NFL Carolina Panther set for release in Scottish Highlands

13-15 May 2011

In the wilderness of Scotland’s rugged and remote Highlands, the NFL Carolina Panther Jeremy Shockey, will face one of the biggest endurance tests of his career, as he competes against nine other international teams in the annual Drambuie Pursuit 2011.

The winner of the first NFL Pro-American Football Rookie Award in 2002 and a two time Pro-Football Champion, Shockey will aim to bring all his skills from the football field to the high-octane competition. Covering over 100 miles in one day, the epic adventure race will include rock climbing,  white water rafting, downhill mountain biking, kayaking and buggy racing.

In anticipation of his first visit to Scotland, Jeremy Shockey said “The Drambuie Pursuit is an incredible opportunity to showcase athletic prowess and endurance.. I look forward to putting together an unbeatable team to tackle the Scottish Highlands and knock out the competition.”

Previously with the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants, Shockey signed a multi-million dollar deal with the Carolina Panthers in early March 2011. As part of his participation in the Drambuie Pursuit, Jeremy will be making a donation to the Heath Evans Foundation. Founded by Jeremy’s teammate, Heath Evans, the foundation is dedicated to fostering hope and healing in the lives of children and families affected by sexual abuse.

Will Birkin, Senior Brand Manager for Drambuie commented “We are excited to see the level of competitiveness Jeremy will bring to the Drambuie Pursuit, as this is the second time we have enlisted a professional athlete having used Lawrence Dallaglio in 2009. 2010 has been an exciting year for revitalising and modernising the brand, and we look forward to continuing that momentum by enjoying the participation of a star from the NFL in the 2011 Drambuie Pursuit.”

The UK teams who will be competing against Team Jeremy all secured their place in the competition as they were the teams with the most public votes for their team application.  The team with the most votes, UtRAFast, made up of four RAF servicemen, were rewarded with a £2,500 donation from Drambuie to the charity of their choice, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.  The RAF’s largest welfare charity provider the RAFBF provides far reaching support for serving and former members of the RAF and their families.

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.

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
 
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

The Best Richly Sherried Single Cask Whiskies

Macallan 1989, 50%, Scotts Selection

Big oak, gentle warm spice, sultanas and plums to finish. £75

Tomintoul 1988, 50.1%, Scotts Selection

Very dark almost charcoal in colour, peppery and fruity yet smooth and gentle. £65

Glenglassaugh 1984, 25 Year Old, 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing

Great distillery, rare to find sherry cask. £105

Tullibardine 1992, 53.8%, John Black Single Cask No5 Distillery Bottled

Fantastic, dark brown, brooding single malt loads of sherry. £90

Glencadam 1977 32 Year Old, 54.9% Old & Rare Douglas Laing

Heavy sherry with the added benefit of being particularly quality whisky. £205

Tamnavulin 1989 21 Year Old, Rare Auld Duncan Taylor

According to DT, from a refill sherry butt but still obviously sherried. £69

Glengoyne 21 Year Old 1985 53%, Distillery Bottled

This was matured in First Fill Sherry. £140

Bowmore 1987 23 Year Old, 59.1% Old & Rare Douglas Laing

Highly recommended. £205

Delivery is free to any one address in England and Wales for orders over £285.00 Inc Vat. For orders under £285.00 Inc. Vat there is a delivery charge of £17.25 Inc Vat. Orders for Scotland, the Islands and Highlands will be charged at cost. 

Lee Tomlinson
Assistant Manager
Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London
W1D 4NX
www.milroys.co.uk

Whisky Review 195 – GlenDronach 15yo Revival… and all because www.ralfy.com recommend’s it !

A Little Bit of Chemistry

Good afternoon,

Ask any enthusiast what whisky is made of and they’ll tell you –  water, cereals and yeast. Romantics will argue there is a fourth one –  people; but have you ever wondered what whisky is really made of? What  are its chemical properties? For instance, what gives Grant’s its  honeyed…(click on the link below to read the rest of the post)…

http://blog.grantswhisky.com/2011/04/a-little-bit-of-chemistry-2/

Kind regards,
Ludo

All of the Jolly Toper’s whisky tastings take place on Thursday nights from 7:30pm until approximately 10pm at the Tolbooth Tavern, 167 Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, meals available up to the time of the tastings.

P/O/U/R/S = Peaty, Old, Unusual, Rare and Sherry cask matured.

