Archives for 2015

That Boutique-y Whisky Company New Arrivals From Abbey Whisky!

October 12, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Paul John Batch 1 – That Boutique-y Whisky Company
£ 98.40

New Arrivals

GlenDronach Revival / 15 Year Old
£ 46.90
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 15 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl

Paul John Batch 1 – That Boutique-y Whisky Company
£ 98.40
Country: India
Region: Indian
Age:
Strength: 55.5%
50cl

Heaven Hill Batch 1 – That Boutique-y Whisky Company
£ 84.12
Country: America
Region: American
Age:
Strength: 50%
50cl

Port Charlotte Batch 1 – That Boutique-y Whisky Company
£ 73.68
Country: Scotland
Region:
Age:
Strength: 52.4%
50cl

Lagavulin Batch 1 – That Boutique-y Whisky Company
£ 129.60
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age:
Strength: 54.5%
50cl

FEW Single Barrel Cask Strength Rye Whiskey
£ 89.88
Country: America
Region: American
Age:
Strength: 58.7%
75cl

Chivas Unveils New ‘Art of Hosting’ Limited Edition Pack!

October 8, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Chivas Art of Hosting pack

Chivas Regal has partnered with Apolis, the socially motivated lifestyle brand, for the latest instalment of Chivas Art of Hosting. The new limited edition pack will inspire today’s gentlemen to share the brand’s spirit of generosity and will be available globally from middle of October.

As part of the iconic Scotch’s ongoing dedication to social initiatives, Chivas Regal approached Apolis to design a new and bespoke set of glass tumblers to be included in the Art of Hosting gift pack. The companies worked to take the partnership further and have joined forces to create an inspiring new social initiative that will empower existing craft communities.

The collaboration provides surplus glass from the manufacture of the Art of Hosting tumblers to Studio Xaquixe – an artisan glass-blowing collective from Mexico – for upcycling into luxury glass items. The resulting handcrafted wares will then be made available to purchase on the newly created platform, the Apolis Global Citizen Exchange.

Hosting is all about sharing, and the Chivas Art of Hosting tumbler pack is for socially conscious modern gentlemen who recognise the spirit of generosity in more ways than one. Chivas is delighted to have partnered with Apolis to help a community achieve a fairer and more sustainable future.
– Richard Black: Chivas Regal Global Brand Director

The Chivas Art of Hosting pack contains two Apolis-designed tumblers and a bottle of Chivas 12 Year Old Scotch whisky.

Macphails & Old Pulteney New Arrivals From Abbey Whisky!

October 6, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage – Lightly Peated
£ 129.84

New Arrivals

Macphails 10 Year Old
£ 75.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 10 Years Old
Strength: 40%
70cl

Old Pulteney 40 Year Old Miniature
£ 398.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 40 Years Old
Strength: 51.3%
5cl

Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage – Lightly Peated
£ 129.84
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age:
Strength: 46%
70cl
Vintage: 1989
Bottler: Distillery Bottling

Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection Launched!

October 1, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask

Chivas Regal has launched the Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection, a limited edition series that reinterprets the brand’s celebrated Chivas 18 expression. The Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection First Fill American Oak Finish will introduce the series, and is available exclusively in travel retail from this month.

Each limited edition ultra-premium whisky will be finished in varying types of casks to magnify a selection of the 85 flavour notes of the original Chivas 18. For the first limited edition release, Chivas 18 has been gently rested for a period of time in first fill American Oak casks, giving the expression more indulgent vanilla and caramel notes with a deep golden hue. Preserving all the essence of its rich taste, Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection First Fill American Oak Finish has been non-chill filtered.

Matching the ultra-premium nature of the liquid, each whisky is presented in luxurious packaging, textured in deep, dark Chivas 18 blue and embossed with Chivas design motifs. In a design nod to the golden hue of the whisky, a golden ribbon adorns the front of the box, embossed with the respective name of each expression in the Ultimate Cask Collection series.

