Glenturret 8yo (40%, OB, +/- 2009)

A minor expansion of the Glenturret recent official bottlings (the others being the 10yo 40% and the 14yo cask strength 59.7% at £87.50!). The nose is fruity, malt and gently honeyed with some mildly aggressive pungent notes in the back ground (think of grape fruit & leather). Black pepper. There are also some hints of varnish, heather and lightly burnt cake. Moments that are good and moments that are challenging. The taste is surprisingly assertive at first, the grape fruit & leather quickly followed by the heather, honey, malt and the oaky notes. Uncomplicated but good which is a bit of a relief after the close call on the nose. The finish is malty and honeyed with some of the black pepper smacking the taste buds around. A bit of a rough edge which is good, you know you’ve had a dram. The finish is quite pleasant with none of the challenging moments in the nose.

Improves from start to finish; the taste and finish are good.

£27.50 at Loch Fyne Whiskies

Score 80 points

June Outturn: 10 little honey-bees perfect for summer seduction

It’s all about those sweet, sweet single casks this June Outturn.  Be transported to the fairground with the candyfloss memories of 123.5.  Enjoy the buttercup, honeysuckle and passion-fruit in 63.25 or a highly potent kick in the diaphragm with 23.64 (if you’re that way inclined).

31.19 Night-shift in the canteen
Highland Island
£56.20 inc. Free P&P
A grubby, industrial background – diesel oil, exhaust fumes, bus stations, ship yards – with scents of food in the foreground – glazed ham in a roasting tin, omelette, egg custard
Age: 21 years            Cask:  Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

23.64 Potent and assertive
Islay
£40.20 inc. Free P&P
We thought the nose very unusual, with lots going on; charred apricot, delicately cured ham, machair (cotton grass, flowers, salty, fresh), oaky white wine, honey, barley sugar
Age: 7 years            Cask:  Refill ex-bourbon barrel

Summertime Sweethearts:
Buy Sweetheart Pairs 1.153 & 27.80 OR 123.5 & 63.25 for only £86
(save £10.40)

1.153 A cornucopia of mellifluous sweetness
Speyside Spey
£42.20 inc. Free P&P

27.80 Old hemp ropes in a fishing boat
Campbeltown
£54.20 inc. Free P&P

123.5 Feisty but fun
Highland Southern
£40.20 inc. P&P

63.25 The magic of flowers
Speyside Spey
£56.20 inc. P&P

SIX June Outturn
@ Aberdeen Mal & Birmingham & Brighton Hotel du Vin
Sample SIX new June drams behind the bar at Aberdeen Malmaison and Birmingham and Brighton Hotel du Vin. 

Enjoy: 123.5, 4.141, 31.19, 44.44, 23.64 & 33.86

SMWS Whisky Tasting & Events
New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Sat 5 Jun
New Outturn & Sunday Roast Tasting – The Vaults, Sun 6 Jun
New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Mon 7 Jun
Whisky & Gems with Nicholas James – London, Wed 9 Jun
Whisky & Diamonds with Eric Emms – London, Thu 10 Jun
Taste of Islay London Cruise – Edwardian Cruise Boat, Thu 17 Jun
Two Distilleries, One Day Tour – The Vaults, Sat 19 Jun
Blend Your Own Whisky Lunch – The Vaults, Sun 20 Jun
South African Dinner – 28 Queen Street, Wed 23 Jun
Wokingham Preview Sensory Tasting – Cantley House, Thu 24 Jun
Dundee Preview Tasting – Hilton Hotel, Fri 25 Jun
Inverness Preview Tasting – Kingsmills Hotel, Fri 25 Jun

Join the Society today so you too can enjoy thses bottlings http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships

Dallas Dhu 29 Year Old, Duncan Taylor Rare Auld

Single cask #388. Bottled May 2010, a cask strength bottling of the closed and very collectable Dallas Dhu distillery from the award winning Duncan Taylor, Rare Auld series.

271 numbered bottles.