Thursday April 14th:- P/O/U/R/S £20/17*

Thurs. April 28th:- Tomintoul £15/12* – ticket includes £5 off a bottle from the Tomintoul range
21yo 40%
33yo 43%
Old Ballantruan peated 50%
12yo port finish 46%
12yo oloroso sherry finish 40%

Thursday May 12th:- P/O/U/R/S £20/17*

Thursday May 26th:- non-Scottish peaty drams £tbc
India: Amrut 62.8%
U.S.A.: McCarthy’s
Japan: t.b.c.
England: St. Georges
Ireland: Cooley

Thursday June 9th:- P/O/U/R/S £20/17*

Thursday June 23rd:- Arran £tbc
Machrie Moor peated 46%
‘Oran Mor’ 56.4% sherry cask 236 bottles
10yo 57.1% Bourbon cask 219 bottles Loch Fyne Whiskies bottling
Cadenheads 1998 12yo 57.4%
plus another one to be confirmed

Thursday July 7th P/O/U/R/S £20/17*

Thursday July 21st Lagavulin £tbc
LG2
Distiller’s Edition 1994 – 2010 43%
16yo 43%
1995 12yo European oak 48% Friends of Classic Malts
and a fifth expression to be confirmed

Future Themes:

18yo- ‘Us’ and ‘Them’: comparisons of distillery bottlings with independant expressions – Highland Park, Glendronach and Tamdhu, Ben Nevis: Cadenheads 1996 – 03/2009 12yo 57.1% Bourbon hogshead 256 bootles, 10yo 46%, single blend, single grain, Cadenheads ‘dumpy’ 06/1965 – 12/1981 16yo 46%, Bladnoch: Rare Malts 23yo, Cadenheads 17yo 55.1% Bourbon hogshead, peated, sherry cask plus one other example

Peaty blends 40%: Islay Mist, Islay Hallmark 8yo, Black Bottle 10yo, Black Grouse, Black Bottle, plus a special guest (Brora or Port Ellen) Template design by Web-Kreation.

Visit the Jolly Toper at http://www.jollytopertastings.co.uk/

IRISH DISTILLERS PERNOD RICARD WINS TOP AWARDS AT PRESTIGIOUS SPIRIT COMPETITION

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard is celebrating the success of its premium whiskey portfolio after achieving four Double Gold and one Gold medal at the internationally renowned San Francisco World Spirit Competition (SFWSC) 2011.

Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve, the most luxurious whiskey in the Jameson family, picked up a Double Gold in the Blended Irish Whiskey category, while Jameson 12 Year Old Special Reserve won Gold.

Redbreast, the highly acclaimed single pot still whiskey also created at the Midleton Distillery, Co. Cork, won Double Gold for both its 12 Year Old and 15 Year Old expressions.

Powers 12 Year Old, the premium edition of Powers Gold Label, one of Ireland’s favourite whiskeys, also picked up a Double Gold medal.

Speaking about the company’s success, CEO and Chairman of Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, Alex Ricard says: “To achieve five top awards at this prestigious competition is a huge honour and testament to the skill and dedication of our master distillers at the Midleton Distillery. As owners of Jameson, the world’s leading Irish whiskey, we are continuing to invest in this fast-growing category and these awards will only help to build further consumer advocacy around the world.”

A record number of entries were submitted to the 11th annual SFWSC with 1106 products from 61 countries. Entries were evaluated by a panel of 33 industry heavyweight judges including experts from noted restaurants, well-known spirits journalists, spirits buyers, and spirits consultants. Judging was based on a blind, consensual procedure ensuring competitive integrity, making the competition one of the most reputable and recognised competition in the spirits industry.

Notes:

Irish Distillers Pernod Picard, part of Pernod Ricard Group, distils and distributes a range of famous Irish whiskey, gin and vodka brands internationally including Jameson, Powers, Paddy, Midleton Very Rare, Redbreast, Cork Dry Gin, Cork Crimson Gin and Huzzar Vodka.

Jameson is the world’s No 1 Irish whiskey. Award-winning as a result of its exceptional smoothness following its unique triple distillation process, Jameson is enjoyed in over 120 countries worldwide. The core Jameson range includes Jameson; Jameson 12 Year Old Special Reserve; Jameson Gold Reserve; Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve; Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve and Jameson Signature Reserve (Travel Retail exclusive).

For further information:

Visit: www.jamesonwhiskey.com

THE FINE ART OF DRINKING

INAUGURAL 2011 WHISKY AUCTION TO HIGHLIGHT BONHAMS NEW YORK APRIL CALENDAR

New York/San Francisco/Los Angeles – Bonhams is delighted to announce full details of its first Whisky sale of 2011 in New York.

