RAF Team Nail the Impossible

The Drambuie Pursuit 2011

14 April 2011, Edinburgh: Four serving members of the Royal Air Force have won a £2,500 donation for the RAF’s Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) after securing the number one qualifying position for the high octane Scottish endurance race, The Drambuie Pursuit. 

Team ultRAFast, which includes Squadron Leader Alan Rutledge; Flight Lieutenants Tom Kinsley and Simon Ramsden; and Flying Officer Chris Carrington-Smith, won over a quarter of the votes for their online entry video  and pledge to support the RAFBF.

Taking place 13-15 May, the epic Drambuie Pursuit covers 100 miles of the Scottish Highland’s rugged terrain and includes activities such as rock climbing, white water rafting, downhill mountain biking, kayaking and buggy racing. 

UltRAFast will now compete head to head against nine other international teams including an American celebrity team lead by professional athlete, NFL Pro-American Football star Jeremy Shockey.  Carolina Panther player Shockey was the winner of the first NFL Pro-American Football Rookie Award in 2002 and is a two time Pro-Football Champion.

The race is inspired by events that took place more than 260 years ago. In 1746 after a failed attempt to claim the British throne, Bonnie Prince Charlie was pursued across the highlands by the Government forces but escaped with the help of his loyal clansmen. In gratitude for their help he passed on the top secret recipe for his personal elixir which became Drambuie.

UltRAFast team member, Flight Lieutenant Tom Kinsley said: “All of us share a mutual passion for the great outdoors and adrenalin fuelled adventures. Thanks to Drambuie, we will be able do what we love best, in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland.  The fact that we are doing it for such a worthy cause makes it all the more special.

“As serving members of the Royal Air Force we all are affected by operations in Afghanistan, either personally or through friends and work colleagues. The Benevolent Fund provides an essential support for all members of the RAF, past and present. The help and advice it offers whether financial, personal or dealing with injuries and bereavement cannot be overstated.”

Will Birkin, Senior Brand Manger Drambuie said: “UltRAFast make worthy winners of the charity prize money and Drambuie is delighted the funds are going to such a worthwhile cause.  The premise behind the Drambuie Pursuit is that working together, friends and colleagues can “Nail the Impossible” and achieve results above all expectations.  UltRAFast live by that very same code every day in their working lives. We wish them, and all of the teams, best of luck in the Pursuit challenge in May.”

The RAF’s leading welfare charity, the RAFBF provides practical, financial and emotional support to serving and former members of the RAF as well as families. The RAFBF deals with a wide range of issues from childcare and relationship difficulties, to injury and disability and from financial hardship and debt to illness and bereavement.

The spirit of Drambuie lives on and over the years this unique whisky liqueur has been passed down through generations carrying with it a sense of adventure, culminating in this exciting event.  Today people around the world are enjoying Drambuie served long with & ginger beer; know as The Drambuie Ginger Nail, a refreshing twist on the classic Drambuie cocktail The Rusty Nail.

For more information on Drambuie Pursuit please visit: www.drambuie.co.uk/pursuit

Drambuie encourages responsible drinking
www.drinkaware.co.uk   www.scotch-whisky.org.uk

Notes:

Team UltRAFast include:

Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr) Alan Rutledge based at RAF Wittering
Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Tom Kinsley based at RAF Valley
Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Simon Ramsden based at RAF Boscombe Down (Soon to be at RAF Lossiemouth flying the Tornado)
Flying Officer (Fg Off) Chris Carrington-Smith, based at RAF Benson
 
About DRAMBUIE®

The elixir at the heart of DRAMBUIE was created more than 260 years ago exclusively for Prince Charles Edward Stuart of Scotland.  It is a unique combination of aged Scotch whiskies, heather honey and a blend of herbs and spices – a recipe kept secret since 1745. In the late 19th century the drink became know as “an dram buidheach” – from the Gaelic the drink that satisfies, and was subsequently registered as Drambuie is 1893. The first commercial production of Drambuie took place in Edinburgh 1909, it became the first liqueur to be served in The House of Lords in 1916 and became popular internationally as it was taken abroad by the Scottish Regiments in the two World Wars.

