Black Bull 40 year old released 

The eagerly awaited Black Bull 40 year old special release has been launched. 

Multi-award winning Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky has added this new, exceptionally rare whisky to its distinguished range. Only 1,500 bottles of the limited edition, batch 7, Black Bull 40 year old will be available globally with a retail price of £750 per bottle.

Loyal followers of Black Bull are expecting a whisky which packs a punch following the last batch that was produced in 2011. Whisky experts and enthusiasts poured huge praise on the last production of this blend, which received 94% rating in blind taste tests by industry leaders.

The character of this latest batch has been captured in abundance, blending high quality single malts including Aberlour 1975, Macallan 1969 and Glenlivet 1968. With an ABV of 47.6% this is no ordinary Scotch Whisky.  With a ratio of 86% malt to 14% grain it charts the journey of many a fine whisky from as far back as 1966.

CEO Euan Shand commented: “Black Bull 40 year old is a world class whisky and it has been worth the wait to add it to our portfolio. We are confident that it will take its place amongst the best luxury whiskies available today and cement our position in the market place.”

On the palate, the tasting notes for the new Black Bull 40 year old reveal a style that is rich, beautifully sweet and full bodied in character. Infused with toffee apples, milk chocolate, grapefruit and mango it gives a very smooth and gentle taste with a warm syrupy finish.  A truly indulgent, perfectly balanced whisky, which is a gorgeous amber colour.

Marking a new chapter in the unfolding story of Huntly based Duncan Taylor Scotch Whiskies. The company has ownership of one of the largest privately held collections of rare Scotch whisky casks.  This latest whisky is undoubtedly a must-have for Black Bull enthusiasts.

Due to hit the shelves this week, this limited edition is available from specialist retailers. For more information log onto www.blackbullwhisky.com

NOTES: 

1. Black Bull was first released in 1864 and is blended to the same formula today as it was back then, using a large percentage of quality Speyside and Highland malts, matured in sherry and bourbon casks.
2. Black Bull Scotch Whisky is the main sponsor of the Ecurie Ecosse and McLaren GT racing car.

In the comfort of our summer deck chair we’re enjoying world class flavours – from Danish pastries and lime caipirinha cocktials to tropical mango and pineapple, and tobacco pipes in a beach hut.

Settle in for a journey of the senses!

CASK No. 1.197  JACKPOT!

21 years old; refill hogshead; 57.4%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

The nose combines cinder toffee and honey with perfumes (peach blossom, pear, gooseberry, lemon zest) and oak (carpentry workshops, vanilla and coconut). The palate provides a jackpot of lemon sherbet astringency, sophisticated sweetness (caramel, Manuka, Crunchie bars) and warm spice.

CASK No. 54.38  CONFECTIONERY AND CARPENTERS

8 years old; refill barrel; 62.8%; Young & spritely

White vanilla chocolate, fizzy lemon zest, juicy peaches and wood spice. Tongues tingled with intense heat. White chocolate ice cream with tinned fruit salad and glace cherries. Nutmeg and cinnamon. Fresh summer flowers with pencil shavings and planks of wood.

CASK No. 25.66  BETTE DAVIS DOING D.I.Y.

23 years old; refill hogshead; 57.8%; Spicy & sweet

Zippy fresh hay and root ginger then lemon posset and raspberry-filled sponge cake. Wood glue and warm balsa wood. A fizzy chili smack on the lips. Peaches, cream and white chocolate. She plucked white grapes and sipped lime caipirinha.

CASK No. 85.35  COMPLEX AND FULL OF CHARACTER

9 years old; 1st fill barrel; 60.4%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

The nose is complex – wrinkled apples, mangoes, crème brûlée and currants in a cabinet maker’s workshop – lychees, dried pineapple and incense candles later. The palate is yummilly viscous – fruit syrup on pancakes, juicy sultanas and wine gums, with mild chili tingles.

