Canadian Whisky News by Davin de Kergommeaux

Canadian Whisky Awards Banquet

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Join a who’s who of Canadian Whisky Royalty in Victoria on Thursday, January 16, 2014 to celebrate the very best Canadian whiskies in the world.

The gala celebration will be held at Victoria’s Grand Pacific Hotel beginning at 6:30 to name the winners and present medals and awards of honour.

Tickets, which include hot and cold buffet, may be purchased from James Burrough at the Hotel Grand Pacific (250) 380-4455 for $60.00.

GlenDronach Single Casks Batch 9

GlenDronach Single Casks Batch 9 have been bottled, labelled and boxed! 9 vintages in total, ranging from 1972-1995…

Available now for pre-order.

Glendronach 1995 / 18 Year Old / Single Cask #3302

The youngest whisky from batch 9 is single cask #3302. This GlenDronach malt was distilled in 1995 and aged for 18 years in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon before being bottled in 2013 at 53.7% vol.

“An initial sweet chocolate and vanilla fullness moves to a delicate, lasting zest and herb note. All backed by a fantastically long rum-soaked raisin and sweet barley finish.”
£83.25
(£69.38 ex vat)

Click here to buy GlenDronach Single Cask 3302 Batch 9

Glendronach 1994 / 19 Year Old / Single Cask #3385

GlenDronach single cask #3385, distilled in 1994 and left to slumber in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon for 19 years. Bottled at 53.4% vol in 2013 as part of GlenDronach’s 9th batch of single casks bottlings.

“A fantastic combination of rich orange bitters with spiced, stewed damsons. All balanced by a drizzle of golden syrup, hints of ginger and vanilla pod in the full bodied finish.”
£88.25
(£73.54 ex vat)

Click here to buy GlenDronach Single Cask 3385 Batch 9

Glendronach 1993 / 20 Year Old / Single Cask #5

The third and final Oloroso sherry matured whisky from Batch 9, is this vintage 1993 GlenDronach. Aged for 20 years is cask #5, 645 bottles survived the angels’ share.

“A classic, fine sherry character. Sultanas, raisins and sweet plum syrup combine with complementing waves of freshly cut herbs and sweet oak spices.”
£94.50
(£78.75 ex vat)

Click here to buy GlenDronach Single Cask 5 Batch 9

Glendronach 1992 / 21 Year Old / Single Cask #195

Single cask #195, distilled in 1992 and aged for 21 years in an Oloroso sherry butt. Bottled in 2013 as part of GlenDronach’s special single cask bottlings (Batch 9).

“Floods of crisp orange peel and gentle clove fill the rich stewed prunes which are slightly sweetened by hints of dark chocolate.”
£101.25
(£84.38 ex vat)

Click here to buy GlenDronach Single Cask 195 Batch 9

Glendronach 1991 / 21 Year Old / Single Cask #5405

Up next in batch 9 of special release bottlings from GlenDronach distillery, is single cask #5405. Distilled in 1991 and left to mature for 21 years in a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon, this special bottling has been filled at 49.9% vol with an out-turn of 702 bottles.

“A perfect progression of sweet chocolate and toffee rounded with toasted oak spices. Dates and stewed pear appear then mellow to soft barley and vanilla.”
£101.25
(£84.38 ex vat)

Click here to buy GlenDronach Single Cask 5405 Batch 9

Glendronach 1990 / 23 Year Old / Single Cask #1243

GlenDronach single cask #1243, distilled in 1990 and aged in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon for 23 years. Bottled in 2013 as part of this years special single cask bottlings from GlenDronach distillery (Batch 9).

“Dark chocolate fondant and rich Seville orange marmalade are warmed by a gentle white pepper spice which leads to the gentle sweet finish of rum raisin fudge.”
£116.25
(£96.88 ex vat)

Click here to buy GlenDronach Single Cask 1243 Batch 9

Glendronach 1989 / 23 Year Old / Single Cask #5470

GlenDronach single cask #5470, distilled in 1989 and bottled in 2013 as part of GlenDronach’s batch 9 of single cask bottlings. Aged in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon for 23 years, bottled at cask strength, 49.2% vol.

