Archives for 2014

Royal Salute 21 Year Old Unveils New Packaging

November 19, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Royal Salute 21 YO ruby

Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky has unveiled a contemporary new look for its 21 Year Old expression reinforcing its position as a modern, luxury product of hand crafted quality.

Royal Salute seeks out the most precious materials to craft its blend – from perfectly matured single malt whiskies to the porcelain flagons in which it is presented. Robust, durable and strong, the opaque body of the flagon acts as a powerful guardian to the precious liquid. Crafted over five days from Cornish clay in Great Britain, Royal Salute’s high quality is further reinforced by the new artistic decoration on its cap that includes a guilloché pattern, while the label emphasises the brand’s legacy, which dates back to 1953 when Royal Salute was launched in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her coronation.

Elaborate engraving of a lion and cannon smoke on the bottle retain Royal Salute’s rich heritage as a powerful and sophisticated prestige Scotch whisky, with the expression being named after the traditional 21 Gun Salute. In 2012, the brand became the first ever to be officially associated with the Royal Gun Salutes at the Tower of London, further celebrating the brand’s celebration of royalty, a tradition that continues today.

Royal Salute 21 Year Old’s new bottle reflects the power and grace of Master Distiller Colin Scott’s craftsmanship. Colin Scott maintains consistent high quality throughout the production process, selecting rare and prized malt and grain whiskies laid down over 21 years ago for the final blend, which he describes as both subtle and strong, like “an iron fist in a velvet glove.”

Global Brand Director for Royal Salute, Neil Macdonald says: “There is a tremendous opportunity for Royal Salute to become a true and legitimate luxury brand. We have powerful credentials with our sumptuous whisky which has always used whiskies aged at least 21 years of age Now the new design complements with a modern look for our iconic 21 Year Old expression that alludes to the power and grace of our range. Royal Salute is steeped in royalty and history and this new contemporary packaging helps us bring the legacy of our crafted whisky to life. We are proud to present a bottle that today’s whisky connoisseurs, collectors and discerning drinkers alike will appreciate.”

Colin Scott, Master Blender for Royal Salute, continues: “21 years is an age necessary to capture the power and grace that defines this unique blend’s style. The new packaging enhances the exclusive Royal Salute experience.”

The new Royal Salute 21 Year Old flagon will remain available in three colours, including sapphire, ruby, and emerald complemented by a matching velvet pouch.

Edencroft: Invergordon, Bruichladdich, Caol Ila, Lagavulin & Talisker New Classic Malts!

November 18, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Bruichladdich / Octomore 063/ 258 Ppm Islay Barley 2009

