“The world’s finest and most comprehensive whisky course – with detailed lessons, high-definition footage of over 50 of the world’s leading distilleries, and cutting edge online assessment.

Multiple formats, including DVD, online video and mobile device. Interactive online tastings of your favourite brands. The World Masterclass of Whisky invites you to discover whisky on your terms.”

This is the new trailer for the World Masterclass and there is more news coning soon; please click on the link to veiw the trailer;

http://vimeo.com/38975780

Awards pour in for Amrut Distilleries

Amrut Distilleries, the maker of India’s finest malt whisky, will be picking up the “New World Whisky” title in Chicago today, just hours after it landed the “Whisky Ambassador of the Year” award at the Icons of Whisky in London.

Amrut’s Two Continents malt whisky will be named Whisky Advocate’s “New World Whisky of the Year” at WhiskyFest at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Two Continents is made from 100% Indian barley grown in Punjab and Rajasthan, then mashed, distilled and aged in Bangalore. It was then transferred to Europe where it was aged in ex-bourbon casks and then bottled. This gives it a “rich, complex, unique, and exciting oral explosion” according to Whisky Advocate.

At Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky, Ashok Chokalingam, Amrut’s General Manager – International Operations, was named “Whisky Ambassador of the Year”. The judges praised the hard work of Ashok and Amrut Director, Rick Jagdale, since launching Amrut Malt in 2004. “The gamble and all the legwork has paid off for Ashok and Rick, with Amrut establishing its credentials as a serious award winning whisky” they said.

Ashok has been on ambassadorial duties this month in the United States. He has been on a four-city tour promoting the award-winning malts which are making Amrut Distilleries one of the most talked-about whisky makers in the world just now. Not only does it have some of the finest malts on the market, but they are also unique in coming from the tropical Indian city of Bangalore. Amrut’s malt whiskies have only had limited availability in the US market until recently, so this is an ideal opportunity for a first-hand encounter with what everyone is about.

In addition Amrut’s latest release is being unveiled at the Chicago WhiskyFest. Kadhambam lives up to its name which means “mixture” in Tamil, having been matured in a variety of containers – sherry butts, brandy casks and rum barrels – for different lengths of time. It captures a range of characteristics from this mix of maturation methods.

Notes

Background links:

Whisky Advocate Award http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/?s=amrut

Icons of Whisky http://www.whiskymag.com/awards/icons_of_whisky/2012/

WhiskyFest http://www.maltadvocate.com/whiskyfest_chicago.asp

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Amrut Distilleries

Amrut Single Malt Whisky from India was launched officially in Glasgow in 2004. Since then its reputation has grown, with its range of innovative whiskies using Indian barley from the Punjab, distilled in the tropical garden city of Bangalore at 3,000ft above sea level. Amrut Distilleries has won many awards.

Last year, Amrut Fusion was named Grand Master of World Whisky at The Spirits Business Awards in London in December. Already named one of seven Masters of World Whisky by the judging panel of the prestigious event, Amrut Fusion came out as the “best of the best” in the final stage of the competition.

Amrut Distilleries was named a Distiller of the Year in the Icons of Whisky 2011 and was crowned in the Rest of the World category by the independent judges of the prestigious awards, which are organized by Whisky Magazine. The award was made to Amrut “for raising the profile of Indian whisky across the globe and its innovations in the production process”. The Rest of the World title meant the Bangalore distillery was also one of the four contenders for the Icons of Whisky Distiller of the Year title.

In February 2011, Fusion was named World Whisky of the Year at the Malt Advocate Whisky Awards. In a new category created to recognize “the wonderful whiskies” being produced in countries like Japan, India, Sweden, England, outside the major distilling nations, John Hansell, editor of Malt Advocate magazine, explained the choice of winner. “India’s Amrut distillery changed the way many think of Indian whisky. … Amrut is making whisky, and it’s very good.”

In The Whisky Bible 2010, leading whisky expert, Jim Murray awarded Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky the title of World’s Third Best Whisky. Murray said Fusion “has to be one of the great whiskies found anywhere in the world this year”. Admitting his No 3 choice could come as a surprise to some people, he said: “The fact that it is Indian? Irrelevant, from distillation to maturation this is a genius whisky from whichever continent.”

Fusion was named the Best Natural Cask Whisky in the Daily Drams Category at the Malt Maniacs Awards 2009. It picked up the award for the best whisky matured exclusively in “untreated”, regular cask(s) in the category for whiskies with an average street price of up to 50 euros. It was also awarded a silver medal. In 2011, Malt Maniacs awarded Amrut Portonova the title of Best Cask Innovation Award (Premium).

