whisky

Whiksypedia Boasts Listings of the World's Best Vintages

Filed under: Spirits

Want to impress your friends with your sophisticated knowledge of "cask strength" or the difference between "wood finished" and "sherry finished?" Are you already a lover of fine whisky looking for a handbook to guide you to your next favorite bottle? Then your new best friend should be Charles MacLean. The perfect stocking stuffer is his eighth work, a bar-sized new book, Whiskypedia.

MacLean isn't just a connoisseur - he's practically an industry legend, awarded the was elected a Keeper of Quaich, the industry's highest accolade as well as a guest lecturer at the Smithsonian Institution.

Whiskypedia, explores the flavor and character of every malt whisky distilled in Scotland. Although legend once had it that the unique characteristics of individual types of whisky were derived from mystical sources, MacLean goes into in-depth detail of the specific customs and equipment used in each distillery.

Tags: charles maclean, spirits, whisky, whiskypedia

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The Dalmore Aurora in Time For Christmas

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

The Dalmore Aurora, 45-year old whisky expression has been making its way to the better whisky purveyors around the world in time for collectors and extra special holiday gift giving.

The super-premium collectible, priced at £3500, or $5,537.00 is named after the Aurora Borealis, a natural phenomenon also known as the Northern Lights. The whisky was put into a Oloroso sherry butt on 29 April 1964. Having aged for 46 years, it was was selected for this special bottling. There are only 200 decanters released at 45% ABV.

Taste notes: Honeyed pear, banana and passion fruit. Blood oranges, figs, marmalade and coffee notes are also very present, typical of long aging in sherry casks. The color is dark amber.

Tags: Single-malt scotch, The Dalmore, The Dalmore Aurora, whisky, Whisky Gifts

The $1.5 Million Macallan Ultimate Single Malt Experience

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

If you missed out on the world's most expensive bottle of whisky – the 64-year-old Macallan in Lalique Cire Perdue which was just auctioned off at Sotheby's for a record breaking $460,000 – not to worry: for $1.5 million you can make that look like a mere bagatelle. Glossy chronicle of the filthy rich Robb Report is offering the ultimate single malt experience in conjunction with The Macallan as part of this year's Ultimate Gifts offerings, featuring a journey to the the Macallan estate in Scotland to select eight extremely rare single malt Macallan whiskies barreled during each of the last eight decades for your personal collection. The experience begins with a first-class flight to Paris and a two-night stay in the Presidential Suite at the ultra-luxe Four Seasons George V, during which you'll take a chauffeured Bentley to meet with the crystal artisans at Lalique to create the custom decanters that will house the whiskies.

A private jet and helicopter will then take you to the Macallan estate for a two-day consultation to select the whiskies from barrels dating back to the 1930s. Once the decanters are completed they'll be filled with the precious elixir and delivered in a bespoke cabinet from royal furniture maker Viscount David Linley. David Cox, Macallan's director of fine and rare whiskies, calls it nothing short of "a liquid history of Macallan," noting, "You'll be drinking whiskies distilled by The Macallan before the Second World War, each with quite a distinctive style."

Tags: Bentley, David Linley, Four Seasons George V, gifts, Holiday 2010, Lalique, Macallan, Paris, private jet, Robb Report, Scotland, single malt, The Macallan, whisky

Win A Chance To Be A Glenrothes Whisky Master

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

This fall, Berry Brothers & Rudd, makers of the Glenrothes single malt Scotch whisky, are offering a unique contest. Four Scotch aficionados will win the chance to work as an official Glenrothes Whisky Maker for a week at the distillery in Speyside, Scotland. The winners will be selected from entrants from around the world and will be hosted by Ronnie Cox, Keeper of the Quaich and The Glenrothes Brand Heritage Director, and The Glenrothes Malt Master, Gordon Motion.

This is a hands-on adventure: participants will do everything from testing the fresh water source that runs alongside the distillery, to milling, mashing, fermenting and distillation. And they'll enjoy some of the more fun parts too including laying down casks for maturation, nosing whisky from maturing casks and selecting exceptional casks to be bottled as The Glenrothes single malt whisky. Each winner will produce their own selection of The Glenrothes, labeled with their own hand-written tasting notes. The adventure also includes a stay at Rothes House, the brand's accommodation for visiting friends and opportunities to take in the Highland flavor, fishing in the local streams, dining in the local Highland restaurants and picnicking in the hills surrounding the distillery. The final day will be spent in Edinburgh with overnight accommodations at The Scotsman Hotel and dinner with legendary Scotch expert, Charlie MacLean.

Entries must be received by January 31, 2011 and the trip will commence on May 8, 2011, lasting for seven nights, ending May 14, 2011. Four winners will be chosen by an independent judging panel. To enter head over to the Glenrothes site and plead your case.