Supplier	Brand	Bottle Size	Price
Edencroft	Invergordon Single Grain Whisky 25 Year Old / Hunter Laing Sovereign Country: Scotland Region: Lowland Age: 25 Year Old Strength: 58.1% Vintage: 1988 Bottler: Summary: The Hunter Laing Sovereign Single Grain bottlings are increasingly becoming firm favourites with Whisky enthusiasts around the globe. Hunter Laing select only the finest casks which have been lying untouched in cold, dark and damp Scottish warehouses for many decades. Typically their aged Single Grain whiskies have a deliciously sweet and distinctly fruity character as a result of many years in the finest oak casks during maturation. Nose: rich with spiced sultana and butterscotch concentrate; Taste: fabulous delivery: arrives silky and soft and immediately explodes into an unbelievable couldron on spices and fruit; Finish: more mooerish magnificence on a vague fruit and rape seed honey theme; Balance: ignore the fact this is grain and not malt, just grab yourself a bottle of something rather beautiful. © Tasting Notes from Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible.	70cl	£ 85.00 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Strathclyde Single Grain Whisky 36 Year Old / Hunter Laing Sovereign Country: Scotland Region: Lowland Age: 36 Year Old Strength: 58.1% Vintage: 1977 Bottler: Summary: The Hunter Laing Sovereign Single Grain bottlings are increasingly becoming firm favourites with Whisky enthusiasts around the globe. Hunter Laing select only the finest casks which have been lying untouched in cold, dark and damp Scottish warehouses for many decades. Typically their aged Single Grain whiskies have a deliciously sweet and distinctly fruity character as a result of many years in the finest oak casks during maturation. Nose: just about enough thickening grain – and alcohol to make this into a whisky. Otherwise the nose is pure cream oloroso, of the fruitiest variety possible; Taste: the delivery is one mouth coating homage to the gods of sherry, slightly sticky, gently sweetened and dripping in sharp grape and emboldened by a vague but busy spiciness. And so it continues…; Finish: the finish is all about offering balance as the grape at last punches itself out. The oak come into its own now, a kind of spiced Cadbury’s fruit and nut candy bar; Balance: those who fell in love with Marcallan all those years back because of its faultlessly silky sherry influence are about to have their hears won again. It’ll be love at first flight… © Tasting Notes from Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible.	70cl	£ 99.50 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Bruichladdich / Port-charlotte Islay Barley 2008 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: Strength: 50% Summary: PORT CHARLOTTE ISLAY BARLEY REPRESENTS A MILESTONE. FOR THE FIRST TIME, PERHAPS IN THE ISLAND’S HISTORY, A HEAVILY-PEATED SINGLE MALT HAS BEEN DISTILLED USING ISLAY-GROWN BARLEY. The wind-driven rain that lashes Islay's fields, and the Atlantic air breathed by the casks as they mature by the shores of Loch Indaal, gives the whisky its signature salty, citrus tang. Harvested in Sepetember 2008 from the farms at Coull, Kynagarry, Island, Rockside, Starchmill & Sunderland, peated to 40 PPM, then distilled in December of the same year, this is a whisky of flawless provenance. A true Ileach. Character: Absolutely flawless construction and balance. Young, confident, zesty and absolutely delightful, the texture is smooth, succulent and stimulating. Colour: Gilded lily. Nose: Totally disarming considering the age of the spirit. It opens with bracken and bluebells, then the warm crisp peat-dried barley with the smokiness drifting sensuously from the glass shadowed by a salt sea breeze. The brilliant aroma of toasted oak sugars combines with the succulent soft fruits from slow distillation. You will find guava, papaya and kiwi with a squeeze of lemon. It’s feisty, it’s fresh, it’s smoky, sweet, minty and marine. Palate: The warmth of the spirit is impressive, not aggressive. It’s incredible. You have the dryness of the peat smoke together with soft fruits splashed with sea spray, all held in a crunchy basket of caramelised wood sugars sprinkled with lemon and pepper. It is a rare and special experience to taste a spirit that is 100% Islay, but also shining through is the artisanal skill of our distillers who, using the original Victorian equipment, are creating the most exciting single malts in the world today. Finish: Parting from a special one is never easy, especially when you have enjoyed their company, lingering with every drop in the glass. Kick back and relax – the aromatics and flavours will stay with you for some time. Mood: Enjoy your spiritual visit to Islay, this magical rock in the Atlantic Ocean where our single malts sleep to the sound of the sea.		