Whisky Party

I am officially dubbing this the “Dalmore Edition” of Best in Blog:

Tasting Notes From Bloggers We Trust:

• Scotch Hobbyist finds he likes the new Dalmore 12, but whishes is had a bit more “oomph.”
• The Whiskey Exchange looks at the Dalmore 1980 and finds that extra oomph SH was looking for.
• Not to be outdone, John Hansell at Malt Advocate reviews the new Dalmore range in its entirety (7 expressions).
• The Scotch Blog notes that Compass Box plans to revive their Orangerie expression.
• Whisky For Everyone samples Gentleman Jack, Clan Denny vatted malts, AnCnoc 16,  and Glen Scotia 15 from Old Malt Cask.
• Whisky Notes samples some Ardbeg Blasda, an Auchentoshen 18 year old, an “unbalanced” Hillside 25 from Rare Malts, a Clynelish 12 year (Malts of Scotland), and a Longmorn 14 from Old Malt Cask.  The Clynelish is one of the few to come away with a very positive review.
• Whisky Intelligence tastes a Mortlach 25 (Cooper’s Choice), a single cask bottling of Laphroaig 18 from Dewar Rattray, and a peated 4 year old from Isle of Arran.
• Ever wonder what it would taste like to vat Laphroaig and Macallan?  Try Douglas Laing’s “Double Barrel.”
• Finally, Whisky Fun tastes three speysiders from 1970, five young Macallans, three Glen Scotias, and four Glen Livets.

Whisk(e)y News on the Web:

• On the patriotism and history of Bourbon.
• Balvenie is set to release a new, limited edition “Madeira Cask” expression.
• Drinks/Liquor giant Diageo is cutting 900 jobs in Scotland, and folks are not happy.
• A brief profile of the two men manning the helm at the Edrington Group, makers of Macallan and Famous Grouse.
• Speaking of the Edrington Group, those very same men are lashing out at a government proposal to increase taxes on alcohol in an effort to curb excessive drinking habits.
• Whisky Grotto emerges from a long hiatus with information on the oldest expression ever from Old Pulteney.
• The Whisky Fest blog announces that their San Francisco event will feature a lesson in craft distilling.  Sounds interesting.
• John Hansell announces the opening of a new online whisky shop – Prestige Whisky.  The company WILL ship to America.
• Whisky Cast heads to Australia for their most recent episode.
• Check out this private whisky collection that just went up for sale.

Another week, another Best in Blog.  We’ve got a pretty stable list of sources we’re pulling from for these roundups, but we’re always interested in more.  If you think we’re leaving anyone out, let us know.

Tasting Notes from Bloggers we Trust:

• Sheer genius or criminal waste?  The folks at Cask Strength have pooled together about 16 Feis Ile bottlings into their own vatting.  Dubbed Black Betty, here’s their tasting notes on the home-made blend.
• Whisky Exchange gets a sneak-taste of the Kilchoman 3 year old.
• Whisky for Everyone had a busy week.  Here are reviews of Tomintoul 16, Jim Beam White Label, Canadian Club, and Glendronach 12.
• Whisky for Everyone drank a lot this week, but he’s got nothing on Whisky Intelligence, who put together notes on Old Pulteney 12, Benriach 12,  Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 6 year old and 2001, Arran 4, and Octomore.
• Whisky Notes looks at Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist.
• Whisky Fun tastes three Glen Scotias and a Brora.  He trashes the Glen Scotias, but the Brora gets top marks.  He also takes a look at three Glen Grants, and three new bottles from The Glenrothes.

Whisk(e)y News on the Web:

• Scientists in Glasgow are attempting to determine how whiskies acquire their distinctive flavor.
• The Single Malt Whisky Society of America has announced its fall schedule.  I’m a little pissed that they won’t be coming to New York.  WTF?
• Buffalo Trace Distillery just acquired E.H. Taylor Bourbon.
• Following on my continued exploration of whisky collecting, here’s an interesting take from Whisky-Pages questioning the ethics of collecting.
• Proposals are currently in the works for a new whisky distillery in Scotland.
• Glenfiddich is getting ready to launch a 15 year-old Distillers Edition.
• Read about the Swede who owns the largest Benriach collection in the world.