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Just Whisky Auction is live with their latest auction! Bidding ends on the 17th January at 8PM UK time. As usual there is a fantastic array of beauties to bid on. Make your new year’s resolution to expand your Whisky Collection or grab a bargain to enjoy a Winters Dram!
WHISKY REVIEW OF 2015 – Paul McLean
A personal view if the whisky industry in 2015 by Paul McLean, owner MCLEANSCOTLAND.COM & WHISKYTOURS.SCOT
Where do I start? It has been a busy year for whisky, so much has happened, lots of news and some seriously strange decisions. Let me start by wishing all distilleries and staff a happy new year and best wishes for 2016, especially the small independents and new start ups, both here in Scotland and over in our Celtic neighbour Ireland. Talking of which, there has been much movement over on the Emerald Isle, an upsurge in Irish whiskey – about time, with lots of new start up distilleries, 2 in Dublin alone. I think there was a heavy bias, or snobbery against Irish whiskey for too many years, myself, I have always enjoyed it, at my local pub here in Perth, Black Bush is my dram and thankfully, Helen & Billy keep buying it in for me specially! To be honest, Redbreast is my favourite Irish dram, but with so many to try, it is a hard thing to stay with just one, I urge you to try the likes of Green and Yellow Spot, The Midleton’s are fabulous, there I go, on a roll again about my Mum’s country drams, if you havnee tried many Irish, please look into it soon!
One bottle I hope to look forward to this year hopefully, is a Daft Mill dram, have been there a few times aye, tasted new make and very young drams, but I can’t wait for a good aged dram from Francis, that would be a highlight. Another vastly underrated distillery is Glen Moray, because of their pricing structure (low) for a quality product, I feel it puts people off trying their drams, how foolish, I took a tour there last summer (one of many), a large group of 28, I couldnee get them all out! The shelves took a battering, specially 25 and 30 year old, say no more, it is one of my favourite distilleries and we like them all there, thanks very much guys! Scotland to me, remains the best whisky producer in the world, ok so maybe we have a few more distilleries available to us, but we have constantly great whisky from all corners of the country. Aye saying that though, I do like very much Japanese and Taiwanese drams and Paul John in Goa is running up catching them with several superb drams, specially their peated.
World whisky has come on leaps and bounds, with Australia, European and Asian drams all good. The one thing that gets up my nostrils – Bibleman and his numpty awards! It is really like a paid advertisement for certain drams, making his best whisky of the year, with otherwise totally unforgettable whisky. I see lately there are lots of a certain Canadian whisky in the auctions, I hope the money paid off with a profit, take it while you cam, because as soon as real whisky drinkers start tasting this stuff, the bottom will fall out of that market (in my own view that is). Harsh? I don’t think so. I also forecast Japanese drams will calm doon in price, right now they are a crest of a wave, it will calm doon by summer and once again good Scottish drams will take top slot. Have you noticed how Macallan have calmed doon? They always used to be number one in auctions, maybe once again.
Awards, are they worth the paper they are written on? And the cost of the actual awards? In my view, no. It seems to me that every distillery/country will get a turn to win something, awards are made up to find a category for some drams, this is daft. And whilst I am on ma soapbox, will distilleries please resist from producing outlandish packaging that no one can afford. If you buy whisky it is to drink aye? Why would we wish to buy a piece of crafted silver, in a handmade wooden box, on a marble plinth with (ok a nice whisky) drams hidden by the packaging? Just sell us a good dram in an affordable bottle – which we throw away anyhow. Rant over.
Festivals and tastings are springing up everywhere, grand! This brings whisky to many people and many who have not tried too many, options are there to research and develop your senses into liking many other whiskies than what you thought you liked. Please don’t forget, whisky is like fine art, liking one or more, is equal to liking fine art, it is in the eye (or mouth) of the beholder. Buy/drink what you like, what you can afford and maybe test a few you havnee tried before. It’s a great game. I will be hosting a tasting myself early February, do I do blind tastings or name them as we go, or both? At the Spirit of Speyside this year we are offering events, one being with our friend Ian Buxton; Does packaging affect your whisky purchases? After working with Liz (biz partner for last 20 years) who used to say “that’s a nice bottle” meaning shape and design, she now buys for the whisky inside the bottle, that made me think, and asked Ian to do this for us, he agreed quickly!
So, my own whisky awards … as guests of Chivas recently, Ian Logan gave us (Liz and myself) a dram of Glenlivet 50 year old, I couldnee open my mouth or eyes after it, I couldnee find the right expression or words to qualify! Kavalan Solist range – great. Balvenie 40 year old, Redbreast Sherry bottle, all great and how can I leave out others? Well there is also one NOT from a distillery, my pal Tim (in Moscow) distils his own, he gave me a 40 month old whisky – sublime. Corriemhor too, the list could go on and on. If I had to sit doon with just one bottle, it would be Tim’s. Have a happy and rewarding 2016 everyone! Should you wish a fantastic whisky tour, look at our website www.whiskytours.scot.
Toast Scotland’s Favourite Son with the only official Robert Burns whisky this Burns Night
Celebrate one of the biggest parties in the Scottish calendar a dram of Robert Burns Single Malt from the award-winning Scotch whisky producer, Isle of Arran Distillers this January 25th. The only whisky endorsed by the World Robert Burns Federation, it’s the perfect choice for raising a birthday toast to Scotland’s most beloved poet.
Born just across the water from Arran in Ayrshire, The Bard is commemorated by the Isle of Arran Distillery with this sweet and creamy malt with flavours of honey and toffee-glazed pecans. Smooth and mellow, it’s ideal for cocktails or enjoyed by itself over ice or with a drop of water.
