A. Smith Bowman Master Distiller Joe Dangler to Retire Oct. 1st

Fredericksburg, VA. (Sept. 2011) – Joe Dangler, a longtime fixture at A. Smith Bowman Distillery, will be retiring as Master Distiller effective Oct. 1st, 2011.

Dangler spent 33 years at A. Smith Bowman, starting as bottling plant superintendent in 1978 before being promoted to assistant plant superintendent and next plant superintendent. The A. Smith Bowman board of directors then elected Dangler vice president, production, where he remained until assuming the role of master distiller in 2003.

While training for the master distiller role, Dangler had the pleasure of learning under Tom Leahy, who had a wealth of knowledge gained from working at a distillery in Louisville, Ky. Leahy remained a mentor and close friend of Dangler until the end of his life.

Under Dangler’s reign, Virginia Gentleman Bourbon won a double gold and was named “Best American Whiskey” at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2003, an honor of which he is most proud.

Another of Dangler’s career highlights as master distiller was the creation of the A. Smith Bowman collection, an assortment of six spirits, consisting of three whiskeys, one rum, one vodka and one gin.

Dangler has been very active in the community, serving as board member and eventually chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, served two three year terms on the Chamber of Commerce board, and was a co-founder of the Leadership Fredericksburg program where he currently serves as Chairman of the Advisory Board. He also was a member of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) technical committee and was part of the early development of the George Washington Distillery.

Upon his retirement, Dangler plans to spend time with his wife Emily, travel, learn to play the mandolin, and buy a share of a race horse.

About A. Smith Bowman Distillery

A. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition. In 1935, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition of the distillation of bourbon. The original distillery was located on the Bowman family homestead in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm. In response to the rapid growth of Northern Virginia, the distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com

(From John Campbell at Laphroaig in a message to the Friends of Laphroaig)

Just off to catch my plane to Australia for this year’s Laphroaig Live, along with a very special bottle of Laphroaig. Distilled back in the 50s, it is very rare indeed, so much so that if I had it my way, the bottle would have its own seat!

I’ll be opening the bottle live on the show, the first time this has ever happened, so don’t forget to put October 6th in your diaries so that you don’t miss this exciting moment. The show will start at 8pm in Sydney (AEST), to see what time this is in your own country you can view the countdown at www.laphroaig.com/live . Apologies to any of you who will be watching in the middle of the night, we will endeavour to make this the best show yet, so it will be worth the lack of sleep!

I have had a few emails this year from people who haven’t heard of the show before so are a little unsure what to do. The show will be streamed live on our website so all you need to do is go to www.laphroaig.com/live  and the show can be watched right there. You will also be able to send in questions which will come through to us live. As a thank you for participating, anyone who has their question read out on the show will be sent a prize.

I wanted to say a quick thank you to you all for voting on the BBQ items. The top 5 dishes have been decided and will be barbequed live on the show, I’m looking forward to tasting them, especially the pork ribs that were by far the FOL favourite. If you’d like to find out the rest of the winning dishes, take a look at www.laphroaig.com/live .

We’ve had a huge number of requests for the barbeque sauce recipe, I do hope you all enjoy it and would love to hear your comments. Now that the chef is satisfied with his recipe I have made it available online, he has also developed a recipe for a Laphroaig butter sauce, which I’ll add to the website too.

I know many local bars and pubs are hosting their own tastings during the show, if you are attending one of these gatherings I’d love to hear about it. If you are having your own tasting on the night – as always, do upload a photo of yourselves to the photo section of our website and we will send the best one a prize.

The next time I speak to many of you will be live from Sydney, so until October 6th…

Slàinte,

John Campbell

Join the Friends of Laphroaig

Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks ‘Bruichladdich DNA 1985 25yo’

 Bruichladdich DNA 3   1985   25yo
 50.1% abv
 £222.00 inc vat
 £185.00 ex vat

Limited to 1665 bottles.

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

NEW PRODUCTS

With us now gearing up for our first Whisky Festival and then Christmas we are now getting some exciting new products into stock! You may have heard about the newly released Bruichladdich ‘Laddie Ten’ 10yo which arrived through our doors this morning along with the new Port Charlotte PC9 (59.2%vol) . They will be selling fast and we have limited stocks at the moment, so get yours while you can! We are also awaiting the first release of the Bruichladdich Islay Barley which should be in our hands later in the month, but available to be preordered here.

Our mailing address is:

T.B.Watson Ltd.
11/17 English Street
Dumfries, Scotland DG1 2BU

www.drambusters.com

Miner's Delight Inn

 

Second Saturday Scotch Sipping at Six

2nd Saturday each month 6 – 9 p.m. no reservation required

Enjoy 5 half-ounce samples of single malt Scotch whisky: $20

♦ We feature 3 single malts, including a Malt of the Month *

♦ You roll a die then pick a whisky from one of the six Scotch regions

♦ You pick your Connoisseur’s Choice from our menu of 77 single malts

Peruse our whisky library. Learn about our single malts in our menu book: distillery info, tasting notes, & more. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres. Non-whisky drinkers welcome.

