anCnoc Single Malt is Festival Favourite

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky have celebrated their third successful year as lead sponsors of the renowned Leeds International Film Festival,which kicked off with the anCnoc Opening Gala ‘The Kings Speech’ featuring Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter.

anCnoc, who have an extensive year-round arts programme, helped showcase a selection of the best new and unseen films from across the globe, which were featured in the festival’s groundbreaking eighteen day calendar.  Cinemagoers were able to sample the light and refreshing anCnoc 12 year old malt prior to select screenings at eclectic festival venues including Leeds Town Hall and the Hyde Park Picturehouse.  

anCnoc Brand Manager Gillian Gibson commented “It’s been wonderful to support such a dynamic selection of films at this year’s Leeds International Film Festival, as part of anCnoc’s overall arts programme. Our team have seen a great response from sampling wee drams across the city – with the enthusiastic reception at the anCnoc Single Malt Opening Gala and Film Festival Favourites a particular highlight.”  

The Leeds International Film Festival included a selection of world and UK premieres, gripping dramas, new world cinema, animation and hit comedies.  The programme culminated in the anCnoc Single Malt Film Festival Favourites event, which screened the most popular movies from the festival as voted by audiences at the Hyde Park Picturehouse. 

anCnoc, meaning “hill” in Gaelic, and pronounced “a-nock”, is carefully crafted at Knockdhu distillery in the Scottish Highlands. The malt whisky has a distinctive, fresh and contemporary identity and since its re-launch has also made a name for itself sponsoring contemporary arts venues and events across the UK and internationally.

It is a very well balanced dram; with a round and mellow nose and a sensational tasting experience that starts with a pleasant sweetness and culminates in an incredible fruitiness followed by a long smooth finish. Fully matured in a combination of American Bourbon and Spanish Sherry casks, anCnoc’s is a light yet challenging malt for every occasion.

Notes

For further information about anCnoc, please visit www.ancnoc.com

International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

International Beverage brands include:

Ø  Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand

Ø  Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn

Ø  Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister

Ø  Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941

Ø  Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals

The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network.  Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of more than 12 nationalities speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.

Part I of “No Age Statement Week”

Kavalan NAS Solist ex-Bourbon (58.8%, OB, C#B070611009, 196 Bts., B’ 19/08/2009)

From the newest distillery on Taiwan The King Car I-Lan Distillery (The King Car Food Industrial Company Ltd). A single cask bottling. Taiwan has a very high average temperature so the maturation and evaporation rates are similar to what Amrut experiences.

The nose (undiluted) is of barley sugar, pears, tinned fruit cocktail and some dusty malt. A very good collection of aromas and yes, it does smell of whisky and very much in the Scottish style. With water it opens up to reveal more of the dusty malt and is very reminiscent of an Cnoc or BenRiach from ex-bourbon casks. The after a moment or two barley sugar emerges. The diluted taste is an immediate departure from Scotland but is still very good, after a moment it returns to form with some tobacco and the malt. The barley sugar is muted. The undiluted taste is strong with loads of black pepper and ginger and the fruit cocktail form the aroma. The finish is mouth smacking good with the malt and fruit tumbling over each other; it’s very long and at the tail end a little chocolate emerges but it’s quite slight. The malt emerges after some time and some what later  very dry notes emerge.

What a great dram, aggressive and vibrant with loads of flavour. Better with a few drops of water; it opens up.

C$125

Score 85 points

Many thanks to Thomas C for arranging for this sample. Visit Kavalan Distillery at www.kavalanwhisky.com

BLACK BULL WHISKY – THE FESTIVE SPIRIT

SAVE £5 a bottle
Was £32.99 Now £27.99

Tasting Notes:

Colour: Full Amber

Nose: Robust, chunky aromas. Chocolate, toffee,  sherry, vanilla and lemon sherbet.

Flavour: Smooth, mellow, and rounded. Milk chocolate, treacle toffee, pears, green apples and lots of sweet vanilla.

Finish: Some heavy fruity notes emerge, and lots of creamy notes coming through.

Overall:  A very creamy whisky with a lot of fruity toffee.

The sale starts in December and is limited to the stock on hand.

