Whisky Ramblings Via Video #6

Check out the sixth of Belgian whisky blogger Mark Dermul’s Whisky Ramblings on video: Bushmills 21 Year Old.

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

http://youtu.be/8miukYITWUM

Hello Fellow WhiskeyLovers –

I have two exciting announcements and an AMAZING whisky for you this week.

First, the winning name for the Wemyss Malts Name That Whiskeycontest is….drum roll please….”Lemon Smoke.” Props go out to FWL member Jo Chew, who now has the distinction of having named a whiskey, and will soon have a bottle of the spirit in her hands. Nice work Jo!

Next, as many of you are already aware, yesterday I sent out a 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, and we’re counting on you to participate. Nominations are being accepted for 15 different categories until midnight on Friday, March 30th. So make haste…let your voice be heard by entering your nominations today.

Finally, with all this excitement engulfing the FWL offices, Nicky The Neck and I decided to seek out a spectacular deal on a phenomenal whisky….which brings me to this weeks Whiskey Wednesday featured whiskey: Ballantine’s 30 Year Old Blended Whisky.

Ballantine’s 30 Year Old ranks as one of the world’s most exquisite and expensive blends, and is widely regarded as the ultimate super premium whisky and the pinnacle of the Ballantine’s range. With a deep gold colour, subtle sweet flavour on the nose and a complex palate of honey and vanilla, Ballantine’s 30 year old is an exceptional, rare and exclusive whisky.

At the International Spirits Challenge, Ballantine’s 30YO won a Gold Medal, an ISC Trophy (the second in four years) and was named as Category Champion for Blended Scotch Whisky. It is truly a masterpiece of blending.

Ballantine’s 30 YO normally sells for $395. But thanks to The Necks’ shrewd negotiating tactics, I am thrilled to be able to offer you this amazing whisky for $325/ bottle…a $70/bottle savings! But as always, there isn’t much product available at this price, and once it’s gone…it’s gone.

And remember, if you’re in the San Fran area later this month, you must join me at the Whiskies of the World Expo 2012 on the SF Belle, Hornblower Yacht at Pier 3 on Saturday March 31st. We have a $10 discount on your ticket in, by simply entering the code “FWL10D” in the coupon/promo code field when you’re checking out.

So this week, send in your Drammie nominations, get your WoW tickets, and take advantage of this weeks steal on an incredible whisky.

And until next week…have fun!

Doug Stone

Founder

ForWhiskeyLovers.com

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BALLANTINE’S 30YO BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

_________________________________________________________________

DISTILLERS’ TASTING NOTES

COLOR: Deep old gold.

NOSE: Deep, soft fruity aromas and an elegant subtle sweetness with a luscious vanilla oakiness.

TASTE: A full, rich complex balance of honey, floral and fruity flavours, with mellow notes of vanilla, smoke and sea.

BODY: Soft yet strong, confident and luscious.

CHARACTER: Rich, oak influenced and lingering.

FINISH: Long-lasting and elegant.

The Daybreak Rotary Club of the Cowichan Valley is putting on a whisky tasting on April 28th 7 pm to 10 pm with the help of Beverly Corners Liquor Store. The fundraising event will take place from 7 pm to 10 pm at the Duncan Travel Lodge (Silver Bridge). There will be over 50 whiskies to taste, delicious edibles and door prizes.

Tickets are on sale now for $50.00 each. Tickets are limited to 200 so get yours soon!

Tickets Available at;

www.cvwhiskyfest.ca – on line

Beverly Corners Liquor Store

Duncan Travel Lodge

www.ralfy.com  hits the malt-mission button with Whisky Review #257 – Old Pulteney 12yo

Lovely stuff!

PRINCE HARRY & TEAM WIN SENTEBALE ROYAL SALUTE POLO CUP

Prince Harry’s first visit to Brazil culminated in triumph yesterday at the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, which took place at Haras Larissa, Campinas, São Paulo.

Over 500 international and Brazilian VIPs including supermodel Fernanda Motta, who presented the Prince with the trophy, gathered to watch the Sentebale team play the St. Regis team, captained by Nacho Figueras, with a final score of six to three.

