Bruichladdich Octomore 7.3 Islay Barley, 63%

Exclusive Web price £148.95 (You save 10)

7.3 is the second edition of ‘Octomore from Octomore, made using barley grown on the eponymous farm. Distilled in 2010 and peated to 169ppm, this was aged in a combination of bourbon barrels and red wine casks from Ribera del Duero in Spain. Big and bold, yet also elegant with notes of oranges, honey, cinnamon and clove.

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Built in 1881 by the Harvey brothers, Bruichladdich distillery sits opposite the western shore of Loch Indaal on Islay, an island off the west coast of Scotland. The distillery produces three distinct single malts: Bruichladdich (unpeated), Port Charlotte (heavily peated) and Octomore (super heavily peated), along with The Botanist gin.

Our picks for Valentine’s Day!
XO, The Park Ave Liquor Shop

Will you accept this Rosé? Sure we have rosé and other bubbly bottles for Valentine’s Day but…It’s time to think outside the box of chocolates and get your honey-bunny something that says, ‘I didn’t just call the florist again.’In this email are some selections that we (emoji with hearts for eyes).  If you don’t like what you see ~ We’re happy to play matchmaker and find something that will have your loved-one (and you) sipping happily ever after.  And if you don’t have a Valentine – come on over for some chalky tasting candy hearts. Besides! We’re also having a Bourbon tasting with the new kids on the still…”Brooklyn Small Batch” Contact us with any questions. We love you…like a friend…but a really good friend.

Cheers!
Jonathan, Eric & Marlon
The Park Avenue Liquor Shop
270 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212-685-2442
jonathan@parkaveliquor.com
eric@parkaveliquor.com
whiskyconn@gmail.com
www.parkaveliquor.com

Compass Box:
Flaming Heart ~ 15th Anniversary

“First released in 2006, Flaming Heart was the first whisky to combine the rich, complex spice of Scotch aged in new French oak with the evocative peat-fired smoke of Islay malt. It was a genre-defying style from Compass Box. The anniversary release is a huge, layered, long-lasting mouthful of a whisky to enjoy late into the night. Brooding, indulgent and older than ever before, this is a whisky born of oak, smoke and fire – with a big heart all of its own.”  Flavor Descriptors:  “A unique interplay between spice, sweet and smoke characteristics. Sweet fruits and wood-smoke on the nose. Fat and full-bodied on the palate with a spicy sweetness and a brooding complexity that is rich, sweet and addictively decadent.”  Price $150/Btl – Only 12 left – Contact the store for availability.

FEW Spirits:
Flaming Lips – “Brainville” Rye

From Flaming Hearts to Flaming Lips 🙂  This Rye is a custom blend born from a collaboration between rock legends the Flaming Lips and FEW distillery (Evanston, IL). What we know about this 5,000 bottle limited edition is that it has a mash bill containing rye, corn and barley that was aged in custom barrels where it aged while listening to Flaming Lips albums. (true story).  The label was created by Justin Helton of Status Serigraph, who has designed materials for Phish, My Morning Jacket, Ween, and The Black Keys.  “Whiskey … it’s such a volatile drink. Upon pouring a drink it’s like accepting that you may become a werewolf … And really … Who doesn’t want to become a werewolf ???”  ~ Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips.  Price: $112/Btl

Park Avenue Liquor Shop ~ Exclusive
Woodford Reserve: Distiller’s Select

Here’s a gift that says, ‘Let’s be exclusive’.  The Park Avenue Liquor Shop is proud to be selected as the exclusive retailer in NYC to offer this very unique small batch bourbon. This particular Woodford bottling honors its Master Distiller, Chris Morris’ entry into the Whiskey Magazine Hall of Fame. This limited edition has been limited to just 162 bottles.  Distillery Notes: “This unique barrel of Woodford Personal Selection Bourbon is Sweet, Nutty and Malty; soft and smooth with notes of Oak, mild chocolate, pecans and light touch of toasted coconut.”  Mash bill and 72% Corn/ 18% Rye / 10% barley.  Price: $75 ~ Liter Bottle

