Forty Creek Distillery Announces 2013 Limited Release Bottle Reservations

Grimsby, Ontario – Forty Creek Distillery is pleased to announce bottle reservations for their 2013 Limited Release whisky: Forty Creek Heart of Gold.

Forty Creek Heart of Gold is a whisky inspired by both the heart of the distillation and the heart of the maker. Heart of Gold has been created with an artist’s palette of noble grains, unusual yeast selection, copper pot stills and delicately toasted oak barrels, mixed with passion, innovation & patience.

Whisky maker John Hall explains, “This project started nearly a decade ago, focusing specifically on Canada’s noble rye grain. I have always brought out the spicy, fruity notes of rye in my whiskies, but this time, I wanted to perfect how to capture the underlying delicate floral notes of the rye that too often get lost in the process.”

“My Heart of Gold is a rye forward whisky – but it is not 100% rye. I believe the art of blending adds a complexity and creativity to the final whisky. The final Heart of Gold blend includes some barley whisky for nuttiness and some corn whisky for weight and body. But there’s no doubt the fruity, floral rye whisky notes are the star of this show.”

Heart of Gold is the seventh Forty Creek special release. Only 9,000 bottles will be produced for release in the Fall. Forty Creek fans are invited to pre-reserve their bottles and can even choose their own number.

“We are pleased to offer our customers an opportunity to reserve a bottle number with significance,” says Beth Warner, Vice President, Marketing. “It’s fun when customers share their stories about what makes their chosen numbers so special – birth years, anniversaries, the year they discovered Forty Creek or the year they are planning to retire. Badge numbers are also a popular choice, and we have one customer who has chosen 1967 each time – the last year the Toronto Maple Leafs won a Stanley Cup!”

Reservations for numbered bottles open at noon on Monday, May 27th and end June 21st, 2013. Customers may choose any number between 00003 and 9,000. Numbers are offered on a first come, first served basis. Reservations must be completed on-line at www.FortyCreekWhisky.com

Reserved bottles of Forty Creek Heart of Gold must be purchased and picked up at the distillery in Grimsby, Ontario. Forty Creek Whisky Weekend is scheduled for Saturday, September, 28th and Sunday, September 29th, 2013. “I always look forward to this annual event to celebrate with our fans and to enjoy special tours and events. It’s always a fun time. That’s when you can pick up your specially numbered bottles and I will be more than happy to personalize them,” says John Hall, Whisky Maker.

About Forty Creek Distillery:

Located in Grimsby, Ontario, Forty Creek Distillery is an independent Canadian-owned craft distillery. Known internationally for its quality spirits, Forty Creek Distillery has won numerous awards at prestigious tasting competitions around the world, including Canadian Whisky of the Year at the Canadian Whisky Awards in Victoria, BC for three consecutive years 2009-2012. Forty Creek was named “Distillery of the Year” at the 2012 Wizards of Whisky Awards in London, England and the 2013 International Whisky Competition in Chicago.

HIGHLAND PARK 25 YEAR OLD TRIUMPHS

UNPRECEDENTED 100-POINT SCORE AT ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE

Highland Park 25 year old, distributed by Maxxium UK, was awarded the first ever 100-point score, along with the Chairman’s Trophy for Best of Category, by judges at Ultimate Beverage Challenge’s fourth annual Ultimate Spirits Challenge held March 11-15, 2013, in New York.

Highland Park went on to achieve four more finalist entries all 95 points and above, in the prestigious trophy sweepstakes with Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation for 30 year old (97 points); 12 year old (96 points); 18 year old (95 points) and 15 year old (95 points).  In addition, Highland Park Thor, the first edition of the stunning Valhalla Collection, achieved 94 points, with the judges classing it as ‘highly recommended’.

Gerry Tosh, Global Marketing Manager for Highland Park, said:  “To be the only ever recipient of the 100-point score in the history of the Ultimate Spirit Challenge is a great honour for Highland Park 25 year old.  We’re thrilled that the judges, all respected commentators in our industry, have selected Highland Park for this accolade in the presence of a strong array of competitors.  The fact that Highland Park was also represented so strongly across the board is very significant and allows us to maintain our award winning reputation.”

More than 70 companies from 30 countries around the world entered the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. The judging panels, which included many of the world’s most famous distilled spirits authorities, authors, and buyers, rated the distillates on a 100-point scale. The judges named 33 Ultimate Spirits Challenge Chairman’s Trophy winners and 151 finalists.

Highland Park 25 Year Old 2013 has an ABV of 45.7% and is available at selected whisky retailers at RRP £201.08.

For more information on Highland Park, visit www.highlandpark.co.uk

Notes: 

About Highland Park

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection. Its range of 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts.  Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently including category winner at the 2011 World Whisky Awards for its 25-year-old single malt and ‘Best Whisky in the World 2009’ for its 21-year-old expression in the World Whisky Awards, as well as four double gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009.

