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Archives for 2015

Old Malt Cask Special Offers From Edencroft!

March 9, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Glendullan / 14 Year Old / Old Malt Cask Edition

Glendullan / 14 Year Old / Old Malt Cask Edition

Supplier Brand Bottle
Size
Price
Edencroft
 Glendullan / 14 Year Old / Old Malt Cask Edition

Glendullan / 14 Year Old / Old Malt Cask Edition
Special Offer: Save £15.25
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 14 Years Old   Strength: 50%
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: what a beautiful mix between clean, alluring barley and citrus, mainly clementine’s; a little lavender freshens it up even further;
Taste: just about a perfect impact on delivery; the malts are salivating, the sugars are crisp and clean, the vanilla un-embittered…wow!!!
Finish: here’s the dull bit Glendullan…the oak injects a little natural caramel but a few spices compensate;
Balance: at last! A Glendullan how I normally see it in the blending lab, rather than when tasting bottling’s for the bible. Of late they have been pretty ordinary and hardly representative. This one is much truer to its known quality among pros, mainly due to this crisp malt being presented in decent oak for a change.
93 Points / Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible.
Tasting Notes / Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible ©.

70cl £ 52.50  BUY NOW
Edencroft
 Glenrothes / 16 Year Old / Old Malt Cask Edition

Glenrothes / 16 Year Old / Old Malt Cask Edition
Special Offer: Save £15.75
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 16 Years Old   Strength: 50%
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: clean with a proud butterscotch tart theme. The barley is still fresh and at times concentrated;
Taste: I defy you to count how many different style of natural toffee you can find on this…; a thin layering of ulmo honey sits well with the maple syrup and persistent malt;
Finish: a little spiced cocoa on the fading barley sugar;
Balance: given the right cask, shows what a lovely malt this distillery is capable of producing. Engaging and irresistible.
92.5 Points / Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible.
Tasting Notes / Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible ©.

70cl £ 62.75  BUY NOW
Edencroft
 Strathmill / 21 Year Old / Old Malt Cask Edition

Strathmill / 21 Year Old / Old Malt Cask Edition
Special Offer: Save £20.70
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 21 Years Old   Strength: 50%
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: plenty of Kentucky at work here with the liquorice and hickory giving depth to the vanilla. The barley is not outdone, though…;
Taste: the oak yoke is discarded on delivery and the vbarley is at full blast;
Finish: just adore those gristy sugars which have somehow survived all these years; some lemon to the late vanilla;
Balance: simple, but so elegant with it!
91 Points / Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible.
Tasting Notes / Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible ©.

70cl £ 72.75  BUY NOW
Edencroft
 Glencadam / 18 Year Old / Old Malt Cask Edition

Glencadam / 18 Year Old / Old Malt Cask Edition
Country: Scotland   Region: Highland
Age: 18 Years Old   Strength: 50%
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: apple and pears….with the accent on the pears;
Taste: gets the sugars in early and, better still, makes them of a gristy type. Which means that the ever-growing oak is comfortably contained and the complexity increases….; the barley is juicy despite the years and the spices early on;
Finish: some very clever oils ensure a dessert feel to the finale which includes some sugary diced coconut;
Balance: creamy, complex and luxurious. Both well-made and matured.
90 Points / Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible.
Tasting Notes / Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible ©.

70cl £ 84.95  BUY NOW

Filed Under: 14 Year Old, 16 Year Old, 18 Year Old, 21 Year Old, Edencroft Spirit Specialists, Glencadam, Glendullan, Glenrothes, Highland, New Arrivals, Old Malt Cask, Speyside, Strathmill

Sampling The Angels’ Nectar Blended Whisky – Heaven In A Glass?

March 3, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Angels Nectar - here's to heavenly!

Angels Nectar – here’s to heavenly!

Angels on a White Background

Angels on a White Background

I feel like an extra lucky pre-Easter bunny today and it’s not because I’ve gotten hold of some gold covered chocolate animals.