Tags: glenrothes, scotch whisky, Single malt whisky, Speyside whisky, the glenrothes, whisky

Glenfiddich Launches the Snow Phoenix Single Malt

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Glenfiddich Launches the Snow Phoenix Single Malt

The legendary Phoenix rose from the ashes. This particular Phoenix, however, rose from the snow.

Last winter record snowfalls in Scotland blanketed much of the Highland region along the river Spey. The snow covered many of the warehouses where scotch whisky is aged, and even brought down the roofs on several. Distillery workers were left clamoring to dig out the barrles and find alternative housing for them on short notice, but Glenfiddich took advantage of the conditions to create a unique single malt.

Called the Snow Phoenix, the special bottling marries cask-strength, non-chillfiltered casks of various ages and finishes to create a unique malt with tasting notes of apples, pears and honey. A strictly limited quantity of bottles will hit select markets and duty-free shops around the world at $89.99 per 75cl bottle.

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Tags: glenfiddich, glenfiddich snow phoenix, phoenix, scotch, single malt, single malt scotch whisky, snow phoenix, whisky

Lion's Pride Whiskey First Chicago Distilled Since Prohibition

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

The first whiskey legally produced in Chicago since Prohibition will be available just in Midway this year, but it will get distribution beyond Illinois in the New Year.

Launched November 6, Lion's Pride Organic Whiskey, distilled at Koval Distillery in Ravenswood, comes in four single-grain expressions: rye, oat, dark rye and dark oat. Price is $48.00 for a 750 ml bottle.

Named in honor of Lion Birnecker, the son of Koval's owners Sonat and Robert Birnecker, Lion's Pride joins a line of vodka, liqueurs and other spirits made in the Birneckers' copper still.

Tags: alcohol, Lions Pride whiskey, liquor, organic, organic liquor, organic whiskey, rye whiskey, whiskey, whisky

Fortune Brands Breakup Would Put Premium Spirits Brands In Play

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Activist investor Bill Ackman has been given a four-week deadline to propose changes to the board of Fortune Brands, the company that is parent to Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Laphroaig and Courvosier, as well as Pinnacle and Scotty Cameron golf equipment, which could lead to the break-up of the conglomerate.

Since disclosing his holding last month, Mr Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, has kept quiet about his plans. However, his record suggests he wants Fortune's board to explore breaking up its stable of consumer brands starting with its spirits business, which includes Jim Beam whiskey and that distillery's small-batch Bourbon brands, and Courvoisier cognac.

Ackman holds an 11% stake in the company, which has always been viewed as an odd throw-back type conglomerate of disassociated businesses. Besides the spirits brands, and golf equipment, Fortune also operates home and home-security businesses and brands such as Moen, Masterlock, as well as kitchen cabinet brands.

In the past month, Ackman has held talks with Fortune's management about its corporate structure, shareholder value, etc. Ackman has four weeks to file a slate of his own candidates for the company's board to be voted on at the general meeting in April.

The most obvious buyers of FB's liquor businesses are drinks giants Diageo and Pernod Ricard of France. Gruppo Campari, which owns Wild Turkey and other brands, also could be interested in acquiring some of the brands. Bacardi would also be a factor in bidding. It is possible that Fortune Brands spirits brands would go to different companies, each looking for its own strategic additions.

Fortune's other brands include Cruzan Rum, Canadian Club, Effen Vodka, Ardmore single-malt, Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry, Teacher's Scotch Whiskey and DeKuyper spirits.

Fortune Brands shares are trading around $60.00, up more than 10% since October 7, and up from its 52-week low of $37.05

Tags: alcohol, Bill Ackman, bourbon, Courvosier, Fortune Brands, Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Laphroaig, Makers Mark, Masterlock, Moen, Pinnacle, scotty cameron, spirits, whiskey, whisky

Win a Year's Supply of Whisky From Master of Malt

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Master of Malt has launched a Golden Dram Competition in which five winners will receive a year's supply of whisky from the world's greatest distilleries.

The competition was launched to celebrate the release of Master of Malt's dram sets - 24 different tasting sets showcasing the world's finest spirits. Each set includes five labeled, wax-dipped samples, specially selected by the Master of Malt tasting team. There is a wide range of sets to choose from including an Old and Rare WhiskyTasting Set, a Regions of Scotland, a Super Peaty Whisky Tasting Set, and many more.

Golden Drams have been hidden in five lucky tasting sets, and if you find a golden dram before the end of November, you win a free Gold Membership (RRP £499.95) into Master of Malt's Dram Club. Gold members receive a year's supply of whisky, with 10 drams every month.

There are three different membership options:

Bronze Dram Club Membership (£84.95) includes:A 5 dram box-set every three months; Two Glencairn tasting glasses.

Silver Dram Club Membership (£249.95) includes: 5 new whiskies to try every month; Two Glencairn tasting glasses.

