June 2013 Outturn Offerings 

Glowing embers on the tongue 

Cask No. 53.173                      $125

Islay

Typical sooty, briny and oily fish scents initially with citric, herbal and medicinal background notes but there were also shout outs for ‘wet fish boxes’, ‘peppered roast carrots’, ‘light honey on brown toast’, and ‘tart berries’. To taste the Panel agreed it had a very ashy texture – hot ash, ‘like glowing embers’ said one – but the vanilla and honey helped counterbalance the salty, smoky and sweet medicinal characters. The addition of water brought out harbourside notes with drying kelp, dried fish, and rock pools; less of an impact to taste but very refreshing nonetheless. This distillery was completely rebuilt in 1972.

Drinking tip: When you want to THINK of a long walk along the beach

Colour: Pale yellow                                              Date distilled: August 1995

Cask: Refill Sherry butt                                        Alcohol: 59.8%

Age: 16 years                                         USA allocation: 120 bottles 

Wedding cake and jelly babies 

Cask No. 50.51                       $155

Lowland

The nose offered juicy fruits (green apples, pineapple, vanilla, orange) framed in wood – walnut shells, hazelnuts, shelf of leather books; one panellist said ‘dunnage warehouses’, another said ‘church pulpits’ – would combining the two result in drams instead of psalms? The palate was big and tasty, with woody, adult sweetness – buttered gingerbread, marrons glacés, Snickers, vanilla, honey, orange creams and chewed pencils. Fruitier with water, the nose had apple pie, wedding cake, pineapple cubes and bags of jelly babies, while the palate found watermelon, coconut, crystallised ginger and perhaps even Elven Lembas. Whisky from the far south of Middle Earth.

Drinking tip: A winter evening, by the fire, reading Tolkein

Colour: ‘One ring to bind them all’                                  Date distilled: January 1990

Cask: Refill barrel                                                Alcohol: 55.8%

Age: 22 years                                         USA allocation: 90 bottles 

A promise of sophisticated desserts 

Cask No. 72.24                       $85

Speyside, Lossie

The nose was fabulously rich and evocative – loads of nuts, especially walnuts (coffee and walnut ice-cream, walnut whip), mocha, balsamico, five-spice, canvas and a pomander with orange and clove. The palate was richly rounded, deep and unusual with great character for its age – treacle, cola cubes, roasted hazelnuts and coffee-flavoured dark chocolate. The reduced nose offered dark, sticky honey cake with crushed nuts, chocolate cherries, Black Forest gateau and Toffee Crisp. The palate now promised sophisticated desserts – tiramisu, crème brûlée, sticky dates and golden meringues – sweet but very grown up – the finish ultra-dry. The distillery had connections with Pluscarden Priory.

Drinking tip: After dinner; with dessert, before dessert, even instead of dessert

Colour: Bright polished oak                                  Date distilled: September 2004

Cask: White wine hogshead                                   Alcohol: 60.9%

Age: 8 years                                           USA allocation: 90 bottles 

Bitter marmalade and boozy prunes 

Cask No. 121.55                      $110

Highland, Island

Initial nose impressions included gym shoes, candles and faint struck match – soon replaced by treacle toffee, light sherry and slightly over-done fruit cake – then vanilla, rhubarb and ginger crumble, peanut brittle and trifle with strawberry and coconut. With water the nose found cough lozenges, scallop shells, Bakelite and brine. The unreduced palate tasted of fruit cake, hard toffee, bitter marmalade, burnt plums and boozy prunes. Water improved it, taking away the bitter and the burnt elements – now soft toffee, liquorice allsorts, Oddfellows (spicy sweets), chocolate, glazed donuts, Aberdeen butteries and hints of mint. This Lochranza distillery was completed in 1995.

Drinking tip: Would go with food – or a tasty wee dram for early evening after work

Colour: Light rose gold                                        Date distilled: January 2000

Cask: Refill hogshead                                           Alcohol: 56.1%

Age: 12 years                                         USA allocation: 114 bottles

Please visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society at www.smwsa.com

UK vlogger Joe Ellis a.k.a Whisky Wednesday reviews Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

http://youtu.be/xva5fQ0Ppxg

http://Facebook.com/whiskytube

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

Texas and Georgia: Whisky is Coming!