For the first edition of the Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection we wanted to create a unique blend that accentuates the most iconic notes of Chivas Regal 18 Year Old, through a special finish in hand-selected First Fill American Oak casks. Designed for the sophisticated palate, the whisky provides a truly balanced taste and a velvet smooth finish.
– Colin Scott: Chivas Regal Master Blender

The Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection First Fill American Oak Finish presents an exciting opportunity for ultra-premium whisky drinkers to explore further tasting experiences from an iconic and well-loved brand. The collection taps into the increasing demand from travellers looking for unique products that can be offered as a luxury gift or shared back home during special moments and will be an exclusive addition to retail channels in airports around the world.
– Richard Black: Chivas Regal Global Brand Director

The Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection is bottled at 48% ABV and exclusively available in global travel retail. The first launch will be followed by two further expressions, to be released every 18 months.

The Glenlivet Releases The Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish!

October 1, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish

The Glenlivet has launched a third expression for its celebrated Nàdurra range, as it continues to honour the historic traditions of making single malt whisky through new and innovative cask finishes. The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish is the first release to have a subtle, smoky taste profile, having been finished in American oak casks that have previously held heavily-peated Scotch whisky.

Bottled at 61.5% ABV cask strength

Bottled at 61.5% ABV cask strength, The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish is inspired by the authentic production processes used at The Glenlivet Distillery by its founder, George Smith, who originally used peat smoke to dry the malted barley. Finished in peated casks, the classic, smooth and fruity house style that has made the range so famous has been enriched with gentle, aromatic smoky notes, to offer a brand new The Glenlivet experience to whisky enthusiasts. The expression will also be available in Global Travel Retail at 48% ABV.

Available in nine domestic markets, including USA and France, and Global Travel Retail from October 2015, the release follows the launch of The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso and The Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Selection in 2014. The Glenlivet craftsmen individually nosed each cask to ensure the perfect balance between fruit and smoke in the whisky, which has been bottled in small batches with no chill-filtration to offer the complexity, full body and distinctively creamy texture of a whisky that has just been drawn from the cask.

I’m delighted to present the purest expression of The Glenlivet, which pays homage to the distillery’s legendary past. Nàdurra captures the original passion behind George Smith’s distillery, which inspires us to create new flavour journeys for consumers so his spirit remains alive today. The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish demonstrates this beautifully, with its warming mouthfeel, swirls of vanilla cream and subtle traces of tangy smoke, and I hope that whisky enthusiasts now and in the future enjoy this rare taste that echoes of the past.
– Alan Winchester: Master Distiller at The Glenlivet

Interest among whisky fans for new, original and well-made single malt Scotch has continued to grow in recent years, and we at The Glenlivet are proud to have set the benchmark for quality and innovation. The Glenlivet Nàdurra range has enjoyed a cult following due to its rich craftsmanship story and commitment to traditional 19th Century production methods, and with releases such as The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish we hope to inspire more and more increasingly discerning drinkers to learn about the craftsmanship, provenance and heritage of ‘the single malt that’s started it all’.
– Nikki Burgess: Global Brand Director for The Glenlivet

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish is presented in packaging which emphasises the artisanal nature of the range. The design includes a prominent batch number, cask-like stamps and a more visible translation of the Gaelic word, Nàdurra – meaning natural – to illustrate the essence of the brand.

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish Cask Strength (61.5% ABV) tasting notes:

Colour: Amber gold
Nose: A burst of soft red apples, citrus zest and aromatic smoke
Palate: Rich tangy marmalade, creamy vanilla toffee and a distinct toasted smokiness
Finish: Complex, lengthy and spicy, with layers of subtle smoke

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish (48% ABV) tasting notes:

Colour: Amber gold
Nose: A perfect balance of fresh, ripe orchard fruit, sweet vanilla cream and delicate wood smoke
Palate: Notes of rich honey and subtle vanilla, with a sweet, tangy smokiness
Finish: Long and developed, with vibrant notes of fresh fruit and spicy smoke

The Girvan Patent Still Tweet Tasting!

