April 22, 2010
I'd love to grab one of these soon, but at around $250 a bottle, it's a little ways down the list. Here's the details:
Black Bull 40 Year Old, the flagship of the Black Bull range is a superior blend of the finest Single Malt and Single Grain whiskies available from Scotland’s premium Distilleries. The spirit in this very first bottling of Black Bull 40 contains whiskies ranging from 40 to 44 years old from the following distilleries: Bunnahabhain, Glenfarclas, Glenlivet, Glenburgie, Highland Park, Miltonduff, Springbank, Tamdhu and Invergordon.
Black Bull 40 year old is 90% single malt and 10% single grain and is bottled at cask strength. The spirit is completely natural, without chill filtration or added colourant.
You can read more about it, and find out where you can buy some, at the site HERE.
Posted by Ghostshark under Scotch | Comments (0)
February 22, 2010
This sounds pretty good, and I like that it's actually available in the US, rather than having to track it down somewhere. On the downside, there's only 1,428 bottles, and therefor it's expensive at $450 each. Here's the details:
In 2008, Ardmore Traditional Cask redefined the Single Highland Malt Scotch experience in the United States. Masterfully crafted from the only Highland distillery that consistently peats its barley, Ardmore weaves bold smoky flavor notes historically associated only with Islay malts into the rich Highland malt experience. Expanding on this unique combination of flavors, Ardmore will unveil a limited edition 30 year old in 2009 available only in the United States. Aged in former bourbon barrels and handmade quarter casks, the new ultra-premium Scotch bears the same name and pedigree as its predecessor, but reveals a distinctive finish and rich, complex flavor all of its own. Only 230 cases, with each bottle individually numbered, will be available.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright Gold
Nose: Without water, the peat smoke is not apparent as only the full rich intensity appears.
Adding water allows the many layers of complexity to come through. The immediate aroma is fragrant rather than powerful and the scents of roses and violets blend with a slight citrus note that masks the gentle peat smoke.
Body: Full, round and soft
Palate: At bottle strength, the peat comes through as a dryish liquorice tang. When water is added, the peatiness is smoothed and softened by a cream toffee and flower gentleness.
Finish: Quite dry and very long lasting
Posted by Ghostshark under Scotch | Comments (0)
September 29, 2009
Macallan has released a special 57 year old single malt whisky. It comes in a Lalique's Finest Cut crystal decanter, and will be available by special order beginning in October.
"In homage to the beauty of Lalique's Finest Cut decanter, we chose a particularly rare 57 years old Macallan single malt whisky," says David Cox, Director of Fine & Rare Whiskies for The Macallan. "It is the second oldest The Macallan whisky ever released, only surpassed in age by the legendary 1926, a 60 year old bottled in 1986."
The decanters are, of course, a limited edition with only 400 being made, and costing around $15,000.
Posted by Ghostshark under Scotch | Comments (3)
September 15, 2009
A giant bottle of single malt 14-year-old Tomintoul Speyside Glenlivet Scotch has made the Guinness Book of Records.
The almost 28 gallon bottle (105 liters) was hand filled, and then sealed with a huge cork that had to be hammered into place.
Duncan Baldwin, Tomintoul Distillery’s brand development director, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in achieving this record as ratified by Guinness Book of World Records.
“It was quite nerve-racking, filling and labelling such a large vessel by hand and especially so when sealing the bottle with the largest cork I have ever seen as it had to be hammered in with a mallet but the exercise went very well.
“It should be a great talking point for Tomintoul Distillery, the village and its visitors.”
The bottle will be on permanent display at the Clockhouse in the village square at Tomintoul village.
Posted by Ghostshark under Scotch | Comments (0)
July 9, 2009
This is a great idea. I'll have to sign up for this, and start planning on collecting my rent. Here's the detail, pulled from the Laphroaig site:
Your own piece of history
You may have read how the Johnston brothers had to fight three times to protect our precious and unique water supply. The final solution involved buying the land that our water ran through. So we decided that every Friend of Laphroaig should have (for their lifetime) their own personal square foot of Islay from a portion of this land. Each plot is registered and you may visit it (or view your plot on our members website). And more importantly collect your rent from us – a dram of the finest!
But Friends of Laphroaig is about much more than owning land – like Islay itself, it’s about a community – and what a community. Over the years we’ve witnessed some extraordinary events on the hallowed turf. A wedding between two FOLlowers, the scattering of a member’s ashes, even a Japanese ceremonial garden!
But the real day-to-day Laphroaig community lives right here on the Internet. With our new web site we have taken up many of our 'Friends' suggestions and once again expanded the password-protected area. Your Friends section includes:
* My Plot – Here you can to contact like-minded Friends. Whether they share a common interest, live in your hometown, or are 'virtual' neighbours on the plot next door to yours! You can also see aerial photographs which show you exactly where your personal square foot is, and you can see who your plot neighbours are and send messages to them!
* FOL Bureau – Here you can nominate your own friends to become 'FOLs', you can print off your own personalized FOL Business cards, and you can download our special 'Tasting Pack' to help guide you through a whisky tasting session. Here you can also find a copy of your certificate of land ownership with Laphroaig, so you can print it off whenever needs be.
* Distillery News – For up to date reports of all news, progress and events occurring at the distillery
* Chat – An easy to use chat area where are friends from around the world meet and discuss.
* Members Shop – You can buy whisky and merchandise at a special discount and purchase some items that non-members can’t buy at all
* Charity Auction – FOLlowers are exclusively allowed to bid for special items – all proceeds go to our nominated charity.
* World of FOL – A hub for FOLs around the world where you can share news and views that relate only to your own area.
* Writers Corner – Let’s hear about your first Laphroaig or the strangest place you've come across our whisky!
