Greetings to all Society members

You will see from the online shop that the Campbeltown Loch 30 Y/O is now available in a black leatherette presentation box at a price of £41.50 plus p&p.

We have  some of the 30 Y/O available in standard packaging at a cost of £36.50 plus p&p if anyone is planning to buy but not to add to a collection.   So if you intend buying purely for the drinking pleasure, and would be happy to save £5 please let me know and I will pass this on to the shop.

We are offering this to our Society members first, to give you the chance to save a little on your bottle.

Regards

Janet

For the Springbank Society

*********************************************************
J & A Mitchell and Co Ltd, The Tasting Room, 9 Bolgam Street, Campbeltown, Argyll, PA28 6HZ
Registered in Scotland, registration number 3582
Tel :   + 44(0) 1586 552009   Fax :  + 44(0) 1586 553232  website  http://www.springbankwhisky.com

Please contact Janet if you would like to join the Springbank Society 

As you know, I am committed to informing you of the release of new variants of Highland Park. These two whiskies are very special; they were distilled a long time before I was born, a time of Beatlemania, Malcolm X and Mary Poppins for one and student unrest, Johnny Cash Live at Folsom Prison and Bullitt for the other. Cue drum roll…

The Highland Park Orcadian Vintage Series launches with the release of the 1964 and 1968 Vintages. Inspired by the myths and legends of Orkney, the series is easily recognizable as it is bottled in bespoke black glass, the manufacture of which is an all but defunct art form; its scarcity reflects the rarity of the whisky. Only a couple of vintages a year will be released.

Orkney was under Viking rule until 1468 and this is reflected in the design; the interior hinged door of the oak box of the 1964 Vintage features an intricate illustration of Viking art in marquetry; it depicts a dragon-like beast around whose leg a smaller animal has firmly clamped its jaws. The original representation of the mythical Great Beast appeared on the metal war vane of an 11th century longship. The whisky is a vatting of two casks, yielding 290 bottles at 42.2%; it has a nose of dried strawberries and shellac, a sweet palate with crushed black pepper and vanilla pod and a rich, long, spicy finish. Highland Park Orcadian Series 1964 Vintage is available at £3,750 per bottle.

The 1968 Vintage is a vatting of eight casks, yielding 1550 bottles at 45.6%; the nose is thick with honey and spice, the palate redolent of dried orange peel and ginger with a long, sweet, spicy finish. The interior hinged door on the box of this expression features a mythical Sea Dragon from a wood carving at the church of Urnes in western Norway. The illustration is a combat motif; a dragon-like creature is shown seizing a lesser beast by the neck. Highland Park Orcadian Series 1968 Vintage is available at £2,250 per bottle.

Both of these releases from the Orcadian Vintage Series are available from specialist retailers globally.
For more information about the Best Spirit in the World, or to purchase an Orcadian Series bottling, visit www.highlandpark.co.uk
 
 

Gerry
Head of Brand Education, Highland Park

WHISKY GIFTS GALORE FOR CHRISTMAS
This mouth-watering menu of award winning Christmas drams offers a range of gifts to suit every budget, guaranteed to delight both whisky connoisseurs or newcomers to ‘the water of life’ this festive season.   

Gifts under £25

The Famous Grouse is unveiling a limited edition gift box for this Christmas. Scotland’s favourite whisky has partnered with renowned Scottish designers, Timorous Beasties, to create a unique collectors item sure to be a hit with whisky lovers. The illustration takes the style of the iconic Timorous Beastie toile designs, and depicts a visual history of the brand and its home, Bordeaux House, along with the famous bird itself. The gift box contains a bottle of  The Famous Grouse (70cl) and will only be available from selected retailers or online at www.thefamousgrouse.com (RRP £15.29).

