THE DRIVERS SHARE – what about a round of applause for the drivers!  Normally, this is what the driver has at each distillery; a cup of tea/coffee or an empty glass. We hope you all appreciate your drivers for whisky tours, being a driver myself (Paul) I know how it feels. The Drivers Share; An interview with our Irish whiskey tour driver; Mark Burgess, a Scot, now living in Belfast.

1. Mark, what does it feel like driving a whiskey tour group when you cannee drink?  A; Well I take great pride in driving the Whiskey tour, as I was brought up in the whiskey world, with my father being a master distiller (retired now) way up in Speyside at one of the stills, so I feel a strong pull and connection while on tour and love getting to know the groups and getting to know there interests and the whiskey clubs from around the world, but I have to say the worst part of the job has to be the fact that I am the driver. So no sample’s for me during the day.

2. Watching the group (and myself) enjoy samples usually with a satisfied smile, is it hard when do don’t even get to sample anything? A; Watching the group enjoy the samples on tour, does give me a bit of mixed feelings, (not bad ones) I love watching peoples reactions on tasting as everyone knows, each persons taste is different and I like hearing what they think, but on the down side, I do feel a little jealous when the groups get a wee special one to taste, which I know I will most likely never have the chance to try again.

3. back at the hotel each night, if asked what dram you would like, what would you choose? A; Back at the hotel I would often be offered a dram or 2, what I choose would depend on the area I was in, for instance if I was around the Middleton area of Co Cork I would choose something from the Jameson collection, or even trying a whiskey I have heard of but not tasted, basically having my own personnel tasting

4. again, at the hotel, how does it feel when you stop drinking at 8.30pm? A; Being a driver on tour does have disadvantages, having the Responsibility’s of having passengers on your coach, you have to very sensible and responsible and only trying one or two drams in the evening is enough, as the passengers safety and enjoyment is the most important part of the tour, so I don’t mind sitting with the groups drinking soft drinks as the crac is always great.

5. I know on our tours, we normally give you samples and drams to take home, would it not be better to be able to join in on the tour? A; Paul has always been kind to me and gives me samples to take home with me which is a real bonus for me and makes my tour even more special, as I can’t wait to get home and and try them and fill my whiskey notebook in with my own notes, but I must say it would be nice if you could sample the whiskeys with the groups on the visits to the stills, but as they say its the nature of the job.

6. At home, what are your whiskies of choice? A; At home, I like to have a good peat whiskey both from Scotland and Ireland, a few being, the Coal Ila 12 year old, Laphroaig quarter cask, and the Connemara single malts.

7. Finally, having driven tours for us this year myself, I do feel sorry for all drivers and know myself the drivers share is usually NOTHING, or a CUP OF TEA/COFFEE. Do you have a parting shot? A; The drivers share ha ha, what can you say? a tea or coffee sir, yes I do feel I am missing out on that special one, but I love the job it very interesting and very rewarding just to see my groups with big smiles on there faces after each visit and mostly empty wallets as well, but it would be nice if the stills did think about the driver and give a little sample to take away with him to try at his own leisure. Its not that he wants a bottle, just a little sample in a sample bottle would go a long way to a happy driver!

Interview by Paul McLean www.angelswhiskyclub.com and www.mcleanscotland.com

A COMPLETELY new type of Scotch single malt has been crowned World Whisky Of The Year in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2014.

Glenmorangie Ealanta was distilled as Scotch but matured in the style of American bourbon. The 19-year-old malt has been given a record-equalling 97.5 points out of 100 to see off the Kentucky bourbon William Larue Weller, which came in second.

In explaining his choice, Jim Murray said the unique Glenmorangie had pipped its rival “because it went out and did something very different: not only did it blow me away with its deftness, beauty and elegance, but it gave an aroma and taste profile completely new to me in over 30 years of tasting whisky”.

For the tenth anniversary edition of the Whisky Bible, Jim Murray tasted over 1,100 new whiskies from all over the world which had entered the market in the last year.

Ten years after the launch of the first Whisky Bible, the sales of which are now heading towards half a million copies, Jim Murray has also reprised his campaign against the use of caramel to falsely colour whisky.

Jim Murray insists that, despite whatever the distillers may claim, caramel dulls the taste and aroma of whisky and misleads consumers as the colouring is often not listed as an ingredient.

Jim Murray added: “Ten years ago, my campaign against caramel had a huge and positive impact on many distillers and independent bottlers around the world. But it is a shame that, a decade on, some of the bigger boys continue to use it. I hope my campaign will lead at least to legal acknowledgement on labels of the presence of colouring, as is the case in Germany.”

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2014 is available to buy now from http://www.whiskybible.com/ and good bookshops and liquor stores throughout the world.