£ 55.00 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Bruichladdich / Octomore 063/ 258 Ppm Islay Barley 2009 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: Strength: 64% Summary: FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME WE ARE PROUD TO RELEASE OCTOMORE WHISKY DISTILLED FROM 100% ISLAY BARLEY AND HARVESTED IN 2008 BY FARMER JAMES BROWN AT LORGBA, A SINGLE FIELD ON HIS OCTOMORE FARM. Peated to a stratospheric 258ppm, the highest ever released in the industry, this extraordinary dram embodies its island origins and carries its phenol count with an effortless grace. High on the hill above Loch Indaal, Octomore faces the rage of Atlantic weather systems and once housed its own farm distillery, most likely producing a very heavily peated spirit from home-grown barley. In homage to its origins, this is Octomore of Octomore. Character: Mesmerising in its potency – with perfect balance. The texture is like warm honey, the taste rich with a depth of character that can only be found on Islay. Colour: Autumn sunshine – citrine. Nose: It opens with the call of the sea, the thundering west coast waves driving a gentle mist onto the moorland and tempting the wild plants to release their unique aromas. Notes of myrtle, meadowsweet, mint and heather flowers drift across the nose. Wild thyme and red clover dance in perfect harmony with the strong uplifting peatiness of the Islay grown barley. It’s exhilarating, and seriously dramatic. Palate: When the heat of the peat fires cool there is a spontaneous detonation of soft red grapes, cherries, Russian toffee, bitter chocolate, maple syrup and mellow oak. It is a taste like no other, a whisky cut loose, unhindered, unchanged. This is sorcery. Finish: Long and strong, it warms the soul and lifts the heart. It evokes memories of those early years when the sweat of men instilled the spirit with a unique character. Join us as we look to the past, celebrating our Islay DNA while journeying into the future in a never-ending quest for the rainbow’s end. Mood: The flavours just keep evolving to the point where it is driving you crazy with joy and you just want to tell the world what is happening. Relax and keep it to yourself – it’s not for sharing and when the glass is empty you will feel like the ultimate warrior.		£ 145.00 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Caol Ila / Distillers Edition Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: Strength: 43% Summary: Each Distillers Edition expression undergoes a second (or ‘double’) maturation in casks that have previously held a fortified wine. This extraordinarily stylish and complex expression of Caol Ila has been double-matured in carefully selected Moscatel casks. The wood is not over-evident and instead balances perfectly with this richly flavoured single malt. Appearance: Clear gold. Nose: Wonderfully concentrated pure, clean Caol Ila – peaty and medicinal, with rich fruit, spicy and fragrant. With water, the fragrant smokiness comes singing through. Body: Medium. Palate: Sweetness and maltiness strike first, then are quickly overwhelmed by peat smoke and intense, clean, crisp flavours. Caol Ila’s signature smoky bonfires are here, and build to quite a size. Overall, drying, in a beautifully balanced, complex, elegant development, complemented with cinnamon spice. Finish: Long, rounded, robust and multi-layered.	70cl	£ 63.50 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Lagavulin / Distillers Edition / 1996 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: Strength: 43% Vintage: 1996 Bottler: Summary: A much sought-after single malt with the massive peat-smoke that's typical of southern Islay – but also offering a dryness that turns it into a truly interesting dram. Lagavulin is an intensely flavoured, smoky-sweet single malt with seaweed flavours and a huge finish, aged in oak casks for at least sixteen years. Appearance: Deep amber gold. Nose: Intensely flavoured, peat smoke with iodine and seaweed and a rich, deep sweetness. Body: Full Palate: A rich, dried fruit sweetness with clouds of smoke and strong, barley-malt flavours, warming with an intense flavour. At the back of the mouth is an explosion of peppery smoke. Finish: Huge, long, warming and peppery with a distinct appetising sweetness.	70cl	£ 80.00 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Talisker / Distillers Edition / 2012 Release Country: Scotland Region: Isle of Sky Age: Strength: 45.8% Vintage: 2001 Bottler: Summary: “Crisp peat at first then softens to enormous richness in the mouth. There’s sweet, roasty malt with a heathery dryness. The sherry notes keep back some of the usual Talisker pepperiness. In its place is luscious, slightly oily sweetness – with ripe, juicy fruit and vanilla” Donald John McEwen Process Operator The Distillers Edition is unique: after its usual aging process in American oak casks, the whisky undergoes a second maturation in casks previously holding sherry. The result is older, sweeter and richer than the regular bottlings. Appearance: Chestnut brown. Nose: Sharp and well focussed; no lingering, rambling smoke here. A sultana sweetness. One of the most tantalising sherry noses – certainly the cleanest Body: Full Palate: Crisp peat then softens to great richness in the mouth. Sweet, roasty malt with heathery dryness. Sherry notes keep back some pepper. In its place is luscious, slightly oily sweetness with juicy fruit and vanilla. Finish: Some very deep cocoa notes, vanilla and lingering quite earthy peat. An enormously chewable single malt, with sweetness having the edge on dryness.	70cl	£ 52.75 BUY NOW