Thousands of people each Christmas enjoy a dram of  The Famous Grouse, Scotland’s No.1 whisky.  This fantastic quality blended whisky, contains a blend of fine single malts including Highland Park and The Macallan. Why not make a gift or your bottle even better by personalising the label?  Choose up to 13 characters on the front label and customise the back label with your own message.  The bottle will then be posted direct to your door in a standard gift box or with the option to display in a special presentation box. (Special Label RRP £19.99 + P&P. Additional £2 supplement for presentation box. Available online at www.thefamousgrouse.com )

The latest addition to The Famous Grouse family – The Black Grouse – is a unique blend of The Famous Grouse mixed with Islay malts to create a rich smoky, peaty taste. To date, this special whisky has raised £30,000 to help save its namesake, the black grouse, from extinction through its unique partnership with the RSPB which sees 50p from the sale of each bottle go to the charity. The perfect gift for bird lovers and whisky fans alike! (RRP £15.66, available at Sainsbury’s stores or online at www.black-grouse.com )

Gifts up to £60

Balanced with oak and fruit flavours and hints of fruit and heather honey, the soft and malty The Macallan Fine Oak 10 years old makes an ideal introduction to the range. The award winning Fine Oak range was heralded to be “by far the best range of non-vintage whiskies to be launched by any one distillery for possibly the last decade.”1 (RRP £26.67, available at multiple retailers including Asda, Tesco, Co-op, Oddbins or online at www.themacallan.com )

Laden with notes of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and hints of spice, The Glenrothes Select Reserve typifies the Speyside distillery house style.  A vatting of casks distilled in different years, Select Reserve is presented in the iconic Glenrothes bottle and is the very essence of The Glenrothes range (RRP £32.20, available at Oddbins, House of Fraser, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Wine Rack, specialist whisky retailers or online at www.theglenrothes.com ).

“Christmas cake in a glass” is how the distillery manager on Orkney describes Highland Park 18 year old single malt, which boasts a rich full flavour with hints of honey and peat with a soft, long rounded finish.  This year it was named ‘The Best Spirit in the World’ for the second consecutive time by American drinks expert Paul Pacult2, making this an impressive Christmas dram (RRP £60.94, available at multiple retailers including Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons, Co-op, Somerfield and Oddbins or online at www.highlandpark.co.uk ).

Special gifts from £290

The Macallan Sherry Oak 30 years old is slowly matured in exceptional sherry oak casks to create a satisfyingly complex single malt often referred to as ‘the Rolls Royce of whiskies’.  Characterised by its rich dark mahogany colour, this rare whisky is deliciously smooth with dried fruits, orange and wood smoke flavours and ends on a long, rich note with lingering hints of spice and orange (RRP £290, available at Harrods, Selfridges and House of Fraser, specialist whisky retailers or online at www.themacallan.com ).

The Glenrothes John Ramsay Legacy is a limited edition bottling from their long-serving Malt Master to mark his retirement and long-standing relationship with the distillery.  Ramsay personally selected 30 casks to create an impressive single malt. Bursting with aromas of spice, blood orange and vanilla, this whisky has a rich palate of fruit and mango with a long, mature unmistakably American oak finish.  Only 100 Legacy bottles are available in the UK (RRP £699, available at specialist whisky retailers or online at www.theglenrothes.com ).

The ultimate indulgence this Christmas comes from Highland Park, with the launch of the first two expressions from an exclusive range of Highland Park single malt Vintages.  The 1964 and 1968 Vintages each offer balance, character and provenance with their own unique flavours and complexity (1964 RRP £3,750 and 1968 RRP £2,250, available at specialist whisky retailers or online at www.highlandpark.co.uk ).

-Ends-
Notes to editors:
1Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2005
2Highland Park 18 year old was named Best Spirit in the World by American drinks expert Paul Pacult in Top 115 Spirits, Spirit Journal 2009 and 2005
For further information or images, please contact:
Pamela.wils@bigpartnership.co.uk or Mhairi.deluca@bigpartnership.co.uk
Tel 0131 555 5522
Please enjoy our brands responsibly
www.drinkaware.co.uk

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY: GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES NEW MINIATURE GIFT PACK
 
To introduce its single malts to a wider audience, GlenDronach has today (18 November) launched a new gift pack of miniatures just in time for Christmas.
 
Its three classic malts – the 12, 15 and 18 year olds – are beautifully presented in an eye-catching triangular box (pictured).
 
Regional Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “This is all about “try before you buy”.
 
“GlenDronach is renowned for its richly-sherried single malts, but as it has been a bit of a sleeping giant in recent years, we wanted to give malt lovers an opportunity to re-discover its sublime taste.
 
“The miniatures will allow people to experience a sensational mouthful of our three Highland expressions, perhaps tempting them afterwards to try a dram from a more satisfying standard bottle.
 
“With the 12-year old “Original”, they’ll discover it’s rich, creamy and silky-smooth, with warm, rich oak and sherry sweetness, full mouth feel, raisins and soft fruits.
 
