Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

It has finally come to this, after some relentless pressure, I am now on Twitter. You can follow my posts at: http://twitter.com/scotch_guy. Twitter will allow me to quickly inform you when new products come in, rather than trying to rush out a full Malt Messenger. These short posts are called “tweets” which may mean that I, as the person posting them, am a “twit”; I’m not entirely sure… Twitter won’t replace the Malt Messenger, far from it, it will merely augment it for those of you who can’t wait to be told the latest Port Ellen is in store, or that I have that new Ardbeg you’ve been pining about… you know who you are! I’ve also set up a profile on Facebook to add my voice to the growing whisky community there. If you’re on Facebook keep an eye out for “Scotch Guy”!

I also thought I’d provide you all some more information on the distillery tours I have planned for this fall. My first tour will begin on Orkney Island and will wind its way down through the Northern Highlands visiting such iconic distilleries as Highland Park, Old Pulteney, Glenmorangie, Dalmore and Clynelish/Brora. The second will focus on Islay with other stops on Scotland’s West Coast and will include Arran, Springbank, Jura, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Ardbeg and many other distilleries. I have provided some detailed information on these tours below. If you would like even more info on the fall tours, I have a Power Point File which I can e-mail you on request. The file includes a presentation of photos, maps and the itineraries.

I hope you enjoy this little Malt Messenger Bulletin.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson

Distilleries Tour – Orkney Islands and the Northern Highlands – September 27th – October 3rd

The Orkneys are one of the most beautiful places in the world, let alone Scotland. They are an archipelago of islands off the northern tip of mainland Scotland. There are some 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited. The main island, or “Mainland” to the locals, is the sixth largest island in Scotland and boasts a large town—Kirkwall—complete with Cathedral. The Orkneys are rich in history, in fact it is nearly impossible to turn over a stone without uncovering something. The “Mainland” is home to the finest chambered tombs (Maes Howe) in Scotland, and has a curious stone age settlement older than the pyramids (Skara Brae). The Mainland of the Orkneys is also home to two distilleries, Highland Park and Scapa. This tour will begin in the Orkneys(you have the option to fly in, or drive up with me), where we will spend two days, after which we will then wind our way down through the Northern Highlands with stops at some historic sites and of course tours of some of Scotland’s finest distilleries, including: Highland Park, Old Pulteney, Clynelish/Brora, Dalmore, Balblair, Glenmorangie and Dalwhinnie. There will also be the opportunity for a round or two of golf. More details and a proposed itinerary below.

Daily Itinerary:                 

1.       Sunday September 27th – Glasgow to Kirkwall

·         Drive From Glasgow to Kirkwall on Orkney Island

·         Optional: Fly To Kirkwall at Own Expense

2.       Monday September 28th – Orkney Islands

·         VIP Tour Highland Park Distillery

·         Tour Sights on Western Mainland (Skara Brae, Maes Howe, Standing Stones of Stennes)

3.       Tuesday September 29th – Orkney Islands

·         Tour Scapa Distillery

·         Tour St. Magnus Cathedral, Earl’s Palace, Italian Chapel, Tomb of the Eagles

4.        Wednesday September 30th – Orkney to Brora

·         Tour Old Pulteney Distillery

·         Tour Brora/Clynelish Distilleries

5.       Thursday October 1st – Brora to Tain

·          Optional 18 Holes Golf

·         VIP Tour Glenmorangie

6.       Friday October 2nd – Tain Area

·         Tour Balblair Distillery

·         Tour Dalmore Distillery

7.       Saturday October 3rd – Tain to Edinburgh

·         Tour Dalwhinnie Distillery

·         Dinner Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Start Date:                          Sunday September 27th 2009

Starting Point:                   Glasgow

End Date:                            October 3rd 2009                              

Final Destination:            Edinburgh

Estimated Cost:                                $2500-3000

Cost Includes:   Guide, accommodation (4th-9th), ground and ferry transport, gasoline, all distillery and visitor center costs, most breakfasts, SMWS Dinner/Tasting.

Cost Does Not Include: Most lunches/dinners, airfare, first and last nights accommodation, travel and medical insurance.