Abbey Whisky: New Arrivals & Tempting Gift Sets!

November 17, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Abbey Whisky has 14 New additions to it’s range this week with whiskies from the Highland, Islay, Japanese, Speyside and Swedish parts of the planet!

The brands include Caperdonich, Nikka, Glen Spey, Mackmyra, Glencadam, Strathisla, Glenfarclas, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and their very own Abbey Whisky bottlings!

The ages of the new whiskies range from 14 to 57 Year Old malts.

Supplier	Brand	Bottle Size	Price
Abbey Whisky	Caperdonich 17 Year Old / The Rare Casks / Gift Set Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: 17 Years Old Strength: 57.8% Vintage: 1995 Bottler: Abbey Whisky	10cl	£ 16.50 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Glen Spey 20 Year Old / Gleneagles 2014 Whisky Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: 20 Years Old Strength: 46%	70cl	£ 120.00 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Glencadam 22 Year Old / The Rare Casks / Gift Set Country: Scotland Region: Highland Age: 22 Years Old Strength: 55.3% Vintage: 1991 Bottler: Abbey Whisky	10cl	£ 18.76 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Glenfarclas 1954 / Family Casks Summer 2014 / Cask #1260 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: 47.2% Vintage: 1954 Bottler: Glenfarclas	70cl	£ 1,560.00 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Glenfarclas 1966 Fino Casks / 47 Year Old / 2013 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: 47 Years Old Strength: 50.5% Vintage: 1966 Bottler: Glenfarclas	70cl	£ 798.00 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Kilchoman Single Cask 120 2007 / Whisky Import Nederland Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: Strength: 61.8% Vintage: 2007 Bottler: Distillery Bottling	70cl	£ 147.50 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Lagavulin 16 Year Old Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: 16 Years Old Strength: 43%	70cl	£ 54.84 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Mackmyra Midvinter / Swedish Single Malt Whisky Country: Sweden Region: Swedish Age: Strength: 46.1%	70cl	£ 55.90 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Mackmyra Svensk Rok / Swedish Single Malt Whisky Country: Sweden Region: Swedish Age: Strength: 46.1%	50cl	£ 48.25 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Nikka From The Barrel – 3 Litre / 80th Anniversary Country: Japan Region: Japanese Age: Strength: 51.4%	300cl	£ 299.98 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Nikka Single Cask Coffey Grain 1999 / Cask #209699 Country: Japan Region: Japanese Age: 14 Years Old Strength: 63% Vintage: 1999 Bottler: Nikka Distillery	70cl	£ 161.90 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Nikka Taketsuru 21 Year Old / 80th Anniversary Country: Japan Region: Japanese Age: 21 Years Old Strength: 48%	70cl	£ 210.00 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Strathisla 57 Year Old – 1957 / Private Collection Ultra Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: 57 Years Old Strength: 51.6% Vintage: 1957 Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail	70cl	£ 6,250.00 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	The Rare Casks Whisky Gift Set (Abbey Whisky) Country: Scotland Region: Age: Strength:	4 x 10cl	£ 55.20 BUY NOW

Jura 1984 Vintage Unveiled!

November 16, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Jura 1984 Vintage

In 1984, Jura casked a small quantity of unambiguously excellent single malt whisky and, thirty years later, Jura 1984 Vintage, has been released as a limited edition malt.

There are only 1,984 individually numbered bottles available worldwide, with a retail price of £750.

With this new rare and richly aromatic malt, Jura continues to surprise with the uncommon masterpieces that are created on its unpolished shores.
Jura 1984 Vintage has an intense and uncensored taste matured in American White Oak, Amoroso and Apostoles Oloroso sherry butt casks.
Each extraordinary bottle is non-chill filtered at 44% ABV.

As always, Jura invites customers to share their own tasting notes, but whisky lovers are likely to find a suggestion of honey, vanilla, ginger, peach syrup and banana cake on the nose.
On the palette, hints of ripe pineapple will develop into bitter chocolate and finish with rich morello cherries.

Jura 1984 Vintage honours the connection to the writer George Orwell who wrote the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four whilst staying on the island.

Rebuilt in 1963 to revive a remote community nestled off the West Coast of Scotland, Jura has one road, one pub, one shop and one distillery which creates a uniquely crafted mix of whiskies completely unlike any others.

Willie Cochrane, Jura Distillery Manager said: “Every good malt whisky has a story to tell and Jura’s tale is particularly unique. We’re delighted to add another exciting chapter with the release of this extraordinary limited edition vintage. Jura 1984 Vintage is an uncompromising addition to our range in homage to the island’s most distinguished guest. 1984 is certainly a year to remember.”

Jura is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

The Whisky Exchange
Master of Malt
Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists
Abbey Whisky
Whisky Online
The Whisky Barrel
The Green Welly Stop

The Neat Glass – Sampling The Ultimate Whisky Tasting Glass?

November 14, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Neat in neat!

There’s a new glass on the block – it’s called The NEAT Glass and whisky nosing may never be the same again!

First launched in the US and now available in the UK, the Neat glass is set to revolutionize whisky nosing traditions.

The Naturally Engineered Aroma Technology Glass (or NEAT which is much easier to say!) is a hand blown nosing glass with a unique patented shape that gives a whole new meaning to the whisky tasting experience.

Winner of a number of awards including the Editors Pick Award of Excellence 2013 in the Beverage Industry News Awards, The Neat Glasshas also been the official tasting glass for various events including the SIP awards International Spirits Competition.

Selected as the ‘Judging Glass’ for:

2014 San Diego International Spirits Competition

2014 SIP Awards International Spirits Competition

2013 New York World Wine and Spirits Competition

2013 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival

San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2012 – 2013 Santa Barbara Tequila Harvest Festival

2014 Official glass SIP Awards International Spirits Competition

San Diego International Spirits Competition

Craft Sprits Awards International

Awards Received:

2013 Beverage Industry News Editor’s Pick Award of Excellence

2013 Best of the Best Mr Latino Magazine

2012 Best New Bar Product – Vegas Seven Magazine

The Neat Glass

So how does it all work?

