Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Aberlour 16 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 12 available ($64.99)

• Glenmorangie 18 year old Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($84.99) Whisky Advocate: “43% abv. When compared to the 10 year old, this one’s richer, with darker fruit and more caramelized sweet notes, paired with accentuated dried wood spice, while the 10 year old is more vibrant and floral. Like the 10 year old, there’s good balance here. (Vol. 17, #2) ” K&L Notes: If I had to pick my favorite whisky from the LVMH line up, including all the Ardbeg expressions, I’d easily choose the 18 year old from Glenmorangie. It’s the best whisky they make for the price and everybody likes it: beginners, casual sippers, experts, whisky geeks. It’s so gentle, supple, rich, and full of flavor. The problem for me at K&L was getting a competitive price. I’ve got plenty of $115-$140 options that are more exciting to many of our serious whisky fans, but at $84.99, now we’re talking! Removing $32 from the price tag makes a world of difference. All of a sudden we’re talking serious deal! It’s not that the Glenmorangie isn’t worth $115, because it is. It’s just that it’s really worth $84.99. Kyle and I both agree that this is currently the hottest deal in the store. Soft stone fruit, caramel, creme brulee, vanilla, all the way to the finish. We won’t be able to sustain the pricing past this order, so when we sell through we have to raise it back up. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

Irish Whiskey

• Bushmills 10 Year Old Irish Whiskey 750ml ($29.99)

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

www.ralfy.com suggests a good value option with Whisky Review 374 – Isle of Arran 14yo

Longrow 18 Year Old
2013 Release (46%)

Limited release of 4,500 bottles.

Welcome return for the heavily peated, double distilled malt from Springbank distillery.

Buy – $105.40

(…plus a few bottles of the 2012 release still available… $105.40)

Second Largest Selling Bourbon in the US and the World Modernizes its Look 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the nation’s largest family-owned and operated independent spirits producer, announces a packing update to its Evan Williams family of Bourbons and Bourbon Specialty brands.  Evan Williams, which is the United States’ and the world’s second-largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, is introducing the updated look across the flagship Black Label brand, the Evan Williams Reserve line of flavored Bourbons, the Evan Williams Green Label and White Label “Bottled-In-Bond” marques, as well as the seasonal Evan Williams Holiday Nog and Evan Williams Apple Orchard bottlings.

The change will affect the 1.75 liter, 1.0 liter and 750ml sizes for Evan Williams Black Label, Evan Williams White Label “Bottled-In-Bond”, and the flavored Evan Williams Reserves.  It will also replace the 750ml sizes of Evan Williams Holiday Nog, Evan Williams Peppermint Chocolate Holiday Nog, Evan Williams Apple Orchard Fall Seasonal Liqueur, and Evan Williams Green Label.  Both the Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage and Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch Bourbon packages will be unaffected by this change.

The centerpiece of the packaging upgrade is the new proprietary bottle, which now features a reproduction of Evan Williams’ actual signature from an 1800 distilling license blown into the glass on all four sides of the squared off bottle shoulder.  The shoulder label, which used to sit where the signature now is, has been removed and the “Extra Aged/Sour Mash” copy that appeared on the old shoulder label has been added to the neck wrap.

The Evan Williams Bourbon family is named after Kentucky’s first commercial distiller, who set his still up in 1783 at what is now 6th and Main Streets in Louisville.  Evan Williams has grown to become the number two selling Bourbon brand nationally and globally, and has also received tremendous critical acclaim, including a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and “Best Buy Whiskey of the Year” from Whisky Advocate magazine.  The brand benefits from a national media campaign, including print advertising, cable TV spots and sponsorships of both Bassmaster and Championship Bull Riding.  In addition, Heaven Hill is currently completing construction on the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience™ in downtown Louisville, an immersive tourism experience and artisanal distillery scheduled to open in the Fall that will further enhance the brand marketing platform.

“The new bottles for the 750ml, 1.0 liter and 1.75 liter sizes give a cleaner, yet more branded, look to the overall package,” noted Susan Wahl, Senior Brand Manager at Heaven Hill who oversees the Evan Williams brand team.  “As we continue to refine the look of Evan Williams, we have seen the brand outpace the category for seven straight years, giving us a very strong platform on which to make these upgrades.  And the continuing sales success of the flavored Evan Williams Reserves, seasonal Nogs and Apple Orchard, and now the ‘Bottled-In-Bond’ White Label and Green Label, gives the Evan Williams franchise tremendous real estate on the shelf and greater stopping power.”