Distillery: Dallas Dhu

Historic Scotland maintains this mothballed, Highland distillery as a museum which allows visitors to inspect the inner workings, to the very guts, of a distillery but without the noises, heat or smells. Rather an eerie sense to the place and a tad naked without its own stock in its own warehouses, but at least it is still standing, stills intact. Founded 1898, closed 1983.

Product Details

Age: 29 Year Old
Vintage: 1981
Volume: 70cl
ABV: 53.0%
Bottler: Duncan Taylor

New single cask releases…

Bowmore 22 Year Old, Old & Rare Sherry £174.99 £148.93 ex VAT
Caperdonach 37 Year Old £121.99 £103.82 ex VAT
Coal Ila 9 Year Old £43.99 £37.44 ex VAT
Port Ellen Rarest of the Rare 27 Year Old, 1983 £189.99 £161.69 ex VAT
Port Ellen Provenance 27 Year Old, 1983 £144.99 £123.40 ex VAT
Hanyu Noh 1988 Cask #9306 £124.99 £106.37 ex VAT
Hanyu 1990 Cask #9305 £104.99 £89.35 ex VAT

Visit The Whisky Barrel at www.thewhiskybarrel.com

WHISKY TASTING  By: Signatory Vintage
SCOTCH TASTING / SEMINAR

TO BE HELD AT:

Presidio Golf Club
8 Presidio Terrace
San Francisco, CA, 94118

Thursday, June 17, 2010
6:30 – 9:00 pm

Sponsored By:  The Whisky Shop

To Reserve a space please calls 415-989-1030 (Space is Limited)

Admission is $ $ 45.00 Must Purchase in Advance 
                                                           
Special Guest: ED KOHL

Come taste the following whiskies:

Auchentoshan 1999
Dalmore 1990  ~  Clynelish 1997
Longmorn 1992  ~ Ledaig 16 Year
Dailuaine ~ Glen Grant 12 Year
Ben Nevis Cask Strength

Bunnahabhain 1997, Heavily Peated                                               
A “Surprise” Malt – Port Ellen  1982  25 Year (The Isle of Skye Blend is not available for this tasting).
  
                      *Space is limited so please inquire about availability
         *All Sales are Final – Tickets Cannot Be Returned

Newcastle Whisky Lounge Festival
Civic Centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne 
Saturday June 12th 2010, 12.00pm 
 
£18.00 / ticket    
 
Hanging onto the not insignificant coat-tails of our first festival in Newcastle last year, comes the difficult second album. Sequels are almost always a disappointment (with some notable exceptions) but prepare yourself to be delighted by this one. Even more exhibitors, an equally impressive venue and no stairs!

Your paltry entry ticket price includes…

– A free Glencairn Tasting Glass (worth £4)
– A Festival Guide
– 500ml bottle of spring water
– no voucher system. That’s right, you are not charged a further amount to taste drams on the day
– No additional booking fee

Exhibitors
Confirmed so far for this year…

Amrut
Arran Distillers
The Balvenie
Berry Brother & Rudd
Bladnoch
Coquet Valley Whisky
The Creative Whisky Co.
Diageo (Classic Malts, Rare Malts, etc.)
Four Roses Bourbon
Glenfiddich
Glengoyne, Smokehead, Tomatin
Glenmorangie
Gordon & MacPhail (Benromach)
Inverhouse Distillers (An Cnoc, Balblair, Old Pulteney)
Morrison Bowmore (Bowmore, Auchentoshen, Suntory)
St. George’s Distillery
Springbank (Longrow, Hazelburn, Kilkerran)
The Square Barrel Whisky Co.
Tullibardine
Whyte & Mackay (Dalmore, Jura)

Masterclasses

There will be four masterclasses during this festival. In order to book onto the classes you will need to first book a general entry ticket and then email masterclasses@thewhiskylounge.com with your requirements and contact details.

 The Whisky Lounge has announced the masterclasses for the much anticipated 2nd Newcastle Whisky Lounge Festival on Saturday June 12th.