Dear whiskyfriends,

Those of you who where at Maltstock this year might have noticed: Someone was filming us and taking pictures! Just like the rest of our guests by the way 😉 but for a different reason.

Gwen Jansen, who was our guest at Maltstock 2013, is a Dutch film maker who has set herself the task to make a documentary film about whisky in the Netherlands. She has taken a plunge into the Dutch whisky scene to make a film:

Since we very much like the initiative, and it is a crowd funding project, we thought it couldn’t hurt to bring it to your attention.

All the information about this wonderful project, and how to support it, can be found at this website: http://www.nederlandwhiskyland.nl/home.html

You can watch a Dutch TV news item (in Dutch) about this initiative here:

http://www.rtlxl.nl/#!/u/a88b8bde-48f2-4645-bae8-c554480ce58e

In a few day’s our regular newsletter will follow to keep you posted on the latest news about Maltstock.

Relaxed greetings,

Annette, Bob, Jeroen, Klaas, Stan and Teun
Maltstock

NOVEMBER OUTTURN: WARM UP FOR WHISKY SEASON

These 11 new bottlings offer a plethora of gentle, sweet and fruity flavours. Deliciously satisfying drams, perfect for drawing the curtains and cosying up by the fire…

Young & spritely

76.108 Raspberry Ruffles
BUY
£49.40

Sweet, fruity & mellow

46.22 An Italian Kitchen
BUY
£46.22
7.96 Subtle quality in a lady’s handbag
BUY
£85.30

Spicy & sweet

9.75 Imperial Leather in a boat chandlery
BUY  
36.68 Sweet and salty combo
BUY
£82.80

Spicy & dry

55.22 Backstage at a burlesque
BUY
£64.50

Deep, rich & fruity

121.65 A well-oiled baseball glove
BUY
£47.90

Old & dignified

35.99 Long, lingering contentment
BUY
£87.80

Lightly Peated

3.211 Out of left field
*Low Outturn!*
BUY
£110.00
53.191 Candy Fruit Filled Seashells
BUY
£60.00

Peated

29.132 Hospitals and Japanese Restaurants
BUY
£79.50

Browse all bottlings

In the SHOP:

Let us whet your
appetite with
offers guaranteed
to enhance your
enjoyment…

Purr-fect Pair

Only 35 available
Buy 35.99 & 9.75 for  only £119!
35.99 Long, lingering contentment
9.75 Imperial Leather in a boat chandlery

BUY

Lip-smacking
Trio

Only 35 available
Buy 121.65, 35.99 & 9.75 for only £179!
121.65 A well-oiled baseball glove
35.99 Long, lingering contentment
9.75 Imperial Leather in a boat chandlery

BUY

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

CHANCE TO SAMPLE WHISKY GALORE AT BOWHILL 

Beginners to the world of whisky tasting will have a chance to learn more about Scotland’s amber nectar at an event at Bowhill House, Selkirk, on November 2.

The informal tasting event will give visitors the chance to find out if they know their malts from their blends, or their Highlands from their Lowlands.

The evening will provide the chance to sample a wide variety of whiskies, with highlights including the Douglas of Drumlanrig single malt range.

The tasting session will be hosted by whisky aficionado Calum Flanders.

He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to learn more about Scotland’s most famous export.

“Perceptions of whisky have moved on considerably, and what might once-upon-a-time have been perceived as an ‘old man’s’ drink is now loved by men and women of all ages. We look forward to attracting a diverse group to the event and giving them the chance to sample some special treats from around the country.”

Calum will discuss the effect spring water has on whisky, and how water from different areas can have different effects on the flavour.

He will also educate attendees on the impact the cask can have on the taste and talk through mashing charts and tasting charts.

In addition there will be discussion around the importance of your nose when it comes to whisky tasting, with humans relying on just four primary taste receptors compared with at least 32 smell receptors.

And to top it off there will also be a chance to round off the evening with some sweet treats, with some quality chocolate samples available.

This not-to-be-missed event takes place from 7pm-9pm, and costs £25 which includes a light refreshment. To secure a place call 01750 22204 or visit www.bowhill.org

Hello everyone,

I took a very deep breath before I started writing these words. It was more than 4 years ago when I seized the opportunity presented to me and became Grant’s whisky first Global Ambassador. With a strong team of craftsmen, marketers, family shareholders and a blend whose name was already trusted in every corner… (please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

Kind regards,

Ludo

Islay’s independent farm distillery, Kilchoman, is to release an exclusive bottling to its club members.

Managing director Anthony Wills and distillery manager John MacLellan have chosen eight fresh bourbon barrels from an October 2008 filling which are currently being finished in Oloroso Butts. These will be bottled at cask strength and around 2,000 bottles will be made available for sale.

The Kilchoman fans who have signed up to the club – that provides special access to a limited edition bottling each year, special tastings and discounts – can purchase the second annual release for £75 on Monday 4 November from 12pm on the distiller’s website.

