Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert

By: Davin de Kergommeaux 

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert provides whisky lovers with comprehensive information explained in a most accessible manner. This well-illustrated book tells how whisky is made, why it tastes the way it does, the history of whisky making in Canada, in-depth descriptions of each of Canada’s whisky distilleries and tasting notes for over 100 Canadian whiskies.

As renowned whisky writer Dave Broom put it when the book was released, “This is an important time for Canadian whisky and this is an important book which isn’t just a story of a drink, but a story of Canada itself.”

Canadian whisky makers credit de Kergommeaux’s book with stimulating the current renaissance of their whisky. Since its release, sales of Canadian whisky have risen steadily as whisky lovers learn about the hidden wealth of great whisky made in Canada.

Davin de Kergommeaux is an independent whisky expert who has been writing about, talking about and teaching about whisky for more than a decade. His writing and tasting notes appear in Scotch Whisky Review, Whisky Advocate and on such websites as maltmaniacs.org and whiskyadvocate.com.  He is the Canadian editor for Whisky Magazine and publishes comprehensive notes about Canadian whisky on the website, canadianwhisky.org. De Kergommeaux appears at whisky festivals from coast to coast in Canada and abroad and is a judge in a number of prestigious whisky competitions including the World Whisky Awards. 

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert

By: Davin de Kergommeaux

Hardcover| 352 pages| McClelland & Stewart

Cooking – Beverages – Wine & Spirits; Cooking – Beverages; Cooking – Regional & Ethnic – Canadian

978-0-7710-2743-7| $24.99

TULLIBARDINE OLD MALT CASK 23 YEAR OLD

Looking for something different? Look no further – this Tullibardine single cask is almost completely sold out. Known for its soft, sweet and creamy notes this whisky is perfect for those who enjoy a gentle dram. One of only 319 bottles charged from a refill hogshead Distilled in September 1990 Bottled in April 2014 Bottled at 50% volume

Price Drop Was £136

£83 Click to buy

CRAGGANMORE OLD MALT CASK 24 YEAR OLD

For someone who likes Macallan or a Glenfiddich but is looking to try something different. This Cragganmore became one of our fastest selling single cask whiskies. Dont miss your chance to taste this rare Speyside gem. One of only 169 bottles charged from a refill hogshead. Distilled in November 1989 and bottled in March 2014. Bottled at 50% volume.

Price Drop: Was £177

£113 Click to buy

MACALLAN 25 YEAR OLD PLATINUM OLD AND RARE

Something Special:

This Macallan 25 year old has been distilled in April 1989 and bottled in July 2014. It is one of only 188 bottles that have been created. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 44.8% volume. Each bottle has been drawn from a Refill Hogshead cask – a superb expression. Presented in a highly distinctive squat bottle, each expression comes packaged in a specially crafted wooden box. It goes without saying that each cask remains unadulterated by excessive filtration or added caramel.

Price Drop Was £560

£476 Click to buy

Glendronach 2003 Whisky Shop Exclusive

Winner of the prestigious Liquid Gold award in the latest Jim Murray Whisky Bible – scoring 94.5 points: Limited to only 625 bottles this Glendronach 11 year old has been matured in a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon. It was distilled in January 2003 and bottled in November 2014 from cask number 3568. Jim Murray: A little maple syrup and butterscotch tries to equal the spices; helped by a superb, entirely sulphur free butt, this malt is as clean as it rich as it is memorable as it is excellent. 53.3%. 625 bottles.

Find out the full review by clicking here:

£60 Click to buy

Glenfarclas 1994 Whisky Shop Exclusive

Winner of the coveted Liquid Gold award in the 2016 Jim Murray Whisky Bible – scoring an impressive 95.5 points: Bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop and limited to only 1200 bottles. Bottled at 43% volume. Jim Murray: Very close in character and quality to the distillery’s latest official 1994 release. Which means it’s not far off God’s gift to present day sherried malt whisky…

Find out more about this award winning whisky and how to order some bottles by clicking here:

£84 Click to buy

The Loch Fyne Living Cask 1745

This new expression was created using a range of great Islay malts, some with considerable age,(but the exact numbers are kept secret.). Winner of the coveted Liquid Gold award in the 2016 Jim Murray Whisky Bible – scoring an impressive 94.5 points. Jim Murray: One of the best whiskies ever created at quarter to six in the evening….and one quite impossibe not to love.