One of the main inovations for this glass is to reduce alcohol burn that so often gets in the way of nosing the complex aromas from a dram.

The neck of the glass is designed to focus the whisky and the lip disperses the alcohol burn to give a better tasting experience.

This is what you do:-

1. Fill your NEAT Glass to the maximum bowl diameter.
2. Choose whether to add water (In your first evaluation we recommend not adding water, however this is at your discretion).
3. Hold glass level, at neck to prevent overwarming and under bowl to warm.
4. Do not insert nose below the neck portion where alcohol is concentrated.
5. Keep glass level, swirl and nose over the ‘sweet spot’ in the centre just above the rim.
6. Taste. (The flared rim will flow your whisky across your entire palate).
7. Have fun with it! Experiment with nose position and with different whiskies.

A Design For The Modern Dram!

The ultimate whisky tasting glass?

Tasting is believing!

So, in the interests of scientific research I decided to try The Neat Glass against a standard nosing glass with a dram of Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Whisky 12 Years Old – 40% in each to compare tasting experiences.
Not a massively complex whisky but I thought this was ideal to see what The Neat Glass can bring out of it that the standard nosing glass may cause you to miss.

Normal Glass	The NEAT Glass
Nose: Sweet sherry, smokey and woody all rolled up very nicely. As usual there is quite a bit of alcohol burn which is difficult to avoid as the optimum place for nosing is where you get the most burn! Palate: Sweet sherry with a slight bit of smoke. A Nice 12 YO blended the JW! Finish: The smokiness comes through, soft and lingering. Nice bit of spice and pepper in there too. Overall: Instinctively easier to drink from but also easier to ‘glug’ down reducing the savouring experience of dramming.	Nose: The burn has all but gone giving rise to more of the sweetness and smokey and woody overtones of the dram to come thru. Palate: Similar to the standard nosing glass but the sweet sherry is slightly more pronounced and there’s a very smooth hint of citrus making itself known. Finish: A longer, more satisfying finish, the smokiness is given an added warmth. The spice and pepper is a little less harsh and more rounded. Overall: The flared rim initially feels like I’m going to dribble it but, of course, this doesn’t happen. It just spreads the spirit more evenly in the mouth giving a fuller mouth feel. It also forces you to savour the dram by taking small mouthfuls.

Normal Glass

The NEAT Glass

Nose: Sweet sherry, smokey and woody all rolled up very nicely. As usual there is quite a bit of alcohol burn which is difficult to avoid as the optimum place for nosing is where you get the most burn!

Palate: Sweet sherry with a slight bit of smoke. A Nice 12 YO blended the JW!

Finish: The smokiness comes through, soft and lingering. Nice bit of spice and pepper in there too.

Overall: Instinctively easier to drink from but also easier to ‘glug’ down reducing the savouring experience of dramming.

Nose: The burn has all but gone giving rise to more of the sweetness and smokey and woody overtones of the dram to come thru.

Palate: Similar to the standard nosing glass but the sweet sherry is slightly more pronounced and there’s a very smooth hint of citrus making itself known.

Finish: A longer, more satisfying finish, the smokiness is given an added warmth. The spice and pepper is a little less harsh and more rounded.

Overall: The flared rim initially feels like I’m going to dribble it but, of course, this doesn’t happen.
It just spreads the spirit more evenly in the mouth giving a fuller mouth feel. It also forces you to savour the dram by taking small mouthfuls.

Conclusion

Well I like it!

In the whisky dramming world it’s often a case of each to their own when it comes to tasting and glassware preferences.

But I wouldn’t dismiss The Neat Glass out of hand. It might take a little bit of getting used to but I certainly would recommend giving it a try.

The reduction in burn was a revelation and it’s a lovely glass to hold and nurse a dram by, warming the spirit gently, similar to the brandy balloon glass.

Very civilised!

It will certainly be taking up a proud position in my nosing glass collection.

In short … it’s NEAT!

Thanks very much to theneatglass.uk for allowing me to be one of the first to try out this groundbreaking design.

Check out their Twitter page to keep up to date with this fascinating tasting journey.

The Peated Malts Of Distinction Tweet Tasting!

November 13, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Tweet Tasting Line Up

Beam Suntory has lined up four of their most iconic malts for the latest Twitter Tasting to hit the net.

The malts sampled were:-

The Ardmore Legacy

Connemara Original

Bowmore Small Batch

Laphroaig Select

Ideal as entry level malts into each brands character they also come reasonably priced – always welcome news in light of recent trends for expensive limited editions and premium bottlings.