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heavenhill.com)is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; HPNOTIQ and HPNOTIQ Harmonie Liqueurs; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”

Happy 4th of July to our friends in the United States of America!

Knob Creek® Bourbon Reignites Partnership with Celebrity Chef and Grilling Expert Michael

Clermont, KY – Knob Creek® Bourbon and Celebrity Chef Michael Symon are teaming up for another year of flavor-packed programming, highlighting Knob Creek® Bourbon’s award-winning portfolio just in time for summer grilling season. Through this partnership, Chef Symon will prove once again that the big, full flavor of Knob Creek® Bourbon translates just as perfectly on the grill as it does in the glass.

Building off of last year’s sizzling partnership – in which Chef Symon helped launch Knob Creek® Rye and released a limited edition holiday label – Knob Creek® Bourbon is turning up the heat with an even bigger, fuller partnership to bring bourbon enthusiasts an exclusive look at how grill masters and distillers push the boundaries creating big, full flavor.

“Knob Creek® Bourbon is more than just a bourbon that tastes damn great in your glass” said Chef Symon. “It also adds big flavor to your summer grilling. I’m thrilled to continue my partnership with Knob Creek and introduce bourbon lovers to new ways to enjoy the #1 selling Super-Premium Bourbon – both in their glass and on the grill.”

This year, Knob Creek® Bourbon and Chef Symon are offering a full menu of programming, including:

• The “Big Flavor” Dinner Series. A 13-city dinner series providing select fans and members of Knob Creek’s “Original Brothers of Bourbon” with a unique nose-to-tail dining and tasting experience highlighting dishes and cocktails created by the country’s best chefs. Chef Symon will host these dinners in select markets.
• National Summer Sweepstakes. Fans will have the chance to win a one-of-a-kind Kentucky experience, featuring a trip to Knob Creek’s distillery at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse where the winner will enjoy a private tour with Master Distiller Fred Noe and a personal summer grill-out session with Chef Symon at the “Knob Creek House.”
• “Meat Master Class” Series. Chef Symon will star in an online video series educating fans on the art of grilling with flavor. From “prep to plate” Chef Symon will offer tips on everything from meat selection to grill preparation, cooking, plating, pairing and pouring – and he’ll share his favorite recipes for simple, flavorful, easy-to-grill options.  If you’re hosting a summer BBQ, these videos will raise your grilling skills to the next level.
• Knob Creek® Inspired Recipes. Exclusive Knob Creek® seasonal food and cocktail recipes created by Chef Symon will provide consumers with big, full-flavored dishes they can savor year round.

“For more than 20 years now, Knob Creek has been the perfect bourbon to enjoy while you’re behind the grill,” said Fred Noe, seventh-generation Beam Master Distiller. “Chef Symon is the perfect grilling expert to teach our fans how to excel on the grill using full flavors. We’re excited to take this partnership up a notch, and we’re thrilled to have Chef Symon as part of the Knob Creek family.”

As summer BBQs start firing up, Chef Symon recommends these flavorful grilling and cocktail recipes:

Knob Creek® Summer Spice

Created by Michael Symon

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ¼ Parts Knob Creek® Rye Whiskey
• ½ Part Fresh Lime Juice
• ½ Part Orange Liqueur
• ¼ Part White Crème De Cocoa

METHOD

1. Pour all ingredients into a shaker
2. Shake vigorously with ice and strain into cocktail glass
3. Garnish with lime wheel

Knob Creek® Bourbon Smokey, Salty & Spicy Grilled Chicken Thighs

Created by Michael Symon

Recipe Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

• 8 Chicken Thighs (Bone-In and Skin-On)
• 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
• 2 oz. Soy Sauce
• 2 oz. Honey
• 4 Tablespoons Sriracha
• 4 oz. Knob Creek® Bourbon
• 2 oz. Olive Oil
• 2 Limes Cut into Wedges For Garnish
• 1 Bunch Cilantro For Garnish

PREPARATION

1. Whisk together Mustard, Soy Sauce, Honey, Knob Creek® Bourbon, Sriracha and Olive Oil
2. Place chicken thighs in a zip lock bag and pour in marinade.  Give it a good shake and let marinate for one to two hours
3. Place on grill and cook until you reach 160 degrees internal temperature
4. Remove from grill and garnish plate with lime wedges and cilantro

Knob Creek® enthusiasts will have access to Chef Symon through the Original Brothers of Bourbon, which provides exclusive content and news straight from Knob Creek®, its ambassadors and its distillery. Visit KnobCreek.com/Brothers-Of-Bourbon to join. For more information about Knob Creek®, visit www.KnobCreek.com or www.facebook.com/KnobCreek.

