whiskey

Johnnie Walker XR 21-Year Old at Duty Free

Filed under: Spirits

Diageo Global Travel and Middle East has launched a 21-year old Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky exclusively, for now, at Indira Gandhi International airport's newly opened Terminal 3.

Johnnie Walker XR 21 YO is an exclusive blend inspired by the handwritten notes of Sir Alexander Walker, the grandson of founder Johnnie Walker. Sourced from the exclusive reserve of aged casks, including those of the now silent Brora distillery, the whisky has been allowed to age for twenty-one years, achieving a smooth, deep blend - the depth and intensity of aged oak, the subtle notes of vanilla, the sweet hint of golden honey and a very smooth finish. Each bottle is uniquely numbered and sells for $105.00 U.S.

Diageo is quiet for now about a broader release.

Tags: Brora scotch, Johnnie Walker, Johnnie Walker travel retail, Johnnie walker XR, whiskey, whisky

The Dalmore Offers Enthusiasts Bespoke Whisky Experience

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Highlands Scotch distiller The Dalmore is offering less than 1300 people across the world the chance to create their own one-of-a-kind luxury whisky.

The first 1263 people that sign up to the brand's new website will be offered the opportunity to purchase a "Custodian" special edition whisky from the distiller. The program allows the buyers to select spirit hat was first set to cask at the turn of the Millennium, and will then decide when they want their whisky bottled - 2012, 2015 or 2018. The buyers will then choose from two different wood finishes, or "finesse," chosen by master distiller Richard Paterson.

"The wood and the age determine the final flavour and it's that personal choice that will make it distinct form anything else on the market," says Paterson.

Cost? Buyers will pay between $80 and $242 per bottle depending on the age and finish chosen.

The Dalmore is one of the most critically acclaimed distilleries in the world, and Paterson is the craftsman who created The Dalmore $100,000 whisky.

In addition to getting a bespoke bottle of Dalmore whisky numbered and signed by Richard Paterson, the 1263 buyers will have their names etched on the walls of the distillery when the new $1.4 million visitor center opens next year.

Tags: bespoke scotch, richard paterson, Scotch gift, The Dalmore, The Dalmore Custodian Experience, whiskey, whisky

Warm Up with Kellan Irish Whiskey

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

In cooler weather we often turn to whiskey and brandy to help keep us warm. Kellan Irish Whiskey is a relatively new and delectable addition to the U.S. market, so far only available in a handful of states but rapidly gaining ground.

Kellan is a unique blend of malt and grain Irish whiskey, double distilled and aged over four years in American oak barrels previously used to mature bourbon, a common practice with Scotch whisky but relatively rare with Irish blends, which can lack fullness as a result.

The double distillation method helps maintain the natural flavor of Kellan's raw ingredients, while the bourbon barrels help impart a rich character resulting a full-bodied Irish blended whiskey that has a smooth malty and sweet start, with a perfect balance ending in a tingle of honey citrus fruit.

Kellan is produced at the Cooley Distillery, one of the only three distilleries in Ireland, and the only independent distillery in the country. Cooley was recently honored with the prestigious title of World and European Distiller of the Year at the 2008 International Wine and Spirits Competition Awards.

Tags: brandy, Cooley Distillery, distillery, Ireland, Irish whiskey, Kellan Irish Whiskey, UK, whiskey, whisky

Moonshine Tasting at the Standard Hotel

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

This week at The Standard Hotel in NYC's Meatpacking District, Moonshine, an eight-week-old brand of clear corn whiskey from a new company called Stillhouse, hosted a tasting for a select group of spirits journalists, led by CEO and co-founder of Stillhouse Brad Beckerman.

Moonshine is an interesting liquor. It's made in small batches in Virginia in a Prohibition-era copper pot still from 100% corn, the traditional ingredient used by both the Native Americans and by bootleggers during Prohibition, and unlike most whiskeys, it isn't aged. Frankly, to the Moonshine folks, the shorter the time between the still and the shelf, the better.

The flavor is highly unusual. Far from the eye-watering "moonshines" you may have tasted in the past (or that vodka your college friend made in the bathtub), the flavor is smooth and well-rounded, and you can definitely taste the corn. The closest thing I can compare it to is the flavor of fresh rum right out of the still -- perhaps because corn has natural sugar -- but it's far, far more palatable. In fact, for an 80 proof unaged liquor, I would say it's an exceptionally well-developed spirit.

