| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Glengoyne news
Isle of Jura Whisky Festival, Feis Ile 2013
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday, January 13, 2013
MALT WHISKY AND PLACE’ DEBATE: LONDON GASTRONOMY SEMINAR,
MALT WHISKY AND PLACE’ DEBATE: LONDON GASTRONOMY SEMINAR, 30TH JANUARY 2013
London-based colleagues may be interested to know about this forthcoming event arranged by The London Gastronomy Seminars. It is at 6:30pm, on Wednesday 30thJanuary 2013 (approximate duration two hours), at Senate House, University of London.
It will be a discussion, chaired by eminent wine & drinks writer Andrew Jefford. Representatives from two of the leading Islay distilleries, Bruichladdich and Lagavulin, will each to present their case as to how and why their whisky is distinctive.
The aim will not be to ‘prove’ that ‘terroir exists’ or doesn’t exist for Single Malt Scotch Whisky, but to understand where the differences come from.
Speakers will be Georgie Crawford (Site Operations Manager, Lagavulin Distillery), Jim McEwan (Production Director and Head Distiller, Bruichladdich Distillery), and Dr Nick Morgan (Head of Whisky Outreach, Diageo).
Tickets are being sold at £12. Full details can be found at:http://www.londongastronomyseminars.com/upcoming.htm
And also on Facebook.
Labels:
food,
gastronomy,
London,
seminar,
single malt,
tasting,
United Kingdom,
whisky
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Springbank whisky auction for charity
Springbank Distillers has joined forces with independent whisky vlogger extraordinaire
Ralfy and Scotch Whisky Auctions to put forward a unique bottle to be auctioned to raise
money for local primary school children.
The specially-labelled bottle of Springbank, which is 17 years old and comes from a port
cask, has been signed by Distillery Manager Gavin McLachlan and is accompanied by a
20cl "tasting sample" and a coveted, individually-numbered, Springbank local barley
canvas print which has been signed by Springbank's production team.
It is being auctioned by Scotch Whisky Auctions, who have waived their usual fees, and
promoted jointly by ralfy.com and Springbank.
The money raised will be donated to Campbeltown's Dalintober Primary School, who will
use it to develop and equip their school allotments. The allotments are tended and
maintained by the pupils themselves, growing fresh vegetables for use in the school
kitchen. In addition to providing a good supply of produce for the school, the allotments
also encourage pupils to take pride in their work and provide a fresh-air activity for them to
enjoy.
Ralfy commented: "ralfy.com has become established in only three years as one of the
most prominent, eccentric and original whisky sites on the internet pioneering the
dysfunctional but entertaining Vlog (Video Blog) format to opine, educate and simply share
experienced whisky-stuff/reviews with anyone who is interested in Scotch Whisky.
"After very successful partnerships with Bladnoch Distillery in 2010 and Benromach
Distillery in 2011, the theme of a partnership bottling for a specific distillery-local good
cause continues here in 2012 with that most iconic craft Scotch Malt Distillery which we
know as Springbank.
"Springbank have donated a one-off hand-prepared and dated, manager-signed bottle of
cask strength 17yo port matured single malt whisky along with a 20cl sampler and quality
canvas limited edition staff-signed old-labelling poster. The bottle is the only one of its kind
stating on the label '1 of 1' and as such is outstandingly unique for any distillery to
release."
Ralfy is adding to this package with a memory stick All-Vlog collection of videos relating to
the auction along with a private Vlog for the fortunate buyer, plus handwritten tasting
notes, a hand-made whisky dropper, and a yet-to-be-declared special addition!
The Scottish-based on-line Auctioneers scotchwhiskyauctions.com are, for a second year,
presenting the auction free of buyer's commission and continue to enjoy a growing
reputation as one of the internet's best sources for rare and valuable whiskies.
Ralfy added: "Show us your bids Malt-mates and lets raise all we can for Dalintober
Primary School children. The school are using the produce grown on the allotment in the
school canteen and any excess is then sold to staff and parents.
"This project needs funds for a tool shed, assorted tools, seeds, fertilisers and protective
clothing. Thanks for looking at this auction lot."
