Buffalo Trace Distillery Wins 3 Major Honors FROM Whisky Magazine

MASTER DISTILLER EMERITUS ELMER T. LEE INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME AND GIVEN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (April, 2012) – Buffalo Trace Distillery garnered high honors during the Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame Awards ceremony held March 22, 2012 at the Waldorf Hilton in London, England. Most special was the Lifetime Achievement Award and Hall of Fame induction given to Master Distiller Emeritus Elmer T. Lee.

Elmer T. Lee was born in 1919 on a tobacco farm near Peaks Mill in Franklin County, Kentucky. He graduated from Frankfort High School in 1936 and served in the U. S. Army Air Force during World War II as a radar bombardier on a B-29. After flying missions over Japan through 1945, Elmer was honorably discharged in January 1946. He returned home and studied engineering at the University of Kentucky, where he graduated with honors in 1949.

In September 1949 Elmer began working in the engineering department of the George T. Stagg (now Buffalo Trace) Distillery in Frankfort. In 1966, he was promoted to plant superintendent, responsible for all plant operations and in 1969 he became plant manager. Elmer retired in 1985, but continues to serve as ambassador for Buffalo Trace, educating others on the unique qualities of Kentucky’s bourbon whiskey.

It was in 1984 that Elmer introduced the single-barrel bourbon concept to the world with Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon, named in honor of Col. Albert B. Blanton. Elmer is known throughout the industry for his expertise and knowledge of bourbon whiskey and has received numerous awards and recognition.

In addition to Elmer’s honor, two whiskeys distilled at Buffalo Trace Distillery were also awarded “Best in the World” honors by Whisky Magazine at the Hall of Fame Awards:

Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Bourbon
Best American Whiskey in the World
Best Bourbon in the World
Sazerac 18 Year Old Kentucky Rye Whiskey
Best Rye in the World

“It’s been such a pleasure and an honor to be able to learn from Elmer Lee,” said Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace Distillery’s current Master Distiller. “The knowledge he brings forth to our industry has been invaluable, and we’re happy everyone else in the world recognizes it as well.”

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Malt Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies.

To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotrace.com  

Royal Salute Launches Limited Edition Diamond Jubilee Bottle

Created in 1953 to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Salute is this year continuing with tradition by celebrating the Queen’s 60 year reign with the launch of the Royal Salute Diamond Jubilee Limited Edition.

In keeping with the Diamond Jubilee theme, the porcelain flagon is finished with a rich, royal blue glaze. Presented in a hand-crafted display box that elegantly showcases the bottle, Royal Salute Diamond Jubilee will have a strong on-shelf presence in over 20 markets, with innovative retail displays, inspired by the light-reflective qualities of a diamond, highlighting the exceptional quality of the whisky within.

Neil Macdonald, Global Brand Director for Royal Salute, says: “Royal Salute was originally created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. We are therefore delighted that this Royal Salute Limited Edition will celebrate the Diamond Jubilee – as it is only the second time in history that this milestone has been achieved by a British monarch.”

Royal Salute Diamond Jubilee is a limited edition that will only be available in 2012 during the Jubilee celebrations.

The new expression is available to markets globally from March 2012, with a recommended minimum retail price of $164 for a 70cl bottle.

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 visit: www.chivasbrothers.com and www.royalsalute.com

It’s been all go here at Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky with over 20 bottlings since our last stock update. Here are some of our new drams on offer.

Dimensions Cask Strength

Dimensions Blair Athol 1989 22YO, C2928,
Description: The spiritual home of Bell’s Blend the home of anoften exceptional single malt!
Tasting Notes
Colour: Straw
Nose: Custard powder, soft like pickle. Dry ice! Coconuts shells. A little oily then quite grassy and floral! Buttercups? Then caiman bars
Taste: Chocolate digestives biscuits. Praline chocolates pineapple sweets. Flat cherry cola and then a touch of spice
Finish: More cherries and faint bitter chocolate. Fades to fennel and sage.
Comment: Soft and delicate yet still packs a punch!!

