Here is the link to the catalogue fortheir first major whisky auction taking place in Glasgow on March 28th, 2012.

English Whisky Jubilee Decanter

Today, the Queen will begin a tour of the UK as part of celebrations to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

The English Whisky Company have launched a collectable, yet affordable expression celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years as our Monarch.

A unique one-off single malt whisky never to be repeated, with only 2000 bottles available in the UK .

This bottle will attract a huge audience of whisky collectors, royalist souvenir collectors and novelty buyers worldwide.

English Whisky Comapny created a special bottling of single malt to celebrate the wedding of Will & Kate last year and they sold very quickly with us……

£59.99
*PRE-ORDER ONLY*
CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

GLEN GRANT 60 YEARS OLD

 QUEEN ELIZABETH II DIAMOND JUBILEE (1952-2012)

A 60 year old malt Single Malt Whisky has been launched today (6th February 2012) in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubillee by one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialist.

Gordon & MacPhail – the Elgin based and family-run Single Malt Whisky specialist – has released only 85 bottles of Glen Grant 60 years old.

On the 6th February 1952, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and became Head of the Commonwealth. Four days earlier on the 2nd February 1952, on the instruction of George Urquhart, two First Fill Sherry Hogsheads – cask numbers 465 and 466 – were filled at Glen Grant and left to quietly mature at the distillery.

Cask 465 was transferred to the Bonded Warehouses of Gordon & MacPhail on 26th March 1968. On the 2nd February 2012, exactly sixty years after the whisky was distilled, the instruction was given to carefully empty cask number 465 and bottle the precious contents at cask strength.

In honour and celebration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee, the Directors at Gordon & MacPhail have released just 85 decanters of Glen Grant 60 Years Old.

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 sparkling 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 with luxurious, purple Harris Tweed and a dust jacket made from the same material protects the box an the precious contents.

£7,999.99 inc VAT

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

Single Malts Limited | 36 Gordon Street | Huntly | Aberdeenshire | AB54 8EQ | Scotland

This month we have selected five (5) PROVENANCE bottlings.

PROVENANCE Tasting Notes follow:

PRV 0764 Ardmore 8 Year Old
Peated (and somewhat Islay in style) as the nose opens then crunched sugare, leafy smoke and damp green grass appears. Palatewise – it is sweet, softly peated – mouthcoating oily and carries a barley/biscuity quality.T

PRV 0775 Glen Ord 11 Year Old
Opens clean and fresh on the nose, grassy, running to a fresh fruit (pear and banana) character. The palate is gristy sweet then runs to a “poached pears in vanilla syrup” quality. The finish remains fruity throughou the
long finish is warmingly spiced, still softly peated, still lightly smoked (F).

PRV 0779 Glendullan 12 Year Old
The nose opens with an apparent vanilla and crushed sugar quality and develops to a fruity sweetness. Initially the palate is sweet carrying a soft spiced quality plus more fruit – now macerated. This all runs to a dry finish – still spicy and with an oak tang. (J)

PRV 0774 Ben Nevis 14 Year Old
“Warm honey sweet” initially on the nose – as if the honey is dropped into a first stage Hot Toddy plus vanilla pods and citrus. Palatewise – it is nicely “chewy”, toffee sweet with fresh summer fruits and only late can you
catch some gentle spices – which are now more warmly reflected in the finish. (F)

PRV 0776 Caol Ila Young and Feisty
Opens fresh and grassy on the nose, carrying a buttery sweet character then runs to a smoky quality – burnt home bake style. The palate opens sweetly then warms to soft coal tar and sweet smoke – all running to a long
dry finish carrying cigar ashes and a late camphor character. (J)

As always – we are at your service for any enquires you may care to send on to us.

