Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America July Sale 2011 Outturn Offerings

Garden in the Glen

Cask No. 9.59    
Highlands, Speyside (Rothes)

The unexpected nose said ‘surprise!’ with the rich weighty sweetness of Sauternes fruits (honey, banana, peachy and sugar), brioche and marzipan. Millionaire shortbread brought a traditional bakery alongside custard doughnuts, cookie dough and runny honey. The neat palate revealed a subtle explosion; “malty gold dust” said the Leither. Sweet and sour, the taste was feisty with rhubarb and custard, candy floss, dried raspberries and Edinburgh rock – “all the fun of the fair”. Also Manzanilla sherry and schezuan. The reduced nose became fruitier and floral with elderflower and cherry blossom. The reduced palate was warm with hot chestnuts and German pan fried roasted almonds coated with sugar. Pistachio ice cream and cherry sauce lingered. This distillery is renowned for its beautiful Victorian garden.

Drinking tip: Outdoors in a blossoming garden

Colour: Blonde-gold    
Cask: Refill hogshead    
Age: 13 years    
Date distilled: April 1997
Alcohol: 58.2%

$110

Barley sugars rolled in ash

Cask No. 16.30    
Highlands, Eastern Highlands

The nose delivered dried fruits, treacle, dandelion and burdock, belly pork roasted with brown sugar and much later salt and hot stones; one panellist got a hint of soap. The unreduced palate had sweet tobacco, slightly burnt buttered toast and dark barley sugars rolled in ash; the after-taste was fairly spicy. The reduced nose had crème caramel, Hessian and dark honey. The reduced palate was very sweet but with a darker, drier, tannic edge – lavender, fruity jam, sherry, sweet onion chutney – eventually going back to an echo of the roast pork. The old distillery cat could easily match Mighty Mouse.

Drinking tip: After dinner with coffee

Colour: Deep honey gold   
Cask: Second-fill hogshead   
Age: 22 years    
Date distilled: November 1988
Alcohol: 51.6%

$145

Islay twinned with Algarve

Cask No. 23.67    
Islay, Loch Indaal

The nose whispered delicate perfumes (buttercups, snowdrops, spring flower meadows above sea cliffs); also coconut, cream soda and McVitie’s Gold Bars. Even in reduction we found this nose sexily seductive, with sweet tobacco, sherbet straws, vanilla and mimosa flowers nodding in the warm breeze – like a twinning of the Islay and Algarve landscapes! The unreduced palate had delicious sweet heat – Berwick Cockles and white chocolate with pink peppercorns – we also found heather flowers, bog myrtle, seaweed and white peach. With water it developed Parma ham and leather, salt, smoke, wood sap and Chablis. This distillery’s name means ‘the brae on the shore’ in Gaelic.

Drinking tip: Ideally on a hill, overlooking a beach at sunset

Colour: Platinum gold    
Cask: Refill barrel    
Age: 8 years    
Date distilled: July 2002
Alcohol: 62.5%

$85

Honeyed fruits

Cask No. 125.44    
Highlands, Northern Highlands

Orange blossom, ginger, almonds, and vanilla pods were the Panels first impressions but also notes of leather, coconuts, lily-of-the-valley, fresh herbs – thyme, rosemary and oregano, freshly baked shortbread and white balsamic vinegar. To taste the Panel found a wonderful mix of hot, syrupy lemons, oranges and peaches combined with black pepper, tobacco and nutmeg. The addition of water released the fruits – peaches, apricots, lychees, kiwis (a Del Monte fruit pot someone suggested) all covered in honey; to taste it was sweet, creamy, mouth coating with a lovely nutmeg, root ginger and cinnamon spice. This distillery’s water is drawn from the Tarlogie Springs.