Gold Dram Club Membership (£499.95) includes: 10 new and exciting drams every month (a year's supply of whisky); Two Glencairn tasting glasses.

Tags: Master of Malt, whiskey, whisky, whisky Gifts

WhistlePig 100% Rye Whiskey

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

WhistlePig Farm Distillery, a Vermont-based distillery, has launched WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey, a new 100 proof whiskey made of rye grain.

The whiskey is hand selected by Dave Pickerell, master distiller at this Vermont distillery. WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey retails at a suggested price of $69.99 for a 750ml bottle. That runs higher than most Rye on the market. Rittenhouse, for example, retails for $19.99 in most outlets. Ri(1) retails for about $48.00.

WhistlePig is already being served at several New York restaurants like Blue Hill, Pastis, Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park and The Standard Hotel.

WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey, aged in new American oak barrels for a minimum of 10 years, is hand bottled in Vermont's Champlain Valley at WhistlePig Farm. The whiskey is available in California, Illinois, New York and other select markets. Unlike many rye whiskies, WhistlePig is 100% rye and is bottled at 100 proof, making this a perfect choice for cocktails.

On the nose, WhistlePig offers nice wood notes from the oak casks, with hints of vanilla and caramel. Notes of dried orange peel, cinnamon, allspice and clove also appear, hinting at the flavors to be found inside.

Tags: alcohol, liquor, Rittenhouse Tye, rye, Rye whiskey, spirits, whiskey, whisky, Whistlepig

Balblair 2000 Millenium Malt

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

It's been a while since we heard any hoopla about the millennium. But the scotch whisky industry works at a different pace and on a slower timeline.

Whereas most distilleries commonly label their whiskies by their age at the time of bottling, Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky names theirs after the year in which they were distilled. The range already includes the 1979, 1989 and 1997 vintages, and are now joined by the limited-edition 2000 Millennium malt.

Available in limited quantities, the Balblair 2000 is already on sale in the UK at £31.50 per 70cl bottle (pricier than the 1997 but less dear than the '89 and '79 vintages), and is now being rolled out in markets around the globe.

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Tags: 2000, balblair, balblair 2000, balblair 2000 millennium, highland, millennium, scotch whisky, single malt, whisky

Rarest Macallan Bottle Fetches Record $460,000 At Sotheby's Auction

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

A bottle of Macallan 64-year-old scotch, housed within a Lalique crystal decanter, far exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $100,000-with a winning bid of $460,000-at Sotheby's in New York, this week.

With all proceeds of the sale going to benefit charity: water, the one-of-a-kind bottle, made by Lalique using the cire perdue ("lost wax") method, did a multi-city charity tour before the final event in New York. Scott Harrison, founder of charity: water, spoke before the auction of the idealism behind his organization and the impact that the evening's sale would have on helping to bring clean water to communities in developing countries. He then handed the microphone off to Sotheby's Head of Wine in the US and Asia, Jamie Ritchie, to perform the auctioneer duties.

A gentleman in the crowd eagerly placed the opening bid, sparking a cascading ping-pong of responses from around the room. Bidding quickly passed the $300,000 mark, with phone bidders setting the tone, outpacing most on-hand. Ritchie kept the mood light, cracking an "Only $5?!" joke when a Sotheby's rep asked if he would accept an increase of $5,000 from a potential buyer on the phone. Reminding everyone that the evening's sale would support a good cause, Ritchie broke the $400,000 barrier to a delighted response of the crowd. With everyone's mind wondering if the lot would reach the half-million mark, bidding slowed around $450,000 before finally settling on $460,000. Giving everyone one last chance, Ritchie brought the gavel down to mark the record sale, which went to an anonymous US bidder.

Tags: auctions, charity water, lalique, macallan, new york city, scotch, sothebys, whisky

Johnnie Walker XR 21-Year Old at Duty Free

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

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

Bowmore Announces the Exclusive Tempest Single Malt

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Arguably more so than any other region in Scotland, Islay has long since established itself as a favorite among scotch whisky drinkers. The windswept isle is home to an inordinate number of distilleries, but Bowmore wants us to remember that it was there first. And to that end they've released an exclusive new small-batch bottling called Tempest.

Named after the beating waves of Loch Indaal that have slapped against the Bowmore distillery since its establishment in 1779, Tempest has been aged for ten years, embracing the peaty and smokey flavor while balancing it intricately. It's the second small batch bottling released recently by Bowmore, but the first being made available in North America. Arriving on shelves in December – right on time for the holiday season to the potential delight of the scotch connoisseur among your loved ones – the Bowmore Tempest carries a suggested retail price of $100.

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Tags: bowmore, bowmore tempest, islay, scotch, scotch whisky, single malt, small batch, tempest, whisky

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