No, it’s because I recently received a sample of Angels’ Nectar, a new Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, inspired by the Angels’ Share, which has been launched by Robert Ransom.

An unknown fact (to me) and one that you can use to impress your workmates is that at any one time, there are an estimated twenty million casks maturing across Scotland!

In addition, they are all being exposed to what is affectionately called “the Angels’ Share”, the evaporation from casks that occurs during maturation.

The Angels take their pick; enjoying some casks more than others, whilst hard working distillers watch their efforts disappear.

The Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a re-creation of the Angels’ Share, bottled for whisky drinkers to savour.

Carefully created from a selection of Speyside and Highland malt whiskies, Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is unusually bottled at natural colour.

The label for this new whisky brand features a striking fractal design, with an Angel shaped ethereal mist, within which, a series of Angels can be seen enjoying their share.

The Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky has been released by Highfern Ltd, a new drinks business founded by Robert Ransom.

Commenting on the release Robert said; “I have worked in the whisky trade for ten years, and during that time I have enjoyed giving many distillery tours and tastings.
Early on I noticed any mention of the Angels’ Share always made guests smile. The seed was sown; What if one could bottle the Angels’ Share? It would be the ultimate Blended Malt, and Angels’ Nectar is Highfern’s attempt to do just that.”

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – Angels Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky ( 40% )

As stated, the whisky is bottled at natural colour so expect a very pale dram indeed!


Nose: Citrus and fruit abound with a little wood. A hint of vanilla and sugar tops it off.

Palate: A dram that is light on the tongue with sweet sugary fruits and a zingy lemon tang.

Finish: Quite a short finish, the sweetness is complemented with a little grapefruit creating a dry tanin mouthfeel. This is blended with a gentle tobacco and spice finish.

Overall: An excellent, easy drinking blended malt. Light and easy on the palate and very much suitable for drinking at any time of the day.

A blended malt that will appeal to most palates without putting off those who prefer more ‘robust’ flavours. A lovely concept and one which I am happy to support. In short, those Angels will be sad not to get their hands on this fine dram!

Many thanks to Robert and the team at Angels Nectar for sending the samples!

You can also catch up with them on Twitter (@angelsnectar) & Facebook: (angelsnectarwhisky)

Angels Nectar is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

  • Master of Malt
  • The Green Welly Stop
  • Robertsons of Pitlochry and the Speyside Heather Centre.

Filed Under: Angels Nectar, Blended, New Arrivals, News, Sampling, Whisky tasting

The Chivas Masters cocktail competition returns in 2015!

March 3, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Chivas Masters cocktail competition returns in 2015!

The Chivas Masters cocktail competition returns in 2015!

Chivas Regal is once again selecting the world’s top bartenders to take part in this year’s Chivas Masters competition. Developed to celebrate innovation, camaraderie and the craftsmanship at the heart of mixology the competition will see global finalists compete to become the 2015 Chivas Master.

Following the success of the inaugural competition in 2014, Hong Kong will be the first of 12 countries to hold national finals, before the competition culminates in a two-day grand final in New York City in July which will be judged by a distinguished panel of leading bartenders and industry experts. To become the Chivas Master, competitors will need to demonstrate their knowledge of cocktail heritage, mastery of the art of presenting and making great drinks to produce their own classic serve.

As well as putting the industry’s best bartenders onto the world stage, the competition enables competitors to explore cocktail history through Chivas Regal’s rich heritage. Finalists will be challenged to create classic drinks from four of the great cocktail eras – the Classic Age (1880-1920) in which Chivas Regal was created; the Post War Boom (1945-1965) during which time Chivas 12 was introduced; the Disco Years (1975-1990) when Scotch whisky became a truly global brand, and the present modern Age of Revivalism, as Chivas continues to build its reputation as an icon of timeless luxury and exceptional quality.

A unique prize waits for the global 2015 Chivas Master, as they will have the opportunity to work in three iconic bars, in three iconic cities to create three iconic signature drinks. The Chivas Master will be taken on an extraordinary experience where they will work alongside some of the most influential bartenders around the world to collaborate on the creation of a series of signature drinks.