Distilleries Tour – Islay and the West Coast

If the Speyside is the heart of Scotland’s whisky industry, then Islay is its soul. This small island of only 239 sq/mi is home to just 3,400 people, but has 9 distilleries, 10 if you count that on nearby Jura as well. The whiskies from Islay are the most varied and distinct in Scotland. Islay is renowned for being home to Scotland’s most heavily peated and smoky whiskies, but if fact the island actually boasts a range of whisky styles from sweet and grassy to medicinal and peaty with shades of everything in between. The island was also once home to the Lords of the Isles who ruled the islands of Western Scotland and Northern Ireland, independent of England, Scotland and Denmark during the late Middle Ages. On this tour we will spend nearly four full days on Islay, but will also make stops on the Isle of Arran and Campbeltown at the end of the Kintyre Peninsula. In addition to visiting some of Islay’s iconic distilleries we will also spend time at Springbank, Scotland’s oldest family owned distillery, and the most traditional, hands on distillery in all of Scotland. There is time and opportunity too for up to 2 rounds of golf, at Machrihanish near Campbeltown, and at Machrie on Islay! More details and a proposed itinerary below.

Daily Itinerary:                

1.       Sunday October 4th – Glasgow to Arran

·         Drive to Arran

·         Tour Isle of Arran Distillery

2.       Monday October 5th – Arran to Campbeltown

·         VIP Tour Springbank/Glengyle Distilleries

·         Optional Tour Glengyle

·         Optional Golf Game Machrihanish

3.       Tuesday October 6hth – Campbeltown to Islay

·         Tour Ardbeg/Lagavulin/Laphroaig Distilleries

4.       Wednesday October 7thth – Islay

·         Tour Bowmore/Bunnahabhain/ Caol Ila Distilleries

·         Tour Finlaggan

5.       Thursday October 8th – Islay

·          Optional 18 Holes Golf

·         Optional Island Tour

6.       Friday October 9th – Islay

·         Tour Bruichladdich Distillery

·         Tour Jura Distillery

7.       Saturday October 10th – Islay to Edinburgh

·         Dinner Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Start Date:                          Sunday October 4th 2009

Starting Point:                   Glasgow

End Date:                            October 10th 2009                            

Final Destination:            Edinburgh

Estimated Cost:                                $2500 – $3000

Cost Includes:   Guide, accommodation (4th-9th), ground and ferry transport, gasoline, all distillery and visitor center costs, most breakfasts, SMWS Dinner/Tasting.

Cost Does Not Include: Most lunches/dinners, airfare, first and last nights accommodation, travel and medical insurance.

____________________

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 Dalmore 40 received the highest grade awarded by the independent Beverage Testing Institute in their recent Scotch Whisky tasting, scoring an outstanding 98 out of 100. The Institute, made up of retailers, restaurateurs and expert writers, also scored The Dalmore 1974 at 97, and The Dalmore King Alexander III at 94.

This follows Gold at the world-renowned International Wine and Spirits Competition, and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Remarkable results for a truly remarkable Single Highland Malt whisky.

Visit the Dalmore at http://www.thedalmore.com/

For Immediate Release

Contact: Svend Jansen

Public Relations Manager

Brown-Forman Corporation

502-774-7825

svend_jansen@b-f.com

CANADIAN MIST LAUNCHES “SCIENCE BEHIND THE COCKTAIL” TOUR

After-Hours Events at Art and Science Museums will Travel Country

Louisville, Ky. (August 3, 2009) – Ever wonder how you can keep carbonation in champagne? Why bartenders always pour the alcohol in first and then the mixer? If garnish really influences the taste of your cocktail?

Mistology: The Science Behind the Cocktail, an after-hours event hosted at various Art and Science museums nationwide, will explore the entertaining and educational side of cocktail creation.  The events, brought to you by Canadian Mist Whisky, will feature an interactive presentation from Canadian Mist’s Chief Entertaining Officer (CEO) Tim Laird and Spirits Scientist Steve Hughes.

Tim is the master at mixing cocktails while Steve, a member of Mist’s Research and Development team, spends his day dissecting cocktails in a lab. Together they will answer any and all of your bartending and science related questions. Not only the how, but also the why.

The master mixologists at Canadian Mist will instruct guests on the art of concocting the cocktails that defined an era. After the presentation, attendees can apply what they learned with hands-on demos. If guests prefer to kick back and let others do the work, there will be a bar staff on-site and plenty of appetizers to enjoy. The event is open to anyone 21 years of age and older with admission varying from city to city. All proceeds will benefit the host museum.

WHO:

Tim Laird – Chief Entertaining Officer (CEO) for Brown-Forman Corp., a global marketer and producer of wine and spirits, including Canadian Mist. Tim is known for making entertaining easy and has appeared on hundreds of television and radio interviews across the U.S.

Steve Hughes – Spirits Scientist for Brown-Forman Corp. Steve has been behind the development of several of Brown-Forman’s award winning whiskies, including Canadian Mist, a Gold-Medal winning whisky made in Collingwood, Ontario.