Anthony Wills, managing director of Kilchoman, said: “Last year the release was very popular with our club members, as it sold out instantly and the amount of visitors brought down our website. In preparation we’ve expanded the website to make sure it can cope with the expected increase in traffic.”

Kilchoman’s portfolio now includes Machir Bay, Loch Gorm, a new edition of 100% Islay and its most recent addition, the Vintage 2007 which is Kilchoman’s oldest whisky released to date.

With an ambition to take whisky production back to its traditional roots, Anthony Wills built and founded Kilchoman Distillery in 2005 on a farm situated on the rugged west coast of Islay. The first distillery on the island for 124 years, Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and one of only a handful left that still practise the traditional floor malting method.

Kilchoman fans can sign up to the member’s club at www.kilchomandistillery.com

The second annual club release will be made available from 12pm on Monday 4 November on the Kilchoman website www.kilchomandistillery.com priced at £75.00.

www.kilchomandistillery.com

facebook.com/pages/Kilchoman-Distillery

twitter.com/Kilchoman05

Notes 

About Kilchoman

Since the first bottling was released in 2009, Kilchoman has quickly established itself as a high quality Islay Single Malt within the whisky industry. Awards include two prestigious IWSC Gold and a Silver medal in 2012, Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011 and GQ’s 100 best things in 2012.

Most recently, Kilchoman’s exceptional quality was recognised at the prestigious International Whisky Competition (IWC), which named Machir Bay as its Whisky of the Year and Anthony Wills as Master Distiller of the Year 2013. In addition, at the IWSC 2013 Awards, Loch Gorm was awarded Gold, Machir Bay received Silver and 100% Islay 2^nd Ed was given bronze.

The top whisky in the 2014 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible will announced on Whisky Intelligence tomorrow (November 2nd) at 8AM PST.

Rare 16-year ABERFELDY Single Cask Scotch Whisky Offered Exclusively at NH Liquor & Wine Outlets   

Only 600 bottles of 1997 ABERFELDY Single Cask Scotch whisky available 

Concord, NH – Only one barrel of 16-year ABERFELDY® Single Cask Highland Scotch whisky exists in the United States – and it is available exclusively to New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet customers.  Thanks to record sales of DEWAR’S® products, including ABERFELDY, the flagship single malt from DEWAR’S, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission was afforded the unique opportunity to select a cask of one of the most coveted Scotch whiskies ever produced. NH Liquor & Wine Outlet customers can reserve a bottle of this rare spirit online at www.liquorandwineoutlets.com/aberfeldy.

The ABERFELDY Distillery was founded by John Dewar & Sons in 1896 and produces some of the finest Single Malt Scotch whiskies in the world.  In July, DEWAR’S approached the New Hampshire Liquor Commission with an exclusive opportunity to sample and purchase one of three casks of ABERFELDY. NHLC selected the 1997 Sherry Butt Cask #5 that yields approximately 600 bottles. Consumers can pre-order the Limited Edition ABERFELDY Single Cask for a special pre-order price of $229.99 until November 1^st. The pre-order price also includes personalized engraved medallion to commemorate the bottle purchase. After November 1^st, remaining inventory will be available at select NH Liquor & Wine Outlet stores for $249.99.

“The New Hampshire Liquor Commission is committed to delivering exclusive opportunities to consumers. We are extremely proud to say that New Hampshire is the only state in the country to offer this Limited Edition 1997 ABERFELDY Single Cask,” said NHLC Chairman Joseph Mollica.  “This once-in-a-lifetime chance for Scotch aficionados is a direct result of a successful collaboration and record sales of the Bacardi and DEWAR’S portfolio which grew substantially in 2012.”

The aroma of the ABERFELDY 1997 Single Cask opens with ripe raisins, sultanas and a hint of cinnamon spice, an aroma perhaps of Christmas.  Floral and honey notes emerge, balanced with rich oily notes of linseed and leather.  With water the notes of cinnamon intensify, with heady notes of liquorice appear with rich caramel and a most satisfying aroma of smoky embers.

“ABERFELDY Single Cask is the first-ever single cask Scotch whisky from the House of DEWAR’S launched in the United States,” said Arvind Krishnan, Vice President, Brand Managing Director, DEWAR’S.  “As a unique, luxurious variation of our ABERFELDY Single Malts, which are at the heart of all DEWAR’S Blended Scotch whiskies, ABERFELDY Single Cask reaffirms the House of DEWAR’S as a player in the single malt category. By bringing ABERFELDY to the forefront of the conversation, ABERFELDY Single Cask shares the integral role of ABERFELDY Single Malt within the overall DEWAR’S portfolio with our consumers.”