Yours sincerely
Fred Laing
Managing Director

Visit Douglas Laing & Co at www.douglaslaing.com

Royal Salute Launches Majestic Advertising Campaign In China

Royal Salute, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, has unveiled a new television advertising campaign in China to further underline the brand’s luxury status. The ‘Today’s Kings’ commercial is part of Royal Salute’s global communication platform, ‘Noble Leadership’, which aims to explore new dimensions of luxury and redefine the top end of the whisky category.

With a long legacy of paying tribute to nobility and leadership, the brand commissioned consumer research among whisky connoisseurs in China, to define how and why noble leadership is relevant to them. The results helped inspire this latest campaign, which identifies a select group of bold leaders, each with three key attributes – they are visionary and dare to go beyond; they have the boldness, courage and self-belief to grasp their visions; and their actions are not driven by self-interest, but by a belief in a greater good.

The 45 second television commercial, now on air in China, sees four men who are leaders in their respective fields, whose conviction, talent and vision inspire their journey to fulfil their goals. After following them on their respective journeys, the advert concludes with the four men coming together to share a toast with Royal Salute 21 Year Old. The commercial ends with the tagline ‘Royal Salute – the journey begins where others end’.

Neil Macdonald, Brand Director for Royal Salute, said: “We’re delighted with this stirring, masculine new TV creative for the Chinese market. It truly reflects the brand’s power and luxury and will help cement Royal Salute’s position at the highest end of the whisky category.”

The advert was shot in Queenstown, New Zealand, by well-known commercial director Jeff Darling, and features original scored music.

Notes:

Royal Salute
The pinnacle of Scotch whisky, award-winning Royal Salute was first created as a tribute by Chivas Brothers to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II upon her coronation in 1953. This defining luxury whisky has a very powerful and sophisticated style, and has become the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky brand.
Royal Salute has a long legacy of paying tribute to nobility and leadership and this is part of the brand’s DNA
• 1953: Royal Salute created to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation
• 2003: Royal Salute 50 Year Old launched for the 50th anniversary of the coronation, also paid tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary’s and Sir Tensing Norgay’s on the anniversary of their successful ascent of Everest
• 2005: Royal Salute 38 Year Old launched – a tribute from Scotland, inspired by the Stone of Destiny
• 2010: Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute launched paying tribute to the craftsmanship of four master blenders who have safeguarded the Royal Salute legacy since 1953
• 2011: Royal Salute Tribute to Honour launched, the Honours are most notable and compelling symbols of Scottish royalty

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.chivasbrothers.com

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

1993 Ardbeg 10 Year Cadenhead’s Cask Strength Single Malt 70cl (Elsewhere $250) – 1 available ($169.99)

1994 Ardbeg 11 Year Cadenhead’s Single Malt 70cl (Elsewhere $200) – 1 available ($159.99)

1993 Ardbeg 12 Year Cadenhead’s Cask Strength Single Malt 70cl – 2 available ($179.99)

1994 Ardbeg 12 Year Cadenhead’s Single Malt 70cl – 1 available ($154.99)

1991 Ardbeg 15 Year Old Malt Cask Single Malt 700ml – 1 available ($199.99)

2001 Ardbeg 21 Year Old Committee Release Islay Single Malt Whisky 70cl (Elsewhere $1200) – 2 available ($999.99)

1975 Ardbeg 25 Year Old Malt Cask Single Malt 700ml (Previously $1000) – 1 available ($599.99)

Ardbeg Committee Reserve Islay Single Malt Whisky 700ml – 2 available ($799.99)

1994 Ardbeg Spirit of Scotland Cask Strength Single Malt 70cl – 1 available ($129.99)

1995 Ardbeg Spirit of Scotland Single Malt 700ml – 1 available ($144.99)

1990 Ardbeg Spirit of Scotland Single Malt 70cl – 1 available ($99.99)

Bowmore 10 Year Old (Glass Printed Label) Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 1 available ($59.99)

Bowmore 12 Year (Glass Printed Label) Old Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $100) – 1 available ($69.99)

Bowmore Cask Strength (Glass Printed Label) Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $100) – 2 available ($99.99)

1965 Caledonian 45 Year Old K&L Exclusive Sovereign Single Barrel Cask Strength Grain Whisky 750ml ($169.99) Closed forever in 1988, Caledonian was a Lowland grain distillery that was once famed for having Europe’s biggest patent still. The nose is salted caramel and sticky Sauternes with rich and enticing aromas of sweet goodness. The palate however is grain all the way – lean and herbal, odd and exciting, crazy cool and super fun – truly a difficult malt to truly explain. It almost tastes peated! Knowing this was going to be for the true whisky nerds out there, we originally decided to pass on this cask even though we loved it. However, when the owners let us deal via our own importer, we were able to work out a ridiculous price for such an ancient collectable (the closest comparison we could find was a 45 year Caledonian selling in the UK for more than $200). Similar grains of this age have sold at K&L in the past for over $300. While this bottle isn’t for everyone, it is meant for the curious collector looking to branch out and understand the various styles of Scotch. Grain whisky has always been an important element of blended whisky and continues to provide the backbone to legends like Johnnie Walker Blue and Chivas Regal. While it has recently fallen out of “style,” there is a strong grain whisky revival festering once again and we’re glad to be, as usual, at the forefront of all whisky movements. -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer

Dalmore Cigar Malt Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($129.99)

1990 Girvan 20 Year Old K&L Exclusive Sovereign Single Barrel Cask Strength Grain Whisky 750ml ($82.99) The home of the old Ladyburn distillery, this is the perfect sister bottle to our “Rare Ayrshire” cask (which unfortunately is now sold out). Girvan once housed the now defunct Ladyburn, but was more known for its role in creating the Black Barrel brand available in Scandinavia and Latin America. This is another whopper of a whisky that is difficult to describe. Dry, herbal, grainy on the nose, but the palate is expressive and clean, loaded with vanilla and oak on the front end, but finishing dry with apples and pears in a fruity flurry of flavor. So much fun, but more for the experienced drinker than the novice. We loved the complexity of this whisky, but were very afraid about consumer interest due to its esoteric character. When we learned that we could work with an importer of our choice, we were able to negotiate an amazing price making this deal a no-brainer. Other prices on Girvan of this age (if you can even find a bottle) fester around the $100+ range, making our cask the equivalent of a closeout bargain. David OG and I felt a duty to import this barrel for the super whisky geeks out there, those who are never satisfied with the limited selection of most stores -the uber-curious, adventurous whisky connoisseurs everywhere. Compass Box’s John Glaser told us we were making him proud! -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer

1963 Glenmorangie 22 Year Old Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $1600) – 1 available ($1,299.99)

Laphroaig 40 year old, Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $5400) – 2 available ($2,999.99) Very old and Rare bottling of Laphroaig. This is one of a kind in the USA and sells overseas for upwards of $3500.

1970 St. Magdalene 23 Year Rare Malts Selection Single Malt Whisky 70cl (Elsewhere $700) – 1 available ($549.99)

1979 Talisker 13 Year Old Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection 150th Anniversary Bottling Single Malt 70cl – 1 available ($249.99)

1979 Talisker 15 Year Old Cadenhead’s Cask Strength Collection Single Malt 750ml (Elsewhere 600) – 1 available ($399.99)

BACK IN STOCK…

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

Bowmore Claret Finish Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $300) – 2 available ($149.99)

Bunnahabhain 18 year old Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($94.99)

Dalmore King Alex Single Malt 750ml – 1 available ($199.99)

Dalwhinnie 15 year old Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 11 available ($49.99)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com/
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Shiver me timbers!

Cask No. 4.151                     

Highlands, Orkney

The nose was just fabulous – orange, pomegranate, dried fruits, crystallised ginger, Madeira wine, crème brûlée, black tea, honey, treacle toffee, balsamic – endless suggestions. On the palate, exotic fruits (kumquat, star-fruit) cavorted behind a curtain of honey and perfumed smoke; we also found red wine reduction and roast pork residue – ‘shiver me timbers!’ someone exclaimed. The reduced nose was burnt sticks dipped in honey, with medicinal elements and Old Holborn rolled in liquorice papers. Liquorice allsorts, roasted chestnuts and toasted marshmallows gave us wonderful closure on the rich and dreamy reduced palate. The distillery is on the ‘high land’ aboveKirkwall.

Drinking tip: For best friends, or when you need reminded that life can be good

 Colour: Deep vibrant orange                             

Cask: Refill sherry butt                                    

Age: 26 years                                        

Date distilled: December 1984

Alcohol: 53.1%

$170

************************************

Leather sofa seduction

Cask No. 63.26                     

Highlands, Speyside

The interesting, dynamic nose suggested fruit (schnapps, Armagnac, Victoria sponge); also caramel, spicy sweets and cough syrup; then descriptions began to emerge involving cigarette packets, perfume and leather (for one panellist it conjured up ‘a leather sofa, a hot guy and some cologne’). The palate, quite hot in its own right, contained dried papaya, orange, star-fruit and grappa, with big, manly wood and leather astringency. With water the nose found fruit pastilles and ‘masculine’ perfumes (spicy, woody, musky). The palate now balanced its leather and tobacco depth, with elegant, exotic, perfumed mango fruitiness. The distillery is between Keith and Dufftown.

Drinking tip: Best enjoyed on a leather sofa with a hot guy – obviously! (unless you ARE the                           hot guy)

Colour: Apricot gold                                          

Cask: Second-fill hogshead                               

Age: 21 years                                        

Date distilled: December 1989

Alcohol: 52.6%

$140

************************************

A lady of the night

Cask No. 85.22                     

Highlands, Speyside (Lossie)

Dark scents beset us: date loaf with Pecan nuts, rum truffles, Jamaican ginger cake, fudge with raisins, and a waft of (unlit) menthol cigarettes. At natural strength the taste is sweet with a light bitterness like burnt toffee (‘salt-water taffy’ commented one), dark chocolate in the finish and Kendal mint-cake in the aftertaste. Water conjured a leather couch against a backdrop of dripping candles, Pecan pie, treacle tart and Caramac, with a smooth texture and a centre-palate taste, sweet overall, with hints of spice and camphor in the finish. The malt comes from the last distillery to be built in the 19^th Century.

Drinking tip: Reclining on a leather Chesterfield with a special friend

Colour: Pale amber                                           

Cask: Refill sherry butt                                    

Age: 12 years                                        

Date distilled: September 1999

Alcohol: 60.0%

$105

************************************

Shockingly comfortable

Cask No. 127.12                   

Islay,LochIndaal

A powerful, prickly nose, with charred wood, machine oil and tar to start, and old crepe bandages, becoming smoky ‘Bacon Bits’, soya and smoked duck with plum sauce. Water reinforces the medicinal notes with Savlon cream; the smoke has receded slightly – now tarry vanilla-infused cigars. The taste is hot, sweet, smoky and very salty at natural strength, softening with water and reminding us of burnt carrots and turnips before the warm smoky finish. A ‘shockingly comfortable’ example of the heavily peated malt named after anIslay distillery which closed in 1929, but which may soon be rebuilt.

 Drinking tip: To accompany an Oriental meal

Colour: Full gold                                              

Cask: Refill barrel                                            

Age: 8 years                                         

Date distilled: June 2002

Alcohol: 66.3%

$85

************************************

A model-maker’s dram

Cask No. G6.2                      

Grain

A complex nose – beeswax furniture polish, green grapes, gooseberries, tinned peaches and fresh puffball mushrooms; with its freshly sanded balsa wood and glue it also appealed to the model-makers. The palate was a complete surprise – vanilla, syrup, clear toffee, chocolate, roasted peppers and a stunning, light oakiness (almost with leaves on) – ‘Brilliant!’ someone exclaimed. The reduced nose became sweeter and more perfumed – vanilla, orange blossom, roasted vegetables and after sitting a while, a Chinese takeaway! The reduced palate was simple, but very quaffable – blossom honey with a slightly bitter lick-stick of oak. This grain distillery is near Springburn inGlasgow.

Drinking tip: A dram for pottering around in the shed

Colour: Pale yellow summer wine                                 

Cask: Refill barrel                                            

Age: 18 years                                        

Date distilled: February 1993

Alcohol: 55.2%

$130

Please click on the LINK to read further and visit the SMWS of America at www.smwsa.com  for information on how to join.

THE GOOD DRAM SHOW EPISODE #4

Episode 4 of the show is now live. In it Chris Goodrum of Gauntleys of Nottingham tastes The Arran 10 and 14 year old. Please view the show via the link below;

http://youtu.be/8PQamnqDdwk

Enjoy and feel free to leave a comment on their youtube or facebook sites.

On April 19th 2012 Whyte and MacKay’s master blender and Dalmore’s master distiller Richard Paterson will be hosting a very special whisky tasting here at the Whiski Rooms. Covering a range of whiskies from the Whyte and MacKay stable Richard will take you through a number of whiskies from the distilleries of the Isle of Jura and The Dalmore. He will also be discussing his achievement in recreating the Mackinlay’s whisky that was recovered from an abandoned expedition to the South Pole by Ernest Shakelton over 100 years ago. The event is at 6.15pm with the tasting to start at 6.30pm sharp.

Tickets are £20.00pp with £5 redeemable on any 70cl malt whisky purchased from our shop.

Tickets can be booked online or by either calling 0131-225-1532 or by purchasing in store. 

Richard Paterson

Richard Paterson descends from a long line of whisky blenders. After starting his career in whisky in a brokerage in Glasgow he rose to the position of Master Blender at the age of only 26. As well as being the master blender of Whyte and MacKay he is also the Master Distiller at The Dalmore distillery and has held this post since 1970. An engaging and enthusiastic presenter on the subject this rare treat is not to be missed.ot to be

WHISKI ROOMS BAR & BISTRO
4 – 7 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LP
Tel: +44 (0)131 225 7224
Email: bar@whiskirooms.com
Web: www.whiskirooms.com

WHISKI ROOMS SHOP
Tel: +44 (0)131 225 1532
Email: shop@whiskirooms.com
Buy Whisky Online: www.whiskishop.com

AUCHENTOSHAN SINGLE MALT WHISKY LAUNCHES EXCITING NEW RANGE EXCLUSIVE TO TRAVEL RETAIL

Four core expressions, beautifully matured, each with its own distinctive style

This March (2012), Auchentoshan, Scotland’s only triple distilled Single Malt whisky, will launch a new and exclusive range for the travel retail sector, consisting of four core permanent expressions supplemented by two limited editions released each year.

Available globally in a range of international airports, terminals and border shops, the range is targeted at global travellers who want to explore a stylish and unique range of Single Malt whiskies as well as whisky collectors and aficionados.

With a view to expand and grow the Single Malt category globally, this compelling collection boasts a distinct style and taste, all beautifully maturated using a selection of fine North American and European oak casks previously used for the ageing of Bourbon, Spanish Oloroso Sherry and Pedro Ximénez Sherry. This provides Auchentoshan with a strong point-of-difference within the sector.

With two expressions carrying an age statement, this new range takes its cues from the oak casks used to mature the whisky. During cask maturation the spirit takes on a multi-layered complexity from the wood – in the aromas, tastes and texture. Being the only Scottish Single Malt whisky to triple distil every drop means that the spirit produced starts life at 81.5% ABV; most distilleries settle for 70% ABV. It is this quality of Auchentoshan’s distillate paired with the carefully selected oak casks that gives these whiskies some astonishing flavours – these factors are equally, if not more important than merely age. Many whiskies can in fact have a less mature character if matured in lesser quality oak.

Rachel Barrie, Master Blender at Morrison BowmoreDistillers, states: ““The new Auchentoshan Travel Retail range brings the story of cask maturation alive, allowing the drinker to experience the distinctive influence of different casks from North America and Spain as well as the influence of age. We have created a range for exploration and discovery, from aperitif to digestif in style, soft and sweet to dark and delicious in taste. I am very excited to have the opportunity to share these intriguing and highly distinctive expressions of Auchentoshan with the world.”

The wood theme is evident throughout all aspects of the new range with each expression’s name being inspired by the tree life cycle stages that reflect the malts’ personality and flavours:-

Springwood is the time when most of the growing happens for a tree and thus this malt is fresh, zesty and sweet – reminiscent of eating fruits in a spring garden. Springwood is 100% North American ex-bourbon oak and its name is inspired by the higher percentage of springwood in North American oak

Heartwood is the core of the tree and like an older sibling to Springwood; a rich, warming and hearty dram, with an intense and complex taste. It is matured in a combination of toasted Spanish Oloroso sherry casks and deeply charred North American bourbon casks to create this rich and warming dram

14YO Cooper’s Reserve is named so as it is mature and well rounded; it has a complex relationship with the wood and is perfect for a special occasion. At 14 years old, this whisky has developed an ideal and unique balance of soft dried fruit and intense nuttiness

Silveroak has an incredible multi-layered complexity, is a rare whisky and thus is named after the silver rings that appear on the inside of an older tree. Bottled at the traditional high strength of 51.5% ABV and non-chilled filtered, the expressions makes for a wonderful digestif to sip and savour

Solera is named after a process for producing and ageing sherry due to the use of ex Pedro Ximénez casks in thisexpression. Renowned as the ‘King of all Sherries’, Pedro Ximénez casks add contrasting deep aromas and textures. Solera is dark, intense and alluring – perfect for moments of pure indulgence or as a gifting item

As a top-10 travel retail brand in Europe with big aspirations and enjoying double-digit growth year on year within the sector, the new range is a compelling consumer-driven concept to build on the successes so far. This bold wood proposition offersconsumers differentiation within a competitive category, providing a strong-selling back story. The stylish and contemporary packaging with new taste cues for each expression also brings to life the story of each cask, appealing to a cross demographic and embracing the consumers’ desire for discovery and learning about the history and craftsmanship of the whisky.

David Wilson, Sales & Marketing Director of Morrison Bowmore Distillers, commented on the new range: “Single Malts is one of the fastest growing sectors of travel retail, so we understand the importance of getting it right. We are extremely proud to launch this unique and differentiated range exclusively for the global traveller that taps into the pleasure of the Single Malt experience in a modern and relevant way. The careful attention and ongoing investment in our oak casks combined with our unique adherence to triple distillation has resulted in an exceptional range of quality malts.”

AUCHENTOSHAN SPRINGWOOD

Springwood – the time of most fresh growth for the tree

40% ABV, RRP: £34.99, 1 Litre

100% Bourbon cask matured

Nose Vibrant, sweet and delicious. First nose reveals barley sugar, Seville orange, coconut creams, honey and lemon toddies. Also, poached pears and green bananas. Behind the sweetness, a spring garden in the morning dew with narcissus and daffodils. Water releases vanilla madeleines and lemon bonbons with coconut ice, macaroon and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Roses now appear in the garden.

Taste Lively and charismatic on the tongue. A burst of tangy citrus (clementines and pink grapefruit) and warming barley sugar with a frisson of coconut, trace of honey and dewy floral notes.

Finish Clean and salving with grapefruit, citrus and dew.

AUCHENTOSHAN HEARTWOOD

Heartwood – the rich core or heart of the tree

43% ABV, RRP: £41.99, 1 Litre

Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Matured

Nose: Rich, enticing and very warming with smouldering toasted oak notes. First nose brings burnt candy and baked fruit desserts in an oak cabinet. Seductive sandalwood and rosewood pull you in with cinnamon spice and rich Viennese coffee. Next Moroccan spices and baked blood orange  appear with toasted tonka beans and Christmas cloves. Water brings out more toasted warmth on the nose with leather, vanilla, more spices and traces of liquorice and walnut. Toffee and coffee are sweet and delicious.

Taste: Rich, warming and comforting, like a soft velvet blanket. Dark chocolate orange, burnt vanilla pods, velvety leather and cinnamon sizzle.

Finish: Orange spiced dark chocolate.

AUCHENTOSHAN 14 YEARS OLD COOPERS RESERVE

An autumn harvest table

46% ABV, £49.99, 70cl

Marriage of Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks

Non chill filtered and high strength

Nose: A cornucopia of fruit, nuts and barley, reminiscent of an autumn harvest table. Roasted barley and chocolate pralines bring the first layers of aroma. Treacle toffee and chocolate brazil nuts follow with butterscotch and crème brulee. Water releases fruit and nut muesli with freshly squeezed orange. Chocolate follows with hazelnuts, almonds, dried apricots and figs. Oiled leather emerges with traces of walnut oil.

Taste: Well-rounded and mature with a creamy texture. Dried figs and apricots are sumptuous and sweet, interwoven with a cornucopia of hazelnuts and almonds. Chocolate pralines are smooth and creamy.

Finish: Chocolate pralines, apricots and walnut oil.

AUCHENTOSHAN SILVEROAK

The perfect digestif

51.5% ABV, RRP: £79.99, 70cl

Vintage, small batch release of 500 cases in 2012 and 2013

A 1990 limited edition that has been matured in fine North American Bourbon and Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks

Nose: Captivating and heady with botanical herbs, warm fruits and deep floral scents. Fennel, gorse bushes and a hint of black pepper awaken the senses to the veritable delights that await beneath. Aromas of honeysuckle, vetiver and tea tree oil create the impression of a late summer aromatic garden, tempered by soft jasmine and oiled oak. There’s a satisfying deep fruitiness too with baked bananas drizzled with honey and warm toffee, served with almonds and liquorice root. Water brings out more banana fruit with pine nuts, honeysuckle and fresh mint. Rose-scented Turkish delight with a sprinkling of icing sugar now appears alongside liquorice and mint, perfect for after dinner.

Taste: Creamy, oily and mellow with warm coffee, a teaspoon of Demerara sugar and cleansing mint chocolate. A wonderful digestif to sip and savour.

Finish: Dark chocolate mint cleanses the palate with a lovely cooling finish.

AUCHENTOSHAN SOLERA

Rich and indulgent

48% ABV £130.00 70CL

Matured in a selection of fine oak casks and finished in Pedro Ximenez

Non chill filtered and high strength

Nose: Mature, mellow and deeply aromatic.Dark dried fruit with Victoria plums, cherries and raisins, followed by a deep and unctuous oiliness, reminiscent of beeswax and linseed oil. A basket of richly spiced dark fruits in an oiled cabinet.Water brings out more deeply seductive oiliness, but also rich plumy fruits and scents of rosewood and cherry blossom with warm roasted Columbian coffee in the background.

Taste: Full bodied with a thick, oily and chewy mouth-feel.Plums, dates, burnt toffee and toasted almonds in a cherry, raisin and blackcurrant flan. Dark chocolate brings depth and a bittersweet dimension with cherries inside.

Finish: Chocolate, dates and toasted almonds.

This new range is exclusively available in World Duty Free stores from 7th March and general release from April 2012. For all sales enquiries please contact Morrison Bowmore Distillers +44 141 558 9011

For more information visit: www.auchentoshan.co.uk

Looking for a Scotch Grain Whisky Review?

Here it is then, Whisky Review #254 – Compass Box Hedonism Grain Whisky (with malty-love from www.ralfy.com)