Single-malt whisky

India's Amrut Readying Ultra-Premium Rum

Filed under: Spirits

Indian distiller Amrut, which caused a sensation in the West last year after having its single-malt whisky rated #3 in the world by The Whisky Bible, has its eye on extending its new-found brand cachet into premium or ultra-premium priced rum.

Amrut makes most of its revenue, in fact, from selling rum and brandy inside India--Old Port Rum and Silver Cup Brandy. The company's chairman says Amrut blenders have been working on a luxury-priced rum that would be a blend of Caribbean and Indian rums. No release date is set yet.

Tags: alcohol, amrut, amrut intermediate sherry, Amrut Kadhambam, glenfiddich, rum, single-malt whisky, The Glenlivet, whisky

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New Laphroaig Triple Wood Adds Sherry Finishing

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

There is so much sherry wood finishing going on in whiskey circles these days, it's a wonder that there are enough barrels to go around. And just when I thought I might be wearying of the trend, Laphroaig comes out with Triple Wood.

This Islay expression is Laphroaig Quarter-Cask that has been finished in Oloroso sherry casks. The effect is to take the already beautifully peaty Laphroaig and dial in some cherries and black currants. This could have been a bad result. But it turned out wonderful, with the fruit accenting and dancing at the edges of the peat bog, not getting overly involved in the smoke and charcoal that makes Laphroaig Laphroaig.

The price of $100 seems dead on right for this premium single-malt expression. The only bad news is that it will head into travel retail and the finer whiskey shops in Europe, and is not yet scheduled or U.S. retailers. This is one of those that is well worth dragging home from the airport.

Tags: Islay malt, Laphroaig, Laphroaig Quarter-Cask, Laphroaig Triple Wood, Single-Malt Scotch Whiskey, Single-malt whisky, whiskey, whisky

Glenmorangie's New Finealta To Help Open London's Savoy

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Glenmorangie has launched a new whisky in its Private Edition line: The Glenmorangie Finealta, pronounced "Finalta." The word translates as "elegant" from the Scottish Gaelic. It is a recipe with historic significance as it is a recreation of a Glenmorangie recipe dating back to 1903.

The century-old recipe was uncovered in the distillery's archives. Dr Bill Lumsden, head of distilling and whisky creation, said: "Glenmorangie decided to recreate this recipe so that we, and whisky connoisseurs, could have a taste of this historic Glenmorangie expression. We followed the recipe meticulously, which included marrying whiskies of different ages and from different cask types. The final result is a whisky of such depth and distinction that we selected it as the second release in Glenmorangie's exclusive Private Edition."

Archives show that this Glenmorangie expression was served in the American Bar of The Savoy, London, during La Belle Époque and at the height of Art Nouveau, the first modern art movement of the 20th century. The packaging design for Glenmorangie Finealta, not surprisingly, is inspired by Art Nouveau, which had a style for incorporating elements from nature such as floral and plant motifs into artwork. And, unusual for Glenmorangie, the taste profile involves a bit of peat.

The release of the whisky coincides nicely with the The Savoy's reopening on October 10, 2010. Bottled at a strength of 46% ABV, and non chill-filtered, Glenmorangie Finealta will be made available to global travel retail from early September, and in fine whisky shops in North America in early 2011. Price $85.00.

Tags: Bill Lumsden, Finealta, Glenmorangie, Savoy Hotel, scotch, scotch whisky, single malt, Single-malt whisky, whiskey, whisky

Controversial Cardhu Re-launches in U.S.

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

After several years of absence, Diageo's Cardhu 12-year old single-malt is returning to the U.S.

The Speyside single-malt, which is a key contributor to Johnnie Walker blended whisky, has been absent from the U.S. for many years, and was the subject of much controversy in 2003.

Faced with a shortage of Cardhu, created by increased popularity in several European countries, Diageo ceased selling a single-malt and launched a vatted malt expression it called "Cardhu Pure Malt." The bottle was very similar to the Cardhu Single Malt, and the liquor giant drew the wrath of whisky writers, enthusiasts and even the Scotch Whisky Association.