One of the Amrut Single Malt Whisky bottlings by Blackadder International won “The Best Daily Dram” category of Malt Maniacs 2008 Awards. All the Amrut brands entered into the same competition won silver and bronze medals.

Amrut Peated Malt Cask Strength Whisky won Silver and Amrut Single Malt Cask Strength Whisky Bronze at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2008.

Amrut is now sold widely in Europe (UK, Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Spain), Canada, South Africa, Australia and the United States.

Purple Valley Imports is the importer of Amrut in the USA. http://purplevalley.tv/

Isle of Arran 1999 NAS Golden Eagle (46%, OB, 6,000 Bts., 2012)

The fourth and final bottling of the Icons of Arran (Peacock 1996, Rowan Tree 1997, Westie 1998 and Golden Eagle 1999) limited to 6,000 bottles. The Golden Eagle is made from 14 ex-bourbon barrels and 7 ex-sherry hogsheads, bottled at 46% without chill-filtration and added colouring. A new series commences this year with the Devil’s Punch Bowl; details to follow. On the nose there is tinned pears and fruit cocktail, lychee, rich raisins, warmed apricots on ‘top’ and ‘below’ there is a good back bone of notes from the oak; leather and tobacco (unlit). There are also lighter notes in the form of grapefruit and lemon zest with the addition of the much appreciated malty notes which are characteristic of Arran whiskies. All contributing to a solid and rich collection of aromas. The taste is bigger than the nose would lead you to believe and it’s slightly more sweet and sour along with the malt (at first) and then some of the leather and tobacco present themselves along with some really good lychee and grapefruit zest. Very active, complex, vibrant and very good. The finish is malty, warming and fills the head and then some really good sweetness in the form of the fruit and leather/tobacco team quickly followed by a good chocolate moment. After a few minutes the malt (now dusty) & the rich raisin take over as a grand finale.

A fitting finale to the series; buy yours before they are all gone.

£37

Score 90 points

Chieftain’s Aberfeldy 1998 13 yr

92 proof, 6/750 ml UPC 8-92032-06067-7

Nose: Sweet Malt, Piney (White Pine)
Body: Firm and oily, medium length
Palate: Full and Spicy, Cloves, Salt Water Taffy
Finish: Spicy, Smooth, and Light
RRP $79.99/btl

Chieftain’s Balmenach 1983 28 yr Cask Strength / Black Rigid Box

100.6 proof, 6/750 ml UPC 8-92032-06076-9

Nose: Dry Hay, Fresh Heather, Cold Tea
Body: Medium, Creamy
Palate: Honey, Anise, Buttery Spices
Finish: Sweet herbs, White Pepper, Long
RRP $189.99/btl

Chieftain’s Bunnahabhain Peated 1997 14 yr

92 proof, 6/750 ml UPC 8-92032-06073-8

Nose: Tar oil, salt sea air, campfire
Body: Firm and oily, Mouth coating
Palate: Sweet concentrated malt, Smokey short cake, Integrated Smoke and peat
Finish: Well balanced and Soothing, Trace of White Pepper
RRP $89.99/btl

Chieftain’s Caol Ila 1997 14 yr St. Etienne Rum Finish

92 proof, 6/750 ml UPC 8-92032-06074-5

Nose: Light smoke, camphor, coconut
Body: Viscous, Heavy and Oily
Palate: Banana Oil, Sweet Malt, Light Juniper
Finish: Firm moving to Dry, Sweet and smoky
RRP $99.99/btl

Chieftain’s Clynelish 1997 14 yr

92 proof, 6/750 ml UPC 8-92032-06069-1

 
Nose: Heather, Juicy Oak, Light Camphor
Body: Assertive, Smooth oiliness
Palate: Sweet Heather, Citron-Fruity Flavors, Big Malt Base
Finish: White pepper, Long and Lingering
RRP $79.99/btl

Chieftain’s Glenburgie 1998 13 yr Chateau Palmer Finish

92 proof, 6/750 ml UPC 8-92032-06077-6

Nose: Peaches, Almonds, Mint, Brown Sugar
Body: Oily and Mouth Filling
Palate: Big malt profile, Sweet herbs, Licorice, Nutmeg
Finish: Dry and Spicy, Lone and sweet
RRP $94.99/btl