Some of the topics discussed include:

• Starting with the basics – the role of taste buds and sense of smell

• Flavor Wheel – Exploring the various flavor notes in liquor – fruit, wood, spices, sweet aromatics – and the scientific reasoning behind why these flavor notes exist.

• Ice – How to cool your drink down without watering it down. Ice shavings versus ice cubes (surface area)

• Movement – “Shaken vs. Stirred”

• Carbonation – Talk about how to keep carbonation in your cocktail / bottle of champagne. Discuss how carbonation carries flavor.

• Mixing – Why it is important to pour the alcohol in first and then the mixer (specific gravity).

• Garnish – How do garnishes affect the cocktail (pH Levels)

• Glassware – Does the shape really matter?

TOUR DATES:

August 6, 2009 / Denver, CO / Sugar Cube Building in conjunction with Historic Denver

October 7, 2009 / Milwaukee, WI / Eisner Museum of Advertising and Design

December 10, 2009 / Memphis, TN / Brooks Museum of Art

January 7, 2010 / Knoxville, TN / Knoxville Museum of Art

February 11, 2010 / Charlotte, NC / Mint Museum of Art

March 11, 2010 / St. Petersburg, FL / Museum of Fine Arts

More dates are anticipated to be added in the near future. For more information and to keep up with the current tour schedule, visit www.sciencebehindthecocktail.com

About Canadian Mist

Canadian Mist is an award-winning whisky distilled in Collingwood, Ontario with water from the pure Georgian Bay. Brown-Forman Corporation is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality consumer products, including Jack Daniel’s, Canadian Mist, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Fetzer Wines and Korbel California Champagnes.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Enjoy Life. Drink Mist Responsibly.

Imported and Bottled by Brown-Forman Beverages, Canadian Whisky, A Blend, 40% Alc. by Volume, Louisville, KY

©2009 CANADIAN MIST is a registered trademark.

 
Svend Jansen

PR Manager – 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

Dear All,

We have come to the end of a very generous month of sponsorship. Mid-July saw us setting sail (hypothetically) to the west coast to sponsor 1 of the 4 days of the Mylne Regatta with a new Adelphi Fascadale Trophy race. Our resident “Cliff the Cooper” made a fantastic job of 2 scaled-down, replica ship’s breaker casks which were duly presented to the 2 class winning boats, and a tasting in the grand hall of Mount Stuart, to 140 guests, rounded off the day. The following week took us back to the east coast and a chance to sponsor the Clan Convention at the Scottish Parliament. With a special Clan Convention labelled single malt on offer, a scrum of a tasting and a mini of our blend to each delegate, the day was a great success – especially if you think that this was the 1st time in history that so many clansmen and their chiefs had been in the same room without a bloody feud erupting.

You may also have noticed that there was no June offer – after you had cleared our warehouse of the Laudale in May there was nothing left to offer you!

However, you will be delighted to hear that we have just completed another bottling of 6 casks and I am offering 2 options ahead of them going live on our website – you are very welcome to go for one, or a combination, or none at all…

Option 1

This is an ideal sweet, relatively light, summer whisky. Plenty of correct wood influence, but in no way over-powered. Dancey Man offer £48.45 inc. VAT per 70cl

ISLE OF JURA 1996
12 Yr. old Island 60.3% Vol.
1 of only 217 bottles from cask 5191

A complex and somewhat unusual example of the make, well matured in a first-fill American barrel, which has imparted a rich golden hue. The first impressions are predominantly fruity – baked apple and plum, soon joined by an acidic note which may be pineapple, all on a pastry or flap-jack base. Behind these aromas is a hint of sphagnum moss – a very light medicinal smokiness. The latter becomes more apparent when water is added, becoming mineral-like (bathsalts?), while the fruit aromas become Dolly Mixtures or boiled travel sweets. There is a hint of sweet tobacco or dog-roses. The taste is sweet, with some acidity, a hint of white chocolate, then plenty of cask-derived coconut in the aftertaste.

Option 2

A real rarity, and one of those whiskies that doesn’t come along very often. This is bottled under our Adelphi Limited label, and presented in a wooden box, as it has reached the dizzy age of 35 years. Dancey Man offer £171.00 inc. VAT per 70cl

BUNNAHABHAIN 1974
35 Yr. old Islay 56.6% Vol.
1 of only 200 bottles from cask 4780

This is a stunning example of how good long-aged malt whisky can be. It is the colour of Cola or Olde English Oak and has excellent beading, suggesting a big mouth-feel. The first nose is of scented oil; heavy but with a herbal fragrance which we identify as rosemary – a much reduced, rosemary infused gravy, with balsamic vinegar. After a little while sandalwood and camphor appear, lending a nose-cooling effect when a drop of water is added (it doesn’t need much). This freshens the nose and introduces traces of coconut, treacle toffee, molasses and even liquorice, but no trace of sulphur. Wonderfully viscous and mouth-filling; sweet, mouth-cooling, drying elegantly in the very long finish – like a dried out Christmas cake, with almonds.

