Tuesday, 24 November 2009
GLENFIDDICH TASTING
Glenfiddich will be in the bar this Thursday, 26th November between 8pm & 11pm to conduct a free blind tasting of their single malts. On offer will be the 12yo, 15yo & 18yo.
Monday, 23 November 2009
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
For more information, see http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/nov/22/dalmore-oculus-whisky-record-auction
Monday, 2 November 2009
TAIN TRECK
After a weekend which has seen the North East of Scotland receive three quarters of its November rainfall in 24 hours, I was glad it was last Monday morning I caught the train from Aberdeen to Inverness on the first leg of my visit to Glenmorangie Distillery. It was interesting to consider the effect of the railway on the whisky industry as the train rolled through the scenic countryside, made all the more so by the vivid autumn colours.
The number of distilleries within easy reach of the tracks are numerous, and from the train it is just possible to see Ardmore Distillery, the giant Chivas Bros warehouse complex at Keith, Glentauchers & Auchroisk, Longmorn, Benromach and the final resting place of the long-closed Millburn Distillery in Inverness.
I was joined at the distillery by the rest of the party, representatives of some of Scotland's best whisky venues. Andy MacDonald, the distillery manager, proceeded to show us round the recently enlarged distillery - 2 new stills have been added to an extended stillhouse, however everything has been built to look as if it had always been there. We finished up in one of the dunnage warehouses where we tasted some barrel samples to highlight the effects of different woods on the spirit. Then we were forced to sample more whiskies in a more formal atmosphere of the conference room. These included the Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or, the 18yo, the 25yo and the recently released Sonnalta PX. The Nectar D'Or has a lovely sweet texture which should give it a wide appeal, whilst the Sonnalta is a bigger, bolder flavour. Only available from the distillery or in Travel Retail Outlets (duty free), the Sonnalta will be up on the gantry shortly.
We then headed over to Glenmorangie House, voted one of the top hotels in the UK, where we were to spend the night. Although it is only some 8 or 9 miles from the distillery, the drive is across country and by this time it was pitch black. We enjoyed a little detour which took in the picturesque village of Portmahomack (it would have been even more picturesque in daylight). Whilst our driver refused to admit he was lost, the following two car-loads of guests were not so sure.
The hotel, which is more like a private house was everything and more we had been led to expect. Before dinner we were treated to the most futuristic tasting I have yet to experience. In order to fully appreciate the creation that is Signet, we were treated to a sound and light show which talked us through a sensory tasting of this wonderful malt, a whisky that truly compares with the best vintage wines.
After a sumptuous meal, which included bread made with Ardbeg (same company), we were treated to some more whisky - Ardbeg Corryvrekan and Supernova. An ideal choice in front of a coal fire - so much so that some of us were seen to doze off! To round off our trip, we spent the following morning trying our hand at clay pigeon shooting.
Thanks are due to LVMH for making this trip possible.
The number of distilleries within easy reach of the tracks are numerous, and from the train it is just possible to see Ardmore Distillery, the giant Chivas Bros warehouse complex at Keith, Glentauchers & Auchroisk, Longmorn, Benromach and the final resting place of the long-closed Millburn Distillery in Inverness.
I was joined at the distillery by the rest of the party, representatives of some of Scotland's best whisky venues. Andy MacDonald, the distillery manager, proceeded to show us round the recently enlarged distillery - 2 new stills have been added to an extended stillhouse, however everything has been built to look as if it had always been there. We finished up in one of the dunnage warehouses where we tasted some barrel samples to highlight the effects of different woods on the spirit. Then we were forced to sample more whiskies in a more formal atmosphere of the conference room. These included the Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or, the 18yo, the 25yo and the recently released Sonnalta PX. The Nectar D'Or has a lovely sweet texture which should give it a wide appeal, whilst the Sonnalta is a bigger, bolder flavour. Only available from the distillery or in Travel Retail Outlets (duty free), the Sonnalta will be up on the gantry shortly.
We then headed over to Glenmorangie House, voted one of the top hotels in the UK, where we were to spend the night. Although it is only some 8 or 9 miles from the distillery, the drive is across country and by this time it was pitch black. We enjoyed a little detour which took in the picturesque village of Portmahomack (it would have been even more picturesque in daylight). Whilst our driver refused to admit he was lost, the following two car-loads of guests were not so sure.