Highland Park 18 year old was named Best Spirit in the World by American drinks expert Paul Pacult in Top 115 Spirits, Spirit Journal 2009 and 2005.

Five keystones contribute to making Highland Park:

*    Hand-turned malt adds to the deliciously succulent, balanced layers of aromatic character found in Highland Park

*    Aromatic peat gives a delectably seductive, luxuriant floral sweetness to Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky

*    Cool maturation enhances the smooth character of Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky

*    Sherry oak casks contribute to the distinctive richness and multi-dimensional complexity of Highland Park

*    Cask harmonization ensures consistency and balance in Highland Park

1) Saturday May 18th 12-1:00 PM. The Whyte and Mackay Blending Seminar with J. Wheelock 

Want to impress your friends at parties? Want to improve your resume? How about… sampling some excellent Whiskies while trying your hand at being a Master Blender? The Whyte and Mackay Blending Seminar will be conducted by ambassador J. Wheelock and the lucky attendees will nose and sample 5 of the component Whiskies in the Whyte and Mackay Special and then actually blend them together. Participants will then go on to compare with their neighbours as to how well they did compared to the control sample of Whyte and Mackay Special Blend. Seats are limited, don’t miss your chance to have the best bragging rights in town. P.S. We’re just kidding about the resume thing. This only counts as FUN.”  Register via VHGA Whisky School Chair

J. Wheelock

Canadian Whisky Book Review and Twitter Tasting Week Three

Join author, Davin de Kergommeaux and whisky fans from around the globe on Twitter this Sunday, May 19, at 3:00 Eastern time. We will be chatting about Davin’s award-winning book, Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert, and raising a dram of Canadian whisky. To take part simply go to #DavinTT on Twitter at 3:00 Eastern time this Sunday.

Social media are changing the way whisky lovers interact right around the globe. Whisky fans from Israel to Oregon took part last week as we reviewed several chapters from the book Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert and discussed them with each other and with the author on Twitter.

If you wish to add your comments, interact with author, Davin de Kergommeaux, or discuss a Canadian whisky you are tasting, please join us for week three this Sunday. This week we will be talking about chapters 18 – 21.

We invite the bloggers among us to blog about the book, the experience, the whiskies and/or Davin. Let the fun begin!

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with me, @WhiskyLassie on twitter.

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is available at Barnes & Noble, Chapters/Indigo, and many other fine bookstores, or on-line at Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.

1997 Glenlivet 16 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Sherry Barrel Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($66.99)
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 knew 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. 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 Imperial 17 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($69.99)
This may be a first (and hopefully not a last!), but we’ve got a lovely Imperial from a great supplier that’s even CHEAPER than the last cask of Imperial we purchased. I’m not going to read too much into this, but single malt prices seem to have come down for the first time in my nearly 10 years of doing this. Maybe we just got lucky, or maybe we’re making better friends, but this is just a screaming deal. We purchased an octave from Duncan Taylor in the 2011 campaign and sold it readily for $100. Now we’re looking at an equivalently aged cask for nearly $30 less! We’re talking about a closed distillery that’s rather well regarded. It’s just shocking. What’s even more unusual is the quality of this cask. This lovely whisky shows all the complexity expected from this high quality facility. On the nose: a freshness that alternates between grassy fields and forest floor. The wood does not hinder the spirit in the slightest and a lovely, comforting grainy quality is evident, alongside the fresh foliage and subtle grass. Sweet herbs (maybe dill or mint), navel orange pith, and a textural richness that’s surprising considering the lighter aromas. Long, lengthy, rich, even borderline-syrupy. This is sure to be a classic and maybe even collectable at this price! (David Othenin-Girard)

1995 Miltonduff 18 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($69.99)
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)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Hooker’s House Rye 750ml ($35.99)

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

Robert Paker explores the world of Bourbon and Rye;

“What started as a fun distraction to see what was so special about Pappy Van Winkle led to a full throttle inspection/conquest of bourbon. To tell you the truth, I have never been a big fan of liquor, but I was blown away by the quality of the top bourbons. They are every bit as good as a great cognac or Armagnac … and I’m not kidding!”

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate May 2013

Black Maple Hill Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Sour Mash >> 96 Points

Unctuously textured, rich and concentrated, its style reminds me somewhat of the 20-year old Pappy Family Reserve Bourbon, but of course the Black Maple Hill is far less expensive and easier to obtain.

Buffalo Trace Eagle Rare Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 10-Years Old. >> 95 Points

A sensational Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, appears to be be a classic.

Old Bardstown Black Label >> 94 Points

Believe it or not, this bourbon came close in taste, texture and smell to the more expensive, virtually impossible to find Pappy Van Winkle 20-Year Old Kentucky Bourbon.