In the USA post prohibition, it became synonymous with the classic cocktail The Rusty Nail ™. Today it’s enjoyed neat, over ice and as a long refreshing drink mixed with soda, ginger beer or ginger ale.  For more information visit www.drambuie.com

Chester Whisky Festival Saturday 29th Oct. 2011

This is the first Whisky Festival of it’s kind to be held in the Grand City of Chester. The venue is ‘The Pavillion’ at Chester Racecourse where you will find some of the most well known and renowned producers of Single Malt Whisky, Vodka, Liqueurs & cask ales in the country. We are inviting you to come to Chester to take you on a Journey of Alcoholic discovery.

Tickets are £20.00 each and are available via the link below;

Doors Open 10.30am.

http://chesterwhisky.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=49&products_id=894

Another month has passed and I’ve now completed my online shop, which accepts card payments through a secure payment provider.

I have selected and bottled a few casks, all of which are single cask bottlings, not chill filtered, with no added colourings and individually numbered labels. Hopefully a few more will be coming along soon.

For those among you who enjoy “blind” whisky tastings with your friends, there is a special “Mystery Whisky” which presents a fun option, with clues on the label as to where the whisky was produced. This makes a great gift for any fellow whisky lover but equally, a great present just for you!

NEW 70CL WHISKIES AVAILABLE NOW 

Bottles can be purchased from the Whiskybroker website by clicking “Online Shop” on the menu. Postage to other European countries is the same for one bottle as for six bottles so ordering in bulk with friends or as part of a club is a real money-saving option. Payment will not be taken for any orders placed until the order has been processed and is ready for posting. You will be notified when the order has been despatched and it is anticipated that this will commence next week.

GREAT VALUE CASKS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

Please write a comment on the website guestbook, especially if you have made a purchase. Feedback will be appreciated. Finally, if you have any website related suggestions, don’t hesitate to send me an email.

Regards,

Martin Armstrong

www.whiskybroker.co.uk

info@whiskybroker.co.uk

40 Year-Old Whiskies: A Guide

Ok, we’re doing something a bit different today on The Whisky Exchange Blog – a collaborative post!  Yes, this particular blog on forty year-old whisky has been written by myself AND Sukhinder:  he’s supplied the history and the cold hard facts, while I’ve contributed a cod-philosophical waffle about perceptions of value at the start.  A winning…(click on the link below to read the rest of the post)…

http://tinyurl.com/3cknzkz

Loch Fyne Whiskies has stocked a new item, ‘Balmenach CC 1999 11yo’

Balmenach CC 1999 11yo
43% abv
£25.30 inc vat
£21.08 ex vat

Great value Speyside quality.

Refill sherry cask, a very satisfying Speysider.

Square F3 on the Flavour Map (in Dad’s opinion). Complex / Delicate

A ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ bottling from renowned bottlers Gordon & MacPhail.

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

Visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at www.lfw.co.uk

Premium Whisky Brand Launched in Las Vegas

The world’s most expensive bottle of whisky, a journey through Scottish arctic conditions and a genuine love of the spirit are the inspirations behind an innovative premium whisky brand, unveiled at a major event in Las Vegas. 

The Sirius Intrepid Whisky Purveyors brand, which is the brainchild of Mahesh Patel (Atlanta, Georgia), renowned whisky collector, was unleashed at his own event, the “Nth” Universal Whisky Experience – the world’s first luxury whisky enjoyment experience – held in the prestigious Wynn Resort in Las Vegas (18/19 March 2011).

International creative branding and design agency, threebrand, based in Edinburgh, Scotland, was behind the brand concept, including DNA, packaging design and support sales materials, as well as resources for the launch exhibition.

The Sirius range contains four whiskies, which are limited in stock due to the nature of the spirit; one exceptionally rare cask from the world famous malt distillers at The Dalmore, a hidden single malt gem from Fettercairn and two rare single grain whiskies. Mahesh’s view on grain varieties is that they are “misunderstood and wrongly ignored”. He feels they will become extremely rare and highly collectable over time.

Whisky enthusiast, owner of Sirius and CEO Universal Whisky Experience, Mahesh Patel, said:

“I started my search naturally in Scotland and have spent 10 years visiting key distilleries there – both malt and grain – to uncover the very best stocks that are ripe for bottling. My journey in 2010 to discover these liquid treasures happened in the worst early winter snowstorm the country had experienced in over 50 years. I traversed the country, through the arctic conditions, to reach a Highland distillery where I was presented with over 100 of its rarest whisky casks. 