Speaking of his work for Sentebale the Prince said “I hope that with the position that I’m in and the title that I have, I will continue to be able to use that to bring attention to these disadvantaged kids all over the world.”

Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers also said: “We’re honoured to support Sentebale for the second year. It was great to witness such a well-played game, with the Prince’s team taking the Cup.

“Royal Salute World Polo has a fantastic presence in Brazil, including Triple Coroa Tournament at the Helvetia Polo Club in São Paulo. This amazing country, with a thirst for luxury is a natural home for Royal Salute and we look forward to a great future here.”

The game demonstrated the immense strength and skill of the ‘sport of kings’ with Most Valuable Player awarded by British jeweller Garrard to Calao Mello who scored three goals.

The Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup further highlights the Scotch whisky brand’s commitment to international polo, with recent tournaments including the Foundation Polo Challenge in California, the Royal Salute China Open Beijing, the Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup in India and the Royal Salute UAE Nation’s Cup, Dubai.

The Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup partnered with Haras Larissa (Official Host and Venue Sponsor), St. Regis Hotels and Resorts (Official Team Sponsor), Garrard (Official Jeweller, Silversmith and Most Valuable Player Award), Jaguar Land Rover (Official Vehicle Sponsor) and Nespresso (Official Coffee Sponsor).

Notes

Teams and Players

Sentebale

• Prince Harry (1)

• Calao Mello (6)

• Jose Kalil (6)

• Carlos Mansur (1) St. Regis

• Bash Kazi (1)

• Nacho Figueras (6)

• Rico Mansur (7)

• Carlinos Mansur (1)

About Sentebale

Sentebale was founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso from the Lesotho Royal family in response to the plight of the neediest and most vulnerable of Lesotho’s children.

About Royal Salute World Polo

In addition to the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, Royal Salute World Polo is proud to support some of the world’s most prestigious and luxurious polo tournaments.

• UAE Royal Salute Nations Cup, Dubai

• India Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup

• China Royal Salute Tang Polo Cup, Beijing

• China Royal Salute China Open, Beijing

• Brazil Triple Coroa Tournament, Helvetia Polo Club, São Paulo

• Australia Sydney Gold Cup, Sydney

• Korea Country Polo Club, Jeju

In 2011, Royal Salute World Polo was proud to be involved in several polo tournaments, supporting charities whose patrons include the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

• USA The Foundation Polo Challenge 2011, Santa Barbara, California in aid of the U.S Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry

• UK The Sentebale Polo Cup 2011, Coworth Park, Berkshire,

• UK Bernard Weatherhill Polo Cup, Tetbury, England

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts

Combining classic sophistication and modern luxury, the St. Regis brand remains faithful to its commitment to excellence. Founded by John Jacob Astor IV, with the opening of the first St. Regis Hotel in New York City over a century ago, the St. Regis brand of hotels and residences is known for its unique luxury dimension, customized service and refined elegance in the best destinations worldwide. Plans for the brand to globally continue its legacy include long-awaited St. Regis hotels and resorts in Buenos Aires and the Riviera Maya. In Asia, St. Regis has also announced plans to open hotels in Changsha, Chengdu, Kuala Lumpur, Lijiang, New Delhi and Zhuhai. In Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the St. Regis brand will continue to expand in Abu Dhabi, Amman, Cairo, Doha and Mauritius. The distinctive trait of the St. Regis experience is customized service and attention to detail through signature St. Regis Butler Service, coveted locations and luxurious design. For more information on St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.stregis.com and for the privilege of residential ownership, please visit www.stregis.com/residences.

The St. Regis brand has long been associated with the world of polo, beginning at the turn of the last century when polo matches on Manhattan’s Governors Island were the highlight of the New York social calendar and where St. Regis’ founding family, the Astors, were a prominent fixture. As St. Regis continues to grow globally, the brand expands its polo presence in nearly as many destinations: hosting spirited polo matches and marquee events in the United Kingdom, the United States, Bangkok, Singapore, Buenos Aires and now Brazil.