Gallery: Moonshine Tasting at the Standard Hotel, NYC

Tags: absinthe, bootleg, cocktails, moonshine, new spirits, spirits, whiskey

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Forty Creek Launches Confederation Oak

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Anyone who has tried Forty Creek Canadian Whisky knows that a distillery doesn't have to be decades old to produce a fine product.

In business only ten years, and already impressing critics with a Barrel Select, the Ontario distillery has just released a new expression, Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve Whisky.

The name comes from the fact that owner John Hall, who also produces Kittling Ridge Wines, aged his whiskey in barrels made from Canadian white oak trees about 150 years old--dating back to Canada's structure as a confederation. "As a proud Canadian whisky maker, I have always been curious what a Canadian whisky would taste like aged in a Canadian oak barrel, because most Canadian whiskies are aged in American oak," says Hall.

Each bottle will be numbered, and 16,800 are being released.

The nose on this whisky is maple-raisin-vanilla-fig, progressing to praline, banana, butter cream, honeyed nuts, marzipan, spice and orange blossoms. It is full-bodied on the tongue, with vanilla, butter cream and pepper spice. A long lingering finish with fading spice and white pepper.

Price: About $69.95 (Canadian) for a 750-mL bottle.

Tags: Canadian Whisky, Forty Creek, whiskey, whisky

Bunnahabhain Launches 30-Year Old 1980 Vintage

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Single malts from Islay – like Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin or Bowmore – are known for their heavily peated, smokey flavor. Bunnahabhain stands apart with a gentler taste, and now the island distillery has launched an exclusive new edition.

The Bunnahabhain 1980 Vintage has been aged at the distillery's seaside warehouses on the North East side of Islay for the past three decades, imparting it with a creamy, silky taste. It's been bottled after 30 years at a cask strength of 45.4%, non-chill-filtered, with no color added (many distilleries add caramel) and otherwise completely unadulturated.

Only 357 individually-numbered bottles have been filled. Each comes with unique gold-foil labeling in an un-dyed leather case that promises to age with time, accompanied by a branded quaich (a traditional Scottish serving dish) and special parchment in a glass tube.

Source

Tags: bunnahabhain, Bunnahabhain 1980 Vintage, Bunnahabhain 30, islay, scotch, single malt, whiskey, whisky

Glenfyne Single-Malt Expected to Fetch £10,000

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

A rare malt whisky from a distillery that closed more than 70 years ago is expected to fetch up to £10,000.

The Glamis ten-year-old 20th century single malt was distilled and bottled by The Glenfyne Distillery Co. Ltd., on Ardrishaig in Scotland.

The distillery operated for more than 100 years before it closed in 1937, and the bottle was imported into the USA by Greig, Lawrence and Hoyt Limited, of New York. In addition to the Glenfyne Distillery crest embossed on top, it also bears an American tax strip and carries the words "Federal Law Forbids Sale or Re-use of This Bottle" on the shoulder.

It is the star item in Bonhams' whisky sale in Edinburgh on November 17.

Tags: BonhamsAuction, glamis, Glenfyne Distillery, malt whisky, whiskey, whisky

Compass Box Releases Tenth Anniversary Special Edition

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Compass Box president John Glaser is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the brand with a new expression called Flaming Heart blend.

For Flaming Heart, Glaser says he sought to create an unusual balance among sweet, peat and spice that he'd found in an early Compass Box limited edition he called Eleuthera. "Eleuthera was this lovely balance of sweet and and fruity, with spice and peat," he said, while drawing the comparison.

Compass Box's 10th Anniversary Flaming Heart malt Scotch whisky is being produced in a limited release of 4,000 bottles (1,800 available in the U.S.). It should be available at better whisky shops in the major U.S. markets, as well as abroad by October 25.

Compass Box is a blender, not a distiller. The company offers five "base" labels--Asyla (malt and grain blend), Oak Cross (10- to 12-year-old Highland single malts), The Peat Monster (10- to 16-year Islay, south shore and Ardmore blend), The Spice Tree (10- and 12-year Highland blend), and Hedonism (12- to 28-year whiskies).

Flaming Heart is made from single malt whiskies from six distilleries located in the northern Highlands and Islands. Primarily whiskies from distilleries located in the villages of Brora (Highlands), Port Askaig (Islay) and the Isle of Mull (Islands), 40% was aged in refill American oak, while 31% was aged in first-fill American oak and 29% in new French oak.

Tags: alcohol, Compass Box, Compass Box Peat Monster, flaming heart, liquor, whiskey, whisky

New Spirit: The Balvenie 17 Year Peated Cask

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Speyside Scotch distillery The Balvenie has released a new limited edition expression, a 17-year old that is finished in a peated Islay cask. This is not the first time that the Balvenie have dabbled in peat. A previous limited edition, Islay Cask, sold out fast and is considered a collectible, selling well North of $200 in the secondary market.