Max Warner, International Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal said, “Last year’s Chivas Masters surpassed all expectations, and we were thrilled to see what was achieved by finalists when placed under competition pressure. We are very excited to again to be engaging with the top bartenders in the world and celebrating this amazing industry we are all a part of.”

Over the next few months, national heats will play out around the world as bartenders compete in countries such as China, France, Russia and the United States. Only one competitor from each market will be selected to travel to New York to take part in the grand final in July.

Filed Under: Chivas Master, Chivas Regal, News

Benriach And Glengoyne New Arrivals From Edencrofts!

March 2, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Supplier Brand Bottle
Size
Price
Edencroft
 Benriach / Batch 10 / Cask # 4000 / 24 Year Old

Benriach / Batch 10 / Cask # 4000 / 24 Year Old
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 24 Years Old   Strength: 52.6%.
Summary: Cask Type: Hogshead.
Style: Tawny Port.
Nose: thicker than a 1070 vintage; oakier and spicier than even a 35 Cockburn. Pulsing with orange peel;
Taste: no let up on the delivery. Zesty with sublime spiced Dominican cocoa while the sugars never veer very far away from light molasses;
Finish: dries but towards dates and fudge.
Balance: why can't all wine cask matured whisky be like this? Hardly a single telling off note. Sublime.
Awards: 95.5Points – Jim Murray's 2014 Whisky Bible.
© Jim Murray's 2014 Whisky Bible.
 
 

70cl £ 110.00  BUY NOW
Edencroft
 Glengoyne / 1968 Vintage Reserve

Glengoyne / 1968 Vintage Reserve
Country: Scotland   Region: Highlands
Age:    Strength: 50.3%.
Summary: The Glengoyne Distillery is situated in a wooded valley in the southern Highlands of Scotland close to a small river that flows into the famous Loch Lomond. The distillery, which takes its name from "Glen Guin" or Glen of the Wild Geese, has been producing an exceptional single malt scotch whisky for nearly 200 years.
Glengoyne is one of the few distilleries producing whisky in this part of Scotland today. However at the beginning of the nineteenth century it is recorded that at least eighteen whisky stills were in operation in this area. But these, like many others at that time, were illegal. Whisky producers were forced to produce whisky illicitly as they were unable to pay the heavy taxes imposed by the government on spirit production to fund wars against France. Smuggling became rife and the hills and glens around Glengoyne formed a perfect cover for this lawless activity.
It was not until the 1820's that an Act of Parliament was passed reducing the duty on spirit and the cost of a licence to distil which put an end to illegal production. This gave rise to a rush of stills being legalised, including those at Glengoyne in 1833. It is reputed that Glengoyne was one of only a few stills to be licensed in the southern Highlands due to the high quality of whisky it produced.Sir Walter Scott's novels capture the romance and intrigue of this period in Scottish history. In particular with his character, Rob Roy, who was renowned for cattle thieving and other activities and is believed to have once escaped the law by hiding in an oak tree just 300 metres from the Glengoyne Distillery.
In 1876, the Lang Brothers from neighbouring Glasgow bought the distillery and ownership still remains in Scottish hands with the Edrington Group taking over the distillery in the 1960's and the independent, Scottish, family owned business, Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. acquiring the distillery in 2003.
The changes in ownership have done little to affect production of this unique malt as the traditional working methods have been passed from generation to generation to create this subtle, complex whisky in which all the delicate flavours are freely allowed to express themselves.
No box available for this whisky.

70cl £ 350.00  BUY NOW

Filed Under: 24 Year Old, Benriach, Edencroft Spirit Specialists, Glengoyne, Highland, New Arrivals, Speyside

Abbey Whisky: New Week, New Whisky Arrivals!

