The Story Behind The Idea

How it’s Made

Since 1958, the Maker’s Mark® Distillery in Loretto, Ky., has made only one thing — Maker’s Mark Bourbon. It was Bill Samuels, Sr.’s pioneering spirit that led him to experiment with soft red winter wheat as the flavoring grain, in place of rye, that ultimately created the taste profile that is so unique to Maker’s Mark. His idea not only changed the bourbon category forever, but his philosophy of combining “taste good” with “good taste” has remained the core of the brand’s guiding principles to this day.

In the innovative spirit of Bill Samuels, Sr., and at the consistent prodding from bourbon lovers, taste-makers and our Ambassadors, Master Distiller Kevin Smith began experimenting to see if we could come up with something new and different that would be true to the craft and heritage of Maker’s Mark.

After many bad ideas, Kevin came to the conclusion that the foundation for our new bourbon would be our own fully matured Maker’s Mark. Kevin’s next decision would prove equally insightful. He decided to enlist Brad Boswell, owner of our barrel maker, Independent Stave, to provide technical assistance. Brad’s passion soon equaled Kevin’s passion to create
something new and different. Together they experimented tirelessly, realizing that their creation could not and should not come from artificial flavors. Instead, the creation should come naturally from grains and wood. Finally, in December 2009, they exclaimed, “We think we’ve got it!”

Maker’s 46 is the first new product ever from Maker’s Mark Distillery, and we are the only distillery to use this stave process in creating bourbon.

Maker’s 46™ Bourbon Whisky, 47% Alc./Vol. ©2010 Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc., Loretto, KY.

Maker’s 46 Tasting Notes
Age To Maturity Proof 94

Aroma Pleasant, sweet, toasty oak nose with caramel overtones. More intense aroma without an alcohol nose.
Taste Rich, creamy seared-oak flavors; caramel and vanilla notes linger on
the front of the palate, but it is still soft enough to hold on the tongue
even at 94 proof.
Finish A big, mouth-watering oaky finish. Long with a little spice, staying forward on the palate without the bitter bite found in older whiskies

Why the number 46?

During the experimentation process, Brad and Kevin tried manipulating oak staves in a variety of ways for different flavors, and it was through that  process that Maker’s 46 got its name. 46 was the profile number assigned by Brad Boswell to the process used to sear the oak staves that proved successful in creating the taste profile that Kevin and Brad had been working to achieve.

Visit Maker’s Mark at http://www.makersmark.com/

April 2010 Recent Awards

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded a fantastic 20 Liquid Gold Awards from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010. 

Liquid Gold Awards have been created to celebrate the highest quality and standard of whisky around the world, which means that only those scoring 94 points or more qualify. Representing only a small number of the 4,000 whiskies featured in the 2010 edition, these Liquid Gold whiskies are in Jim Murray’s opinion the elite of our industry; the very best that can be found therefore this is a great achievement from Duncan Taylor.

Some of our top whiskies which received an award are shown below, to view a full list of the whiskies which received a Liquid Gold Award, please follow this link: http://www.duncantaylor.com/awards.htm

Rare Auld, Inverleven 1979
Rarest of the Rare, Glenlochy 1980
Rare Auld, Port Dundas 1973
Rare Auld, Glengarioch 1988

 
Rare Auld, Macallan 1988

 
Rarest of the Rare, Glen Mhor 1975

*The 2010 Whisky Bible was released in October 2009

Duncan Taylor & Co Ltd
Whisky Merchants and Brokers,
4 Upperkirkgate, Huntly,
Aberdeenshire, Scotland AB54 8JU
  website: www.duncantaylor.com
email: info@duncantaylor.com
Phone: +44 (0) 1466 794055
Fax: +44 (0) 1466 794618
 

Purveyors of the worlds most exclusive range of Scotch Whiskies

Here at Single Malts we’d like to apologise for the slight delay in our weekly newsletter. Due to the Easter weekend many of our staff were on holiday and heavy snow here in the North East of Scotland caused delays in consignments getting despatched. We also had the sad departure of our retail shop manager Ronnie Routledge last week, who will now be working at the Glenglassaugh distillery. We wish him the very best of luck, he will be sadly missed here at www.singlemaltsdirect.com

Not to worry though, with all the egg rolling and departures past with, were finally getting back to normal. Just in time to happily welcome in lots of brand new collectable whiskies, which you might be interested in!

