Whisky Meets Wine in Longrow's Gaja Barolo Bottling

Posted Jun 13th 2008 4:02PM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Spirits

We admit we've never been troubled by the dilemma of choosing between Scotch and wine - we just have both. Usually not in the same glass, however; until a bottle of Longrow Gaja Barolo showed up. The 7-year-old single malt from Springbank, one of Scotland's most renowned distilling dynasties, is matured in bourbon casks for five years then finished for a year-and-a-half in Barolo wine casks from Angelo Gaja's famed vineyard in Piemonte, founded in 1859.

Trying this experiment with a heavily peated Campbeltown malt like Longrow might seem counterintuitive, but in fact the smokiness keeps the spirit from being overpowered by the grape. The confluence of flavors is nothing short of symphonic, plus at 111.6-proof it packs all the authentic muscle of a cask strength bottling. Definitely one the very best single malts we've tasted since the last time we were actually in Scotland.

[via Men.Style]

Gallery: Longrow & Gaja

Laphroaig to Unveil New Whiskies at Online Tasting

Posted Jun 12th 2008 6:02PM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Spirits

On June 18, Laphroaig Single Malt will host a live online tasting featuring the global unveiling of two yet-to-be-released whiskies. The 45-minute webcast, beginning at 3:00 p.m. EST, will be conducted by Distillery Manager John Campbell and Master Blender Robert Hicks from inside Warehouse 1 at the historic Laphroaig Distillery on Islay. As we reported earlier this month, longtime Laphroaig fan Prince Charles recently visited there (see above). The online tasting and educational seminar will include smoky classics Laphroaig 10 Year Old, Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Laphroaig Cáirdeas, and two unreleased whiskies: Laphroaig 30 Year Old Cáirdeas and the yet-to-be-bottled Laphroaig Triple Wood. Participants of legal purchase age can download tasting notes and guides and submit their questions in advance at Laphroaig.com. For more information visit www.Laphroaig.com/live.

Gallery: Laphroaig Scotch Tasting

Trump Fights For His Scottish Dream

Posted Jun 10th 2008 9:03PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Donald Trump is still fighting for his dream of having a golf resort in Scotland. Today he was in Aberdeen fighting for the right to build his $2 billion golf course complex. The development is planned for a 1,400 acre site in the dunes dunes on the Menie Estate at Balmedie. Environmentalists says the resort will destroy an area of natural importance but local businesses are looking forward to increased tourism dollars. His plans were narrowly rejected by the Aberdeenshire Council late last year. Trump has since been spotted real estate shopping in Ireland but it looks like he's not ready to let his Scottish dream die quite yet.

Trump spoke passionately about the site and his scheme to create two championship golf courses, a luxury hotel with 450 bedrooms, and approximately 1,000 timeshare condominiums and 500 luxury homes. He touted his matrilineal connection to the land (his mother is Scottish) and said that the development would create the "world's greatest golf course." The AP reports that the discussion got heated. David Tildsley, representing the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said that Trump had ignored the advice of his own consultants on the environment. Trump replied that he knows more than his consultants and said he considers himself "an environmentalist in the true sense of the word."

A decision is expected sometime in July.

Gallery: Trump Projects

Prince Charles Visits Laphroaig, Confirms Royal Warrant

Posted Jun 5th 2008 6:00PM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Spirits, Events, Charity

Yesterday Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, paid a visit to the home of his favorite Scotch whisky, the Laphroaig distillery on Islay. Laphroaig, established in 1815, is one of the richest, smokiest single malts and one of the very best Scotches ever produced. It holds a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales, which he confirmed while there, and bears his heraldic three-feather badge on its label. The kilt-clad Charles and Camilla - who are known as by their local title, the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, while traveling in Scotland - toured the distillery, learned about (and leant a hand in) its production and nosed whiskies of different ages. The Prince also signed two barrels of maturing spirit and an ultra-rare 40-year-old bottle of Laphroaig, one of only a handful left in the world, all to be auctioned off for charity. The 40-year-old was worth about $5,000 before he applied the royal signature. The proceeds from the auctions will go to the charities of Charles' choice.

