  Imperial 1997, through to Port Ellen 1983 to Highland Park 40yo.  It was a long day but it was great to see some old friends and meet many new Duncan Taylor fans.
 
You can see more of my trip on our website
 
http://www.duncantaylor.com/news/index.php,
 
Whisky Live Paris
 
We will be saying au revoir to Kirsty who will be heading to Whisky Live Paris on the 25th, 26th and 27th of this month.
 
Autumn Speyside Whisky Festival
 
Mark will be in Dufftown for the festival and he is hosting a tasting on the Monday 27th September at 6pm.  There are still a few tickets available from Spirit of Speyside website.
 
We hope to see you on our travels.
 
Regards,
The Sales Team
 
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).

Please feel free to comment and add to this with anything you feel relevant.

 For further information, please contact:

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

NEW VENUE BOOST FOR BALLANTINE’S CHAMPIONSHIP

Blackstone Golf Club Course

Ballantine’s, the No 1 ultra-premium Scotch whisky in Asia Pacific, will further benefit from its ongoing commitment to golf with the announcement that Korea’s largest golf event, the Ballantine’s Championship, is to move from Pinx Golf Club on Jeju Island, where the tournament has been held since 2008, to newly built Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon, South Korea.

The Ballantine’s Championship is set to prosper in the new setting, with the proximity to capital city Seoul due to attract more star players and generate an increase in visitor numbers. With Ballantine’s recently extending its sponsorship of the tournament for a further three years, the European Tour event will remain at Blackstone until 2013, at least.

Commenting on the announcement, Peter Moore, Global Brand Director, Ballantine’s said: “Ballantine’s and golf share a long history and are enjoyed together throughout the world. In Korea, there are five million golfers, many of whom are whisky drinkers making it a very important market for Ballantine’s. With this move, we are confident that the Ballantine’s Championship will go from strength-to-strength by attracting new players and visitors, and subsequently offer us the opportunity to continue to build our heritage and credibility in the world of golf.”

Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of the European Tour added: “Over the last three years the Ballantine’s Championship has become firmly established as one of the premier events in Asia and this move to Blackstone Golf & Resort, will further enhance the Championship’s credentials. We thank Ballantine’s for their vision and continued commitment to developing the Championship, the Korean PGA and the event promoter PMG for their support.”

Ballantine’s offers the most extensive range of aged Scotch whiskies in the world, with Ballantine’s 30 Year Old at its pinnacle. In South Korea, Ballantine’s is the undisputed No 1 ultra-premium Scotch whisky.

Notes

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No 1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No 1 Scotch whisky inEurope, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality 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 2013

•           Ballantine’s is an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open, held every July at the exclusive Loch Lomond Golf Club

•           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 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.

Ballantine's Aged Range

Sep 16, 2010 11:06 ET Laphroaig® Invites Whisky Fans to Experience a Taste of Scotland With a Flavor of Spain Award-Winning Laphroaig® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Hosts Its Fourth Annual Online Tasting “Distillery LIVE 2010”

DEERFIELD, IL–(Marketwire – September 16, 2010) –  Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch, the most richly flavored of all Scotch whiskies, invites consumers of legal purchase age to discover what Southwestern Spain and the remote Scottish island of Islay have in common during its fourth annual LIVE Webcast on Thursday, September 23. Hosted by Laphroaig Distillery Manager John Campbell, Laphroaig U.S. Brand Ambassador Simon Brooking and Harveys Bristol Cream General Manager Jose Antonio Sauto, “Distillery LIVE 2010” will broadcast live from the Harveys’ Bodegas in Jerez, Spain to celebrate the distinctive taste of Laphroaig expressions that have been matured in Sherry casks.

“I am delighted to host ‘Distillery LIVE 2010’ in Spain with our friends at Harveys,” said Campbell. “This year’s tasting is one that Scotch and Sherry lovers alike can truly appreciate. Online tasting participants will be taken on a tasting journey they will find to be insightful and entertaining.”

