TOP PICKS

• 1997 Glenlivet 16 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Sherry Barrel Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($75.99)
Although we didn’t advertise it at the time, we actually selected this first-fill sherry barrel of Glenlivet from Signatory as part of our 2012 trip. We thought the whisky was simply outstanding, a shining example of what the classic Speyside distillery can accomplish when one fantastic barrel is isolated from the rest of the batch. What we wanted to do was wait until this cask hit its 16th birthday, then bottle it immediately. You could tell it was right on the cusp of greatness, but it just needed an extra year. While the standard Glenlivet expressions are soft and supple on the palate, they rarely exhibit the amount of fresh sherry influence that this 16 year old barrel exudes. The result is a whisky that’s more like Macallan or Glendronach than what we think of as Glenlivet. Toffee, raisined fruit, baking spices, and cocoa came blasting out of the glass when we first pulled the sample straight from the barrel. This whisky was a beast! Since we kne w that a cask of Glenlivet would encompass a larger tent of customers than some of our more esoteric selections, we thought that proofing the whisky down to 46% might be a good idea in this case. (Not really – WI) After tasting it we knew this was the right move. The spice and heat turn into creamy, unctuous sherry, melting over the palate at a slow crawl. While the whisky isn’t at full proof, it is still non-chill filtered and from one single barrel. For the price, it’s hard to find a single fault with this single malt. (David Driscoll)

• 1995 Miltonduff 18 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($79.99)
Miltonduff was all over our trip this year, whether in its normal single malt form or under the name Mosstowie, referring to a separate whisky made on site using a Lomand still. While we skipped the Mosstowie (those Lomond stills are hard to work with no doubt) we could not pass up the opportunity to buy delicious, cask strength, 18-year-old whisky for this price. Miltonduff might be familiar to some as it is the key ingredient in the famous Ballantine’s blend. It is this particular whisky that makes me believe the Ballantine’s 17-year could actually be rated as Jim Murray believes it should be. Altogether more typically a Highlander than Speyside (if these regional descriptions mean anything to anybody any longer), it’s a powerhouse. Phenolic and earthy, there’s this sort of flinty aroma, it’s not sulfur, but more struck flint on iron. Sparks! There’s some herbal extract (Indian ginseng), floral remedies (crushed flowers) and an oily texture. If someone were using heavy machinery (like a license plate printing press) nearby while you were nosing this whisky you probably wouldn’t notice. An intense, powerful and unusual whisky that makes you pause for a moment before filling your glass again. And you will fill it again. (David Othenin-Girard)

• Talisker 18-year-old Isle of Skye Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $150) ($129.99)
93 points Whisky Advocate: “A sophisticated and refined Talisker, if that’s not an oxymoron. But this is certainly true when compared to the 10 year old. This 18 year old is deeper too, with less of the fishnets, more of oak boat docks. Less lemongrass, more fruit gum drops. There’s still that knock-out punch on the finish. There’s a fine line between polishing the rough edges of a beautifully powerful whisky and ripping its heart and soul out with a knife by dumbing it down. This whisky has not crossed that line. A fabulous whisky! (Vol. 14, #3)” K&L Notes: Limited to quantity on hand. This lovely 18 year old is always out of stock, so strike when the iron is hot! Strength: 45.8% ABV Appearance: Amber. Nose: Rich and fruity — Victoria plums, greengages, perhaps dried orange peel — with some butterscotch or rum toffee and a thread of smoke behind. The smoke soon advances into the foreground and the toffee note is joined by a light mintiness. With water maritime characteristics emerge — dry boat varnish, edible seaweed. Still sweet; now with notes of iodine and the smokiness of an un-struck match. Body: Full. Pleasant, smooth. Palate: Sweet in front, then more assertive, with a whiff of smoke. The development is towards smoke, coal-tar and toffee. Finish: Medium length. Talisker’s characteristic chilli ‘catch’ in the finish is subtly present in the aftertaste

BACK IN STOCK

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Ledaig 10 year old Isle of Mull Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($49.99)