The hotel, which is more like a private house was everything and more we had been led to expect. Before dinner we were treated to the most futuristic tasting I have yet to experience. In order to fully appreciate the creation that is Signet, we were treated to a sound and light show which talked us through a sensory tasting of this wonderful malt, a whisky that truly compares with the best vintage wines.
After a sumptuous meal, which included bread made with Ardbeg (same company), we were treated to some more whisky - Ardbeg Corryvrekan and Supernova. An ideal choice in front of a coal fire - so much so that some of us were seen to doze off! To round off our trip, we spent the following morning trying our hand at clay pigeon shooting.
Thanks are due to LVMH for making this trip possible.
Monday, 12 October 2009
Malts of the Week
Our current Malts of the Week are
Ardmore Traditional Cask (smoky) - it may come as a surprise to find a peated Highland Malt. As a major component of the Teachers Blend, Ardmore has always been produced using peated malt, but has only been available as an official bottling in the last couple of years. The distillery is in the small village of Kennethmont, some 35 miles from Aberdeen. It is only open to visitors during the Speyside Whisky Festival.
Benromach Traditional (non-smoky) - from the smallest distillery on speyside. This is the fore-runner to the newly released 10yo, which contains only whisky produced by the current owners, independent bottlers Gordon & MacPhail. The new 10 yo has a hint of peat, so we could feature it as a future smoky malt.
Ardmore Traditional Cask (smoky) - it may come as a surprise to find a peated Highland Malt. As a major component of the Teachers Blend, Ardmore has always been produced using peated malt, but has only been available as an official bottling in the last couple of years. The distillery is in the small village of Kennethmont, some 35 miles from Aberdeen. It is only open to visitors during the Speyside Whisky Festival.
Benromach Traditional (non-smoky) - from the smallest distillery on speyside. This is the fore-runner to the newly released 10yo, which contains only whisky produced by the current owners, independent bottlers Gordon & MacPhail. The new 10 yo has a hint of peat, so we could feature it as a future smoky malt.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
WHISKY HEAVEN
I don't know if anyone managed to catch a recent STV production called "Made in Scotland." The July 23rd episode featured the actor David Hayman (Trial & Retribution) on a visit to Whyte & Mackay's Glasgow headquarters for a private tasting session with master blender Richard Paterson.
Richard Is one of the foremost whisky experts in the world and certainly one of its most colourful characters. He has been responsible for blending the Whyte & Mackay portfolio for over 30 years and also looks after the Jura and Dalmore single malts. He recently published the story of his life in the whisky business, "Goodness Nose", and what a cracking good read it is. To read more about Richard go to his site at http://www.themasterblender.com/.
Last year I was lucky enough to win a competition for readers of On-Trade Scotland magazine. The prize was my very own private tasting session with Richard Paterson, just like the one David Hayman enjoyed. After a history lesson on whisky and Whyte & Mackay's place therein, we made our way through to the sampling room - pictures of which can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/42021660@N03/sets/72157622157567893/.
Out of a number of samples tasted were the stunning Whyte & Mackay 40yo blend and a 40yo Dalmore. Richard also let me try a couple of samples of very old sherries to demonstrate the sherry-cask ageing effect. The depth of flavour in these sherries was absolutely amazing and nothing like the stuff they used to serve up at weddings!
As the session was drawing to a close, Richard produced one last dram. What was this he asked as I took my first few drops - "not a 20 year old, not a 30 year old, not a 40 year old, not a 50 year old". OK I admit I had heard of the legendary 62 year old Dalmore, but never in my wildest imagination did I ever think I would be lucky enough to taste it! This is one of the most famous single malts in history, comprising whisky from the 1868, 1878, 1922, 1926 and 1939 vintages. Only twelve bottles were ever produced. In 2005, a guest at an exclusive English hotel bought the bottle they had on display for £32,000 and shared it with 5 lucky friends.He even left the last dram for the barman. 10 of the bottles are in private collections and the last bottle was kept by Whyte & Mackay to be enjoyed by Richard and those lucky enough to share his passion.
Whisky-wise this has got to be my most memorable tasting ever, not just for the depth and range of what I sampled that afternoon, but the passion, knowledge and humour which Richard added to the occasion.
As I travelled home to Aberdeen on the train, the lingering taste and pleasure of the Dalmore stayed with me the for the whole journey. Only once I was back in Aberdeen did I dare let anything other than water pass my lips.I knew, as only an Aberdonian whose turn it is to buy the next round, that I had made my drink last as long as possible!