CASK No. 53.207  COD WRAPPED IN PARMA HAM

20 years old; refill sherry butt; 58.7%; Peated

Sweet peat smoke as well as aromas of singed heather and grilled cod wrapped in Parma ham. The taste is that of sandalwood fragrance and pipe tobacco. Water releases a salty sea breeze and barbecued king prawns. The taste fried honey bananas and grilled pineapple skewers.

CASK No. 3.248  LIKE A HOT COAL IN THE MOUTH

17 years old; refill sherry butt; 57.7%; Peated

The nose balances rich sweetness (figs, sherry, Liquorice Allsorts) with smouldering sticks, nicotine tar, leather and brine. The unreduced palate has intense honeyed peat, tar, ash, sherry, hot coals, burnt wood, treacly ham, salted caramel, smoky bacon and dark chocolate.

SMWS Canada

Scotch whisky is very different to a few decades ago. Demand is up and as drinkers’ tastes change, distilleries tweak their recipes. The spirit, the casks and the resulting whiskies are all different to how they used to be. Well, most of them anyway. There are a few distillers who still make old-fashioned whiskies – distillers like Benromach. We’ve got a fantastic bottle of whisky from the distillery to give away, so read on…

Rocky popped up to visit the folks at Benromach a couple of years back and you can read all about his trip here – not much has changed, but the distillery’s old-school drams are turning more heads than ever before.

The distillery’s style is typified by Benromach 10 Year Old – an oily dram with hints of soft smoke hiding under sweet toffee, fruit and rich maltiness. This is what I thought:

BENROMACH 10 YEAR OLD

Nose: Runny honey, green leaves, waxed apples, cinnamon, wood smoke and a touch of linseed oil.

Palate: Wood smoke kicks things off, with vanilla toffee, hazelnuts and the linseed from the nose sitting alongside. Darker notes of raisins, brown sugar and spice develop, as well as a touch of sappiness.

Finish: The smokiness hangs around, with apple skin and freshly ground malt slowly fading.

Comment: The waxiness and malt, along with the puff of smoke, remind me of some of the older bottles I’ve tried. Old-fashioned whisky at its best.

While it’s the distillery’s new whiskies, produced since it restarted in 1998, that are getting the most praise, owner Gordon & MacPhail occasionally unearths an old gem in its warehouses. The latest release is one of those – an incredible 35-year-old whisky.

We’re celebrating the launch of the new Benromach 35 Year Old with a prize draw – we have a bottle to give away to one lucky customer. All you need to do is buy a bottle of Benromach 10 Year Old before 11.59pm on Tuesday 9 August and we’ll enter you into the draw.

You can find full details here – good luck!

This week Joe Ellis reviews Glengoyne Scottish Oak Finish Single Malt.

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THE BALVENIE’S DAVID STEWART AWARDED AN MBE FOR HIS SERVICES TO THE SCOTCH WHISKY INDUSTRY

Today, The Balvenie’s Malt Master David Stewart was presented with an MBE medal by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services to the Scotch whisky industry at a ceremony in The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland.

David has dedicated almost 54 years of his life to the Scotch whisky industry. His pioneering techniques have had a profound impact on Scotch whisky production methods used today. He is renowned for his groundbreaking work particularly around ‘cask finishes’ for The Balvenie and has developed a number of award winning whiskies enjoyed and loved by whisky drinkers all over the world.

Commenting on his MBE, David said: “I feel very humbled to receive this award. I started my career as a whisky stocks clerk in 1962 and I didn’t expect to become a malt master.  I feel incredibly proud. I’ve been very fortunate to work for a family run company and it has allowed me the freedom to experiment throughout my career. It’s a privilege working in this industry so to be rewarded and recognised in this manner is very humbling.”

“I’ve received a number of messages from people all around the world. I’d like to thank those who have been kind enough to congratulate me on the award and to all of the wonderful people I’ve worked with since I started almost 54 years ago.”

David has also been recognised with a number of high profile industry awards throughout his career, including the Grand Prix of Gastronomy by the British Academy of Gastronomes, and lifetime achievement awards from the International Wine & Spirit Competition and Malt Advocate magazine. He has also been named as an Icon of Whisky and a Master of the Quaich.