“When sampling my whiskies, I focus particularly on mouth feel, texture and finish and use my trusted blindfold method. The key for me is the drinking experience, its enjoyment and its delivery, which is what led me to the single grains in particular. It was important for the Sirius brand to reflect all of this – from the DNA to packaging and support sales materials.”

The range was unveiled to a select audience of whisky connoisseurs, collectors and enthusiasts from the USA, who also took part in various events, including, whisky and cigar / chocolate pairing, whisky mixology and a new spirits tasting enhancement method.

Initial reactions to the range have been very positive, with strong word of mouth recommendations expected to boost sales initially, before an exclusive deal is confirmed with an online retailer.

On selecting Edinburgh-based threebrand to handle branding and design aspects, Mahesh continued:

“threebrand’s tremendous packaging expertise, first class premium spirits’ experience and the fact that the team was quick to understand, provoke, uncover and ‘get’ the brief, allied with a strong chemistry, confirmed there could only be one winner for the business. threebrand understood my passion for whisky and my desire to develop a super premium independent bottler business.”

Sirius is one of many clients outside of the UK on threebrand’s extensive portfolio, including Heineken USA, Proximo Spirits and Philips (Paris).

Nick Cadbury, Creative Director at threebrand, said:

“We were recommended to Mahesh through a current whisky client and immediately took to his idea, enthusiasm and approach. The brief was to create an innovative new premium whisky brand, which would challenge the usual independent whisky bottler genre.

“We provided a simple solution using black and white – one for malt, one for grain. The creation of brand name – which literally means the brightest star in the sky – and icon, was pivotal to capturing the lengths Mahesh was prepared to go to whilst looking for this rare liquid.

“The “Nth” Universal Whisky Experience was the perfect launch pad for Sirius and we’re confident that the exclusive range will be popular with whisky connoisseurs across the world.”

For more information on Sirius, visit www.siriuswhiskypurveyors.com or for the “Nth” Universal Whisky Experience, www.universalwhiskyexperience.com

For more information on threebrand, log on to www.threebrand.com.

Notes:

threebrand:
• threebrand is a creative branding agency, launched in 2004
• Its hand-picked and highly motivated team enjoy working from Boat 1502U, located on the Water of Leith in the heart of Edinburgh’s creative community
• threebrand aims to help its clients create distinctive brands by following three simple steps:
o understanding the dynamics of their brands’ marketplace
o taking this knowledge and creating inspired design solutions
o ensuring brand integrity and consistent implementation
• threebrand PR compliments threebrand, offering both an integrated approach, together with stand alone PR consultancy and advice
• The company strongly believes that brands will benefit from a threebrand integrated approach with the new PR arm providing:
o a one team approach
o consistency and alignment of brand, guidelines, aims and objectives
o shared values, professionalism and expert advice
• PR support services will be recommended and tailored to the brand needs and requirements, but could include the following:
o brand management, reputation management and profiling (consumer and corporate), event management, media relations
o crisis and issues management (plus crisis/message training), web design and management
o press office support (proactive and reactive), research, planning and evaluation, special projects and professional consultancy

Sirius Intrepid Whisky Purveyors
• Sirius Intrepid Whisky Purveyors is the brainchild of Mahesh Patel, renowned whisky collector, investor and founder of Universal Whisky Experience
• Mahesh is a successful commercial real estate developer in Atlanta, Georgia. For the past two decades, the company has spawned commercial construction, development, management companies and hotel franchises throughout the south-eastern United States
• Mahesh’s great passion in life is whisky, namely ‘Scotch’ whisky and he has been a collector of fine and rare whiskies for more than 20 years
• A connoisseur and enthusiast, he frequently attends exclusive whisky events and gatherings both domestically and abroad
• Well-connected and respected among industry leaders, distillery managers and owners and brand ambassadors, Mahesh has leveraged these relationships and is excited to offer the world’s first luxury whisky enjoyment experience, the “Nth” 2011 Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
• Sirius has limited availability due to the nature of the spirit. To find out more on the range or if you are interested in purchasing, visit www.siriuswhiskypurveyors.com
• Prices range from £1,000 to £2,000 per bottle, with the four casks being filled from 1962 to 1967.

Master of the Quaich

We can’t resist telling you that on Monday this week our boss Richard Joynson was elevated to Master of the Quaich, the highest possible accolade the Scotch Whisky Industry can bestow upon it’s servants (there are only 140 Masters).