For a whisky to be called "single-malt," all the whisky in the bottle must have come from a single distillery. The Cardhu "vatted malt" was made up of whiskies from more than one distillery. "Pure Malt" was not a recognized designation at the time, and it was pretty clear that Diageo was being too cute by half in trying to meet demand for Cardhu among single-malt drinkers, as well as for Johnnie Walker. It was viewed as a deliberate attempt by Diageo to mislead the pubic about the Cardhu product.

Cardhu corrected its ways and re-launched Cardhu single-malt in 2005. The 12-year old it sells today, and is rolling out to U.S. shelves, will have a suggested retail price of $42.99.

Cardhu is a Speyside distillery near Archiestown, Morayshire, Scotland, founded by the whisky smuggler John Cumming in 1824.

Tags: Cardhu, Johnnie Walker, single-malt whisky, vatted whisky, whisky

Glen Grant Launches 170th Anniversary Super-Premium Commemorative.

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

To celebrate 170 years of uncompromising and passionate whisky making Glen Grant has created an inimitable experience with the launch of a 170th Anniversary Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky. A whisky lover's dream, the commemorative edition Grant has been specially crafted by Master Distiller, Dennis Malcolm, who has carefully selected the most valuable Glen Grant casks ranging 1976 to 1999 and married them together to create one unique Glen Grant expression.

"170 years on, we continue to build on the combination of tradition and innovation that the Grant brothers brought to their whisky making all those years ago," Glen Grant Master Distiller, Dennis Malcolm commented. "We wanted to celebrate the history of the brand whilst translating the unique Glen Grant approach into something new and unexpected with the 170th Anniversary Limited Edition whisky."

The commemorative expression is sure to be snapped by collectors, as well as imbibers. Big fruit notes, with a streak of peat through the middle of the taste profile.

It will be available starting August 2010 at a price of about 100 Euros, sold in a premium gift pack, across Europe, Taiwan, Duty-Free retail and the Glen Grant Distillery visitor centre in Rothes, Scotland, in a 70 cl bottle.

Tags: Glen Grant, Scotch Whisky, Single-malt whisky, Speyside, whisky

Pernod Ricard Aims To Make Glenlivet World's No. 1 Malt

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Scotland's Glenfiddich Distillery sells the world's best selling single-malt Scotch whisky. But French drinks giant Pernod Ricard aims to change that by building up its Glenlivet brand.

The company is pumping $14.7 million into Glenlivet to expand distilling capacity and storage/aging buildings. The investment is significant considering that many experts see an over-supply of whisky in the next five years.

The French group also markets blended whiskies Chivas Regal and Ballantine's. Those brands are recipes that rely on whiskies of different ages and from dozens of different distilleries. So, expanding production of those brands is easier than growing single-malt sales. To be called single-malt, though, the whisky must come from one distillery. A distillery such as Glenlivet blends its own whisky of different ages to create its "expressions," but they must all come from one distillery to be called "single-malt."

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Tags: Ballantines whisky, Chivas Regal, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Pernod Ricard, Single-malt whisky, Speyside whiskies, The Glenlivet

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Welsh Single-Malt Penderyn Making Strides Without Long Aging

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

When the Penderyn Distillery began distributing its single-malt whisky in 2004, expectations were not that high. After all, it was the first time whisky had been distilled for mass distribution in Wales in over a century. Also, the age of the whisky was just four and half years.

But the lesson here is that whisky doesn't have to be old to be good, or even great. Penderyn has not only been racking up the accolades, but it has added expressions that have been largely applauded and recognized as some of the best small-batch whisky in the British Isles, and the world.

The distillery is located in the village of Penderyn, in the southern reaches of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The water used for the whisky is pumped from a spring under the distillery. The barley-wash mash that gets distilled comes from Brains Brewery in nearby Cardiff. And as the only Welsh singe-malt, Penderyn has what any good whisky needs--a good story.

Gallery: Penderyn Welsh Whisky

Tags: Penderyn, Penderyn whisky, Scotch whisky, single-malt whisky, Welsh single-malt whisky, Welsh whisky

Continue reading “Welsh Single-Malt Penderyn Making Strides Without Long Aging”

First 40-Year Old Whisky From Balvenie

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Independent distiller William Grant & Sons has unveiled a new, limited edition 40-year old expression of The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The 40 year-old expression is a batch of just 150 hand numbered bottles, which will be available exclusively in travel retail from July, with each one priced at around £2,500. The new bottling was aged in sherry casks and refill hogsheads.