Simon Hunt, CEO of William Grant & Sons, said: “David’s dedication, skill and modesty have made him one of the best-loved and respected craftsmen in the business. David’s MBE is a testament to how well respected he is. He is considered to be one of the greatest master blenders and we are incredibly proud of him”

David will also be honoured with a beautiful book of congratulations, carefully designed in the style of an original whisky store register. Over the coming months pages from the book will travel across the globe, gathering well wishes and messages of congratulations from whisky enthusiasts and The Balvenie drinkers, before returning to Scotland to be bound and presented to David.

Whisky enthusiasts around the world are also invited to raise a toast at 19.45 today (the year David was born) to pay tribute to his achievements. You can share your tribute to this legendary Malt Master using the hashtag #RaiseADram.

For more information on The Balvenie and David Stewart’s MBE celebrations visit The Balvenie UK’s website, Facebook and Twitter.

*An MBE or Member of the Order of the British Empire is a medal awarded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to individuals recognised for a significant achievement or outstanding service to their profession or community

About The Balvenie: 

• The Balvenie is a unique range of single malts created by David Stewart MBE, The Balvenie Malt Master, who was awarded an MBE for services to the Scotch whisky industry in the Queen. Each has a very individual taste, but each is rich, luxuriously smooth and underpinned by the distinctively honeyed character of The Balvenie.
• The Balvenie is dedicated to the five rare crafts that are used to create The Balvenie’s distinctive taste. It is the only distillery that still grows its own barley, uses traditional floor maltings and keeps both coppersmiths and coopers on site – making The Balvenie the most handcrafted of malts.
• The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons Ltd, an award-winning independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today run by his direct descendants.

The Whisky Shop Exclusives

The Whisky Shop is home to a selection of single malt expressions that you simply can’t find anywhere else. From one of the rarest Single Malt Scotch Whiskies in the world to hand-selected single cask expressions, our exclusive range is a sight to be seen!

Free delivery available on all orders over £75 Next day delivery available

Aberfeldy Single Cask

Distilled in 1996 and specially selected by the members of The W Club and the staff of The Whisky Shop Edinburgh in March 2013, this Highland Single Malt is a fabulous single cask expression. Brimming with vanilla notes and stewed fruits, this fabulous expression also packs some typical warming oak flavours from the fairly long maturation.

£160 Buy Now

Glenfarclas 1994

Bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop and limited to only 1200 bottles, this expression from the family-owned Glenfarclas distillery is our very own award-winner! Scoring an impressive 95.5 in the 2016 Jim Murray Whisky Bible, this Speyside Single Malt received the coveted Liquid Gold Award. The nose has intense layers of sultanas and dessert wine, the palate offers juicy grape, toasted oak, sauternes and marmalade, while the finish is medium with notes of cocoa and vanilla.

“…not far off God’s gift to present day sherried malt whisky” – Jim Murray

Glenfarclas 2000

This Single Malt Scotch Whisky was specially selected for The Whisky Shop, and is an utter delight from start to finish. There’s enough Glenfarclas character here for fans of the distillery to love it, but this is also a great way to start your exploration of the distillery if you’re not yet familiar with it. A great malt. Mid-amber: ex-sherry cask. Slow legs. A somewhat closed nose to start, then scents of rice pudding, perhaps with a spoonful of red jelly, becoming more cereal-like, especially with a drop of water. A sweet overall taste, with peppery spice in the warming finish, reduced somewhat by water.

£60 Buy Now

Bowmore Laimrig 15 Year Old

This Whisky Shop exclusive bottling of Bowmore takes its name from the Gaelic for ‘pier,’ referring to the ancient stone pier that once served the distillery. Finished in the finest Spanish sherry butts, the cask strength, non chill-filtered Bowmore Laimrig has a rich, dark character and colour. The nose offers an instant aroma of coal tar soap, but the rich Oloroso sherry notes deliver an attractive counterbalance. On the palate it is full bodied, with a luxurious raisin and sherry taste, complemented by wood smoke. The finish is long and spicy and smoky.