James McTaggart, Arran’s master distiller, said: “As patrons of the Robert Burns World Federation, we wanted to invoke the inclusive spirit of Burns Night with the Robert Burns Single Malt, it’s a dram that welcomes newcomers to whisky without sacrificing depth of flavour.
“This makes the Burns Malt perfect for those throwing more contemporary Burns Night celebrations in addition to the beloved neeps and tatties, piping in the haggis and Selkirk Grace model.”
Retailing at £29.99, the Robert Burns Single Malt is available to buy online at http://www.arranwhisky.com/ and in specialist whisky stores.
Notes to editors:
For more information visit www.arranwhisky.com
* Current accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007.)
Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the World Spirits Competition 2012. Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards 2012.
The world of whisky is an ever-changing place. From the popularity of blends, through to the rise of single malts and the growth of world whiskies, it’s been one heck of a tasty ride for whisky consumers this past century. In this Grand Tasting, Miss Whisky Founder & Editor, Alwynne Gwilt, returns for her third year to Victoria Whisky Festival, to take attendees through the thrilling history of whisky since the late 1800s. Learn about the art of blending, hear tales of Prohibition secrecy and success, discover how consumers turned their palates to single malt, and find out about the future of whisky. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
Thursday January 14th, 2016
Whisky Ramblings Via Video #121
Mark Dermul, Belgian Whiskyblogger, tries a duty free expression from his favorite distillery. Auchentoshan recently launched two new expressions in the Global Travel Retail segment. A no age statement Blood Oak and a 24 Year Old Noble Oak. The Blood Oak – what a great name! – is a vatting of triple distilled Auchentoshan matured on bourbon casks and French red wine casks. The result, bottled at 46% ABV, is a fruity, spicy and warm liquid.
United States – Kentucky
Old Forester Signature 100 Proof Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (750ml) $19.99View
Scotland
Bowmore 10 Year Old “Devil’s Casks” 2nd Edition Islay Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $99.99 View
1995 Caol Ila 20 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Cask Strength Single Barrel Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $139.99 View
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
Imperial 20 Year Old
1995 vintage of the lost Speyside distillery from Signatory Vintage. Matured in hogshead casks and bottled November 2015.
Imperial 20 Year Old 1995 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whiskey. Matured in hogshead casks #50229 & #50230 of the lost Scottish distillery. Bottled November 2015 by Signatory Vintage for the Un-Chilfiltered Colection.
Imperial Distillery was designed by Charles C. Doig and established in 1897 by Thomas Mackenzie at Carron in the heart of Scotland’s Speyside whisky region. Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and a huge golden crown was placed upon the pagoda roof of one of Imperial Distillery’s two malt kilns to commemorate the occasion. Imperial Distillery was equipped with four huge stills but closed in 1998 and is now a closed Scottish malt whisky distillery.
Rare bottling celebrates Glenmorangie’s friendship with Prince Albert II of Monaco
Glenmorangie is honoured to announce an exclusive collaboration with His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. This is the first time that the Prince has worked with a distillery to select a single malt that will bear his name. The rare, single-cask whisky, bottled in his honour, will support environmental conservation, a cause dear to the Prince and echoed by Glenmorangie and La Maison D’Ecosse.
In June, His Serene Highness Prince Albert visited Glenmorangie’s Highland home, to explore the unseen lengths to which Glenmorangie goes in the creation of its unnecessarily well-made whisky. There, on the shores of the Dornoch Firth, the Prince – a renowned connoisseur of single malts – selected a single cask, with the guidance of Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation.
Dr Bill said: “The beautiful, pale gold whisky we chose was matured in an ex-bourbon cask for 12 years. Reflecting nature’s gifts in its notes of heather, honey, bananas, peaches and lime, the bottling epitomises the Prince and Glenmorangie’s combined passion for single malt and the natural world.”
Adorned with the coat of arms of the Prince’s House of Grimaldi, just 180 bottles will be created. The first two will be auctioned at the Monte Carlo Whisky Society’s annual festival in December, to raise money for the Prince’s environmental charity, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and for Glenmorangie’s partner, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). The remaining bottles will be used to support the ongoing work of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco said: “I have a deep-rooted connection to Scotland through my Scottish great-great grandmother and during a recent visit to the Glemorangie Distillery, was delighted to select a rare single cask to be bottled in aid of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which promotes sustainable development and protection of the environment. I am delighted that Glenmorangie also shares a similar commitment.”
A reminder. please Upload your Burns verse by 11 January to win a bottle
If you haven’t entered already, you’ve still got the weekend to film and upload your Burns Night video. As a little incentive, we’re giving away a bottle of our new Single Cask 15 Year Old for the best video – and a bottle of the Glengoyne 10 Year Old for two runners up. It’s a very special project – Glengoyne family members from around the world reciting our National poet – and we really hope you can be a part of it. The deadline? Monday 11 January.
How to enter
It couldn’t be simpler:
How will you toast that “…honest, sonsie face”?
Want to get your hands on the top prize, but not sure if your video will win? As a Family member, you’re in luck. Our new Single Cask 15 Year Old (distillery exclusive) is now available just for you – order your bottle now before general release on 11 January. And if you missed out on a special bottle for Christmas, you can still order a personalised Glengoyne at a discounted standard bottle price until 25 January.
Click HERE to join the Glengoyne Family
Glengoyne Distillery,Dumgoyne, Near Killearn, Glasgow G63 9LB
Tel. +44 (0)1360 550 254
WhiskyFest Pouring Lists are Pouring In!
Have a look at these early whisky lists for WhiskyFest Chicago and WhiskyFest Washington, DC. They’re already good enough to make your head spin, and we’re just getting started. Tickets are still available to Washington, DC, San Francisco, and New York, so order yours today!