WoW Expos Austin and Atlanta

Ten months is a long time to wait for the WOW San Fran 2014 and we don’t have to; there are two more WoW Expos this year!  The Second Annual Whiskies of the World Expo Austin, Texas, is coming back on October 2 to the Austin Music Hall. The Inaugural Whiskies of the World Atlanta, Georgia to take place on November 1 at the Intercontinental Buckhead. Tickets are now on Early Bird sale for both shows, so don’t miss out on the deep discounts. WoW Austin and Atlanta promise two stupendous evenings of nosing and tasting the world’s finest whiskies, special and limited bottlings during the VIP hour, unique Masterclasses, whisky swag, cigars—all the fun WoW staff, now with a local twist! If you live in Texas or Georgia, you have already made it easy on yourself; for all those non-locals who include Austin or Atlanta on their tourist destination map, now you have both an excuse and an occasion. Take a whisky mini-vacation, and in addition to spirits celebration, enjoy the beautiful scenery, authentic foods, and the atmosphere the beautiful cities have to provide.

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.

Royal Salute Launch Exclusive Norton & Sons Polo Jacket

Luxury Scotch whisky brand Royal Salute has launched a bespoke suit jacket, designed and crafted by Savile Row tailor, Patrick Grant of Norton & Sons. Royal Salute has partnered exclusively with the British tailor to create the jackets, which will be presented in recognition of achievement in the world of polo.

The first jacket was presented by World No.1 polo player and Royal Salute ambassador, Facundo Pieres, to High Goal Patron, Adrian Kirby. In future, recipients will also have the honour of being presented the jacket by Royal Salute ambassador, His Grace Torquhil Ian Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll.

As a tailor to British nobility and leaders for almost two centuries, including King Edward VII and Winston Churchill, Norton & Sons’ heritage is formidable. This history combined with the brands exquisite sense of style has created a jacket which will become an icon throughout the Royal Salute World polo series.

Facundo Pieres, Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador, commented: “Royal Salute has shown their full support and commitment to polo over the years; I am honoured to represent the Royal Salute World Polo programme globally and to be part of this fantastic journey. Polo is my life and has been in my family for decades and I hope to share this passion with the world. I am delighted to have been gifted this exclusive item in celebration of the ‘King’s of Polo’, which I will wear with pride.”

The collaboration celebrates the ‘Sport of Kings’ and encapsulates the very essence of polo, bringing to life the craftsmanship and heritage of the sport. The Royal Salute Norton & Sons polo jacket defines the ‘Kings of Polo, Today’ and encompasses true luxury away from the field of play.

Neil Macdonald, Global Brand Director for Royal Salute, commented: “Patrick Grant of Norton & Sons is the perfect counterpart for Royal Salute as he brings to life the craftsmanship and bespoke quality which reflects the ‘Sport of Kings’ off the field. Patrick is a highly respected tailor on Savile Row and with his attention to detail and clever design, this jacket will become iconic at Royal Salute polo gatherings.”

Royal Salute’s commitment to international polo is ever growing, with sponsorships of some of the world’s most prestigious polo events across America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.

Notes 

About Norton & Sons
Norton & Sons was established in 1821 by Walter Norton as tailors to the Gentlemen of the City of London. Originally located on the Strand, his business flourished and in 1859 then Guv’nor George James Norton was granted the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his services to tailoring. In the 1860’s Norton & Sons moved to Savile Row to join the ranks of tailors in what was to become the home of bespoke clothing.

Norton & Sons continued to thrive in the 20th century and in the latter half incorporated the celebrated Savile Row houses Hammond & Co, J. Hoare & Co, E. Tautz & Sons and Todhouse Reynard & Co. We are proud to have been tailors to the royal households of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Prussia, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom, and to three US Presidents.

The firm gained eminence as a sporting tailor, making sharply cut garments for rugged and robust outdoorsmen. Men such as King Edward VII, Wilfred Thesiger and the young Winston Churchill, for whom we made everything from dinner suits to racing silks.

About Royal Salute
Royal Salute begins where other whiskies end, as only the most precious whiskies aged for at least 21 years are used to create the masterful and sophisticated blend.

Royal Salute represents the pinnacle of Scotch whisky, with a range that starts with Royal Salute 21 Year Old, and includes Royal Salute 38 Year old and Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute – the world’s oldest permanent whisky expression.