“Vibrant oak spices and roasted chestnut infuse in the Demerara caramelised orchard fruits. The citrus bite of mixed peel combines with a distant clove to give a fantastic, clean full finish.”

£116.25
(£96.88 ex vat)

Click here to buy GlenDronach Single Cask 5470 Batch 9

Glendronach 1985 / 27 Year Old / Single Cask #1035

As far as I can recall this is the first 1985 vintage to be released as part of the official single cask, batch releases from GlenDronach distillery. Single cask #1035 has been aged for 27 years in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon before being bottled at 53.7% in 2013. Only 290 bottles filled from a puncheon barrel? Split cask ? Or has the angels share been rather to greedy? Glendroanoraks know the answer to this puzzle, for sure…

“Demerara and ground coffee beans flow over the stewed dark fruits. Hints of spicy cigar box, mixed peel and soft clove add a great complexity through the long rich finish.”
£152.25
(£126.88 ex vat)

Click here to buy GlenDronach Single Cask 1035 Batch 9

Glendronach 1972 / 41 Year Old / Single Cask #702

The oldest release from GlenDronach’s batch 9 of single cask bottlings is this 1972 vintage. Aged for 41 years in oloroso sherry butt #702, this single cask release has been bottled at 51.7% vol with a final out-turn of 448 bottles.

“A beautifully elegant vintage sherry style bursting with a combination of dark espresso, molasses, lively herbs and oak spices. Dried fruits and soft waves of walnut add a subtle balance to this classic expression.”
£584.25
(£486.88 ex vat)

Click here to buy GlenDronach Single Cask 702 Batch 9

OLD PULTENEY REVEALS THE UNIQUE 1990 VINTAGE

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky proudly presents the latest limited addition to its awardwinning range – the 1990 vintage. The new whisky from the Northern Highland distillery follows a string of recent highly successful releases, including Old Pulteney 40 Year Old and the travel-retailexclusive Lighthouse Collection.

Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage

Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage is a mature and full-flavoured addition to the portfolio. It’s bursting with the coastal maritime character, the depth and the complexity found in other expressions, while offering an interesting twist which is sure to excite and delight single malt drinkers around the world. The 1990 Vintage was matured in both American ex-bourbon casks and Spanish exsherry casks which were previously used for ageing heavily peated malt. This residual peatiness has
added an unexpected dimension and allowed the whisky to develop an exquisitely rich and exciting taste profile.

Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage is bottled at 46% ABV. The whisky has not been chill-filtered and is presented at its beautiful natural colour. It’s a strictly limited offering, only 900 cases of this unique spirit will be made available world-wide from November 2013. The recommended retail price in the UK is £120.

The Maritime Malt

Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage was matured for around 23 years, from the 1990 to 2013, in Pulteney Distillery’s warehouses in the town of Wick, right on the windswept Caithness coast. The northern, coastal location of the distillery and its bonded warehouses plays a vital role in developing Old Pulteney’s unmistakable character.

The town of Wick where Pulteney Distillery was established in 1826, was once a busy herring fishing port with as many as 1,000 vessels in its harbour at peak times. In-keeping with Old Pulteney’s maritime heritage, the 1990 Vintage is presented in a tube featuring a ship decking effect, a porthole stamp and Old Pulteney’s classic herring drifter.

Old Pulteney Senior Brand Manager, Margaret Mary Clarke commented:

“After a very exciting year for the brand, which included a global partnership with Clipper Round the World Race, it’s great to finish off 2013 by adding a very special expression to our award-winning portfolio. With its eye catching maritime
design and rich intense taste, we are confident that the 1990 Vintage will be a hit with global whisky connoisseurs.”

Notes

Old Pulteney’s core range includes Old Pulteney 12 Year Old, Old Pulteney 17 Year Old and Old Pulteney 21 Year Old. Old Pulteney 30 Year Old and a super premium 40 Year Old are also available. Old Pulteney 21 Year Old was named by Jim Murray as the World Whisky of the Year in the 2012 edition of his popular Whisky Bible. Pulteney Distillery was established by James Henderson in 1826, at the peak of the local herring fishing boom. The distillery uses one pair of stills, the wash still featuring a very large boil bulb, and condenses spirit with the use of traditional worm tubs.