If you want to catch up on what all the tasters had to say you can view the tweets by searching for the hash tag #PeatedMalts on Twitter.

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and the one which was my favourite on the night!

Tasting Notes – The Ardmore Legacy ( 40% )

A new expression, lightly peated and described as sweet and uplifting.

Nose: Quite sweet, heathery and pleasantly peaty. There’s a touch of smoke n’ oaky wood in there as well with vanilla and toffee coming through later on.

Palate: Sweet, like icing sugar or those sugared rice crispies I got when I was a kid! Quite muted peat with very little in the way of smokiness.

Finish: Moderately long, spicy finish with a hint of lingering pepper sweetness.

Overall: A delicatly peated dram, ideal for those wishing to dip a toe into peats dark waters – a primer for those new to the dark side!

Tasting Notes – Connemara Original ( 40% )

Nose: Grassy with aromas of lemon. Very fruity with grapefruit mixed in. Initially I wouldn’t really know it was peated but then black treacle and a little peat comes thru!

Palate: Lovely black treacle, sweet liquorice and something sugary! (Ably described as “granulated sugar on the tip of the tongue” by @ben_cops. Nice hint of peat on this dram …. and praline.

Finish: Short, spicy finish with a whack of pepper! Slightly tobacco.

Overall: Full of surprises this dram – from the sugary sweetness to the liquorice, it all combines to form a very distinctive taste.

Tasting Notes – Bowmore Small Batch ( 40% )

Bowmore Small Batch is matured in first & second fill ex bourbon barrels.

Nose: Peppery plasticine, richly smoked citrus and a little vanilla.

Palate: Sweet apricots with zingy lemon and grapefruit!

Finish: Slight tanin but this gives way to a richly spiced finish with with smoke, peat and lots of Yum!

Overall: A warm & glowy dram, well liked by my fellow tweeters on the night and perfect for anyone wishing to spend a pleasant evening dramming by the fire!

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig Select ( 40% )

Laphroaig Select takes its name from the special selection of American and European casks, chosen for their unique character that they give during maturation.

Olorosso sherry butts, straight American white oak (non-filled with bourbon), PX seasoned hogs heads, Quarter Casks and finally First Filled Bourbon Casks were all used to vary cask maturation techniques enabling the creation of 6 new flavour combinations that were then tested by ‘The Friends of Laphroaig’.

From this they chose their favourite which then became LAPHROAIG SELECT.

Nose: Lovely smoke and peat hit straight away! Sweet, heathery overtones

Palate: Sweet sherry floral flavours with a peaty backnote.

Finish: Mild spice n’ pepper, lingering warm finish.

Overall: Another hit for this popular dram – lots more peat than the other three drams, but I guess that’s not surprising coming from a Laphroaig – the King of peats!

My Favourite On The Night

Out of the 4, I think it’s got to be the Laphroaig Select.

Milder than the traditional Laphroaig but it still upholds the best in peat traditions – lovely!

Second choice would be the Connemara – but then I do love a bit of licourice!

Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire) for a great dram evening and the team at Focus PR (@FocusPR) for sending the samples!

And of course, Beam Suntory, without whom!

My fellow Tweeters were:-

@TheWhiskyWire @CooleyGBA @FocusPR @dj_hann @alexandra1069 @GraemeG_EWB @TonyWTC @ifotou @steveprentice @SWWIG @mattveira @julie_gwc @raithrover @WhiskyCorner @warburton81 @TheWhiskyKiwi @GreatDrams @RumDiariesBlog @_littlebrowndog @dvdbloke @ben_cops @Whisky_Belfast @NeilMacKinnon1 @GeorgeHHutton @the_lady_sybil @MrSingleMalt @Whiskyexperts

These malts are available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

The Whisky Exchange
Master of Malt
Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists
Abbey Whisky
Whisky Online
The Whisky Barrel
The Green Welly Stop

Edencrofts: New Glenglassaugh Rare Cask Batch Malts & Others!