The programme can be viewed on the STV Player website, here is the link, and select part 4 if you don't wish to see the whole episode.http://player.stv.tv/programmes/made-in-scotland/2009-07-23-2100/
Richard Is one of the foremost whisky experts in the world and certainly one of its most colourful characters. He has been responsible for blending the Whyte & Mackay portfolio for over 30 years and also looks after the Jura and Dalmore single malts. He recently published the story of his life in the whisky business, "Goodness Nose", and what a cracking good read it is. To read more about Richard go to his site at http://www.themasterblender.com/.
Last year I was lucky enough to win a competition for readers of On-Trade Scotland magazine. The prize was my very own private tasting session with Richard Paterson, just like the one David Hayman enjoyed. After a history lesson on whisky and Whyte & Mackay's place therein, we made our way through to the sampling room - pictures of which can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/42021660@N03/sets/72157622157567893/.
Out of a number of samples tasted were the stunning Whyte & Mackay 40yo blend and a 40yo Dalmore. Richard also let me try a couple of samples of very old sherries to demonstrate the sherry-cask ageing effect. The depth of flavour in these sherries was absolutely amazing and nothing like the stuff they used to serve up at weddings!
As the session was drawing to a close, Richard produced one last dram. What was this he asked as I took my first few drops - "not a 20 year old, not a 30 year old, not a 40 year old, not a 50 year old". OK I admit I had heard of the legendary 62 year old Dalmore, but never in my wildest imagination did I ever think I would be lucky enough to taste it! This is one of the most famous single malts in history, comprising whisky from the 1868, 1878, 1922, 1926 and 1939 vintages. Only twelve bottles were ever produced. In 2005, a guest at an exclusive English hotel bought the bottle they had on display for £32,000 and shared it with 5 lucky friends.He even left the last dram for the barman. 10 of the bottles are in private collections and the last bottle was kept by Whyte & Mackay to be enjoyed by Richard and those lucky enough to share his passion.
Whisky-wise this has got to be my most memorable tasting ever, not just for the depth and range of what I sampled that afternoon, but the passion, knowledge and humour which Richard added to the occasion.
As I travelled home to Aberdeen on the train, the lingering taste and pleasure of the Dalmore stayed with me the for the whole journey. Only once I was back in Aberdeen did I dare let anything other than water pass my lips.I knew, as only an Aberdonian whose turn it is to buy the next round, that I had made my drink last as long as possible!
The programme can be viewed on the STV Player website, here is the link, and select part 4 if you don't wish to see the whole episode.http://player.stv.tv/programmes/made-in-scotland/2009-07-23-2100/
Monday, 7 September 2009
Malts of the Week
Our current Malts of the Week are
Non-Smokey -An 8 year old Old Pultney from Gordon & MacPhail. Pultney is one of our most popular malts and this bottling from Gordon & MacPhail is a regular in our featured malts. The distinctive sweet & spicy aromas mingling with a distinct hint of the sea.
Smokey - An unaged bottling of Ledaig, the peated version from Tobermory Distillery on the island of Mull. This malt has always pleasantly surprised our customers in the past and hopefully will continue to. Maybe a tad similar to the Pultney but with a definate peatiness to make all the difference.
Non-Smokey -An 8 year old Old Pultney from Gordon & MacPhail. Pultney is one of our most popular malts and this bottling from Gordon & MacPhail is a regular in our featured malts. The distinctive sweet & spicy aromas mingling with a distinct hint of the sea.
Smokey - An unaged bottling of Ledaig, the peated version from Tobermory Distillery on the island of Mull. This malt has always pleasantly surprised our customers in the past and hopefully will continue to. Maybe a tad similar to the Pultney but with a definate peatiness to make all the difference.
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Malts of the Week
Our current Malts of the Week are
Bladnoch 16yo, non chill filtered, a fruity dram from this most southerly of the Scottish distilleries. The murky appearance of this malt has created quite a bit of interest with our regulars. I have heard it referred to as the "full fat version".
The Inverarity Islay Pure Malt 8yo, from Inverarity Vaults, a small independent wine & spirit company based in the Borders.
Bladnoch 16yo, non chill filtered, a fruity dram from this most southerly of the Scottish distilleries. The murky appearance of this malt has created quite a bit of interest with our regulars. I have heard it referred to as the "full fat version".
The Inverarity Islay Pure Malt 8yo, from Inverarity Vaults, a small independent wine & spirit company based in the Borders.
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