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Paul John Single Casks at Abbey Whisky – Indian Whisky News

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Paul John Single Cask #686 (Peated)

A peated Indian single malt whisky from Paul John distillery, Goa. Aged in a first fill American bourbon barrel, single cask #686. Bottled at cask strength, 59% vol with an outturn of only 156 bottles. £87.78

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Paul John Single Cask #1906

A new single cask release from Paul John distillery, created from unpeated barley and left to mature in single cask #1906. Bottled at cask strength, 59.5% vol with an outturn of 210 bottles. £72.78

Abbey Whisky Ltd

Registered Office

Dollar, FK14 7AS

United Kingdom

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #122 – Scotch Whisky News

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Whisky Ramblings Via Video #122

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whiskyblogger, tries a duty free Speyside whisky. Glenfiddich launched the Cask Collection for Global Travel Retail. The three bottlings are the Select Cask, the Reserve Cask and the Vintage Cask. The series celebrates the Solera marrying process in which several casks are put together in the handcrafted Solera vat at Glenfiddich. He tried the first in the series, the Reserve Cask, which turned out to be a summery dram indeed. The video was shot on location in Edinburgh, near the Royal Yacht Britannia and on Arthur’s Seat.  

https://youtu.be/xbtgYGuEM34

 

Introducing Longmorn The Distiller’s Choice – Scotch Whisky News

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Introducing Longmorn The Distiller’s Choice

New expression revealed for Speyside’s best-kept secret, Longmorn Single Malt

Longmorn has launched The Distiller’s Choice, a smooth, triple-cask matured single malt Scotch whisky, offering a new interpretation of the brand’s renowned classic toffee flavours.

Longmorn The Distiller’s Choice is a well-balanced single malt with incredible depth of flavour, presenting notes of delicate spice, sweet treacle toffee and caramel – the result of maturation in a range of exceptional American oak, ex-Oloroso sherry and traditional oak casks. The expression is a new release from Longmorn as part of a renewed focus from Chivas Brothers on the distillery, which is often referred to as Speyside’s best-kept secret.

Each bottle of Longmorn has been crafted to perfection in Speyside since John Duff established the distillery in 1894. Created to be the epitome of exquisite taste, Duff sculpted the Longmorn signature style by marrying craftsmanship and advancing technological techniques. In his pursuit of excellence, he built a railway station adjacent to the distillery to bring in the best ingredients and swiftly export the whisky. His installation of broad, smooth-shouldered stills also allowed for a lower fill level that increases contact with the copper during distillation, known by distillers as the ‘kiss of the copper’, which reaps the benefits of fresh local water drawn directly from the Moray Aquifer. These same stills are used today.

Longmorn The Distiller’s Choice is presented in distinct, luxury packaging that befits its exceptional quality; the glass bottle has high, broad shoulders, a long pouring neck and is largely transparent to showcase the quality of the whisky inside. The two labels pay homage to the founder’s railway station by replicating the style of a train ticket and inclusion of a steam train as part of the updated logo. Modern luxury cues pay homage to the golden age of progress in the late 1800s, with the striking purple colour evoking ‘The Mauve Decade’, which saw the increased availability of purple clothing, previously only available to the aristocracy.

Clarisse Daniels, Global Marketing Manager for Single Malts at Chivas Brothers, comments: “For more than a century, Longmorn single malt has been one of the best-kept secrets in Scotland, so we are very excited to be releasing The Distiller’s Choice. What better single malt than Longmorn, created in the Golden Era of Luxury, to delight discerning drinkers looking for quality, heritage and pedigree. Longmorn The Distiller’s Choice, with its soft, creamy and rich flavour profile, will be the perfect addition to the repertoire of knowledgeable Scotch whisky drinkers around the world.”

Bottled at 40% ABV, Longmorn The Distiller’s Choice will be available from January 2016 in 27 markets, including UK, Canada and France, at the RRP of $94 per litre in domestic markets (or local equivalent). Longmorn 16 Year Old will remain part of the range with more information available in due course.

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NOTES

About Longmorn
Founded in 1894 by pioneering Scotsman, John Duff, Longmorn is the ultimate luxury single malt whose spirit is revered for producing a Scotch whisky with a unique depth and intensity. In setting up the distillery, Duff embraced the philosophy of intelligent luxury to combine the adventure, ambition and craft of the late 19th Century with emerging technologies to create a whisky for the growing luxury appetite. Known as the best-kept secret in Scotland, Longmorn has long been considered top class by whisky distillers, blenders and connoisseurs.

Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the world’s No.1 single malt whisky; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.
www.chivaspirit.com

@ChivasNewsRoom

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,558 million in 2014/15. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 80 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.
www.pernod-ricard.com

BBC and The English Whisky Co. – English Whisky News

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BBC and The English Whisky Co.

BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme is calling on people in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to nominate their favourite producers, workplace cooks, local markets and food heroes. It has been suggested that The English Whisky Co. enter under the category of Best Drinks Producer. This is an award given to producers who are voted for by the public – so we really need your nomination – every single one will count. Many thanks to those of you that take the time to do this. The closing date is this Sunday – so if we have persuaded you to nominate us….

PLEASE NOMINATE US HERE

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Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1985 Old & Rare at The Whisky Barrel – Scotch Whisky News

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Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1985 Old & Rare

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

$359.65

Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1985 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whiskey. Single cask refill hogshead bottled October 2015 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old & Rare Platinum Selection. 180 bottles.

This golden coloured whisky has a delicate mellow nose sweet vanilla initially then an assortment of fruit aromas appear banana peaches blackcurrants with butter shortbread adding weight .a creamy buttery mouthfeel on the palate with red berries cinder toffee and dark chocolate giving sweetness and complexity .The finish is long satisfying sweet pleasant slightly dry with a touch of oak.

Cragganmore Distillery was established by John Smith in 1869 on a site close to Ballindalloch Station in the heart of Scotland’s Speyside whisky region. Cragganmore Distillery is a malt whisky distillery equipped with four very short stills and is one of the few Scottish malt whisky distilleries which continue to cool their new spirit in traditional worm tubs. Visitors are welcomed at the Cragganmore Distillery visitor centre where distillery tours are available. Cragganmore is a participant in the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

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The Whisky Exchange “UK Blog Awards – vote for us!” – Scotch Whisky News

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UK Blog Awards – vote for us!

When it comes to competitions, the past year has been great for The Whisky Exchange – we’ve picked up both the Digital Entrepreneur Small E-Commerce Business of the Year award and the International Wine and Spirits Competition Online Retailer of the Year award.

We’re now up for another award and need your help. And when I say ‘we’, I mean The Whisky Exchange Blog – we’ve entered the UK Blog Awards.

If you’re a fan of the blog and think we deserve to win in the food and drink category, please click on the banner below and vote for us. You can vote every day, so if you really like us, please vote as often as you’d like:

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Voting closes on Monday 25 January, so there’s still a week and a bit to go. Our fingers are crossed…

 

Ralfy Publishes Whisky Review #569 – Scotch Whisky News

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www.ralfy.com examines a recent whisky drama with Whisky Review 569 – Flaming Heart malt blend & scandal

Flaviar Adds New Benefits for its Members by Releasing its Very First Private Bottling – Scotch Whisky News

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Flaviar Adds New Benefits for its Members by Releasing its Very First Private Bottling

San Francisco, January 14th – Flaviar, an online club for spirits lovers, just released its very first private bottling, available for purchase to Flaviar Members only. Released under the name “Deer, Bear & Moose”, it is a response to members’ desire for exclusive and hard to get drinks. 

“Flaviar is all about exploring fine spirits and creating a community around them. Our community has grown large enough by now to give us the ability to source drinks that our members would not be able to get their hands on otherwise. Our private bottling of Deer, Bear & Moose is a direct response to our members’ desire for exclusive and hard to get drinks as well as a realisation of our long-time wish,” explains Grisa Soba, Flaviar ‘s Co-founder.

For Flaviar, this is just another step towards fulfilling its goal of becoming the go-to source for everyone who wants to explore the world of fine spirits. For a monthly membership fee, Flaviar members receive monthly themed Tasting Boxes with 3 spirits samples and other benefits, such as free shipping, educational content on fine spirits, and access to exclusive bottles, such as this Deer, Bear & Moose edition at $124.99.

“This first Deer, Bear & Moose release is by no means the last – we will continue to source rare and hard to find spirits around the world that meet our quality criteria and the needs of our community. And as our community grows, so will our ability to ‘crowdsource’ great spirits,” adds Soba.

Deer, Bear & Moose is the result of significant in-house efforts, from sourcing all the way through to brand development and design. In fact, the design of the Deer, Bear & Moose label reflects the Company’s plans for further private releases, utilizing a combination of typographies on the label and expected to serve as a template for different types of Whiskies yet to come. Each bottle is hand-labelled, numbered and comes in a wrapping paper that features flavour symbols created specifically for the Flavour Spiral and the award winning Flaviar App, released in June 2015.

The first Deer, Bear & Moose release available to selected Flaviar members only

The first private bottle released under the Deer, Bear & Moose brand is a 20-year old single malt Scotch, a 1995 private vintage from Tobermory distillery. It is bottled at cask strength (55,9% ABV) and is described as tasting like a “buttery fruit orchard bonanza”. It was only available to a limited number of randomly selected Flaviar Prime Members and is currently being shipped to them.