“The 15-year old “Revival” has an incredible concentration of aromas, with treacle toffee and chocolate orange to the fore.
 
“And the 18-year-old “Allardice” offers sweet aromatics of fudge and muscovado sugar, while fruit compote and glacier morello cherries provide added complexity.
 
“So you’ll find three quite inimitable and individual tastes in the pack which, we believe, will make an excellent Christmas gift at just £16.99 each.”
 
The GlenDronach miniature gift pack is available from today, 18 November 2009. For more information please call 01324 682220 or email info@glendronachdistillery.co.uk
                       
ends                                                        18 November 2009
 
INFORMATION – Kerry White, 01324 682220

With Black Friday approaching, Old Forester, America’s First Bottled Bourbon and the brand who celebrates “Firsts” with you, has created the “Official Cocktail of Black Friday”. Old Forester encourages you to be the FIRST shopper out the door in the morning and the FIRST person home in the afternoon who has their shopping completed for the holiday season so you can then sit back and relax with the Old Forester Black Friday Cocktail. Cheers!

The Black Friday

1.5 oz Old Forester Bourbon

1 oz Ginger ale

2 oz Cola

Squeeze of lime

Garnish with crushed lime.

Note that the green lime represents your money that has been crushed from shopping

Love life. Sip responsibly.

Old Forester Straight Bourbon Whisky, 43-50% Alc. by Volume, Brown-Forman Distillers Company, Louisville, KY ©2009

Svend Jansen

PR Manager – Woodford Reserve, Canadian Mist, Early Times & Old Forester

Brown-Forman

850 Dixie Highway

Louisville, KY 40210

Office, (502) 774-7825

Mobile, (502) 744-0462

svend_jansen@b-f.com

 
BenRiach has launched two new limited edition expressions from its Speyside distillery – BenRiach Moscatel Wood Finish and BenRiach Gaja Barolo Wood Finish.
 
It has released just 300 cases of each.
 
Both have been finished in wine barrels and during maturation the whisky interacts with the oak wood, deriving a number of distinctive flavours and aromas.
 
Both are non-chill filtered, of natural colour and are bottled at 46% volume.
 
For its second period of maturation, the Moscatel Wood Finish is finished in wine barrels sourced from Portugal while the Gaja Barolo matures in barrels from the Barolo wine production area in Italy’s Piedmont region.
 
Regional Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “These are superlative malts in the classic BenRiach style.
 
“The respective tastes are truly sublime. The Moscatel is lusciously full-flavoured, delivering super rich chocolate and date pudding and the Gaja Barolo has a real dessert-style quality from which flavours of stewed plums and damson jam emerge. These are two special malts to be savoured slowly this winter.”
 
For more information please call 01324 682220 or email info@benriachdistillery.co.uk
 
ends                           19 November 2009
 
INFORMATION – Kerry White, 01324 682220

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

I will have the November edition of the Malt Messenger out early next week, in the meantime I have some big news.  Firstly, Jim Murray’s 2010 Whisky Bible is now in stock, the 7th edition by my count. Our exceptional new exclusive, the Bowmore Tempest, is also here and in stock, and I’ve a sample bottle if you’d like to taste it! Further there are still two seats left for the Glenfarclas Family Cask tasting at the Petroleum Club. I have provided some details on that tasting plus the pricing on available Family Cask bottlings. And last but not least, this weekend is a great opportunity to stock up on some Christmas whiskies as we are having a “SUPER SALE”! Details on the Bowmore, the Whisky Bible, Glenfarclas and the “Super Sale” can be found below.

I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger Bulletin!

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson

In This Malt Messenger Bulletin

1.       Jim Murray’s 2010 Whisky Bible in Stock!

2.       Bowmore Tempest

3.       Glenfarclas Family Cask Tasting

4.       Glenfarclas Family Cask Bottles Available

5.       !!!!!!Huge Sale This Weekend!!!!!!