Gallery: Prince Charles & Laphroaig

Will Scotland Be The Home of the Grape?

Posted Jun 3rd 2008 7:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits, Wine

Will Scotland's national drink end up being wine in 70 years? Global warming and the resulting rising temperatures may make barley and wheat necessary for whisky harder to grow. But Professor Richard Selley, of Imperial College London says that just a couple of degrees in average temperature could mean that Scotland's green expanses could support vines. Someday we could all be sipping the Loch Ness Chardonnay. But what is good news for wine does have the whisky industry if not worried then at least aware of the potential challenges for making their product in the future. The whisky makers are already looking for ways to expand production in the face of increasing demand from India and China and with a fairly limited growing area already we could see whisky prices go up dramatically over the next few years.

Compass Box Whisky's New Hedonism Scotch

Posted May 30th 2008 4:02PM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Spirits

Just in time for Father's Day, artisanal British spirits company Compass Box has released a new limited edition bottling of its rare old "Hedonism" Scotch grain whisky. Compass Box calls Scotch grain whisky the "forgotten" spirit. Its origins go back to the early 1800s, but these days it's not made to be drunk on its own. Made from wheat or corn and distilled in a continuous still, it's not aged like malt, but rather used to as a base for the marquee brands of blended Scotch - filler, in other words.

However, the company notes, "good Scotch grain whisky aged for a lengthy time in good quality American oak casks [is] another matter altogether." When done right these whiskies can develop richly textured flavors of vanilla and toffee. The Scotch grain whisky that goes into Hedonism is on average 20 years old, and a bottle costs about $100. The new bottling joins Compass Box's critically acclaimed range, including smoky Peat Monster, woody Oak Cross, bold Flaming Heart and more.

[via Kempt]

Gallery: Compass Box Whisky

The Ultimate $500,000 Scottish Sojourn

Posted May 28th 2008 4:03PM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Journeys, Spirits, Sports

The other day my colleague Deidre Woollard reported on Chivas Regal's luxurious Father's Day travel package, which costs $117,000. If you prefer single malt Scotch and you're looking for something a little more over-the-top - and you have $500,000 to spend on dear old dad - Scotland's preeminent luxury travel agency Dream Escape has partnered with Classic Malts Selection, the prestigious portfolio of single malts, to create the Ultimate Scotland Experience.

The six-day journey for five guests begins with a private jet trip to the exclusive Myres Castle in Fife, followed by a lavish dinner featuring select single malt whiskies from the Classic Malts Selection, like Talisker, Oban, Cragganmore and Dalwhinnie. Day two kicks off with golf at the famed St. Andrews. Day three includes a helicopter ride to Islay, home of our favorite smoky single malts. Day four features a trip to the Isle of Skye. Day five finds you at the magnificent Corrour Lodge nestled in the Scottish Highlands. Day six kicks off with a drive through the dramatic landscape in your choice of a Ferrari, Aston Martin or Lamborghini (as pictured above).

The festivities culminate in the ultimate food and whisky pairing dinner prepared by three of the country's best chefs. Then it's back home via private jet. Contact Dream Escape's David Tobin at ultimatescotland@dreamescape.co.uk for booking info.

Gallery: Ultimate Scotland Trip

Chivas Regal's Ultimate Father's Day Trip

Posted May 24th 2008 9:02AM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Journeys, Spirits

Whiskymaker Chivas Regal has created a luxurious Father's Day travel package. The trip for two includes a stay at an invitation-only, private mansion with a full-service staff; privately prepared meals from one of Scotland's most acclaimed chefs; a round of golf at the world-famous St. Andrew's Links; first class air and helicopter transport; a bespoke kilt and a family crest consultation; as well as a butler to oversee that the pair receives impeccable service throughout their trip. The gift recipient and guest will have dinner with The Duke of Argyll at his home, Inveraray Castle and receive a VIP tour of the castle. Another feature of the trip is the chance to learn to create a customized blended Scotch whisky with guidance from Chivas Regal's Master Blender, Colin Scott. Guests will have access to Chivas Brothers' stocks, including five days of specialized whisky tastings where guests will have the opportunity to sample never-before tasted whiskies.