Drinking tip: An anywhere anytime type of dram

Colour: Champagne gold   
Cask: First-fill barrel    
Age: 10 years    
Date distilled: February 2000
Alcohol: 55.9%

$95

You may join the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America at www.smwsa.com

June Outturn Previews: Sporty Pair 1.158 & 76.83
As we gear-up for these (supposedly) warmer months, we thought we’d release this rather ‘Sporty Pair’ from our July Outturn a little early…Buy 1.158 & 76.83 for only £89.90 and save £10

1.158 Cricketer’s Dram
Speyside Spey
£47.30 inc free p&p
A rich ‘whoosh’ on the nose with cocoa, black pepper, rose and cherries; vanilla, wood sap and coconut in milk chocolate

76.83 Cocktails after rugby
Speyside Spey
£52.60 inc free p&p
Lemon and sweet cucumber on the nose, reminded the Tour-guide of Hendrick’s gin cocktails, while someone else identified mud and leather, suggestive of a rugby club changing room

We’ve also found a few interesting bottles at the back of our cupboards, have a browse round our bottlings…

   Browse all bottlings  (68 single casks online)

Islay Lover?
We know you’re out there in droves, enjoy our latest selection of new Islay additions, special releases and offers – hand-picked for our loyal Islay fans and only available via mail order..

33.109 Delightful intensity of sherry and smoke
£60.40 inc. free p&p
Maple syrup, caramel and honey, pear and blackcurrant, ginger, sherry, heather, leather, mushroom compost and burnt toast

Islay Lover Pair: Buy 10.72 & 53.143 for only £89.00 (save £12.00)

10.72 A hawker market in Singapore
£45.70 inc. free p&p
Buttery egg custard, vanilla, syrup, doughnuts, light smoke, struck matches and dried flowers, plus pork char siu, duck and hoisin sauce

53.143 Sea breezes over the machair at night
£56.20 inc free p&p
The nose had ever-present smoke – peat fires, smoked ham and “sparks from a grinder”. It also had salty, medicinal elements

I’m a Society Islay Lover 

Society Tastings & Events (66 Society tastings online)

New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Sat 2 July
New Outturn Open Tasting – The Vaults, Sun 3 July
New Members’ Tasting – London, Thu 14 July
Steak & Chips Tasting – The Vaults, Fri 15 July
Wokingham Preview Tasting – Cantley House, Fri 22 July
Falkirk Wheel Tasting – Queen Street, Thu 28 July

More Society tastings

Whisky For A Year: Free Tasting Glasses

Get whiskyed away on a tide of ultimate single cask single malt Society bottlings..

Over the course of the year we’ll send you bottlings, hand-picked by The Tasting Panel, of the highest quality and intrigue.

Sign-up before Fri 15 July and we’ll include a pair of free tasting glasses with your first bottling (77.25 Notes of floral & tobacco)

 More

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. 

JOHN CAMPBELL INTRODUCES LAPHROAIG CAIRDEAS

Monday, June 27, 5:00-8:00pm

Meet Laphroaig master distiller John Campbell as he introduces his newest hand selected release. The new Laphroaig Cairdeas is a range of ages from fresh bourbon wood and bottled at cask strength.

Call 312-664-4394 for more information.
Chicago – Lincoln Park Store
1720 N. Marcey St. | Chicago | 312-664-4394

Visit Binny’s at www.binnys.com

Since 1869, Wild Turkey bourbon has been made on Wild Turkey Hill, just east of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Jimmy and Eddie Russell saw a need to expand production to meet growing global demand for bourbon, but no room to grow on the Hill. Now, they’re making Wild Turkey at a new $50 million distillery just up the road, and the dedication ceremony for the new distillery was held this week. The Russells tell us how they’ve gotten the new plant to make spirit that tastes just like the old place, and we’ll hear Jimmy’s entire speech during the ceremony.

Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com

The Travels of Whisky Intelligence – Kensington Spring Single Malt Whisky Festival – Thursday June 9th, 2011

Kensington Wine Mart (KWM) in Calgary, Alberta hosts a Single Malt Festival twice yearly in the Spring (Spring is usually tardy in Alberta and quite frankly it can snow at any second no matter what time of the year) and Fall; due to space constraints the Festival is limited to 100 participants. The extensive wine racks  are pushed back to make space, the beer is ignored,  the tables for the various brands & distilleries are shoe horned in as best they can and an extensive array of whiskies is offered to the lucky few whom are able to attend. Whisky Intelligence was one of the lucky attendees this Spring, our attempt to attend in the Fall of 2010 ended before it began due to extremely poor flying weather and aircraft problems (better to experience aircraft problems on the ground rather than half way there). This time the flying weather was perfect and the flight time was mercifully short at just over an hour in duration.

In many ways Alberta is the Canadian version of Texas with lots of income from the oil & gas sector, lots of cowboy hats and boots, big pick up trucks; no provincial sales tax (except for the federal tax, the GST) and basically a free liquor market not burdened by a government monopoly as in other Canadian provinces. The net result is a very vibrant whisky community with very decent prices and loads of selection.

The Festival is organized by Andrew Ferguson (who was recently inducted into the Keepers of the Quaich) and he’s the resident ‘scotch guy’ at Kensington. Customers are kept in the loop by his emailed Malt Messengers newsletter which affords them the inside track on new products, tasting notes, sales, monthly dinners & tastings featuring various single malts and details of distillery trips to Scotland, also led by Andrew.

For such a physically small location crammed with 100 people the line up of whiskies was impressive indeed; Authentic Wine & Spirits with three BenRiach, two Isle of Jura, four GlenDronach (including the Glendronach 1995 KWM PX, a KWM exclusive) and a Dalmore, Purple Valley Imports with Stronachie 18, two Amrut, four different Roughstock, the English Whisky Company, Sullivan’s Cove and a very nice 26yo Glenglassaugh. Diageo Canada had Port Ellen 8th Release, Lagavulin DE, Oban, Talisker, Caol Ila, the Singleton and Bulleit Bourbon. Charton-Hobbs had EIGHT different Glenmorangie, several Ardbeg and a few Glenrothes. Not to be out done the table featuring Edradour and Signatory featured eight bottlings ranging from Edradour Caledonia to Glen Mhor 1982.

United Distributors offered seven bottlings from Bunnahabhain, Tobermory, Ledaig and Deanston while Harvest Vintage Imports offered six Isle of Arran (including two Kensington exclusive casks, one sherry and one bourbon) as well as two Finlaggan. Saverio Schiralli poured a couple of Auchentoshan, four Bowmore and two Glen Garioch.

PMA Canada was pouring three Glenfiddich and five Balvenie. Beam Global had a great selection of three Macallan and four Highland Park (including the recently arrived St. Magnus) as well as the brand new to the market Alberta Premium 30 year old. Gold Medal Marketing featured and impressive line of thirteen Duthies, three G&M Connoisseurs’ Choice, a couple of both Mackmyra and Kilchoman.

The Kensington Wine Mart Table (actually an up ended barrel) featured Tullibardine 1987,   G&M Connoisseurs’ Choice Glen Keith 1968, Kilchoman KWM Fresh Bourbon, G&M KWM Glen Grant 1966, Mackinlay’s Shackleton, Compass Box Hedonism Maxximus and a Signatory Bowmore 1970 40 Year Old. Stellar use of an up ended barrel!

The Curiosities Table was happily controlled by Dr. Jane Cameron who poured Lagavulin Feis Ile 2010, Yamazaki Sherry Cask, Yamazaki Puncheon, Port Charlotte An Tura Mor, Whistle Pig Rye Whiskey and Nikka From the Barrel. Later in the evening Whisky Intelligence earned a wry glance from Andrew Ferguson for blending the Yamazaki Puncheon and the Port Charlotte An Tura Mor together but his look changed to one of pleasant surprise at the result!

