Glenfarclas welcomes HRH The Duke of York

To mark the 175th anniversary of the Glenfarclas distillery, we were delighted to receive a visit from His Royal Highness The Duke of York earlier this week. His Royal Highness was accompanied by Clare Russell, Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, and the visit was hosted by George Grant, Director of Sales.

His Royal Highness was given a tour of the distillery by Shane Fraser, Production Manager, which included being shown the distillery’s new mashing and fermentation control system, and being introduced to the company’s longest serving employee, Alistair Miller, Mashman, who joined the company in November 1972. To mark the occasion of the visit during the distillery’s 175th anniversary year, His Royal Highness filled a commemorative cask with new spirit. The sherry hogshead will be matured on site at Glenfarclas until it is ready for bottling, possibly during the distillery’s bi-centenary year in 2036.

With an interest in international trade His Royal Highness was briefed on the company’s exports to more than fifty countries worldwide, by Robert Ransom, Director of Sales and Marketing. To conclude the visit His Royal Highness was presented with a bottle of the Glenfarclas Chairman’s Reserve, a limited edition of 1296 bottles released for the distillery’s 175th Anniversary.

Glenfarclas
Email: info@glenfarclas.co.uk
Website: www.glenfarclas.co.uk
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/glenfarclas/
Glenfarclas Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9BD, UK

Glenmorangie Scotch Tasting

September 19th. 4:30 P.M. Or 6:00 P.M. with Global Brand Ambassador David Blackmore

David Blackmore will be in to host what will be a wonderful evening showcasing how much time and dedication is involved in the Glenmorangie line. Finealta is the second release from a new line called Private Edition that is shaping up to be a new creation every year. This bottling is a recreation of a whisky sold to The Savoy Hotel in England In The Year of Our Lord 1903. Comprised of many components, their cask of bespoke single-malt was suited for their taste, having the Glenmorangie style and character with some extra depth and a little peat such that it shows a quality atypical of Glenmorangie’s modern style – which is a wonderful thing. This highland style is not seen enough and we’re delighted to share with you a brilliant single-malt. We will also taste a few more from the line.

(What is listed may change, we will offer a discounted pricing on the full range.)

Bottling Original Price – Sale Price

Original 10 Y.O. $41.99 – $37.99

LaSanta 12 Y.O. $53.99 – $48.99

Quinta Rubin 12 Y.O. $53.99 – $48.99

Nector D’Or 12Y.O. $71.99 – $65.99

Finealta $83.99 – $77.99

Extremely Rare 18 Y.O. $97.99 – $88.99

Exclusive Glenmorangie Dinner at the Omni Parker House

Sunday, September 18th. Highlighted by a taste of the new Glenmorangie Pride A 28 Year Old Single-Malt with a 10 year Sauterns Finish. RRP $3800 Tickets are $150 plus tax & tip, inquire with Joe or go to their website

Please pass this on to any friends who are Scotch enthusiasts!

Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits

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Email: joe@federalwine.com
Phone: (617) 367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/

Glenmorangie’s Bottling Facility Gets Royal Opening

— Whisky ‘fit for a prince’: His Royal Highness The Duke of York returns to Glenmorangie after 14 years to see his special cask go ‘down the bottling line’—

The Glenmorangie Company’s new state-of-the-art bottling facility was officially opened by His Royal Highness on Wednesday 7 September 2011.

HRH The Duke of York visited the Glenmorangie Distillery in Tain, Ross-shire, in 1997, when a special cask was laid down in his name.

Now, 14 years on, the cask was bottled as a ‘Special Reserve’ when The Duke of York performed the Royal Opening of The Glenmorangie Company’s new production facility at the Alba Business Park in Livingston, West Lothian.

HRH was presented with 270 bottles, which will go to his chosen charities for auction.

The new bottling facility is part of a wider *multi-million-pound investment by The Glenmorangie Company. This has seen the award-winning** Scotch whisky creator refocus on its core brands – Glenmorangie and Ardbeg – to meet rising global demand for its premium single malts.

Paul Skipworth, President and Managing Director of The Glenmorangie Company said: “Our new production facility has been a key part in refocussing the Company to further grow Glenmorangie and Ardbeg worldwide.