October 1, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Girvan Single Grain Malt Whiskies!

The star of last Wednesday nights Tweet Tasting was The Girvan Patent Still and they had some fantastic Single Grain Malt Whiskies for us to sample.

Steve from The Whisky Wire was our MC for the night and 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 #GirvanGrain on Twitter.

The malts sampled were:-

Girvan New Make

Girvan No.4 Apps

Girvan 25 Years Old

Girvan 30 Years Old

Built in 1963, under the direction of Charles Gordon, the great-grandson of William Grant, Girvan was the most advanced distillery in the world at the time.

In the 70’s chemist G. Wilkin isolated the perfect yeast strain from local flora for use in the whisky production. They still use the same strain now: Lallemang.

They were also the first to use multi-pressure distillation for production of grain Scotch whisky in 1992.

Distilling at various pressures and under vacuum in particular allowed them to vapourise and distill at lower temperatures. Resulting in a sweeter, fruitier, cleaner and purer spirit.

To reflect this, the tall slender packing of The Girvan Patent Still Single Grain was designed to reflect the tall shape of their column stills.

On average 36 trucks arrive at Girvan every day. Each truck contains about 25 – 28 tonnes of wheat. The Girvan distillery produces about 115 million LPA (litres of pure alcohol) per year. This is equivalent to 46 Olympic Pools!

About 33% of Girvans flavour comes from the distillate, 67% influence of the oak. The oak they use is 100% American oak, rich in vanillin. The oak reacts very well to lighter grain spirit, adding fantastic flavours.

So, what did I think?

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

Tasting Notes – Girvan New Make (42%)

Nose: A strong moonshine is my first impression. Wafts of nail varnish hit the nose straight away. There’s popcorn, white rum with added fruit & hints of banana smoothie.

Palate: Quite an oily mouthfeel, the banana continues on the palate. Creamy and sweet with a tasty rumness.

Finish: Full on strong finish – hints of raw spice.

Overall: Surprisingly tasty for a new make but with a raw edge that is strangely attractive!

Tasting Notes – Girvan No.4 Apps (42%)

No. 4 Apps (short for apparatus) is named after their 4th. still.

Nose: Vanilla & cream, slight toffee popcorn & oak wood in there. Lovin’ the apples fragrances – it’s harvest time!

Palate: Sweet tropical fruits, pineapple et al & sherbet! Creamy vanilla & spice.

Finish: Smooth spicy, peppery finish. Dry with a little grapefruit.

Overall: A superb, warming dram for sure! Lovely balance of flavours & perfect for Autumn evenings.

Tasting Notes – Girvan 25 Years Old (42%)

Nose: Oak wood & vanilla straight off with creamy, spiced green apples, butterscotch & coconut.

Palate: Smooth vanilla & orange with creamed apples.

Finish: Spicy and Oh! so smooth with a lingering creaminess – divine!

Overall: Truly heaven in a glass! Rich, long and satisfying.

Tasting Notes – Girvan 30 Years Old (42%)

This 30YO is unique as it was the last year (1984) to use maize. From 1963 to 1984 Girvan used maize. From 1984 onwards they have used wheat. Bottled without the addition of caramel and non-chill filtered.

Nose: This needs some time to develop … after all it is 30 years old. There’s vanilla, banana, hints of dark chocolate, apple and oak wood.

Palate: Xmas cake mixture, plump raisins, tropical fruits (mango & pineapple) – a feast! Topped with rich vanilla, a hint of mint & orange and a gentle spice.

Finish: Rich tannin with a spicy finish that’s long and glorious!

Overall: Smooth beyond belief and an amazing set of flavours. If you get the chance to sample, grab it with all your tastebuds!

My Favourite On The Night

Out of the 5, I think it’s got to be the Girvan 30 Years Old. Money can’t buy me love but it can buy me this!

Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire) for a great dram evening.

And of course, Girvan (@GirvanGrain), for sending the samples and without whom!