Find out more about this award winning whisky by clicking here.

£75 Click to buy

Flaming Heart Fifteenth Anniversary Limited Edition – Available now!

Since we launched the Compass Box Whisky Company back in 2000, we have always aimed to experiment, to innovate and to explore where others wouldn’t in the world of Scotch. No whisky is a greater example of this ambition than Flaming Heart.

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 created a genre-defying, smouldering, spicy style that proved so popular we re-released it three more times in the years that followed.   In this our fifteenth year, we felt compelled to revisit this unique style one more time. Our anniversary release is a huge, layered, long-lasting mouthful to enjoy late into the night.  Brooding, indulgent and bottled on average once every three years – make sure you pick your bottle up while you still can!

This week Joe Ellis reviews the SMWS 66.53 A Study in Black

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“FROM DREAM TO DRAM” KINGSBARNS DISTILLERY LAUNCHES FOUNDERS’ CLUB 

In celebration of the first anniversary of its opening, Kingsbarns Distillery is delighted to launch the Kingsbarns Distillery Founders’ Club.  Members of the new Founders’ Club will be the very first to own a bottle of Kingsbarns Single Malt.

The Kingsbarns Distillery in Fife officially opened on 30th November 2014, St Andrew’s Day, with the first spirit running through the stills in January 2015. The launch of the Kingsbarns Distillery Founders’ Club is an exciting chance for whisky enthusiasts to enjoy being a part of the journey for this new distillery.

The Kingsbarns Distillery Founders’ Club is open to just 3000 members worldwide. Initially, a welcome pack will be sent to all members, consisting of a 20cl bottle of Kingsbarns Distillery New Make Spirit, a Founders’ Club Glencairn glass, a membership badge and welcome letter.

The first ever bottles of Kingsbarns Single Malt will be bottled exclusively for members of the Kingsbarns Distillery Founders’ Club.  It is expected that some of the first casks ever filled will be selected for this first bottling around mid 2018.  Members will receive a bottle of this exclusive Kingsbarns Founders’ Club Reserve, enabling them to become one of the very first to taste Kingsbarns Single Malt.  Following that, each year for 4 subsequent years, members will receive a further Founders’ Club Reserve bottle, allowing members to enjoy the progression of the single malt.

Kingsbarns Distillery Founders’ Club memberships cost £500 plus carriage and are available at the distillery, online at www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com and also  from Kingsbarns Founders’ Club Membership Subscription – Master of Malt

Notes to Editors:

• Kingsbarns Distillery was officially opened on St Andrews Day 2014, 30th November. Since opening, the Visitor Centre has been awarded a 4 star visitor attraction award by Visit Scotland.
• The founder of the distillery is Douglas Clement. Formerly a golf caddie, Douglas was inspired to open a distillery near to the famous golf courses in the St Andrews and Kingsbarns area. Douglas has also been appointed a Fife Ambassador by Fife Council and now enjoys the position as Visitor Centre Manager.
• Distillery Manager, Peter Holroyd, is a graduate of Heriot Watt University Brewing and Distilling, and was formerly head brewer at craft brewer, Strathaven Ales, near Glasgow.
• The Wemyss family owners are from Scotland and their historic family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.
• The family already own Wemyss Malts which is an independent bottler with a whisky range including the blended malt whisky range comprising: The Spice King, The Peat Chimney and The Hive; single malt single cask bottlings and the blended Scotch named Lord Elcho after one of the Wemyss family’s ancestors; all of which are available for tasting and sale at The Kingsbarns Distillery.
• The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include boutique gin Darnley’s View together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence.