Johnnie Walker: Blender’s Batch
“A Limited Edition Experiment”

For the Valentine that ‘has everything’…  Johnnie Walker “Blender’s Batch” is brand new to the market. It’s a blend of 3 grain whiskies from storied distilleries including the now shuttered Port Dundas and select iconic Malts including Mortlach and Cardhu. The Scotch has been aged 10 years in American oak – creating a smooth whisky with sweet, creamy notes of fresh fruit and a gentle, spicy smoke.  Price: $34/btl

Highland Park: “Fire” Edition

“Highland Park FIRE Edition is a special release 15 year old single malt which has been matured in 100% refill Port wine seasoned casks – a first for Highland Park. This follows the release of ICE Edition and completes the two-part series of special edition bottlings which celebrate some of the myths and legends from the Viking age.”  Tasting Notes: Natural in color, the vibrant and intense aromas of ruby red fruits and warm vanilla complement the fiery bitter sweetness of cinnamon bark and the richness of devilishly dark chocolate.  Price: $370/btl ~ Limited amount available – please contact the store.

Due to ever-changing inventory we cannot guarantee bottle availability. We are not responsible for any typographical errors or the phrase, ‘It’s not you~ it’s me”.  Please contact the store with any questions whether they be Wine, Spirits or Love related.

  The Park Avenue Liquor Shop | 212-685-2442 | 212-689-6247 | parkaveliquor.com

VALENTINE’S DAY WHISKY GUIDE

There are lots of reasons why whisky makes the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. It’s a spirit to be enjoyed in good company, it’s also a very personal gift to both give and receive. Picking a whisky that is to your loved one’s taste can be tricky but getting it right will melt their heart.

Whether you’re looking for a gift or a wonderful whisky to simply share, we’re here to help. Browse over our Valentine’s Day whisky suggestions or read our gift guide on our blog »

At our Members’ Rooms in Leith, Edinburgh and London, enjoy a 20% saving on all bottles over £75.00.   

From Friday 10 – Tuesday 14 February.  Ask at the bar for more details

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

No age statement, the arguments go on.

NAS whiskies, so many of our whisky tour guests ask me on NAS and what it means? I thought to scribble doon some of my thoughts on this subject. NAS bottles I have tried … Talisker Skye is the third NAS Talisker in the same amount of years, after the Storm and Port Ruighe, all good (in my opinion), but is this a departure from age statement by them? By no means the only character in the Diageo stable doing this (Talisker distillery founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskil at Carbost. Port Ruighe is Talisker’s 2nd release bottled without an age statement (after Storm). Port Ruighe (pron. Portree), was finished in Port casks after an initial ageing process in refill American and European casks. The maturation in Port casks gave it sweeter flavour blending nicely with the peat/ smoke). Macallan, the third-largest single malt brand in the world is one of the leading brands behind NAS bottles. Macallan’s 1824 Series ended the 10, 12 and 15yo with “named” replacements. Is this a case of where Macallan go others follow? (Macallan’s 1824 series might have you thinking an old malt. Ah but hold on – the colour is the key here. Gold and Amber to the expensive Sienna and Ruby, rely on different ages and differing shades of caramel. Oh no, caramel!) The Glenlivet 12yo is to be replaced in the UK and Germany by Founder’s Reserve, a NAS. Arran have both NAS and age-statement whiskies. Aberlour A’Bunadh one of my own favourites, has been available as NAS since 1998 without complaints, in fact people seem to love it to death. J&G Grant (Glenfarclas) have one NAE. Just a quick selection of NAS from memory, there are many more out there, Tullibardine do a great NAS bottle (it’s a 12 year old by the way) Murray. If you’re spending £50 or so on a single malt, you want to know what’s inside the bottle, what use the well designed artwork/name on the label?   Or, like me (most of the time) trust the distillery, or maybe try before you buy.