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, OUR DECEMBER FIRST FRIDAY WILL ACTUALLY BE HELD ON TUESDAY DECEMBER 3^rd DUE TO ALL HOTEL SPACE BEING BOOKED ON THE FRIDAY FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES. A THIRD OF THE SEATS ARE SOLD ALREADY, SO IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY BOOKED, CONTACT US RIGHT AWAY.

Here are the details for the event:

Date: Tuesday December 3^rd, 2013.

Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Location: The Strath Ale Wine & Spirit Merchants, 919 Douglas Street, Victoria.

Price: $35 each for Members & Partners, $45 for Non-Members/Guests.     

NON MEMBERS & GUESTS ARE MOST WELCOME 

REGISTRATION:   

1. Space is limited so you must register.
2. To secure your place you need to pre-pay. Please email, drop into the store or phone with credit card details. Email: whisky@strathconahotel.com Phone: 250-370-9463 
3. Once your seat(s) are paid for you will receive an email confirmation from me.

This is your virtual Ticket.

The Tasting will take place in the Maple Room – enter at the Sticky Wicket Pub, corner of Douglas and Courtenay. Doors will open at 6:20pm and the tasting will start PROMPTLY at 6:30pm.

IMPORTANT:

Please remember these are cask strength whiskies, so you should not be driving home after the tasting.

Slainté!

Colin

Colin Southcombe

General Manager

The Strath Ale Wine & Spirit Merchants

919 Douglas Street, Victoria BC, V8W 2C2

Tel: 250-370-9463

Email: whisky@strathconahotel.com

Whisky Scavenger Hunt and Twitter Tasting 

For the next four Sundays #WhiskyFabric from around the world will come together on Twitter for #DavinTT2. We will be tasting 4 Mystery Canadian whiskies, having a Q&A discussion with the author Davin de Kergommeaux and holding Twitter’s first whisky scavenger hunt competition. 

Questions and clues for the scavenger hunt will be revealed over the first three Sundays.  ALL the answers are found in Davin’s book Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert.  

On the last Sunday – December 22^nd, the mystery whiskies will be revealed as will the grand prize winner of the Canadian Goody Basket (10 lovely Canadian whisky samples and an assortment of clichéd Canadiana). 

You are cordially invited to follow hashtag #DavinTT2 and join us on Twitter at 3:00 PM (EST) on Sundays December 1, 8, 15, & 22, 2013. Join us!

Having bottles on hand for upcoming celebrations, unexpected guests and last minute party invitations is key to stress-free holidays. These bottles make it easy – for under $40.00 each!

Michter’s Small Batch American Whiskey

James E. Pepper 1776 Straight Rye Whiskey

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Distillery Bottling
Single Malt Scotch Whisky

We’re searching for the world’s greatest storyteller!

If you’ve got a legendary tale to share with the world, then we’re dying to hear it! Submit your story to our new #WinningWords competition and you could win a luxury trip for two to the Isle of Jura. The prize includes three nights accommondation at the eccentric Jura Lodge, entry to our whisky festival and a VIP tour of the island.

So curl up in front of the fire, pour yourself a dram and put pen to paper; it’s time to write an unforgettable tale.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY NOW

BACK IN STOCK

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

Bruichladdich Octomore 5.1 Heavily Peated Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 8 available ($179.99)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon 750ml (Ships as 1.5L) ($27.99)
97 points Wine Enthusiast: “Complex and addictive. Scents of cinnamon, hazelnuts, and dried fruit precede big flavors: cinnamon spice, raisinated and plummy, like Madeira or Sherry. Long finish, with a bit of a bite.” (09/2010) K&L Notes: Medium gold in color. The nose brings notes of butterscotch, clover, vanilla and old leather. The big body displays a palate with an almost wine-like character that balances intense fruits, honey and vanilla with a light spiciness that shows off the distiller’s craft. The finish is long and warm.