Please let me know if you would like any.

Best wishes,

Alex.

Alex Bruce
Sales & Marketing Director
Adelphi Distillery Ltd.
Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1383 842 912
Mobile: +44 (0) 7795 424 838
Skype: alex.bruce
Email: alex@adelphidistillery.com
Web: http://www.adelphidistillery.com/

Glenfiddich masterpiece unveiled

Rare and precious 50 Year Old single malt makes grand entrance at prestigious launch event

Dufftown, Speyside, Scotland: At an exclusive event, held this week, at The Glenfiddich Distillery, Glenfiddich 50 Year Old was unveiled – one of the rarest and most precious expressions of authentic single malt whisky ever released by Scotland’s most distinguished distillery.

With a strictly limited supply (over this and the next ten years, only 50 will be released world wide each year from a stock of just 500 highly covetable bottles) Glenfiddich 50 Year Old is destined to become a significant landmark in single malt whisky history.

For half a century, two casks of whisky have aged gently in the semi-darkness of Glenfiddich’s Warehouse 8, under the watchful eyes of the industry’s longest-serving and most experienced Malt Master, David Stewart.

Peter Gordon, the current Chairman and as a fifth generation descendent of the distillery’s founder, is the great-great-grandson of William Grant, commented: “At Glenfiddich, nothing is more important than producing the world’s best whisky. Our independence enables us to do things differently and focus on the liquid above all else, a sentiment embodied in the flawless quality of this single malt.

“We’re happy to wait as long as we need to – up to fifty years in this instance – to produce the perfect whisky. The Glenfiddich 50 Year Old is the pinnacle of our whisky-making excellence and epitomises my great-great grandfather’s vision of creating the very ‘best dram in the valley’.”

Peter Gordon continued by saying: “Staying true to the pioneering spirit of our founder, William Grant, who laid down stocks of whisky for future generations to enjoy, we have consistently planned ahead and have more aged stock than any other distillery. Our whisky spends years being carefully matured in our warehouses, with each additional year imparting light and elegant notes to the liquid. Every new year is important when it comes to making exceptional whisky – and Glenfiddich 50 Year Old is the ultimate expression of this pioneering foresight.”

Glenfiddich 50 Year Old is imbued with a unique preciousness that only time can bring, and remains remarkably light and elegant on the palate. The nose is beautifully harmonious with an uplifting, vibrant and complex aroma. The taste is initially sweet with a zesty orange marmalade and vanilla toffee, which then cascades through a wonderful series of layers: aromatic herbs, floral and soft fruits, silky oak tannin and hints of gentle smoke. The finish is exceptionally long with a touch of dry oak and the merest trace of peat.

It’s not just the exquisite taste of the whisky that sets new levels of perfection; the packaging reflects the excellence of the whisky and is similarly rich with authenticity and heritage. Design cues have been painstakingly taken from archives that record the distillery’s 120 year history; the hand-blown bottles are individually numbered and presented in beautifully hand-stitched, leather-bound cases, which were inspired by William Grant’s personal ledgers.

Nestling next to the bottle, a leather bound book details the whisky’s history and provides pages for proud owners to record personal tasting notes for each occasion they enjoy their whisky. A certificate is also included within the case which has been hand-signed by four of the distillery’s long-serving craftsmen who, between them, have spent 160 years at Glenfiddich keeping a watchful eye as this precious whisky has matured. On return to the distillery, the certificate will also be hand signed by Peter Gordon himself.

Each bottle is decorated in Scottish silver, crafted by Thomas Fattorini, a sixth generation silversmith, and imprinted with William Grant & Sons’ own hallmark.

Glenfiddich 50 Year Old will be available in the world’s most prestigious airports for the next two months, before a strictly limited number travel from the distillery to select retailers and high-end establishments around the world. It will sell for £10,000 per bottle.

 ENDS

 For further information, please contact Emma Harris/ Sophie Smith

eharris@golinharris.com

ssmith@golinharris.com

0207 067 0623/0415

Notes to editors

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, and Sailor Jerry® Spiced Rum

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

March on John Finnie Street

Building on the phenomenal success of the march and rally on Sunday, the Keep Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock campaign now enters a new phase, as messages of support flood in from countries across the globe, via the campaign website.

To echo the words of Kilmarnock’s ither famous poet, Rab Wilson, who penned “Stridin’ Forrit!”, an honest and passionate account of the events surrounding Diageo’s recent announcement to close its bottling plant in Kilmarnock:

Ye’re kent in Kent, an Timbuktu,
There’s elbucks jink in Kalamazoo

Indeed the campaign website has been visited by people in no fewer than 29 different countries including Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, Greece, Poland, Thailand, China, Japan and Russia.

At 1:30pm on Sunday, just as the march from Howard Park reached its halfway point on Hill Street, organisers received word that the website had crashed, due to the volume of visitors trying to watch the event unfold online.

The Cross Party Working Group for the campaign said: “The overseas response for the campaign to date has been very encouraging. Diageo is a global company; Johnnie Walker is a global brand therefore it makes perfect sense for us to take this campaign to a wider global audience.

“Next week, in partnership with the World Burns Federation, we will send campaign information to Burns associations all over the world. Our twin town contacts are also expressing their support. Dr Curtis Smith, Town Mayor of Kilmarnock, Virginia, USA, has
signed a Resolution of Support to express his support to Keep Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock.”

Johnnie Walker and Kilmarnock are synonymous in the minds of expats and whisky drinkers throughout the world. Kilmarnock is known as the home of Johnnie Walker in the same way as Dublin is the home of Guinness.  Our fight to save this unique brand identity is one which is touching people far and wide.”

Coverage of the event has featured in newspapers and in television broadcasts across the world, including Belgium, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and America.

By web, by mail, by TV, by radio, by press or by tweets, from New York to New Zealand and from Canada to Krakow, the campaign message is spreading across the globe.

For further information, visit www.keepjohnniewalkerinkilmarnock.com

SUNTORY YAMAZAKI 1984 SINGLE MALT WHISKY

The Distinctive Whisky of Japan

(July 29, 2009) – New York, NY… Suntory Limited proudly announces the limited introduction of YAMAZAKI 1984 Single Malt Whisky in the US, commemorating the company’s 110th anniversary as well as the 25th anniversary of the YAMAZAKI brand.  This October, only 300 individually-numbered bottles of this precious liquid will be released in the United States. 

Smooth and full-bodied, Suntory YAMAZAKI is the superlative single malt whisky of Japan.  YAMAZAKI 1984 has a distinctive, cinnamon-like flavor, the result of its key malt, aged in Japanese mizunara casks, the hidden treasure of Suntory. All of the malt whiskies featured in YAMAZAKI 1984 were originally distilled in 1984. The new YAMAZAKI 1984 joins the existing marques, aged for 12 or 18 years. 

About Yamazaki 1984
Handcrafted at the oldest distillery in Japan, Suntory YAMAZAKI 1984 is made from the purest natural ingredients distilled through the art of Japanese craftsmanship in perfect harmony with nature.  Indeed, Suntory YAMAZAKI is made with the same pure water used in Japan’s most esteemed tea ceremonies.  With a rich, sophisticated character all its own, Yamazaki’s secret lies in the harmonious marriage of single malt matured in three different oak casks – American, Spanish and Japanese.

As the supply of casks became limited in the 1940’s, Suntory turned to making its own casks from Japanese mizunara oak.   The coopers discovered the porous wood was prone to leaks; blenders found that the mizunara imparted overbearing aromas and taste to the malts stored within.  But their dismay turned to delight when they discovered, after the long period of aging, the mizunara oak casks added a distinctive touch to the whisky, endowing it with sweet fragrance reminiscent of incense.  

The Suntory YAMAZAKI Whisky-Making Process
While YAMAZAKI production is very similar to the Scottish process, key differences lie in the use of selected barley strains and peating levels, along with the legendary, ultra pure waters from the outskirts of Kyoto to produce its smooth, honeyed taste.

The Suntory YAMAZAKI production process begins with the selection of the finest barley according to strict quality standards.  The barley germinates on exposure to moisture and air, producing enzymes that will later convert starch into sugars.  The grains of malt are then ground into grist and mixed with pure water from the Vale of Yamazaki.  This mixture yields a sweet liquid called wort. 

Adding the finest yeast to the wort begins the fermentation process.  Differing from Scottish whisky, Yamazaki uses wooden washbacks to ferment the wash longer, giving the whisky its creamy flavor.  The resulting wash is distilled twice in copper pots.  Only the distinctive middle cut of the second distillation is collected to become whisky.

After the distillation process is complete, the new spirits are aged in the selection of Japanese, American and Spanish oak casks, where the whisky matures to its amber color and smooth taste.

