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Part Own A Cask Of Glenmorangie – June 2012 This year, the Men of Tain will distil their wisdo…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

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Kind Regards

The Whisky Shop
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Rare whisky launched to mark Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

A 60 year old Single Malt Whisky is being launched today (6th February 2012) in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee by one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialists.  Gordon & MacPhail – the Elgin based and family-run Single Malt Whisky specialist – has released only 85 bottles of Glen Grant 60 Years Old.

Distilled on 2nd February 1952, four days before the Queen acceded the throne, the whisky was bottled on 2nd February 2012 at cask strength, making it exactly 60 years old. Gordon & MacPhail’s Joint Managing Director Michael Urquhart said: “Glen Grant 60 Years Old is a rare single malt whisky and we are delighted to be releasing it to mark the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. “With whisky of this quality and rarity – each bottle comes with a certificate of authenticity – we expect considerable interest,  not just in the UK, but from the international marketplace where recent export figures have shown we have an avid consumer following.  “In producing the packaging for this remarkable Single Malt we worked with Scottish craftsmen, allowing us to showcase some of  the finest talent in the country.”

Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant 60 Years Old is described as having poise and great complexity, displaying aromas of Cox’s Pippins and Granny Smith apples, laced with cinnamon and root ginger.  The palate reveals the age and depth of character as rich, burnt fruit notes mingle with a drying, spicy edge and a dusting of white pepper.

The Single Malt is presented in a pyramid shaped crystal decanter adorned with a diamond shaped stopper. Each decanter is expertly engraved – the script in-filled with silver – and uniquely numbered. The decanter carries an engraved crown with a sparking Swarovski crystal, set at the meeting point of the crowns two arches. A silver collar, placed around the neck of the decanter completes the presentation. The decanter is packaged in a hand-crafted box made of Scottish Elm, felled a short distance from Holyrood House, the Queen’s official Scottish residence. The decanter nestles in the box lined with luxurious, purple Harris Tweed and a dust jacket made from the same material protects the box and the precious contents.

The limited edition bottles are now being put on the market for a recommended retail price in the UK of £8,000 per bottle. Prices in export markets will differ depending on duty and import taxes.

 The launch of Glen Grant 60 year old is supported by an online social media campaign and dedicated microsite www.gordonandmacphail.com/diamond and Facebook page. Both display images of the hand crafting bottling process and packaging of the final product.

Glen Grant 60yo 1952/2012 (42.3%, G&M C#465, 85 Decanters) 

On the nose… quite frankly it’s a delight. Loads of delicate fruit with some slight heather notes in the back ground. Sweetness, sherry and perhaps the tiniest hint of the cask. One would expect that after 60 years the cask would have great influence however this is not the case; the fruit and sweetness are there front and center. The taste is still of the sweet goodness of the sherry along with dried organic apricots, some light pepper notes, hints of slightly over cooked cake (think crispy caramelization rather than burnt) and some good mocha. All in all a sensational taste and very ‘antique’ in a very good way and taste much younger, as in a  30 year old rather than a 60 year old. The finish is a mirror image of the nose and the taste with the sherry notes up front with some good wood notes arriving at the last, perhaps with a little malt for good measure? Very long and not powerful but just right. 

Wonderful. 

£8,000

 Score 92 points 

Many and sincere thanks to Michael Urquhart of Gordon & MacPhail for providing the sample.

THE MACALLAN LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION DIAMOND JUBILEE BOTTLING

The Macallan is celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s 60th year on the throne with the release of a stunning limited edition commemorative Diamond Jubilee bottling. The specially designed bottle bears a unique image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II created by the sculptor Arnold Machin. With only 2012 bottles available, and like The Macallan’s previous commemorative royal bottlings, this edition is expected to be highly sought after by collectors from the worlds of whisky and art.

The pack was designed by acclaimed Art Director David Holmes, who was responsible for the 2011 Macallan Royal Marriage edition. Arnold Machin’s magnificent image of the Queen is displayed on an intricately designed ceramic brooch which sits proudly on the bottle’s label. The distinctive image, depicted here on a product for the first and only time, was one of a series of effigies created by Arnold Machin OBE RA. A development of this design was later used on all definitive issue British postal stamps.