Originally crafted in 1953 by Chivas Brothers to mark the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Salute continues to celebrate inspiring and noble leadership today through its committed support of international polo.

About Royal Salute World Polo
Royal Salute is a leading international supporter of polo, ‘the king of sports and the sport of kings’. Royal Salute World Polo is truly international with a presence in every major region globally:

o Argentina Campeonado Abierto de Polo, Palermo, Buenos Aires
o Australia Sydney Gold Cup, Sydney and Portsea Polo, Victoria
o Brazil Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, São Paulo and Copa Ouro São José Polo, São Paulo
o China Royal Salute China Open, Beijing
o India Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, Jodphur
o Italy Polo Gold Cup, Cortina d’ Ampezzo
o South Korea Royal Salute Polo Cup, Jeju
o Spain Sotogrande, Cádiz
o UAE Royal Salute Nations Cup, Dubai
o USA Foundation Polo Challenge, Santa Barbara and Royal Salute Jubilee Cup, Greenwich, New York
o UK The Sentebale Polo Cup, Coworth Park, Kent & Curwen Polo Club, London
And Beaufort Polo Cup, Tetbury

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.

The Talisker Distillery hides famously on the island of Skye in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland and its from here that our tasting selection of Single Malt Whiskies proudly presents itself to the lucky drammers attending on 7th June.

The Talisker masterclass will be held in the Malt cellars of Nickolls and Perks in Stourbridge and we will be tasting 100 years of dramatic wonderful whisky.

Just a few tickets remain for this special evening, so don’t delay!

You also have a chance to reserve your Early Bird tickets for our Autumn Whisky Festival.

Click here for more information or to reserve tickets

or use the  “Buy” buttons or phone us on 01384 394518

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

The Nickolls and Perks team

Thursday June 6th.
Single Malt Scotch Tasting
4:30 P.M.  or  6:00 P.M
Ed Kohl with Exclusive Malts of Scotland

Ed Kohl is with Impex Beverages fairly new importer / distributor that is building a portfolio of very good single malts. Ed has been in the industry for years, and has been specializing with Scotch Whisky for quite some time and will take us through their new line of Exclusive Malts single cask range. The tastings will start at 4:30 & 6:00 and will run for 45 to 55 minutes. Please try to be prompt for the start. 
This is a wonderful range of single cask – single malts that you do not want to miss.

Bowmore  11 Y.O.  53.6%           $104.99 – $94.99
Nose: subtle peat with faint tar
Palate: sweet suer cane moving into spicy heather mixed with camphor
Finish: sweet malt and spicy white pepper

Clynelish  15 Y.O.  55.7%         $110.00 – $99.99
Nose:New mown hay, heather
Palate: Grassy heather, honey malt, hazelnuts
Finish: long, flowery, malty with a pleasant spiciness

Mortlach   17 Y.O.  53.3%   $127.99 – $114.99
Nose: nougat, roasted nuts, nutmeg
Palate: sugar spice, camphor, cinnamon – nutmeg
Finish: sweet malty finish with orange citrus spiciness

Glen Grant  20 Y.O.  55.7%   $149.99 – $134.99
Nose: sherry, heavy malt profile
Palate: sweet malt, some grassiness and nutty tones, very complex

Littlemill 22 Y.O.  99.6%      $179.99 – $159.99
Nose: lemons grass, toffee
Palate: soft and creamy, butterscotch, toasted coconut, almond paste
Finish: very pleasant soft malts with a lemon citrus finish

Joe Howell

Federal Wine & Spirits

Email: info@federalwine.com

Phone: (617) 367-8605

Web: http://www.federalwine.com/

Welcome to Summer!

Or so it would seem. Having personally just spent 3 days bathed in glorious sunshine on the Isle of Islay, I am full of the joys of spring – well as much as I am actually able…

With the year nearing its halfway mark, we at The Whisky Lounge have already completed 5 of our Whisky Festival events – if you count Leeds this weekend – having also covered Newcastle, Brighton, Edinburgh, London. That is some mileage in anyone’s book!

Most recently we had the London Festival and Jam & Dram session, which was brilliant fun and was received by all extremely well. If you do Facebook, you can go and view some images, plus the moody Edinburgh Whisky Festival video… In fact click here to have a look.