12.15-1.30pm Whisk(e)y – What’s it all about? £5

Eddie Ludlow, The Whisky Lounge

Eddie, founder of The Whisky Lounge and Whisky Evangelist, takes you through an introductory tasting of the main styles of whiskies available in the UK today and talks you through what makes them ‘tick’. Perfect for those who would like to know the basics and want to then enjoy the rest of the day feeling a little more ‘prepared’.

1.00-2.15pm Diageo – Distillers Editions £7.50

Colin Dunn – UK Malt Whisky Ambassador, Diageo

Friend and supporter of The Whisky Lounge, Colin Dunn, makes his Newcastle Festival masterclass debut! He is great fun and has a fantastic reputation for getting people excited about whisky. Not to mention a lovely selection of whiskies of all styles to show you!

2.00-3.15pm English Whisky – Who would have thought! £7.50

David Fitt, Head Distiller, St. George’s Distillery

A very exciting time is upon us – the first English malt whisky distillery for around 120 years commenced production in 2006. Jim Murray loves it and so do we. Come and hear (and taste) from the horse’s mouth the story of how it all happened and what they are up to.

3.00-4.15pm Suntory – Japanese Whiskies (7.50)

Personnel to be confirmed

Japanese whiskies are firmly on the radar now with many of their whiskies now multiple-award winners. Join an expert from Morrison Bowmore on a fascinating journey into the heart of the industry whilst tasting some amazing whiskies of course.

3.45-5.00pm Best of the Fest(ival) – The Whisky Lounge (TBC) (£15)

Eddie Ludlow, Founder, The Whisky Lounge, plus special guests

You, Eddie and a panel of experts decide on the best whiskies from a selection of premium bottlings representing some of the assembled exhibitors in a blind taste-off. Who will come top and win this prestigious prize?  A very appropriate way to end the day!

As a reminder, the festival takes place…

The Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Saturday 12th June 2010 12-5pm

Tickets are only £18 for the full session and include a Glencairn tasting glass, all of your drams, water and a festival guide.

Eddie

Book your tickets today http://www.thewhiskylounge.com/

WOODFORD RESERVE® NAMED OFFICIAL BOURBON OF THE BELMONT STAKES

Louisville, KY – Woodford Reserve®, one of America’s fastest growing bourbons, is proud to return as a sponsor of the 142nd running of the Belmont Stakes® on Saturday, June 5 at Belmont Park® in Elmont, NY. Woodford Reserve will serve as the “Official Bourbon of the Belmont Stakes” for 2010.

Woodford Reserve will also sponsor the race immediately preceding the running of the Belmont Stakes. Named the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap, the 1 1/4th mile turf race carries a purse of $400,000 and is for three-year-olds and up.  The Manhattan Handicap was inaugurated at Jerome Park in 1872 and is named after the principal borough of New York City.

 “Woodford Reserve is proud to partner with Belmont Park and a distinguished race such as the Manhattan Handicap,” said Wayne Rose brand director for Woodford Reserve.  “As the only bourbon distillery to have its own stable of race horses, we are proud to be associated with another superior group of Thoroughbreds.”

Woodford Reserve will also toast race day with the Belmont Breeze, the Official Drink of Belmont Park and the Belmont Stakes.

 Woodford Reserve Belmont Breeze

Official Cocktail of the Belmont Stakes

 1 ½ oz. Woodford Reserve

2 oz.  Lemonade

1 oz.  Pomegranate juice

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge or cherry.

Fans will be able to purchase a Woodford Reserve Belmont Breeze at the Food Festival Spirits Tent located in the backyard, the 2nd and 3rd floor clubhouse as well as the 2nd floor grandstand.

Hal Handel, NYRA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said, “Woodford Reserve is a premium brand with strong commitment to the thoroughbred industry. This partnership is a perfect fit. We are very pleased to be able to offer our patrons access to Woodford Reserve’s first-class bourbon.”