March 2, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Supplier Brand Bottle
Size
Price
Abbey Whisky
Ben Nevis Batch 2

Ben Nevis Batch 2
Country: Scotland   Region: Highland
Age:    Strength: 48.7%
50cl £ 53.90  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
BenRiach 15 Year Old / Sauternes Wood Finish

BenRiach 15 Year Old / Sauternes Wood Finish
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 15 Years Old   Strength: 46%
70cl £ 47.20  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
BenRiach Albariza 18 Year Old / PX Cask Finish

BenRiach Albariza 18 Year Old / PX Cask Finish
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 18 Years Old   Strength: 46%
70cl £ 68.90  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Bruichladdich Batch 2

Bruichladdich Batch 2
Country: Scotland   Region: Islay
Age:    Strength: 52.7%
50cl £ 69.90  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Bruichladdich Octomore 6 Year Old - 2007 / Single Cask 16736

Bruichladdich Octomore 6 Year Old – 2007 / Single Cask 16736
Country: Scotland   Region: Islay
Age: 6 Years Old   Strength: 63%
Vintage: 2007   Bottler: Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Company
70cl £ 180.00  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Glenmorangie Tusail / Private Edition

Glenmorangie Tusail / Private Edition
Country: Scotland   Region: Highland
Age:    Strength: 46%
70cl £ 78.90  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Invergordon Batch 3

Invergordon Batch 3
Country: Scotland   Region: Highland
Age:    Strength: 49.8%
50cl £ 79.90  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Strathisla 19 Year Old / 1994 / Cask Strength Edition

Strathisla 19 Year Old / 1994 / Cask Strength Edition
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 19 Years Old   Strength: 57.8%
Vintage: 1994   Bottler: Chivas Brothers
50cl £ 54.95  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Strathmill Batch 1

Strathmill Batch 1
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age:    Strength: 48.2%
50cl £ 54.90  BUY NOW

Filed Under: Abbey Whisky, New Arrivals

Sampling The Glenlivet Founders Reserve – A Towering Reputation!

February 27, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Glenlivet Founders Reserve

The Glenlivet Founders Reserve – A Towering Reputation

The Glenlivet Founders Reserve, announced last October and due to be released this March, is a new single malt that has been almost 200 years in the making.

Created to honour the original vision of their pioneering founder George Smith, The Glenlivet Founders Reserve pays tribute to the uniquely smooth and fruity taste he first envisioned way back in 1824.

Distilled using the same time-honoured techniques introduced by George Smith himself, The Glenlivet Founders Reserve is drawn predominantly from a range of traditional aged oak casks.

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – The Glenlivet Founders Reserve ( 40% )

A NAS (No Age Statement) single malt whisky.


Nose: Heavenly citrus aromas with a hint of apple and vanilla creaminess. Slight woodiness in there as well.

Palate: Light feeling on the tongue, very delicate. Gentle fruits with a little vanilla.

Finish: Hint of pepper and spice adds well to a creamy finish which is moderately long.

Overall: An impeccably smooth, light dram that’s not too heavy on the palate.

Summary

There seemed to be a lot of flavours akin to the 12 Year Old in this dram, so you can’t go wrong there! A very drinkable dram. In fact, the more I dram it, the more I wish the sample bottle was a little larger!

Thanks to @TheGlenlivet and @DrinksPRAgency for the samples!

The Glenlivet 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

Filed Under: News, Sampling, The Glenlivet, The Glenlivet Founders Reserve, Whisky tasting

Midleton Celebrates Their First-Ever Virgin Irish Oak Finished Whiskey!