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010 – $21.99

The 2010 edition of the bible reviews more than 3850 whiskies including 56 updated descriptions and 946 new entries.  Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible is the most comprehensive printed tasting guide to world whiskies. Jim Murray scores every whisky he reviews on a 100 point scale giving equal weight to their nose, palate, finish and balance. This year’s top picks include:

1.       World Whisky of the Year – Sazerac 18Yr Rye

2.       Second Finest Whisky in the World – Ardbeg Supernova

3.       Third Finest Whisky in the World – Amrut Fusion

Introducing the Bowmore Tempest – $81.99

The Bowmore Tempest is getting rave reviews around the whisky world and Kensington Wine Market is thrilled to be the only store in Canada selling it. This whisky is a limited edition 10 year old cask strength expression of Bowmore matured exclusively in first fill American oak exbourbon casks which matured only feet from the battering waves of Loch Indaal. “We are so proud to reveal Bowmore Tempest. It’s a balanced yet complex dram that really captures the spirit of the distillery on Islay and the craftsmanship that has been applied to make this beautiful tasting single malt.” – Kirsteen Beeston Morrison Bowmore Distillers.

I’ll have more for you on this in the next full Malt Messenger, but as a teaser, here is the distillery’s official tasting note, and Bowmore Beaufort Tasting Scale:

Colour: Bright summer gold.

Nose: Earthy smoke and brine water, notes of crème brulée with orange blossom with butter cream.

Palate: Bursts of citrus, lemons and orange with the distinct peaty Islay character and a sea salt tang.

Finish: Long, lingering yet clean and fresh.

Glenfarclas Family Cask Tasting w/ George Grant – Thursday November 26th – 7PM – @ The Petroleum Club – $150

Only 2 Spaces Left!

This is round 2 of Kensington Wine Market’s Glenfarclas Family Cask tastings. Last fall we were fortunate enough to have Robert Ransome of Glenfarclas on hand to do the tasting. This fall we are proud to present special guest George Grant, family owner of Glenfarclas and the man who selected the casks for an incredible tasting of 6 different vintages: 1954, 1962, 1978, 1984, 1985, and 1987. This is one event not to miss!

Available Glenfarclas Family Cask Bottlings

The following bottles of The Glenfarclas Family Casks are presently available. If you order one of these bottles in the next week we will extend to you a 5% discount. There is only one bottle of most of these whiskies available so don’t delay!

Family Cask 1952 – Reg $2745.99
Family Cask 1953 – Reg $2155.99
Family Cask 1955 – Reg $2286.99
Family Cask 1956 – Reg $1958.99
Family Cask 1957 – Reg $1958.99
Family Cask 1958 – Reg $1839.99
Family Cask 1960 – Reg $1434.99
Family Cask 1961 – Reg $1303.99
Family Cask 1965 – Reg $845.99
Family Cask 1966 – Reg $845.99
Family Cask 1967- Reg $845.99
Family Cask 1968 – Reg $823.99
Family Cask 1980 – Reg $452.99
Family Cask 1981 – Reg $491.45
Family Cask 1982 – Reg $452.99
Family Cask 1983 – Reg $452.99
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old – Reg $4499.99

 
Kensington Wine Market’s “SUPER SALE”

This weekend is a tremendous opportunity to stock up on some great whiskies and wines, as we are having our annual “FALL SUPER SALE!” All of our single malts will be 5% off and there are some exceptional deals to be had. I’ve broken them down below, but here are a few teasers:

G & M KWM Glen Grant 1966 – SAVE 20% – This 1966 vintage of Glen Grant Single Malt was bottled exclusively for our store. It was matured 41 years and 10 months in a Refill Sherry Hogshead and has been bottled at a cask strength of 49.4%. The whisky is surprisingly soft and gentle for having spent close to 42 years in an oak cask. But don’t get complacent; the whisky rapidly builds in flavour and complexity. Here is my tasting note: Nose: ripe orchard fruits, citrus, poached apple, sauternes, chocolate orange and gentle spices and moderate hints of sherry. Palate: sweet and gentle with rich spices, and buttery sherry notes; becomes drier, darker and more chocolaty with each sip; traces of raw cocoa and coffee bean. Finish: long and soft with warming sherry notes; drying with soft but firm oak and more hints of citrus. Only 134 numbered bottles are available, with less than half remaining! – Regular $499.99 Save 20%