My fellow Tweeters were:-

@DrinksEnthusist @julie_gwc @angelshareglass @robster38 @Nickolls_Perks @EdinburghWhisky @KristianeSherry @WhiskyApocalyps @brawspirit @TheWhiskyKiwi @pimpleandblotch @bobsta1975 @thicker_thanH2O @ivyeatsagain @WhiskyCorner @kaskwhisky @cache1337 @dvdbloke @jesslionsmane @nitin_michael @jdpjamesp @GeorgeHHutton @WhiskyQuarterly

Girvan is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

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

Glendronach New Arrivals From Edencroft!

September 30, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Glendronach / 20 Year Old Px Sherry Puncheon Cask #3398
£ 119.99

New Arrivals

Glendronach / 25 Year Old Px Sherry Puncheon Cask #1375
£ 166.99
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age:
Strength: 51.6%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highlands.
Unit: 70cl.
ABV: 51.6%.
Distilled: August 1990.
Bottled: August 2015.
Age: 25 Years Old.
Cask No: 1375
Cask Type: Pedro Ximenez Sherry Butt.
Appearance: Ruby edged rose wood.
Nose: Gentle floral notes run through orange bitters, dark fruit syrup and rich espresso.
Palate: Dark prunes and dates dusted with vanilla sugar contrast with warming oak spices, developing to a rich, leathery vintage finish.
Bottles filled from Cask: 656.

Glendronach / 20 Year Old Px Sherry Puncheon Cask #3273
£ 119.99
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age:
Strength: 53.3%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highlands.
Unit: 70cl.
ABV: 53.3%.
Distilled: September 1994.
Bottled: August 2015.
Age: 20 Years Old.
Cask No: 3273
Cask Type: Pedro Ximenez Sherry Butt.
Appearance: Deep rich crimson.
Nose: Dark chocolate-covered coffee beans combine with sweet dates and warm spices.
Palate: A balance of creamy, rich sherry and classic Mediterranean fruit characters complement warm allspice and gentle oak nuances.
Bottles filled from Cask: 680.

Glendronach / 20 Year Old Px Sherry Puncheon Cask #3398
£ 119.99
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age:
Strength: 53.2%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highlands.
Unit: 70cl.
ABV: 53.2%.
Distilled: September 1994.
Bottled: August 2015.
Age: 20 Years Old.
Cask No: 3398
Cask Type: Pedro Ximenez Sherry Butt.
Appearance: Rich dark walnut.
Nose: Waves of rich molasses poured over sour plums and spiced by cracked black pepper.
Palate: A sumptuous body of bitter chocolate and dried dark fruits backed by rich orange marmalade. Delicate waves of garden mint and soft clove oil follow in the classically long finish.
Bottles filled from Cask: 642.

Glendronach / 20 Year Old Px Sherry Puncheon Cask #444
£ 119.99
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age:
Strength: 52.%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highlands.
Unit: 70cl.
ABV: 52%.
Distilled: June 1995.
Bottled: August 2015.
Age: 20 Years Old.
Cask No: 444
Cask Type: Pedro Ximenez Sherry Butt.
Appearance: Rich amber gold.
Nose: Crisp yellow plum compote infused with subtle orange blossom and a dusting of cinnamon.
Palate: Torrents of golden syrup and fresh fruits combine in perfect harmony with rich oak spices and a delicate barley character.
Bottles filled from Cask: 691.

Glendronach / 19 Year Old Px Sherry Puncheon Cask #3806
£ 113.99
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age:
Strength: 54.5%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highlands.
Unit: 70cl.
ABV: 54.5%.
Distilled: September 1995.
Bottled: August 2015.
Age: 19 Years Old.
Cask No: 3806
Cask Type: Pedro Ximenez Sherry Butt.
Appearance: Dark golden oak.
Nose: Delicious rich dates and spiced chocolate complement dark cherries and hints of ground almond.
Palate: Rich oak and cracked black pepper warm sweet spiced rum raisins. A combination of molten chocolate and cinnamon finishes the palate perfectly.
Bottles filled from Cask: 701