Despite the size of the location and the number of people there is no trouble in navgating between tables and everybody is very friendly. Alas, is short order the Festival was over at 9PM sharp however there’s no room for complaint since the selection of whiskies on offer is simply more than you can appreciate in a single evening. Since the selection is so extensive there is something for everybody. Most, if not all of the whiskies were on sale at between 5% and 20% off during the evening and Whisky Intelligence took the opportunity to buy a G&M single cask 1995 Old Pulteney 60.5% from a First Fill Sherry Butt Cask #1505 and a Bruichladdich Classic Sherry 46%, neither of which had been sampled by WI prior to the Festival.

Post Festival WI had the distinct pleasure to have a dram or two with Glenn Todd & Stan Willow, members of the Companions of the Quaich and directors of the Victoria Whisky Festival who were also in Calgary for the Kensington Spring Single Malt Whisky Festival.

Indian Hunter, c. 1855 Collection of Glenbow Museum

As with past festivals (as WI readers well know) the opportunity was taken to visit a local museum and in Calgary the one to visit is the Glenbow Museum which was just a two minute walk from the Fairmont Palliser in the down town area. The selection of historical oil paintings really was first rate and depicted the West extremely well. A nice way to finish the trip and they even have a few paintings by Cornelius Krieghoff, remember him from the Spirit of Toronto trip?

Cornelius Krieghoff

William Bradford The English Arctic Expedition in search of Sir John Franklin

From www.glenbow.org

Glenbow Museum’s holding of nineteenth century art is strong in works on paper featuring topographical and illustrative images, which were created by itinerant artists. They were not professional artists but explorers, engineers, surveyors, and military officers documenting the opening up of the West. Another significant part of the art collection relates to the exploration of the Arctic.

Glenbow also has a large body of works by artists, most members of the newly created Royal Canadian Academy, whose trips to the West were promoted and sponsored by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Large oil paintings by these artists were typically done in Ontario, based directly on sketches, photographs, and watercolours executed on western trips. Over the years, through purchase and donation, Glenbow has acquired many important works of art by artists from eastern Canada and the United States.

Frances Anne Hopkins Canoes in a fog Lake Superior 1869

The Glenbow Museum even had an exhibition of Karsh photographs which was very interesting (but of a lot of deceased people).

Sir Winston Churchill by Karsh

Traditions must be maintained so later in the day at the airport on the home ward leg of the trip in the comfort of the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge a pre flight ‘blend’ of one ounce of Glenlivet 12yo mixed with one ounce of Johnnie Walker Black was enjoyed, an opportunity was had to reflect on the Kensington Spring Single Malt Whisky Festival and what an enjoyable event it is. If you have the opportunity (or if you don’t have the opportunity make one) then you really must attend one of Kensington’s Festivals, they have a great selection of whiskeis and it’s a very good whisky shopping opportunity.

Whisky Intelligence would like to thank Andrew Ferguson and Kensington Wine Mart for the ticket to the Festival. Visit Kensington Wine Mart at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com 

WOODFORD RESERVE® BOURBON RELEASES SORGHUM VINAIGRETTE DRESSING

First bottled dressing available at distillery gift shop

June, 2011, Louisville, KY – Looking for the perfect summer dressing to enhance  fresh garden lettuces, season-grilled vegetables, or the perfect marinade for your favorite meats? Look no more. Woodford Reserve® has created its first-ever bottled salad dressing–Woodford Reserve Sorghum Vinaigrette Dressing–available now in the distillery’s gift shop.

The delectable dressing was developed at The Woodford Reserve Distillery by Chef-in-Residence Ouita Michel for the famous Bourbon Academy Salad (recipe below). Michel teamed up with Bourbon Barrel Foods’ Matt Jamie to bottle the dressing.

“We wanted to reflect the flavors of our premium spirit perfectly- sorghum and bourbon is a match made in heaven. This dressing is light and tangy with the smooth flavors of Kentucky Sorghum running throughout,” says Michel.