However, there is no rest for the wicked – we still have another 4 to go, so there is no let up in the pace. Plus we have loads of things going on over the summer, including for Father’s Day, our popular Whisky Schools, a fabulous and exclusive Glenmorangie Cask Masters Series and further shenanigans up and down the country.

First of all though…

Our next festival, after Leeds, is in new territory for us, and as always we are very excited and looking forward to seeing lots of new (and old) faces on the 22nd June.

We have had an early-bird of 2 tickets for just £30 for a little while now, but just to ensure you don’t miss out, we are keeping this going until just Sunday 2nd June, so you’d best get your skates on!! Incredible! We really would like to get whisky-drinkers new and old along, so if you know anyone in the area, please let them know of this amazing offer…

As always, your ticket price includes:

• FREE Glencairn Crystal Tasting Glass
• FREE Festival Guide
• FREE Bottle of Water
• FREE Access to sample ALL ‘On The Counter’ Drams for no extra cost
• FREE 2 WHITE Under The Counter Dram tokens
• FREE Guided tour of the festival – for newbies and the uninitiated (see website for details)
• ACCESS to The Whisky Exchange shop within the festival

THE CASK MASTERS

We’re always on the hunt for something a little different to get ourselves – and yourselves – involved with. To this end, we have decided to partner with Glenmorangie for our summer series of tastings.

The ‘Morangie currently have a very exciting initiative called the Cask Masters, which appeals to the inner geek in us, and I suspect you too.

The basic idea behind this project is that Glenmorangie want the next limited release bottling to be chosen by the people who are going to be drinking it, i.e you! The first part of this process – and the best bit as far as we’re concerned – is getting to taste the whiskies concerned.

Therefore, you will get to taste, evaluate and choose your favourite from three cask samples (at 46% ABV), whilst using the Original Ten Years Old as a reference point. These have been chosen by Dr. Bill Lumsden (Head of Whisky Creation, Glenmorangie & Ardbeg), so as you would expect, they are top-drawer drams.

We are running this tasting in all of our UK locations, plus a special Edinburgh version which will be co-hosted by Dr. Bill Lumsden himself on the 24th of July. More news on this soon…

Perhaps the best news of all though….. these tastings are only £10 per person! Now if that doesn’t do it for you, nothing will!

Click here to go the events page where these tastings are now available to book… If you want find out more from the horse’s mouth, click here or on one of the banners above.

FATHER’S DAY!

It is that time of year again where we celebrate all things fatherly. Here at The Whisky Lounge we are no different and firmly believe in showing your appreciation for the father in your life, so here we have a few ideas for you…

GLEN GRANT 1974

We have kept back some of this amazing liquid for such a time as this. We, having shared in a portion of this with Berry Brothers, were staggered at the quality and the sheer tastiness of this dram. At not far off 40 years old, this is not creaky like some older bottlings can be, and at a satisfying full-strength of 47.8% ABV, this really is the real deal. We’ve also heard that the Berry’s 70cl version was extremely well-received by a certain Jim Murray who, in fact, made it his ‘Best Single Cask, Single Malt 35-40 Years Old’ in his last Whisky Bible…

There are only around 15 of our cute 20cl bottles of this remaining and at £59.99 we do not expect them to last…

We can even add a beautiful Whisky Lounge Gift Box and two Glencairn tasting glasses for an extra £10 – click here to go straight to this amazing whisky.

Our first raft of Whisky Schools earlier in the year were extremely well-received and sold-out in the main. To this end we have got some new dates for you in the autumn so you and/or your Dad have plenty of time to clear your diary. Rather than go on about how great they are and you really should go, here is a little video we put together that hopefully whets the appetite!

At only £90 per person you get tremendous bang for your buck…

As well as all of the whiskies on tasting, 2-course lunch and course material, you get to BLEND your own whisky and take a miniature of it away with you!

New dates are;

June 29th – London, Malmaison
September 7th – London, Malmaison
September 14th – Manchester, Malmaison
September 28th – Edinburgh, Hotel Du Vin
October 5th – Newcastle, Hotel Du Vin
October 5th – York, Hotel Du Vin

Click here to go to the Whisky Schools page and get booking!

