www.tullibardine.com 

Glenfarclas Whiskies      

Glenfarclas prides itself in being owned by the same family for the last 175 years as well as remaining fiercely independent, a rare combination these days in a world of global companies and spirit monopolies. Situated in the heart of Ballindalloch, 6 generations of the Grant family have led the distillery proudly through times both good and bad.  The Glenfarclas pot stills are still directly fired and have the original rummager chains in the base of the still to stop the wash from burning and creating a foul distillation. The warehouses currently hold around 52,000 maturing casks and annual production for 2013 stands to be 3,400,000 litres. They were also one of the first distilleries to open a dedicated visitor centre in 1973 and their tasting room is beautifully lined with wood from the ship RMS Empress of

Australia which was built in 1919. Glenfarclas is well known for its wonderful sherried expressions revealing flavours of cloves, vanilla and of course dried fruits. The core range consists of a 10 year old through to a 25 year old and in addition there are the family casks and historic bottling’s.

Buy ANY Glenfarclas 70cl bottle now and recieve a free Glenfarclas glass!

We’re changing things up for the March Outturn Tasting!

We are thrilled to be participating in Tip A Wee Dram – a whisky festival sponsored by Edgemont Fine Wines, Spirits & Ales and Team Hope (for which Crystal, Edgemont’s General Manager, rides) in support of The Ride to Conquer Cancer/BC Cancer Foundation.

This year’s event falls on Friday, March 8th which is one week after our regular “First Friday” when we release our new whiskies, so we’ve decided to pour the seven March releases at the festival instead of doing the usual tasting hosted by Edgemont.

Along with the March new releases, there will be some past releases (good news if you haven’t had a chance to try them yet), as well as some teasers of future releases!

We encourage you to come out and support this fantastic festival where you can sample over 60 whiskies while supporting a great cause.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Rob & Kelly Carpenter
Founders, SMWS Canada

4th Annual Tip A Wee Dram

Friday, March 8th
7:00 – 10:00pm
Vancouver Scottish Cultural Centre
8886 Hudson Street

VIP Early Access ticket (entry at 6pm) – $80
or
General Admission ticket (entry at 7pm) – $60

Purchase tickets here:
www.tipaweedram.com

Jura 1977 vintage, 26 years old

Whyte & Mackay says this vintage takes its name from the Gaelic word for the Yew tree. Going back to its roots the Jura Vintage 1977 honours the Yew tree,or “Juar” in Gaelic, a conifer with ancient symbolic associations with … Continue reading →

Edradour’s Unique Finishing: Ingelheimer Frühburgunder

Ernie – Ernst J. Scheiner, The Gateway to Distilleries at www.whisky-distilleries.net

The Perthshire distillery is known for its finishings in wine casks. Wine finishings are not always showing the results one really expects. However, Edradour’s recent bottlings from November 2012 are very remarkable indeed. They are excellent in their aromas and their taste.

Wine growers from Ingelheim sent French barriques to Edradour. Andrew Symington, owner and manager of the well visited distillery near Pitlochry, took advantage of the special German surprise offer. He knew the famous German wine growing region along the Rhine River as he had worked in the five-star hotel Nassauer Hof in Wiesbaden which is just fifteen miles from Ingelheim. Of course, the renowned red wine from Ingelheim was known to him.

In Ingelheim – a town which is strongly connected with Charlemagne – the red wine is made predominantly from Pinot noir grapes.  But there is also a special grape which is called in German Frühburgunder (literally translated „early Pinot noir“ or in French „Pinot noir précoce“). This commonly  and widely unknown grape is usually ripening a fortnight earlier than the traditional Pinot noir grapes.  Frühburgunder vineyards cover only 0,2% of the total area under vines cultivated in Germany.

This very rare wine can be desribed as very velvetly in texture with a deep red colour having strong aromas of blackcurrants and other dark fruit.