By introducing Laphroaig to Sherry casks for maturation, a uniquely rich flavor and hue is added to the whisky, delivering the unmistakable taste of Laphroaig with characteristics of the Sherry. A relatively rare process, industry estimates suggests that less than seven percent of whisky is matured in Sherry casks compared to Bourbon casks.

On September 23 (2:00 p.m. EDT), Campbell, Brooking and Sauto will conduct a 45-minute tasting from Harveys’ Bodegas. International singer/songwriter and Friend of Laphroaig Diego Sandrin will also make a special appearance. The online tasting and educational seminar will provide a closer look into the ‘marriage’ between the Sherried oaky flavors derived from the Oloroso Sherry casks and the sweet flavors from oak bourbon barrels, comparing the flavors of each expression through its maturation process. Featured expressions will include Laphroaig Quarter Cask, newly released Laphroaig Triple Wood, Laphroaig 25 Year Old and a special exclusively Oloroso-matured expression that will also be tasted during the program. Harveys Fino and Oloroso Sherries will also be showcased during the live tasting.

Featured Expressions

Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Double-cask matured in American Oak barrels and newly created quarter casks, Laphroaig Quarter Cask is deep, complex and smoky with a surprising gentle sweetness.

Laphroaig Triple Wood
Enjoying a third maturation in Spanish Oak, Laphroaig Triple Wood brings a gentle mixture of sweet raisins and creamy apricots to the palate with just a trace of the dry peat smoke; the smoother nutty flavors combine all these flavors into one smooth, syrupy whole.

Laphroaig 25 Year Old
Matured in both Fino and Oloroso Sherry Butts during its maturation, Laphroaig 25 Year Old offers a rare combination of bold peat flavor spiced with sweet sherry notes and rich oaky undertones.

Harveys Fino
Matured in very seasoned American Oak Butts, Harveys Fino is a full-bodied dry sherry that features a subtle almond aroma and provides a balanced and round taste to the palate.

Harveys Oloroso
Deep and amber in color, Harveys Oloroso provides a round and velvety finish with an elegant after taste that’s sure to please the palate.

Participants of legal purchase age can download tasting notes and guides and submit their questions in advance at Laphroaig.com. For more information, visit Laphroaig.com/live.

Program Viewing Information

To view “Distillery LIVE 2010” log onto http://live.laphroaig.tv.

About Friends of Laphroaig

The Friends of Laphroaig began in 1994 as a way to communicate news about the distiller and connect with other Laphroaig lovers around the world. Today it has grown to more than 400,000 members from more than 150 countries. Each fan receives a lifetime lease on a square foot of land next to the distillery that they can visit, view online and collect a dram of ‘rent’ for, should they ever visit the island. The members-only section of Laphroaig.com boasts contests, e-cards, chat boards, photo albums, printable personalized business cards and more. Membership is free with proof of purchase of 10 Year Old, 15 Year Old, 18 Year Old, 25 Year Old, 30 Year Old, Quarter Cask or Cask Strength Laphroaig. New members can register at www.laphroaig.com/friends.

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine

Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, EFFEN® Vodka, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, Teacher’s® Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper® Cordials and Liqueurs and Knob Creek® Bourbon. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), a leading consumer brands company. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

Laphroaig® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 43%, 48% and 55.7% alc./vol.
©2010 Laphroaig Import Company, Deerfield, IL

GLENFIDDICH UNVEILS 1978 VINTAGE RESERVE

– – – Pioneering process sees whisky selected via Twitter – – –

Dufftown, 20 September 2010: Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, today announced the release of the Glenfiddich 1978 Vintage Reserve, an exceptional single malt with classic Glenfiddich characteristics. This year’s Vintage Reserve is not only the first released under the stewardship of Glenfiddich’s recently appointed Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, but also the first Vintage Reserve selected via Twitter.

On 9th June 2010, Brian Kinsman was joined online by a global panel of eight influential whisky bloggers and journalists.  The group nosed and tasted four single malts and compared tasting notes via the microblogging site.

Their thoughts and impressions on each sample were tweeted and followed live on http://www.glenfiddichvintagereserve.com, before the panel came to a conclusion and selected cask number 28152 as their favourite.

