Hello Fellow Scotch Lovers –

We live in strange times. 

Case in point: Harold Camping, the 89-year-old leader of the ministry Family Radio Worldwide and who’s spent a good part of his life flipping pages of The Bible, has authored a book report that would make his mother proud. In it he convinces himself and his followers that the world is going to end on May 21, 2011….that’s right, this Saturday…as in three (3) days from now .

Actually, the complete destruction may take up to six months, but certainly no one should make plans for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

So this weeks Whisky Wednesday opportunity is about broadening horizons and trying something new before “Last Call”…three truly terrific whiskies from Wales (yes, Wales): Penderyn Single Malt Welsh Whiskies.

There are three delicious expressions from Penderyn: Penderyn Madeira Finish($68.60); Penderyn Sherrywood Finish(75.50); and Penderyn Peated Single Malt Welsh Whisky ($75.50).  

As usual, these are very limited production whiskies, so the availability is also limited…and once it’s gone, it’s gone.  So please  purchase your bottle(s) ASAP if you are interested.

Oh…and by the way…did I mention to keep a very close eye on these emails?  You should, because over the next few weeks I’ll be making some exciting announcements…including really great news about our Whisky Explorers Club…so STAY TUNED!

Doug Stone
Founder
www.ForScotchLovers.com

PENDERYN SINGLE MALT WELSH WHISKIES

  
THE STORY OF PENDERYN WELSH WHISKY 

The first Welsh distillers in more than a century, the Penderyn distillery is located in the old village of Penderyn, nestled in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, and the Brecon Beacons National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty famed for its breathtaking scenery, open moorland, clear rivers and tumultuous waterfalls.

The distillery produces just one cask per day of the finest malted barley spirit. The majority of thier spirit goes into cask for ageing in thier cellars. Minute quantities are diverted to craft other award-winning products. The availability of their whisky has to be on strict allocation to markets outside Wales. It is one of the rarest, finest and most delicate malt whiskies available.

PENDERYN MADEIRA FINISHED SINGLE MALT WELSH WHISKY

“This single malt Welsh whisky defines our ‘house style of whiskies’ being distilled in our unique copper pot still, matured in bourbon barrels, finished in rich Madeira wine casks and bottled at premium strength. This single malt whisky is smooth, light in character and softly golden in colour.

At premium strength (46% vol) Penderyn single malt whisky has an exceptionally balanced taste with an aroma of cream toffee and fleetingly of fresh new leather. Then, as the initial sensations fade, the finishing notes of tropical fruits, raisins and vanilla emerge strongly and are long lasting.” – distiller

REVIEW OF PENDERYN MADEIRA FINISHED – by CHRISTOPHER NULL/ DRINKHACKER.COM 

Yes, Virginia, they make whisky in Wales. And as in Scotland, they spell it without the E.

Penderyn is the best known Welsh whisky on the market, probably because it’s the only operating distillery left in the region.

Penderyn makes several bottlings, but this, in the company’s “house style,” is one of its best-known, a single malt which is matured in bourbon barrels and finished in old Madeira wine casks. It bears no age statement but is lightly golden in color and the balance indicates it’s quite young.

Wood and leather notes are surprisingly prominent in the body, which exhibits a buttery, honey-like consistency. The Madeira character is considerably different than in, say, Balvenie’s Maderia-finished Scotch, ending not so much with wine-like notes but with bittersweet chocolate and more cask wood character. I’d like more balance and cohesion in all of these flavors, but I do appreciate this whisky’s moxie. – 92 proof/ B+

PENDERYN SHERRYWOOD FINISHED SINGLE MALT WELSH WHISKY

“The fine single malt whisky is finished to impart a generous flavour of subtle complexity.  Hand crafted to perfection, the unique distillation and maturation produces a single malt whisky in which the Penderyn style is enhanced by rich tones of dry Sherry. This fine whisky captures the true spirit of Wales.

At premium strength (46% vol) Penderyn Sherrywood single malt whisky yields rich dark fruits and caramels from dry Oloroso sherry casks which intermingle with green apples, hazelnuts and hints of sugared almonds. The nose is quickly reminded of Penderyn whiskies’ classic freshness. The taste begins with remarkable sweetness that gives way for a moment to a refreshing dryness in the mid palate.  Caramels and sultanas persist into a long finish.” – distiller 

PENDERYN PEATED SINGLE MALT WELSH WHISKY

“Our peated single malt whisky is finished to impart a generous flavour of subtle complexity. Hand crafted to perfection, the unique distillation and maturation produces a single malt whisky in which a delicate spirit underlies a medium peaty character with light golden tone. This fine whisky captures the true spirit of Wales.