Klaus and Matthias Singer-Fischer – the latter is a whisky enthusiat himself – sent three traditional French barriques (two of 225 litres and one of 228 litres) to the Perthshire farm distillery. The casks came originally from the famous French cooperages  Vernou in Cognac and Francois Frères in Burgundy. They held for four years Frühburgunder and Pinot noir  from the renowned Ingelheim vineyard site Heilighäuschen. In September 2010 they were emptied and sent straight away – without any cleaning – to Edradour. Immediately after arrival Andrew Symington filled the barriques with an unpeated Edradour malt whisky which had previously matured for nine years in first-fill Bourbon casks. After 24 months of second maturation the whiskies were bottled in two versions,  two at natural cask strength and one reduced to 46% abv. It was Andrew Symington who decided upon the length of the second maturation.

The labels are absolutely unique in the Scottish whisky industry as they present the Scottish whisky maker and the German wine maker in a equal partnership.  The label on the back is written in English and in German to explain this very special partnership. The bottles are sold either at the distillery or at the German wine-growing estate. There, the each whisky will be accompanied by two bottles of red wine which had previously matured in the two barriques made of French oak and one of American oak.

Information about Edradour

Edradour is one of the smallest commercial distilleries in Scotland – the smallest, however, is Loch Ewe Distillery near Gairloch. It is the only surviving farm distillery in Perthshire and owned by the well-known independent bottler Andrew Symington. The idyllic picturesque setting is an ideal location where the King‘s Royal, a drama series of a Scottish distilling family was filmed. No wonder Edradour is well visited by coach parties passing the tourist hot spot Pitlochry in the Highlands.  Since 2002 the new owner has improved the site, renovated the buildings, built a new visitor centre and a new warehouse (2011).

Alfred Barnard toured the Scottish distilleries between 1885 and 1887. His description of 1887 is still true today: „The Distillery, which was built in 1837, is situated at the root of a steep hill on the road side, and consists of a few ancient buildings not unlike a farmstead, past which flows one of the most rampant and brawling streams in the district. On either side of this river, heather in rich abundance hangs from the banks and jutting corners of the rocks, and there is water power sufficient to drive several water-wheels. The works consist of a Barley Barn, Malting House, and Mill, all in one building. The Mash Tun has a capacity of 1,000 gallons, and there are four Washbacks holding the same quantity. The Still House is across the yard, and contains a Wash Still and a Low-wines Still, the farmer holding 740 and the latter 420 gallons, there are three Warehouses, a Spirit Store and small cask shed, and at the end of the yard a cart-shed, stable, and same outhouses.“ (Alfred Barnard. The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom. London, 1887.)

Edradour Malt in form of the Blended Whisky King‘s Ransom was also on its way to America on the famous S.S. Politician which sank off the shore of the Hebredian Isle of Eriskay in 1941. The film Whisky Galore made this historic event unforgetable.

The annual production is about 90.000 litres of spirit. Almost 95% goes into single malt bottling. Some casks are also warehoused at BenRiach Distillery, near Elgin. There is also a modern bottling hall.

Ballechin is the peated expression of Edradour, first produced by the then Distillery Manager Iain Henderson (formerly Manager of Laphroaig Distillery) in 2003.

The Edradour-Ingelheim-Wine-Finishings can obtained either at the

Wine-Growing Estate Singer-Fischer

www.singer-fischer.de, Telephone ++49 6132 944000

or at the

Edradour Distillery Shop

www.edradour.co.uk, Telephone: ++44 1796 472095

About the Author: Ernie – Ernst J. Scheiner M.A. was a director in an adult education centre. Ernie offers courses on whisky distilling, writes for newspapers and magazines in Germany.

He is the editor of The Gateway to Distilleries at www.whisky-distilleries.net

which gives an excellent photographic and educational insight into the whisky industry of Scotland, Ireland, Europe and Asia.  Photos copyright by Ernst J. Scheiner 2013.

Please see also: http://www.whisky-distillery.net/www.whisky-distilleries.net/Highland/Seiten/Edradour.html

To mark the holiday, select food trucks nationwide will take a bite out of this pork-lovers holiday by offering limited time only custom treats infused with Maker’s Mark Bourbon. What better occasion to spread the love of bourbon and bacon and encourage your readers to get out and try The Southbound Hog from Big Ass Sandwich in Portland, the Bourbon and Blondies Sundae made with Bacon Bourbon, Bourbon Vanilla Ice Cream and Browned Butter, Bacon & Bourbon Blondies from Little Baby’s Ice Cream in Philadelphia, the Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Hawaiian Pork Belly Bites from The Peached Tortilla in Austin, or the Bacon + Syrup Wafel with Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Amber Maple Syrup from Wafels & Dinges in New York City?

Below are some additional details on menu items for each of the participating trucks for your review. Please check each truck’s Twitter page for their day-of location on March 1^st!

New York City 

Wafels & Dinges

Bacon + Syrup Wafel with Crispy Bacon Baked Inside and Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Amber Maple Syrup

Potato (de Bastogne Wafel) with Thick Cut Bacon and Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Amber Maple Syrup

@waffletruck 

Nuchas

Bourbon Marinated Hampshire Pork Shoulder Empanada

@nuchasNYC

Created with Chef German Lucarelli of Soho House (@SohoHouse)

Kimchi Taco

Korean Al Pastor Taco with Makers Mark® Bourbon Pineapple & Gochoo Garoo Glaze

@kimchitruck 

Mike ‘N’ Willie’s

Mango Bourbon Pulled Pork Slider

@mikenwillies

Frites ‘n’ Meats

Bourbon Pulled Pork Sandwich

@fritesnmeats

Eddie’s Pizza

Makers Mark® Bourbon Bacon with Pineapple Pizza

@eddiespizzany 

Philadelphia 

Dapper Dog

Grilled Hot Dog Topped with Homemade Pulled Pork, Pickle Chips, and Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Spicy Onion Sauce

@thedapperdog

Spot Burgers

Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Pig Wings with Bourbon Glaze

@Spotburgers

Little Baby’s Ice Cream

Bourbon and Blondies Sundae made with Bacon Bourbon, Bourbon Vanilla Ice Cream and Browned Butter, Bacon & Bourbon Blondies

@LittleBabysIC

Mac Mart

Kickin’ Kentucky Bourbon Bacon Mac

@MacMartTruck

Austin 

Boss Hog Kitchen

Smoked Turkey and Gouda Sandwich with Spicy Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Hog Sauce

@bosshogskitchen 

The Peached Tortilla

Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Hawaiian Pork Belly Bites

@peachedtortilla 

Gourdough’s

Sticky Kentucky Swine, Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, Caramel, Candied Bacon and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

@gourdough

Seattle 

Happy Grillmore

Pulled Pork Sandwich with Bourbon Slaw

@happygrillmore

Pinky’s Kitchen

Pinky’s Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Triple Threat Pulled Pork

@pinkyskitchen

Portland 

Big Ass Sandwich

The Southbound Hog – Salt/Sugar Cured, Braised Pork Belly, Caramelized Onions, and a Serrano Pepper Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Sauce with Hand-Cut Fries

@bigasssandwich

Los Angeles 

Vizzi Truck

Honey Glazed Bourbon Pork Taco with Roasted Corn & Diced Jalapeños, Drunken 2-Way Apples, and Melted Brie

@vizzitruck

Makers Missed the Mark.
Don’t miss your chance to grab this COLLECTABLE BOTTLE.

If you missed this story, here’s what happened. Maker’s Mark announced that they would lower the alcohol of their beloved bourbon from 90 to 84 proof. It took less than a week for public outrage to reach such a fervor that they doubled back on their decision, promising to stick with the original recipe. We don’t mean to wax poetic, but this may be one of the biggest beverage missteps since New Coke. One that will leave its mark on the industry for generations.