After the guests return home they will receive their custom kilts and two bottles of the prestigious Chivas Regal 25-Year-Old Scotch Whisky, one of which will be presented in a special case designed by Viscount David Linley, the son of Princess Margaret. The trip can be reserved by contacting Travelcorp International at 225-231-4735 until June 16th, 2008. The Ultimate Father's Day Trip can be redeemed on August 3rd – 8th or August 31st – September 5th due to very limited availability and costs $117,650, which includes airfare, transportation, lodging, all meals, a round of golf, blending class, tour of Inveraray Castle, two bespoke kilts, a custom family crest, two bottles of Chivas Regal 25-Year-Old and a luxury case.

The Scotland Power Trip

Posted May 5th 2008 2:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Journeys

Ah, Scotland, a land of rolling hills, craggy shorelines and legendary history. A new Scottish travel company called Dream Escape is dedicated making the most of Scotland's finer qualities. They are offering the Scotland Power Trip, a two-week adventure for a a couple. The trip includes private chauffeur transfers, touring in a helicopter and 'Spyker C8 Spyder' classic car, helicopter tour of Scottish Highlands, a rare whisky tasting and Islay island distillery tour, a yacht tour around the Western Isles, a one-on-one cooking demonstration at award-winning Kinloch Lodge on Skye with renowned chef Lady Claire MacDonald, private, off-hours tours of Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Yacht Britannia and accommodations at premier golf resort Gleneagles, the palatial Queens Suite at Inverlochy Castle, and the infamous Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh. This once-in-a-lifetime experience costs $100,000.

Gallery: The Scotland Power Trip

Highland Park Launches 40-Year-Old Single Malt

Posted May 2nd 2008 12:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits

Scotch whisky is getting more and more popular.The Scotch Whisky Association has reported that the value of exports reached a new high of £2.8b billion last year. With the rise in exports comes the demand for more and more premium bottles inspiring whisky distillers to create more and more expensive bottles. Case in point, the latest from Highland Park, a 40-year-old single malt whisky which is the oldest in their portfolio. The whisky is described as a "a balance of toffee, dark chocolate, orange zest and heather peat smokiness" and comes in an oak stained wood box with a leather booklet explaining the history of the brand. The whisky will sell for £899 per bottle. Hopefully this whisky won't get lost in transit like some of their 32-year-old single malt recently did.

The Growing Controversy Over Blended Scotch Whisky

Posted Apr 4th 2008 12:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits

The scotch whisky industry is up in arms about proposals prepared for the Government by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) which say that a "blended malt" category will help consumers know what they are buying (a story we first covered back in December). Distillers and producers say that this wording change will confuse the consumer and lead to a homogenized vertical in which a few large brands hold prominence.

The Scotsman has an article on the subject that quotes producers such as John Glaser, the director of specialist Scotch whisky maker Compass Box, who says that he fears the new labeling will cause consumer confusion and then lead to a lack of product sales. For whisky producers one of the biggest concerns is protecting their biggest emerging markets, Asia and India. The term "blended malt whisky" may confuse consumer or make them feel that they are getting an inferior product.

Mark Reynier, owner of Islay's Bruichladdich distillery, said that under the new proposals, a "blended single malt" of Lagavulin could be any whisky with only a dash of Lagavulin thrown in thereby keeping its association with Lagavulin. This could fool some into thinking they were getting a Lagavulin single malt, when they were getting a whisky with just a splash of Lagavulin added in.