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 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.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information www.chivasbrothes.com

Loch Fyne Whiskies News has stocked a new item, ‘Arran The Golden Eagle’

Icons of Arran #4 The Golden Eagle  46% abv  £40.50 inc vat  £33.75 ex vat  Add to Cart

The 4th and final in the Icons series and limited to 6000 bottles.

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Please find below the some what tardy delivery of the Whisky Intelligence Tasting Notes/Whisky Reviews Scores for 2011. As you can appreciate W.I. has been mildy over tasked in 2011 posting hundreds and hundreds of articles relating to whisky.

This compilation is not in any regard an ‘Awards’ but merely a record from top to bottom of the whiskies reviewed in 2011. The vast majority have been purchased with private funds; a very few have been provided by agents or suppliers and are thus noted in the individual review. If you are curious to see which are the later, you may search through the Tasting Notes/Whisky Reviews archive and find them for yourself.

There is a distinct lack of neither rhyme nor reason in the compilation; they have merely been reviewed as they have come available. Some were new releases, some blends and some no longer available.

Additionally whiskies that have achieved an equal score (for example 88 points) have not been reliably listed alphabetically merely to further demonstrate the lack of neither rhyme nor reason.

92 Bowmore 36yo 1972 (45.4%, Signatory, C#3890, 540 Bts., +/-2009)
92 Tomintoul 43yo 1967/2010 (44.3%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, 123 Bts., C#2337)
92 Isle of Arran 14yo (56.3%, OB, Premium Cask Selection, C#797, 520 Bts., D’09/05/97 B’11/08/11)
91 Alberta Premium 30yo (40%, OB, 2011)
91 Banff 34yo (44.1%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#3354, 250 Bts., D’12/11/75 B’09/08/10)
91 GORDON & MACPHAIL GENERATIONS GLENLIVET 1940 – 70 Years Old 45.9%
91 Catto’s 25yo 150th Anniversary (40%, OB, 2011)
90 Amrut NAS 100 (57.1%%, OB, 2011)
90 Benromach 21yo (43%, OB, +/-2010)
90 Glen Grant 41yo (49.4%, G&M, Refill Sherry HHd, C#6718, D28/11/’66 B25/09/’08)
90 GORDON & MACPHAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION Glenlivet 1963 40.6%
90 Grant’s 25yo Blended Scotch Whisky (40%, OB, 2010)
90 Greenore 18yo (46%, Cooley Distillery PLC Single Grain Irish Whiskey)
90 Hazelburn 9yo (46%, Duthies, Sherry, 634 Bts., +/-2010)
90 Isle of Arran 8yo McCulloch (49%, OB, C#772 B’ 01/09/2010)
90 Inchgower 36yo 1974/2010 (56.4%, Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, 229 Bts., C#7762)
90 Port Ellen 29yo (55.3%, OB, 6618 Bts., ‘1978, 8th Annual Release)
90 Tamdhu 30yo 1980/2010 (55.5%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, 152 Bts., C#9224)
90 Thomas Handy Sazerac NAS Limited Edition Straight Rye Kentucky Whiskey (63.45%, OB, +/-2009)
90 Maker’s 46 (47%, OB, +/-2010)
89 Ardbeg 1998 12yo (46%, Chieftains’ Range)
89 BenRiach 19yo 1991/2010 (46%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, 226 bts., C#110682)
89 Black Bull 12yo (50%, OB, +/2010)
89 Bowmore 20yo 1990/2010 (50.2%, 1st fill Bourbon 204 Bts., C#272)
89 Edradour 13yo 1997 (56.4%, OB, C#185, +/- 2010)
89 Edradour 24yo (50.7%, OB, PX Sherry, C#09/151, +/-2010)
89 Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix (47.6%, OB, 2010)
89 Glenglassaugh 29yo (53%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon C#2368, 290 Bts., D’17/12/’76 B10/08’06)
89 Linkwood 26yo 1984/2010 (55.9%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, 306 bts., C#1624)
89 Macallan NAS Cask Strength (58.6%, OB, Sherry Oak, +/- 2010)
89 NIKKA 21yo (45%, OB, Taketsuru ‘Pure Malt’, +/-2010)
88 Ardbeg NAS Alligator (51.2%, OB, 2011)
88 Aberfeldy 21yo (40%, OB, +/-2010) 
88 Amrut NAS Herald (60.8%, OB, C#2857, 231 Bts, 2011) 
88 Amrut NAS Two Continents 2nd Edition (50%, OB, 2011) 
88 AnCnoc 14yo 1993/2007 (43%, OB) 
88 Benromach Peat Smoke 2002/2010 (46%, OB, Batch #3, 1st Fill Bourbon) 