Glendronach / 19 Year Old Px Sherry Puncheon Cask #4034
£ 113.99
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age:
Strength: 55.4%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highlands.
Unit: 70cl.
ABV: 55.4%.
Distilled: September 1995.
Bottled: August 2015.
Age: 19 Years Old.
Cask No: 4034
Cask Type: Pedro Ximenez Sherry Butt.
Appearance: Antique dark oak.
Nose: Demerara sugar and freshly ground barley grist sprinkled over sherry-poached pears.
Palate: Vibrant candied peel adds an edge to the sweet apricot syrup. A dusting of cocoa leads to a delicate warmth of floral oak spices.
Bottles filled from Cask: 683

Glendronach / 12 Year Old Px Sherry Puncheon Cask #934
£ 72.99
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age:
Strength: 53.7%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highlands.
Unit: 70cl.
ABV: 53.7%.
Distilled: February 2003.
Bottled: August 2015.
Age: 12 Years Old.
Cask No: 934
Cask Type: Pedro Ximenez Sherry Butt.
Appearance: Burnished copper gold.
Nose: Golden sultanas drizzled in honey complement a rich back note of barley sugar and warm spices.
Palate: A crisp citrus twist balances with roasted orchard fruits and sultana syrup. Hints of eucalyptus and gentle barley add to the soft, fruity finish.
Bottles filled from Cask: 714

Ardbeg / Kildalton
£ 199.00
Country: Scotland
Region:
Age:
Strength: 46.%

Summary: Nose: Very gentle. Whiffs of sweet peat on top of layers of fruit: apricot and grape. Sweekild_bottlet creamy vanilla and hints of pepper and sea spray. Bits of new leather and tar. One of the lightest Ardbegs I’ve ever had recently. So different than recent releases. Lovely.
Palate: Mouth coating and oily. The initial impact releases quite a bit of phenols , with a true Islay character of tarry ropes, pepper, coal soot and earth, mint too. with a bitter continuation of double espresso , crushed coffee beans and smoke.
Finish: Espresso. Tar. Pepper and mint. Dry and bitter burnt sugar.
ABV: 46%
Bottle Size: 70cl.
For sale only within the EEC.
Tasting notes: Whisky Israel

New Macallans & More From Abbey Whisky!

September 29, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Macallan 30 Year Old Fine Oak
£ 1,260.00

New Arrivals

Blended Whisky #1 – Batch 1 – That Boutique-y Whisky Company
£ 127.20
Country: Scotland
Region:
Age:
Strength: 50.3%
50cl

Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak
£ 699.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 25 Years Old
Strength: 43%
70cl

Macallan 30 Year Old Fine Oak
£ 1,260.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 30 Years Old
Strength: 43%
70cl

Parkers Heritage Collection – 13 Year Old Wheat Whiskey
£ 179.88
Country: America
Region: American
Age: 13 Years Old
Strength: 63.4%
75cl

Teaninich 23 Year Old – 1972 / The Rare Malts Selection / 20cl
£ 98.50
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 23 Years Old
Strength: 64.8%
20cl
Vintage: 1972
Bottler: Distillery Bottling

Arran Machrie Moor Cask Strength / Second Edition – 2015
£ 49.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Island
Age:
Strength: 58.2%
70cl

Arran Machrie Moor Sixth Edition / Peated Whisky
£ 39.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Island
Age:
Strength: 46%
70cl

GlenDronach 1995 19 Year Old Cask 3806 / Batch 12
£ 113.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 19 Years Old
Strength: 54.5%
70cl
Vintage: 1995
Bottler: Distillery Bottling

GlenDronach 1995 19 Year Old Cask 4034 / Batch 12
£ 113.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 19 Years Old
Strength: 55.4%
70cl
Vintage: 1995
Bottler: Distillery Bottling

GlenDronach 2003 12 Year Old Cask 934 / Batch 12
£ 72.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 12 Years Old
Strength: 53.7%
70cl
Vintage: 2003
Bottler: Distillery Bottling

Laphroaig Live 2015!