• Talisker 18-year-old Isle of Skye Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $150) ($129.99) 93 points Whisky Advocate: “A sophisticated and refined Talisker, if that’s not an oxymoron. But this is certainly true when compared to the 10 year old. This 18 year old is deeper too, with less of the fishnets, more of oak boat docks. Less lemongrass, more fruit gum drops. There’s still that knock-out punch on the finish. There’s a fine line between polishing the rough edges of a beautifully powerful whisky and ripping its heart and soul out with a knife by dumbing it down. This whisky has not crossed that line. A fabulous whisky! (Vol. 14, #3)” K&L Notes: Limited to quantity on hand. This lovely 18 year old is always out of stock, so strike when the iron is hot! Strength: 45.8% ABV Appearance: Amber. Nose: Rich and fruity — Victoria plums, greengages, perhaps dried orange peel — with some butterscotch or rum toffee and a thread of smoke behind. The smoke soon advances into the foreground and the toffee note is joined by a light mintiness. With water maritime characteristics emerge — dry boat varnish, edible seaweed. Still sweet; now with notes of iodine and the smokiness of an un-struck match. Body: Full. Pleasant, smooth. Palate: Sweet in front, then more assertive, with a whiff of smoke. The development is towards smoke, coal-tar and toffee. Finish: Medium length. Talisker’s characteristic chilli ‘catch’ in the finish is subtly present in the aftertaste.

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Balcones Baby Blue Texas Corn Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($44.99)

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

FINAL UK TASTING TOUR OF 2013!

Without wanting to promote panic in any of you, our loyal whisky-loving customers… but you are in danger of missing out on our showpiece finales to the Whisky Lounge tasting calendar! It is the time of year where we challenge ourselves to find six Islay whiskies that are eclectic, interesting and tasty. The last category is not too hard, given the quality of whisky produced on the ‘Whisky Isle’, but increasingly it is more and more difficult to find stuff you haven’t tried before!

However, we are confident we have succeeded and next week we start our final UK tour of tastings starting in the ‘Sarf’!  There will be whiskies from among the distilleries – Bruichalddich, Bunnahabhain, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore and Kilchoman. Of course we can’t tell you which but then that’s part of the fun!

As the title suggests, these are blind tastings in order that each dram gets your palate’s full attention and that none of us get distracted by the pretty packaging that can catch our eye. They are always great fun and for only £20 you will get to try a real kaleidoscope of whiskies, mostly of the peated, smoky variety…

The dates:

LONDON               Tuesday 29th October, The Red Lion, SW1

LONDON               Wednesday 30th October, The Red Lion, SW1
BRIGHTON            Thursday 31st October, The Hilton Metropole
SHEFFIELD           Tuesday 12th November, The Blake Hotel
LEEDS                   Wednesday 13th November, The Cross Keys
YORK                    Friday 15th November, The Brigantes
NEWCASTLE        Friday 22nd November, Blackfriars SOLD OUT
MANCHESTER     Saturday 23rd November, The Britons Protection SOLD OUT

These dates are now available to book online BUT BE QUICK AS WE ARE ALREADY SOLD OUT IN SOME AREAS!

Full newsletter to come but in the meantime we look forward to seeing you soon at one of the above tastings.

Slainte,

Eddie, Amanda and Joe
The Whisky Lounge Team.

GlenDronach 1990 / Single Cask #1240 / UK Exclusive

Single cask #1240, a UK exclusive from GlenDronach distillery. This 23 year old single malt whisky was laid to rest in 1990 in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon before being bottled in the Autumn of 2013.

£105.80 (£88.17 ex vat)

RRP £116.99

Click here to buy GlenDronach UK Exclusive Single Cask 1240

BenRiach 1994 / Single Cask #4386 / UK Exclusive

Single cask #4386 is the 2nd UK exclusive to be released from the BenRiach distillery in 2013. Distilled in 1994 this single cask release has been aged for 19 years with a finish in a virgin American oak cask, giving the whisky a powerful, rich oak character.

A limited edition release, bottled at cask strength in 2013, exclusively for the UK.

£74.82 (£62.35 ex vat)

RRP £83.99

Click here to buy BenRiach UK Exclusive Single Cask 4386

Highland Park Toast 40 Years of Linn

A press release lands on our doormat with a small bottle. Not an unusual occurrence; but this is a far from usual bottle, as it contains no less than Highland Park 40 year old. I first tasted this whisky as … Continue reading >>

Global superstar DJ Pete Tong brings the bass to Edinburgh for the Ballantine’s ‘Soundtrack of You’ party

Competition winners from around the world attended the exclusive event after creating the soundtrack of their lives

Winners from around the world were whisked away to Edinburgh, Scotland to spend the evening at the exclusive Ballantine’s Soundtrack of You event, which featured global superstar DJs Pete Tong and Heatbeat.