88 Caol Ila 30yo (58.8%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#4679, 157 Bts., D’15/05/80 B’09/08/10 
88 Edradour 12yo Caledonia (46%, OB, +/-2010) 
88 GlenDronach 31yo (45.8%, OB, ‘Grandeur’, 1013 Bts, Batch #1) 
88 Glenfarclas 12yo (43%, OB, +/-2010) 
88 GORDON & MACPHAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION GLENLIVET 1954 50.6% 
88 GORDON & MACPHAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION GLENLIVET 1974 50.1% 
88 Grant’s 18yo Blended Scotch Whisky (40%, OB, 2010) 
88 Hibiki 12yo Japanese Blended Whisky (43%, OB, +/-2010) 
88 Highland Park 18yo 1992/2010 (58.6%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon/Rum, 118 bts., C#2) 
88 Isle of Arran 10yo (57.3%, OB, ex-bourbon, C#94, 209 Bts., D’19/7/99 B’26/4/10) 
88 Isle of Arran 13yo 1997/2010 (46%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, 255 Bts., C#97/509) 
88 Laphroaig 13yo (58%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon/Sherry, C#3329, 307 Bts., D’28/04/97 B’09/08/10)
88 Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt (Shackleton, 47.3%) 
88 Speyburn 25yo Solera (46%, OB, +/-2010) 
87 Balmenach 18yo (46%, Deerstalker, +/-2011) 
87 Chivas Regal 12yo (40%, OB, +/- 2010) 
87 Glencadam 21yo (46%, OB, +/-2010) 
87 Grant’s 12yo Blended Scotch Whisky (40%, OB, 2010) 
87 Johnnie Walker Black Label 12yo Blended Scotch Whisky (40%, OB, -+/1 2010) 
87 Ledaig 13yo (46%, Duthies, 660 Bts., +/-2010) 
87 MacDuff 9yo 2000/2010 (61.1%, Dewar Rattray, 1st Fill Sherry, 307 Bts., C#5778) 
87 Tomatin 21yo (55.2%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#1088, 213 Bts., D’01/06/88 B’ 06/05/10) 
87 Yamazaki 12yo (43%, OB, +/-2010) 
89 Ballantine’s 17yo (43%, OB, +/-2011) 
86 Amrut NAS Portonova (62.1%, OB, 2011) 
86 Ballantines Special Reserve 12yo (40%, OB, +/-2010) 
86 Bruichladdich “Laddie Classic” Edition 01 (46%, OB, 2009) 
86 Dewar’s 12yo Special Reserve (40%, OB, +/-2010)
86 GORDON & MACPHAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION GLENLIVET 1991 54.4%
86 Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or 12yo (46%, OB, +/-2010)
86 JOHNNIE WALKER DOUBLE BLACK BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY (40%, OB, +/- 2010)
86 Longmorn 19yo (46%, Duthies, 506 Bts., +/-2010)
86 Longmorn 20yo (52.8%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#30025, 241 Bts., D’26/02/90 B’09/08/10)
86 Spey Cast 12yo (40%, James Gordon & Co, +/-2010)
86 The Irishman NAS ‘Rare Cask Strength’ (53%, OB, 2850 bts., 2010)
85 Antiquary 12yo (40%, OB, +/-2010)
85 Bowmore 17yo (46%, Duthies, 573 Bts., +/- 2010)
85 Edradour Ballechin #2 Madeira Matured (46%, OB, +/-2010)
85 Glenallachie 12yo (46%, Duncan Taylor NC2 D’1995 B’2007)
85 Glen Keith 17yo (59.7%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#120548, 189 Bts., D’01/10/92 B’09/08/10)
85 GORDON & MACPHAIL. PRIVATE COLLECTION GLENLIVET 1980 48.5%
85 Highland Park 1998/2010 (40%, OB)
85 Jameson NAS (40%, OB, 2010) Lot JQ-058548
85 Edradour Ballechin #2 Madeira Matured (46%, OB, +/-2010)
85 Isle of Arran “Machrie Moor” (46%, OB, 9,000 Bts., 2010)
85 Glen Garioch 20yo (56%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#5878, 278 Bts., D’07/09/90 B’09/08/10
84 Glen Grant 13yo 1997/2010 (46%, Chieftain’s Range)
84 Wemyss 15yo “The Hive” (46%, OB, Hogshead, 396 Bts., 2009)
82 Aberlour 14yo (56.4% A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#90081, 368 Bts., D’15/02/96 B’09/08/10 (Bottled ay 46%)
81 Old Parr 12yo (40%, OB, +/-2010)
81 The Cigar Malt Fifth Edition 15yo (46%, Chieftain’s Range)
81 Strathmill 18yo (55.9%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#4123, 171 Bts., D’07/10/91 B’09/08/10 (Bottled ay 46%)
80 Aultmore 12yo 1997/2009 (46%, Chieftain’s Range, Medoc Finish)
80 Edradour “Straight from the Cask” Portwood Finish 11yo (55.8%, OB, +/-2010)
80 Sullivans Cove NAS ‘Cask Strength (60%, OB, Bourbon, C#HH0602, 222 Bts, D’ 21/2/2001 B’ 10/09/2009)
79 Isle of Jura 18yo (40%, OB, +/-2010)
78 Edradour 10yo (40%, OB, +/-2010)
64 Auchroisk 20yo (46%, Duthies, 714 Bts., +/-2010)
54 Longrow 9yo (46%, Duthies, Sherry, 738 Bts., +/- 2011)

