The Claymore Times

~ All The News That’s Fit To Drink ~
 
 Hello malt lovers

Here’s another wee whisky that the LCBO has just put on their shelves (5 stores only), a very rare 1975 DALLAS DHU  from a distillery that went silent in 1983.  Fortunately we still had a few bottles put aside and some have been shipped to Canada for release this week. Very limited numbers, if you’re a collector you may wish to buy two bottles – one as an investment and the other to enjoy.

I know what you’re thinking, “how come all these whiskies are so expensive?” and this one is no exception at $250 per bottle but, don’t be dismayed we have a 10yo Benromach coming over for Robert Burns day in January which is not only priced very reasonably (without being parsimonious) but it’s also being called ‘dead sexy’ by some connoisseurs.

Let me know if you’re attending any tastings locally and I’ll publish to the group and try and join you.

Regards,

Bill

Malt head and owner of a brand new anorak

Claymore Imports Inc.

Mail:     bill@claymoreimports.ca

1975 Dallas Dhu (LCBO # 208603)

History

Dallas Dhu was the idea of an entrepreneur named Alexander Edward. In 1898, he built two new distilleries on land outside Forres – Benromach and Dallasmore. Both were in response to the demand for malt whisky for blending.
Before Dallasmore went into production in 1899, Edward sold the distillery to the Glasgow blending firm of Wright & Greig Ltd. They wanted  the distillery to ensure a supply of malt for their popular blend, Roderick Dhu. To emphasise the link, they changed the distillery’s name to Dallas Dhu.

The distillery employed a manager, a brewer, and a number of other staff – around 15 men in all. These were divided up into different groups, each headed by a lead man. Workers included the maltman, the mashman, the stillman, the warehouseman and the cooper. The men were expected to turn their hand to anything from unloading barley and shovelling peat to rolling out the barrels. The exception was the taxman, he was employed by Customs and Excise and not the distillery, although the latter had to provide him with a house and office!

Dallas Dhu Distillery produced whisky from 1899 to 1983. The first barrel was filled on 3 June 1899, and the last on 16 March 1983. In the intervening years, it had a chequered existence. During the First World War it was closed. After the War, Wright & Greig sold it to J. P. O’Brien & Co Ltd of Glasgow, but they went into liquidation in 1921, and Dallas Dhu was sold to Benmore Distillery.The new owners invested heavily in developments to the site, including a new railway siding. But the Great Depression forced closure in the early 1930s. Soon after reopening production, the distillery was badly damaged by fire, on 9 April 1939. Production began again in 1947, but was finally closed in 1983, largely because of a water shortage caused by prolonged drought.

Description

Undiluted
Nose: Fruity notes – fresh pear and peaches. Subtle estery influences, a delicate malt edge is present. A complex aroma.
Palate: Mouth watering, remains fresh – peach elements, a subtle vanilla comes to the forefront.

Diluted
Nose: Prominent malty note, with more subtle influences of fresh and ripe water melons. A subtle chocolate coffee note becomes apparent.
Palate: Heavy tropical fruits initially, retains a certain freshness and becomes mouth drying.

You can order directly from any LCBO store quoting LCBO# 208603 at a cost of at $250 or pick up at one of these locations.
 
1. TORONTO-CENTRAL 2 COOPER STREET
QUEENS QUAY & YONGE
(416)864-6777 
 
2. TORONTO-CENTRAL 10 SCRIVENER SQUARE
YONGE & SUMMERHILL
(416)922-0403 
 
3. OTTAWA 275 RIDEAU STREET
RIDEAU & KING EDWARD
(613)789-5226
 
4. OAKVILLE 321 CORNWALL DRIVE
CORNWALL & TRAFALGAR
(905)845-8100
 
5. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 2901 BAYVIEW AVENUE
BAYVIEW & SHEPPARD (BAYVIEW VILLAGE)
(416)222-7658

Also arriving very soon: Benromach 10 yo and a Glen Grant, we`ll keep you posted.

Holiday Single Malt Tasting

Last week we tasted some wonderful single malts from the Gordona & MacPhail MacPhail Collection . We have a few left which we are offering along with a free Glencairn whiskey glass. These are perfect gifts for your favorite malt drinker.

Bunnahabhain 8 Y.O. $35.99 $32.99 $36.99-w/Scotch Glass
This line includes Highland Park and Tamdhu; all three from real sherry casks. Sherry is very light but all three all wonderful. All at the same price.

Benromach 10 Y.O. $53.99 $48.99 $53.99-w/Scotch Glass
This 10 Y.O. is just brilliant, a wonderful malt that the sherry works without overpowering the malt,and just a little whiff of smoke on the back palate but not over-bearing. This is a whisky not to miss and a distillery to watch for the next 20 years.

Miltonduff 10 Y.O. $56.99 $51.99 $56.99 -w Scotch Glass
This distillery is not seen very often. It’s more like a highland malt in style, perhaps from a refill sherry cask, with a nice mouth-feel and good balance; A wonderful everyday dram.

