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

NEW BRAND CONTROLLER FOR CUTTY SARK

The Edrington Group announced today that Jason Craig has been appointed brand controller with the newly-acquired Cutty Sark blended Scotch whisky brand.

Jason, previously global controller with Highland Park single malt, has 20 years experience in advertising and marketing, specifically the Scotch whisky industry.

Following his appointment, Jason commented: “This is an exciting time for Edrington and Cutty Sark. Having the opportunity to steer the future of a premium iconic brand with such a long and prestigious blended heritage is going to be a brilliant challenge.”

Ian Curle, Edrington’s chief executive, commented: “I would like to congratulate Jason on this appointment and wish him future success. Edrington has been working with the Cutty Sark brand since 1936 and we are delighted to own it outright. The Cutty Sark brand is an important part of our history and it will be an important part of our future.”

Visit the Cutty Sark at www.cutty-sark.com/

The nice folk at Whisky Magazine always have the best interests of whisky lovers at heart. Each issue features whisky tastings, history, production and interviews as well as the best bars and hotels in which to enjoy a dram.

Clearly, they know what they are talking about as their recent World Whiskies Awards pronounced Highland Park Earl Magnus the World’s Best New Release and yours truly as Whisky Ambassador of the Year. So how about a special offer? You are entitled to claim your very own complimentary trial copy of Whisky Magazine and have them send a copy as a gift to a person of your choice.

Visit www.whiskymag.com/free/highlandpark to complete a form and the next available issue of the magazine will be sent direct to your door. You will also receive an offer for a further 8 issues at just £29.50 (a 30% discount on the regular subscription price of £42.00). Obviously, you have no obligation to take up the subscription offer and can just choose to keep your complimentary copy.

Allow up to eight weeks for delivery; this offer closes at midnight on Sunday 27th June 2010.

We would never share your details with anyone else so and the only way that Whisky Magazine can send you a complimentary copy is if you complete the form and opt in to their offer.

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

Gerry
Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year, 2010

Small print – One copy per household. Offer ends at midnight on Sunday 27th June 2010. Offer subject to availability. You will receive the next available edition of Whisky Magazine, which will be mailed by regular post.

Announcing our triumphant new all-natural vintage

The rich mouth feel of our innovative Nadurra range has already caused a stir in the whisky world. That’s why we are delighted to announce the launch of a new Limited Edition vintage, Nadurra Triumph 1991. Available online from The Whisky Exchange.

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-11884.aspx

Matured in a mixture of American and European oak casks, Nàdurra Triumph 1991 is a limited release bottled at 48% and is the first Nàdurra expression based on a vintage statement.

This new expression has been selected from stocks that were distilled in 1991 using Triumph, a variety of the barley that is no longer used in the production of The Glenlivet. Keeping in line with the Nàdurra range, the Nàdurra Triumph 1991 is non-chill filtered, which better retains its natural flavours with an additional richness and a creamy mouth feel.

The additional resting time and a broader selection of casks provide a layer of complexity, and results in a whisky that is more fruitful and has a mildly sweeter flavour; sure to be appreciated by whisky lovers everywhere.

With only 2,500 bottles available in the UK, Nàdurra Triumph is a real collector’s item. You can purchase it now online at The Whisky Exchange.

The single malt that started it all

MALT Versus GRAIN: Vive la Single Cask 

Make a difference this May, cast your vote in the SMWS Vive la Single Cask Campaign.  Will it be the time-honoured Malt in the RED corner or the Grain newcomer in GREEN that tickles your taste-buds.

VOTE: RED (SINGLE CASK MALT) via sales@smws.com
“Goes against the grain”

10.71 Onions Spring Enternal
Islay
£44.70 inc. Free P&P
A vote for RED promises:
A sweet and sour nose evoking oriental cuisine; crispy duck, plum and teriyaki sauce, celery, spring onions; grilled fish and fresh wood smoke.
Age: 11 years            Cask:  Refill ex-sherry butt

VOTE: GREEN (SINGLE CASK GRAIN) via sales@smws.com
“Can’t wait to taste it”

G1.7 Flamed Christmas pudding
Single Cask Grain
£46.70 inc. Free P&P
VOTE brown sugar, dried fruit (dates, recently flamed Christmas pudding) kumquat, chocolate limes and salty buttered toast, with a white pepper heat. VOTE Daddies brown sauce, Boston baked beans and sweet sweet coconut..
Age: 19 years            Cask:  Refill ex-sherry butt

Riding the Wave?

Who says red and green must never been seen. Ride the campaign wave, buy 10.71 & G1.7 together and SAVE £5 OR buy 10.71 & G1.7 together and BUY 121.33 for ONLY £29.50

121.33 Gunpowder on lemon meringue pie
Highland Island
£39.50* or £29.50 with 10.71 & G1.7 inc. Free P&P
The nose had sweetness (Caramac, custard, barley sugar, white chocolate) and tropical fruit (pineapple, orange, lemon, Juicy Fruit)
Age: 9 years                    Cask: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead
                                                                                                    

Offers end: Thu 6 May

SIX May Outturn Previews 
                                                                               
@ Aberdeen Mal & Birmingham & Brighton Hotel du Vin
From Mon 3 May, SIX new May Outturn bottles will preview at our SMWS Snuggles at Aberdeen Malmaison and Birmingham and Brighton Hotel du Vin.  Join us at any of the hotels Mon 3 – Wed 5 May  and sample our First Friday flight of drams with our in-house Society experts. 

We’re not telling you what numbers they are yet, we wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise but we can promise there will be some tasty offers available.   Take me to the SMWS Snuggles

SMWS Whisky Tasting & Events

Ladies Only Pampering Night – 28 Queen St, Wed 5 May
New Outturn Tasting – London, Sat 8 May
New Outturn Sunday Roast tasting – The Vaults, Sun 9 May
Birmingham Preview Tasting – Brighton Hotel Du Vin, Fri 14 May
Cafe Spice Nameste – Cafe Spice London, Tue 18 May
Cardiff Preview Tasting – Novotel Cardiff Centre, Fri 21 May
Islay and Island Tasting – 28 Queen Street, Sat 22 May
Cafe Fish & Dram Tasting – The Vaults, Mon 24 May
All things Japanese Night – The Vaults, Thu 27 May
Liverpool Preview Tasting -Malmaison, Thu 27 May

Visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society at www.smws.co.uk for an opportunity to join.