OMC KWM Port Ellen 25 Year – SAVE 15% – Bottled exclusively for the Kensington Wine Market this bottling of Port Ellen is exceptional. Port Ellen closed in 1983 meaning that with every passing year this whisky gets older, rarer and more expensive. We are thrilled to have acquired our own cask! Our private bottling of Port Ellen was selected from a number of casks belonging to Douglas Laing of Glasgow, Scotland. Matured in a Refill-Sherry Butt 210 bottles of the whisky have been bottled at a cask strength of 54.7%. Distilled in the months before Port Ellen closed its doors forever, our bottling matured 25 years before bottling. The first sip has some heat, but its clean and rolls out into green earthy notes, then sweet honey and finally salty smoke. The second sip is classic Port Ellen, all the taste buds in my mouth are alight with sweet, smoky, earthy, fresh and fruity notes. Towards the back of the palate the smoky-briny take over and lead the charge with some dark chocolate-peat close behind. The third sip is creamier, with buttery-briny-peat; very lovely! This Whisky was the overwhelming favourite in our two Blind Port Ellen tastings this fall! – Regular $249.99 Save 15%

SAVE 7% ON THE FOLLOWING WHISKIES

BenRiach 15Yr Rum Finish – Reg $82.49
BenRiach 15Yr Tawny Port Finish – Reg $82.49
Cragganmore 12Yr – Reg $74.49
Dewar Rattray Laphroaig 18Yr – Reg $172.99 *Exclusively Available in Alberta!
Lagavulin 12Yr Cask Strength – Reg $110.99
Macallan 12Yr – Reg $73.99
Murray McDavid Clynelish – Reg $71.99
Premium Bottlers Braeval 18Yr – Reg $152.99
Premium Bottlers Littlemill 16Yr – Reg $147.49 *Closed Distillery!
Rare Malts Glendullan 26Yr – Reg $208.49
Rare Malts Linkwood 30Yr – Reg $206.98
Springbank 10Yr – Reg $70.49
Suntory Yamazaki 12Yr – Reg $55.49
Talisker Distillers Edition 1993 – Reg $99.99
Johnnie Walker Blue Label – Reg $241.99
Johnnie Walker Gold Label – Reg $91.49
Tullamore Dew 12Yr – Reg $39.49
 

SAVE 10% ON THE FOLLOWING WHISKIES – Most of These Whiskies are KWM Exclusives

Cadenhead Laphroaig Cask 12Yr Demerara Rum – Reg $83.99
Arran 10Yr 100 Proof – Reg $74.99
BenRiach Arumaticus Fumosus 12Yr – Reg $71.99
BenRiach Herodotus Fumosus 12Yr – Reg $71.99
BenRiach Importanticus Fumosus 12Yr – Reg $71.99
Benromach Latitude 53 Second Release – Reg $ 128.99
Benromach Latitude 57 – Reg $129.49 * Only 1 left!
Bowmore Tempest Cask Strength – Reg $81.99 *ONLY AVAILABLE AT KWM IN CANADA!

Brora 25Yr – Reg $354.99
Bruichladdich Octomore – Reg $152.49
Duthies Auchentoshan 19Yr – Reg $108.49 * Whisky Mag Award Winner!
Duthies Caol Ila 13Yr – Reg $87.49
Duthies Cragganmore 15Yr – Reg $94.99
Duthies Glen Scotia 17Yr – Reg $101.99 * Whisky Mag Award Winner!
Finlaggan Old Islay Reserve – Reg $50.99
Finlaggan Cask Strength – Reg $85.99
G&M Strathisla 40Yr – $339.99 * Incredible value for a 40 year old whisky!
Ledaig 10Yr – Reg $73.99 * Sweet, lightly peated whisky from Tobermory on Mull!
Oban 14Yr – Reg $99.99
Oban Distillers Edition – Reg $143.99
Provenance Glendullan 14Yr – Reg $84.99
Provenance Tamnavulin 12Yr – Reg $73.99
Springbank 1996 KWM Manzanilla Cask – Reg $109.99 * Only 3 left!
 

SAVE 15% ON – OMC KWM Port Ellen 25Yr – Reg $249.99

SAVE 20% ON – G & M KWM Glen Grant 1966 – Reg $499.99

SALE RULES

All sales are final.
If there is a discrepancy the price in the Point of Sale System will be taken as correct.
Sale price is only valid in store and online. No phone orders will be taken.
Sale price is only valid on in store merchandise.
 
———————

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com.. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change!