Announcing the

2012 Drammie Awards

Call for Nominations

It’s with great excitement that ForWhiskeyLovers announces the 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.

The 2012 competition commences with a nominating process where WhiskeyLovers can submit their own nomination(s) for any number of 15 total award categories.

The fifteen nominating categories are:

1. Best Whiskey Packaging

2. Best Whiskey Marketing Campaign

3. Worst Whiskey Marketing Campaign
4. Best Whiskey Distillery Tour
5. Whiskey Innovator of the Year/ Innovative New Whiskey
6. Best Whiskey Information Source (Blog, Podcast, Magazine/ other)
7. Best Whiskey Bar
8. Best New Whiskey Related Product (book, resource, web site, etc)
9. Whiskey Blender of the Year
10. Independent Whiskey Bottler of the Year
11. Whiskey Distillery of the Year
12. Most Underrated Whiskey
13. Best Whiskey Value/ Bang for the Buck
14. Best New Whiskey of 2012
15. Best Whiskey of 2012

Nominations will be accepted for three weeks, or until midnight on Friday, March 30th 2012. You can enter your nominations here.

After nominations are closed, ForWhiskeyLovers will post the top five (5) nominations (those receiving the most nominating votes) for each category on ForWhiskeyLovers.com, and voting will commence to select the category winners. Voting will be conducted for another two weeks, until Friday April 13th 2012.

The 2012 Drammie Award Winners will be announced on Monday April 16th.

Doug Stone
Founder
ForWhiskeyLovers.com

An evening of Lagavulin with Messrs Dunn, Lafond and Hain.

It’s quite scary that other than our Burns Night extravaganza in mid-February we haven’t run any whisky tastings yet this year. We’ve got a rather full schedule for the next few months to make up for our mild hibernation over … Continue reading >>