On the other hand, the SWA hopes that the new regulations will protect the industry in the long run by setting up strict legal definitions of Scotch whisky. They say they have the support of the majority of the industry and believe that the legislation will lead to clear, consistent and accurate product information and prevent the deceptive practices that undermine consumer confidence in Scotch whisky.

The Scotch Blog features an open letter from John Glaser that includes a link to a petition to the SWA against the idea of the "blended malt" moniker.

Thistle & Broom Talisman Golf Ball Markers

Posted Mar 15th 2008 4:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Sports

Out of the many companies making golf ball markers, Thistle & Broom, Scotland's luxury goods producer, might have the most natural right to do so since. Their new Talisman ball marker is named after the Scottish golf course located in the geographical region in which the semi-precious stone used for the market was found. The markers come in 18K gold or sterling silver bezels. The Talisman range currently includes: the Royal Dornach in deep purple amethyst, branched moss agate chosen for Carnoustie, smoky Cairngorms for Speyside's Boat of Garten, grey and pale pink East Sands banded agates for St. Andrew's, mulberry jasper for Loch Lomond and a mustard and persimmon Burn Anne agate for Turnberry. These are some of the most simple and beautiful ball markers I've seen out there.

Jerry O'Connell and the Drambuie Pursuit

Posted Mar 9th 2008 10:02AM by Deidre Woollard

If your wife has a popular TV show and a busy film career and your own show just got canceled it might just be time to take yourself on an adventure. At least that's what I imagine was Jerry O'Connell's thought process in signing up for the 2008 Drambuie Pursuit. The liqueur company sponsors an interesting competition, a two-day adventure race of ten teams in the Scottish Highlands. It is supposed to symbolize the voyage of Bonnie Prince Charlie for whom the Drambuie elixir was created in 1745. After attempting to take over the British throne, he fled Scotland. The Drambuie Pursuit takes place in April 2008 and includes an archery contest on the first day and then a second day that includes kayaking, a castle run, boating, mountain biking, rock-climbing, rafting, cross-country biking, off-road buggy racing and canoeing. Jerry O'Connell and his three teammates will compete in the 100-mile race across Scotland against the other nine teams who all won contests in various magazine websites including Men's Journal and Penthouse, to be there. It looks like the only thing the winning team wins is honor and the chance to defend the title in the 2009 contest.

Old Scotch Distillery To Be Sold, Reopened

Posted Jan 2nd 2008 8:02AM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits

One of Scotland's oldest distilleries may be reopened after being closed for more than 20 years. The Glenglassaugh distillery at Portsoy in Banffshire is part of the Edrington Group, which includes The Macallan, Famous Grouse and Highland Park. They are reportedly selling to a consortium of buyers from Eastern Europe for as much as £3 million. The distillery, was founded in 1875 and closed since 1986. ScotchWhisky.net has pictures of the distillery including the gleaming copper stills.

Trump's Scottish Golf Course Gets The Thumbs Down

Posted Dec 1st 2007 8:02AM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Journeys

It's a bad week for Donald Trump, a Scottish council has rejected a plan from the Trumpster to build a $1 billion golf course and resort complex in idyllic seaside area north of Aberdeen. Trump's losing out to the birds, rare birds which make their home in the sandy dunes of the coastal area. Opponents of the development said that the development would damage the habitat of the Lapwings, Redshanks and Skylarks. Proponents of the plans said that the new development would be a big boost to the local economy. The Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Committee battled for hours over Trump's plans before finally rejecting them. This news was particularly shocking to Trump since the council's Formartine area committee approved the golf course in a 7-4 vote last week. This latest vote (pardon the pun) trumps the first one. It is not known yet whether Trump will appeal the vote or if he will simply move on to create his golfing dream in another European country. The project was to have two 18-hole courses, a 450-bedroom hotel, 950 vacation homes, 36 golf villas and 500 larger homes.

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