Made in Louisville, the dressing contains Kentucky sorghum–similar to molasses–along with apple cider, vinegar, Woodford Reserve bourbon, onion powder, paprika, and hot sauce.

“Sorghum is rich and earthy and adds a great dimension to this unique product. All these flavors are custom matched with our unique flavor wheel approach to develop great bourbon dishes and recipes,” said Michel. “The dressing also works great as a marinade for grilled pork and chicken or even on fresh fruit such as peaches, marinated and grilled.”

Retailing at $5.99 for a 8.4 fl oz. bottle, the dressing is available for purchase at the distillery gift shop, located at 7855 McCracken Pike, in Versailles, KY, or by calling the gift shop directly at 859-879-1940 and ordering over the phone. The item is available for shipping anywhere in the U.S.

Bourbon Academy Salad:

Limestone Bibb lettuce

Fresh sliced oranges or strawberries

Toasted pecans

Thin sliced red onion

Assemble all items, and drizzle dressing over the top.

About Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve is a super-premium Kentucky “small batch” bourbon distilled at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, KY. It is a bourbon of craftsmanship and the embodiment of substance and style. Woodford Reserve is also the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby and its distillery is the oldest bourbon distillery in America. Woodford Reserve is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by Brown-Forman Corporation, a producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord and Tuaca. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly. For more information on Woodford Reserve, visit www.woodfordreserve.com. 

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.2% Alc. by Vol., The Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY ©2011

BONHAMS WHISKY SALE MAKES OVER £140,000 AS LIVE ON-LINE BIDDING IMPACTS
 
Bonhams whisky sale in Edinburgh on 22 June made over £141,500, with 96% of the lots finding a new home.
 
Star performers included a rare, early 20th century Glenfiddich, which made £2,880 (est £1,500-2,000), an 18 year old Bowmore which sold for £3,840 (est £2,500-3,500) and a 1932 Glenrothes-Glenlivet bottled in 1974 which exceeded its estimate of £800-1,200 to sell for £1,800.
 
This was the first Bonhams whisky sale to feature live on-line bidding.  Martin Green, Bonhams whisky specialist, commented, ”The availability of on-line bidding made a noticeable difference both to the number of bids and to the variety of bidders, some of whom were taking part in a Bonhams whisky sale for the first time. On this evidence, the convenience of being able to bid from your own home or office is clearly welcomed.”
 
www.bonhams.com
 
NOTES
 
Bonhams
 
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further five throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Boston in the USA; Toronto, Canada; and France, Monaco, Hong Kong, Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com.

Why not work with us to design your whisky tour in Scotland (or Ireland), we can take you to distilleries that are closed to the public for a really special tasting.  Any number of guests, any length of visit.  We  drive you to distilleries, arrange accommodation, whisky dinners, private tastings and even ship your excess whisky (we promise not to drink it!). We also offer self drive, but please don’t drink and drive.
 
A SUPERB NEW TOUR – join us at next year’s Dublin Whisky Live – you will need to book your place soon as tickets are very limited.  www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/irishwhiskey.asp A grand Irish trip not to be missed, so many whiskey events and tastings planned, watch the website for updates.
 
Looking forward to hearing from you.
 
Paul McLean
www.mcleanscotland.com
The Best Whisky Tour Operators
 
Guests from June 2011 “Paul, On behalf of all I can say we will treasure this trip as a unique experience of the whisky world.   Your network allowing access to closed distilleries and the tastings of very special whiskies at different locations was just beyond belief (and taste).  I have been bragging about this trip already at work, they all envy us. This trip was more than we all imagined.  We feel that we have seen Scotland in a way only possible with a guide like you. Your knowledge of whisky and all details attached to it really made it a special trip.   The adventure has just begun!”  Marc. Netherlands
 
Further as to what our guests have said about our whisky tours:  www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/whisky2011

Macallan

Distilled in Speyside since 1824, Macallan is regarded as one of the best single malts whiskies produced in Scotland. Today we bring you a small selection of some very rare and exclusive malts that have been released by this wonderful distillery. Each released in very limited numbers, and with great reviews from experts around the globe, these wonderful whiskies continue to rise in value and would make for great investment.

