Caution: dragons!

Whisky Intelligence was fortunate to attend the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (of Canada) First Friday Tasting of the Society’s June Outturn in Victoria, British Columbia this past June 7^th.

Due to the antediluvian flavour of the liquor laws in the province distribution of Society whiskies is handled by two retail shops; Edgemont Fine Wines in North Vancouver and the Strath Ale Wine Spirit Merchants  in Victoria.

The lucky attendees arrived at the Strath starting from about 20 minutes before the scheduled commencement and after chatting together for a while at 6:30 there was a spontaneous move towards the firmly sealed door of the tasting room, like a herd of otters drawn to the smell of salmon wafting through the air. This obstacle presented by the door was soon breached by some enthusiastic good natured banging on the door until entry was granted by Rick, the assistant manager of the Strath.

Once seated the attendees were greeted by 8 samples, lots of water, some nice light snacks, biscuits etcetera plus a copy of the June Outturn, of course with the image of the dragon on the front cover there was immediate speculation that there would be a Penderyn lurking somewhere among the 8 samples. (Please see the image in the accompanying SMWS article).  The Outturn had the salient details redacted so there was no way to determine the distilleries; thus it was down to skill set of the individuals to determine what was in the glass. The exception was the last sample which was clearly identified as a single cask rum (!) but again, the distillery of origin, dates of distillation and ABV were absent.

The entire group was seated at one long table and of course such a layout only encourages conversation with neighbours and this only adds towards making the whole experience richer; a second maturation in sherry wood if you will (Oh my WI is attempting whisky humour – how very whisky geekish!!).

Many of the attendees were veterans of past First Friday Tastings so Colin, the Manager of the Strath and the lion tamer for the evening, ably assisted by Rick, made quick work of the preamble and the tasting was soon under way. They led the room through the samples which included two ‘revisit’ bottles from previous Outturns (Casks 30.70 and 35.65). The addition of these ‘revisit’ bottles was appreciated by the group as it offered an additional look at them with ‘fresh eyes’ so to speak.

Nearly half the group comprised of women and their veteran whisky experience was blindingly obvious; their confident observation of what was in the glass contributed significantly to the evening.

As the evening progressed the distilleries were revealed, one by one and Colin and Rick have obviously learned from previous tastings as the names of the distilleries were prominently displayed on 8.5×11 sheets of paper so there were no cries of ‘how do you spell that?” from the group.

Once the samples had been revealed there was an opportunity to resample any of the evening’s whiskies and many used this as a final confirmation before purchasing a bottle (or two). Colin and Rick were also quick to offer a ‘revisit’ to any other available samples from previous Outturns.

Colin and Rick have created a delightful evening that is free from pretense or bias, they present the whiskies in a neutral manner and let what’s in the glass ‘walk the walk’ and it’s a refreshing presentation style which many in the industry could adopt to their benefit.

The line-up for the very entertaining and illuminating evening was as follows;

Cask No. 71.35 (Glenburgie) Rose petal baths in the Glasgow School of Art. 27 years old; refill hogshead; 57.2%abv

Cask No. 30.70 (Glenrothes) Venus n furs 23 years old refill hogshead, ex bourbon; 52% ABV

Cask No. 125.65 (Glenmorangie) Patisseries & ice-cream parlours. 7 years old; first fill barrel; 61.5%abv

Cask No. (Glen Moray) 35.65 Cornish clotted cream ice-cream 10 years old; Refill chardonnay hogshead; 60.3%

Cask No. 76.91 (Mortlach) Caballero in an orange grove. 22 years old; refill sherry butt; 57.9%abv

Cask No. 3.195 (Bowmore) Cigar smoking dragon 14 years old; 2nd fill sherry butt; 58.5%abv

Cask No. 33.122 (Ardbeg) Big, brooding, masculine & intense. 7 years old; first fill barrel; 59.7%abv

Cask No. R3.4 (Something from Barbados) Makes you strong like a lion. 10 years old; refill sherry butt; 75.3%abv

Whisky Intelligence came away with a bottle of the Glenburgie which was a delight and was the group favourite of the evening (judging by the numerous requests for a second sample). The very last bottle of Isle of Arran Cask No. 121.50 9yo 61.3% refill sherry butt “XMAS CAKE & AFGHAN COATS” leaped into the bag with the Glenburgie; quality likes to travel together it seems.