ABERFELDY Single Cask, as well as ABERFELDY 12 Year Old Single Malt and ABERFELDY 21 Year Old Single Malt, are best enjoyed neat, or with a dash of water, which opens up the flavor of the whiskies.

“Aged in a sherry butt cask for sixteen years, ABERFELDY Single Cask is a one-of-a-kind Scotch whisky, offering rich, satisfying aromas and an intensely pleasing finish,” said Stephanie Macleod, Master Blender, DEWAR’S Blended Scotch whisky. “As Master Blender for DEWAR’S, I am excited to share the ABERFELDY Single Malt heritage of DEWAR’S with the introduction of ABERFELDY Single Cask. As a pioneer in the spirits industry and a leader in the Scotch whisky category, the introduction of ABERFELDY Single Cask continues the innovative energy evident throughout the DEWAR’S portfolio.”

NH Liquor & Wine Outlet customers can reserve a bottle of 1997 ABERFELDY Single Cask online at www.liquorandwineoutlets.com/aberfeldy. 

About the New Hampshire Liquor Commission

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) operates 77 retail locations throughout the Granite State and serves more than 9 million customers each year. More than $2 billion in net profits has been raised since the first store opened in 1934. NHLC had its best sales year ever in fiscal year 2013, generating $603.5 million in total sales, an increase of $38.9 million – or 6.9% over the previous fiscal year. Total liquor revenues reached $145.6 million, which are used to fund programs including education, health and social services, transportation and natural resource protection through New Hampshire’s General Fund. NHLC is expecting to net an additional $1 billion for the state in the next seven years. Visit www.LiquorandWineOutlets.com to locate a store, search for product availability, learn about monthly sales, review wine tasting schedules, and sign up to receive significant savings with monthly Email Extras.

About ABERFELDY

ABERFELDY® Single Malt Whisky is at the heart of all blends within the DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch Whisky portfolio. Aged in the finest selection of oak barrels for a distinctly heather-honeyed taste and a renowned full body composition, ABERFELDY Single Malt offers two expressions, ABERFELDY 12 YEAR OLD and ABERFELDY 21 YEAR OLD, both of which are released in extremely limited quantities and shipped in individually-numbered bottles. Since 1898, the House of DEWAR’S has been producing this renowned single malt whisky at its Aberfeldy Distillery, originally built by the Dewar’s family in the town of Aberfeldy, in the Perthsire Highlands of Scotland. Located just two miles from the birthplace of company founder John Dewar Sr., Aberfeldy Distillery represents the true home of DEWAR’S, is where the fresh spring water of the Pitilie Burn combines with the skills of generations of craftsmen to produce the award-winning ABERFELDY Single Malt.

In 2013, the House of DEWAR’S announced the launch of ABERFELDY Single Cask, the first-ever single cask Scotch whisky to launch in the U.S. from DEWAR’S, the most awarded Scotch whisky in the world.

DEWAR’S, ABERFELDY, DEWAR’S SIGNATURE AND WHITE LABEL ARE TRADEMARKS.

We’re happy to announce the new 2013 Diageo releases are now available to pre-order from The Whisky Shop. There are some very exciting expressions this year, and we’re sure they’re going to go very quickly! We’ve already had a lot of interest in these bottles, so to give everyone a fair chance we can only offer them on a first come first serve basis and the Brora is limited to one bottle per person. Free delivery to all UK addresses and complementary W Club membership with each purchase!

Brora 35 year old
One of only 2944 individually numbered bottles.Stocks are depleted of this collectors gem. A 2013 must have bottling!

£750

Lagavulin 37 year old
From refill American Oak and European Oak casks filled in 1976. Just 1,868 bottles available worldwide.

£1950

Talisker 1985 27 year old

From American Oak refill casks filled in 1985. Just 3,000 individually numbered bottles.

£475

Convalmore 36 year old

Latest of three limited releases to be offered by the distillery. Only 2,980 bottles worldwide.

£600

The Singleton of Dufftown 28 year old

From American Oak refill casks filled in 1985. Just 3,816 individually numbered bottles worldwide.

£235

Cardhu 21 year old

From ex-bourbon American Oak casks filled in 1991.Fewer than 6,000 individually numbered bottles available worldwide.

£160

Caol Ila Stitchell Reserve

From a mix of refill American Oak, rejuvenated American Oak and ex-bodega European Oak casks. The eighth limited release of unpeated Caol Ila

£70

Oban 21 year old

Just 2,860 numbered bottles world-wide. From rejuvenated American Oak and second fill ex-bodega casks.

£225 Clic

Lagavulin 12 year old

Twelfth in a series of special 12 year old releases from the original distiller’s stocks.

Vatted from refill American Oak casks, each at least 12 years old

£80

The Whisky Shop

Tel 0141 427 2919

info@whiskyshop.com

www.whiskyshop.com