Binny’s Chicago Thanksgiving SALE

Bushmills Irish Whiskey…$15.99
Canadian Club 1.75L…$16.99
Canadian LTD 1.75L…$11.99
Chivas Regal…$18.99
House Of Stuart Scotch 1.75L…$14.99
Jack Daniels 1.75 $33.99
Johnnie Walker Black Label…$25.99
Johnnie Walker Red Label 1.75L…$27.99
Maker’s Mark Bourbon or Gift Set…$21.99
Seagram’s Crown Royal…$18.99
Seagram’s VO Canadian 1.75L…$17.99

Visit Binny’s at www.binnys.com

The (Very) Unofficial Royal Engagement Cocktail from Drambuie®

In an audacious display of commercial bandwaggonism, Jamie Stephenson, Brand Ambassador for Drambuie Liqueur has created the ‘Engaging Dram’ to celebrate the announcement of Prince William’s engagement to Miss Katherine Middleton.

Drambuie is renowned, not only for creating iconic cocktails, such as the world famous Rusty Nail, but for its Royal connections. 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.

Jamie said of the cocktail: “The engagement is such big news I was keen to do something to celebrate, and what better way than with a special dram of Drambuie, an iconic drink with historic Royal links.

“The Engaging Dram’s ingredients represent the Royal heritage, perfectly paired with modern, stylish flavours and presented in an elegant and beautiful way – just like the couple themselves.

“You never know they may even serve it at the wedding – I’ll leave a message on the Queen’s Facebook wall and see what she thinks of it.”

To celebrate the Royal engagement the Drambuie way simply follow this recipe:

Engaging Dram

20ml Drambuie Royal Legacy 1745

5ml Lemon Juice

Dash Orange Bitters

100ml Rosé Champagne

Stir gently in a mixing glass and pour into a chilled flute. Garnish with a twist of orange

The cocktail uses Gold Award winning limited edition bottling THE ROYAL LEGACY OF 1745™, created to celebrate the centenary of the first commercial bottling of Drambuie in Edinburgh in 1909, The Royal Legacy of 1745 is a sublime interpretation of the original royal spirit enjoyed by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745. At its heart remains the Prince’s legacy – his secret elixir of exotic herbs and spices sourced from around the globe and unchanged for 260 years.

For more information visit www.drambuie.com

Notes

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 Royal Legacy of 1745™, received a Gold Medal in the prestigious Drinks International Awards following its launch at TFWA Cannes in 2009.

The Royal Legacy of 1745™ is available exclusively through select international travel retail outlets (70cl & 75cl, 46% ABV, TR RSP of £125/€159/$229).

Balblair Releases Millennium Malt on to the Global Drinks Market

Multi award-winning Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled its latest vintage expression – Balblair 2000, another perfectly timed addition to the Balblair portfolio.

Distilled in the Millennium year, this unique spirit is the latest handpicked choice of Distillery Manager John MacDonald and is another example of the distillery’s unique approach to only ever releasing premium vintages which have matured to perfection.

Only limited quantities of this vintage will be made available to specialist whisky outlets throughout the UK this September and will be rolled out internationally to key focus markets including France, Spain and the travel retail channel.

Slowly matured in single American oak ex bourbon casks, Balblair 2000 vintage is bottled in its purest form at a strength of 43% abv. Bright golden in appearance, it is a superbly well-balanced, full-bodied malt with aromas of pears, pineapple and green apple. On the palate the sweet, honey, floral notes combined with hints of coconut and rich spices lead to a smooth, long lasting and warm finish.

Says Distillery Manager John MacDonald: “We are delighted to be introducing this new addition to our vintage range. We have spent a great deal of time and care in selecting this perfect malt and all the hard work, dedication and devotion has paid off.  We are confident that whisky enthusiasts worldwide will really enjoy this newest member of the Balblair family.”

Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is ‘timed to perfection’ in every sense. At Balblair’s distillery, on the shores of the Dornoch Firth in Edderton, Tain, super-premium vintage expressions are specially selected after a complex tasting and nosing process. Only the finest whiskies – those that have reached the peak of their perfection – are chosen and named by the year that they were distilled and layed down in cask.

Following a highly successful US launch this May, Balblair has become established as ‘the’ quality choice for discerning malt whisky drinkers worldwide. Its contemporary design, sets it apart, and the celebrated taste reflects the time honoured and un-rushed methods of production that have remained virtually unchanged over the years

Balblair 2000 will retail in the UK at £31.50 per bottle.