February 25, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Midleton Dair Ghaelach

Midleton Dair Ghaelach

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has unveiled Midleton Dair Ghaelach, its first ever Irish whiskey to be finished in virgin Irish Oak Hogsheads. This uniquely Irish expression is the latest addition to the Midleton Single Pot Still family of whiskeys, satisfying the growing appetite among whisk(e)y lovers for discovering new and innovative styles of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

Midleton Dair Ghaelach, meaning ‘Irish oak’, is the result of a six-year exploration by the Midleton Masters into using native oak to mature Irish whiskey. Led by Master Blender, Billy Leighton, and Kevin O’Gorman, Master of Maturation, the project had two prerequisites. The first was to ensure that all Irish oak was sourced exclusively from sustainable Irish Oak forests that could guarantee both a long-term supply and the re-generation of native wood, while the second was to explore what new taste profiles could be created from Irish oak maturation to craft a new and outstanding Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

In collaboration with professional Irish forestry consultants, O’Gorman and Leighton selected Grinsell’s Wood within the Ballaghtobin Estate, Co. Kilkenny, to provide the oak for the first in a series of virgin oak releases in the coming years. Each bottle can be traced back to one of ten 130-year-old Irish oak trees in Grinsell’s Wood, which were felled in April 2012.

To craft the oak into casks, fellow artisans at the Maderbar sawmills in Baralla, north-west Spain, used the quarter-sawing process to cut the trees into staves under the watchful eye of the Midleton Masters. The staves were then transferred to the Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage in Jerez, where after drying for fifteen month the staves were worked into 48 Irish Oak Hogshead casks and given a medium toast.

At Midleton, a selection of traditional Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey distillates, matured for between 15 and 22 years in ex-Bourbon casks, were married together before being filled into the Irish oak Hogsheads. Leighton and O’Gorman nosed and tasted the whiskey each month and after almost one year, judged it to be beautifully balanced with just the perfect contribution of Irish oak.

Analysis shows that the Irish oak contains higher levels of some lignin derivative compounds, such as vanillin and vanillic acid, and furfural, in comparison to American and Spanish oak. These compounds further enhance the whiskey with vanilla, caramel and chocolate flavours, which are detectable on the nose of Midleton Dair Ghaelach and perfectly balance the classically rich, spicy Single Pot Still taste profile.

Kevin O’Gorman, Master of Maturation at the Midleton Distillery, comments: “With the recent resurgence in plantation, only now has it been viable for us to consider Irish Oak in the maturation of our whiskeys while ensuring that the oak reserves can be enjoyed by generations to come. After six years in the making, Midleton Dair Ghaelach has been a journey of exploration into the craft of Irish whiskey maturation and we are equally delighted with and excited by the newest member of our Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey family.”

Billy Leighton, Master Blender at the Midleton Distillery, further comments: “The process of maturing in native oak has enabled us to showcase our Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey style in a new and innovative way; the casks impart much more generous toasted wood, vanilla and caramel flavours than what we expect from American bourbon and Spanish oak, which we hope whiskey lovers will appreciate and enjoy.”

Brendan Buckley, Global Innovation and Prestige Whiskeys Director at Irish Distillers, added: “For more than 30 years, Midleton Irish Whiskey has been admired for its distillers’ dedication to excellence in Irish craftsmanship and the release of Midleton Dair Ghaelach continues this rich tradition. By working closely with our partnership estates such as Ballaghtobin, we are able to trace each bottle back to an individual tree. This provides a unique whiskey experience that we find very exciting and hope other whiskey aficionados will too, as we see no reason why Irish oak cannot play a significant role in the maturation of our Irish Whiskey in the medium- to long-term.”

Bottled at cask strength between 58.1 and 58.5% ABV without the use of chill filtration, Midleton Dair Ghaelach is available from April 2015.

Keep up to date with Midleton on Twitter by using the hashtag #SinglePotStill

Filed Under: Midleton, Midleton Dair Ghaelach, News

Edencroft: Classic Vintages To Add To Your Collection!

February 24, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Glenmorangie / Tain L'hermitage 1978

Glenmorangie / Tain L’hermitage 1978

Supplier Brand Bottle
Size
Price
Edencroft
 Caol Ila 5 Year Old / Hepburn's Choice

Caol Ila 5 Year Old / Hepburn's Choice
Country: Scotland   Region: Islay
Age: 5 Years Old   Strength: 46%
Summary: Nose: new make but born with new born nip strainded out. The smoke is nothing more than pure grist. Rother lovely;
Taste: and the highly peated grist, the sugars have the big say on the juicy delivery, but the smoke forms the framework;
Finish: more of the same, with a little spice arriving late;
Balance: when little things like oak aren't about to interfere with new make Caol Ila for five years, what isn't there to like?
© Tasting Notes from Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible.