Tasting Notes
On the nose, YAMAZAKI 1984 opens with notes of cinnamon, ripe fruit, vanilla and incense.  On the palate, it offers a sweet, pleasantly sour and mature taste with a lasting depth of flavor.  The finish is lingering and slightly sweet.  Its color is a deep red amber.

History of Japanese Whisky
The history of Japanese whisky began in 1923 when Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory and the father of Japanese whisky, built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in the Vale of Yamazaki.  Located on the outskirts of Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, this proved to be the ideal environment for whisky production. 

A good whisky is born of pure water and a climate where cool temperatures and high humidity create an ideal maturation environment.  The Vale of Yamazaki is famed for its pure waters, prized by the famous Japanese tea ceremony master Senno Rikyu.  The Yamazaki distillery, where whisky was crafted from pure malt using copper pot stills, was the first of its kind outside of Scotland. 

Today, Suntory YAMAZAKI is the most popular single malt whisky in Japan and is enjoyed by whisky connoisseurs the world over.  Suntory YAMAZAKI was ranked the world’s thirteenth bestselling single malt whisky in terms of cases sold in 2008, and is currently exported to around 25 countries, including the United States.

Enjoying Suntory YAMAZAKI
The complex aromas and flavors of Suntory YAMAZAKI can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.  The ideal method to appraise its rich, fruity aroma is to enjoy YAMAZAKI straight, either as an aperitif or after-dinner drink.  Tasting Suntory YAMAZAKI on the rocks is an excellent way to appreciate its smoothness and flavor. 

Product Name, Volume, Suggested Retail Price, Alcohol Content, Packaging:
The YAMAZAKI 1984 Single Malt Whisky, 750 ml, $550-$650, 48%, 6 bottles
Date Available: Gradual release starting October, 2009
Sales Area: Select US Markets

For more information on YAMAZAKI, please visit www.yamazakiusa.com.  The fine line of YAMAZAKI single malt whiskies is distributed by Skyy Spirits in the US. 

Suntory Ltd.

Suntory Ltd. is one of the world’s leading wine and spirits companies.  Founded in 1899, Suntory was the first company to introduce western-style spirits to Japan.  Suntory’s businesses today encompass liquor, including whisky, shochu, wine and beer; food products; soft drinks; floral products; restaurants; and sports.  Suntory exports a wide range of authentic Japanese whiskies and liqueurs to 35 countries, including the United States.  Made with exceptional Japanese craftsmanship, these include the unique melon liqueur MIDORI, which is especially popular in the U.S., and YAMAZAKI Single Malt Whisky, Japan’s premier single malt whisky.  With its head office in Osaka, the Suntory Group comprises 170 companies operating in 17 countries.

About Skyy Spirits, LLC

Skyy Spirits, LLC is the US-based wholly owned subsidiary of Gruppo Campari (Reuters CPRI:MI – Bloomberg CPR IM) and the definitive marketer and distributor of super-premium and luxury spirits brands in North America.  Launched in 1992 with the introduction of its flagship brand, SKYY® Vodka, Skyy Spirits has grown exponentially, building a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers.  Skyy Spirits manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US of such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY90®, SKYY InfusionsTM, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey™, Russell’s Reserve®, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur® and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.  Skyy Spirits is also the exclusive US distributor of Cutty Sark® Scotch Whisky, The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Caña® Rum, Carolans Irish Cream®, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Midori® Melon Liqueur, ZEN Green Tea Liqueur TM and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky. 

Skyy Spirits was founded and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.  More information on the company can be found at www.skyyspirits.com and www.camparigroup.com.  Please enjoy Skyy Spirits brands responsibly and in moderation.

Suntory Launches New Whisky in US:  HIBIKI 12 Year Old — Launch to Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of HIBIKI—
________________________________________
(July 29, 2009) – New York, NY… This October, Suntory Limited will introduce Suntory HIBIKI 12 Year Old in the United States.  This premium blended Japanese whisky, often referred to as the pinnacle of the Suntory portfolio, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.  HIBIKI whisky was first seen by many Americans in the feature film Lost In Translation, as the brand touted for Japanese TV by actor Bill Murray.  Now, no longer “lost” to the American market, it will be available wherever fine whiskies are sold in the US.

As a fitting way to encourage worldwide brand-building, Suntory has planned a special US launch expanding the global popularity of the 12-year-old class in the global blended whisky market.  This new offering brings together all of Suntory’s whisky making expertise and blending craftsmanship for whisky enthusiasts around the world.