Noah’s Mill Small Batch Boutique Bourbon >> 96 Points

It is fabulous, intriguing, distinctive bourbon.

High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey >> 94 Points

This is a sweet, smoky, spicy, flamboyant whiskey that is full, rich and intense, but not the least bit harsh.

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #48

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, visited the Belgian Whisky Festival for Independent Bottlers, which offers hundreds of bottles only from, err… independent bottlers. Quite an experience, for the Indies do try to get their hands on magnificent casks that might otherwise never get bottled in their own right. An short video impression.

http://youtu.be/n4HawDDwp6U

THE GLENLIVET MAKES WHISKY HISTORY WITH LAUNCH OF MYSTERY CAMPAIGN

The Glenlivet, the world’s No. 2 single malt Scotch whisky, is pioneering an innovative approach to flavour with the launch of The Glenlivet Alpha; a new, mystery expression released without cask information or tasting notes.

Presented in a black bottle to preserve the mystery, consumers are encouraged to let taste and smell lead their experience of The Glenlivet Alpha. Connoisseurs of the range will be able to identify its signature style but also discover a new flavour palate due to the inclusion of never-before-released spirits.

The Glenlivet Alpha launch will be supported by an integrated marketing campaign that will see consumers exploring The Glenlivet’s complex flavours through multi-sensory experiences both online, through http://www.theglenlivet.com/ and the brand’s Facebook page, and offline. The campaign will help to generate discussion and a deeper understanding of The Glenlivet, the single malt that started it all.

The campaign will bring The Glenlivet Alpha to life with a launch film, advertising, in-store activity and a global media launch event in London. Additional films, which explore the roles of sight, smell, taste and feel on flavour perception, will be hosted on The Glenlivet’s digital social media platforms and will link through to online sensory challenges that allow consumers to gradually unlock the secrets of The Glenlivet Alpha. Sensory experts including taste visualisation specialists, Greyworld, will also be working with the brand on the campaign.

In June, the mystery behind The Glenlivet Alpha will be revealed by Master Distiller Alan Winchester in a global broadcast to The Glenlivet fans on http://www.theglenlivet.com/ and on the brand’s Facebook page.

Nikki Burgess, International Brand Director for The Glenlivet, says: “The Glenlivet is famous for its smooth, full bodied flavour and with the launch of The Glenlivet Alpha we’re excited to be exploring this in an original way. This is the first time anyone has launched a ‘blind’ whisky in this way and we are confident that this innovative campaign will excite whisky drinkers and help them to truly appreciate single malt and understand the flavours they taste in The Glenlivet’s award-winning range.”

With only circa 3,500 bottles worldwide, The Glenlivet Alpha will be available in USA, UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Andorra, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, India and South Africa and will retail at $120.

The Glenlivet was the first licensed distillery in the Livet valley and offers a variety of expressions, all boasting its signature smoothness and floral, fruity profile.

The Glenlivet has been the biggest contributor to volume growth in the single malt category over the last five years, adding more than any other Single Malt brand*. The release of The Glenlivet Alpha continues the brand’s legacy of innovation and reinforces its position as ‘the single malt that started it all’.

*IWSR 2011 

Notes 

Follow The Glenlivet on Twitter via the handle @The_Glenlivet and stream the campaign through #Alpha 

Facebook application: https://www.facebook.com/theglenlivet/app_406821989412224 

The Glenlivet Alpha YouTube video and embed link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOvsNoC-2YU&list=UUVnO1IwQ0pn6-pMrfks8TfA&index=1 

The Glenlivet is the No. 2 single malt Scotch whisky in the world. Crafted in the remote Livet Valley since 1824, it is the only whisky with the unchallengeable right to be called The Glenlivet. 

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.

Whiskey Tasting
Texas’s Balcones Distillery
with Winston Edwards
Thursday, May 16th.
4:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.

Joe writes,

This Thursday we will host Winston Edwards from Balcones Distillery in Waco, Texas. We will taste the line of malt and blue corn whiskies. Bourbon – it is not. Good – It certainly is — Very Good. Professional and amateur critics alike, the world over, go so far as Excellent, Genius, and Cornographic. Will you find your new drink? We will taste four very different whiskies from their line and let you be the judge. Do let us know what you think! Winston will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. The micro distilleries have been popping up all over, come in and taste why. Bring a friend or co-worker and see why this is the hottest micro distillery!!!!!

We Will Taste:

Baby Blue Corn Whisky $49.99 On Sale at $44.99
True Blue Corn Whisky $59.99 On Sale at $54.99
Brimstone Smoked Corn Whisky $59.99 On Sale at $54.99
American Single-Malt $59.99 On Sale at $54.99

Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits
Email: info@federalwine.com
Phone: (617) 367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/

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.