Duncan Taylor’s – Rare Auld

Glen Grant 22yo 1978 Cask 44648

 
Tasting Notes

Colour: Pinky orange.

Nose:  Raisins, some meaty notes, mint, some lighter grassier notes in the background.  Dried oranges.

Taste: Warming, big chewy dark fruits, a little waxy.  Chocolate, more dried orange notes.

Finish: Raisins and sultanas, maybe some banana notes, quite a thick chewy dram and a little nutty.

Comment:  A big fruit filled Glen Grant

£67.99

Mortlach – Beinn A’Cheo Single Malt Scotch Whisky 

 
Beinn A’ Cheo (meaning mountain of mist in Scottish Gaelic) is a single malt scotch whisky. The current bottling is an 18 year old, distilled at the Mortlach Distillery in the Speyside region, on 11th June 1991. This whisky matured in a sherry butt in cask 5142, until 22nd December 2009 when it was bottled at the Scottish Liqueur Centre producing 557 bottles at a strength of 58.5% ABV. £56.99

Arran 1997 Vintage 13 Year Old  The Rowan Tree 46%

 
Isle of Arran distillery have announced the forthcoming release of the The Rowan Tree which is the Second edition of the Icons of Arran Limited Edition Series and a follow-up to the very highly rated Arran Peacock. This new release from Arran should be available from the last week of March 2010.
 
The Arran Malt Rowan Tree is a limited edition of 6,000 bottles worldwide. The whisky was distilled in 1997 then matured in 10 ex-Olorosso Sherry Casks for 12 years. It was bottled at 46% abv, Non-Chill Filtered and has No Added Colouring.
 
The Rowan Tree has a special place in Scottish folklore and is believed to ward off evil spirits. The Rowan Trees which surround the Isle of Arran Distillery certainly play their part as only the purest spirit is produced their under the watchful eye of the Arran Distilling team. This 1997 Distillation was aged for 12 years in 10 ex-Sherry Butts which were specially selected by the Distillery Manager, James MacTaggart. Classic Arran in character this bottling perfectly captures the flamboyant character of the Rowan Tree. £37.99

Single Malts Limited | 36 Gordon Street | Huntly | Aberdeenshire | AB54 8EQ |

Ralfy

Ralfy has now completed and uploaded his review in episode #124 Greenpsot Irish Whiskey

Visit Ralfy at www.ralfy.com and see for yourself…

William Grant & Sons Celebrates #1 Position in Canada 30th Anniversary with Agent PMA Canada

Grant’s Canada’s Number One Blended Scotch Whisky

March 30, 2010 – Peter Gordon, Chairman of William Grant & Sons, marked the 30th Anniversary of its Canadian distributor, Peter Mielzynski Agencies Ltd. (PMA) with a very special blend of Grant’s 30 YO Whisky. William Grant & Sons, distillers of Glenfiddich, The Balvenie and Grant’s Blended Whiskies, was a founding supplier to PMA, now the largest independent agency in Canada. More than 300 industry members, employees and customers in Edmonton paid tribute to 30 years of market leadership in Canada.

“Right from the beginning this has been a special partnership. With PMA’s support over the past 30 years, William Grant & Sons products have become category leaders right across the board” says Mr. Gordon, fifth generation descendant of the company’s founder, William Grant.

To mark the anniversary, William Grant & Sons’ Malt Master, Brian Kinsman created a very special 30 YO vintage of Grant’s Whisky. Only 200 bottles have been produced for members of the William Grant & Sons Canadian partners.

“Canada is a very special place for our company and our family,” says Peter. “Lord Mount Stephen, founder of the CPR, introduced John Grant, William’s son, to the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1905, and that cemented our relationship to Canada.”