Remember!  We don’t charge for postage to the UK mainland when you spend over £100! £16.00 to most of Europe. Great Prices to the USA.

Macallan / Re-Awakening / 12 Year Old

A very special release of 1002 bottles to celebrate the “Re-awakening” of Macallan’s stills, that had laid silent for more than 20 years.

£225.00

Macallan / Royal Marriage / 29th April 2011

Macallan released this very special bottling to celebrate the marriage of HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton on 29th April 2011. Two casks filled on 29th April 1996 and 1999 have been selected, then married together to create a limited release of 1000 bottles.

£400.00

Macallan / Speaker Martin’s / 10 Year Old

£130.00

Macallan / Speaker Martin’s / 10 Year Old

£115.00

Macallan / Runrig-Beat The Dram / 20 Year Old

This exclusive 20 Year Old Macallan was released at the ‘Runrig, Beat the Drum Concert’ which was held on the northern shores of Loch Ness in 2007. One of only 500 individually numbered bottles, which includes a certificate signed by the Runrig band members. 

£155.00

Macallan / Private Eye / 1961

Selected by whisky maker F.A. Newlands at the Macallan distillery, this limited edition release of 5000 individually numbered bottles is a very special bottling as it features an enamelled label by the famous cartoonist Ralph Steadman. Released to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Private Eye magazine.

£995.00 -70cl and £195.00 – 5cl Discount available for combined purchase.

Macallan / 25 Year Old / Sherry Oak

A rare version of Macallan’s 25 year old Sherry oak. Released for a short time in this beautiful red wooden box.

£550.00

Should you have queries regarding any of the bottles listed above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Sláinte!

Mike & Peter

Are looking to sell? Get in touch, auction prices paid!

Abbey Whisky
www.abbeywhisky.com
enquiries@abbeywhisky.com

Specialist supplier of rare, collectable and exclusive malts.

Hello Again friend,

We revamped our database so I thought I would send you another post. This one compares some great affordable whiskies for fourth of July. Let me know what you think and you can just add the image to the top. If you like the database: I would appreciate being put on your blog roll as resource for whisky lovers worldwide.

Affordable American Whisky

You don’t have to splurge to be patriotic this year!

Americans have a lot to be proud of: Freedom, national landmarks, great food and of course, some great spirits. With the Fourth of July coming up, why not enjoy a taste of American history? If you are thinking you have to sacrifice your wallet for the perfect whisky, remember there are plenty of quality options for whisky lovers on a budget.

FindTheBest wants to share five affordable, American whiskies to enjoy before, during and after the fireworks!

Thirteenth Colony Southern Corn With a Gold rating from the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a $30 price tag, this one is definitely worth trying out.

Downslope Double Diamond Try saying it five times fast after enjoying this blended spirit, which goes for $32.

Hudson New York Corn Whisky At $35, you can have a sample of a whisky made the old fashioned way-small batch distillation. Sip this one slowly and be proud that prohibition is a thing of the past.

Rogue Oregon Single Malt The south is definitely the mecca for American whisky, but don’t be afraid to try a taste of the Pacific northwest. For just $37, you can enjoy the smoky, oak flavors of this Oregonian gem.

George Dickel Barrel Select Tennessee For just $37, you can enjoy this southern treat that has aged for ten years with hints of vanilla.

Check out this detailed slideshow of: FindTheBest’s Five American Whiskies Under $40!

FindTheBest is an objective, socially curated comparison engine that allows you to find a topic, compare your options and decide what’s best for you.