“These are exciting times for The Glenmorangie Company and we are delighted that Prince Andrew was able to join us today to see his ‘Special Reserve’ go ‘down the bottling line’.”

Dr Bill Lumsden, The Glenmorangie Company’s Head of Distilling and Whisky Creation, was present in 1997 and laid down the special cask for The Duke of York.

He said: “It was great to see The Duke of York here to mark the official opening of our new production facility. I thought it might be something special when we laid it down 14 years ago but the quality of this malt has surpassed even my expectations. “It’s a classic Glenmorangie, with powerfully accentuated fruity and oaky flavours. One might even say it’s fit for a Prince.”

The two-storey purpose-built centre features two bottling halls and has been designed with a special focus on high quality production, environmental efficiency and safety.

The new building includes environmentally-friendly technologies which allow for efficient use of energy and water including rainwater harvesting. The Company also employed an ecologist in the design of the landscaping surrounding them centre to preserve and enhance the ecological value of the site.

HRH The Duke of York is presented with the 1st bottle of his Glenmorangie Special reserve by Dr. Bill Lumsden, head of Distilling & Whisky Creation and Paul Neep, Chairman

NOTES

About The Glenmorangie Company
The company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland malt whiskies and Ardbeg Single Islay malt.

Responsible Drinking
The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and recommends that drinkers savour Glenmorangie and Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Multi-million-pound investment*
Between 2008 and 2010, The Glenmorangie Company undertook a multi-million-pound investment programme. The Company: sold its Broxburn bottling and cask warehousing site and built a new production facility in Livingston, West Lothian; moved its headquarters from Broxburn to The Cube building in central Edinbrugh; increased capacity and cask warehousing at its Tain Distillery; and invested in enhancing the visitor experience at its distilleries.

A global advertising campaign, with the tag-line ‘Unnecessarily Well Made’, is currently underway and marketing spend has increased in key markets worldwide.

Multi-award-winning**
Glenmorangie has now won a remarkable total of 18 ‘Gold Best in Class’ medals over the past five years at the IWSC – the most internationally-recognised awards body. This is more than any other single malt Scotch whisky, making Glenmorangie the ‘best awarded’ of any single malt.

Black Bull 12yo (50%, OB, +/2010)

On the nose there are some high alcohol notes which are quickly overcome by a rich lusciousness that seems to be hovering just under the alcohol. Time in the glass only improves the picture and the richness only becomes more apparent and takes the form of some slight green (or grain notes) and then some really good deep Christmas cake, loads of dried fruits (raisins, prunes and apricots) but more of the darker fruits and maybe even macerated with rum. The taste is also very rich but more balanced (the malt and the grain whiskies together) and quite strong; this is a big dram and very good, more of the fruitiness now with some good oak spice (perhaps a little leather and a little unlit Virginia tobacco. Also a little clove (just a bit) and still the big richness. The finish is very warming and long with all the previous descriptors in abundance and at the middle of the finish some very good chocolate malt and dark chocolate (slightly bitter) pops up and then they fade off together, ever so slowly.

Forget a wee splash in a Glencairn; pour a large measure into an old fashioned whisky glass and have a big guzzle. Or two.

$49

Score 89 points

Read some more on this award winning whisky here

Part two of three this week looking at three very distinctive blended Scotch whiskies.

It’s that special time of the year when the Jura Music Festival takes over the island. The festival showcases some of the best professional and amateur musicians currently on the Scottish folk scene. This year’s event takes place between the 23rd and 25th of September and the line up is particularly impressive, with some very well known artists including the legendary Dougie MacLean and Deaf Shepherd. Many local artists will be offering their very vocal – and instrumental – support as well!

To be honest, it’s probably amongst the islands best-kept secrets and is usually only attended by people who are in the know. But because you’re an honorary islander your name is, of course, included on the guest list. This year, to help you experience the Jura music festival, we’re offering two lucky Diurachs an all expenses paid trip to the island! This includes a stay at the luxury Jura lodge, set right in the heart of all the fun and festivities, where you will experience island life during one of the island’s biggest annual events. Enjoy an authentic island experience, mixing with the locals and toe tapping alongside some of the Jura distillery staff!