Mortlach 21 Y.O. $154.99 $144.99-w/Scotch Glass
This is a favorite of many. Nice sherried malt, intriguing mouth-feel, with complexity and great balance; multilayered with a gracious finish. This is why they call it top dressing of the Johnnie Walker Blue blend. Simply Stunning!!!!!

Strathisla 44 Y.O. $349.99 $299.99-w/Scotch Glass
This Single malt is one reason that Gordon & MacPhail are called “The Speyside Specialists.” Elegance in a glass,
this is a multilayered malt that has great depth without being too sherried and shows amazing balance and finesse with elegance. A Show Stopper. Limited Quantity. Don’t Miss This One.

Federal Wine & Spirits
————————————————
Email: info@federalwine.com
Phone: (617) 367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/

Glenfarclas 45 Year Old 1965 Vintage 52.7%

Probably Speyside’s Finest now upgraded to Douglas Laing’s Old & Rare cask strength range.

Very well priced single cask perfect for the Holiday season.

Why not treat yourself?

£249.99 (£212.76 ex VAT)

www.thewhiskybarrel.com

Scotland’s Online Whisky Shop

Loch Fyne Whiskies has posted a new item, ‘Christmas 2010 – Deadline & Weather Watch’

Our deadline for deliveries to be made in time for Christmas has now passed. We are continuing to despatch same day except we can not despatch to SCOTTISH addresses at all, at the moment we do not have a date when this will resume, watch this space.

You may view the latest post at
https://www.lfw.co.uk/blog/2010/12/20/christmas-2010-%e2%80%93-deadline-weather-watch-3/

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

Tomatin releases 1973 and 1982 Single Casks.

Tomatin Distillery is delighted to announce the release of two exquisite Single Cask bottlings. These expressions of the Tomatin Single Malt Scotch whisky were selected by Master Distiller, Douglas Campbell, who deemed them to be of an exceptional standard.

Matured in a refill Bourbon cask the 1973 displays a complex mix of flavours ranging from wild cherries and pear drops to coconut flakes and lemon curd. This 36 year old single cask yielded a paltry 184 bottles and will be available to consumers worldwide although the majority of the stock is expected to be sold in Western Europe. Bottles are expected to retail at £450.00.

The 1982 expression comes from an Oloroso sherry Puncheon and offers drinkers a remarkably different experience to the 1973. Bottled at a natural strength of 57%abv and limited to 560 bottles this bottling will again be offered to Tomatin distributors throughout the world. The 1982 is expected to sell for around £340.00

Both of these whiskies are presented in an ultra heavy weight glass bottle which is sealed with a wax coated glass stopper. Each bottle is protected with a luxurious velvet lined wooden box designed by Breeze Creative and manufactured by Mount Gabriel.

Graham Nicolson, Regional Sales Manager for Western Europe commented “I feel confident that these Single Cask expressions will be very well received by whisky enthusiasts around the world. We are starting to build up a loyal following in certain Western European markets and I am sure that consumers will not be disappointed by what are 2 very unique expressions of Tomatin”.

Product Details

Brand Name Tomatin 1973 Single Cask
Cask No 25602
Cask Type Refill American Oak Cask
No of Bottles Produced 184
Date of Distillation 13.09.73
Date of Bottling 10.08.10
Age Over 36 years
Strength 44%abv
Chill filtration No

Tasting Notes

Nose – A veritable fruit salad. Pear drops, wild cherries, cranberries, malt, vanilla and beeswax
Palate – Light ,soft , subtle fruity flavours coat the middle of the tongue. These are followed by delicate hints of lemon curd, coconut flakes and a heather honey sweetness that linger on and on…
Finish – Smooth , sensual and creamy.

Brand Name Tomatin 1982 Single Cask
Cask No 92
Cask Type Refill Sherry Puncheon
No of Bottle Produced 560

Date of Distillation 29.01.82
Date of bottling 10.08.10
Age Over 28 years
Strength 57%abv
Chill filtration No

Tasting Notes

Nose – Soft and honeyed with gentle hints of aniseed. Darjeeling Tea leaves, banoffee pie with a minty undertone.
Palate – Rich , sweet and mellow. Gently toasted hazelnuts and almonds, stewed plums giving way to subtle oaky flavours.
Finish – Subtle and creamy with a hint of coconut.

Orders placed with us over the weekend to ENGLAND & WALES should be good for delivery in time for the 25th, don’t delay a moment as this may change. After Friday 17th we can not despatch to SCOTTISH addresses at all, at the moment we do not have a date when this will resume, watch this space.

Visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at https://www.lfw.co.uk/

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

Burns Supper at the City Club of San Francisco

Haggis, poetry readings, singing and most of all, lots of scotch whisky. Join us for a great Burns Party with Robin Coupar of Skyy Spirits. Join us on January 21st from 6:30 to 9:00 pm at the City Club of San Francisco for a Burns Supper celebration in honor of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. This formal dinner will start with the Selkirk Grace as it follows the traditional format of the supper. And if whisky and poetry aren’t enough to excite you, there will of course be plenty of haggis!

http://www.whiskiesoftheworld.com/store/index.php?cPath=20

Dominic Roskow took on a tough challenge for his latest book – identifying the world’s 750 best whiskies. We’ll hear from the author of “The World’s Best Whiskies: 750 Essential Drams from Tennessee to Tokyo” in this episode. In the news, Ken Storrie, the owner of Glasgow’s legendary pub “The Pot Still” has died…and his Scrooge-like landlord evicted Ken’s widow and family from the premises days before Christmas. We’ll also hear about the retirement of Woodford Reserve manager Dave Schuerich, a milestone at Heaven Hill, and some of your “Dramcember” drams. 

Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com 

Snowflakes are falling on the distillery, so it’s the perfect time to send my Christmas card and write my end of year letter to you.

As always it has been a really busy year. So let’s start with the changes at home.

The Distillery and Islay
We opened our own Cooperage this year. It’s a fantastic facility to have at the distillery as there is always work to do on the thousands of barrels, butts, hogsheads and, of course, our special Quarter Casks. The cooperage also features in a new Laphroaig film that we have shot for release next year. We have also added a new lift in our original Warehouse Number 1 right by the sea. This will give us access to the two top floors once again where we will be able to mature an additional 7,500 barrels. Production remains busy at the distillery and we will, by year end, have created a new production record – so a big thanks go to all the team for this great achievement.

The other new physical addition is the Laphroaig Museum – this is situated next to the Friends of Laphroaig members lounge. The beautiful slate floor was only finished last week and the final historical memorabilia will be added before Christmas with luck.

Online, the big development was the launch of our official Laphroaig Facebook page. I try to save emails for only the important communications to the Friends so Facebook is a brilliant way for us to tell you about events as and when they happen. It’s proved hugely popular with over 45,000 of you joining in the first 9 months. If you have not had a look, please do – you can even see pictures of yours truly sporting a ridiculous moustache for Movember! Thanks by the way for all of you that sponsored me, the total amount raised was in excess of £1300, thanks to your generosity. You can find our page by searching for ‘Laphroaig’ on Facebook or by going to http://www.facebook.com/laphroaig.

Talking of new construction projects, I should also add that 2 new piers are being constructed at Port Ellen and Port Askaig. Nice though this is, the truth appears to be that when the new (larger) ferry was ordered in 2007, nobody checked to see whether it would fit the existing structures!

The Feis Ile
This year’s Feis Ile in May was the best yet. Of course we released our annual Friends bottling, called Cairdeas Master Edition, specially created by our Master Blender, Robert Hicks. As usual, it sold out in a couple of weeks. I have of course passed on all the many lovely comments you sent me about it to Robert. 2011 is my turn, so I hope you enjoy my selection as much as you did his!

We also ran boat tasting trips where we sailed visiting Friends around our neighbouring island, Texa, whilst Simon Brooking, our Laphroaig Ambassador for North America, conducted tastings and regaled his captive audiences with Scottish folk songs. The Sensory Tour and our Chef Master Classes also proved very popular. But the highlight of the week was actually on the Sunday when we held our first official Laphroaig Gathering. Unfortunately it was limited to the first 300 Friends, and they all turned up to put on their special wellies, receive their engraved toasting glasses and visit the Plots – where we all shared a toast with Cairdeas. Since then I have presided over 2 further official Gatherings, one in Jerez, Spain, and a second at the Statue of Liberty, New York.

Laphroaig Live 2010
Talking of Jerez, Spain, this was the location of our fourth Laphroaig Live broadcast. Once again it broke all viewing records – so thank you for tuning in on the night and sending in so many questions. The hot topic you all wanted to know more about was our new expression, Triple Wood, which enjoys its third maturation in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, hence our Spanish location. You all wanted to know when it would be coming into general retail; the answer is (we hope!) September 2011. Oh, and the second most popular request was for the next Laphroaig Live to be in different FOL’s own countries! Well, as always, that has to be a secret – but, it will be my first trip down there and I am really looking forward to meeting you all. That’s all I’m saying for now!

International
This year the Laphroaig team have met Friends all over the world. I have conducted tastings in Sweden, Finland, UK, Spain and The USA. Robert has travelled to India, South Africa, Japan, France, Romania and Brazil. Simon has covered the length and breadth of America and Canada, and Vicky visited Sweden and Norway.

Whilst I don’t like to boast, I was really pleased with this year’s hoard of international medals, bagging Gold, Double Gold and Best in Class from the 3 main independent competitions. But, for me, the highlight was the Best Cask Strength Whisky award for our 25 year old.

Well, that’s all for now. A big thanks once again for all your letters. emails and postcards over the year – keep them coming, we love them. Have a super holiday season and, as always, I will be toasting you all on our special day in Scotland – Hogmanay.

Slàinte Math

John Campbell
Laphroaig Distillery Manager

Friends of Laphroaig web site
http://www.laphroaig.com/friends

Laphroaig Distillery, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Argyll, PA42 7DU, Tel. 01496 302418

Enjoy responsibly – http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/

D Johnston & Company (Laphroaig) Ltd, 310 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, registered in the United Kingdom, registration number SC028072