At premium strength (46% vol) the sweet aromatic smoke of Penderyn Peated single malt whisky is immediately obvious but soon vanilla, green apples and refreshing citrus notes mingle to give an array of gentle flavours that challenge even the most sophisticated palate.  A medium finish with residues of smoke and vanilla that leaves the palate thirsting for more.” – distiller

Glen Breton Wins Prestigious Awards
 
Lauchie MacLean, President of Glenora Distillers, producer of Canada’s Most Famous Single Malt Whisky, is pleased to announce that the whiskies of Glenora have been accorded highest awards in a series of recent international competitions:

Glen Breton Rare Aged 10 years won Gold Medal, 95 points, “Exceptional” at The 2011 International Review of Spirits, held in Chicago.

Battle of the Glen, our Special Edition Glen Breton 15-Year Old, commemorating the final victory of Glenora in a nine-year contest to register Glen Breton as our flagship trade mark, won Gold Medal, 93 Points, “Exceptional” at the competition.

In 2011 “World Whiskies Awards” competition, sponsored by the authoritative spirit journal, Whisky Magazine, awarded Battle of the Glen, “Best Rest of the World Single Malt 13 years and Over.”

In 2006, Glen Breton Rare was rated as one of the world’s “Top 50 Spirits” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Glen Breton Ice, the world’s first Single Malt Whisky aged in Ice Wine Barrels” won Silver Medal at San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

 “This is a proud day for all of us at Glenora Distillers. We are truly delighted that the unique character of the single malts from our beloved Highlands in Cape Breton have been so honoured in the world’s most prestigious competitive whisky evaluations. The recognition and following we have gained with whisky lovers globally has been hard won, and we believe, justly earned.”  – Bob Scott, Executive Vice President.

Visit Glen Breton and Glenora Distillery at www.glenoradistillery.com

Win the Consumer’s Beverage of Choice

The Spirits International Prestige (SIP) Awards takes a fresh approach to beverage competitions by linking producers to the people who matter the most – the consumers.  The contest organizers invite all producers of alcoholic spirit beverages to submit entries for the annual consumer-judged awards competition.  The SIP Awards were instituted in 2009 to celebrate the diversity and high quality of spirits and to recognize the best of the best in an effort to generate unbiased and impartial acknowledgment. 

The SIP Awards are different from similar competitions because they use consumer judges instead of industry professional judges. “We wanted to find out which spirit brands would come out on top if all of the hype and marketing were taken out of the equation,” says Paul Hashemi, executive producer of the SIP Awards. They remain steadfast in their goal of providing one of the most reliable measures of beverage quality in the world. By working directly with educated and impartial consumers, The SIP Awards has established a completely merit-based awards system that effectively levels the playing field for beverage producers, both seasoned and new.

Spirits entered in the competition will be judged in a blind tasting that is strictly based on the characteristics of aroma, taste, and finish. By winning a bronze, silver, gold, or platinum SIP Award, a brand is empowered and transformed into the consumers’ choice for its spirit category.  In 2010, 162 brands entered in the global competition, with 29 receiving platinum medals. The consumer judging panel stripped away the layers of elaborate marketing, brand recognition, price point disparity, and most importantly, the bias of established judges, to reward the brands that are truly the best in class.

Winners of the SIP Awards will also receive exclusive exposure through internet media, social networking sites, television, and print publicity campaigns.  Brands that win SIP Awards are distinguished as a preferred brand by consumers, which strengthens the brand to rise to new heights in marketing and sales.  Beverage industry media partners offer special promotions extended only to SIP Award medal winners, which further contributes to their public relations activities. 

The SIP Awards is sponsored by the most well-known industry publications, such as:  Bar Business Magazine, Nightclub & Bar Magazine, Chilled Magazine, Food & Beverage Magazine, Modern Distillery Age, Proof66, DrinkedIn, Mutineer Magazine, and DrinkMe Magazine.  As an international competition, the SIP Awards’ reach is far and wide and, as such, a portion of all proceeds are annually donated to the American Red Cross, an organization whose long history of good will is felt worldwide.

The deadline for entering the SIP Awards competition is June 3, 2011. For entry forms and information on the upcoming competition, please visit http://www.sipawards.com or
call 1-888-254-1764

Last Tasting of the Year!!!!!!!!!

This is it, the last tasting of the year!!