* Friends Photos – A very popular section where FOLs can upload their own pictures to share
* Send an E-card – Whether you wish to send a birthday greeting, a Christmas card, a Valentine or a simple hello, here you can find a good selection of E-cards to send out.
* Lottery – A randomly generated plot number lottery with one catch – the winner has to log in to the FOL site in order to claim their prize. Check back regularly to see if you're the lucky winner!
* Tasting Wheels – Keep track of all the different bottles of Laphroaig you've tasted here. You can also view other FOLs tasting opinions in our Tasting Library.
* Visiting Laphroaig – all the information you need to make the 'ultimate pilgrimage' to meet us (and collect your rent, of course!). You can now book online – Click here
* Caption Contest – We run a range of caption competitions over the year – a new one each month!
* And much, much more, the list is always expanding as you send in your suggestions.
So there’s never been a better time to join – we now number over 250,000 in over 150 countries worldwide!
(via)
Posted by Ghostshark under Scotch, Spirits, Travel | Comments (0)
April 21, 2009
The Dewar's 18 Founders Reserve will become available across the U.S. in June of this year. The ultrapremium 18-year-old scotch was previously only available via duty-free shops.
Created in 2003, DEWAR`S 18 was awarded a Gold Medal by Whisky Magazine at itsWorld Whisky Awards and was named Gold (Best In Class) Medal Winner at the 2008 International Wine and Spirit Competition.
Rare whiskies were carefully selected for DEWAR`S 18 Founder`s Reserve, and the Master Blender took painstaking care in managing the time-honored marrying process that lends refinement to the exceptional blend.
Each bottle of DEWAR`S 18 is individually numbered, and the perfect serve is in a rocks glass with one ice cube. Suggested retail price is $80.00.
Posted by Ghostshark under Scotch | Comments (0)
April 8, 2009
The site ScotchWhisky.net is having a contest to get you into the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Here's the details:
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is the world's foremost authority on single cask, single malt whisky.
Membership opens the doors to a whole new whisky adventure, giving access to an exclusive selection of rare whiskies.
Society membership is wrapped up and presented in the Society’s fabulous Membership Box, which includes four carefully selected 10cl single cask, single malt whiskies, a member's handbook, and a membership card, which grants access to the Society’s whiskies all year.
Members can attend whisky tastings around the UK and in its venues in Leith, Edinburgh and London and they also receive the Society’s glossy magazine, Unfiltered, which provides an entertaining insight into the world of whisky.
All you need to do is hit the site HERE to enter.
Posted by Ghostshark under Contests/Sweepstakes/Giveaways, Scotch | Comments (0)
March 24, 2009
You know, I like my wine, I really like my vodka, but I think scotch/whisky will always hold a special place in my heart. Unfortunetly for me, I don't think I'm going to be in Chicago next week.
I do think it's sort of bad idea to hold this on a Wednesday, but what the hell. Here's the details of the Chicago WhiskyFest:
America's Largest Whisky Celebration
WhiskyFest Chicago will feature more than 200 of the world's finest, rarest, and most expensive, single malt and blended Scotch, Irish, bourbon, Tennessee, Japanese, Welsh, Canadian and other whiskies from around the world to sample in one Grand Ballroom. High-end rums, tequilas beer and other spirits will be represented as well.
The focus is on education, and many distillery representatives will be on hand at the pouring booths to explain how the whiskies are made. Seminars, many featuring their owns tastings, run throughout the evening. Meet distinguished members of the whisky community, and learn first-hand how their brands are made.
Attendees will also enjoy an expansive gourmet buffet all evening, plus coffee, tea, water and soda. Each attendee receives a commemorative Glencairn whisky glass for tastings.
The event is being held on April 1st. VIP tickets are sold out, but it looks like you can still grab a regular ticket for $95 HERE.
Posted by Ghostshark under Scotch, Spirits | Comments (0)
March 13, 2009
This is one of my all time favorites. One of my favorite four, the other three I will cover in later reviews.
Talisker 10 Year is one of the best scotches in the world at any price. It is the only single malt scotch from the Isle of Skye. Talisker has been in production since 1830 with a few rough patches in the middle. They also offer other editions as high as 30 years. Those other offerings are hard to find and rather expensive. The 10 year offering is the most common and possibly the best.
Talisker 10 year is extremely smooth and easy to drink, very light to the nose. It has a light smell of peat, sweetness, and blackberry. Very light taste with a peat start, barely sweet hint of pear dissolving into a slightly spicy middle, and a short dry finish.
Talisker 10 year is around $68 for 750ml. 45.8% alcohol. Bar prices range from $14 to $20. Order this one neat in a rocks glass or in a sniffer. Most higher end bars will have this one. Easy to find at any liquor store.
For your next special occasion or looking for a new to scotch and not sure what to try, Talisker 10 year is well worth exploring.
Enjoy,
D
Posted by Ghostshark under Reviews, Scotch | Comments (0)
March 10, 2009
I really need to come into some money so that I can start buying some great single malts like this.
The Glencadam Distillery has announced the release of a limited edition Highland Single Malt, aged 25 years. The whisky was distilled on 22 April 1983 and has since matured in Sherry cask number 1002.
Only 300 individually numbered bottles of this rare release were produced, and the bottle label also records the cask number and the date of distillation and bottling.
The bottling itself took place on 5 December 2008 at 46% ABV, with no chill filtration and without added colouring.
The Glencadam Distillery is located just outside the ancient city and former Royal Burgh of Brechin in the kingdom of Angus in the eastern Highlands of Scotland.
A single bottle is currently running around $190. Only place I've seen to buy a bottle is over at The Whisky Exchange HERE.
Posted by Ghostshark under Scotch | Comments (0)