Notes:

About Flaviar

Flaviar was founded in 2012 by three friends, all spirits enthusiasts, including an experienced spirits marketer, web developer and e-commerce CEO. They used to meet up regularly for fine spirits tastings, which gradually led to the idea of alcoholic tasting packs that would enable everyone to do the same. Flaviar currently delivers a new Tasting Box with three spirits each month to its members and offers a selection of full-size bottles to enable everyone to discover the world of spirits, taste hard to find brands, and learn how to build their very own home bar. The Flaviar App completes the service by providing a wealth of information on drinks.

For more info, get in touch: Sasa Muzga, sasa@flaviar.com

Flaviar.com | Facebook | Twitter

Flaviar Inc., 1355 Market St., suite 488, San Francisco 94103, CA

Glenlivet 1961 Smith’s By Gordon & MacPhail at The Whisky Barrel – Scotch Whisky News

Glenlivet 1961 Smith’s

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

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Glenlivet Smith’s 1961 Vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whiskey. Single refill American cask #4996 distilled 29th December 1961, bottled 29th May 2012 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Distillery Labels range.

Nose: Soft and sweet with a delicate touch of summer fruits and a hint of charred oak.

Taste: The palate is mouth warming with hints of black pepper and delicate ripe fruit flavours; banana and mango.

Glenlivet Distillery was established in 1824 and following expansion in 2010 is now equipped with fourteen stills making it one of the largest malt whisky distilleries in Scotland. Glenlivet Distillery is situated in Scotland’s Speyside whisky region near the River Livet and has a visitor centre which offers distillery tours with the opportunity to sample Glenlivet single malt whiskies. Glenlivet also participates in the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

 

1988 Blair Athol 26yo K&L Exclusive – The Return of Sherry-Aged Brilliance – Scotch Whisky News

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Last year we purchased a super saturated sherry butt of Blair Athol exclusively for K&L that blew every other single malt in stock out of the water. Few people knew the name Blair Athol at that time—the Johnnie Walker-owned Highland distillery that primarily supplied its whisky to the Bell’s Blended label—but after tasting that fudgy, decadent 25 year old selection we had customers going absolutely bananas in an attempt to get more. On our most recent visit to the Signatory warehouse (coincidentally located just down the street from Blair Athol), we snagged the very last of this legendary stock. It’s now one year older, meaning there’s one year’s worth of extra richness, extra spice, and extra texture. If you’re a Macallan fan, or a fan of big, bold, toffee-laden single malts, then this is the whisky for you. If you’re still lamenting the loss of last year’s Blair Athol cask, then we recommend buying two bottles this time around.

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1988 Blair Athol 26 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky ($179.99)

Last year’s cask of 1988 sherry-aged Blair Athol from Signatory drove our customers into such a frenzy that we still get phone calls asking about it over a year later. The big, rich, caked-in-sherry flavor blended beautifully with the soft-fruited core of the Highland whisky’s profile, creating an absolute beast when bottled at full proof. We’re happy to announce to all those who’ve been begging us for more that we were able to return to Signatory this past spring and purchase the lone sister cask to that beloved Blair Athol, bringing one last batch of that sherry-matured magic to K&L customers one last time. Whereas last year’s cask showcased all the sweetness and sugary spice that Oloroso sherry can offer, this whisky is much drier and earthier on the palate. It’s full of coffee bean, dried prunes, and burnt almonds, lingering far longer on the finish with a more dynamic finale of dried earth and savory splendor. It’s a fitting finale to one of the most talked-about and requested whiskies in K&L history. We’re happy we were able to finish out the legacy with a bang!

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 14, 2016

After the Blair Athol craze of 2015 at K&L, we immediately called our friends at Signatory and had them hold the last sherry butt in their warehouse. Signatory has long had a relationship with the nearby distillery and they’d been sitting on these ultra-rich casks of whisky for some time. This whisky is an absolute beast of malt. It’s brimming with cakebread, Christmas spice, cocoa, and toffee. At cask strength, it can withstand a few drops of water quite well, which only open up more of that complexity. Unfortunately, I can’t call Signatory and ask for more after we sell through this barrel because this is the last one. Alas…

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 07, 2015

An expressive, rich and round single malt that is full-bodied. It is packed full of flavor with the sherry barrel aging showing itself. Malty and dried fruit flavors are part of the delicious flavor profile.

K&L Wine Merchants http://www.klwines.com/ Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637) Email: wine@klwines.com San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA


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