70cl £ 34.50  BUY NOW
Edencroft
 Glengoyne / 1968 Vintage Reserve

Glengoyne / 1968 Vintage Reserve
Country: Scotland   Region: Highlands
Age:    Strength: 50.3%.
Summary: The Glengoyne Distillery is situated in a wooded valley in the southern Highlands of Scotland close to a small river that flows into the famous Loch Lomond. The distillery, which takes its name from "Glen Guin" or Glen of the Wild Geese, has been producing an exceptional single malt scotch whisky for nearly 200 years.
Glengoyne is one of the few distilleries producing whisky in this part of Scotland today. However at the beginning of the nineteenth century it is recorded that at least eighteen whisky stills were in operation in this area. But these, like many others at that time, were illegal. Whisky producers were forced to produce whisky illicitly as they were unable to pay the heavy taxes imposed by the government on spirit production to fund wars against France. Smuggling became rife and the hills and glens around Glengoyne formed a perfect cover for this lawless activity.
It was not until the 1820's that an Act of Parliament was passed reducing the duty on spirit and the cost of a licence to distil which put an end to illegal production. This gave rise to a rush of stills being legalised, including those at Glengoyne in 1833. It is reputed that Glengoyne was one of only a few stills to be licensed in the southern Highlands due to the high quality of whisky it produced.Sir Walter Scott's novels capture the romance and intrigue of this period in Scottish history. In particular with his character, Rob Roy, who was renowned for cattle thieving and other activities and is believed to have once escaped the law by hiding in an oak tree just 300 metres from the Glengoyne Distillery.
In 1876, the Lang Brothers from neighbouring Glasgow bought the distillery and ownership still remains in Scottish hands with the Edrington Group taking over the distillery in the 1960's and the independent, Scottish, family owned business, Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. acquiring the distillery in 2003.
The changes in ownership have done little to affect production of this unique malt as the traditional working methods have been passed from generation to generation to create this subtle, complex whisky in which all the delicate flavours are freely allowed to express themselves.
No box available for this whisky.

70cl £ 750.00  BUY NOW
Edencroft
 Glenmorangie / Tain L'hermitage 1978

Glenmorangie / Tain L'hermitage 1978
Country: Scotland   Region: Highlands
Age:    Strength: 43%
Summary: Glenmorangie – The Men of Tain: Meet the Men of Tain, the select craftsmen entrusted with the secrets of our distillery. Men whose dedication, skill and attention to detail proves that the Glenmorangie story is not just about whisky, it's also about people.
A Dram For A Difficult Job: There was a time when the Men of Tain would queue up for a daily dram of whisky with their lunch. Huddled together they would pass around a metal cup – blackened through constant use – and share a joke at the expense of one of the lads. This tradition, as well as the practice of handing out an extra dram for unpopular jobs like cleaning out the washback, is still fondly remembered by some of our more long serving men. Perhaps a little too fondly you might say.
No box available for this whisky.

70cl £ 750.00  BUY NOW
Edencroft
 Gordon & Macphail / Strathisla / 27 Year Old / Vintage 1967

Gordon & Macphail / Strathisla / 27 Year Old / Vintage 1967
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age:    Strength: 40%
Summary: Founded by George Taylor and Alexander Milton, it was originally known as Milton – named after the nearby Milton Castle. Strathisla was the name of the actual whisky produced and eventually became the name of the distillery.
Much of Strathisla's production is used for blending and the distillery is the home of the one of the most famous blends – Chivas Regal.The distillery is the oldest in Northern Scotland and is certainly a delightful distillery to visit as it has an almost fairytale quality.
No box available for this whisky.

