Whisky Party

Lots of news and fewer tasting notes in this edition of Best in Blog, but pound for pound there’s a lot of interesting stuff to read.

Tasting Notes From Bloggers We Trust:

• Cask Strength calls Bowmore 10 Tempest a “cracking dram.”
• So does Edinburgh Whisky, who call it their favorite Bowmore.
• Dr. Whisky reviews an oldie-but-goodie: Jameson Irish Whiskey
• Whisky Notes tastes the Jameson 12, but isn’t impressed.
• Edinburgh Whisky says that the Mortlach 1993 (11yo) from Murray McDavid is enjoyable, but not as big as other expressions.
• John Hansell calls the Royal Lochnagar Selected Reserve (now available in the US!) a “soothing, post-prandial dram.”
• Whisky Fun tastes two MacDuff bottlings.
• Whisky Host tastes through the CV (Curriculum Vitae) range – small bottlings each from Springbank, Longrow and Hazelburn.

Whisk(e)y News on the Web

• Is Britain about to face it’s own Whisky Rebellion?
• Or is the whisky industry suffering from complacency?
• Here’s a weird one – Dubber and Clutch blog about Manx, a whisky that has been distilled, aged, and then re-distilled.
• Did a thirst for beer spark civilization?  (Not whisky news, but interesting none the less.)
• John Hansell wants to know – what whisky deals are available near you?  And what’s your oldest bottle of whisky?
• Awesome pics of the Macallan Ice Ball Maker in action.  These come from a tasting I was at last week.  Pics and video as soon as the PR folks pass them along to me.
• The latest episode of Whisky Cast looks at the iconic history of Dewars.
• Whisky Host has video of an interview with Randal Watson of Springbank.
• Yet another post about the Diageo Manager’s Choice Round 2 Releases, this time from Whisky Intelligence.
• Whyte & Mackay is trying to lay hands on three bottles of Shackleton’s 100 year old whisky – one to archive, one to auction, and one to replicate for the market.
• Whisky Notes talks about an interesting tasting/event concept: Battle of the Stunners.
• Bruichladdich Blog talks about the distillery’s transition to green energy.

–Whisky Party

Lots’s of Laphroaig tasting notes this week.  Can’t really argue with that.

Tasting Notes From Bloggers We Trust:

• Drink Hacker reviews the “new” Laphroaig 18, calling it their favorite Laphroaig.  I have to disagree and put the 15 year above it, but more on that in an upcoming blog post.
• Whisky Intelligence, meanwhile, seems to be reviewing every Laphroaig but the 18.  It’s Indie Laphroaig Week on his site, and you can find reviews Laphroaig 16 (SMWS 29.64), Laphroaig 11 (Duthies 2009), Laphroaig 10 (Cooper’s Choice), and Laphroaig 8 (Signatory).
• Whisky For Everyone reviews Laphroaig Quarter Cask and Paddy Old Irish Whisky.
• Speaking of “new” expressions, Dr. Whisky loves this 30 year old from Old Pulteney.
• John Hansell recommends putting a little water in this ‘very nice’ Lagavulin 12 (2009 Special Release), and he’s looking for alternate opinions of the unpeated Caol Ila 10 (2009 Special Release).
• Whisky Fun tries three Glenrothes, and two Glen Garioch.
• Whisky Notes samples Arran 12, Tamnavulin 16 (Masters of Malt), Bowmore 26 (Masters of Malt), and Speyside 30 (Masters of Malt)
• Whisk(e)y Apostle reviews Crown Royal Reserve Blended Canadian Whisky.
• Drink Hacker reviews Balvenie 17 Madeira Cask.
• Whisky Host enjoys Hazelburn 8 year old.
• Dubber and Clutch return to blogging after a long absence with tasting notes on 12 different blends.
• Making his inaugural debut in our bi-weekly roundup, Jason’s Scotch Whisky Review is not impressed with Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

Whisk(e)y News on the Web:

• Laphroaig is sponsoring the US Curling team in the Winter Olympics.  My favorite winter olympics sport paired with a great single malt.
• Following on our post from last week, Whisky for Everyone and Edinburgh Whisky have more information about the 2nd round releases in the Diageo Manager’s Choice Series.
• Edinburgh Whisky blog is starting to interview distilleries – and they want your help determining the questions.  First up is Tomatin.
• Kilchoman is getting ready for its third release.
• Looks like Ardbeg Supernova is set to become a “semi regular” release here in the states.  Still waiting to taste my bottle when all three of the Whisky Party bloggers convene in April.
• Last week John Hansell asked us how many whiskies we had on our shelf.  This week he fesses up on the size of his own collection, and it’s pretty amazing.
• Knappogue Castle Irish Whisky is releasing a new 1994 vintage.
• Johnnie Walker is kicking the smoke flavors up a notch with their new “Double Black” expression.
• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America have announced their spring tasting schedule.
• John Hansell has some info on Mackmyra, a Swedish distillery
• Whisky Host continues their Twitter interview series (Twitterview?), this time with Mauricio Samayoa of The Macallan.
• In the latest edition of their “Say What?!” series, Whisky Host examines the meaning of the tasting note “wet dog.”
• Edinburgh Whisky blog is starting a YouTube Channel.

–Whisky Party

It sounds like a bad, whisky related knock-off of a Harry Potter book, but trust me, if there is one thing for you to read this week, it’s Dr. Whisky’s controversial post about uniting the whisky blogosphere behind a collaborative ratings system.