About Michael Symon

Michael Symon is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, television personality and author who cooks with soul, creating bold, deeply satisfying dishes at his various restaurants across America. The Cleveland native shares his exuberant, approachable cooking style and infectious laugh with television viewers as an Iron Chef on the Food Network, ABC’s The Chew and the Cooking Channel’s Symon’s Suppers.

About Knob Creek® Bourbon

Knob Creek® Bourbon has been handcrafting extraordinary full flavored bourbon with intriguing taste and bottled in unique flask shaped packaging for over 20 years, which has helped make it the #1 selling Super-Premium bourbon in the world. Aged for a full 9 years in new, charred American Oak barrels and bottled at an honest 100 proof, Knob Creek® Bourbon upholds the standard for what great bourbon ought to be with its big, full signature flavor. Launched in early 1992, at a time when the terms “craft” and “super-premium” bourbon didn’t exist, Knob Creek® Bourbon is named after the small town in Kentucky where President Abraham Lincoln was born.  In recent years, Knob Creek has expanded its portfolio releasing Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (120 proof / 60% alcohol by volume) in 2011 and Knob Creek Rye (100 proof / 50% alcohol by volume) in 2012. For more information on Knob Creek, visit www.knobcreek.com.

About Beam Inc.

As one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Pinnacle Vodka, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher’s Scotch Whisky, Skinnygirl Cocktails, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC and DeKuyper Cordials.  Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,400 passionate associates worldwide generated 2012 sales of $2.5 billion (excluding excise taxes), volume of 38 million 9-liter equivalent cases and some of the industry’s fastest growing innovations.

Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index.  For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #53

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, wishes all his American friends a Happy Independence Day and raises a glass of the 1792 Ridgemont Reserve in salute. It is the official toasting bourbon at the yearly Kentucky Bourbon Festival. And a fine bourbon it is. Enjoy!

THE LINK

Buffalo Trace American Whiskey Tasting – Wednesday 24th July 2013

Following on from last month’s extremely successful Amrut whisky tasting we thought we’d continue the international theme by focussing on American whiskey for our next tutored tasting evening, so we are delighted that on Wednesday 24th July Chris Hoy from Hi-Spirits will be coming along to talk us through a range of whiskies from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky.

Buffalo Trace is reputedly the oldest continuously operating distillery in America, and is situated where the buffalo migration route used to cross the Kentucky River. It produces bourbon whiskey (i.e. the grain content is at least 51% corn) of various types, and has a history of illustrious distillers who have practiced their craft there such as George T. Stagg, W L Weller, and Elmer T. Lee. Tasting through some of the Buffalo Trace brands will give you an ideal opportunity to experience the various facets of bourbon – from rich and smooth, to honeyed and spicy, to dry and delicate.

See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

UPCOMING EVENT

Name Buffalo Trace Distillery American whiskey tasting
Date Wednesday 24th July 2013

Time 7pm for 7.30pm
Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren SN6 7SD

Details Brands to be presented will include Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Elmer T Lee plus W L Weller (a wheated bourbon whiskey where the secondary grain is wheat as opposed to the rye more normally found in bourbon) and some ‘White Dog’ (unaged distillate).

Tickets are £13.50 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting. Tickets are very strictly limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and as these tastings usually sell out within hours it is best to book ASAP. To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com and place an order for the number you require.

Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared.

N.B. We have negotiated special rates at the hotel for anyone who wants to stay overnight after the tasting – click here for further details.

We hope you all had a fabulous Canada Day long weekend!! We wanted to send a quick reminder after a busy long weekend that the next Scotch Malt Whisky Society Tasting is in 5 days!!