£78 Buy Now

Glenfiddich Rare Collection 1992 Single Cask

Hand-selected by The Whisky Shop and Glenfiddich Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, this expression was chosen to celebrate the founding of The Whisky Shop in 1992. The very first release from the Glenfiddich Rare Collection, this single cask is available exclusively from The Whisky Shop and is limited to only 200 bottles. Matured in a refill bourbon cask distilled on the 13th March 1992, bottled at 55.6% abv. This whisky really shows off the Glenfiddich distillery character, with lots of sweet, fruity notes with apple and pear and just a hint of oak and spice.

£1,200 Buy Now

Ladyburn 1974 40 Year Old

Hailing from Scotland’s shortest-lived distillery, this 40 year old is one of the rarest malt whiskies in the world. Built on the site of William Grant & Sons’ Girvan grain distillery, Ladyburn produced malt whisky for less than 10 years from 1966 to 1975 before being demolished. One of the last remaining casks from Ladyburn, Cask 89/199 No.74 was filled in 1974 and aged in the warehouses at Girvan until its 40th birthday on 21st November 2014. This Whisky Shop Exclusive is limited to only 157 bottles.

£2,597 Buy Now

The Glenlivet Gallow Hill

This limited edition Speyside Single Malt comes from the distillery that started it all! The Glenlivet Distillery in the Cairngorms National Park was the first legal distillery in Glenlivet and became so famous that other distilleries began to use its name leading to the owners being granted legal protection for the name The Glenlivet. Matured in a hogshead cask and one of approximately 250 bottles, this limited edition takes its name from the hill above the The Glenlivet distillery where the local gallows used to be.

£240 Buy Now

Glen Garioch 1978

This sophisticated Single Malt was hand-selected by The Whisky Shop in October 2011. Bottled non chill-filtered at cask strength from North American Oak, Cask No 11,000 quietly matured at Glen Garioch Distillery from 1978. Hailing from one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, this rich and fruity Highland Single Malt has sweet notes of vanilla and dried fruit

£485 Buy Now

Glenkeir Treasures The Secret Speyside 2002

Born from an ex-sherry cask this Secret Speyside comes from one of the most famous distilleries in the world but we’re not giving anything away! This mysterious single malt is a limited release that was filled to cask on 5th April 2002. Red jelly and burnt sugar contribute to a sweet overall taste with dried fruit and sherry notes. A warming finish.

£60 Buy Now

Photo Credit Charlotte Graham/Guzelian

YEAR-LONG CHARITY WHISKY TASTING MARATHON REACHES HALFWAY MARK ON JULY 25th 2016. 

183 of 366 unique whiskies will have been reviewed and filmed on a daily basis as part of a challenge to raise £5000 for a UK children’s charity. 

Ben Bowers, of Hemingbrough, North Yorkshire, is attempting to film a review and history of 366 different whiskies from 366 unique distilleries over the course of 366 days. 

Having commenced on January 25th 2016 (otherwise known as “Burns’ Night”) Ben aims to review ‘A Dram A Day’ until January 24th 2017, uploading a video of every review on a daily basis to a YouTube channel. Each video also provides background history and anecdotes on each whisky, providing an informative guide to new drinkers. 

On Monday July 25th, Ben will upload the review for Dram 183, the halfway mark of this mammoth challenge. 

He aims to raise £5000 for The Childrens Heart Surgery Fund, a UK based charity helping babies and children requiring complex surgeries due to congenital heart defects, along with providing support for their families. This funding goal was inspired by the issues the best friend of his 6 year old daughter has had to endure after being born with a hole in his heart, and who will require a complete valve replacement when he is strong enough. 

Donations of each 25ml sample (the equivalent of 1 unit of alcohol) have been generously supplied by whisky fans around the world, along with suppliers and distributors. At the time of writing Ben is only 30 samples short of the full 366 enabling him to complete the challenge. 