Some distillers had to take 30/40 year-olds from the market for years until they recouped their stocks. There is no doubt in my mind that aged stocks have reduced over the years following the “cashflow”. I am reliably told, stocks of malt older than 11 years have been in decline by an average of 6% per annum since 2011. It is increasingly difficult to guarantee a supply of aged stock. Impossible? Then again, blended malts (90% plus) of single malts go into “blends”, Almost 80% of Scotch whisky sold around the globe does not have an age statement.’

Age isn’t everything and there are some grand young whiskies hiding out there. But what annoys me, are brands that are bringing out NAS whiskies, that are obviously younger than the whiskies they’re replacing, yet cost 50% more expensive (no names mentioned but they know who they are). The taste of a whisky matters more than its age to me. Age is only important as an indicator of the quality of the whisky. Some very old drams I have tasted were to be honest, a let down, are these older bottles aimed at show offs and collectors?   I have tried some 15 – 25 yo drams that I would say were terrible. Good whisky is possible without an age statement.

IF YOU LIKE IT, DRINK IT, NO MATTER WHAT AGE. Unsure? Well – do a blind tasting, pick out what you like, then discover – blend, single malt, NAS or aged, forget Bible Man, do the Charlie Maclean method, his books give you all you need to know, eh Charlie? He told me in an interview with him Charlie Maclean (Our whisky club Patron); his tipple of choice is a Johnnie Walker Black Label – a true icon, recognised as a benchmark for deluxe blends (what do you think?). Created using whiskies aged for a minimum of 12 years from all over Scotland, Johnnie Walker Black Label has a smooth, deep, complex character. This DOES have an age statement. My own dram in my local pub Christies, Perth, is a Bushmills Black Bush; This Irish Whiskey combines a high amount of malt whiskey matured in Oloroso Sherry casks, with a sweet, batch-distilled grain whiskey. ‘Bush has rich, fruity notes and a deep intense character, balanced by an incredibly smoothness. I happen to drink it neat and aye, it’s a NAS. Two Maclean’s two different tastes, two side of this argument. But then again, isn’t this what drinking whisky is all aboot?

Paul Mclean of MCLEANSCOTLAND

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 154: Vote Mark for Whisky Ambassador Belgium 2017

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whisky blogger, wants your vote! That’s right, he needs your help. He has just been nominated for Whisky Ambassador for Belgium 2017 at the Belgian Whisky Awards. So please be so kind as to visit http://whiskyawards.be/ and cast your vote. You will find that you need to go through only 4 screens – very easy – and vote for four categories, including Whisky Ambassador. Check out this video to find out how to do just that and let’s get Mark that much coveted title! Much appreciated!

Beam Suntory Signs Long-Term Distribution Agreement with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

January 26, 2017,  MIAMI & DALLAS—-Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (“Southern Glazer’s”)—the largest North American wine and spirits distribution company—today announced that it has signed a new 37-state corporate distribution agreement with Beam Suntory, the second largest premium spirits company in the U.S. market. With the new performance-based agreement, Beam Suntory’s leading portfolio of brands will be distributed across Southern Glazer’s U.S. network in 21 open markets through 2030. Southern Glazer’s, which also represents Beam Suntory’s brands in 16 control states, is Beam Suntory’s largest distribution partner in the world.

“Beam Suntory has had very long and successful relationships with both the Southern and Glazer’s families,” said Tim Hassett, President, Americas, Beam Suntory. “Working with the combined Southern Glazer’s organization, we are confident that we will continue building on our historical strong performance together with a common commitment to further accelerating the growth of our brands on- and off-premise.”

“We are excited to extend our business relationship and represent Beam Suntory’s world-class brands across our unmatched national network,” said Wayne Chaplin, CEO of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “This long-term strategic alignment will enable us to deliver even more value – with a more efficient and effective route to market and the most thorough data insights – so we can help drive growth for Beam Suntory’s brands for years to come.”

About Beam Suntory

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.

About Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is North America’s largest wine and spirits distributor, and the preeminent data insights company for alcoholic beverages. The Company has operations in 44 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, Canada, and the Caribbean, and employs more than 20,000 team members. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SouthernGlazers.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival toasts record-breaking ticket sales

85 events sold out in first 24 hours as ticket sale value increases by over £30,500 

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has cemented its position as one of the world’s best-loved whisky events after 24 hours of record-breaking ticket sales. Income increased by over £30,500; 794 additional tickets were snapped up; and 25 more events were sold out on the first day of the Festival programme being launched compared to last year.

Customers from all over the globe, from India to Italy and from Tanzania to Turkey, logged into the Festival website to buy their event tickets at noon on Tuesday (February 7) and in doing so also set a new record for the diversity of customers’ geographic locations recorded in the first 24 hours.

On the day of the website launching, tickets were sold in a total of 24 different countries compared to 22 in 2016, with the majority being for customers within the UK. However, Switzerland and Germany leapfrogged ahead of Scandinavian countries as the next biggest market, with the USA following very closely behind in fourth place.

Festival manager Pery Zakeri says, “After setting new opening day ticket sales records for the last couple of years, we didn’t actually think it was possible to achieve this scale of growth. The level of interest has been phenomenal: as more and more tickets disappeared we couldn’t quite believe what we were seeing before our eyes.

“All credit must go the many event providers for developing such a diverse programme of events that has captured the imagination of the whisky-loving public. I think this success underlines that we are a world-leading event and that for the true devotees – as well as whisky novices – it is a festival that they simply must attend.”

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival takes place in a region of Scotland widely regarded as the spiritual home of Scotch whisky. Situated directly between the cities of Aberdeen and Inverness, Speyside has over half of all the nation’s distilleries and is the base for many high-profile international brands.

This year’s Festival runs from April 27 to May 1 and the programme comprises almost 500 different events. Organisers revealed that a staggering 85 events have already sold out – many of them offering the chance to see inside distilleries that have never before opened to the public or which only run exclusive tours during the Festival.

Ticket sale income generated in the first 24 hours stood at £121,683 and the number of individual tickets sold was 4,185. However, Pery stresses that there are still hundreds of tickets available for unique activities that will only take place during the five days of the Festival.

Pery adds, “We always knew that exclusive behind the scenes tours – and events where people get to meet the key players in the Speyside whisky industry such as master distillers and expert blenders – would prove to be the most popular.

“The limited tickets on offer for many of these events sold out within a matter of hours, but even though there is still an incredibly packed programme to choose from. The Festival is very much the gold standard for whisky connoisseurs, but equally we ensure there is plenty to attract those who are not as knowledgeable about Speyside malts or indeed who have never even tasted whisky.

“We are particularly pleased to see our international market growing. We are unashamedly passionate about our whisky, and for us to share that passion with visitors from so many different countries – as well as home-grown enthusiasts – makes all the effort that goes into organising the Festival so worthwhile.”

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s director of events, says, “It is great to see that tickets are once again selling at record rates for this year’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Speyside is the perfect stage for hosting this unique festival that attracts people from around the world and EventScotland is proud to be supporting them to once again delivery a fantastic event.”

Based in the heart of Scotland’s malt whisky country, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival takes place over five fun-filled days from April 27 to May 1, 2017. It comprises almost 500 events, taking place from Kingussie in the south to Forres in the west and Buckie in the east.

More information about the event is available at http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/ and tickets are also available to buy on the website. The Festival is active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram17

Caption: There’s whisky galore at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which has seen a huge increase in interest in the first 24 hours of ticket sales going live this week.

Notes

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors travelling to and from Festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from Event Scotland and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.

EventScotland  

EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit http://www.eventscotland.org/. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews.

EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland see http://www.visitscotland.org/ or for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination see http://www.visitscotland.com/.