Balvenie Peated Cask, $130.00, is comprised of a marriage of 17-year old Balvenie finished in new oak and 17-year old finished in casks that had previously held an unreleased experimental heavily-peated Balvenie distilled in 2001.

The nose on this expression is honeyed malt, which is The Balvenie's signature, soft oak dried apricots, orange liqueur, with some wood smoke notes chasing the fruit. The smoke is more pronounced on the tongue: indeed it overshadows the fruit. There is a saltiness in the finish typical of Laphroaig.

As Islay malts have grown in popularity, some of the Speyside and Highland distilleries, that generally do not malt their barley with peat, have been playing around with peat finishing to broaden their portfolios.

The Balvenie 17 is interesting, but not as pleasing, I think, as its core expressions. If you want peat, buy an Islay malt I say.

Tags: alcohol, Islay malts, Laphroaig, peated whisky, The Balvenie, The Balvenie 17 year-old peated cask, whiskey, whisky, whisky tasting

Piaget Limelight 'True' Cocktail Rings

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

I am not a woman, nor do I wear rings, but I will be the first to admit these are very cool. They are so cool, I think most people will almost forget these are high-end luxury goods. From the Limelight collection by Piaget, these are a new line of cocktail rings that actually look like real cocktail drinks. And I've always wondered why they were called cocktail rings... These rings are very fun and well designed. Piaget did an excellent job replicating the look of popular cocktail drinks in jewelry.

There are six rings in this particular Limelight collection, each has a name of a drink. Seen here is the Piaget Limelight Cocktail Mojito ring. It is in 18k white gold with 182 diamonds (1.52 carats). The "drink" itself is a 24 carat cushion-cut green tourmaline, with a 3 carat citrine stone cut to look like a lime - covered with a white gold and tsavorite "peel.' The "mint leaves" are emeralds. Stunning and so creative!

Other rings in the collection are equally nice and use stones and gold applicable to the look of the drink. In addition the Limelight Cocktail Mojito, there is also the Whiskey on the Rocks, Cosmopolitan, White Tonic, Blue Ocean, and Blueberry Daiquiri. Truly charming - and will not be cheap.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Piaget Limelight Cocktail Rings

Tags: blue ocean, cocktail, cosmopolitan, daiquiri, G34LP200, G34LP300, G34LP400, G34LP500, G34LP700, G34LP800, jewelry, limelight, mojito, piaget, ring, rings, tonic, whiskey

The Glenlivet Celebrates Expansion with new Founders Reserve

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Over the course of the summer, The Glenlivet underwent a £10 million expansion of its highland distillery. The project was overseen by its new Master Distiller Alan Winchester and which promises to help the distillery remain the top-selling single malt in the United States, to say nothing of its market domination overseas.

None less prominent a figure than Charles Prince of Wales was on hand together with the parent company executives to dedicate the new facility. Fortunately the 184-year-old distillery isn't about to keep the celebrations to itself though: to commemorate the expansion, The Glenlivet has released a new bottling called the Founders Reserve.

With a rich citrus nose and palate of clementines, caramel, cinnamon and raisins, the Founders Reserve will be available in strictly limited quantities at $375 per 750ml bottle.

[Source: WDJK]

Source

Tags: alcohol, founders reserve, glenlivet, glenlivet founders reserve, spirits, the glen livet, the glenlivet, whiskey, whisky

Mt. Vernon Adds Peach Brandy To Rye. Sells Rye for $25K at Auction

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Auctions

George Washington was not only the first President, "Father of our Country" and hero of the American Revolution, he was also a passionate distiller of rye whiskey and brandy.

At a reconstructed distillery [pictured] at Washington's estate, Mt. Vernon, there has been an effort to recreate both the rye and peach brandy that Washington made, sold, consumed, served and gifted to common folk as well as luminaries of his day.

Last summer, Mt. Vernon sold a limited edition of 470 bottles of the recreated rye whiskey. The bottles sold out in two hours at $85 each. And earlier this month, bottles #1 and #2 sold as a pair at auction for $25,000 to, ironically, an anonymous U.K. buyer.

But this month saw industry craftsman and leaders gather at Mt. Vernon to see if they could recreate a peach brandy that was as close to Washington's own recipe as they think possible. There is no written recipe for Washington's brandy, but the hope is that by distilling it in a still that is a close replica of the first President's and from juice from the local peaches Washington would have used, the "spirit" of the brandy will be close to what it was 240 years ago.