70cl £ 750.00  BUY NOW

Filed Under: Caol Ila, Edencroft Spirit Specialists, Glengoyne, Glenmorangie, Highland, Islay, New Arrivals, Speyside, Strathisla

Abbey Whisky: New Dreamy Drams From The Campbeltown, Lowland & Speyside Regions!

February 23, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Supplier Brand Bottle
Size
Price
Abbey Whisky
Glen Keith 19 Year Old - 1995 / Cask Strength Edition

Glen Keith 19 Year Old – 1995 / Cask Strength Edition
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 19 Years Old   Strength: 56.3%
Vintage: 1995   Bottler: Chivas Brothers
50cl £ 53.90  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Miltonduff 16 Year Old - 1998 / Cask Strength Edition

Miltonduff 16 Year Old – 1998 / Cask Strength Edition
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 16 Years Old   Strength: 52.9%
Vintage: 1998   Bottler: Chivas Brothers
50cl £ 49.90  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Rosebank 1990 / Rare Old / Gordon & MacPhail

Rosebank 1990 / Rare Old / Gordon & MacPhail
Country: Scotland   Region: Lowland
Age:    Strength: 46%
Vintage: 1990   Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail
70cl £ 240.00  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Springbank 21 Year Old / 1992 / Highland Laird

Springbank 21 Year Old / 1992 / Highland Laird
Country: Scotland   Region: Campbeltown
Age: 21 Years Old   Strength: 52.5%
Vintage: 1992   Bottler: Bartels Rawlings Int Ltd
70cl £ 235.00  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Tormore 15 Year Old - 1998 / Cask Strength Edition

Tormore 15 Year Old – 1998 / Cask Strength Edition
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 15 Years Old   Strength: 57.4%
Vintage: 1998   Bottler: Chivas Brothers
50cl £ 46.90  BUY NOW

Filed Under: Abbey Whisky, New Arrivals

Tasting Notes – Glendronach 20 Year Old Abbey Whisky Exclusive!

February 13, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Just look at the colour of that dram!

Just look at the colour of that dram!

Well Abbey Whisky has been sampling whisky cask samples again!

Their latest Whisky Exclusive is the result of all this ardous tasting and it is a Glendronach 20 Year Old – Cask 3400 to be precise!

Their last GlenDronach offering – single cask 33 was a fantastic success and I have a feeling, well in fact a certainty, that this success is about to be repeated.

For a start it has an amazing colour – I wouldn’t be able to resist it on this basis alone!

Glendronach distillery is located near Forgue, by Huntly, Aberdeenshire and is owned by another whisky stalwart, BenRiach.

Founded in 1826 by James Allardes it was the second distillery to apply for a licence to legally produce whisky under the recently introduced Excise Act of 1823.

The distillery draws its water from the Dronac burn within the distillery grounds. In addition to this it has its own floor maltings and two wash stills as well as two spirit stills.

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – Glendronach 20 Year Old Abbey Whisky Exclusive – Cask 3400
( 54.8% )

As I said earlier, the first thing that hits you is the drams amazing colour – it’s dark sherry appearance invites you in well before you get to nosing it.

The liquid is also very full bodied and generous, clinging to the glass in a gravity defying manner.


Nose: Glorious sweet sherry nose, golden syrup, molasses and tropical fruits including mango. There’s also a little wood and maybe even a hint of licquorice.

Palate: Lovely generous mouth coating liquid with luscious sweet rich fruits. There’s also sherry, toffee, chocolate and spice with a slight touch of grapefruit.

Finish: Rich, dark chocolate comes to the fore followed by a long spicy finish. A touch of dryness and woodyness are present as well.

Overall: One of the finest whiskies I’ve ever tasted. It looks good, has an amazing nose and tastes fantastic!
A Powerful sherry dram. One to be savoured and shared with only those who are worthy – be strict though – most of us won’t be!

£97.95

Many thanks to Abbey Whisky (@abbeywhisky) for an incredible sample!

Filed Under: 20 Year Old, Abbey Whisky, Glendronach, Sampling, Speyside, Whisky tasting

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