Featured malts:

* 10% off bottles of the Malt of the Month

October 8, 2011

Benromach 10 yo *

GlenDronach 12 yo

Highland Park 12 yo

November 12 , 2011

Glen Grant 10 yo *

Longrow CV

Glenkinchie 12 yo

December 10, 2011

Glen Moray 12 yo *

Smokehead

Kilchoman Winter 2010

Visit the Miner’s Delight Inn at http://www.minersdelightinn.com/

Bob at work...

Amrut single malt unites two continents

Amrut Distilleries is doing its bit for international relations with the release of its latest limited edition single malt whisky.

Amrut has always been about uniting the traditions of Europe with the best ingredients of Asia. This approach has created the golden single malt which we now love. Throughout this international partnership, Amrut Distilleries has pushed the boundaries, introducing innovate – and imaginative – maturation techniques to produce award-winning malt whiskies. Now, Amrut has returned to one of its early successes and is issuing a second edition of the highly popular Amrut Two Continents Single Malt Whisky.

“The demand and appreciation from the consumers after the First Edition led us to go for the Second Edition,” says Ashok Chokalingam of Amrut Distilleries Ltd, which is releasing the new whisky in October 2011.

Using the finest barley from India’s fertile North West provinces, the single malt whisky is created at Amrut’s distillery in Bangalore, the vibrant city which sits at 3,000 feet above sea level in the tropical heat of Southern India. Four casks of Amrut Single Malt Whisky were shipped from Asia to a secret location in the temperate climate of Europe and matured for a further period of two years. Very much a product of the two continents, this whisky captures characteristics from the contrasting climates of both tropical Bangalore and the temperate European lands.

The Second Edition, however, is not just a replica of the first: different casks have been used for the maturation. Instead of ex-grain casks, second-fill bourbon casks have been used this time. The Amrut Two Continents Second Edition has also been bottled – in individually numbered bottles – at 50% abv, not 46% abv.

“The changes are immediately noticeable,” notes Dominic Roskrow, the Editor of International Spirits Magazine. “The nose is honeyed, with key lime pie and strawberries and cream. The taste is spikier, spicier and feistier than of old, with dark cherry, blood orange and unripe banana.” Danish whisky blogger Steffen Brauner agrees the Second Edition is “quite different”. He explains: “There’s a lot more of India than Europe in this. I would describe this as vanilla infused Amrut.”

Only 360 bottles of this limited edition Amrut Two Continents Second Edition will be released in the United States, while 900 bottles will go to Europe, Canada and rest of the world. “It is a slightly larger bottling than the first,” admits Ashok, but he underlines that already the feedback is that it will be highly sought-after. He also confirms that Amrut will return to the Two Continents theme in the future. “We will continue with this concept, introducing subtle variations from one bottling to the other. But it will only be released once every two or three years.” The good news is that in Bangalore, the next casks for Amrut Two Continents have already been earmarked for their voyage to a second continent.

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 3000ft.

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 organised 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 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 word 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 – which brings together two barleys: Indian and Scottish, with the latter being peated – 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.

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.

Amrut NAS 100 (57.1%%, OB, 2011)

After the Amrut Peated Single Malt Whisky had been matured in ex-bourbon casks, the whisky was emptied into brand new 100 litre handmade virgin casks for a further year in the tropical climate of Bangalore. The nose is very good, some peat smoke shows right out of the gate along with a hint of effervescence, some really sensational cocoa powder (unsweetened), black tea with a deep rich earthiness and some dark fruit cake. Quite sensational. The taste is of the cocoa powder, then changes for the briefest of moments to Cadbury’s Milk followed by the earthy malt and loads of peat smoke. Again still very sensational. A heady mix of the cocoa and peat smoke to be sure. To hell with water, this is brilliant as it is. The finish is long, peppery and filled with some excellent oak spice, cocoa, a little rose and then the peat smoke come crashing to the fore. Everything fills the head, a veritable assault.

Sensational. What a treat.

Advance sample no price available

Score 90 points

Amrut NAS Two Continents 2nd Edition (50%, OB, 2011)

Available in the United States, Canada, Europe and Taiwan. Bananas, cough syrup on the nose along with a good earthiness with the addition of some buttery richness, buttered raisin buns and grapefruit rinds. Over ripe fruit and aged musical instruments also pop into the picture. Malt and bees wax. Time for some water; things have settled down with a little more on the sweet side revealing itself, all very good. The undiluted taste is much gentler than the Herald but still gives them a run for their money. Some good solid vibrancy here and then some malt and fruit but still very peppery. With water it slows down and the sweetness is revealed, syrupy and very good. There’s also now some hints of heather or roses; just a tinge of some floral notes adds to the whole picture. The addition of water is very welcome; don’t be afraid to add a good splash. The finish is very BIG and very long, again lots of fruit, pepper, oak spice, MALT (almost like a sweet meal biscuit) and some good hard candies.

