WHISKY LIST

It's been a while since I last posted anything - busy with the job of running the pub.

Despite a world-wide recession there's no let up in the number of new whiskies being released. I've tried to keep abreast with what's going on and have certainly taken delivery of several new releases over the last couple of months - it's just that I haven't found time to let you know about them!

So here goes, in alphabetical order
(the numbers are a link to Serge Valentin's excellent WhiskyFun.com site)

Amrut Double Cask - bottled from two casks that were matured for 7 years in Bangalore, losing 59% to the Angels' Share! Whisky ages quicker in a hot dry climate (hence more young bourbons than old ones) and these casks have produced a "Wow" factor according to Serge at the Malt Maniacs. 300310

Ardbeg Rollercoaster - Yes I did mention this previously! It must have got lost in the pile 'cos it's only now going on sale. 120210

Chapter 6 - one of the first bottlings from St George's Distillery, Norfolk, England! Still a bit young but the first single malt to be distilled in England for over 120 years.190410

Dalmore Dee Dram - a special bottling which will help raise funds for the River Dee Trust. The Trust works hard to protect and enhance the environment of this local river which which is famous for its salmon fishing. Not too dissimilar to the standard 12yo.

Glenglassaugh 21yo - one of the first limited releases from the new owners of this previously mothballed distillery. 040809

Glenfarclas 40yo - the oldest of the standard bottlings from this family-owned distillery - and as usual it's amazingly good value. 290410

Glenugie 1977 31yo from Signatory - bottlings from what was the most easterly distillery in Scotland at Peterhead (pe'erheeed as its sometimes called) are now hard to come by. The distillery closed in 1983 and has since been demolished. 131109

The Spirit of Lewis - that's correct, spirit not whisky since this stuff was only distilled 3 months ago! From the Abhainn Dearg or Red River Distillery on the Hebridean Isle of Lewis. The last time whisky was legally distilled on the island was around 1830. The colour is surprising for having been in cask such a short time.  More details on the distillery here.

We've also had to say cheerio to some old favourites

Ichiro's King of Spades - now replaced by the Five of Spades
Talisker 20yo - the outstanding sherry cask bottling.
Glengarioch 8 & 15yo - now replaced by the NAS Founder's Reserve, the 8yo was a popular dram.
Port Dundas Single Grain has followed the distillery into retirement.

By the way did you know, WhiskyFun is available in a special iPhone format, and the weekly WhiskyCast podcast is available as an App for the iPhone.

WHISKY LIST

Just over a month ago I told you that I had produced an updated whisky list. Well the good news is it's now available to view online at

http://www.thegrillaberdeen.co.uk/whisky.htm

The bad news you could say is that it's already out of date.

The following bottles are now finished
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist
Caol Ila G&M 25yo Private Collection

Some good news though - we have managed to acquire some new bottlings and will be putting them on sale shortly

the much raved about Ardbeg Rollercoaster,
the specially commissioned Dee Dram from Dalmore (helping to raise funds to protect the environment of the River Dee),
and a cask strength bottling of Kilkerran from Glengyle distillery in Campbeltown, one of the first bottlings from this new distillery and aged for 3 years in a Port Pipe.

AN EXPENSIVE MALT

Last week I attended a whisky auction at Bonhams in Edinburgh. The highlight of the day was a special bottling of Dalmore, created by master blender Richard Patterson. He used whiskies dating back to the 19th century, similar to those used to craft the legendary Dalmore 62yo - see my blog Whisky Heaven. The resulting malt was then presented in a special decanter and called the Dalmore Oculus. The bottle, the only one of its kind in the world, sold for £27,600 to an anonymous telephone bidder. The room broke into spontaneous applause on completeion of the bidding. Needless to say, I was not amongst the bidders.
For more information, see http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/nov/22/dalmore-oculus-whisky-record-auction