Dimensions Clynelish 1995 16YO, C10157 54.7%
Description: The distillery released of Clynelish sells roughly 8000 cases per year worldwide. Thanks good for Independent Bottlers letting us have more!!
Tasting Notes
Colour: Mid Gold
Nose: Nutmeg, pralines, coffee, liqueurs. Swiss rolls, in fact arctic roll (Cheap Ice Cream) Orange sherbet
Taste: Satsuma’s, kiwi fruits, double cream and soft notes of cornflakes. Some cumin and oregano!! A lot going on here!
Finish: Delicate interplay between spices and sweet tropical fruits.
Comment: This is very goods – Give it time and enjoy!

Dimensions Glen Grant 1990 21YO, C16975, 55.3%
Description: Founded by John and James Grant who previously managed the low long gone Dandelaith Distillery
Tasting Notes:
Colour: Light Amber
Nose: Dark fruits, warm toffee sauce. Then some grassier notes. Apple sauce and then milk chew sweeties. Then clementines!
Taste: Obvious sherry notes, then a bitter chocolate, toffee and plums and poached pears
Finish: Very mouth coating, thick and chewy, toffee, raisins, dried oranges and faint anise.
Comment: A toffee monster!!

Dimensions Glen Moray 1990 21YO, C10297, 53.4%
Description: In 2009 the distillery produced a batch of peated spirit at 40ppm, this is from 1990 so is obviously unpeated.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright Gold
Nose: Cold meats, spearmints, lemon cheesecake. Very creamy with some oily notes. Faint notes of fried batter.
Taste: Ginger and nutmeg. Oranges and some cloves, sweet vanilla, honey and mace blades
Finish: Touch of spice gives way to a syrup citrus fruits
Comment: Fruity and spicy – I like!!

Dimensions Glen Moray 1988 24YO, C1350, 48.4%
Description: Converted from a brewery, as was sister distillery of Glenmorangie
Tasting Notes
Colour: Gold
Nose: Marzipan, glace cherries, lemon/lime marmalade, Cake!
Taste: Intense citrus fruits, lemon rind, Becomes earthy and grassy. Delicate mint leaf.
Finish: sweet and juicy citrus notes go on and on…. Grassy with a hint of dry creamy oak.
Comment: My kind of dram – perfect for spring with its zest vibrant nature.

Dimensions Glenlossie 1992 19YO, C981, 51.2%
Description: The Boby Mill that was used at Glenlossie Distillery came from Teaninich Distillery
Tasting Notes
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Honey, lots of creaminess. Oranges with a touch of mint. Traces of pineapple, almonds and toffee yoghurt.
Taste: Crisp Juicy fruits. Hint of French toffee. Wine gums and jelly babies. Some grassier notes emerge
Finish: Faint trace of white pepper along with sage and lime leaves
Comment: A fresh and fruity dram!! Cracking

Dimensions Glenrothes 1993 18YO, C161, 54.6%
Description: The distillery expanded from 8 to 10 stilled in 1989. So well used by the time this was distilled.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright Gold
Nose: Rich and meaty with a redcurrant edge. Smoky oily notes mixed with toffee popcorn and slight medicinal notes
Taste: Quite spicy with some more toffee notes crunchie and more strawberries and raspberries. Moving toward blackberries and blueberries.
Finish: Lots of vanilla ice cream and then gooseberries and key lime pie
Comment: Sweet, Creamy and Fruity. Summer Whisky!!

Dimensions Imperial 1995 16YO, C50055, 53.8%
Description: There are rumours that this distillery will reopen. Let’s hope it is not just rumours
Tasting Notes
Colour: Gold
Nose: Lots of citrus, limes, kiwis Clementine’s and also some passion fruit. Some milky notes and lots of grassiness and then some plum liquor.
Taste: Thick and oily, some waxiness but also some good quality chocolate. Becomes lighter with some floral notes sugar cordial.
Finish: Mid length but intense fruitiness leading to barley sugar cordial.
Comment: Another stunning Imperial – Please reopen!

Dimensions Mortlach 1995 16YO, C4099, 54.8%
Description: Distillery became part of John Walker and Son in 1923
Tasting Notes
Colour: Mid Gold
Nose: Thick and syrupy. Soft smoke (Very) brand bread, popping candy, white chocolate, ginger and blackcurrants. Also has a hint of nettles.
Taste: Weird but in a good way – soft smoke, oily, dry ash then bags of oranges and leather. Cigar boxes and the juicy fruits emerge.
Finish: Melted butter on bran bread toast, aniseed traditional lemonade – walnuts and apricots
Comment: Mortlach never lets you down!!