Cask number 28152, which has a strength of 50.7% ABV, will produce 184 70cl cask-strength bottles which will retail at a RRP of £480.
 
Brian Kinsman, the sixth Malt Master in Glenfiddich’s long and distinguished history, commented: “Selecting this year’s Vintage Reserve was hugely exciting for me. Not only was it my inaugural Vintage Reserve selection, but to use Twitter was truly pioneering. It was fantastic to be able to lead a panel of experts from around the world and select such a wonderful whisky.

“For two hours, we nosed and tasted samples from four pre-selected casks, all of which were filled from the same batch on the same day – 25th September 1978. Despite being filled with identical spirit, each American oak hogshead cask imbued its contents with a distinctive personality and characteristic – producing a truly unique whisky. I’m delighted with the panel’s final decision and it’s great to see cask number 28152 released globally.”

The panel agreed that cask number 28152 has a beautifully balanced nose with the hallmark Glenfiddich single malt pear and fruity character. Summer grass, hints of orange marmalade, green bananas, herbs – thyme and bay leaf – and delicate toffee oak notes shine through. It is velvety smooth to the taste, with rich vanilla oak flavours intriguingly punctuated with a vibrant fruitiness. The addition of a little water accentuates the fruit aspect with distinct citrus and red summer berries notes. Over time the spicy character comes through without ever dominating.  Its finish is long and rich with the signature fruity distillery character leaving a lasting impression.

The full conversation can be viewed on Twitter at http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23vintagereserve or at http://www.glenfiddichvintagereserve.com.

The 1978 Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve will join the award-winning range of Glenfiddich single malt Scotch whiskies, which also includes Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old, 18 Year Old, 21 Year Old, 30 Year Old, 40 Year Old, and 50 Year Old.

Notes
 
The Vintage Reserve selection process took place between midday and 2pm (GMT + 1), on Wednesday 9th June 2010
The 2010 panel was made up of eight whisky bloggers from Sweden, Taiwan, UK, USA, Canada, Russia, Denmark and India
Ho-Cheng Yao, Taiwan. Twitter: @kingfishertw Blog: Single Malt Lover!
Lucas Dynowiak, UK. Twitter: @EdinburghWhisky Blog: Edinburgh Whisky Blog
Noah Rothbaum, USA. Twitter: @liquordotcom Blog: Liquor.com
Rick McGinnis, Canada. Twitter: @rickmcginnis Blog: Rick McGinnis
Hans-Henrik Hansen, Denmark. Twitter: @hhhglenfiddich
Anish Trivedi, India. Twitter: @anish_trivedi Blog: Raw Spirit
Jerry Lindahl, Sweden. Twitter: @avecprovning Blog: blog.livetsgoda.se &
Herr J. Lindahls avecprovning
Ilya Krasilshchik, Russia. Twitter: @maliar Blog: twitter.com/maliar
Prior to the Vintage Reserve selection process, the panel were sent samples of whisky from four American oak hogshead casks, all filled from the same batch on 25th September 1978.

William Grant & Sons Ltd:

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 best loved blended Scotches, Grant’s®, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry® Spiced Rum and Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey® 
 
Visit www.williamgrant.com for more information on the Company and its brands

NEW 50ML FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST SINGLE GRAIN WHISKY

Following the successful launch of South Africa’s first single grain whisky late last year,  Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky will now be available in accessible 50ml packs.

Made from recyclable PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) the bottle is light and moulded in the distinctive square shape synonymous with the larger 750ml design.

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky recently made its debut in the international competitive arena and in the space of just two weeks it received a gold and best-in-class at the 2010 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) and a silver award at the 2010 International Spirits Competition, both held in the United Kingdom. 

According to brand manager Liezl Dippenaar, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is the only South African produced whisky available in a 50ml at this stage.

“Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is a uniquely South African product and immensely popular, which is why we wanted to extend its reach to more people and by doing so increase the usage occasion for consumers. The handy 50ml format is perfect for hotel and lodge rooms and to serve aboard airplanes.  In-store, it is also an ideal single size for someone looking to try the brand or for a more convenient serving.”

