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.
Monday, 12 October 2009
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.
Monday, 27 July 2009
Malts of the Week
Our current Malts of the Week are
Drumguish (non-smoky), an unaged single malt from The Speyside Distillery referred to in my Inverness Trip Blog, and
The Inverarity Islay Pure Malt 8yo, from Inverarity Vaults, a small independent wine & spirit company based in the Borders.
Drumguish (non-smoky), an unaged single malt from The Speyside Distillery referred to in my Inverness Trip Blog, and
The Inverarity Islay Pure Malt 8yo, from Inverarity Vaults, a small independent wine & spirit company based in the Borders.
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Whisky List
The Whisky List has now been updated and is complete as of 20th July.
For those of you who like to keep score, there are 499 Scotch Whiskies, and 73 from the Rest of the World.
Additions to the list which is currently available on the website include
Jura Paps Collection, 3 bottlings at 15 yo with different wine barrel finishes, Barolo, Cabernet Sauvignon & Pinot Noir. More details at http://whisky.scotsman.com/viewnews.aspx?id=366.
3 bottlings from The Whisky Exchange under their Port Askaig Single Islay Malt Range, 17yo, 25yo and the Cask Strength version. As yet a mystery malt?
Hedonism, a blended grain bottling from Compass Box.
A 1972 vintage from Glenrothes.
Glendronach 15yo Revival, the first OB from the new owners. I've also heard they are to release some single cask bottlings as well.
Glenmorangie Signet, an artistic creation from Dr Lumsden with a wow factor, see what others think at http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/product.asp?pf_id=0010000039740.
Several OB's from Bladnoch, including the first of their own distillations, a 6yo lightly peated version, and a 15yo non-chill filtered version which has created a fair amount of interest due to its cloudy appearance. The staff at the distillery tell me it is sometimes referred to as the full-fat version! I intend to feature this as a future malt of the week.
Notable whiskies we've run out of and are no longer available (unless someone knnows of a secret stash?) are Ardbeg's Serendipity, The Dalmore Cigar Malt (now replaced by the Gran Reserva), Balvenie 17yo Rum Cask and Glenrothes 1987.
For those of you who like to keep score, there are 499 Scotch Whiskies, and 73 from the Rest of the World.
Additions to the list which is currently available on the website include
Jura Paps Collection, 3 bottlings at 15 yo with different wine barrel finishes, Barolo, Cabernet Sauvignon & Pinot Noir. More details at http://whisky.scotsman.com/viewnews.aspx?id=366.
3 bottlings from The Whisky Exchange under their Port Askaig Single Islay Malt Range, 17yo, 25yo and the Cask Strength version. As yet a mystery malt?
Hedonism, a blended grain bottling from Compass Box.
A 1972 vintage from Glenrothes.
Glendronach 15yo Revival, the first OB from the new owners. I've also heard they are to release some single cask bottlings as well.
Glenmorangie Signet, an artistic creation from Dr Lumsden with a wow factor, see what others think at http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/product.asp?pf_id=0010000039740.
Several OB's from Bladnoch, including the first of their own distillations, a 6yo lightly peated version, and a 15yo non-chill filtered version which has created a fair amount of interest due to its cloudy appearance. The staff at the distillery tell me it is sometimes referred to as the full-fat version! I intend to feature this as a future malt of the week.
Notable whiskies we've run out of and are no longer available (unless someone knnows of a secret stash?) are Ardbeg's Serendipity, The Dalmore Cigar Malt (now replaced by the Gran Reserva), Balvenie 17yo Rum Cask and Glenrothes 1987.
Friday, 17 July 2009
Canadian Single Malt Glen Breton
I have just finished reading yet another article on the long running saga involving the Scotch Whisky Association and a previously little known distillery in Canada.
There has been much newsprint and web space devoted to the story and for those interested in further reading, here are some links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Breton_Rare
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=7425231196&topic=7471
http://inebrio.com/thescotchblog/?p=1159
The SWA beef with Glenora Distillery is their use of the name Glen Breton on the label. The distillery is located in a glen at Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Canada. The SWA argue that use of the word "Glen" confuses consumers into believing the whisky is made in Scotland. I don't intend to get into the politics, there are good arguments on both sides, especially when you look at cases involving Scottish sounding names on Indian "whiskies".
Recently, one of my customers told me had family coming over to visit from Canada. I got talking to him about the Glen Breton single malt and he expressed an interest in trying it.
I said I would order a bottle in for behind the bar and once he had tasted it I would order another to share with his visitors.
His Canadian cousins expressed some surprise when he told them what he was proposing to share with them, since although being well known outside the country because of the long legal battle, the whisky is not that well known in its own country.
There has been much newsprint and web space devoted to the story and for those interested in further reading, here are some links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Breton_Rare
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=7425231196&topic=7471
http://inebrio.com/thescotchblog/?p=1159
The SWA beef with Glenora Distillery is their use of the name Glen Breton on the label. The distillery is located in a glen at Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Canada. The SWA argue that use of the word "Glen" confuses consumers into believing the whisky is made in Scotland. I don't intend to get into the politics, there are good arguments on both sides, especially when you look at cases involving Scottish sounding names on Indian "whiskies".
Recently, one of my customers told me had family coming over to visit from Canada. I got talking to him about the Glen Breton single malt and he expressed an interest in trying it.
I said I would order a bottle in for behind the bar and once he had tasted it I would order another to share with his visitors.
His Canadian cousins expressed some surprise when he told them what he was proposing to share with them, since although being well known outside the country because of the long legal battle, the whisky is not that well known in its own country.
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