That makes the low proof Maker’s Mark an instant collector’s item for whiskey enthusiasts.

The distillery is busy reclaiming cases from wholesalers, but we’re holding our allocation for you. We want to offer you the chance to buy this bottle of history. Remember, it’s a limited product, production had a life measured in hours instead of days or weeks. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.

Available In-Store Only!

New horse racing event kicks off Bardstown’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival Sampler    

Spring events include bourbon, swing, festival, antiques and more bourbon

BARDSTOWN, KY – FEBRUARY, 2012 – A new horse racing and bourbon event joins the lineup of active fun this spring in Bardstown, the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” Racing With the Spirits charges down the video track on Fri., April 26, accompanied by bourbons from several distilleries. Spring also brings swing dancers, uniformed Colonials and 100 antiques dealers to this historic town located in central Kentucky. See Bardstown’s Calendar of Events.

Bourbon with a (new) twist

This year, Bardstown’s inaugural Racing with the Spirits event kicks off the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival Sampler. On Fri., April 26, join in an evening of horse racing videos with play money for betting at the Guthrie Opportunity Center. Sip bourbons and sample a selection of hors d’ oeuvres while enjoying music and prizes. Reservations suggested. Tickets: $45 per person. Info and tickets: 800-638-4877 #4 or online at www.KyBourbonFestival.com.

The next evening, April 27, imbibe in the Kentucky Bourbon Festival Sampler, a mellow evening tasting a variety of Kentucky bourbons and foods from area restaurants. Also held at the Guthrie Opportunity Center, the event runs from 6:30-9 p.m. Tickets: $40. Info and tickets: 800-638-4877 #4 or online at www.KyBourbonFestival.com

www.ralfy.com has a grumble with Whisky Review 342 – Dalmore 21yo (Signatory)

caramel gets criticised   . . .  again !

Chill-filtration gets a chilly reception  . . .  again !

New Spirits Arrivals! February 2013

Springbank 21 year old

Springbank is famously distilled “two and half times” using malt that was dried for six hours over a peat fire then a further 24 hours over hot air.

Youthful expressions of Springbank are ever popular on our shelves, but the Springbank 21 year old is a rare creature indeed; this edition is the second of an annual release, and is limited to just 1,680 bottles. Aged in fresh sherry and refill sherry casks and bottled at 46% ABV.

Colour: Rich gold
Nose: Sherry is the dominant aroma, accompanied by classic Christmas cake ingredients of raisins, sultanas, almonds and marzipan. You could nose this all night, the possibilities are infinite.
Palate: Rich and creamy, bursting with flavour. Great oily texture like the previous edition. Concluding with a hint of treacle and salt. A whisky full of rich flavour that will not let you down.
Finish: Goes on and on, deliciously sweet. Develops on the tongue for eternity, evolving continuously.

Monkey Shoulder Gorillas

A blend of malt whiskies from three Speyside distilleries and made in batches of just 27 casks. Similarly to our Milroy’s of Soho Finest Blend, Monkey Shoulder is made from 100% malted barley, containing no grain. NOW AVAILABLE IN 4.5 litre GORILLAS! £26.50

Longrow, Rundlets & Kilderkins

Bottled at cask-strength of 51.7% ABV, after eleven years of aging in small casks.

Distillery notes:

Colour: Deep amber
Nose: Smoke is easy to identify from the beginning and is soon joined with medicinal notes and subtle burning embers. On returning to nose, sweetness such as toffee apple is more pronounced.
Palate: Both peat and smoke are detected yet it is simultaneously sweet, particularly toffee and fudge. This is followed with the taste of liquorice. Rich and oily from its maturation in small casks, it gives an impression of being older than its 11 years.
Finish: Long, smooth and sweet. Slow and lingering hint of peat with peat reaching a crescendo with a strong peaty aftertaste.
£60.00