Belmont Park

Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, is the home of the third leg of horse racing’s storied Triple Crown and one of three racetracks operated by The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). NYRA also operates Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course. Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York’s three major tracks through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state’s thoroughbred business which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State’s urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2009, more than 1.6 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races alone totals more than $9.3 million every race day. NYRA has a vast network of websites, including www.nyra.com, www.belmontstakes.com, and www.nyragroupsales.com.

About Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve, the “Official Bourbon of the Belmont Stakes”, is crafted at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky – the heart of thoroughbred country.

Woodford Reserve is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by the Brown-Forman Corporation. For 140 years, Brown-Forman has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands. The company’s brands are supported by nearly 4,000 employees and sold in approximately 135 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com, and for more information on Woodford Reserve visit www.WoodfordReserve.com. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly.

 Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.2% Alc. by Vol., The Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY ©2010

We are pleased to make the SUPERNOVA available to buy NOW
 
£ 78 inc VAT
 
(2 bottles per person maximum folkes)
 
World wide shipping is avaiulable for this product…please ask for prices.
 
YOU NEED TO ORDER FROM US……………….
 
Thanks
 
David Gardener
Nickolls and Perks
International Wine & Spirit Merchants 1797
 
(+44 0)1384394518
Icons of Whisky 2010
 
www.nickollsandperks.co.uk

He’s on the road again and visiting Ary; whisky must be involved. Featuring a three part walk-round at the Whisky ‘an ‘a That Festival in Ayr, Scotland.

This Video Log concentrates on highlighting particular whiskies of interest to look out for at Tasting Events.

Find out for yourself at www.ralfy.com

The Glenlivet is the world’s #2 single malt, and is taking aim at the top spot with a new distillery expansion. Chivas Brothers celebrated the $15 million dollar project today (June 4th) with a Royal Salute…literally. Prince Charles was on hand for the dedication, and you’ll get a taste of the festivities on this episode of WhiskyCast recorded on location at The Glenlivet.

www.whiskycast.com

(From Stuart at Glenglassaugh Distillery)

The good weather has arrived at the distillery and as with it the promise of change and things a fresh.

We have moved our offices to slightly more spacious accommodation at the distillery and also one that provides a nicer and improved environment for working. We aim to develop the two older cottages which we had been using as offices for use as on-site accommodation.

Kyle Mackinnon has joined us a temporary member of the team for the summer and is already showing that he is a quick learner who can turn his hand to most things. The rate at which the grass is growing means that he spends a lot of time just keeping that down.

We have been sampling some casks which have been maturing for around a year and were so excited by them we shared them with some of our visitors who in turn thought that they were great so we decided therefore to release another spirit drink ( cannot call it the W word as it has not matured for the requisite 36 months). This new spirit drink is called “Glenglassaugh Spirit Drink – Fledgling XB” and is the result of maturing for 12 months in an ex first-fill bourbon barrel. If you like rich vanilla and buttery flavours then you will not be disappointed.

We are also ready to share our new-make spirit made from peated malted barley and are very sure that you will be very surprised and impressed by the result . The peat is not overwhelming on the nose but the smokiness in the taste just grabs you. Great drink in its own right and a sign of things to come. “Glenglassaugh Spirit Drink – Peated”

There are some changes to our existing spirit drinks and all 4 of these will be available in 200ml bottles shortly. We will send out more information on all of these products shortly.

We have also created a sloe berry liqueur which will be available only through our web site or by visiting the distillery. This sweet distinctive drink is just right for summer and will retail for £18.00 for a 500ml bottle and is produced at 26% abv, it will be available within a couple of weeks.

Our new triple pack of aged rare whiskies will also shortly be available and consists of 3 by 200ml bottles, one with our 26 year old release, one containing a 37 year old whisky and one with a 43 year old whisky which are packaged in a leather clad box and come complete with tasting notes. This will retail in the UK for £299.00 and will be available shortly.

That is all for the moment but we are working on other products and will update you as soon as they come to fruition.

Slange

Stuart

Visit Glenglassaugh Distillery at http://www.glenglassaugh.com