February Just Whisky Auction Live Ends Sunday 19th from 8PM

The 39^th whisky auction from Just Whisky is now Live. There are some jaw-dropping bottles available to place bids on, some of which are highlighted below.

Selling from 0%

Remember it is now absolutely-free to sell with Just Whisky on bottles that achieve more than £1,500 at auction, which may go some way to explain the plethora of high-end bottles available to bid on this month. We’re extremely excited to watch how the auction unfolds and can’t wait for the bids to roll in.

Glenfarclas 60 Years Old

J & G Grant were delighted to announce the launch of the 60 Year Old Glenfarclas. Only 360 bottles of this incredibly desirable, rare single malt whisky were produced offering a unique opportunity to acquire one of the oldest bottles ever released by this iconic family owned distillery.

Officially launched on the 3rd of April 2014 at the Nth Whisky Show in Las Vegas by George Grant, Glenfarclas’ Sales Director and 6th generation of the family, it was rolled out across other key markets over the following months.

Macallan 56 Years Old 1946 – Fine & Rare

An incredible 56 year old Macallan. Distilled on the 26th January 1946 and bottled at full cask strength without chill-filtration from a single cask in 2002 for the Fine & Rare range.

Johnnie Walker The Commemorative – Epic Dates 1920 Edition

An ultra rare bottle from the legendary blender Johnnie Walker, this Commemorative 1920 Edition is the 5th release in their Epic Dates Collection.

The 1920 Edition celebrates a landmark year in the luxury Scotch Whisky’s global adventure. It marked a milestone for Johnnie Walker & Sons,. Exactly 100 years earlier in 1820, a young John Walker set up his family business and by 1920 the company’s whisky blends had travelled from the four corners of Scotland to the four corners of the world and were available in 120 countries.

Only 540 bottles of the 1920 Edition have been produced and were exclusively available to extreemed guests of the Johnnie Walker House. Presented in a beautifully crafted lockable box.

View the entire auction and bid on more than 1,150 bottles here:

www.just-whisky.co.uk

New Cadenhead’s

40 new bottlings from Scotland’s oldest independent whisky bottler including Glen Grant 31 Year Old, Tomintoul 30 Year Old, Invergordon 43 Year Old plus Glen Ord, Arran and Glenrothes – there is something for everyone!

SHOP CADENHEAD’S NOW >

Anti-Valentine’s cocktails – don’t think pink

Not everyone likes sweet, pink and fizzy. Hallmark certainly isn’t my idea of a romantic sentiment, and it’s OK if it’s not yours, either. But it does make Valentine’s Day a tricky one to celebrate if you have someone in your life who genuinely prefers you to all other human beings they’ve met and yet you don’t want to drink Strawberry Bellinis or sit in a bar draped in love hearts. I will be especially avoiding waiters with cupid wings this year as well.

So, whether you’re staying at home and fancy yourself as a bit of a bartender or beelining for a bar that isn’t making anything pink and sparkling, here are some classic cocktails to know and order (or make) which won’t make you groan, cringe or run a mile from.

Diamondback

The Diamondback combines rye whiskey, apple brandy and Yellow Chartreuse

Less ring bling, more Luke Cage ferocity. This spicy, rich cocktail combines rye whiskey, apple brandy and Yellow Chartreuse to make a Manhattan-style drink which is perfect for an after-dinner tipple.

Make it at home: 60ml rye whiskey 15ml apple brandy 15ml Yellow Chartreuse

Penicillin

Smoky, spicy and sharp – everything a Hallmark card isn’t. The Penicillin is one of a bare handful of drinks considered a modern classic, and is credited with introducing peated whisky to the cocktail canon. Combining ginger syrup, peated Scotch, lemon juice and honey, it’s stunningly delicious and completely different from anything you’ll have tried.

Make it at home: 40ml blended Scotch whisky 10ml peated Scotch whisky 20ml lemon juice 10ml honey syrup 10ml ginger syrup

Jane Ryan is editor of DrinkUp.London – a daily-changing website showcasing the very best of the capital’s drinks scene.