Created by master distiller Andy Watts at The James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, the whisky is made from the finest quality South African grain. Double-matured in specially selected oak casks, the whisky spends an initial three years maturing before being released from wood and then re-vatted for a further two years’ maturation to continue the distinctive extraction of flavours.

The whisky shows an exceptional interaction between spirit and wood to produce a mix of toffee, floral and vanilla aromas and flavours with a hint of spice softened by sweet undertones. The result is a warm and extended mouthfeel with an exceptionally smooth finish.

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky takes its name from the Bain’s Kloof Pass, opened in 1853, and according to Watts the pass harmonises seamlessly with its natural surroundings.

“At its base the road cuts into the mountain slopes and winds its way through pine forests and fynbos where many protea species grow on the higher mountain slopes. The whisky pays tribute not only to one of the most picturesque and magnificent passes in South Africa but also honours Andrew Geddes Bain, the creative mind behind its construction.”

The leopards on the crest represent the Cape Mountain leopards which have lived in and roamed the area of Bain’s Kloof Pass for hundreds of years. Regal and agile, these reclusive predators keep to the steep, inaccessible slopes of the rugged mountains. Today, the numbers of these endangered cats have been dramatically reduced but rare sightings are reported from time to time.

ONLINE WHISKY GIZMO TO TICKLE TASTEBUDS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has launched The Spirit Cellars, the world’s first bespoke whisky selection engine which gives users a unique and quirky way to discover the wealth of exclusive Society bottlings. 

A magical world of discovery located deep within the dark vaults of the SMWS’ website (www.smws.com/the-spirit-cellars) The Spirit Cellars combines advanced algorithms with colourful tasting notes to help customers identify their perfect SMWS malt whisky whatever the mood, place or occasion.

With an ever-changing range of single cask, single malt bottlings on offer the Society recognised that both experts and emerging enthusiasts would enjoy a new way of discovering the right choice for them.

Using technology developed for the computer dating industry, a range of engaging widgets such as MoodBot, Palate Equaliser and the Phrenology Lab assess frame of mind, personality, palate preferences and favoured flavours to introduce Society members to their ideal dram. 

Single cask malts to suit specific occasions are also recommended.  With tasting notes to complement fish and chips to an evening of tapas with friends, The Spirit Cellars whisky selection engine aims to pick out the perfect whisky for any occasion.

By providing feedback on how they choose whisky, users will have the chance to develop their own signature online gadget and win an exclusive bottle from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s wide range of single cask malts.

Kai Ivalo, Sales & Marketing Director of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society commented on the Society’s latest development: “Choosing the right whisky is a personal experience, with a myriad of factors affecting the final decision.  The Spirit Cellars whisky selection engine offers a guiding pathway through a minefield of choice, enabling us to pair whisky fans with the right single cask malt and ultimately ensure they get the most from their membership.” 

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

Tasting in the Sky

Good afternoon,

Did I ever mention I believe nosing whisky in the great outdoor is more enjoyable? As a matter of fact, I often take samples of whisky away from my desk and into the open countryside. Many of the tasting notes I have written for this blog were jotted on a notepad outside our restaurant in Dufftown.

I don’t know if there is a scientific reason why the aroma of a whisky should be different outside but I do know I get a lot more out of subtle whiskies when I am not at my desk or at home. Perhaps, those of you who have enjoyed a whisky miniature half way around a golf course will know what I am talking about?

I must have mentioned this to some of my colleagues as I got a unique opportunity to test my theory last week when I was invited to host a tasting in the sky.

The idea came from our PR agency in the UK and as you’ll see on the pictures below, they chose a stunning location to host the event.

I must admit I’m not fond of heights but here I was, 131 feet up in the sky, enjoying a selection of our blends and taking in the scenery. Ale Cask’s nose was even more stunning than usual and celebrity chef Nick Nairn even joined us on one of the lifts.

All in all, it was a fantastic day! Tamara, when can we do it again?

Best regards,

Ludo

Visit http://blog.grantswhisky.com/2010/09/tasting-in-the-sky/ to view all the sky high photos…