Dimensions Teaninch 1983 28YO, C6718, 46.5%
Descriptions: Distilled before the old still house closed in 1985
Tasting Notes
Colour: Pale Straw
Nose: Melons, apricots, white chocolate, dried bananas. Hugely fruity with faint medicinal notes. Lots of peppermint too!
Taste: More fruits again. A real fruit cocktail. Lychee, mango and a touch of sherry trifle. A lot going on here with a slight lime kick
Finish: Becomes more floral and a little grassy then mint humbugs and mashed bananas!
Comment: Simply stunning, drink in the sunshine!

Dimensions 46.0%

Dimensions Benrinnes 1997 14YO, Batch 0002
Description: Amazingly at the bottom of the hill by the same name – No marketing department in 1986
Tasting Notes
Colour: Gold
Nose: Crème Brule, Blueberries, oranges bitters and grapefruits. Warm grass, liquorices and aniseed.
Taste: Honey, iced doughnuts and custard creams. Bags of sugared sweets, iced gems and toffee sauce.
Finish: Softer than expected but lingering citrus and desiccated coconut
Comment: An elegant Benrinnes – Drink before climbing!

Dimensions Linkwood 1996 15YO Batch 0002
Description: One of only 12 distilleries listed as being ‘Top Class’ in the 1974 blender list
Tasting Notes
Colour: Straw
Nose: Coconuts, mango and dried apricots! Mint chocolates and dandelion cordial. Also some grapefruit and amaretto biscuits
Taste: Creamy, lots of vanilla, herbal. Crème Brule and blueberry muffins
Finish: Soft peaches and runny caramel
Comment: One for a sweet tooth!!

 Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Limited

Very New! Glenglassaugh Revival

Revival is the first core bottling from Glenglassaugh since the refurbished distillery re-opened in December 2008 and limited to around 10,000 bottles.

Complex, fruity, spicy and sweet with alcohols that have mellowed very well in just three years. The best example of a young Scotch on the market today? We think so!

£36.99 (£30.82 ex VAT)

Putting the Dram into Drama

Benromach Single Malt Whisky is building on its successful partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland as it continues to sponsor a UK tour of the Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart 2012 tour, following its support of the production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year. 

The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart takes theatre into pubs and other unlikely venues, where stories are told, re-told, sung and passed on. It’s an evening of supernatural storytelling, music and theatre inspired by the Border Ballads, Robert Burns and the poems of Robert Service.  

The show opens at the Adam Smith Theatre Kirkcaldy on Wednesday 11 April before moving on to Blair Atholl, Nethy Bridge, Edinburgh, Torry, Kippen, Crianlarich, Kilcreggan, West Kilbride, Carlops and Kelso. 

Their sponsorship is part of Benromach’s venture into the arts and will enable each audience member in Scotland (18 years and above) to share a dram of Benromach Whisky during the show. 

Commenting on the sponsorship, David Urquhart Joint Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, owners of the Benromach Distillery in Forres, said: “We’re excited to be continuing our sponsorship of the arts as The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart grows in popularity across Scotland and the rest of the UK. It’s a pleasure to be associated with such an individual and artistic performance, which we feel reflects many of the distinctive qualities of the various expressions of our malt whisky.” 

The tale of Prudencia Hart, an uptight academic, follows her as she sets off to attend a conference one wintery morning in Kelso in the Scottish Borders. As the snow begins to fall, little does she know who or what awaits her there.  Her wild journey through the night takes her into and out of different supernatural and natural realms looking for folk songs. 

The production will also appear at UK festivals; including the Norwich and Norfolk Festival, Mayfest, Bristol and the Brighton Festival.  The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart will then tour the UK and internationally until 2013.  

Those attending the performance will be invited to sample Benromach 10 Years Old, Benromach Organic or Benromach Peat Smoke at the bar after the performance. 

Elly Rothnie, Development Director, National Theatre of Scotland said: “The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart was a huge success at the Fringe last year and our audiences loved sampling one of Scotland’s finest malt whiskies as part of the experience. We are thrilled to continue this important partnership in 2012 where we will take the production and Benromach whisky to new audiences throughout the country.” 

The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart originally toured Scotland in February 2011 subsequently playing at Latitude Festival, Òran Mór, Glasgow, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2011.  The production has won two awards, a CATS Award for Best Music and Sound and a Herald Angel. 