Chieftain’s Glenturet 1990 21 yr Cask Strength / Black Rigid Box

111.6 proof, 6/750 ml  UPC 8-92032-06070-7

Nose: Flowery, light peat, soft oak
Body: Medium, Light oilyness
Palate: Soft malt, Raisins, Great Malt Balance
Finish: Soft, Smooth, Very Long Finish
RRP $139.99/btl

Chieftain’s Isle of Jura 1996 15 yr Bourbon Barrel

92 proof, 6/750 ml UPC 8-92032-06071-4

 Nose: Pears, Sweet Malt, Citrus
Body: Rich and viscous, Oily
Palate: Light smoke, Orange Peel, Scottish Short Bread
Finish: Light Sea Air, Dry White Pepper
RRP $84.99/btl

Chieftain’s Laphroaig 1997 14 yr 

92 proof, 6/750 ml UPC 8-92032-06075-2

Nose: Medicinal, sea-weedy, oaky, sulphur
Body: Medium moving to light oilyness
Palate: Beginning sweet and grassy, Moving to big hit of Peat and smoke
Finish: Dry, Long, and Warming
RRP $84.99/btl

Chieftain’s Mortlach 1995 16 yr Sherry Butt / Cask Strength / Black Rigid Box

108.4 proof, 6/750 ml UPC 8-92032-06078-3

Nose: Juicy Oak, Stewed Prunes, Old Leather
Body: Medium moving to oily and waxy
Palate: Sugar Plums, Sweet Malty Spices, Sugared Almonds
Finish: Sweet Malt that is soft and long
RRP $114.99/btl

www.ralfy.com wishes to make an announcement! – Craigellachie 14yo, is ready for viewing for your maltabloid infotainment.

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #7

In his 7th Whisky Rambling on video, Belgian whisky blogger Mark Dermul discusses club bottlings in general and a young Bowmore for Dramalot in particular.

http://youtu.be/CSR3L0EvQdg

A quick note from the Dundee Dell;

Hello Dell Friends –

We have a special scotch tasting this Sunday (April 1) at 4 p.m., Mary and Scott have picked out some great scotch and are going to do a BLIND tasting. I’m really excited for this tasting because I wonder what they’ll throw in there to have fun on April Fools Day! It’s $50 per person plus tax and gratuity. Make sure to make a reservation (www.dundeedell.com or 402.553.9501) because this one will be packed!

MAXXIUM COMMEMORATES SUMMER OF CELEBRATION

Maxxium UK is celebrating a summer of great importance to the nation with a new liquid and two new limited edition gift packs for The Famous Grouse available through exclusive partnerships with Waitrose and J Sainsbury.

The Famous Jubilee, Special Edition Reserve has been created for an exclusive partnering with Waitrose in a bid to help develop value into its Scotch category through innovation and will be available in-store from May with a RRP of £24.99*.

The Famous Grouse Master Blender Gordon Motion has crafted a special blend of aged whiskies from specially selected casks of the finest malt; such as The Macallan and Highland Park, and blended them with sweet grain whiskies for a smooth finish. This outstanding blend has been aged in oak casks to develop a unique richness and depth of flavour characterised by the unsurpassed smoothness that is the brand’s hallmark. The bottle will carry a commemorative label and be displayed in a gift carton inspired by Her Majesty The Queen’s 60 year reign.

In a separate exclusive partnership with J Sainsbury Maxxium has created a limited edition carton for The Famous Grouse which has been designed to celebrate the summer. The unprecedented number of summer events and the opportunity to celebrate them has been the inspiration behind the pack which will also feature landmarks from around the UK in celebration of all things British. The limited edition pack will be available in J Sainsbury stores for a RRP of £15.99** from May and carries the cocktail recipe for the brand’s Ginger Grouse serve, a mix that is now available in RTS cans and on draught in bars across Scotland.

David Everett, Off Trade Sales Director for Maxxium UK, commented: “As proud holder of a Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen, The Famous Grouse is delighted to celebrate her 60 years on the throne with the creation of this special blend of aged whiskies. In a summer that encompasses so many more reasons for celebration beyond the Jubilee it also seemed fitting to create a limited edition gift carton in honour our great nation.

“Both of our exclusive gift packs are sure to become treasured collector’s items for fans of The Famous Grouse, those celebrating the Jubilee and those who just want to raise a tipple to celebrate the momentous summer events, supporting our commitment to grow the blended Scotch category through quality and innovation.”

NOTES

About Maxxium

· Maxxium UK Ltd is part of the global sales and distribution alliance between Beam Inc and The Edrington Group.