NEWS

A new section where we round-up some industry news…

The Scotsman, 26th May 2013
The Indian single malt whisky hoping to break into the UK market
Featuring one of our newest exhibitors who will be at the remaining festivals this year.

The Guardian, 24th May 2013
Japanese distiller aims to revolutionise whisky drinking
Interesting slant on summer whisky-drinking?

Harpers, 24th May 2013
Glenfarclas and Hine join forces for 1953 vintage
Some very rare whisky and cognac from 60 years ago.

Just Drinks, 23rd May 2013
The Macallan Coronation 
Brief details of newest Macallan limited bottlings.

Spirits Business, 22nd May 2013
BUFFALO TRACE WARNS OF BOURBON SHORTAGE
Warning as demand outstrips supply! Aggghhh!

WHISKY LOUNGE NEWS

We are very close to securing our venues for both Liverpool and Manchester Whisky Festivals, but put the dates of 7th September and 12th October in your diaries…

We are also looking at an autumn date for our next ‘Islay, Backstage Tours’ which are now sold out for this summer’s versions from 15th June. We would like to hear from you with regards if and when YOU would like to go. In fact the first 50 people to express their interest and preferred dates during September/October will be entered into a prize draw for a special bottle of something peaty! Click here to respond.

Eddie has just got back from two days at the Islay Festival 2013 and has bottles and sunburn to prove it. Talking of which, have a little look at this short video he has just put together of his time there…

COMPETITION TIME!

And finally…given that Eddie came back with a few of the fabled Feis Ile bottlings from this years festival, we thought it would be rude to keep them all to ourselves…

Therefore we are offering small samples of the Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig Feis Ile 2013 bottlings to the first 5 people who can tell us:

1. What is the name of the (in)famous Ardbeg distillery dog?
2. In what year did the legendary Malt Mill distillery at Lagavulin stop distilling?
3. What does the word ‘Laphroaig’ mean?

Email us at info@thewhiskylounge.com with your answers, name and address and we’ll announce the winners through our Facebook page and Twitter feed next week.

That’s pretty much it from us for now but I think that is enough to be going on with! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter – @thewhiskylounge – and like and share our Facebook page to keep bang up to date with the latest news about our events and more.

We look forward to seeing you over a dram or two soon.

Sláinte!

Eddie, Amanda & Joe
Team Whisky Lounge

Top-Up Tipplers: which will you choose?
Ever come to our website for that special bottling, only to find that another lucky Member has snapped up the last one? We added an exciting selection of new-to-the-UK bottlings on Monday and they’re proving very popular with several already sold out. Here are your top five choices this week – but don’t worry: these are still available!

Online Exclusives: Members’ Top Five

1)  4.163 Soaring sweetness and ocean spray
11yo First-fill ex-bourbon barrel, £57.40Various bass notes grounded the nose (tobacco, creosote, burnt sticks, white pepper, chipotle chilli, balsamic reduction) but soaring on a breeze of clean, minty smoke and ocean spray, was a kite made of toffee, puff candy and chocolate melted over ice-cream More 

2)  35.86 Sumptuous breakfast dram
11yo First-fill ex-sherry butt, £43.90 The nose suggested sumptuous breakfasts – cinnamon toast, marmalade, bran flakes, prunes, coffee, pancakes with corn syrup, cranberries and Nutella on toasted bagels. More

3)  2.83 Intense explosion of taste
19yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £80.50 The nose really grabbed our interest – so much in it – summer fruits, cherry Bakewell, apple and berry tea; maple syrup, toffee and Fry’s Turkish Delight; mulled wine, tobacco and old books. More

4)  27.101 Sweet and savoury, clean and earthy
16yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £68.00 Smoky, oily and meaty – the nose evoked a restaurant kitchen’s back door – soft leather and wood  suggested upholstery shops – we also found dark chocolate, heather flowers, clove and citric notes intensifying over time. More

5)  35.80 Steamed Apple Sponge Pudding
21yo Second fill ex-bourbon hogshead, £66.90 We found ourselves in a cafe in a book shop with a variety of cakes on display; Viennese Apple Strudel, French Tarte Tatin, caramelised pineapple cake and slices of Battenberg. There is also a basket of oranges and Pink Lady apples to choose from. More

Browse all bottlings

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.

www.ralfy.com take to the fishing boats with Whisky Review 364 – Old Pulteney WK209 Good Hope