Notes: 

About Benromach 

Established in 1898, Benromach distillery changed hands many times and was virtually derelict when bought by Gordon & MacPhail in 1993. Drawing on generations of whisky expertise, the company carried out a painstaking refurbishment, and the distillery was officially re-opened by Prince Charles in 1998.

Just two men hand-craft Benromach using the finest Scottish barely and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills.  They fill new spirit into the highest quality casks before being left to mature at the distillery for many years.  The Benromach portfolio includes the award winning Benromach 10 Years Old and the first fully certified organic single malt – Benromach Organic. 

Benromach expressions include: 

Benromach Ten Years Old  

Benromach Ten Years Old is created from the finest Scottish barley and pure spring water from the nearby Romach hills. After being matured for at least ten years, it emerges golden in colour and displays rich fruit, sweet chocolate and delicate spicy aromas. With a rich sherry influence, the mouth-watering palate coats the senses with exotic fruit flavours, toasted malt and a delicate hint of smoke. 

Benromach Traditional 

A rich and mellow single malt with fruit and malty tones, balanced with a hint of smoke. 

Benromach Peat Smoke 

Full bodied, intense and challenging with a smoky character, yet balanced with the fruity elegance of Speyside.\ 

Benromach Origins 

A series of special bottlings crafted to highlight how small changes in the art of whisky-making can help to shape the character of the final single malt. 

Please visit www.benromach.com for details. 

About the National Theatre of Scotland 

The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government. Since its launch in February 2006, the National Theatre of Scotland has been involved in creating 137 update productions in 125 update different locations. With no building of its own, the Company takes theatre all over Scotland and beyond, working with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. It takes place in the great buildings of Scotland, but also in site-specific locations, airports and tower blocks, community halls and drill halls, ferries and forests.  The company has performed to almost 600,000 people 

In the sleepy, picturesque village of Knock in Aberdeenshire, the Knockdhu Distillery is about to get a jolt of creativity from New York City.

Watch our video and register to be the first to know about something remarkable arriving from anCnoc. We’ll contact you when it’s here!

Register to be the first in the know

M C L E A N S C O T L A N D

T O U R S   T O   R E M E M B E R

THIS IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY to sample a Scottish Clan Gathering and sample some excellent whisky! Aye, first and foremost it is a (group) coach tour of Scotland – so, why would whisky lovers enjoy this? 

Well first; it is Scotland, home of the water of life.

Second; you get to sample Scottish life, culture and meet its people.

Third; need we go on? You get to sample EXCELLENT WHISKIES!!! 

WEDNESDAY 20 June; arrive into Scotland where Liz and Paul will meet you at Glasgow airport. In the afternoon you will have the option of a coach tour around Glasgow.  Staying at the Millennium Hotel, George Square, Glasgow. Dinner included, taken at your leisure. Time for a whisky pub crawl tonight!  We know exactly where to go as you would expect. 

THURSDAY 21 June; We depart Glasgow to sail on Loch Lomond. We then drive through Inveraray to Oban where you can explore the town for a couple of hours, with time for the Oban distillery. Then board the ferry to MULL at. We check into the Isle of Mull Hotel. Dinner this evening at the hotel. A nice wee traditional coaching pub is a wee walk away, with excellent drams waiting for you! 

FRIDAY 22 June; The Coach will depart for Tobermory this morning where you will visit the Tobermory Distillery. Free time here.  Dinner at Isle of Mull  Hotel. More drams tonight at the pub!   

SATURDAY 23 June; the main gathering day. We take you to Duart Castle 10.30 for the 100th Anniversary Gathering of Clan Maclean. All day at the castle. Dinner 6pm at Isle of Mull Hotel. This evening; another visit to Tobermory; sample another grand dram; The Isle of Mull blend (only 1000 litres made annually), sip a dram with the blender in his own pub. 

SUNDAY 24 June; we take the ferry to the mainland and travel through stunning countryside to another wee ferry to Corran. We stop briefly at Inverlochy Castle then to Spean Bridge and the woollen mill for a lunch stop (not inc,) shop and whisky. We continue through the glens and lochs to Pitlochry. Staying at Scotlands Hotel, dinner is included. 

MONDAY 25 JUNE; a day completely to yourselves, a visit and tour to the Blair Atholl Distillery (BELLS) at 3PM. Overnight at Scotland Hotel.  Near Pitlochry we have more distilleries; Edradour and Dewar’s World of Whisky, we can also arrange a visit to one of these (or both). 