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT… TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

THE DATE

Friday 18th March & Saturday 19th March 2016

THE VENUE

The Honourable Artillery Company Armoury House, City Road, London EC1Y 2BQ

Buy online now, get 10% off and your tickets will arrive in a fabulous Christmas card

Offer valid Monday 7th – Friday 11th December 2015 Discount does not apply to Masterclass Tickets. Terms and conditions apply.

Whisky Live London returns to the Honourable Artillery Company once again, featuring over 100 fine whiskies for you to enjoy, more food and whisky pairings than ever before and a jam-packed schedule of Masterclasses!

Whether a whisky enthusiast, a newcomer to the world of whisky, or just seeking a day out at a fantastic event, Whisky Live has something to offer everyone.

Whisky Live London runs over two days:

Friday 18th March 5pm to 10pm

Saturday 19th March 12 noon to 5pm

All tickets include entry to the show, samples of exhibited whiskies, hot food, served buffet-style, the Whisky Live tasting glass, food and whiskey combination samples and the Whisky Live show guide. VIP tickets include all of this PLUS an exclusive VIP Masterclass worth £25, VIP dining, entrance to the VIP Lounge and exclusive private VIP pourings.

Ticket Options and Prices from £40

Full Day Entrance Ticket – £55 Entrance to Whisky Live London on Friday 18th March from 5pm – 10pm or on Saturday 19th March from 12pm – 5pm. Includes hot food, tasting glass and show guide.

Half Day Entrance Ticket – £40 Entrance to Whisky Live London on Friday 18th March from 7pm – 10pm or on Saturday 19th March from 2pm – 5pm. Includes hot food, tasting glass and show guide.

Week-end Entrance Ticket – £99 Entrance to Whisky Live London on Friday 18th March from 5pm – 10pm and on Saturday 19th March from 12pm – 5pm. Includes hot food, tasting glass and show guide.

VIP Tickets – £89 Entrance to Whisky Live London on Friday 18th March from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday 19th March from 12pm – 5pm plus an Exclusive VIP Masterclass worth £25. Includes VIP dining, VIP Lounge, Live tasting glass, showguide and exclusive VIP pourings.

For more information visit: whiskylive.com

Email the the organiser: info@whiskylive.com

Follow us on Twitter: @WhiskyLive

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WhiskyLiveUK

Explore 200 years of Hebridean Island Malt Whisky from the sea 

A new 10-night cruise to the Southern Hebridean Islands will take in the whisky isles of Islay and Jura as they celebrate 200 years of malt whisky production. The best way to experience these unique distilleries is from the sea, reflecting the maritime flavour of the whiskies themselves. Mini-cruise operator The Majestic Line is offering two departures for 2016 on May 21st and August 27th 2016 on board their luxury vessel, The Glen Etive. The May date of the new cruise “Islay and the Southern Hebrides” is timed for the Islay Festival of Music and Malt, Fèis Ìle, from 20 – 28th May 2016.

The cruise has a strong focus on whisky and local gourmet food produce, but the outstanding scenery, ancient history and rare wildlife will ensure a complete appreciation of these islands. Historically, the Southern Hebrides was of great significance as “Argyll’s Sea Kingdom” from the 10th century. The vessel will literally cruise in the wake of the Lords of the Isles, including to Corryvreckan, Europe’s largest whirlpool, and the name of one of Ardbeg’s most explosive whiskies.

The cruise takes in some of our favourites of the 9 distilleries on the isles of Islay and Jura where the world’s most legendary and smokiest malts are created. From the sheltered anchorage of Craighouse, guests will go ashore for a tour of the Isle of Jura distillery. Back on board, guests will dine on hand-dived, local scallops which are a great pairing with Jura’s flagship whisky, Origin. From our anchorage at Port Ellen on Islay, guests can experience a “celebration of smoke” at Laphroaig and Ardbeg Distilleries. Laphroaig is one of the few distilleries to still do their own maltings. Ardbeg is Islay’s ultimate Single Malt, winning Whisky of the Year three years in a row. Their whiskies have been described as ‘perfection on a palate’.