The one-off club night took place last night (16th October) at popular Edinburgh venue, The Caves, and saw legendary DJ Pete Tong and talented Argentinian DJ duo, Heatbeat, take to the decks for competition winners and guests of Ballantine’s, the world’s No 2 Scotch whisky.

The lucky winners travelled from all over the world for the opportunity to dance to two of the world’s greatest DJs after winning the Ballantine’s Soundtrack of You competition, with each submitting a soundtrack which reflected their personality and told their life story through music. Facebook fans then voted for their favourites, sending the winners on their way to Edinburgh for a night of beats and bass.

Pete Tong said of the experience: “I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the Ballantine’s ‘Soundtrack of You’ competition. Music is the ultimate form of self-expression, and no matter where I am in the world I love to see how passionate people are about music. The international crowd at The Caves embodied this, and the atmosphere was electric! I really enjoyed my set.”

Heatbeat added: “The Ballantine’s ‘Soundtrack of You’ party was awesome! People from all over the world connected through their love of music, which is the perfect crowd to us, and exactly what the Ballantine’s competition was all about. The venue looked amazing, and everyone had a really good time, especially us. We can’t wait to come back to Edinburgh again soon!”

The event was held to celebrate the launch of the new Ballantine’s Finest bottle, which reflects the essence, personality and life story of its founder, George Ballantine. The new bottle, whilst more contemporary, stays true to the original essence of Ballantine’s, resulting in an iconic design which reinforces the quality of the whisky inside.

NOTES

For pictures and video content from the event, go to: facebook.com/Ballantines and twitter.com/Ballantines_LtdNotes to editors

About Ballantine’s: Ballantine’s is the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the world’s No 2 Scotch whisky by volume, and the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 120 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

About Chivas Brothers Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

UNLUCKY FOR SOME BUT IT COULD BE LUCKY FOR YOU

 To celebrate our Story Season, we are offering you the chance to win one of 13 amazing prizes inspired by the great works of literature. These include:

Bose Soundlink® Wireless Speaker with iPod touch 16GB

Mulberry leather and silver money clip and £200 cash

PRADA classic tortoiseshell square frame sunglasses

Sennheiser digital wireless RS 220 headphones and transmitter

Leica D-LUX 6 digital camera

Murdocks of London Wren Shaving set – with Murdock Mach 3© Razor, Best Badger Brush and chrome metal stand, 200ml Shave Cream Jar and 100ml Post Shave Balm

Mont Blanc Pen – Meisterstück platinum line classique rollerball

Christopher Ward c5 Malvern automatic mk ii dress watch

Tannergoods Field Tan canvas and leather Nomad Duffle bag

Box of 10 Cohiba Behike 52 cigars

Jaques 18″ Staunton design Walnut, Sycamore and a solid Mahogany Chess Board with 3 1/2″ Original Staunton Design Chess Set

3″ Sterling Silver Quaich

Paul Smith ‘City Webbing’ black grained leather shoulder bag

Visit jurawhisky.com to take part.

Also this month, we’re inviting you to Save the Date with a good friend and sit down with a glass of Jura to swap a story or two. More details here.

Become an honorary Diurach to find out about more exclusive tastings, events and all of the latest updates from our beloved island. Be part of our story

Ten years ago we created a bespoke blend of peaty single malts – named simply ‘Monster’ – for the owners of the Park Avenue Liquor Shop in New York. It was so well-received that we appended ‘The Peat’ to the front of the name and decided to share the idea with the rest of the world. To celebrate this milestone we have released a special limited edition of The Peat Monster, which is now available!

We’ve created a unique recipe for The Peat Monster Tenth Anniversary Limited Release.
Its smoky, peated character is still shaped by a combination of Islay, Island and Highland single malts. However, some older casks of peaty Highland single malt bring extra richness, while the addition of one of our rarest archive whiskies adds finesse, complexity and class. To balance the extra flavour and intensity, we have bottled this beautiful creature at a slightly higher 48.9%. The bespoke label was created for us by famous US artist and whisky lover Mark Burckhardt and only 5,970 bottles were produced.
Contact your favourite retailer now to reserve your bottle or, alternatively, just pick one up from our UK-based web shop.