Loch Fyne Whiskies is the only retailer (whisky or otherwise) to be managed or owned by a Master.

Best regards,

David.
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Kilchoman Spring 2011

A mix of 3 year old and 4 year old matured in first fill bourbon barrels and oloroso sherry butts.

The first in a series of exciting new bottlings planned for 2011 from the Islay micro distillery.

£40.49 (£33.74 ex VAT)

Visit the Whisky Barrel for more New Releases and Collector’s Corner at www.whiskybarrel.com

Hello My Fellow Scotch Lovers –

This weeks Whisky Wednesday is an amazing opportunity to acquire a rare whisky, at an incredible price: Scott’s Selection Bladnoch 1984 Lowland Cask Strength Whisky.

Bladnoch is Scotland’s most southerly distillery, nestled on the green banks of the River Bladnoch, from which it takes its name. Located in this beautifully remote area of Galloway, the distillery has been producing the “Spirit of the Lowlands” since 1817.

F. Paul Pacult described the whisky as “The sweet nose and toffee flavor reveal a surprisingly light finish” in his Spirit Journal, and gave it a rating of 90-95 ‘Highly Recommended’.

Nicky No-Neck described the whisky “really friggin’ good” and has come through, yet again, with a price you can’t beat with a stick…and of course we’re passing those savings on to you, our subscribers: I am thrilled to be able to offer Scott’s Selection Bladnoch 1984 for $145/bottle(normally $175).

As usual, the product supply at this price is very limited…and once it’s gone, it’s gone.  So please purchase your bottle(s) ASAP if you are interested.

Finally, you won’t be hearing from me for a couple of weeks, as next week I travel to Scotland for 10 days of frolicking in the Scottish Highlands. I will be attending the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festivalwith my father, the Good Doctor Stone, who first introduced me to whisky many moons ago.

What better way to spend some time with your dad….eh?

We’ll be in touch in early May…until then,

Doug Stone

Founder

www.ForScotchLovers.com

SCOTT’S SELECTION BLADNOCH 1984 TASTING NOTES – WINE ENTHUSIAST

“The first nosings pick up beguiling scents of carnation, rose petal, spring garden, mint and cinnamon spiciness; further aeration adds nuances of white pepper, fir-tree needles, and a faint dollop of honey. The taste at palate entry is creamy and moderately spicy; at midpalate the flavor turns biscuity, doughy and Sherry-cask sweet. Concludes gracefully.” – 90-95 points (07/05)
___________________________________________________________________

WHAT THE HECK IS SCOTT’S SELECTION?

Admittedly, waiting for our rare casks of Scotch whiskies to reach their peak maturation points isn’t the most action-packed business, but the fruits of our labors are well worth our patience. Some years ago Robert Scott-former Master Distiller and renowned Scotch whisky connoisseur, whose “nose” for fine whisky is now legendary-began a quest. Joining forces with the Speyside Distillery, Scott expertly “nosed” his way through Scotland’s foremost distilleries, seeking out and purchasing rights to individual barrels with unusual promise. He possessed the rare ability to recognize potential greatness in a single malt Scotch with only a whiff of his nose. After hand-selecting the highest quality individual barrels, Scott waited. And waited some more. Finally, when the casks reached their optimum ages-always distinct from the time when the spirits were bottled by other distilleries for mass consumption-Scott bottled them. Thus, Scott’s Selection was born.

In addition to being aged to its optimum level, each finite stock of exceptional single malt (and one top-quality grain) is bottled with the greatest of care to ensure the malts keep as close as possible to their natural state in the cask. Every barrel of Scott’s Selection is bottled at cask strength, undiluted by water. Each bottle is non-chillfiltered; that is, the whiskies are not chilled during the filtering process prior to bottling. The chillfiltering process separates the whisky from its natural fats and oils and renders a clearer Scotch, and it is usually administered to more standardized Scotch whiskies. However, purists insist this process also compromises flavor, and that only by strict adherence to traditional whisky-making methods can the individual characteristics of each malt be appreciated.

The boys and girls at Auchentoshan, the triple distilled lowland whisky, have launched a completely restyled and revamped website at www.auchentoshan.com.

Check it out! Visit it often and sip generously (don’t gulp!)

Mark Dermul
A Toshan Man
(www.markdermul.be/toshanman)