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
KWM Scotchguy

403-283-8000
888-283-9004
1257 Kensington Rd. NW
Calgary, AB, Canada
T2N 3P8

scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com

The Famous Grouse is set to launch a new TV advert this Christmas for fans of Scotland’s Favourite Whisky, bringing together the brands unique blend of wit and charm. The advert isn’t set to air until Monday 23rd November, and so to get your own sneak preview just click on the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PYSTyXEyhU

This new advert contrasts the enduring fame of the brand with the superficial, fleeting fame prevalent in today’s Z-list celebrity loving culture. It aims to highlight that The Famous Grouse has a real reason to be Famous; its been Scotland’s No.1 selling or indeed its favourite whisky for almost 30 years.

This advert will be screened along side a selection of the brand firm favourite adverts including ‘Perfectly Composed’ (the one with the grouse fighting through the wind and rain!!).

The new advert is due to air first on Monday 23rd November during Midsomer Murders.

Ends

Mhairi De Luca
Account Executive

The BIG Partnership

Suite 4/3, Great Michael House, 14 Links Place, Edinburgh, EH6 7EZ

Tel: 0131 555 5522
Mob:07793221273
Fax: 0131 554 3742
www.bigpartnership.co.uk

This from Richard Paterson……

Just a couple of hours left now until the Dalmore Oculus goes under the hammer…

Isn’t it a beauty? This was a really pleasant whisky to create and very soon now, we’ll find out if it becomes the world’s most expensive whisky. In fact Bonhams almost put it better than me:

The Dalmore Oculus

A rich spicy and orange zest core to the malt is first selected from cask 1781, distilled in 1951, some 58 years old. Dried fruits, ripe bananas, treacle toffee and almonds from our original fifty year old – now held in small glass jars at The Dalmore distillery – are added to develop complexity. This rare malt, selected from vintages distilled in 1868 (10 June to be precise), 1878, 1922, 1926 and 1939, truly adds the gravitas of time. To deepen and intensify the weight of the mouth feel we add long matured distillate from cask 1782, the brother in 1951 to cask 1781 – an incredibly intense oak, spice and bitter dark chocolate tannic malt. Finally we add the “capstone” to our malt – the oculus to our world of alchemistic artistry – a judicious amount of our revered 64 yo, proffering notes of coffee, aromatic spices and citrus zest.
Vatted malt, cask strength
1 crystal decanter

Estimate: £15,000 – 20,000

The Dalmore, long recognised as a single malt that truly shines as a result of long ageing, has some of Scotland’s oldest and most valuable maturing stocks.

The task of crafting this absolutely unique expression– The Dalmore Oculus – was bestowed on Richard Paterson, a man with some four decades experience and who has judiciously monitored, measured and assessed these precious stocks over the passing decades.

Drawing on his intimate knowledge of the stocks he has fused an incomparable and brilliant assemblage. His creation is the eye that invites you to look in to his world, a world of sublime maturation and peerless whisky fusion.

Never before created, never to be repeated.

The Dalmore Oculus is a singularly exceptional expression allowing a glimpse in to the world of our brilliant art.

Selecting a decanter to house this precious spirit led us to Baccarat – world renowned craftsmen from France. It is their masters of light, which create objects that infuse the everyday with a brilliant and beguiling atmosphere of attraction. Each exceptional piece is crafted using techniques that their makers and cutters have handed down from generation to generation. For Oculus it was fitting that light is captured and becomes substance in its purest form – crystal – facilitating an eye on to the liquid world of The Dalmore whisky held within. Decorated with a painstakingly crafted solid silver iconic stag – by pouring a river of molten silver in to a mould and then hand finishing and polishing – the decanter is finally engraved.

It’s going to be quite the auction.

For those of you not bidding, feel free to post in comments what you think it will sell for…

Once a year,  your LFW team debate which whiskies have proved most attractive for our customers following an in-shop taster.  This year’s clear-cut winner is:

Springbank Madeira Wood 11yo
55.1% abv
£36.60 inc vat
£31.83 ex vat
Distilled June 1997, Bottled January 2009, limited to 9090 bottles.

Initially a sherried nose, then the Madeira cuts in giving caramel-sweetness, mustiness and spice.

Explosive on the tongue, floral-vegetative (greenhouses) and a little smoke. Some of that sulphur-tobacco notes that European oak is expressing at the moment. Vigerous, mouth challenging and enjoyable for a much cask influenced Whisky.

Water gives more Madeira and greener veg initially, then settles to an enjoyable and mouth filling dram. Recommended.
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk 

Visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at  https://www.lfw.co.uk/