In the early evening of Thursday April 14, Bonhams New York will hold Whisky, a 322-lot sale that includes three notable private collections, along with a variety of other Scottish single malt whisky consignments.

Richard Pike, Bonhams New York Wine & Whisky Director, says: “These two April sales present to our growing international client base an excellent selection of sought-after wine and whiskies from the leading producers of the world. Whether it’s exceptional Macallan or leading current vintages from Château Lafite-Rothschild, Bonhams is happy to continue to expand its sale offerings in these two categories, and to further its role within a wider Wine department that regularly holds wine and whisky sales across three continents.”

Whisky, April 14

The auction is dominated by three notable private collections. The first two are consigned from an East Coast collector and a whisky aficionado from Virginia. They both represent a wide, eclectic mix of Scottish single malt whiskies, including whiskies for current drinking, rare bottlings from independents, and sought-after rarities. Highlights include a Macallan Private Eye individually numbered bottle (est. $600-800); a 12-year-old Ghillie’s Dram Macallan (est. $450-600); three bottles of Ardbeg 1974 Provenance (est. $600-900 per bottle); and two bottles of Black Bowmore 1964 (est. $2,800-3,500 per bottle).

A third collection comes from a remarkable Brooklyn consignor featuring exceptional rarities, including Macallan 55 year old in Lalique decanter (est. $16,000-22,000, pictured); Macallan 57 year old in Lalique decanter (est. $15,000-20,000, pictured); Glenfiddich 50 year old (est. $15,000-20,000); the Bowmore Trilogy (est. $15,000-20,000); a six-bottle Springbank Millennium Set (est. $9,000-12,000); and a six bottle original wooden presentation case Macallan-Speymalt set (est. $8,000-12,000).

Whisky Auction: April 14, 5pm EST, Bonhams New York

Notes

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 and Dubai. 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 (May 2010).

Kilchoman Launches Spring 2011 Release

Kilchoman, Islay’s Farm Distillery, has launched its sixth single malt.

This release is a vatting of 70% 3 year old and 30% 4 year old matured in fresh bourbon barrels.   The 4 year old has been finished in 20 year old oloroso sherry butts for 5 weeks prior to bottling.

The whisky was vatted and reduced to bottling strength on Islay using Kilchoman’s exclusive spring water and then shipped in transit tanks to the mainland for bottling.

Colour : Medium Straw
Nose:  Strong peaty aromas with a soft complex blend of mixed fruits
Palate: Hints of butterscotch and rich tropical fruits with an intense sweetness
Finish: A true classic Islay malt…peaty, fresh and clean

Kilchoman Spring 2011 is available from twenty four specialist whisky retailers in the UK at a retail price of £40 per bottle and twenty six markets worldwide.   This price represents an approximate discount of 15% from previous releases.   For more information visit our website at www.kilchomandistillery.com

In June 2011 we will launch our ‘100% Islay’ single malt from barley grown, malted, distilled, matured and bottled on Islay and in November our first 5 year old will be bottled.

Anthony Wills, Managing Director, commented ‘2011 is a very exciting year for everyone involved with Kilchoman as we launch some wonderful new expressions’

Kilchoman Spring Release 2011

Following the previous releases we expect this one to move fast so we are giving you the opportunity to pre-order now to avoid missing out on one.
Despatch date is mid April.
 
£40.00 inc VAT

Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix

Back in Stock

The Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix whisky creation was inspired by the collapse of several Glenfiddich distillery roofs in January 2010, following weeks of heavy snow and record low temperatures. Weighed down by four feet of densely compacted snow, the roofs collapsed and exposed hundreds of maturing oak casks to the night sky. In wintery conditions and temperatures of -19˚C, distillery staff swung into action – working round the clock to clear the snow.

Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix Scottish whiskey is made from many different ages ranging from 13 year old to 30 year old single malt and, unusually, from a number of different cask finishes. This is a limited edition Scotch and won’t be available for long, the Snow Phoenix is a unique and interesting Scottish whisky and a credit to Glenfiddich. We think Scottish single malt whiskey fans will be secretly hoping the roofs collapse every year now!

£59.99 inc VAT

Visit Single Malts Direct at www.singlemaltsdirect.com

Belgium is known for its outstanding beers, but the country has three languages, three different cultures, and one sub-culture that unites them…a whisky culture! Belgian whisky writer Fernand Dacquin explains in this week’s episode, which also includes highlights from Whisky Live New York. In the news, Scottish distillers team up to help Japan, Tomatin’s Douglas Campbell celebrates 50 years of distilling, and Jim Beam gives the Devil his due.

Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com