September 25, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Laphroaig is this year celebrating 200 years!

Laphroaig Live has a lot to celebrate this year. Apart from the anticipated showcase of new expressions they are also celebrating their 200th. birthday.

Apart from that, the event also featured an appearance by ‘Highlander’ actor Sam Heughan who, if Twitter is to be believed, proved to be very popular indeed!

The drams sampled for this years event were:-

Laphroaig 15 Year Old

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015

Laphroaig 21 Year Old

Laphroaig 32 Year Old

Sampling the whiskies was amongst others, John Campbell – Laphroaig’s distillery manager, Emma Andersson – Editor of one of the world’s most respected whisky magazines Allt Om Whisky and Bernhard Schafer – whisky journalist and Master Of The Quiach.

The one hour online show had a little bit for everyone. There was music, Sam Heughan, a flaky live link to New York (they could have left that out really), Sam Heughan, whisky sampling and some nice views of the distillery and some smoking peat. Oh and did I mention Sam Heughan was there?

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 #laphroaiglive on Twitter.

So, what did I think?

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

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig 15 Year Old (43%)

The 15 year old was last commercially produced in 2008 after being superseded by the 18 year old. Since then it’s gathered an iconic status.

Nose: Rich fruit and the unmistakable aromas of peat and smoke abound.

Palate: Smokey sweetness with a hint of toffee and vanilla.

Finish: Peppery spice and a long smokey finish top this dram off perfectly.

Overall: A fine dram. Rounded and well finished with that morish quality that keeps you sipping!

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015 (51%)

This whisky is John’s interpretation of how Laphroaig would have been produced at the distillery 200 years ago. Distilled using only smaller stills and using cold smoked peat it is non-chill filtered and bottled without colouring.

Nose: Some real fruitiness hits you with this dram. The smokiness is very faint and there’s even a trace of mint!

Palate: Strong and full bodied with a fruity sweetness. The peat is well to the fore with this dram and there’s also a little liquorice.

Finish: Smooth, short finish with a dry smokiness to it.

Overall: A tougher dram than the 15yo – very traditional and a whisky that must have kept the islanders toasty and warm 200 years ago!

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig 21 Year Old (48.4%)

A limited edition distilled in 1993 and matured in a mix of barrels to intensify it’s flavours. It is non-chill filtered and natural colour.

Nose: Sweet vanilla and sugary fruits. Interesting that the signature peatiness is absent.

Palate: Lovely and sweet with a hint of fruit. A smooth dram.

Finish: Long smooth finish with a welcome spiciness to balance the sweet flavours. There’s some dry tobacco in there as well.

Overall: A cultured Laphroaig that loses a lot of it’s traditional strong flavours. Not that this is a negative, more of an alternative!

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig 32 Year Old (46.7%)

Only 6000 bottles of this expression have been produced – a very rare Laphroaig indeed! John also mentioned that there are some 34 yr old whiskies in there as well. Not surprisingly, this dram was the nights most anticipated!

Nose: Rich, sweet sherry, creamy vanilla, toasted almonds.

Palate: Tropical fruits abound with vanilla toffee

Finish: Dry, slightly spicy, rich and full bodied.

Overall: Once again, very muted in the smoke n’ peat department – this seems to be the destiny of older Laphroaigs.

My Favourite On The Night

Out of the four, I think it’s got to be the Laphroaig 15 Year Old.
Yeah, I could go for the 32 year old but most people will never get the chance to sample it (and I probably never will again!)
For me, the 15 has everything you expct from a Laphroaig and the reason everyone heads for the dram in the first place. Peat, smoke, vanilla and a warm fireside feeling!

Many thanks to Laphroaig for sending the samples and without whom!

Laphroaig is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

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

Ballantine’s All Set For An ‘Artistic’ Christmas!

September 25, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Ballantine’s 12 Tin – Artist Series

Ballantine’s has unveiled a unique range of three limited edition gift packs exclusively designed for the brand by renowned artist Leif Podhajsky ahead of Christmas 2015. The striking new packs are the first launch in the ‘Artist Series’, an initiative that will see Ballantine’s collaborate with a different creative talent every year.