Tags: brandy, George Washingtons Rye, Mount Vernon, Mt. Vernon, Peach Brandy, rye, rye whiskey, Washington Peach Brandy, whiskey, whisky

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Woodford Reserve Master's Collection - Maple Wood Finish

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Woodford Reserve has announced the release of Maple Wood Finish, the latest entry in its exclusive Masters Collection put together by Master Distiller Chris Morris. The new expression (as previewed on Luxist) is one of the most unique Master's Collection offerings to date as it is the industry's first bourbon to be finish aged in barrels made from sugar maple wood.

Though it was thought that whiskey barrels could not be crafted from sugar maple wood, the Brown-Forman Cooperage accomplished the feat, creating a toasted instead of charred barrel. The result is a smooth, elegant whiskey enhanced with hints of maple, honey and cinnamon.

Maple Wood Finish is the fifth in the Woodford Reserve Master's Collection series following the Four Grain, Sonoma-Cutrer Finish, Sweet Mash and Seasoned Oak offerings. Released periodically at the master distiller's discretion, the Master's Collection whiskeys are extremely limited in quantity and bottled only once in a proprietary package inspired by the copper pot stills of The Woodford Reserve Distillery.

The inspiration for the Master's Collection is rooted in the distillery's rich history and tradition. In the mid-1800s distillery owner Oscar Pepper and Master Distiller James Crow studied and recommended use of key processes like sour mashing and charred barrel maturation at Kentucky's historic Woodford County distillery.

These practices are still maintained in the bourbon industry and, today, the distillery receives more than 100,000 visitors annually and is the only one in America to triple-distill bourbon in copper pot stills. The Maple Wood Finish will go on sale throughout the United States on Nov. 1 in limited quantities with a suggested retail price of $89.99.

Tags: bourbon, Brown-Forman, distillery, Kentucky, whiskey, whisky, Woodford Reserve

Knob Creek Warms Up for the Holidays

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Spirits

Knob Creek, the super premium small batch bourbon that's aged for nine years in charred American white oak barrels and bottled at a robust 100 proof, is gearing up for the cooler weather with some recipes for giving both food and drink a Kentucky-style kick in the pants this holiday season. Knob Creek, with its smooth, sweet and rich flavor and signature maple sugar aroma, makes a great accompaniment to many festivities on its own but also works well as an ingredient in everything from hors d'oeuvres to Thanksgiving turkey. Read on for some key recipes:

Knob Creek Bourbon Egg Nog

½ cup Knob Creek Bourbon
6 large egg yolks
¾ cup sugar
2 ½ cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Beat egg yolks and sugar in medium saucepan. Slowly beat in 2 cups of milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring
frequently, until thermometer registers 150°F or mixture coats the back of the metal spoon. Remove from heat.
Strain into pitcher. Stir in remaining milk, Knob Creek Bourbon, vanilla and nutmeg. Cover and chill at least 8 hours.
Sprinkle with additional nutmeg.
Makes 6-8 servings.

Knob Creek Holiday Punch

3 parts Knob Creek Bourbon
3 parts cranberry juice
4 parts lemon-lime soda
1 part fresh lemon or lime juice
dash bitters
6 parts champagne
ice block
orange and lemon slices

Pre-chill ingredients. Pour into a punch bowl over a large piece of ice, adding champagne last.
Decorate with slices of lemon and orange. [continued]

Tags: bourbon, cocktail recipes, cocktails, holiday 2010, holidays, Kentucky, Knob Creek, mixology, spirits, Thanksgiving, whiskey, whisky

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Johnnie Walker Double Black Going Global

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Spirits giant Diageo says it will launch its Johnnie Walker Double Black beyond the travel retail channel next year, broadening the Johnnie Walker lineup for consumers worldwide.

Double Black, which has extra smoky flavor than Johnnie Walker Black, was launched last January in six airport duty-free channels. It was well received, and was then made available globally in travel retail.

But response to Double Black, which costs about 20% more than Black, has been so positive that the company has geared up to distribute globally starting in March 2011.

The whisky was created by taking Black as a blueprint and adding heavily peated malts and aging some of the whisky in deeply charred oak casks. There is no age statement.

The move is being made to counter some of the growing interest in Islay single malts such as Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin.

Tags: Ardbeg, Johnnie Walker, Johnnie Walkr Double Black, Lagavullin, Laphroaig, peated whiskies, whiskey, whisky

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