Another excellent example from Amrut

Advance sample no price available

Score 88 points

Amrut NAS Herald (60.8%, OB, C#2857, 231 Bts, 2011)

A single cask bottling matured for four years in India and then a further 18 months in Helgoland, Germany. The alcohol strength has dropped from 64.8% to 60.8% upon maturation in Helgoland. The nose is very sharp and filled with sour cherries, lemon zest, a little pot-pouri, juniper and mint. The cask influence is evident which only adds to the whole picture. A good dollop of water does nothing to change the nose (so far so good!). The undiluted taste is very much Amrut however it’s very vibrant with a very good combination of fruit and oak spice, black pepper and chilies. The water helps to tame this wild beastie a little…and now it’s much more sociable with some aromatic wood and some toast (white bread, unbuttered). A little green apples and hints of some cold bacon. Still a very big whisky with lots of very good things going on. Prior to water being added the finish is HUGE, lashings of chilies, dryness from the cask and then as a reward for having survived this far some good fruit and sweetness. After the addition of water the sample is still very active with sandalwood and even more pepper.

A truly amazing whisky that takes water and shrugs if off unnoticed.

Advance sample no price available

Score 88 points

Many thanks to Ashok Chokalingham for the samples.

MCLEANSCOTLAND whisky tour company … have had their best year ever for whisky tours of Scotland. Working on tours all year round, the first whisky tour was back in January, Speyside in the snow, a grand trip with Dutch clients.

From then each month saw them take tours all over Scotland, visiting Speyside, Orkney, Highlands, west coast distilleries including Mull, Skye and Islay.

May was the busiest month of the year, with 8 whisky tour groups (all over Scotland).

At the end of September they travel to Arran, before another tour with Russian clients in early October, with two more trade shows whisky festivals; Manchester Whisky Lounge Festival, and Chester Whisky Festival, both in October. They will be happy to see you at either show!

It doesn’t end there, November sees more tours and even December they have a whisky tour from South Africa in conjunction with Diageo.

Their guests came from Germany, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Canada, USA, Holland, England, plus the SA trip as above.

Each guest (or couple) receive a specially made wallet with brochures, excellent tour notes, maps and many suggestions where to eat, drink etc whilst on tour.

Their tours are mostly designed with the client, to give exactly what is needed, then they go that wee bit further and add in some historic sites, castles, fantastic scenery and above all … fun!

To contact them; whisky@mcleanscotland.com

www.mcleanscotland.com

They also run the worldwide whisky club, with Patron Charles Maclean (keeping it in the family).
www.angelswhiskyclub.com  

The Family Casks Release VII

We are pleased to announce that Release VII of The Family Casks is now available. This release comprises eight casks from 1961, 1964, 1970, 1971, 1978, 1981, 1984 and 1996. The 1996, a wonderfully balanced Sherry Butt, is the first cask from this year bottled under The Family Casks banner. This whisky was selected by consumers at a tasting hosted by George Grant during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival earlier this year. To read the full tasting notes for these casks, and all The Family Casks, please visit www.glenfarclas.co.uk

Glenfarclas on tour

Fancy a dram? Come and try Glenfarclas at the following tastings and whisky festivals this autumn;

6th to 8th October 2011
Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival, www.stockholmbeer.se

7th & 8th October 2011
The Whisky Show, London

15th October 2011
Whisky Show, Ramada Plaza Hotel, Budapest, Hungary

28th October 2011
The Family Casks Launch at Hotel Montana, Luzern, Switzerland
For more information, please contact us at info@glenfarclas.co.uk

29th October 2011
Tasting with Vancouver Legacy Store, Canada
www.legacyliquorstore.com

31st October 2011
Tasting with Kensington Wine Market, Calgary, Canada

1st November 2011
Masterclass with Willow Park, Calgary, Canada

2nd November 2011
Whisky in the Warehouse at Willow Park , Calgary, Canada

5th – 6th November 2011
Spirits in the Sky, SportOase, Leuven, Belgium

18th – 20th November 2011
International Whisky Festival/Whisky Live Den Haag
Grote Kerk, Den Haag, The Netherlands

19th November 2011
Glasgow Whisky Festival at The Arches

26th November 2011
Drambusters Festival, Dumfries, Scotland www.drambusters.com/drambusters-whisky-festival

1st December 2011
Potstill Annual Glenfarclas Tasting
Jahr100Beisl, Florianigasse 35, 1080 Wien, Austria
To book email office@potstill.org

2nd – 4th December 2011
Whisky Ship, Zurich, Switzerland

8th December 2011
Glenfarclas tasting with Arkwright’s Whisky and Wine, Wiltshire

Back at home, but with Paris still on my mind, and plenty of news to catch up on! We’ll catch up with more news on new releases from Whisky Live Paris, along with the latest headlines. Is United Spirits hot for Teacher’s, Beam’s Red Stag gets two more members in the herd, and Tim Forbes of The Whisky Exchange gives us a preview of this week’s Whisky Show in London.

Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com