Leif Podhajsky has created some of the most distinctive and beautiful album artwork of the last decade and music fans will instantly recognise his sonically-inspired landscapes inspired by the natural world. Staying true to his creative origins, the collaboration with Ballantine’s as part of the Artist Series has allowed Podhajsky to take inspiration from the award-winning Scotch whisky as well as the stunning, natural landscapes of Scotland, resulting in three beautiful limited edition designs.

Ballantine’s Finest Tin – Artist Series

Ballantine’s Finest Sleeve – Artist Series

Each distinctive gift pack design references the Ballantine’s story in separate ways. The Ballantine’s Finest Tin captures the movement of the liquid, inspired by the complexity, depth and gold colour of this renowned whisky blend. The Ballantine’s Neoprene Finest Sleeve takes inspiration from two of the most vital and natural elements involved in the whisky production process: fire and water. The Ballantine’s 12 Year Old Tin is an abstract interpretation of Scotland’s unique scenery, capturing the light of the sky, the rugged nature of Scotland’s Highlands region and the country’s flowing streams.

Before starting on the designs for Ballantine’s I spent time in Scotland exploring the wild, natural landscapes and understanding the whisky-making process. Immersing myself in the subject’s culture is how I begin when designing album cover artwork. From this point, images start to form organically. The Ballantine’s ‘Artist Series’ partnership was an extremely rewarding project to work on, giving me complete creative freedom and allowing me to stay true to my own artistic style.
– Leif Podhajsky: Artist

At Ballantine’s we are passionate about supporting artists that share the ethos of staying true to themselves. It has been a great pleasure to work with an artist as creative, distinctive and as innovative as Leif on our inaugural partnership for the Artist Series.

Providing excellent on-shelf standout thanks to his eye-catching designs, the limited editions present a modern take on our celebrated Ballantine’s whisky, so we are certain they will be a must have for whisky and art connoisseurs alike.
– Peter Moore: Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s

The Ballantine’s Artist Series Limited Edition Gift Packs will be available globally from the end of October at the same price as Ballantine’s Finest and Ballantine’s 12 Year Old.

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That Boutique-y Whisky Company New Arrivals From Abbey Whisky!

New Arrivals

Chivas Unveils New ‘Art of Hosting’ Limited Edition Pack!

Macphails & Old Pulteney New Arrivals From Abbey Whisky!

New Arrivals

Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection Launched!

The Glenlivet Releases The Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish!

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish Cask Strength (61.5% ABV) tasting notes:

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish (48% ABV) tasting notes:

The Girvan Patent Still Tweet Tasting!

Tasting Notes – Girvan New Make (42%)

Tasting Notes – Girvan No.4 Apps (42%)

Tasting Notes – Girvan 25 Years Old (42%)

Tasting Notes – Girvan 30 Years Old (42%)

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My fellow Tweeters were:-

Glendronach New Arrivals From Edencroft!

New Arrivals

New Macallans & More From Abbey Whisky!

New Arrivals

Laphroaig Live 2015!

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig 15 Year Old (43%)

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015 (51%)

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig 21 Year Old (48.4%)

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig 32 Year Old (46.7%)

My Favourite On The Night

Ballantine’s All Set For An ‘Artistic’ Christmas!

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The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish Cask Strength (61.5% ABV) tasting notes:

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish (48% ABV) tasting notes:

Tasting Notes – Girvan New Make (42%)

Tasting Notes – Girvan No.4 Apps (42%)

Tasting Notes – Girvan 25 Years Old (42%)

Tasting Notes – Girvan 30 Years Old (42%)

My Favourite On The Night

My fellow Tweeters were:-

New Arrivals

New Arrivals

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig 15 Year Old (43%)

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015 (51%)

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig 21 Year Old (48.4%)

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig 32 Year Old (46.7%)

My Favourite On The Night

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