"This is the first time we have created a 40yo for The Balvenie," said Balvenie master distiller David Stewart. "I'm lucky to work for a family that allows its whisky stocks to age on...The whiskies used in this expression date from the mid 1960s, and it's important that we took our time to find the right mix of casks and get this new expression right."

Each bottle is presented in a bespoke wooden box, handmade in oak by Scottish craftsmen Sam Chinnery and hand-engraved by his

Tags: 40-year old Scotch, 40-year old whisky, Scotch whisky, single-malt whisky, The Balvenie, whisky

Ardbeg To Blast Off With Supernova 2

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

First released in 2009 to wide acclaim, Ardbeg Supernova single-malt whisky sparked connoisseurs worldwide when it was named Scotch Whisky of the Year in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2010. Supernova has returned with a new limited release, set to hit retailers on May 31. For those who missed the original, the peatiness is over-the-top with the taste of Scotland's western coast lingering in the mouth an hour after finishing the dram. It doesn't seem possible, but Ardbeg master distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden says the taste this time around is even deeper and earthier, with the new expression up to 120.2 proof. It's easily one of the biggest tastes in Scotch on the market. Price is about $115.00

Lumsden is the brains behind both Ardbeg and Glenmorangie. Both brands are owned by LVMH. I have often said that Glenmorangie's Highland single-malt is an apt dram for Scottish lairds, and Ardbeg is more apt for marauding Vikings. Supernova, a brilliant expression of peaty whisky, would put new hair on the chest of Turgesius.

Tags: Ardbeg, Ardbeg Supernova, Bill Lumsden, Islay whisky, Single-Malt Scotch Whiskey, Single-malt whisky, whisky

40-Year Old Glenfarclas Single-Malt Scotch

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

The acclaimed Speyside Scottish distillery Glenfarclas has added a 40-year old expression to its portfolio. Glenfarclas 40 Years Old has been bottled at 46% vol. from casks filled in the late 1960s, and selected by George S. Grant, director of sales and the sixth generation of the family that owns the distillery.

The color of the 40 is spectacular--dark amber with red hues. The layered aroma is full of chocolate, raisins, prunes and touches of mint and licorice. Pricing is set at GBP 350.00, or $520.00.

No more than a drop or two of water is needed to open up the full flavor and nose of this gorgeous whisky.

For those looking to try before purchasing a bottle, The Coburg Bar at the Connaught Hotel, in London's Mayfair, and the Mash Tun Pub in Aberlour, Speyside, are among the first two outlets offering drinkers the chance to try it by the dram.The distillery debuted the 40 at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival on April 29.

Tags: Glenfarclas, Highland malt whisky, scotch whisky, single malt, Single-malt whisky, Speyside whisky, whisky

Glenfiddich 40-year Old Collectible Released

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Single-malt Scotch distillery Glenfiddich announced the launch of a limited edition 40 Year Old expression. It is the 6th set of Glenfiddich 40 Year Old, and only 600 will be presented on the world market at a price of $2,600 per bottle.

This whisky was aged in oak barrels for at least 40 years and then added to the rest of the whisky of the previous year. Glenfiddich's limited editions have been highly praised. But the last release of the 40-year underwhelmed the critics. Jim Murray, author of The Whisky Bible, for example, rated the last 40 Year Old release an 86.5 on his scale. There is more peat in this release than the last, which should make it more desirable.

The bottles make quite a display: the thick glass bottoms have their own numbers, have a hand-written signature and are sealed with wax and have a copper sign. The bottle is placed in a luxury case covered with calf leather; and an engraved copper sign on the top of the case is decorated with delicate filigree. This luxe packaging also contains a lock and a key. The case has a certificate signed personally by Peter Gordon, a CEO of William Grant & Sons and four oldest master of blending at the distilling house.

Tags: Glenfiddich, Glenfiddich 40-year-old, Glenfiddich40-year-old, scotch whisky, ScotchWhisky, Single-malt Scotch, Single-malt whisky, Single-maltScotch, Single-maltWhisky, whisky

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