To enter, click here and you can invite your chosen companion to become an honorary Diurach and be in with a chance of winning this great experience.

Don’t worry if you’re not a lucky winner, we’ll still be bringing all the highlights from this years festival to you on our website.

Good luck and we’ll hopefully be seeing you on the island very soon!

Slainte

Willie Cochrane
Jura Distillery Manager

P.S. If you have friends or family who also share your passion for jura whisky and might like to become Diurachs, send them to www.isleofjura.com  where they’ll discover more about our mystical isle.

Sept Outturn Update: TOP FIVE
Bottles from our September Outturn are literally flying out the door – here are the Top Five selling bottles so far…

1) 30.66 Muscovado, Macadamia and Manuka
2) 125.46 Bright and vivacious
3) 9.61 A hot summer’s day among the gorse
4) 76.81 Vanilla malt shake
5) 35.53 Old Jazz Bar

EXPLORE our September Recommendations:
PAIR OFFER: Buy 23.69 & 7.67 for only £91.30 (save £10)
23.69 Dusty muesli and green bananas
7.67 Breakfast dram

TRIO OFFER: Buy 125.46, 9.61 & 30.66 for £148.70 (save £15)
125.46 Bright and vivacious
9.61 A hot summer’s day among the gorse
30.66 Muscovado, Macadamia and Manuka

CASE: Take the Sept PAIR, TRIO and ADD 76.81 for £271.50 (save £30) 76.81 Vanilla malt shake

Browse all bottlings (45 single casks online)

Society Tastings & Events (57 Society tastings online)
All about smoke – Queen Street, Tue 20 Sept
Colin Dunn’s Society Choice – London, Thu 22 Sept
Steak & Chips Tasting – The Vaults, Sat 24 Sept
From Leith to Bavaria – The Vaults, from Mon 26 Sept
New Outturn for the Cheese Lover – Queen Street, Tue 27 Sept
New Outturn for the Meat Lover – Queen Street, Wed 28 Sept
All things Bavarian – The Vaults, Wed 28 Sept

October Outturn Preview Tastings: taste and explore October’s Outturn (FIVE drams!) with a spot of supper

Guildford – Manor House Hotel, Thu 29 Sept
Dunfermline – Garvock House Hotel, Thu 29 Sept
Brighton – Hotel du Vin, Fri 30 Sept
Manchester – Malmaison, Fri 30 Sept
More Society tastings

The Society Scoops Top Title at the 2012 Independent Bottlers’ Challenge
We’re very pleased to announce that 10 Society single casks won awards at this year’s Whisky Mag Independent Bottlers’ Challenge, netting us the prestegious Icon of Whisky Title ‘Independent Bottler of the Year’

We would like to thank our loyal members for your support – you can be very smug at the thought that you are the only folk able to buy our precious whisky.

Only 125.43 is available via Mail Order but the other award winning casks can be sampled at our three Members’ Rooms. Award Details

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society,
The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).

Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF THE KENTUCKY BOURBON FESTIVAL WITH HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES

Exclusive tour, tasting and rare single barrel bottling offered only during Kentucky Bourbon Festival

In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of The Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Heaven Hill Distilleries is offering an exciting half-day tour package featuring an exclusive 20-year-old Single Barrel bottling of Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The tour will be offered Saturday, September 17th and Sunday, September 18th at the Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center, 1311 Gilkey Run Road, Bardstown, Kentucky. The Bourbon Heritage Center was named “International Visitors Attraction of the Year 2009” and “Visitors Attraction of the Year 2008” Awards at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky Worldwide Presentation.

The tour package offers guests the opportunity to spend the morning tasting two newly-launched Bourbons in one of Heaven Hill’s new aging warehouses, “WW”, hosted by Heaven Hill American Whiskey Brand Ambassador, Rob Hutchins. Following the tasting, guests will enjoy a “Spirit of Bourbon” Tour through downtown Bardstown where they will visit Distillers’ Row and hear the tales of Bardstown during prohibition and beyond on the comfortable Heaven Hill Trolley.