“Above All, Share & Enjoy!”

OLP0011 Ledaig 15 year old (48.4% alc vol)
Nose: Really peat – with a “Smoky Bacon Crisps” style + carrying a sweet smoke quality
Palate: Rich & mouth coating – still carrying a spicy, cured meat style + more smoke
Finish: Long – sweetly spiced + salt, seaweed & smoke + tobacco & late camphor (J)

OLP0072 Lochnagar 16 Year Old (48.4% alc vol)
Nose: Opens fresh and fragrant with a floral style – develops to honey + a gummy bear quality
Palate: Still sweet with a soft praline character – runs to an interesting salted caramel style
Finish: Medium long – with a spicier, now drier quality + toasted almonds (slightly burnt) (J)

OLP0020 Ben Nevis 17 Year Old (48.4% alc vol)
Nose: Opens sweetly with a fresh & vanilla’d quality – runs to ripe fruit (banana & orange)
Palate: Carries a creamy, sweet character, softly spiced + an American Cream Soda style
Finish: Medium long – now running drier with a bees wax on polished oak quality (J)

OLP0069 Caol Ila 17 Year Old (48.4% alc vol)
Nose: Full on Islay ahead! Smoky – with oily rags, peat and soft runny summer tar.
Palate: Initially soft – warms to a tar attack + creosote, honey & ash as the back drop.
Finish: Mixes sweet with peat ….. sugared espresso + smoke + vanilla & phenols. (F)

OLP0050 Fettercairn 17 Year Old (48.4% alc vol)
Nose: Decidedly fructiferous, soft and mellow – attractively Malted with late spice.
Palate: As toffee mellow & sweet as anticipated – chew through it …. big & sherberty.
Finish: Still with that sherbet style – now warmingly spiced + an interestingly oaked tail. (F)

OLP0056 Glenlivet 18 Year Old Sherry (48.4% alc vol)
Nose: Distinctly Sherried, spiced, nutty & barley’d + a maceration of dark marinated fruit.
Palate: Opens big & fruity – runs to honey, butterscotch, light oak, mixed peel Malt.
Finish: Nicely rounded – warming, more subtle … but now + coffee/chocolate and muscovado sugar. (F)

OLP0062 Linkwood 18 Year Old (48.4% alc vol)
Nose: Clean, fresh & fragrant – attractively fruity – like opening a bag of soft sweets
Palate: Mouth coatingly sweet – developing to rich vanilla – butterscotch + spices
Finish: Medium long – complex/soft – still spicy then running drier to a soft oak style (J)

OLP0022 Bunnahabhain 20 Year Old (51.5%)
Nose: Carries a sweet malted peak reek – round, citric, oily, vanilla’d, waxy & smoked.
Palate: Soft complex initially – still sultana sweet (Dundee cake style) + a late hint of salt.
Finish: Richly espresso & chocolate in style + dry spices, dark fruit, nuts + more saltiness. (F)

OLP0041 Allt-A-Bhainne 21 Year Old (51.5% alc vol)
Nose: Crisp and clean for its years – sugary, with Autumnal fruits and barley cues.
Palate: Mouthcoatingly spiced & peppery – now with vanilla fudge, Malt and syrup.
Finish: Tends to a cinnamon style + nicely burnt sugar showing more fruit ‘n’ spice. (F)

OLP0055 Glenburgie 21 Year Old (51.5% alc vol)
Nose: Cedarwood + tobacco + citrus + sugars + Malt mash & chocolate: so complex!
Palate: Hits powerfully with dark spices, honey, camphor, more chocolate + liquourice.
Finish: Runs long/sweet & multifaceted = more honey, spice, tobacco vanilla & lime. (F)

OLP0052 Glen Grant 21 Year Old (51.5% alc vol)
Nose: Carrying a rich polished oak quality + bees wax + surprising macerated cherries
Palate: Mouth coating & oily – abundantly spiced, now running to a rich treacle style
Finish: Long – still richly spiced – developing to caramelised oranges + subtle smoke (J)