TUESDAY 26 JUNE; we head to Inverness for a day trip. Visiting Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness and to the Battlefield and museum at Culloden Visitor Centre. Dinner at the Scotland Hotel. Tonight we will enjoy a whisky tasting in the hotel with your hosts. Four good drams hosted by our friend from a Scottish distillery, a good mix of drams tonight. 

WEDNESDAY 27 JUNE; we head south to Edinburgh and the Carlton Hotel. A superb 4 star hotel in the heart of the city surrounded by great pubs, shops and restaurants, a minute from the Royal Mile!   

THURSDAY 28 JUNE; a day of freedom in our Capital! Explore all Edinburgh has to offer – and that is a lot!  A ticket to the Whisky Heritage Centre and a whisky dinner tonight on the Royal Mile, overnight at the Carlton.  

FRIDAY 29 JUNE; a visit to Rosslyn Chapel and Rosslin village, before heading into Glasgow. We are staying at the 5 star Glasgow Hilton tonight. A farewell Dinner is planned, with whisky! 

THE TOUR ENDS. This one – off Scottish tour is exclusive to MCLEANSCOTLAND and Members of Angels Whisky Club. We have a few places remaining, priced at 1500 pounds per person sharing. Airfare is not included.  For full details please contact Paul or Liz at whisky@mcleanscotland.com 

http://www.mcleanscotland.com/              http://www.angelswhiskyclub.com/

Hello Fellow WhiskeyLovers – 

The 2012 Drammie Awards nominations are in..over 1,200 nominations from 14 countries around the world…and they’re counted.  And now, we need you to vote on the finalists.   

The mission of the Drammie Awards is to put the power of “recognition” in the hands of the whiskey consumer.  That means YOU…and you YOUR VOTE!  So in the name of all things whiskey, let your voice be heard and vote now!  The voting is open until midnight on Sunday, April 15th.    

As many of you know, I spent this past Saturday at the Whiskies of the World Expo in San Francisco, and what an event it was.  The show was extremely well attended, and there were over 200 whiskies poured.  Many of the major brands were there, but what makes the WoW Expo a real pleasure every year is the opportunity to try some of the worlds leading artisanal spirits. 

This year, one of my favorites whiskies hailed from Texas, which brings me to this weeks Whiskey Wedneday featured whiskey: Balcones Baby Blue Texas Whiskey.

Balcones Baby Blue Whiskey is the first legal Texas whisky since Prohibition.  It is a highly awarded aged corn whisky made from 100% roasted artisanal blue corn, a corn varietal that adds a unique nuttiness and freshness to the well-balanced spirit.   After the the spirit is distilled, it’s aged in new American oak barrels that have been lightly charred so as to not over-oak the whisky but rather accentuate the blue corn’s unique flavor qualities. There is never any chill filtering or caramel coloring added to the whiskey.

Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whiskey was awarded a Double Gold at the San Francisco International Spirits Competition and a Gold, “Corn Whisky” by the American Distilling Institute in 2010. The awards continued in 2010 with F. Paul Pacult’s Spirits Journal giving the whiskey 5 STARS, “Highest Recommendation”. In 2011 the whiskey won a SILVER, “Best of Category” Corn Whisky, from the American Distilling Institute.   

So I’m thrilled to be able to offer you a bottle of  Balcones Baby Blue Texas Whiskey for $49.95/bottle.  This is a great spring-time sipping whiskey, and a great whiskey to pour over a couple of ice cubes.  If you want to try something totally different, give this a try. I promise you  wont be disappointed.  

Finally, for those of you lucky enough to be living in the greater NYC area, NEXT WEEK is WhiskyLiveNYC 2012,  the Must Attend Whisky Event of the year for New Yorkers.  There are phenomenal Master Classes, hundreds of whiskies to sample, wonderful food and music. If you’re a whiskey lover, you really owe it to yourself to attend this event.  

This years show is on Wednesday, April 11th at Pier 60/ Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.  ForWhiskeyLovers will be there with a booth, and we have an amazing deal on tickets to the show.  Just enter the code “doug” in the promo /coupon field when checking out, and you’ll receive a 20% discount on the price of admission.   

And until next week…have fun!

Doug StoneFounder

ForWhiskeyLovers.com