The next SMWS First Friday Outturn Tasting is scheduled for July 5^th. If you would like to try before you join prospective Society members are most welcome and the cost is a mere $10 extra ($45 versus $35) per person; bring a friend!  Contact Colin or Rick at (250) 370-9463 to reserve or obtain details on how to join the Society.

Visit www.smws.ca for full tasting notes from the June and previous Outturns.

Caution: dragons!

We have six succulent single cask releases to savour including two from distilleries we haven’t seen in a looong time!

If dragons aren’t your thing, we also have rose petals, ice cream, orange groves and a lion!!

For complete tasting notes visit www.smws.ca, but for now here’s a quick snapshot:

Cask No. 71.35 Rose petal baths in the Glasgow School of Art
27 years old; refill hogshead; 57.2%abv
The nose had canvas, easels, paints, pastels, brushes – you get the picture! The taste is like rosewater-flavoured Turkish Delight or a very light milk chocolate bar. Holds water well but don’t add a lot.

Cask No. 125.65 Patisseries & ice-cream parlours
7 years old; first fill barrel; 61.5%abv
The nose combined ice-cream, orange sorbet, glazed tarts, strawberries and cream. The juicy palate was sweetly delicious but with a cheeky kick of pepper, cinnamon and clove.

Cask No. 76.91 Caballero in an orange grove
22 years old; refill sherry butt; 57.9%abv
We nosed polished antique furniture, clove-studded oranges, black coffee, leather and liquorice. The palate was sweet, rich and spicy with blood orange, grapefruit and marmalade.

Cask No. 3.195 Cigar smoking dragon
14 years old; 2nd fill sherry butt; 58.5%abv
The nose is like being on a beach covered in dried seaweed with a damp peat-fired BBQ of roast ham. The taste is like a cigar smoking dragon exhaling, a fiercely hot, fiery, sweet and peaty breath; not for the fainthearted!

Cask No. 33.122 Big, brooding, masculine & intense
7 years old; first fill barrel; 59.7%abv
On the nose, peat-smoked fire bricks, tarred ropes, lobster pots on old boats, sweet scallops and coconut husk doormats. The palate was a massive, tongue-roasting, smack in the face but somehow calming with its vanilla ice-cream sweetness.

Cask No. R3.4 Makes you strong like a lion
10 years old; refill sherry butt; 75.3%abv
To start, the nose is melted brown sugar in butter followed by a clean wood smoke followed by antiseptic notes. To taste it feels like being in a sauna whilst eating wasabi.

Visit www.smws.ca for full tasting notes and details on price and where to buy.

UK vlogger Joe Ellis a.k.a Whisky Wednesday reviews Powers 12 Year Old Single Pot Still John Lane’s Release Irish Whiskey

http://youtu.be/NU9xmb_IXP8

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http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

While the history of whisky is long and proud, with legend telling of Saint Patrick bringing the craft of distillation to Scotland, the history of the Quaich is no less long or illustrious.

 The word Quaich comes from the gaelic “cuach” which means cup and they have been used for centuries to welcome or bid farewell to guests, or as a mark of comradeship or friendship. Sharing a dram of whisky from a Quaich has long been symbolic of binding people together in love, friendship or comradeship or to welcome or bid farewell to favoured guests. Today quaichs are often given as a gift to someone held dear.

This two handled Scottish drinking cup may have originated with the practise of drinking whisky from a scallop shell and progressed to forming these shallow cups from wood, stone or horn. Over the years the cups became more elaborate and highly skilled craftsmen fashioned wooden quaichs with beautiful celtic designs. From the 17^th century, as metals came to be more commonly used, quaichs have been made of  brass, pewter, silver or a combination of all three. The original outer shape was retained but the thick bases were thinned to reduce the the weight.

Quaichs originated in the Highlands and weren’t used in Lowland Scotland until the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie when the quaich travelled south in the canteens of the Prince’s army. The quaichs of the army were reputed to have glass bottoms enabling the drinker to keep an eye on those around him; a sad reflection on treacherous times.