OLP0067 Tamnavulin 25 Year Old (51.5% alc vol)
Nose: Wonderfully spiced (for one so blond) – sugary sweet + juicy barley and dry spices.
Palate: Mouthcoats with warm spices – big time! reversing into soft chewy vanilla caramel.
Finish: Long – still dulcet – now warmly spiced – then barley’d, tailing in a cough drop style (F)

www.douglaslaing.com

Joe Ellis has been reviewing whisky every Wednesday for a whole year! He’s decided to celebrate by reviewing the Glenfarclas 25 Year Old!

http://youtu.be/A_VWQo2af3U

http://Facebook.com/whiskytube

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

BALLANTINE’S UNVEILS NEW GLOBAL BRAND POSITIONING

STAY TRUE, LEAVE AN IMPRESSION 

Authenticity, self-belief, self-fulfilment and conviction at the heart of Ballantine’s new global advertising campaign

Ballantine’s, the world’s No. 2 Scotch whisky and part of the Chivas Brothers family of brands, has today announced the launch of a new strategic brand positioning and accompanying marketing campaign.

Stay True, Leave an Impression serves as an invitation to consumers to express themselves in a genuine and authentic way, applauding conviction and self-belief. The global campaign, which is a natural progression from the brand’s hugely successful ‘Leave an Impression’ campaign launched in 2007, will begin rolling out across all key markets from October onwards, aiming to unify all brand communications across the complete Ballantine’s range.

The new positioning has been developed by M&C Saatchi London, the first campaign the agency has developed since winning the business in 2012. The campaign will feature a number of authentic ‘Stay True’ protagonists, who have each been chosen to front the campaign because they epitomise the message of being genuine, authentic and ultimately, of staying true to yourself.

These protagonists are shown across all iterations of the advertising creative in situations that reflect their passion and commitment to staying true; demonstrating that whatever you do, it’s about doing it with conviction, doing it because you believe in it.

This will be brought to life in multiple channels, principally via a 30” television spot to be showcased on MTV and The Discovery Channel amongst others, but also including a print campaign which will run across press, outdoor and online media.

The TV commercial, ‘The Drummer’, tells the story of a drummer, who performs not because he wants the money, the fame or to be adored; but because it is who he is. This story is enhanced by its leading light, Ben Mead, who serves as the embodiment of ‘Stay True’, having rejected the traditional path of record contracts and instead favouring less well-known venues where his band feel that their music is best appreciated.

The TVC was shot by Jake Nava, a director with a wealth of experience in both music videos and advertising. Despite the fame and recognition he received for his recent work with Beyonce in the US, Jake has remained insistent that his family and friends will keep him in East London.

Peter Moore, Brand Director for Ballantine’s commented: “Stay True is rooted in the DNA of Ballantine’s, thanks to our founder George Ballantine. A true innovator and entrepreneur, he was always original and acted with genuine conviction and flair, and this approach to life is reflected in the unique taste profile and iconic look of the Ballantine’s range.”

“George Ballantine stayed true and left an impression himself, so we want to continue his legacy by creating a platform that celebrates Ballantine’s and its founder’s intrinsic values. We are trying to inspire people to have the conviction to stay true to themselves, to follow their passions and to remain as genuine and authentic as they can be.”

The campaign is currently rolling out across South America (including in Mexico, Chile and Brazil) and southern and central Europe, with other markets globally rolling out throughout 2013 and into 2014.

M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, the brand engagement arm of the M&C Saatchi Group, together with Ballantine’s digital agency, Work Club, will be delivering a Global BTL campaign that celebrates the new positioning via digital and PR. This will launch in parallel to the TV and print campaign.

To see the TV commercial, please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHWCfGQqUIc

Jeremy Hemmings, Global Client Director at M&C Saatchi London added: “We are delighted with the launch of the Ballantine’s Stay True campaign.  We’ve gone back to the roots of the brand to establish what we see as a real conviction position that distinguishes it from its close competitors. This has allowed us to produce creative work which exudes real passion from our brand protagonists, cutting through some of the false gloss you tend to expect from many brands in this category.” 

About Ballantine’s 

Ballantine’s is the No. 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the world’s No. 2 Scotch whisky by volume, and the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 120 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827. 

About Chivas Brothers 

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport. 

Campaign Production Credits