Commenting on the special commemorative Diamond Jubilee edition David Holmes said; “A Royal Diamond Jubilee is extremely rare and should be celebrated with flair and unique exuberance. With this in mind and taking inspiration from a brooch gifted to Queen Victoria on her Diamond Jubilee, it was imperative to keep the design sophisticated. The motivation behind the colours stemmed from the tones so often favoured by the Queen, pale blue, pale yellow and pale green. These colours complement the product’s subtle tones perfectly when presented in the display case which, with its cushioned regal purple lid has the feel of a jewellery box. In a year of celebrating Britain, all elements of production were British based. The antiqued pewter surround was made in Scotland, the cameo in Staffordshire and the flags and ribbons are all made in Britain.”

The golden amber liquid has been specially chosen for the months it was drawn from the casks, 6th February, the Queen’s accession and the first week in June, traditionally when the Jubilees are celebrated. Bottled at 52%, in line with the year of the Queen’s accession, the exceptional sherry cask matured single malt gives hints of citrus fruits, ginger and clove.

Ken Grier, Director of Malts at Edrington commented; “The Macallan is honoured to showcase and play host to such an iconic British emblem. This unique combination between art and whisky results in an exquisitely designed creation which continues our exceptional attention to detail in all The Macallan products. Our Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno has put together a superb single malt which carries the character and nobility of the occasion it commemorates, whilst David Holmes has given us a truly inspiring way to use this iconic image”

The 2012 bottles are available from The Macallan Distillery Visitor Centre for UK collection only and online for UK customers at www.themacallan.com at a price of £350. Limited quantities will also be available via selected luxury retailers. Bottles will be available for sale from 31st May 2012.

http://www.themacallan.com/shop/detail.asp?pid=MACDJ01

© The Machin Arts Foundation and used with their kind permission.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Vanilla is the first to show, sweet to a point, yet shows maturity. Citrus fruits hang on to the coattails, (orange, apple, hints of lemon), almost appear when they are required. The cask influences then appear, resinous, never overbearing, changing to show polished oak, aged, reminiscent of a once exquisite dining room.

• Palate: Rich dried fruits open up to show their hand. Raisin drives the character in a non-nonsense manner. It is evident it is not alone, figs and dates, are the lesser players of the group. As they converse, treacle toffee takes a bow followed by the courtiers, ginger and clove. Like a finale the grand lady enters, Oak – refined, polished, elegant, overlooking all.

• Finish: Long, meanders, in no hurry to leave.

SOUTHERN COMFORT LAUNCHES BOLD BLACK CHERRY

New line extension expands Southern Comfort family of brands beginning in June

May 2012, LOUISVILLE, KY – Southern Comfort announces the launch of Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry, a mixture of Southern Comfort with whiskey and cherry flavors. The new product is set to hit shelves nationally in June 2012.

Southern Comfort was created by New Orleans bartender, Martin Wilkes (M.W.) Heron in 1874. After experimenting with a variety of fruits, spices and other spirits, Heron struck on the perfect combination creating a one-of-a-kind blend of whiskey, fruit, and spice flavors. The new Bold Black Cherry product carries on Southern Comfort’s heritage as the leader in the flavored spirit category. The combination of dark fruits with Southern Comfort is perfectly served with cola to enhance the rich, complex flavor.

“The launch of Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry continues the brand’s innovation with new flavors which began with Southern Comfort Lime in 2010 and continued with Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper last fall,” said Mark Bacon, VP, Managing Director, Southern Comfort. “We feel Bold Black Cherry will recruit new consumers into the Southern Comfort franchise who enjoy a distinctive flavor profile in their cocktails.”

Infused with natural cherry to deliver an authentic taste that’s smooth and invigorating, Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry has been designed to appeal to a broad age range and meet consumer demand for great tasting flavors that are unique. The brand is confident the new expression will continue to increase relevancy amongst younger drinkers, offering a bolder drink that’s ideal for high energy occasions.

Southern Comfort will launch an advertising campaign this summer consisting of a six-week national television buy which will support the new product release and include commercials on ESPN, TBS, FX and Comedy Central among others.

Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry will be available across the United States as well as the United Kingdom and Ireland. Each bottle will be presented at 70 proof with a suggested retail price of $16.99 for a 750ml bottle.

SoCo Bold Black Cherry & Cola

2 oz. Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry

4 oz. Cola

Lemon Wedge

Fill a glass with cubed ice. Pour in Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry. Add Cola and garnish with lemon wedge.

About Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort®, a fruit, spice, and whiskey flavored liqueur, was created in New Orleans by bartender M.W. Heron in 1874. Today, it is enjoyed by friends in over 100 countries around the world and continues to grow as an icon brand. Please visit us at SouthernComfort.com and facebook.com/southerncomfort.

ARDBEG DAY June 2nd – More Goings-On! Restrictions Relaxed!

Firstly, we are pleased to announce a few more goings-on in our area if you are coming through to Edinburgh today.

10am: We are open and selling the Ardbeg Day whisky.

11:30 – 2:30: Ardbeg Islay-lympic Games Peat-athlon at the Hub (on Castlehill, just up the hill from our shop)

2:00: Karen Fullerton will be giving a 20min Ardbeg day tasting session at the Hub for a select number of Committee members.
Sign up at the Hub on the day.

2:30: Prize/Award giving for the Games including a trip to Islay and Ardbeg Distillery.
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Secondly, we have amended the rules for purchasing the Ardbeg Day whisky originally outlined here

Please ignore the part that says anyone buying the Ardbeg Day bottling must also purchase an official 70cl of any other Ardbeg (10, Uigeadail or Corryvreckan). The rest still stands (especially the 1 per customer part).

Why the change? There appears to have been a simple miscommunication from Ardbeg as we were led to believe that this was a release with a volume similar to past Feis Ile bottlings and that it was the product of two casks. It was with this information that we took the unprecedented step to make Ardbeg Day purchases tied to another sale of Ardbeg. At some point last week a figure of 12,000 bottles was mentioned and this has now been confirmed by Ardbeg themselves.

Although we still expect demand to be high, it isn’t quite as rare as we thought so we don’t want to force people to buy another bottle at the same time. Our allocation remains 48 bottles, in line with all the other UK embassies. We’re a little embarrassed by all this and hope you won’t tease us too much should you come to Edinburgh tomorrow to join in the Ardbeg Day fun.

That is all!

Neil, Royal Mile Whiskies

McDonald’s Traditional Ben Nevis NAS (46%, 2012) 

A Ben Neviswith some peat smoke; on the nose there is some good fruit with some gentle peat smoke, the two of which combined makes for a very nice nose.  There is also some marmalade and light apricot (more of the fruit) all intertwined with some good vanilla peat smoke. The taste is peaty (but not overly so) with lots of dark chocolate and some of the fruit but very concentrated now (think dried tree fruits) and a slight hint of orange zest and even hints of fruit cake. The finish is long and dry with juniper and some more of the dark chocolate and loads of oak notes and just a tiny bit of bitterness. Finally after a number of minutes some peated malt makes a very late showing. 

There’s some vibrancy of youth but also some age in the mix which has a calming influence. Interesting. 

£70 

Score 85 points

www.ralfy.com goes on location to an Auction House with Whisky Review 276 – Advice on Whisky Auctions from Angus.

How to Set Up a Triangular Nosing

It’s 11pm in a crowded bar. My friends are having a passionate discussion about whether the whiskies in the two glasses in front of them taste the same. My friends both ordered the same whisky but as there was only enough left in the bottle on the bar for one dram, the bartender had to open…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

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Kind regards,
Ludo

Hello Fellow WhiskeyLovers –   

Those of you who’ve been receiving this newsletter for some time  recall that one of my favorite distilleries is The Balvenie, in Dufftown, just outside of Speyside.    

And so whenever  I get the opportunity to offer you a great deal on one of their expression, I jump at the chance…and this week’s Whiskey Wednesday offering is just that sort of opportunity: “Balvenie Peated Cask 17YO“.

The Balvenie Peated Cask is a bit of whisky hybrid.  It is of a mix of 17yo Balvenie finished in New Wood blended with 17yo Balvenie finished in casks that had previously held a so-far-unreleased experimental heavily-peated Balvenie distilled in 2001.     

I am thrilled to offer you this really wonderful whisky, at an unbeatable price: Balvenie Peated Cask 17YO Speyside Single Malt Whiskey for $115/ bottle, a $17/bottle savings (normally $132/bottle).  Just enter “BalveniePeated” in the coupon/ promo code in the shopping cart when checking out, to receive your $17 discount.  

This is a limited edition whisky, and the product supply at this price is also very limited.  So please purchase your bottle(s) ASAP, because as always, once it’s gone…it’s gone.     

Doug StoneFounder

ForWhiskeyLovers.com