Alex Scott & Co Ltd, a long established Aberdeen based company would like to offer you the chance to win a beautiful quaich so you may sup your dram in the traditional way and our gift set even provides a miniature of MacAllan Gold single malt whisky for the first filling.

To enter simply email the answer to the following question along with your name and address to sales@kiltmakers.co.uk using the subject line Quaich Competition, and we will draw the winner, at random, from the correct answers. Closing date June 19th, 2013…….. Please don’t forget to title your email Quaich competition.

What is the Centenary Quaich?

1. Quaich which resides in the Scottish Parliament building and is used for ceremonial occasions.
2. An international rugby union trophy contested annually by Ireland and Scotland.
3. A annual flat race run at Ayr races each September with the Centenary Quaich also being the name of the trophy.
4. A quaich presented to Queen Victoria by her loyal Scottish Subjects at the turn of the twentieth century.

Terms and Conditions:-  The winner will be notified of their win by email and the prize sent by post. No further correspondence will entered into and the judges decisions are final. The prize cannot be substituted or exchanged for cash. The competition is open to all except employees or relatives of Alex Scott & Co (kiltmakers.co.uk) or employees and relatives of Red Evolution. Important – entries will only be accepted from those who are 18 years old or over. This contest will run until Wednesday June 19th, 2013.

Isle of Arran Distillers Celebrate Coming of Age with Malt, Music and Mayhem

Arran Distillers is set to rock ‘Scotland in miniature’ this summer with a three-day celebration as the business celebrates ‘coming of age’.

The main event, taking place on the 29^th June 2013, marks a landmark anniversary for business as it falls exactly 18 years since the first spirit flowed through the distillery.

A weekend of dedicated to malt and music, one of the key attractions is five different whisky master classes on offer giving people the chance to experience first-hand the delights of Arran.

Ranging from introductory tastings to samplings of old and rare whiskies, the master classes are led by Managing Director Euan Mitchell and the Arran team, and give visitors the chance to meet the people behind the whisky.

As well as tailored tastings there will be local produce on sale, a unique collector’s edition of The Arran Single Malt for sale, a whisky bar and food stalls, as well as many different family activities including archery, painting, bird of prey displays, storytelling and island crafts.

All this will take place to the sounds of local and regional bands including Scott Cowen and The Rowan Brothers who will entertain thirsty crowds from 11am -5pm.

Euan Mitchell, managing director at Isle of Arran Distillers, said: “Our Malt and Music festival is always a highlight of the year and this year expectations are very high. We’re all excited about our 18^th birthday and we’re inviting everyone to come and celebrate with us.

“As well as being a great party, this weekend event gives people the opportunity to really get to know the team behind Arran Distillers, which is something that not many distilleries offer.”

For whisky fans looking for something extra special, Arran is also hosting a unique evening to remember the night before the festival (28^th June) where guests are invited to enjoy a sit down dinner with the distillery team.

Just 40 tickets are on sale for the evening dinner event, which begins with a private warehouse tour with master distiller James MacTaggart. Guests will draw the whisky directly from barrels themselves before enjoying a champagne reception and five course dinner, with accompanying wine and finally their specially chosen whisky with the last course. After dinner guests will be presented with a 20cl bottle of commemorative whisky to celebrate the occasion, of which only 40 will be presented on the night.  This whisky will never be retailed so it is an extremely special bottling.

A ‘Survivors Hog Roast’ on Sunday 30^th June will see those who can’t get enough of the good stuff bid farewell to the weekend in style.

Tickets to the five-course evening dinner on 28^th June cost £95; tickets for the Malt and Music Festival on 29^th cost £5 and include a free spey dram glass, a dram token and a guided tour of the distillery. The whisky tasting courses cost between £15 and £45 and attendance at the Survivors Hog Roast is free.

For tickets please contact Arran Events http://www.arranevents.com/

For more information visit www.arranwhisky.com

* Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007); Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005); Best New Exporter (2004).