Tasting Notes From Bloggers We Trust:

• John Hansell speaks highly of the new Port Ellen 9th Release from Diageo.
• Whisky for Everyone calls Hazelburn CV “the first great whisky of 2010,” and the Spingbank CV, which went over less well.  The two will soon be available as 20cL bottles in a three pack with the Longrow CV.
• Cask Strength takes a turn doing a head to head matchup of the peated and sherried version of Penderyn, the first Welsh whisky in a century.
• Masters of Malt present Glengoyne Glenguin 16 – a highland finished in Australian Shiraz casks.
• Whisky Fun tastes three official Springbanks, and four expressions from the now-silent St. Magdalene’s distillery.
• WhiskyHOST tastes SMWS 43.15 (aka Port Ellen 26 yo).
• Whisky Notes tastes a Tyrconnell 16 (Irish whiskey).
• Finally, Whisky Intelligence has notes on an Inverarity 8 year old vatted malt, and Big Peat (NAS) from Douglas Laing.

Whisk(e)y News on the Web:

• Speaking of ratings systems, Scotch Hobbyist puts all of his online in a Google Doc and explains what it all means.
• The Whisky Exchange Blog has interesting predictions about the future of the industry for 2010.
• Dave Pickerell, the former Master Distiller at Maker’s Mark, is guest blogging at John Hansell’s blog about American microdistilling and the rising popularity of rye whiskey.
• John Hansell himself wants to know how he can improve his blog.
• Who do you think are the leaders in the whisky industry?
• Whisk(e)y Apostle has some information on new US whisky releases.
• WhiskyHOST is conducting Twitter interviews with scotch distilleries.

–Whisky Party

The news of the week has to be the release of Highland Park’s limited edition Earl Magnus 1 expression – unfortunately only available in the UK. This absolutely gorgeous looking bottle got some coverage on the Edinburgh Whisky,  What Does John Know, and Whisky Intelligence blogs.

Tasting Notes from Bloggers We Trust:

• John Hansell reviews Tomintoul 33.
• Whisky for Everyone reviews Glenfarclas 21 and Chivas Regal 18. (As Whisky Host notes, Chivas is making the rounds in the whisky blogosphere lately).
• Whisky Fun tastes two Mannochmores and a bevy of Springbanks.
• Whisky Host does a head to head of the first two official releases from Kilchoman.
• Whisky Host is also planning a whisky dinner.  Follow along as he tastes potential drams and picks from among a selection of Balvenie, Tobermory and Dalmore (Part I) or Rosebank, Laphroaig, Benriach and Bowmore (Part II).
• Whisky Intelligence says that this 12 year old Hazelburn is worth every penny.
• Whisky Intelligence REJECTS this 12 year old Tamnavulin from Douglas Laing’s Provenance.
• Whisky Notes enjoys a Caol Ila 1980 and Aberlour 1990 (Malts of Scotland).  He rather less liked this Pittyvaich 20.

Whisk(e)y News on the Web:

• What are your predictions for whisky in 2010?
• The first Islay-malted spirit from Bruichladdich is now available.
• Meanwhile, the stills at Bruichladdich are undergoing repairs.
• Cask Strength announces the 10 nominees for this year’s Best in Glass award.
• Edinburgh Whisky gets into the Christmas spirit with their own guide to whisky gift-giving.
• Speaking of Edinburgh Whisky, the blog is approaching its 1 year anniversary.  Congrats guys.
• John Hansell wants to know what you are drinking for the holidays?
• Binny’s is having a holiday sale on whisky.
• More on the launch of a Glengoyne 40 year old at Whisky Intelligence.

Tasting Notes From Bloggers We Trust:

• Whisky Fun tries new offerings from Kilkerran and Hazelburn, as well as four official bottlings of BenRiach from the 60s and 70s.
• Dr. Whisky is making my mouth water with these tasting notes on an Ardbeg 17 year.
• Whisky for Everyone tries a dram of Pittyvaich 12 year (a closed distillery), and finds it a bit jarring for a heavily sherried whisky.
• Non Jatta reviews the Yamazaki 1984, as does John Hansell and Whisky Intelligence.
• Whiskey Notes reviews Bakers’s 7 year sour mash bourbon, as well as an unimpressive Balvenie 14 “Roasted Malt.”
• Whisky for Everyone tastes a “mystery dram.” Can you guess what it is?  He’s also got a Bladnoch 16 from Old Malt Cask.
• Tullamore Dew is launching a 10 year old single malt irish whisky.  Tasting notes at Whisky Intelligence.
• Whisky Intelligence also has tasting notes on Miltonduff 8 year old from Duncan Taylor.
• Whisk(e)y Apostle is lucky enough to try a Highland Park 30.

Whisk(e)y News on the Web:

• Glenfiddich is launching a new, 50 year old expression.  It will sell for $16,000 a bottle.  More on this from Cask Strength and
• Scotch Hobbyist is reading Hans Offringa’s Whisky and Jazz and loving it.
• Whisky Forum asks “who will buy the new Octomore 2” and finds few takers.
• More on Sunday’s protest of Diageo’s closing of Johnnie Walker bottling facilities in Kilmarnock.
• The Bruichladdich Blog calls bullshit on Diageo for cynically launching a special edition Johnnie Walker celebrating the label’s history even as they close down the Kilmarnock plant.
• Elmer T. Lee is turning 90.  Wish him a good B-day.