· Its UK portfolio of premium brands includes: blended Scotch (The Famous Grouse, Teacher’s and Cutty Sark), malt whisky (Highland Park, Laphroaig, The Macallan, The Glenrothes and Ardmore), imported whiskey (Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Canadian Club, Red Stag), cognac and brandy (Courvoisier and Fundador), sherry (Harveys), vodka (Stolichnaya), tequila (Sauza), rum (Brugal and Cruzan), liqueurs and specialities (Sourz, Bols liqueurs, Galliano, Vaccari, After Shock)

About The Famous Grouse (www.thefamousgrouse.com)

The Famous Grouse is the no. 1 whisky in Scotland and no. 6 blended whisky worldwide.
The Famous Grouse is exported to over 100 countries.
Created in 1896 by founder Matthew Gloag, it was originally called The Grouse Brand. The brand became so popular that on August 12th 1905 it was renamed The Famous Grouse.
The Famous Grouse Experience is located at Scotland’s oldest working distillery – Glenturret. Originally established as a single malt distillery in 1775, today The Famous Grouse Experience is the most visited distillery in Scotland.(www.thefamousgrouse.com/experience )

Nikka Tsuru 17yo (43%, OB, 2012) 

It’s always nice to see a new offering from NIKKA and this one has a decanter bottle with a ‘swan’ indent in the middle so it’s easy to pour, which is important. There’s plenty of information on the back label however unsurprisingly it’s in Japanese. The nose is rich and welcoming with hints of oak spice and some gentle fruit. Nutmeg and the aromas collectively are not aggressive but proper and presenting just enough to deliver the message. The taste is malty and solid with some really good cocoa (unsweetened) and some very close to Springbank moments or perhaps Hazelburn since there is no peat smoke evident. Some good sweetness arrives in due course followed by some more of the malt. The finish shows the malt, the cocoa and then some more sweetness however it’s not over whelming and is in balance with the nose and the taste. 

All in all an excellent whisky, blended or not. 

$148 

Score 89 points.

Hello Fellow WhiskeyLovers –

Three important bits to discuss this week:

First: this is last call for nominations for the 2012 Drammie Awards. The mission of the Drammie Awards is to put the power of “recognition” in the hands of the whiskey consumer.  Nominations are being accepted until midnight on this Friday, March 30th…so make haste, and let your voice be heard now!  

I am thrilled to tell you that the nominations have been streaming in…from all corners of the globe:  Ireland and Scotland…as you would expect…but also Australia and…would you believe…India!    

“So what do they know about whisky in India?” you may ask. Well, it turns out a lot. Which brings me to…. 

Next: This weeks Whiskey Wednesday featured whisky: Amrut Fusion Indian Single Malt Whisky.  

Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky is a product of 20 years of research by Amrut Distilleries in Banaglore. The whisky is made from select Indian malted barley grown in Punjab and Rajasthan, the northwest frontier states of India. In Punjab, the waters from the great Himalayas flow through the river Sutlej and irrigate the land under the Bhakra Nangal Dam scheme where the cold winters and fiery summers create a unique quality of grain, rich in flavour. 

Malting takes place in Jaipur and Delhi, and then the malted barley is transported to Bangalore in the south of India, where it is carefully mashed and distilled in small batches to preserve the natural aromas. To maintain its natural character the whisky is not chill filtered. 

The whisky then undergoes maturation in imported oak barrels for over three years in a unique tropical condition at the distillery warehouse at an altitude of 3000 ft. above the sea level, enjoying a salubrious climate all year around. This unique natural geographical location allows intense maturation by losing considerable amount of whisky as the “Angel’s share”

According to Indian Mythology, when Gods and Rakshasas – the demons – churned the oceans using the mountain Meru as churner, a golden pot sprang out containing the Elixir of Life. That was called the “Amrut”.  I have had this whisky, I can tell you its as close an Elixir for the Gods as I’ve tasted.  It’s truly a wonderful whisky.   

And so, its’ with great excitement that we’re able to offer you a bottle of Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky for $63.95/ bottle.  This whisky is as exceptional as it is hard to find. So if you want a bottle, act now. And maybe by two “just to have”…  

Third:  Those of you lucky enough to be living in the greater NYC area have no doubt heard of WhiskyLiveNYC 2012…it is without a doubt 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 remember, if you’re attending  the Whiskies of the World Expo 2012 on the SF Belle, Hornblower Yacht at Pier 3 this Saturday, please stop by our booth and say hello.   

And until next week…have fun!

Doug StoneFounder

ForWhiskeyLovers.com