Product awards include: ‘Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2013’ for the Arran 12 Year Old Cask Strength, ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2012. Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards 2012. ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011. ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008), Best Whisky Liqueur in the World Whiskies Awards for Arran Gold (2007).

Father’s Day on Sunday 16^th June provides an excellent excuse to buy some delicious whisky. Dads come in all shapes, sizes and personalities, and so do our whiskies. So, whatever style you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find the perfect match in the Compass Box range.

Happy Father’s Day!

Behind the Blend with Ludo

‘Blendologie’, Part II

Hello,

The highlight video from our second ‘Blendologie’ show is now available below. My guest was no other than our Master Blender himself, Brian Kinsman, who as well as answering questions from our viewers and talking about his role, led a particularly educational live blending session.

As with the first event , the video is in French…(please click on the link to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK 

Kind regards,

Ludo

June Outturn:Tongue twisters for the summer 
Unfurl the windbreak, this latest tropical bunch are popping with  juicy flavours. Pineapple smoothies, rhubarb and custard swirly lollies, barbecued prawns and lots of coconut – they’re all here.

June Offers: Pirates Private Property

June TRIO: 7.85, 35.90 & 3.207 for £169
7.85 A little dab’ll do ya
35.90 A blonde in an Afghan coat
3.207 The sea is getting rougher on the Puffer
Buy

June PAIR: 30.76 & 3.207 for £115
30.76 French Martini
3.207 The sea is getting rougher on the Puffer
Buy

June CASE Offer: 3.207, 64.44, 1.173,
121.60, 9.71 & 76.104 for £329
3.207 The sea is getting rougher on the Puffer
64.44 Complex and fun to discover
1.173 A fascinating waltz
121.60 Interesting nooks and crannies
9.71 Menthol tobacco and sugared almonds
76.104 Luscious, delicious and summery
Buy 

Browse June Outturn

*3.207 is exclusive to our June offers

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.

Fathers Day Shopping Is Solved!

This year, yet another tie or polo shirt is not the answer. Pick up a bottle of Virginia Highland Malt for your dad, husband, son and brother. Dad, we’re providing this helpful photo for you to print out and leave lying round the house. Take charge of your future! And, finally, have a wonderful Fathers Day!

Virginia Distillery Company

Royal Salute Unveils The Diamond Tribute

To mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, Royal Salute, has introduced a new permanent expression to its range of luxury Scotch whiskies, The Diamond Tribute.

This unveiling coincided with the 62 round Royal Gun Salute to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at HM Tower of London. Guests of Royal Salute were in attendance as part of our long-standing support of Historic Royal Palaces and The Diamond Tribute was served at a reception at the Queen’s House.

The first bottles of Royal Salute were produced in June 1953 at the time of the coronation and have since been available in three different glazes denoting the rubies, sapphires and emeralds of the Imperial State Crown.

The Diamond Tribute takes its name from the most precious of gems and is in-keeping with the Royal Salute tradition of expertly blending only the most precious aged whiskies. The rarest of these have been selected from the locked Royal Salute vault at Strathisla – the oldest working distillery in the Highlands – where these casks rest under careful guard and watch until they have reached a minimum of 21 years of age.

Christian Porta, CEO of Chivas Brothers, comments: “It is appropriate for Royal Salute to mark the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation with the introduction of The Diamond Tribute. It is a distinctive whisky that befits the traditions and values of Royal Salute; combining age and craftsmanship to create a Scotch whisky of finesse and rich complexity.”

Colin Scott, Master Blender for Royal Salute, continues: “Creating this whisky has been a great honour. It has immeasurable depth with rich aromas of peaches and sweet poached pears complemented by a sensation of sherry, and a wonderful spicy liquorice tang. It has a long, sweet and luscious warmth to finish”

Royal Salute The Diamond Tribute will be rolled out worldwide from July and will retail at US$270 in Travel Retail.

Notes:

Royal Salute
The pinnacle of Scotch whisky, award-winning Royal Salute was first created to mark the 1953 coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This defining luxury whisky has a very powerful and sophisticated style, and has become the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky brand.

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 with a portfolio that includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

For further information please visit www.chivasbrothers.com and www.royalsalute.com