The auction will go live this Friday, November 23rd, at www.scotchwhiskyauctions.com.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Angels Share News, tasting, book,
Am letzten Wochenende durfte ich zusammen mit vielen interessierten Gästen an zwei Abenden in einem jeweils voll besetzten Angels Share Inn das Erscheinen der vollständig überarbeiteten und erweiterten Neuausgabe meines Buches »Whisky – Die Enzyklopädie« feiern. Ein herzliches Dankeschön an alle, die gekommen sind, um bei Geselligkeit, gutem Essen und einigen echten Whiskyraritäten mit mir zusammen diesen besonderen Moment zu feiern. Ich schicke aber auch ein grosses Exgüsi an alle, welche gerne gekommen wären, aber keinen Platz mehr hatten! Kaum ist dieser Anlass vorbei, kommt schon der nächste: Das Whiskyschiff Zürich 2012 öffnet seine Pforten vom 29. November bis und mit 2. Dezember. Auch das Angels Share ist wieder mit einem schönen Stand vertreten: Auf dem Oberdeck der Wädenswil präsentieren wir die Abfüllungen von James MacArthur; Arran; Glengoyne; Glenrothes; Berry Bros. & Rudd und ein paar Abfüllungen von Ian MacLeod. Selbstverständlich kann auch mein neues Buch angeschaut, gekauft oder bequem bestellt werden (es ist wieder eine »gewichtige« Sache geworden ...!). Auf alle Fälle freue ich mich darauf, Euer Exemplar – es ist auch ein hervorragendes Weihnachtsgeschenk ;-) – zu signieren. Das seit Jahren treue Angels Share Team mit Tom Trachsel, Urs Lüthy, Annemarie Vetter und mir wird dieses Jahr ergänzt durch Arthur Winning (James MacArthur), Lucie Stroesser (Arran Distillery), John Glass (Glengoyne) und Luigi Barzini (Glenrothes/Berry Bros. & Rudd)! Schaut Euch doch auch einmal auf der Internet-Seite dieses grössten Schweizer Whisky-Anlasses um: http://www.whiskyschiff.ch. Es gibt dort unter anderem ein paar spezielle Whiskyschiff-Abfüllungen als Vorbestellangebote: Dabei ist neben zwei Abfüllungen von Jack Wiebers und einem Blend aus schottischem und schweizerischem Single Malt auch ein Glengoyne als Sonderabfüllung Whiskyschiff erhältlich. Achtung: Diese Abfüllung kann nur bei den Organisatoren des Whiskyschiff Zürich bestellt und gekauft werden! John Glass wird auf unserem Stand auf dem Schiff die neue Linie und ein paar andere Glengoyne-Raritäten präsentieren. Ich freue mich zusammen mit dem ganzen Angels Share-Team auf Euren Besuch! Herzliche Grüsse Peter Hofmann VORANZEIGE Der nächste Anlass im Angels Share in Oberentfelden ist am 25. Januar das Robert Burns Supper Zum ersten Mal wird der schottische Barde Robin Laing diesen Anlass bei uns mit seinen Liedern verschönern und auch die Haggis-Zeremonie übernehmen! Anmeldungen sind ab sofort möglich. |
SPRINGBANK News
SPRINGBANK News
We have just taken delivery of the new Springbank Calvados in the shop today, itʼs a 12y/o
which has been 6 years in a bourbon cask and 6 years in a Calvados cask, strength
52.7% and costs £58.
Tasting Note:
Colour - Golden syrup
Nose - The influence of the Calvados casks is immediately apparent, with notes of
greenapples, citrus fruits and sweet toffee showing themselves in the beginning. Vanilla
essence, pears and some gentle spice come later.
Palate - A very lively dram at cask strength. Black pepper and rhubarb give way to
demerara sugar, green grapes, a touch of cinnamon and a little bit of home-made fudge.
This is an oily whisky for sure.
Finish - Orange marmalade, gooseberries and a pleasant, dry, peatiness leave a lasting
impression
The staff up at the distillery have been working very hard both inside and outside and the
place is looking very smart and tidy. There have certainly not been any “idle hands” over
the past few months. Our Distillery Manager, Gavin, is very neat and tidy and this must
be rubbing off on everyone else, I think.
SPRINGBANK WHISKY SCHOOL
The whisky school will run next year from week beginning 6th May until week beginning
8th July, 10 weeks, arriving here on the Sunday and leaving on the Friday. Places are
starting to fill up but we still have plenty to fill. There are only six places each week so that
we can ensure that everyone has a chance to work in all aspects of the Distillery and
spend as much time as possible with the Distillery staff. The staff are all very friendly and
enjoy the Whisky School, being able to pass on their skills to people who are obviously so
interested in what they do. Frank is busy making up new information for next yearʼs pupils
and we are hoping to present them in booklet form which will be a reminder of your time
spent with us here in Campbeltown.
Last year we published a piece on facebook weekly with a photograph of that weekʼs
pupils (all still smiling at the end of the week) and comments from the “Headmaster” Frank
McHardy. There were no “detentions” or “punishments” handed out to anyone throughout
the ten week period and everyone seemed to get on really well, during and after working
hours. We even had one pupil dressed up in a kilt - you know who you are!!!!
So, if you would like to join us next year please let me know by emailing
whiskyschool@springbankwhisky.com and I will send you some information and a
registration form.
SPRINGBANK OPEN DAY 2013
Next yearʼs Open Day is starting to be discussed, plans being made, etc. The Open Day
will be on Thursday 23rd May and as we get nearer the time all will be revealed as to what
we will be doing. There will of course be Single Casks and Masterclasses and tours, but
we will have to wait and see what else is in store for you.
Watch this space ...............................
SPRINGBANK SALES TEAM
The Sales Team have been kept very busy these past few months, Sales Manager Ranald
Watson has been jetting around the globe spreading the Springbank word, Melanie
Stanger has been travelling round the UK and Europe, attending shows and Tastings and
our newest member John McCallum has also been out and about, finding his feet, so to
speak. When we get to the Open Day next year, John will be an “old hand” by then and
will no doubt be involved in some of the tastings. Melanie was involved in the Open Day
this year so she has already “cut her teeth”.