About HIBIKI 12 Year Old

HIBIKI 12 Year Old boasts unique characteristics that no other 12-year-old whisky in the world has to offer.   A superior blend of over 30 handcrafted, specially aged whiskies, HIBIKI is Suntory’s original blended whisky.

The Art of Blending

To create HIBIKI, Suntory selects malt whiskies with extraordinary qualities that spring naturally from the crystal clear waters and warm climates surrounding the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries.  These carefully selected malts are then blended with a variety of Japanese grain whiskies that feature a touch of malt matured in Umeshu casks — special casks that have been used in the long-term aging of Japanese plum liqueur.  Finally, the blend is topped off with a superlative vintage whisky aged more than 30 years.  The artistry of blending is combined with bamboo charcoal filtering, a unique process which gives HIBIKI its distinctive sweet and mellow flavor.

The HIBIKI Aging Process

The malt whiskies in HIBIKI are matured 12 years or more and are perfectly matched with mellow grain whiskies of the same age.  Once the whisky has been aged in white oak casks it is then allowed to mature in Umeshu casks. The use of these plum liqueur-seasoned casks creates a unique bouquet of fruity aromas and a velvety soft texture, two characteristics that are unique to Suntory whisky. The addition of venerable malt aged more than 30 years strengthens the full bouquet, resulting in a clean, full bodied flavor.

Tasting Notes

On the nose, HIBIKI opens with a fruity bouquet of plums, raspberries and pineapples, followed by sweet honey and vanilla. On the palate, a soft and mellow sweetness makes HIBIKI a whisky best enjoyed straight.  The finish is long, clean, sweet and spicy. As for color, HIBIKI shines with brilliant amber hue that’s tinged with a warm hint of gold.

Packaging Highlights

The exquisite HIBIKI bottle has 24 facets, representing both the hours in a day and the ancient Japanese calendar, in which a year was divided into twenty four parts. Suntory uses a unique Japanese paper for the HIBIKI label.  The texture of the Echizen paper, or “Washi” in Japanese, is achieved through the careful application of traditional Japanese paper-making techniques. The Japanese symbol on the label means HIBIKI, a word that holds many positive meanings in Japanese, one of them being “Harmony.”  Suntory chose HIBIKI to express the exquisite balance of this whisky, born of the harmony of malt on malt.

HIBIKI is distributed in the US by Skyy Spirits, LLC.  For more information on Skyy Spirits, visit www.skyyspirits.com.

International awards won by Suntory HIBIKI 17, 21 and 30 Year Olds in recent years

Year Competition Award Winner
2008 International Spirits Challenge
 (ISC, UK) Trophy HIBIKI 30 Years Old
 World Whisky Awards (WWA, UK) World’s Best Blended Whisky HIBIKI 30 Years Old
2007 International Spirits Challenge
 (ISC, UK) Trophy HIBIKI 30 Years Old
 World Whisky Awards (WWA, UK) World’s Best Blended Whisky HIBIKI 30 Years Old
 International Wine and Spirit Competition
 (IWSC, UK) Best in Class HIBIKI 30 Years Old
   HIBIKI 17 Years Old
2006 International Spirits Challenge
 (ISC, UK) Trophy HIBIKI 30 Years Old
 International Spirits Challenge
 (ISC, UK) Gold HIBIKI 21 Years Old
2005 International Spirits Challenge
 (ISC, UK) Gold HIBIKI 21 Years Old
 San Francisco World Spirits Competition  (SWSC, U.S.A.) Gold HIBIKI 17 Years Old
2004 International Spirits Challenge
 (ISC, UK) Trophy HIBIKI 30 Years Old
 International Spirits Challenge
 (ISC, UK) Gold HIBIKI 21 Years Old

– Details –
▼ Product Name, Volume, Suggested Retail Price, Alcohol Content, Packaging
  Suntory HIBIKI Whisky Aged 12 Years , 750 ml , $55-60 , 43% , 6 bottles
▼ Date Available Gradual release starting October, 2009
▼ Sales Area Select US Markets

Suntory Ltd.
Suntory Ltd. is one of the world’s leading wine and spirits companies.  Founded in 1899, Suntory was the first company to introduce western-style spirits to Japan.  Suntory’s businesses today encompass liquor, including whisky, shochu, wine and beer; food products; soft drinks; floral products; restaurants; and sports.  Suntory exports a wide range of authentic Japanese whiskies and liqueurs to 35 countries, including the United States.  Made with exceptional Japanese craftsmanship, these include the unique melon liqueur MIDORI, which is especially popular in the U.S., and YAMAZAKI Single Malt Whisky, Japan’s premier single malt whisky.  With its head office in Osaka, the Suntory Group comprises 170 companies operating in 17 countries.

About Skyy Spirits, LLC

Skyy Spirits, LLC is the US-based wholly owned subsidiary of Gruppo Campari (Reuters CPRI:MI – Bloomberg CPR IM) and the definitive marketer and distributor of super-premium and luxury spirits brands in North America.  Launched in 1992 with the introduction of its flagship brand, SKYY® Vodka, Skyy Spirits has grown exponentially, building a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers.  Skyy Spirits manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US of such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY90®, SKYY InfusionsTM, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey™, Russell’s Reserve®, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur® and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.  Skyy Spirits is also the exclusive US distributor of Cutty Sark® Scotch Whisky, The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Caña® Rum, Carolans Irish Cream®, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Midori® Melon Liqueur, ZEN Green Tea Liqueur TM and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.

Skyy Spirits was founded and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.  More information on the company can be found at www.skyyspirits.com and www.camparigroup.com.  Please enjoy Skyy Spirits brands responsibly and in moderation.

Gordon & MacPhail Scotch Tasting
Tasting Today; Scotches will be available to order at discount price until Friday
Tuesday July 28th. 5:00 P.M. & 6:00 P.M.
with importer Matt Chivian

With weather like Scotland, why not have a Scotch Tasting!!!
This Tuesday we will show some of the best priced, best values in Single Malts of this Year.
We will taste three very good eight-year-old single malts, all Great Values$$

Plus
A single malt three years shy of forty, called by some “The Rolls Royce of Single Malts!”

This is one you do not want to miss!

Glenrothes 8 Y.O. 43% Reg. $34.99 – Sale $31.99

Tamdhu 8 Y.O. 43% Reg. $34.99 – Sale $31.99

Highland Park 8 Y.O 43% Reg. $34.99 – Sale $31.99

Craigellachie 15 Y.O. 43% Reg. $78.99 – Sale $63.99

Isle of Jura 14 Y.O. 46% Reg. $75.99 – Sale $62.99

Especially for the tasting we have gotten in some very hard-to-find Glencarn Single Malt Scotch Glasses. People at the tasting ,or who order before it can add one at $5 for each bottle of scotch ordered.
If any are left after the tasting, we will offer them at their regiular $12.99 price on a first come, first served basis.

And the Bonus:

Macallan 37 Y.O. 53.3% Reg. $450.00 – Sale $399.99

You will not find many Sherried Macallans out there, even from the distillery itself. This Amazing single malt is precious. It is a Scotch that will not be replicated or forgotten or.
It is an elegant, well balanced malt with great depth, very multi layered, and a long , gracious finish. If this were a distillery bottling the price would be at least $2500. Don’t miss it.

Buy your malts now…
Massachusetts sales tax on spirits goes into effect August 1!

Please pass this on to any friends who are scotch enthusiasts.

Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits

——————————————————————————–

Email: joe@federalwine.com
Phone: 617-367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/

This is some old news however it is still worthwhile;

C&C International is adding a 10 Year Old Single Malt to its Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey range where it joins the three existing blends – Standard, 10 Year Old Reserve and 12 Year Old Special Reserve.

The new whiskey will be rolled out across the world from May 2009.

Aged in a variety of Old Bourbon, Dry Oloroso Sherry, Madeira and Port casks, Tullamore Dew 10 Year Old Single Malt is being described by the company as “a singularly rich and mellow expression of a legendary Irish whiskey”.

Distillery notes characterise the whiskey as:

Colour: Deep amber gold.
Aroma: Quite an intense malty, fruity and toasted wood aroma. Intriguing floral, toasted wood and vanilla notes, with a hint of sherry Christmas cake.
Taste: Wonderfully rich, spicy and complex. Really mellow and rounded.
Finish: A smooth finish with malt and sherry notes slowly fading.

Tullamore Dew’s first Single Malt will also be the most expensive product in the range.

“At the same time as building the standard blend to over 600,000 cases, we have been working towards a complete line-up of ages, flavours and qualities to meet growing consumer demand for Irish whiskey experiences” says C&C International marketing manager, Ann O’Leary.

“Adding a Single Malt to the collection is a very prestigious step for the number two Irish whiskey brand in the world.”

New Tullamore Dew 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish whiskey will be available in 700ml and 750ml sizes, packed in cases of 6.

• • •

for further information:  Mike Spreckley/Lena Keolian
     Spreckley Partners Ltd, London
     Tel: +44 (0)20 7388 9988

website:     http://www.tullamoredew.com/

22 April 2009