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

Diageo is finally releasing round 2 of their controversial “Manager’s Choice” drams – single cask, cask strength offerings from all 27 of the single malt distilleries in their portfolio.  You’ll remember that Diageo was roundly trashed in the blogosphere for the exorbitant prices, lack of availability, and in some cases incredibly young ages of these single malts.  I’m betting that we’ll see an echo of that first response coming out of the whisky blogosphere over the next week or two as UK bloggers (and John Hansell here in the US) receive their samples. Though it probably won’t be as big a backlash as last time. We’ve had months for sticker shock to set in.

• Cask Strength lists the 7 new releases, and offers notes on the Dalwhinnie and Blair Athol releases.

Non-Manager’s Choice Tasting Notes From Bloggers We Trust:

• Whisky Fun tastes two expressions of Banff, an old and a new Scapa, and three expressions of Royal Lochnagar.
• My friend and DC cocktail blogger Matt Browner-Hamlin offers a recommendation of Templeton Rye.
• Whisky for Everyone found this Glencadam 16 (AD Rattray) good, if a little dry.  They call the Isabella Fortuna from Old Pulteney “disappointing.”
• Whisky Notes recommends the “solid” Tomatin 19 from Masters of Malt.
• Dr. Whisky reviews the Balvenie 17yo Madeira Cask, a whisky he goes great pains to point out is distilled by his employer (but still tasty).
• Whisky Intelligence goes on an Ardbeg kick, tasting the Uigeadail and Corryvreckan.  The Uigeadail gets a noticeably low score considering how others have rated the dram (though the comments are positive).  The Corryreckan fairs worse thanks to a delayed “soapy finish.”
• John Hansell reviews the 25 year old 2009 release from Talisker.
• Whiksy Host has a harsh (but hopeful) review of the inaugural release from Ellensburg Distillery.

Whisk(e)y News on the Web:

• Whisky Cast takes a look at Kavalan, a Taiwanese single malt.
• If you’ve got $90,000 to spare and love the Macallan, maybe consider treating yourself to this.
• John Hansell announces 2nd edition releases from Eades Whiskies.  Some interesting distilleries in the mix and maybe worth checking out.
• This is interesting – a new site called “Sip Smoke Savor” offers single malt recommendations based on flavor profile, not geographic region.
• Continuing an amazing run at curating some incredibly interesting conversations about whisky, John Hansell asks – what’s on your whisky shelf?
• John also asks why are we all so obsessed with whisky?
• A Colorado company has released a an iPhone app with detailed information on 127 distilleries.  It’ll cost you $2 to download.
• Finally, Whisky Host continues their quest to explain esoteric tasting notes – this time tackling “boat tar” in their Say What?! series.

–Whisky Party

Tasting Notes From Bloggers We Trust:

• Whisky Intelligence tastes a Bowmore 15 Darkest, two new products from Springbank, and the Bruichladdich “Manzanilla.” Weirdest. Name. Ever.
• Cask Strength has good things to say about a Longmorn-Glenlivet from 1971.  I’ve got a great bottle myself from 1967, and I’m eyeing Longmorn as a distillery I need to try more.
• Ruben at Whisky Notes is making me jealous with his notes on a Laphroaig 12 year from Malts of Scotland.
• Dr. Whisky – back from a hiatus in Scotland – has notes on a Bunnahabhain 17 year from Malt Trust.  The price is a steal, but it’s not your typical Bunnahabhain.
• Whisky Fun “speed tastes” 5 1974 Glen Grants, three Royal Lochnagars, and four 1990 Imperials.
• Whisky for Everyone tries the Vat 69.  I’ve been wondering about this every since I saw Band of Brothers, in which one of the characters drinks nothing but Vat 69.
• John Hansell gives super-high marks to the Parker’s Heritage Collection “Golden Anniversary” whiskey.  Not sure if this is bourbon or rye, but notice the “e” in whiskey.  He also reviews an Hibiki 12 now available in the US.
• Scotch Hobbyist puts his new ratings system to the test as he drinks a dram of Lagavulin 16.

Whisk(e)y News on the Web:

• John Hansell blurbs the release of CÀRN MÒR vintage collection, a release of 20cL bottles from 24 different vintages from 24 different casks, from 24 different distilleries.  Sounds interesting. I wish more distilleries would release 20cL bottles in the US.
• Beginning in August, Washington’s Dry Fly distillery will be releasing its Wheat Whiskey in US stores.
• Newest edition to the Islay family, Kilchoman, has announced its first whisky release.  Details at Malt Advocate and the Scotch Blog.
• Macallan is releasing its 1824 Whisky Collection.  These will be available exclusively in travel retail.  More info at Malt Advocate and the Scotch Blog.
• Want to own your own cask of Glenglassaugh?  Details here.
• Speaking of which, John Hansell has started a good discussion on which distilleries (US or UK) offer casks for sale.
• Ever wonder why whisky bottles in the US are bigger than those in Europe?  Here’s the reason.
• Richard Paterson gives a shout-out to retiring fellow Master Blender, John Ramsay.
• Tips on pairing whisky with curry.
• Gordon Motion is the new Master Blender for the Edrington Group (Famous Grouse, Macallan, Highland Park).  Read all about how he got the job.

Things seem to be slowing down a bit.  I’ve noticed fewer tasting notes these last few weeks, and much more in terms of news as distilleries announce new expressions or changes to their core ranges.  Are you noticing that as well?  I’ll try to get at least two new tasting notes up this week to compensate.  I’m eyeing the final dram or two in my Michel Couvreur Single-Single, and maybe my Glenkinchie 10.  A couple of light scotches for the humid weather we’re having in NYC.

Tasting Notes From Bloggers We Trust:

• Whisky Intelligence has notes on a Tobermory 11 from Dewar Rattray and a Royal Lochnagar 12 year.
• Ruben at Whiskey Notes finishes up his review of the Jura Paps collection with tasting notes on the Mountain of Gold and Mountain of Sound.
• Whisky Fun (who must never sleep), tastes some exquisitely bottled Tomintoul-Glenlivet 12 year, two Glenfarclas opposite two Port Ellens, and two Tomatins.

Whisk(e)y News on the Web:

• Probably the biggest news of the week was the release of the first batch of GlenDronach single cask offerings from the distilleries new owners.  The distillery is releasing casks from 1971, 1972, 1992, 1993 and 1996.  They range in age from 13 to 36 years.  The distillery plans to release a new batch every year.  Read about it at Edinburgh Whisky and Whisky Intelligence.  John Hansell has the goods on US imports of these vintages.
• Probably the second biggest story of the week was from BenRiach, which took home quite a few medals at the 2009 International Wine and Spirits Competition.  Get the details at Whisky Grotto and Whisky Intelligence.  Unfortunately for us in the United States, John Hansell reports that none of these award winning whiskies will be appearing on our local liquor store shelves.
• Whisky Intelligence has some info on new summer whisky releases from Bruichladdich.  No word on whether or not these bottles will make their way state-side.
• New Hebridean distillery Ahbainn Dearg is planning on selling 500, 500 cL bottles of their new make spirit.
• Kentucky Bourbon distiller Heaven Hill is releasing a new bottling of the Parker’s Heritage Collection called “Golden Anniversary.”
• Malt Advocate has a sad, final note mourning the passing of Michael Jackson (the drinks writer, obviously).