Today PMA represents wine, spirits and Beers from all over the world and sells 2.5 million cases per year.

PMA Canada was founded in 1979 by Peter Mielzynski to represent fine wines and spirits across Canada and William Grant & Sons was their first major supplier.

The partnership has been responsible for the success of such internationally renowned whiskies as Grant’s Family Reserve and Gibson’s Finest Canadian Whisky.

Grant’s Blended Scotch Whisky, in its iconic triangular bottle, is one of the worlds best loved. Grant’s is enjoyed in over 180 countries worldwide and ranks fourth in terms of global sales. In 2009 Grant’s Family Reserve took Gold at the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC).

To produce Grant’s Blends, the company selects the finest single malt and grain Scotch whiskies—including their own Glenfiddich and The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whiskies and its Girvan Grain Scotch whisky—and skillfully and harmoniously blends them together. A typical blend of Grant’s will consist of 20-30 malt whiskies and 1-3 grain whiskies, to achieve its deliciously complex taste and its classic long, and smooth finish.

William Grant & Sons is an independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today still controlled by the fifth generation of his family. The Company distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s most awarded single malt Glenfiddich®, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie® single malts and the world’s number four blended Scotch, Grant’s®, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick’s® Gin.

Ian Macleod Distillers in good standing for TFWA* Asia Pacific 2010

April 2010, Edinburgh; Independent, family-owned Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd, has unveiled a dramatic new look for this year’s TFWA Asia Pacific (9-13 May), launching an innovative bespoke stand, designed to showcase the company’s growing portfolio of award-winning travel retail brands. See Stand N31. 

The investment in the new, improved exhibition space represents the next phase in Ian Macleod Distillers’ initial five year travel retail sales and marketing strategy. This strategy commenced in 2007 with the appointment of Andy Lane as Director of Travel Retail and the launch of the company’s first ever travel retail exclusives, Smokehead Extra Rare and Glengoyne Burnfoot.

Moving away from the original shell scheme and traditional, standard glass displays, the new open design uses clean sharp lines with bespoke laminate white cases and custom-built lightbox. Combined with high impact branding and an informal meeting area, the new stand will give Ian Macleod higher visibility at the show, projecting the company’s dedication and investment in travel retail.

Key brands on display on Stand N31 at TFWA Asia Pacific include the ultra premium Glengoyne Highland Single Malt 40 Years Old and Chieftain’s Springbank 40 Years Old. Both luxury products will be accompanied by many other premium expressions including Glengoyne Highland Single Malt 14 Years Old litre, Smokehead Extra Rare and Smokehead 18 Years Old Extra Black. The hugely successful King Robert II Scotch Whisky will be presented in a new 50cl PET and the exclusive, stylish, award-winning Glengoyne Burnfoot, redesigned last year, will also be on display at TFWA Asia Pacific in litre and new 50cl PET variants.
 
Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers commented: “We are delighted with the finish of our new exhibition stand, which perfectly reinforces our strong and growing commitment to our global travel retail offering.

“Over the past three years, our travel retail sales and marketing strategy has focused principally on developing exciting new premium travel retail exclusives. We are now in a position to offer an enviable portfolio with global appeal, which our new stand shows off to maximum effect.” 

Andy Lane commented: “TFWA Asia Pacific 2010 is already shaping up to be our most successful show to date. Our eye-catching exhibition space will not only play an essential role in attracting new and existing business partners, it will ensure Ian Macleod project a consistent and professional image between Cannes and Singapore, as well as building a stronger brand identity overall.” 

“Ian Macleod Distillers has already achieved its strategic business objective set for 2012 to increase travel retail sales from eight to ten percent of the overall business. This is a fantastic achievement of which we are rightly proud but we will not rest!”
 
Established in 1933, Ian Macleod Distillers is one of the largest and most widely respected independent family companies within the spirits industry. The award winning Ian Macleod portfolio, which includes Glengoyne, King Robert II, Langs and Smokehead, as well as gin, rum, and vodka, currently has combined total sales of more than one million cases, with 85% being exported to over 65 markets worldwide. 