November 11, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Glenglassaugh / Rare Cask Batch 1 / Cask # 1601

Supplier	Brand	Bottle Size	Price
Edencroft	Hunter Laing Sovereign / 36 Year Old Strathclyde Single Grain Whisky Country: Scotland Region: Lowland Age: 36 Year Old Strength: 58.1% Vintage: 1977 Bottler: Summary: The Hunter Laing Sovereign Single Grain bottlings are increasingly becoming firm favourites with Whisky enthusiasts around the globe. Hunter Laing select only the finest casks which have been lying untouched in cold, dark and damp Scottish warehouses for many decades. Typically their aged Single Grain whiskies have a deliciously sweet and distinctly fruity character as a result of many years in the finest oak casks during maturation. Nose: just about enough thickening grain – and alcohol to make this into a whisky. Otherwise the nose is pure cream oloroso, of the fruitiest variety possible; Taste: the delivery is one mouth coating homage to the gods of sherry, slightly sticky, gently sweetened and dripping in sharp grape and emboldened by a vague but busy spiciness. And so it continues…; Finish: the finish is all about offering balance as the grape at last punches itself out. The oak come into its own now, a kind of spiced Cadbury’s fruit and nut candy bar; Balance: those who fell in love with Marcallan all those years back because of its faultlessly silky sherry influence are about to have their hears won again. It’ll be love at first flight… © Tasting Notes from Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible.	70cl	£ 99.50 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Glenglassaugh / Rare Cask Batch 1 / Cask # 1601 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: 44.3%. Summary: Glenglassaugh Distillery was founded in 1875 by James Moir, a local general store owner. Elgin architects Reid and Melvin designed the distillery and William Sellar of Keith was recruited to plan out the plant. The initial annual production of the distillery was 100,000 gallons.Robertson and Baxter were major customers who supplied spirit to Teacher's for blending and in 1892 purchased the distillery for £10000, who then sold it to Highland Distillers for a £5000 profit. Highland Distillers rebuilt the distillery in 1960, it was later mothballed in 1986. In 2008 the distillery was purchased by The Scaent Group and re-opened. Cask Size and Type: Sherry Hogshead. Finish: Sherry Finish. Appearance: Rich autumn gold. Nose: Long and luxurious. Heady red candy apples balance with a delicate spiced orange; all softening to a distant pineapple juice. Palate: Crisp oak spices soften to reveal elegant waves of fresh green apple and wisps of ripe banana. Delicate of hints of passion fruit, cedar wood and lime zest bring a fantastic depth to the long finish.	70cl	£ 1,185.00 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Glenglassaugh / Rare Cask Batch 1 / Cask # 7301 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: 40.7%. Summary: Glenglassaugh Distillery was founded in 1875 by James Moir, a local general store owner. Elgin architects Reid and Melvin designed the distillery and William Sellar of Keith was recruited to plan out the plant. The initial annual production of the distillery was 100,000 gallons.Robertson and Baxter were major customers who supplied spirit to Teacher's for blending and in 1892 purchased the distillery for £10000, who then sold it to Highland Distillers for a £5000 profit. Highland Distillers rebuilt the distillery in 1960, it was later mothballed in 1986. In 2008 the distillery was purchased by The Scaent Group and re-opened. Cask Size and Type: Oloroso Sherry Hogshead. Finish: Sherry Finish. Appearance: Golden oak. Nose: A deeply captivating aroma combining fruit salad syrup, warm toasted oak and a gentle warmth of white pepper. Palate: Vivid tropical fruits burst on the palate and combine with sweet barley and gentle hazelnut. Gentle touches of caramelised orange run through the refined classic character.	70cl	£ 430.00 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Imperial 17 Year Old 1995 / Old Malt Cask Edition Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: 17 Year Old Strength: 50% Vintage: 1995 Bottler: Summary: Old Malt Cask is unashamedly for connoisseurs of the finest expressions of Single Malt Scotch Whisky. As one of the most established brands in the single cask market, Old Malt Cask is trusted by thousands of Malt Whisky consumers all around the world as the selection which bottles some of the most noteworthy Scotches in the market. Each month, the Hunter Laing tasting panel reviews the company stocks and, after careful consideration, selects only the casks which are of the highest quality. Whether the whisky was distilled in Speyside or Islay, the Lowlands or the Islands, they all have one thing in common – they have been bottled at exactly the right time to capture the unique characteristics of the cask. Invariably bottled at 50% strength to maintain drinkability, each new expression is non-chillfiltered to ensure that the personality of each cask remains. Our expert blender also writes notes to guide the consumer through the tasting experience. We don't have to do much with the whisky – we let it speak for itself. Old Malt Cask has spent fifteen years as one of the market leaders in the single cask category. As the reputation of Hunter Laing rests on the quality of each release, they aim to ensure that each new bottling delights the consumer as much as the last one. Nose: sweet & malty + old wooden fruit boxes & a hairdresser's quality. Taste: softly spiced, sweet style runs to caramelised peaches & vanilla. Finish: more sweet spices then developing to a drier, soft oak character.	70cl	£ 83.50 BUY NOW

Abbey Whisky: New Ardbeg Auriverdes / Ardbeg Day 2014 & Other New Arrivals!