LONGROW CV
We now have the new Longrow which replaces the Longrow CV, the packaging is rather
eye catching I think.
The tasting note for the Longrow is as follows:
Colour: Light amber with slight olive highlights.
Nose: Very creamy, vanilla custard. The smoke develops gradually, like a slow burning log fire,
never overpowering butalways reassuring. Our guest taster was reminded of marshmallows toasted
on a campfire - crisp on the outside and sticky sweet in the middle!
Palate: Incredibly well balanced - rich and creamy with a slight medicinal hint. The smoke is
always present, washing over the palate in waves, like the soft billows of smoke from the kiln.
Finish: The gentle smoke lingers and lingers leaving you yearning for more!
The Cadenhead shop now also has Longrow 5cl £5 and Hazelburn 12y/o 5cl £5 in stock, as well as
the Springbank 10y/o and 15y/o 5cl. These have proved to be very popular since being introduced
recently.
St Andrew’s Night
The Tasting Room at Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop, Campbeltown are hosting a St Andrew’s Night on
Saturday 1st December. There will be a 3 coarse dinner and a whisky tasting. Tickets available
from Cadenhead Whisky Shop, Campbeltown at a cost of £25 per person. Time, 7.00 pm for 7.30
pm. If it is as successful as the Hallowe’en night we held recently it promises to be good.
Hallowe’en Night
We held a Hallowe’en night on 27th October in the Tasting Room and although fancy dress was not
compulsory everyone joined in and came along dressed in various costumes, most of which were
home made. We had Dorothy and her friends from the Wizard of Oz, a giant pumpkin, Edward
Scissor Hands (the winner of the competition), a girly clown and lots more. The staff were
dressed as zombies with Donald as the zombie chef, Grant as a very scary zombie and Mairi, Julie,
Leslie and myself as zombie waitresses.
We enjoyed a lovely warming winter dinner cooked by Donald and accompanied by cocktails rather
than a whisky tasting. The evening, of course, included some games - “dooking” for apples -
surprised there wasn’t any mess for this one, and throwing corks into a pumpkin to win a prize.
The Tasting Room was suitably dressed for the occasion with spiders webs, skulls, bones and
gravestones, and spooky music playing all night (not too loudly).
This was our first Hallowe’en “function” and hopefully not our last.
SLÁINTE!!!!
Janet
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Master of Malt Announces New Releases from That Boutique-y Whisky Company
Master of Malt Announces New Releases from That Boutique-y Whisky Company
Online retailer Master of Malt announces the release of four new Single Malt Whiskies from That Boutique-y Whisky Company.
The second instalment of whiskies from That Boutique-y Whisky Company has now been released – these whiskies hail from the Speyside distilleries of BenRiach, Aberlour, Aultmore and Benrinnes. All are bottled without age statements and feature cult comic book style labels that reference various stories and in-jokes associated with the distilleries and the people connected to them.
That Boutique-y Whisky Company was launched in September 2012 as the latest independent bottling label from Master of Malt. That Boutique-y Whisky Company bottles Single Malt Scotch Whiskies in the truest sense of the term, meaning that they are a blend of casks from a single distillery. They are labelled without age statements to demonstrate that the flavour of the whisky is more important than its age. Also, remember to keep hold of your old bottles because you might just be able to play spot-the-difference with later batches – that's if you look very carefully!
The new releases from That Boutique-y Whisky Company are now available from Master of Malt here.
Nose: Raisins and dried apple lead to cox apples, cloudy apple juice, ground ginger and roast cocoa beans with maybe the slightest hint of smoke.
Palate: Rich, fruity and mouth-filling, with additional notes of ginger, barley and bitter dark chocolate.
Finish: The finish is substantial and well-rounded with burnt dry fruits, autumnal berries, Pink Lady apples and brandy cream flavours.
Nose: Vanilla oak notes, followed by lemon zest and greengages. As the whisky opens up intense notes of cloves and lime zest reveal themselves.
Palate: The palate is layered with mixed spices, sweetened with creamy vanilla, and highlighted with notes of greengages and citrus peels.
Finish: The finish lingers with refreshing menthol, deep dark chocolate and tingling white pepper.
Nose: Big fruity cherries, marmalade, a hint of red vermouth followed by subtle toffee and old leather. Then, just out of reach, is a little bit of peat just to remind you of BenRiach's other personality.
Palate: Red cherries, strawberry coulis leading to floral heather and a (very small) pinch of peat.
Finish: The finish is soft and gentle with a sugar syrup quality flecked with strawberries and raspberries with the briefest suggestion of crushed black pepper.
Nose: A fat aroma of stewing peaches and lychees dominates the nose with side notes of a just opened packet of juicy sultanas and moist fruit cake. Positively enchanting!
Palate: Silky and oily with reduced tropical fruit juices, fireworks, grape juice and a sprinkling of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Finish: Lingering firework smoke, rhubarb, passion fruit and peaches in a full-bodied and fruity finish.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)