Following the morning activities, guests will enjoy a lovely Bourbon-themed lunch at the historic Chapeze House, featuring Elijah Craig marinated beef tenderloin, and other culinary Bourbon delights. Following your lunch you will be treated to a tasting flight of a few more of Heaven Hill’s unique and rare Kentucky Bourbons: Evan Williams 23 Year old, Parkers Heritage Collection Wheated Mash Bill Bourbon, Henry McKenna Bottled-in-Bond, William Heaven Hill 225 Birthday Limited Edition. Bourbon connoisseurs will jump at the opportunity to taste these unique, extra-aged, specialty Bourbons from Heaven Hill Distilleries.

Return to Heaven Hill’s Bourbon Heritage Center to collect your Bourbon Bounty Bag ($50.00 value) and your limited-edition, personalized, collector’s bottle of Elijah Craig 20-year-old Single Barrel Bourbon, produced especially for the 20th anniversary of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.

This unique Bourbon- flavored day is available for only $275.00 per person. For reservations, please contact Lynne Grant at the Bourbon Heritage Center, 502-337-9592. Space is limited.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; HPNOTIQ and HPNOTIQ Harmonie Liqueurs; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

Mr. Erwin Hennefarth and his wife celebrate becoming the 1 Millionth Visitor to the Kilbeggan Distillery with the Chairman John Teeling and the Distillery Tour staff

Oldest Licensed Distillery in the World Reaches Tourism Milestone

The Kilbeggan Distillery welcomed its 1 millionth visitor through its 254 year old gates today, September 8th 2011.

To celebrate this milestone, a cask was filled with Kilbeggan Malt with the 1 Millionth visitor, Mr. Erwin Hennefarth from Germany today. It was then laid down in the warehouse and after three years when the spirit has matured into fine Kilbeggan Irish whiskey, Cooley will bottle the cask for Mr. Hennefarth.

To mark the occasion, the Kilbeggan Distillery is hosting a family open day on Saturday 10th September between 12 noon-6pm. The open day will include free tours of the Distillery, whiskey master classes, artisan food, live music from the Whiskey River Band as well as face painting and balloon sculptors for the kids.

The Kilbeggan Distillery which has been located on the same spot in Kilbeggan town since 1757 is fast becoming one of the top tourist destinations in the Midlands. Investment in the distillery tour in recent years by Cooley Distillery has brought the Kilbeggan Distillery Experience to life.

Jack Teeling, Managing Director of Cooley Distillery, said, “Kilbeggan Distillery is a special place full of history dating back over 250 years. Reaching the 1 million visitor mark is a fantastic achievement for the Kilbeggan Distillery Experience. A lot of hard work has been done locally to produce a memorable and educational experience and all those efforts are now paying dividends.”

The Kilbeggan Distillery Experience sends visitors back in time mapping the methods and techniques of whiskey making from the 1700s right through to the 21st century. Visitors can witness the fully restored piston engine which once fired the giant copper stills, roar into life and learn how whiskey barrels are constructed from the two full-time on-site coopers.

The tour also includes an expert step by step guide to modern whiskey distillation. Each step of the process can be experienced on site during this entertaining and educational walking tour.

Mr. Erwin Hennefarth and his wife fill their very own cask of Kilbeggan Malt, as they are celebrated as the 1 Millionth Visitor to Kilbeggan Distillery, along with the chairman John Teeling (left) and the Distillery Manager Brian Quinn (right)

Kilbeggan Distillery Welcomes its 1 Millionth Visitor

Ballantines Finest (40%, OB, +/-2010)

The nose is off bees wax, alfalfa, grapefruit, pizza dough all inter mixed with some slight peat smoke, a little saw dust (perhaps saw mill notes?), walnut shells, nutmeg, some really good notes from the oak side of the house. The grain whisky is certainly present and is a welcome addition to the aromas. A little time in the glass and some hand warming opens up the aromas. The taste is rich and sweet with malt, some really good oak spice and some rich creamy notes all backed by some delicate peat smoke (which is very nice). Actually quite a bit of toffee. The finish is vibrant and shows some of the pizza dough but this soon vanishes to reveal more of the toffee and some nice honey tinged with the peat smoke. A very long finish and good all the way.

A dram not to be rushed and it is fine just the way it is, no need to drown it with ice! Very moreish. Give it a try some time of you have the chance.

$27

Score 87 points 

Part one of three this week looking at three very distinctive blended Scotch whiskies.