Ben has had to continue the reviewing Drams during a family holiday to Florida and will also need to juggle the birth of a third child in October with the final stages of his mission. 

Ben also hopes to seal a publishing deal for a personal diary of the challenge to raise even more funds for the charity upon completion.

www.ralfy.com does an unusual comparison of ‘generational’ bourbons with Whisky Review 591 – Bourbon de Luxe (2016 and 1970’s)

WORLD TRAVELLERS CAN DISCOVER ISLAND INTENSITY AS JOHNNIE WALKER ISLAND GREEN LAUNCHES IN DUTY FREE

Johnnie Walker introduces first Blended Malt Scotch Whisky exclusive to world travellers 

Diageo GTME, 4th July 2016: Tempted to explore the fascinating world of Single Malt Scotch Whisky, but overwhelmed by choice? Johnnie Walker, the world’s No. 1 Scotch Whisky brand has introduced the perfect solution in an exciting new addition to its world famous portfolio – Johnnie Walker Island Green.

A rare blend of rich single malt whiskies from the four corners of Scotland, Johnnie Walker Island Green provides drinkers with a distinctive flavour experience allowing them to explore the character of these celebrated malts in a signature Johnnie Walker style. A duty free exclusive, Johnnie Walker Island Green is available solely to travellers, adding to its exclusiveness.

Aromas of wood smoke, pepper and spice mingle with layers of orchard fruit, gentle vanilla and sandalwood while the taste experience delivers all the character of a single malt but with greater depth and complexity amplified by the unique Island style.

Showcasing the same blended malt craftsmanship as the critically acclaimed Johnnie Walker Green Label, the exclusive taste of Johnnie Walker Island Green offers a more intense expression with a greater influence of smoky maritime malt whisky. This is balanced with robust fruity Highland malts including Clynelish™, lighter Lowland malts represented by Glenkinchie™ and the characteristically sweet and fragrant Speyside style of Cardhu™.

Jim Beveridge, Johnnie Walker Master Blender, said: “As whisky makers, we’re passionate about flavour. We captured the distinctive style of individual mature malts from the four main whisky regions of Scotland, ensuring Johnnie Walker Island Green offers all the character of a single malt, but with a richer flavour experience.”

Doug Bagley, Managing Director of Diageo Global Travel and Middle East, said: “Johnnie Walker Island Green is the perfect purchase for traditional Johnnie Walker fans or those seeking to explore the world of Scotch malts.

“The blend was recently awarded a ‘Master’ at The Global Scotch Whisky Masters 2016, the highest possible ranking available at this international competition, proving just how special a whisky it is. And, as an exclusive product to travellers which cannot be purchased outside of duty free, this is truly a unique addition to the Johnnie Walker range.”

Best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, global travellers can now discover true island intensity through the taste of Johnnie Walker Island Green.  Pick up a bottle in selected airports now and in duty free stores worldwide from July 2016.

For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Notes

JOHNNIE WALKER ISLAND GREEN has a RRP of $60

JOHNNIE WALKER ISLAND GREEN has an ABV of 43%

JOHNNIE WALKER ISLAND GREEN is available in 1L bottles

ABOUT JOHNNIE WALKER

About Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker is the world’s number one Scotch whisky brand, enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above all else.

Six generations of skilled Master Blenders have pioneered and crafted bold new flavours that have transformed a small Scottish grocery store business, founded in 1820, into an international whisky business selling stylish, authentic, and iconic blends.

Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Platinum Label and Blue Label. Together they account for nearly 19 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2015), making JOHNNIE WALKER the most popular Scotch whisky in the world.

ABOUT DIAGEO

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories.  These brands include JOHNNIE WALKER, CROWN ROYAL, J&B, BUCHANAN’S, WINDSOR, SMIRNOFF, CÎROC, CAPTAIN MORGAN, BAILEYS, DON JULIO, TANQUERAY

Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.  The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).  For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com/.

Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.