Andy Lane and the travel retail team look forward to meeting both trade customers and press at the Ian Macleod Distiller’s Stand N31 at TFWA Asia Pacific, 9-13 May 2010. To book an appointment, please contact: andy.lane@ianmacleod.com

For further information visit:

 www.ianmacleod.com or www.tfwa.com

Ian Macleod  encourages responsible drinking
www.drinkaware.co.uk www.scotch-whisky.org.uk
-Ends-

* TFWA = Tax free World Association

Weekly Whisky Specials

Southern  Comfort 1.75L  $17.99

Cutty Sark  Scotch 1.75L  $19.99

Johnnie Walker  Black Label $24.99

Johnnie Walker  Red Label 1.75L  $27.99

Canadian LTD 1.75L $10.99
Dewar’s White Label 1.75L $29.99
Evan Williams Bourbon 1.75L $18.99
House Of Stuart Scotch 1.75L $14.99
Jack Daniels Black $19.99
Jim Beam Bourbon 1.75L $21.99
Jim Beam Red Stag $15.99

Seagram’s VO 1.75L $17.99

*Prices valid W/Binny’s Card April 7 through April 13, 2010. Not responsible for misprints or typographical errors.  Sizes 750ml unless otherwise stated. Advertised items limited to quantities on hand.

Visit Binny’s at www.binnys.com

Here at Single Malts we’d like to apologise for the slight delay in our weekly newsletter. Due to the Easter weekend many of our staff were on holiday and heavy snow here in the North East of Scotland caused delays in consignments getting despatched. We also had the sad departure of our retail shop manager Ronnie Routledge last week, who will now be working at the Glenglassaugh distillery. We wish him the very best of luck, he will be sadly missed here at www.singlemaltsdirect.com

Not to worry though, with all the egg rolling and departures past with, were finally getting back to normal. Just in time to happily welcome in lots of brand new collectable whiskies, which you might be interested in!

Ben Nevis – 25 Year Old

Single Cask, Cask Strength, West Highland Malt Scotch Whisky

Cask No. 98/35/1

ABV: 56%

Volume: 70cl/700ml

Distilled in 1984

Bottled (non-chillfiltered) in January 2010

Vatted in sherry casks

From The Ben Nevis Distillery, the oldest Distillery in Scotland.

This finest and most exclusive whisky lying at the Ben Nevis Whisky Distillery has been drawn from a single oak cask and bottled directly at this strength to ensure that you can savour this whisky in its purest form. This particular whisky was first filled into freshly dumped bourbon barrels on the 20th December 1984, and continued to mature in these casks for almost 14 years until on 14th December 1998, the whisky was vatted and transferred into freshly dumped sherry butts. Maturation continued in these casks until this particular cask was bottled in early January 2010 as a 25-year-old single west highland malt scotch whisky, which we hope you will enjoy.

Only 628 bottled produced. Signed by the Distillery Manager

BUY NOW FOR ONLY – £78.99

Single Malts Limited | 36 Gordon Street | Huntly | Aberdeenshire | AB54 8EQ |

Compass Box Whisky Tasting 3-6pm at Park Avenue Liquor Shop
When: Friday, April 9, 3pm – 6pm
Where: Park Avenue Liquor Shop

Haste ye there!

Kilchoman 3yo Spring 2010 Release 46%abv

The ‘Spring 2010 Release’ has been matured in fresh bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace for up to 3 years and finished in very active oloroso sherry butts for 3.5 months.

These 3yo whiskies from Islay’s juvenile distillery are truly remarkable, they’re as good as any single malt Scotch – nailing the long dead misconception that under (say) eight years is too young. It’s great.
Distinctively full Islay peaty style, not many more peaty. Hold it on the tongue for as long as you can, the chocolate sits with the peat like (metaphor invited)… A long peaty finish with a cleansing surgical spirit aspect. Water is worthwhile, it retains the great roundness with a seaspary from Machir Bay.

On the flavour map it’s G10, on the smoky side of rich and smoky.
Rich / Smoky

Price excluding VAT: £38.21
£44.90 Including VAT at 17.5%