No tickets necessary, simply turn up with 2£ (and raffle money) and savour your 4 drams! Still a huge selection left!

When: Wednesday 18th May – 7pm
Where: The Butchart Centre, University Road
 
Are you going???

Thank to everyone who supported us this year! We´ll be back in September for an even bigger and better AUMWS!!!!

University of Aberdeen Malt Whisky Society
The Butchart Centre
University Road
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire AB24 3UT
aberdeenwhisky@googlemail.com

As the new boy here at TWE Towers the time has come that I must reveal myself to the world via a blog post. Hello, I am Billy. I’m a former computer programmer turned whisky blogger who now has the semi-official job title of “Tim F’s Minion”. That’s enough about me, on to some drink… (please click HERE to read the rest of the article).

ISLAY FESTIVAL 2011 – DIAGEO ANNOUNCES SPECIAL BOTTLINGS

Two limited edition single-cask bottlings of Lagavulin™ and Caol Ila™ Single Malt Scotch Whiskies will be released for the 2011 Islay Festival, Diageo has announced.

Like previous Festival bottlings, it’s anticipated that they will be much in demand from enthusiasts.  Often selling out within hours of going on sale, they will be available to personal shoppers at the distilleries only.

13-Year Old Lagavulin™

The Lagavulin Festival bottling comes from a Refill Butt filled in February 1998, selected from Warehouse Number 1 by Iain McArthur, long-time warehouseman at the distillery. It has been bottled in an edition of 588 bottles at its natural cask strength of 51% ABV.

Lagavulin Feis Bottling 2011

One of Diageo’s tasters commented on its “approachable fruit tones and late, cleansing anise-like notes, against a backdrop of appetising smoke”.

Bodega-cask Caol Ila™

The Caol Ila single cask bottling – hand selected by Billy Stitchell, long-standing distillery manager, whose family connections with Caol Ila distillery go back many generations – has been drawn from a bodega cask filled in February 2000. It enjoys a high natural cask strength of 64.3% ABV, in an edition of 600 bottles.

Caol Ila Feis Bottling 2011

“A lean and precise whisky at cask strength … altogether longer and more structured with water. Complex and provocative throughout …” were some of our taster’s comments.

Sale conditions

The Lagavulin single-cask bottling will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the distillery, starting on the distillery’s open day, Saturday 21 May. The Caol Ila bottling will be sold with effect from Monday 23 May which is the Caol Ila open day.

Both bottlings are priced at £79.95 UK RRP per bottle.

Nick Morgan, Diageo’s Scotch Knowledge and Heritage Director, said: “Whisky lovers travel from all over the world to visit the Islay Festival.

“These two carefully chosen single cask bottlings are both outstanding examples of Islay whiskies, conveying something of the island’s magic for those lucky enough enjoy them on their return home.”

During the Festival, a series of special events (now all fully booked) will be held at both Lagavulin and Caol Ila distilleries, including tastings with the distillery manager and warehouse demonstrations. There will be also be tours of the Port Ellen Maltings.

Access to Caol Ila Distillery

Diageo has announced that, as in previous years, due to limited space there is no parking at Caol Ila distillery, except for cars with a registered disabled badge. A regular complimentary shuttle bus service will operate from Ballygrant Hall at Keills.

Notes

Festival website: http://www.theislayfestival.co.uk/ . See also www.malts.com and www.discovering-distilleries.com .

KOVAL WHISKEY SEMINAR

Thursday, May 19, 6:30-8:30pm

Meg Bell, Brand Ambassador for Koval Distillery, will be conducting a seminar featuring the Lion’s Pride range of Whiskies, distilled here in Chicago. Space is extremely limited, and pre-paid reservations are required. $10 W/Binny’s Card / $15 non-members.

Call 847-831-5400 or email highlandpark@binnys.com for reservations.
Highland Park Store
153 Skokie Valley Highway

Visit Binny’s at www.binnys.com

“I’m happy to report that a fresh E-pistle from Nabil has just been published;

http://www.maltmaniacs.org/whisky-articles/Malt-Maniacs-2011-03-The-Reverse-Angels-Share.pdf

Like the title suggests, it deals with the strange phenomenon that the share that the Scottish angels are taking seems to be returned halfway around the globe.

Sweet drams,

Johannes”

(fanfare of trumpets)  …. heeeeeeeeeeeers Raaaaalfy’s 200th review (lots of cheers and applause)

Whisky Review 200 (1/2) – The Anniversary Mystery Malt Review

Visit Ralfy at www.ralfy.com