Please join us for a tasting of another fabulous line-up of single cask, cask strength whiskies from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society(SMWS) by registering below!!!

The SMWS releases up to seven new bottlings every month and our Outturn tastings are your opportunity to try before you buy, get to know other members and enjoy a few tasty nibbles to pair with the whiskies!

Open to both Society members and non-members alike; invite your whisky-loving friends & join the fun to explore SMWS’s rare and wonderful single malt whiskies.

Click on the “Register Now” link below or stop by our shop to register today!

PLEASE REGISTER AT THE LATEST BY THIS FRIDAY.  Space is limited, so please register now!

Memberships are now available in-store! For more info on SMWS visit www.smws.ca

Get more information

Register Now!

ENJOY SMWS PRODUCTS RESPONSIBLY, PLEASE ARRANGE SAFE TRANSPORT HOME. DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE. If you have any questions about the event, SMWS generally or how to register, please get in touch.

We look forward to seeing you at the tasting!

Slainté,

Crystal Coverdale
General Manager
Edgemont Fine Wines, Sprits & Ales

3020 Edgemont Blvd, North Vancouver BC
604-984-9463

Ardbeg unveils the dream destination for whisky fans on Islay

— Ardbeg Distillery opens stunning luxury self-catering home —

— Whisky fans will now get the chance to come and stay at the iconic birthplace of the Ultimate Islay malt —

Ardbeg Distillery, home of the Ultimate Islay Malt, can now offer the definitive getaway for any whisky fan after restoring a 19th Century cottage at its iconic distillery on Islay.

Seaview Cottage offers stunning views, a location steeped in history, and every modern day luxury you would expect allowing visitors to unwind with their favourite dram at the very place of its origin.

Ardbeg’s Seaview Cottage has been renovated to the highest standards, with two double bedrooms and one twin bedroom, providing elegant self-catering accommodation at the very heart of the distillery.

Mickey Heads, Ardbeg Distillery Manager, explains, “The house has a lovely relaxed atmosphere with contemporary interiors and stunning views. Lucky visitors to the island will have the opportunity to stay at the home of the Ultimate Islay Malt, in a cottage that is full of Ardbeg history and lore.

“I hope that everybody who spends time there will feel the same as I do, and will want to return again and again.”

Ardbeg’s Seaview Cottage is filled with quirky charm and inspired by Ardbeg’s peaty character, the dark herringbone oak flooring is reminiscent of traditional peat stacks.

The three bedrooms can be found on the ground floor, which allows all guests to enjoy the most breath-taking views of the sea from the first floor wood decked balcony.

Whilst staying at the cottage, guests are welcome to take a tour of the distillery with Jackie Thomson, Global Icon Visitor Centre Manager of the Year 2013, and to eat at the Old Kiln Café, with delicious dishes created from fresh local ingredients.

Nearby attractions include the 8th century Kildalton Cross, the finest example of a Celtic Cross in the west of Scotland, and guests might also wish to take a ‘seafari’ to the tumultuous Corryvreckan whirlpool (weather permitting of course!), or go searching for whales, basking sharks and other big and untamed sea creatures that inhabit the deep coastal waters.

After a hard day’s exploring the island you can pick your favourite armchair and relax with a dram or two by the glow of the peat burning stove. Whisky heaven you might say!

Further quirks can be found around the luxury accommodation, such as an oak sideboard made with only hand tools by ‘Rabbitman’ Peter Heap, and in the lounge area the ‘Hotpod’ stove was inspired by a recycled gas cylinder and VW car parts.

A polished aluminium ex-French Naval pattern Morse signalling lamp that doubles as a handy reading light will amuse those in need of more low-tech communication technology than the internet and satellite.

Ardbeg’s Seaview Cottage is in the heart of the Distillery and guests will no doubt enjoy the continual discovery of unique items around the cottage.

Notes:

About Ardbeg
Ardbeg prides itself on being the ‘Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky’. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.

Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded by the formation of ‘The Committee’ in 2000 from thousands of Ardbeg followers across the globe keen to ensure, “the doors of Ardbeg never close again.”

Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ three years in a row by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Ardbeg Embassies
Ardbeg Embassies are a network of customers who love the whisky and have agreed to profile Ardbeg to their consumers. Most are independent premium whisky stores.

Responsible Drinking
Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.