November 10, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Abbey Whisky has 5 New additions to it’s range this week with whiskies from the Island and Islay regions.

The brands include Bowmore, Arran, Ardbeg & Compass Box.

Supplier	Brand	Bottle Size	Price
Abbey Whisky	Ardbeg Auriverdes / Ardbeg Day 2014 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: Strength: 49.9%	70cl	£ 128.00 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Arran The Devils Punchbowl / Chapter 2 / Angels & Devils Country: Scotland Region: Island Age: Strength: 53.1%	70cl	£ 195.00 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Arran The Devils Punchbowl Chapter 3 / The Fiendish Finale Country: Scotland Region: Islands Age: Strength: 53.4%	70cl	£ 165.00 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Bowmore The Devils Cask II / Small Batch Release Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: 10 Years Old Strength: 56.3%	70cl	£ 350.00 BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky	Compass Box Great King Street – Glasgow Blend Country: Scotland Region: Age: Strength: 43%	50cl	£ 29.20 BUY NOW

Chivas 18 by Pininfarina

November 9, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Chapter 2 Ice Press

Chivas Regal 18 has announced a new collaboration with prestigious Italian design company Pininfarina to create Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Chapter 2. Through innovative design, this limited edition will deliver luxury experiences to the on and off trade through ice, one of the most commonly used elements in premium whisky consumption.

Unique in the world of whisky, the Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Ice Drop is an elegantly contoured shape that embodies the Pininfarina design philosophy, marrying form and function. The Ice Drop celebrates the meeting of air and liquid to create our partnership symbol The Drop – an exquisite experience to be enjoyed in the world’s most iconic bars, and at home.

The Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Chapter 2 Ice Press

The limited edition Ice Press has been developed to enhance the whisky serving ritual in premium bars around the world. This exclusive tool creates a seamless Ice Drop and will first be gifted to a selection of the world’s most prestigious bars including Nightjar, Happiness Forgets, The Artesian at The Langham Hotel, The American Bar at The Savoy and The Connaught Bar at The Connaught Hotel.

The Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Chapter 2 Ice Drop Mould

Crafted from high grade silicon, the Ice Drop Mould delivers two flawless Ice Drops with ease. The limited edition pack, of which only 1,500 pieces have been created, contains brushed steel tongs and a pair of Pininfarina designed ‘Drop’ glasses, enabling whisky connoisseurs to replicate and enjoy the Ice Drop ritual in the luxury of their own home. The Ice Drop Mould will be available to purchase for US$399.

Richard Black, Global Brand Director for Chivas Regal, said, “Chivas 18 has a deep understanding of luxury and a proven history of working with iconic visionaries, and Pininfarina is a brand that is revered globally for its expertise in the world of design so our shared values of beauty, harmony and craft made this a natural partnership for us. We have created a contemporary limited edition that is as practical as it is enjoyable and that will deliver unique experiences to the world’s top on-trade venues and Chivas’ fans through the perfect ice shape. Chapter 2 epitomises Chivas Regal’s enduring commitment to excellence while marrying Pininfarina’s combination of innovative and seductive design; a celebration of form and function.”

Creative Director for Pininfarina, Paolo Trevisan, commented: “Both Chivas 18 and Pininfarina are united in their vision to create unique and unparalleled luxury experiences. The continued partnership between both brands enables us to focus on what we believe is the perfect embodiment of our design philosophy combined with the unique heritage and ethos of Chivas 18.”

To mark the second year of the collaboration, renowned mixologist Ago Perrone has crafted a series of cocktails to elevate the drinking experience at home. The innovative collection combines influences from Scotland and Italy while showcasing the versatility of ice.

Chivas 18 Year Old by Pininfarina; Chapter 2 collection will be available globally from November 2014.

Peated Malts of Distinction Whisky Tweet Tasting!

November 7, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Peated Malts of Distinction!

A Date For The Dram diary …

Peated Malts Of Distinction Tweet Tasting

Wed November 12th (7:00pm)

Online

Tickets FREE – just have a dram or two handy!

Sampling the Beam Suntory newly named Peated Malts of Distinction whisky range.

Join us on twitter by following the hashtag #PeatedMalts

Royal Salute 21 Year Old Unveils New Packaging

Edencroft: Invergordon, Bruichladdich, Caol Ila, Lagavulin & Talisker New Classic Malts!

Abbey Whisky: New Arrivals & Tempting Gift Sets!

Jura 1984 Vintage Unveiled!

The Neat Glass – Sampling The Ultimate Whisky Tasting Glass?

Selected as the ‘Judging Glass’ for: