If you’re fixin’ for some Four Roses going into the holiday season, we’ve got you covered with two new potent potions that I picked out at the distillery this past September. The more moderately-proofed OESQ is a 53.9% ABV specimen for those who enjoy a bit of banana in their Bourbon. The nose is a mix of bananas foster and pencil shavings with accents of baking spices in the background. There’s more banana on the mid-palate and the more peppery oak spices come out for the finish. It’s a balanced Bourbon from front to back, with equal parts fruit, oak, and savory/sweet spices. At 8 years and 9 months of age, it’s in a lovely spot. The OBSV is a 60.8% ABV beast, but it never feels that big on the palate. It’s a strong one, but there’s loads of cinnamon, clove, oak spice, and vanilla to temper that storm. Bottled at 8 years and 8 months, it’s not quite as rich as some of the 9-10 year olds we’ve bottled in the past, but it makes up for that lack of maturity with precocious punch and intensity. Both are in stock now while they last!

Four Roses 8 Year 9 Month Old “K&L Exclusive OESQ” Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon (750ml) ($64.99)

Four Roses K&L Exclusive OBSV (8 Years Old, 8 Months) Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($64.99)

Ralfy gets comfortable with Ralfy Review 703 – Balblair ’03 vintage 12yo @ 46%vol

KWM Whisky Advent Day 10 – Glenfiddich 15 Year Solera Reserve

Before we dig into today’s Advent whisky, I have a confession to make. Until earlier this year I had written off Glenfiddich as a little boring, washed up, and increasingly irrelevant. Glenfiddich is the world’s bestselling single malt. One statistic claims that it accounts for 35% off all global single malt sales. That figure seems suspiciously high, but the point remains, Glenfiddich is huge, dominant and ubiquitous. A couple visits to the distillery in the last 8 months and several tastings of the whisky later am willing to admit I was wrong. I was too critical and dismissive of Glenfiddich, and not open to the possibility that their whisky could still be interesting and exciting.

William Grant & Sons, the parent company of Glenfiddich, and also owners of The Balvenie, is huge. On a tour a number of years ago I was given a figure for the volume of whisky they had maturing at their principal site in Dufftown. It was and still is a staggering amount, I did some quick math in my head, comparing it to then Scotland’s smallest distillery Edradour. At the time Edradour’s production was around 100,000L a year. It would have taken Edradour nearly 1500 years running flat out to produce the volume of whisky in William Grant’s warehouses.

Glenfiddich, which means “valley of the dear” was founded in 1886 in the town of Dufftown. Scotland was in the midst of a massive boom in distilling due to the surge of interest in Blended Scotch whisky. The distillery was built by hand by William Grant and his family (seven sons and two daughters) in the glen of the River Fiddich. Spirit ran off the stills for the first time on Christmas Day 1887. Business was so good that just a few short years later in 1892 the family opened their second distillery, Balvenie, just a few hundred meters away.

In 1898 Pattison Elder & Co., William Grant’s largest customer (also that of many other distilleries), filed for bankruptcy. It was the first domino is a massive collapse that knocked the industry on its knees. Many distilleries and whisky companies in turn went bankrupt as a result, but William Grant & Sons held fast. They saw an opportunity to produce and sell their own blends like the appropriately named Standfast. The prohibition era was a difficult time for the Scotch whisky industry, by the turn of the 1930s there were less than a dozen distilleries still operating in Scotland. William Grant & Son’s saw an opportunity. The Depression would eventually end, and then there would be a mad scramble to make more whisky, which would take years to mature. So during the Great Depression William Grant & Sons increased production to position themselves to supply future demand. It was a bet that would pay huge dividends, and put Glenfiddich at the head of the pack of malt whisky distilleries.

William Grants continued to invest in their distilleries and whisky production through the 1940s and 1950s, hiring their own coppersmiths and equipping the the Dufftown facility with its own onsite cooperage. In 1956 they launched their own bespoke and now iconic triangular bottle. A few short years later in 1961 they launched their single malt whisky with the Glenfiddich Straight Malt. Just two years later they took the pioneering step of introducing it to the world, giving birth to the global fascination with single malt whisky.

Glenfiddich 15 Year Solera Reserve – 40% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Sherry Casks. Some of the whisky is finished 2 years in New American Oak. The whisky is mellowed in their famous Solera Vat before marrying in Portugese Oak tuns. – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: doughy, decadent and very fruity; elegant with lots of layers, caramel chews and waxy honeycomb; soft vanilla and crème brule. Palate: round and fruity in character with a base of waxy honey and vanilla; more caramel with milk chocolate and orange and dates; Fig Newtons circa 10 years ago before the changed the recipe; building sherry oak spices and earthy oak. Finish: medium in length, very pleasant and elegant. Comment: this is a very good malt for its age and price; I just wish they would kick up the ABV to 46%! – $80 per 750ml and $8 per 50ml

Jim Beam Unveils First-Ever Artificially Intelligent Decanter

Chicago, Ill. – (November 29, 2017) – Jim Beam, the maker behind the world’s best-selling bourbon and last year’s groundbreaking Jim Beam® Apple Watch, is making history yet again, taking its knack for innovation to create the first-ever “smart decanter.”

A “HomeBar” engineered with more than 200 years of bourbon know-how, “JIM” is advancing the technology of shot pouring and drinking, providing bourbon lovers a high-tech way to enjoy America’s Native Spirit. A preview of the whiskey world’s most innovative piece of technology can be viewed on YouTube, and is available in limited quantities to those 21 years of age or older for pre-order on www.JimBeam.com for $34.90. Unlike other smart home devices, “JIM” not only answers life’s most important questions, but also offers groundbreaking shot pouring functionality that allows legal drinking age consumers to serve up a drink from the comfort of their couch.

Voiced by 7th Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe, the decanter-turned virtual voice assistant includes a sleek compartment for bourbon storage and voice command capabilities. While he can’t turn off the lights or sing you a song, “JIM” bridges the gap between Silicon Valley and Kentucky with unique artificial intelligence that will answer your questions… and pour you a glass of bourbon.

“At Jim Beam, we’re in the business of evolving the way people drink delicious bourbon,” said Noe. “For decades, we produced unique limited-edition decanters that are now collectors’ items. And now, we’re introducing a smart decanter that lets fans enjoy their bourbon on demand with friends and family.”

For a limited time only, “JIM” will be available for pre-order at www.JimBeam.com while supplies last. While modern smart devices have been known to retail upwards of $349, “JIM” will cost just $34.90.

The Jim Beam family has been answering questions about bourbon for more than 200 years. Jim Beam® is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon that’s aged twice as long as required, delivering an oak vanilla, spicy backdrop with a toasted oak, sweet finish. It is sold at the suggested retail price of $17.99 for 750mL, and in bars and retail locations nationwide. Price varies by market and product size, which includes 50mL, 100mL, 375mL, 750mL, 1L and 1.75L.

For more information on “JIM,” follow Jim Beam on Twitter (@jimbeam) and Instagram (@jimbeamofficial) or visit http://www.jimbeam.com.

About Beam Suntory Inc.
As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith gin, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

Ardbeg “Twenty Something” 23 Year Old Islay Single Malt

Here’s what I will tell you about the new Ardbeg 23 year old committee release that just landed in our warehouse: I was lucky enough to try it a few months back when Ardbeg’s distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden was in town for a promotional tour and we got the chance to eat lunch together. He pulled out a small flask and poured me a glass, asking me what I thought about the whisky without telling me what it was. I was utterly entranced by it. It was so soft and silky compared to the powerful and high proof Ardbegs like the Uigeadail and Corryvreckan. The smoke was heavy, but it was muted by rounded vanilla and creamy malt flavors. I knew it had to be old. The finish went on forever and I just sat there grinning as I licked my lips and asked him what I had just experienced. Bill smiled and said it was the upcoming Ardbeg “Twentysomething,” a new committee bottling from the distillery planned for a winter release in the states. It’s by the far the most luxurious Ardbeg I’ve tasted since the 1977 and Lord of the Isles releases of long ago and it’s a legit, top shelf single malt. I’m long past the point of being able to justify what’s worth it to whisky drinkers when they’re throwing down money like this for a luxury bottle, but if you’re worried about the quality here I can squash those concerns. It’s really good.

Ardbeg “Twenty Something” 23 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($549.99)

It’s that time of year again. Advent!

From December 1st to the 25th, some of you will be enjoying our special Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar. 

This year Secret Spirits is proud to release their 4th Edition of unique and rare Scotch Whiskies. 

Geek-out with us as we introduce Scotch Trooper as our guest blogger this year. 

You can find him and all his Trooper Elves at http://scotchtrooper-blog.com/category/reviews/ 

He’s also on Instagram: scotch_trooper 

Follow along as his little elves get into all sorts of mischief with their Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar this Christmas.  

Cheers!

secretspirits.com

Isle of Islay 10 Year Old 2007

Single cask sherry hogshead from a secret distillery which once contained the famed micro distillery Malt Mill, on the A846 between Laphroaig & Ardbeg. Freshly bottled by our chums at Creative Whisky Co. for the Exclusive Malts – just 352 bottles!

Shop – £99.95

KWM Whisky Advent Day 9 – Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban

In last year’s KWM Whisky Advent Calendar we featured the Glenmorangie Original, it was the first time we were able to include a Glenmorangie whisky. Glenmorangie is back this year in the 2017 edition, with the Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 Year. After maturing 10 years in Ex-Bourbon barrels, the whisky is finished a further 2 years in Ruby Port Pipes, hence the name Quinta Ruban. “Quintas” are the port houses or lodges in Villa Nova de Gaia where the wine is laid to mature before bottling. Ruban is a reference to ruby port.

Port is an interesting fortified wine style with deep roots and a strong connection to the British isles. The British had a great fondness for French wine, especially Bordeaux, which they call Claret. There was only one problem, the English & French were at war with each other more often than not in the 17^th and 18^th Centuries, and that made the importation of French wine impractical to say the least. The British naturally turned their attention to Portugal, a nation with which they had a long allegiance, but this was not as straightforward a solution as one might expect.

During the age of sail, it was seldom possible to sail directly from Portugal. The prevailing winds made the journey long and difficult. The conditions at sea were not favourable to the transportation of wine. So this lead to the birth of a new wine style, Port. Port is named for Oporto, the Portuguese port city at the mouth of the River Douro. After crushing the grapes were fermented as with all wines, but early in the fermentation a neutral grape spirit is added to stop the fermentation and preserve sugar. The combination of higher alcohol and sugar made the wine more durable and stable. And the British loved it! Port was shipped to the UK including Scotland in cask, and many of these barrels would then be used to mature whisky.

One surprising fact about Port, is that the Douro’s appellation is the third oldest in the world. It was granted in 1756 well before Bordeaux or Burgundy. The only older ones are Chianti 1716 and Tokaji 1730 are old.

There are a few distinguishing characteristics which make Glenmorangie unique. First and foremost, its stills, which are the tallest and most slender in all of Scotland. “They are 8 metres high (26ft 1/4 inches) with their long copper necks standing at 5.14 metres (16ft 10 1/4 inches), the same height as a fully grown adult giraffe!” These stills ensure that only the lightest and most delicate vapours make it to the condenser, thus resulting in lighter more delicate spirit. The distillery was converted from a brewery originally established on Morangie farm in the 1730. Rather than the more traditional dumpy pot stills, the founder installed a pair of 2nd hand gin stills in the distillery. Today’s stills are modeled on that design.

Glenmorangie also has a unique water supply. The distillery is fed by the Tarlogie Springs, which bubble up from a limestone aquifer, rather than the granite filtered water used by almost every other distillery in Scotland. These natural minerals give it its ‘hard’ water qualities and provide Glenmorangie with a raw ingredient unique amongst Highland distilleries.

Last but certainly not least, the distillery is famous for its Sixteen Men of Tain. Historically no more than 16 men worked at the distillery. As demand and production grew, there were never more than 16 men on shift at a time. Times have changed, and production techniques have changed too. There are many more than 16 men and women working at the distillery and for the brand today, at last count close to 400 (2004). The company now refers to the “Men of Tain”, craftsmen who make the whisky.

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban– 46% – 12 Year – Matured in Bourbon Finished in Ruby Port – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: dried cherry and cranberry leap out of the glass; some musty old wood with dark chocolate, prune juice and cooked dates. Palate: big, nutty and wood; more dark chocolate with some firm old leather and sweet Cuban tobacco; the musty old wood is still there with some licorice nibs and decadent spice. Finish: medium-long and warming; the spicy oak holds on with a touch of chilli heat. Comment: I forgot how interesting this whisky is; I am not generally a fan of Port matured or finished whiskies, but this one is good! – $92 for 700ml – $11 for 50ml

Diageo Whisky Summit brings the best of Scotland to China

The second edition of Diageo’s annual China Whisky Summit took place on 17-18 November in Guangzhou.

The landmark two-day event brings together over 500 industry experts, scotch adorers and business partners to discuss and share whisky knowledge, trends and opportunities in a series of panels, workshops and tasting masterclasses.

Chinese consumers have a thirst for knowledge on scotch whisky and a desire to refine their appreciation of its heritage, provenance and craft credentials. The Summit is one of Diageo’s major initiatives to drive awareness about the scotch category and excitement about Diageo’s scotch portfolio in China.

£4 billion of scotch is shipped across the world each year, making it the UK’s biggest food and drink export. Testimony to the growing demand for scotch amongst Chinese consumers, scotch whisky exports to China grew by 45% to £27m in the first half of 2017 according to the Scotch Whisky Association. Tourism is another important part of the scotch whisky industry and last year 1.7m visits were made to distilleries in Scotland, with many coming from China.

The Whisky Summit is one of the most exciting and engaging immersive whisky experience ever hosted in China, showcasing all the whiskies from Diageo’s 27 distilleries in operation in Scotland. Visitors have the opportunity to take virtual tours of some of Diageo’s most iconic distilleries and attend masterclasses given by some of the world’s most renowned whisky experts like Jim Beveridge, Johnnie Walker Master Blender, Georgie Crawford, Lagavulin Distillery Manager and acclaimed whisky writers Charles MacLean and Dave Broom.

The third release in our series of special 10th Anniversary drams shall remain ‘Anonymous’. What we can reveal, is that this stunner of a dram, released under our Rare Casks Anon. banner is a peated malt, distilled in 1999 at a famous distillery on the Isle of Orkney and matured for 17 years in a refill sherry butt. Bottled a day before it’s 18th birthday and certainly come of age, the perfect marriage of peat and sherry!

Long story…bond, labels, wax… meant this latest Anon. release was due for launch at a later date, however we’ve managed to pull out all the stops and offer an early number of bottles in time for Christmas. Once we have word of the remaining bottles we will let you know!

Order Now!