Notes:

The Balblair Porfolio includes;
1979  –  46% (70cl) –  £84.99
1989  –  43% (70cl) – £39.95
1997   – 43% (70cl) – £27.99

Balblair 1979 is amber in appearance with radiant golden honey highlights. A superbly balanced malt with warm aromas of honey, toffee and vanilla that come from the long years of maturation in American oak barrels.  Cloves, oranges, bananas and pears can also be detected in the aroma adding to the complexity of this exceptional Vintage. Sweet, honey vanilla flavours combine with cloves and spices leading to a rich, full-bodied, long-lasting, finish.

Balblair 1989 is mid-amber in appearance with honey-gold highlights. A full-bodied malt with aromas of raisin, green apple and hints of banana and lemon. The American oak barrels, used in the distillate’s maturation, lend a warm toffee, vanilla fragrance. On the palate there are raisins and fruits with a rich spiciness leading to a long, complex and ultimately smooth finish.

Balblair 1997 is subtly amber in appearance with rose-golden highlights. This full-bodied malt is fused with the aromas of pineapple, apricot and lemon to create a long-lasting sweet finish.  On the nose, the American oak barrels used in the distillate’s maturation, produce an inviting, spicy fragrance. Hints of oak, spice and raisin combine with the sweetness of vanilla to create a long-lingering, creamy smooth finish on the palate

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:

 Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand
 Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
 Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
 Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
 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.

Balblair NAS 2000 (43%, OB, 2010)

A brand new bottling due to be released into the UK market (Please see the press release above for full details). Quite pale in colour however the nose is quite the opposite with some vibrant and slightly aggressive malt backed by citrus and green apples followed by different malt style which is quite sweet and honeyed. Also some cut grass and black pepper. After some time in the glass it starts to open up and the sweetness changes to brown sugar but still the fruit is present along with some hints of leather. Sour cherries tussle with the malt. What an excellent collection of aromas, they work very well together. The taste is quite different from the nose (at first) but still strong with lots more emphasis on the malt and the oak/wood spice notes; the leather (and now tobacco) is more evident and the fruit has taken a back seat. It’s delicious. Perhaps now some toasted malt and crusty bread. After a short while some of the fruit (sour cherries & green apples) peak back from behind the curtain. The finish is malty leather and slight tobacco followed by more malt and it’s very nice, VERY long, slightly warming and then all of a sudden the fruit returns. After a few minutes the malt is the dominant characteristic and it’s still very good. Quite sensational actually.

What a grand dram, well done!

£32

88 points

For several years, Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Limited has been in the forefront of trying out new ideas and innovative in a number of fields, despite maybe not getting the acknowledgement that we deserve.
 
The Brilliant Idea

50 years ago Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Limited started laying down malts for long term maturation. Quite an investment when you consider it closely, few companies lock up an investment for no return within the lifetime of its management.

This investment and the quality of its whiskies provided a platform for many of the multinational whisky companies you see today to launch very old vintages. Yes, that’s right, whiskies sourced from Duncan Taylor. Many current multinational drinks groups didn’t even exist when Duncan Taylor was laying down its whiskies! They were still pastis companies, rum companies, venture capital groups, some were blenders not yet into malts.
 
Where We’ve Been

100 proof blends were first brought to market by Duncan Taylor back in the 1930’s via George Willsher & Co Ltd, their associate company.

In the ‘60s,  we created “Scotch’n Orange” when a certain new innovative blender was still in diapers.

Twenty years ago we were pioneering the vatting of malts from different distilleries and different regions, some worked and some didn’t, though we had loads of fun trying.

About eight years ago, we launched a range of grain whiskies, when grains were considered the poor cousin of malts and were shunned by the “cognoscenti”. I’m glad to see where we lead others are now following!
 
Our Newest Innovation, Now Available

For upwards of thirty years we have been occasionally maturing whiskies in smaller casks, predominantly octaves and quarters with great success. So much so that we created the Octave and Quarter range just over four years ago, this range has been growing and is now so unique to Duncan Taylor that we intend to roll it out to the masses, albeit, only to those that appreciate the finer things in life.

So where does the company go from here, watch this space, there’s exciting times ahead and rest assured, whoever comes along with us for the ride won’t be disappointed.

Select your cask today, contact our sales team on +44 (0)1466 794055 or email sales@quartercasks.com

Visit our Website www.DuncanTaylor.com

The O&Q Range

Our Octave and Quarter range has invigorated the Single Malts and Single Grains industry.

After a second maturation of three months, the octave casks has breathed new life into the whisky, quickly changing hue, taste, form and character of the spirit. The whisky is rejuvenated, a little more aggressive, with the commanding presence of a mature, well-balanced Scotch Whisky.

With fewer bottles from each cask, the spirit becomes all the more exclusive. There never has been, nor will there be anything exactly like it.
 
Available casks:

Aberlour 1993
Auchentoshan 1999, 2000
Auchroisk 1999, 1988
Aultmore 1989
Balblair 1991
Balmenach 2000
Ben Nevis 1995, 1998
Benriach 1990
Bowmore 1968, 1982, 1998, 2002
Bunnahabhain 1968, 1969, 1970, 1997
Cameronbridge 1978, 1979
Caol  Ila 1980, 1981,  1982, 1983, 1984
Caperdonich 1968,  1969, 1972 Carsebridge 1979
Cragganmore 1992
Craigellachie 1999
Dalmore 1990
Glenburgie 1988
Glen Elgin 1991
Glen Grant 1969, 1970,  1972,  1974, 1991
Glenlivet 1968, 1970
Glen Moray 1971, 1973, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988
Glengarioch 1991
Glenrothes 1968, 1969, 1970 Highland Park 1970
Imperial 1997
Isle of Arran 1996, 1999
Isle of Jura 1992
Invergordon 1965
Kinclaith 1969
Ladyburn 1973
Laphroaig 1997
Linkwood 1991
Macallan 1969, 1996, 1997
Macduff 1968, 1969
Mortlach 1993
North British 1978
Port Dundas 1973
Strathclyde 1973, 1980
Strathisla 1968
Tamdhu 1968
Tamnavulin 1989
Teaninich 1996
Tomatin 1965, 1976

Loch Fyne Whiskies News has posted their, ‘Christmas Whisky DEALS! 2010’

Now available online, over 100 whisky DEALS! available until 20th December or whilst stocks last.

Also available as a pdf for download.

You may view the latest at
https://www.lfw.co.uk/blog/2010/11/12/christmas-whisky-deals-2010/

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

www.ralfy.com @ Glasgow’s Whisky Festival Vlogs 1 to 23 .. a big single-Festival feature at ralfy.com designed to compliment Whisky Fringe and Victoria Whisky Festival by giving a different view of what Festivals offer !

Like previous Independent Festival features, the format has been changed to offer additional perspectives    23 in all !

… ralfy recommends drinking Whisky whilst watching !

Glenglassaugh Distillery, Portsoy.  10 November 2010.

• First Minister and Chinese Consul General celebrate new Scotch Whisky Status at Glenglassaugh Distillery
• Unique cask of whisky filled with future bottling for charity

First Minister and Consul General with the celebratory octave cask

A visit from a very special guest to a small distillery in the north-east of Scotland has produced the opportunity for whisky lovers the world over to toast a piece of history.

First Minister Alex Salmond chose to mark a momentous occasion for Scotch Whisky at Glenglassaugh Distillery on the Moray Firth this week.

To mark the signing of a document giving Scotch Whisky recognition and protection in China, Glenglassaugh Distillery has produced a special Octave – 50 litres -of the amber nectar to be auctioned off for charity in five years time. The first minister gave this cask his seal of approval this week on his visit to the distillery as he was helped to fill it by Madam Tan Xiutian, Consul General for the People’s Republic of China in Scotland.

Mr Salmond chose Glenglassaugh Distillery in Portsoy to celebrate Scotch Whisky being given Geographical Indication of Origin Status in China, which means copycat versions of the famous drink can no longer be legally sold in China.

It was a very exciting day for Glenglassaugh, which was previously mothballed and only re-opened two years ago.

Managing director of the distillery Stuart Nickerson said: “I am delighted that the first minister and Consul General are marking this important day at Glenglassaugh.”

Mr Salmond had helped celebrate the re-opening of the distillery in 2008 and was very happy to be back.

“I was delighted to visit Glenglassaugh once again. Almost two years since I re-opened the distillery it was good to meet Stuart and the rest of the staff and great to see that Glenglassaugh is going from strength to strength,” he said. He added: “This is a highly important day for the Scotch Whisky industry and this designation is enormously helpful for the industry.”

The distillery took the opportunity to ask Mr Salmond and Madam Tan to fill a one-off octave of whisky which will be in high demand by bidders when it is opened in five years. It is expected that this will yield 50 to 60 bottles which will give whisky connoisseurs a chance to purchase a piece of history.

Madam Tan and the first minister signed the small cask marking the agreement which will hopefully see sales of genuine Scotch Whisky rise in China.

Madam Tan said of the agreement: “This designation is very important for both the whisky creator and the consumer.”

Bidders for one of the octave bottles will be in for a treat as one of the Glenglassaugh whiskies was recently described as “one of the great world whiskies for 2010” by acclaimed whisky writer Jim Murray and the aged whiskies have won several awards and much praise.

Mr Nickerson said: “China is a key Market for Glenglassaugh and this announcement means we can re-focus our efforts with renewed confidence, knowing our products and customers are protected.”

Glenglassaugh has a range of whisky available from 26 years of age to a 43 year old and more information on these and how to purchase them as well as your own Octave cask can be found on the distillery web site www.glenglassaugh.com .

The company also has a range of Spirit Drinks and more information on these can be found on www.thespiritdrink.com .

November Nips & Top Five Hits
The November Outturn has landed with full-force, have you got your bottle yet? If you’re not sure what to top-up on, here are the five most popular bottles from this month’s First Friday release:

Number 1:  127.5 Morning dew on Islay                 
£43.70 inc. Free p&p
A platter of seafood awaited us; shrimps, oysters and crabs, with a boiling pot of crayfish and lobsters

Number 2: 44.47 Strawberries dangling over straw 
£41.20 inc. Free p&p
Buttered toast and an earthy fruitiness, like summer strawberries dangling over straw19.48 Big, friendly, toffee nose

Number 3:  76.78 Foamy bananas dipped in cayenne pepper 
£49.70 inc. Free p&p
Rum fudge, vanilla, French toast, brown sugar, toffee apples and polished red leather Chesterfields

Number 4: 121.39 Easy-drinking dream
£45.70 inc Free p&p
Rich treacle toffee, banana Toffoes, spun sugar, Maltesers and banoffee

Number 5:  7.60 Life is a Cabaret, old chum…
£69.40 inc. Free p&p
1930’s Berlin cabaret – fag packets, cheap perfume, lipstick, seamed stockings, grease paint, serge uniforms, leather jackboots and bacon crisps (did they have those in the ‘30’s?).

Sherry Butt Pair:
76.78 & 44.47 for £81 and save £9.90

SMWS Whisky Tasting & Events

South African Rugby Brunch – The Vaults, Sat 20 Nov
Christmas Outturn Tasting – Queen Street, Thu 25 Nov
Winchester Preview Tasting – Hotel du Vin, Thu 25 Nov
Glasgow Preview Tasting – Malmaison, Fri 26 Nov
Pan-Asian Curry Experience – London, Sat 27 Nov
Christmas Parcels Tasting – London, Thu 2 Dec
Newcastle Christmas Tasting – Northern Counties Club, Fri 3 Dec
Christmas Drinks 101 – Queen Street, Fri 3 Dec

Visit the Society for your chance to join at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships

Glenglassaugh Distillery ‘The Manager’s Legacy’
Release No.2 – Dod Cameron 1986 45.3%

The second in a series of four single cask releases to celebrate the achievements and influences of Glenglassaugh distillery managers during the period 1964 – 1986. Bottled on site at natural strength, without colouring or chill-filtration. The Dod Cameron release is limited to 500 individually numbered bottles from a refill sherry butt filled in December 1986 and was one of the last casks filled at Glenglassaugh under its previous ownership.

Age: Distilled December 1986
Volume: 700ml
Strength: 45.3% abv

Tasting Note
Colour: Orange Gold
Nose: Fresh and fruity with barley sugar sweetness. Boiled sweets, stewed plums and a sprinkling of demerara sugar. Banana skins and orange essence giving way to clove oil and liquorice.
Palate: Juicy, syrupy and round with sweet stewed plum and orange flavours, balanced with gentle oak spice and nuances of clove and liquorice.
Finish: Lingering fruits, warming spice and liquorice.   

Excl. VAT: £135.00 Incl. VAT: £114.89

The Rare Cask Series

With cask stocks continuing to deplete, Glenglassaugh’s youngest whisky is a 26 years of age. It’s still the same tear-drop bottle but with the older age on the neck label.
Excl. VAT:£127.65 Incl. VAT:£149.99
 
Contact Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
phone: 0845 6066145
email: info@singlemaltsdirect.com
web: www.singlemaltsdirect.com
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