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

IRISH DISTILLERS TAKES TOP HONOURS IN JIM MURRAY’S WHISKY BIBLE 2014 

Jameson Original revealed as ‘Top Irish Blend’ & Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength is named ‘Irish Whiskey of the Year’ and ‘Irish Pot Still of the Year’

Jameson Original has been crowned ‘Irish Blend of the Year’ for the third year running in the recently-released 2014 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Recognising the consistent, crafted quality and smooth taste which has made the whiskey a worldwide favourite, Murray gave Jameson Original an impressive 95/100 points, remarking that he was “blown away as usual” and that “this very special whiskey remains in truly wondrous form”.

In further good news for Irish Distillers, Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength whiskey was once again named both ‘Irish Whiskey of the Year’ and ‘Irish Pot Still of the Year’, with a record score for an Irish whiskey of 97/100 points, reinforcing Irish Distillers’ reputation for crafted excellence across all areas of the Irish Whiskey category. Irish Distillers’ Midleton 1991 Single Cask No. 48750 was Jim Murray’s next highest-scoring Irish whiskey, with 96.5 points.

Murray was also effusive in his praise for the new-strength Powers Gold Label 43.2%, which launched in the USA in September this year, complementing its powerful “big Irish pot still hardness” and stating that it’s balance was “all to do with the extra pot still which here acts as backbone and muscle.”

PADDY Centenary Edition, a pure pot still limited edition which was released in September to commemorate 100 years of the PADDY brand, was also scored highly, achieving 93 points.

Brian Nation, Irish Distiller’s Master Distiller, commented: “We’re over the moon that so many of our whiskeys have been recognized for their high quality by Jim Murray. Plaudits like this mean a lot to all of us at the Midleton Distillery; we take great pride in ensuring the consistency and high standards that whiskey fans have come to expect from our whiskeys, so to receive this recognition from such an eminent figure in the whiskey world as Jim Murray is a great honour.”

The success in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible follows a momentous year for Irish Distillers, which saw the company unveil a host of new initiatives – including its new Garden Stillhouse and the first-ever Irish Whiskey Academy – as it aims to continue the Irish whiskey category’s consistently strong growth.

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible Award Wins for Irish Distillers:

Jameson – 95 points

Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel – 91.5 points

Jameson Gold Reserve – 88 Points

Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve 2007 – 96 points

Jameson Signature Reserve – 93 points

Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve – 91 points 

Midleton Single Pot Still Cask 1991 – 96.5 points

Midleton Single Pot Still Single Cask 1994 – 93 points

Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy – 94 points

Paddy Centenary Edition – 93 points

Powers John’s Lane Release Aged 12 Years – 91 points

Powers Signature Release – 91 points

Redbreast 12 Year Old – 89 points

Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength batch1/11– 96 points

Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength batch1/12 – 97 points

Redbreast Aged 15 Years bottle 12 – 96 points

Green Spot – 94.5 points

Yellow Spot Aged 12 Years – 88.5 points 

About Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard

Irish Distillers Group was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between Irish whiskey distillers, John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the board of directors decided to close the existing distilleries in Cork and Dublin, and to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility.

A site alongside the existing distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork was chosen as the location for the new distillery, as there was no room for expansion in Dublin. Both the Old Jameson Distillery and the Old Midleton Distillery currently operate as visitor centres attracting over 330,000 visitors annually. Following an early unsolicited takeover offer and one of the most protracted battles in Irish corporate history made by GrandMet, Allied-Lyons and Guinness, Irish Distillers was taken over by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 with the support of the management and employees.  

Irish whiskey brands within the Irish Distillers’ portfolio include Jameson, Paddy and Powers, with Single Pot Still brands, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Redbreast and the much-revered Midleton, which includes prestigious expressions such as Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy and Midleton Very Rare.  

Black Friday Deals start 10AM GMT Friday November 29th, 2013 at The Whisky Barrel.

http://www.thewhiskybarrel.com/