The cruise continues around the Islay coastline to Loch Indaal and a tasting at Islay’s oldest distillery, Bowmore. This distillery is extremely special not only because of the smooth, balanced single malt it produces but it also has the oldest maturation warehouse in Scotland and is the only one below sea level. Nearby Bruichladdich is home to the Octomore range, the world’s smokiest whisky.

Visits to non-whisky attractions are on offer depending on the wishes of guests, such as a walk to Kildalton Cross, a visit to the Islay Woollen Mill or a visit Finlaggan, home of Lord of the Isles. Guests have the option of a one-way walk along the shores of Loch Indaal between the Bowmore and Bruichladdich Distilleries, to be picked up by tender en route.

It is also possible to factor in an independent visit to Oban distillery, Scotland’s smallest and oldest distillery established in 1794, at the beginning or end of the cruise.

Apart from Jura and Islay, the cruise calls in at the Isles of Colonsay, Gigha and the Garvellachs as well as exploring some of the magnificent sea lochs on the mainland.

For more information, please contact Craig Wilson craig@themajesticline.co.uk 01369 707951 http://www.themajesticline.co.uk/ 

Notes –

• Travel writers with a firm commission are invited to take this cruise, including a partner.
• “Islay and the Southern Hebrides” 10-night cruise departs on board the Glen Etive on May 21st and August 27th 2016. There are currently spaces for solo guests at no supplement.
• Price 2016: £4500.00 per person, currently on an introductory 10% discount (£4050.00)

The Glenturret Peated Edition

The Glenturret Peated Edition, part of the new Glenturret Core Range. The Peated Edition delivers a heavy smokiness through the use of malted barley dried over peat fires, a taste akin to the whisky produced when the distillery first got its license in 1775. Want to know more?  Here’s Lucy with her Peated Edition tasting video. Enjoy!

Available to buy online and in store now!

Still unsure on what to get your friends and family for Christmas?

Dont worry, there’s still plenty time.

To view all of our New Releases click here

CHRISTMAS PARCELS: DIVINE DIVERSITY

Our Christmas Parcels collection boasts some of our most interesting and exclusive single casks of the year. It’s our selection of Panel picked presents with 4 mouth-watering parcels and 3 unique single cask stocking fillers, including an old spicy and sweet Campeltown malt, a powerful 2yo bourbon and a celestial cognac.

Heavenly Peaty Trio £269

This tasty trio has the kind of ‘grab you by the goulies’ peaty goodness that is sure to send our Islay lovers to a heavenly place – TCP, carbolic soap, barbecued shellfish and bacon.
29.171 Essence of Islay

10.84 Grabs you by the goulies!

33.132 Beauty and the Beast

BUY Heavenly Peaty Trio >

Soft & Sophisticated Couple £129

This delicate and elegant pair make excellent pre-dinner drams, although with notes of mixed melon salad, lamb tagine, baklava and white chocolate mints, you’d be forgiven for skipping your festive dinner.
1.199 The whole is greater than…

93.67 ‘Wine like the wind is sweet’

BUY Soft & Sophisticated Couple >

Sweet Supernova Set £129

Packed with out-of-this-world flavours, from the perfumed fruitiness and caramel sweetness of 121.82 to the bubbling meaty goodness of 50.73, prepare your taste-buds for a mouth-watering explosion.

121.82 Expanding supernova of flavours

50.73 Energizing, grounding and centring

BUY Sweet Supernova Set >

Tea & Cake Pair £99

Curl up by the fire and enjoy our Society high tea, 44.69 brings a soft tannin glow with Rooibos Chai with spicy cinnamon, while 85.34 brings a baked good sweetness with marzipan, almond cake and buttery stollen.

44.69 Tantalising tannins

85.34 Having arrived

BUY Tea & Cake Pair >

Browse Latest Outturn >
Browse All Bottlings >

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact:mailto:sales@smws.comor 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