Miner’s Delight Inn Bed & Breakfast
http://www.minersdelightinn.com
(307) 332-0248
290 Atlantic City Road
Atlantic City, Wyo. 82520

The last time we heard from Jim McEwan, he was leading a toast at the end of his master class at Bruichladdich during Feis Ile in May. Jim’s been a busy man since then, but he agreed to sit down for a few minutes and discuss his dalliance with distilling gin, the future of Bruichladdich as the 10th anniversay of its reopening nears, and his own approaching retirement to spend time with his grandchildren. In the news, repair work is underway at Springbank, auction results from Glasgow and Hong Kong, and the debut of the WhiskyCast Glencairn nosing glass! 

Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com

Bowmore 12yo (40%, OB, +/-2009)

On the nose there are initial moments of greenness and hints of immaturity; green malt, split peas, palm olive sap and pine resin.  After a few minutes in the glass this changes to a sweeter sample along with malt and now finally some hints of peat smoke (& hints of charred damp firewood). A bit of a wobbly start. The taste is significantly better than the nose and is quite delicious. Good thing defeat was not recognised on the nose or the taste would have been missed. The peat smoke is now nicely intertwined with some dry cocoa, malt and wood spice. There is also some malt and hints of herbs. Nice. Actually very good. This is not a huge Islay but an Islay none the less. Sometimes a more gentle whisky is called for; no need to be beat about the head with the proverbial peat bog all the time. The finish is easy going like the nose and the taste but now the peat is backed by some grapefruit (a bit of bitter and sweet citrus). The peat is starting to rise and is becoming much more dominant. It is long and very good. A late arrival of some black pepper and then a huge dollop of malt.

A great dram to share with a friend.

C$48

Score 86

Bowmore 15yo Darkest (43%, OB, New presentation, +/-2009)

To be sure a splendid ‘darkest’ colour and the back label “Bowmore Sherry Cask Finished” however there is no mention of non chill filtered or the addition of spirit caramel so one is forced to arrive at the inevitable conclusion of chill filtration and the addition of colour. The nose is Islay; peat smoke and combined very nicely with sweet sherry notes. When sherry and peat combine it can be sublime. There are also hints of heather and coffee in the back ground; quite light. There is also a combination of malt and fruit cake which contribute to the rich heady aromas. The taste is of peat smoke, sherry and malt. It is clean and vibrant and very good. The peat smoke and the sherry are the big contributors here and the malt is the out of town cousin in for the weekend. All work very well together; there are also tinges of the heather and maybe some gentle rose water. All in all very good. The finish is malty and of peat smoke that quickly becomes quite dry. It is reasonably long and then becomes dry and peaty. Nice.

This is nice, a good dram from Bowmore.

C$83

Score 85

Bowmore 18yo (43%, OB, New presentation, +/-2009)

No mention of ‘no chill filtration or added color’ so one is forced to assume the worst. None the less on the nose there is gentle peat smoke and some slight hints that are vegetal but this quickly dissipates to give way to more of the peat smoke which is some spices like clove and nutmeg. These last two are gentle and not over powering. There is also some citrus in the form of oranges and some hints of the ocean plus some black liquorice. So far so good. The taste is very good, cocoa, peat smoke, the citrus and then some spice from the oak. Ah well, this is really nice whisky. There is also some wafts of heather and juniper intermingled with the peat smoke. A moment of freshly cut melon and the gentle peat smoke. The finish is vibrant, fruity and the ever present peat smoke is very much in evidence. The finish is warming, consistent and long; peat smoke and now some cocoa. A very nice finish.

Bingo! This is awesome stuff. Well done Bowmore.

C$105

Score 89 points

Bowmore 16yo 1992/2008 (53.5%, OB, ‘Limousin Bordeaux Wine Cask Matured’)

The first maturation was in ex-American bourbon barrels and there remained for 6 years for the final 10 years in Limousin Bordeaux Wine Casks. The color is a rich reddish shade. The nose is of peat and brine accompanied with brown Demerara sugar and loads of fruit (a mixture of berries and tree fruit – warmed apples). The peat takes on a sweet characteristic after a while in the glass with hints of vanilla. The aroma is very rich and very pleasing. The taste is much as the nose; loads of peat smoke and fruit backed by the fruit, vanilla and vanilla. After a moment or two there is the appearance of some dryness and cocoa along with some creamy Red River cereal. That was unexpected but it adds to the over all flavour. The finish is peaty and then malty which becomes very dry very quickly. The finish is long and rich with the malt and the dryness working well together. After 10 minutes some Fry’s cocoa appears.

A departure from the norm for Bowmore however this is not a quick ‘finish’ and the 10 years in the Limousin oak has added depth and character.

C$99

Score 87

Bowmore NAS Companions of the Quaich Canada 2000-2010 (54.6%, OB ‘Craftsman Collection’, 3,000 Bts.)

A special bottling to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the founding of the Companions of the Quaich www.thequaich.com . Normally this bottling “Maltmen’s Selection” is exclusive to the distillery however they made an exception for the Companions and bottled 300 bottles with a commemorative back label which were quickly picked up by the members. As an aside the box is really nice and lined with a velvet like material with a snug lid; quite suitable for burying small house hold pets should the need arise.

The color is quite dark with some nice ruby highlights however the nose is big and assertive and very Bowmore at first. While it still remains very Bowmore-ish (which is good) there is also peat and some lemon along with some more peat (just a turn above gentle and some what below aggressive but there is a duality to the peat level; sometimes it’s gentle and some times it’s not.) and then toffee mixed with heather. Finally there is some Christmas cake and clove. My goodness, quite a complex sample! The Christmas cake has an almost over sweetness verging on cloying (however this isn’t a complaint). The taste is warming, peated and very dry, very active and a slight fizziness along with a cream soda like taste and, oddly, grapefruit. There are also hints of malt and herbs. It’s a big whisky and very good, what a grand selection. Ah, a moment of brine in amongst the other descriptors. Black Java pepper. The finish is creamy, peated and warming, there are also hints of Oxo cubes and then the dryness after a while. After a few minutes some vague hospital almond bitterness pops up (if this makes any sense).

Very complex and loads of nice peat smoke intermingled in with everything else.

C$120

Score 87 Points

Visit Bowmore Distillery at www.bowmore.com

GLENDRONACH RELEASES LATEST BATCH OF SINGLE CASK BOTTLINGS
 
JUST in time for Christmas, GlenDronach, the richly-sherried Highland single malt, is issuing its latest batch of single cask bottlings. As always, it’s very limited, of exceptional quality and available worldwide.
 
Founded in 1826, GlenDronach produces an award-winning range of 12, 15 and 18 year-olds. But in addition, it also offers a superb selection of limited edition expressions, and Batch 3 is the latest.
 
Handpicked by Master Distiller Billy Walker, it comprises five outstanding casks from 1989 to 1996 for GlenDronach aficionados to savour. In nose, appearance and palate, the five are classic fruit-laden GlenDronach – offering brambles, ripe plums, raisins, dates and toffee-apple elements.
 
Three have matured in Pedro Ximinez Sherry Puncheons while two have been carefully aged in Oloroso Sherry Butts.
 
The five, in ascending chronological order, are:
 
Year    Number        Strength      Age             Cask Type                                                    
 
1989    3833                53.5%        20yo         Pedro Ximinez Sherry Puncheon                       
 
1990    3059                54.9%        20yo         Pedro Ximinez Sherry Puncheon
 
1990    3068                52.6%        20yo         Pedro Ximinez Sherry Puncheon
                                     
1991    2512                51.9%        18yo         Oloroso Sherry Butt   
 
1996    202                  58.3%        14yo         Oloroso Sherry Butt      
 
The range is astonishingly subtle and varied. On the nose, the 1989 bottling commences with full earthy aromas leading to a huge portion of dried fig and sweet date pudding. And on the palate, it offers concentrated dried fruit with figs and dates, with toffee-nut brittle on the finish. Contrast that with the 1996, which on the nose suggests super-ripe morrelo cherries and stewed plums combining with spiced raisins and all-spice while on the palate it delivers sweet plum pudding and chocolate-coated raisins with an elegant sherry finish.
 
Batch 3 has been bottled at cask strength, with natural colour and non chill-filtered. The bottles are individually numbered by hand and presented in a gift box.
 
Marketing Manager Kerry White said: “Our limited edition expressions have been very successful in the past and we are confident this latest batch will give huge pleasure to our customers. We believe they balance perfection, rarity and sweet delicacy in one glass – the perfect antidote to long winter nights!”
 
Visit GlenDronach Distillery at www.glendronachdistillery.com

Inchgower DR 1974 36yo 56.4%alc.

Distilled 16.09.1974

Bottled 22.10.2010

From Bourbon cask # 7762

Limited to 229 bottles

(Abridged tasting note:

Superb!, so much going on, just buy it! and now!)

Here’s a theory, it’s mine (Richard J at LFW)  and unresearched so please don’t try and test it…

Once long ago, if the seventies fits that description, a chap called Raymond Miquel was in charge of Bell’s Scotch Whisky Distillers, who owned four distilleries (I think, I’m not going to check this stuff) one of which was Inchgower. Mr. Miquel (who is still active in Scottish business as head of Lee’s Confectionary) was an exceptionally dynamic entrepreneur who sent a well drilled army of impeccably blazered (double-breasted) reps out into the UK market to promote Bell’s whisky, and it rather worked well, today Bell’s remains the number one blend in the UK.

So successful was the sales drive that more malt had to be made to meet demand, a demand that was not prepared to wait five years for stock to mature, ‘but no matter, they thought, make it faster and pile it higher in what facilities we have, no problems’, they thought.

So Bell’s distilleries turned up production, fermentation time was reduced (as I say, not checked), stills went into overdrive and new make crammed into casks and stuffed into warehouses while new ones were being built.

You can’t rush Scotch, that’s why we love it and that’s why the boffins and accountants have been unable to streamline the production, leaving it a quality sensitive quirky hands-on process, even at state-of-the-art Roseisle.

So what is now predictable with hindsight happened, the quality of 3-5 years old malt for Bell’s plummeted and the Scottish Scotch drinker turned to Grouse. (Quality recovered by the late eighties by-the-way).

Now.

We noticed during the Rare Malts releases of ten years ago some superb old drams being offered at about 25 years matured and some were, after so many years, still at strengths of 65%alc! Blair Athol, Dufftown, Inchgower and Rosebank in particular, the Bell’s distilleries! Duff angels or concentrated filling strength? Although they forced their spirit production and stuffed it into tired wood at very high strength eventually mother maturation has done her job and produced exceptional drams.

And here at 36 years is another example.

Further reading, ‘Business As Usual – The Miquel Way’

Flavour Map Ref: Debatable E5
Complex

A Dewar Rattray Independent single cask strength bottling.

See ‘label explanations’ above for more information.

Price excluding VAT: £84.25
£98.99 Including VAT at 17.5%

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

.. time for some TamTime @ Tam’s Drams with Tam & how a small Whisky shop get’s going in Scotland! www.ralfy.com WhiskyReview 168 – Tam’s Drams !

Tam & The Guzzlers

Straight from the still

Dear friends,

Greetings from Templeton. It is a very exciting time here at the distillery as we have finally reached a date we have been looking forward to for a long time. We called it “Whiskey Birthday” in our calendar and it was the date that our Batch 4 turned four years old. Batch 4 is our first product from when we started to scale up production four long years ago. Our volume is still a pittance in the grand whiskey world but it is a nice step forward for us that we will continue to build on for the next several years.

In our last newsletter we asked if anyone was interested in helping us bottle Batch 4 and to our amazement we had over 150 people sign-up to work in conjunction with our existing team. Our first bottling was yesterday, and our volunteers did a great job. In fact, we shattered our previous record. We worked hard and had a fun day. Thank you all for your interest and help! We still have some slots available for next week, Nov 29-Dec 3. If you are interested in helping out please send us an email at info@templetonrye.com.

We are looking forward to having product delivered to the State of Iowa and available for order on Monday, December 6th and at stores later that week. We will also be resupplying Illinois and entering San Francisco and New York on a very limited basis.

We are also excited about the Templeton Rye Mobile Speakeasy Tour December 8th-17th. Our team will be driving all around the State of Iowa with our new mobile speakeasy and doing events at various bars and restaurants. Please watch our Facebook Page for more details.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Cheers,
Scott Bush, President, Templeton Rye

http://www.templetonrye.com/