From the monthly archives:

January 2008

This beauty bottling of the Ardbeg 1974 is definitely something to die for.

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Ardbeg Double Barrel Inspired by the tradition of a shooting party, Ardbeg have created a Double Barrel guncase, crafted by a traditional guncase maker.

The package contains:

    - Two single cask bottles of Ardbeg 1974 – the oldest and rarest Ardbeg

    - Eight sterling silver Hamilton & Inches drinking cups

    - A bespoke oak and sterling silver Omas pen, complete with detailed Ardbeg engraving

    - Two hand-stitched leather-bound books – a ‘Sampling Register’ with full tasting notes of the 1974 cask bottlings and ‘Double Barrel’, a quirky miscellany of Ardbeg single malt and shooting traditions

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Only 250 of these exquisite cases exist anywhere in the world -The ultimate in luxury for the ultimate Islay Malt.
Price: £10000 and it’s available in the Ardbeg online shop among other places.

Ardbeg has launched a small slideshow on it’s website to pay tribute to this beauty.

(Please Ardbeg…change your stupid ‘age’ login to a more user friendly solution…it makes me go mad every time)

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If you’re into Whisky and wanna make sure you get to taste the latest and the most rare whisky there is. Then Whisky Live is definitely one of the events for you.

Appealing to both the enthusiast and the novice alike, and with expert advice on hand and the opportunity to learn about the whisky basics, Whisky Live is intended to provide the ultimate whisky experience.

Whisky Live gives you the unique opportunity to sample the greatest whiskies in the world, whilst mingling with the producers and distillers, marketers and visitor centre staff, all under one roof. In addition to learning about the world of whisky, you have the opportunity to sample rare and sought after whiskies and meet the stars of the industry.

Each event has its own local flavour, and provides the greatest insight to this greatest of spirits. With great food, masterclasses and much more, Whisky Live is a great day out and a memorable experience.

Here I’ve listed the events with a link each and everyone of them.

Whisky Live Tokyo
Sunday 10th February

Whisky Live Auckland
Saturday 16th February

Whisky Live London
29th February & 1st March

Whisky Live Belgium
Friday 14th to Sunday 16th March

Whisky Live New York
Wednesday 2nd April

Whisky Live Paris
Sunday 21st September

Whisky Live Barcelona
Sunday 5th & Monday 6th October

Whisky Live Los Angeles
October (date TBC)

Whisky Live Toronto
Friday 24th October

Whisky Live Glasgow
Fri 31st October & Sat 1st November

Whisky Live Cape Town
Wednesday 5th to Friday 7th November

Whisky Live Johannesburg
Wednesday 12th to Friday 14th November

Whisky Live Leiden
Friday 14th to Sunday 16th November

Note: If you’re a visitor to any of the events and wanna do a guest post you’re more than welcome. Just send an email to grottomanATwhiskygrottoDOTcom

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anCnoc 16 year old single malt whisky is here!
 
anCnoc Single Malt Scotch Whisky has announced the launch of its 16 Year Old, which will be available in its key international markets from later this month.
 
Hand-selected by their Master Distiller Stuart Harvey, the 16 Year Old line extension is the latest addition to the anCnoc family, which also includes the 12 Year Old, a limited edition 1993 Vintage as well as its limited edition 30 Year Old. 
 
An unchill filtered, non-coloured single malt scotch whisky, anCnoc 16 Year Old is bottled in its most natural form, giving it a superior quality and mouth feel.  Unlike its former bottlings, the 16 year old is the only anCnoc available which has been wholly matured in American oak casks.  Previous releases have been finished in Spanish sherry barrels and it is this point of difference which makes the 16 year so distinct, creating superb citrus notes which are resultant of the contact between the Knockdhu new make spirit with the vanilla and toffee from the cask.  The aroma is full bodied with bursts of citrus fruit, and fragrant vanilla .Its complex flavour is light and zesty with a hint of spice, warming up to what can only be described as ‘stick to your teeth toffee’. 
 
anCnoc Brand Manager, Elaine Mitchell commented:  “This is a really exciting addition to the range. Our 16 year old is quite different to anything else that we’ve produced previously and the initial feedback we’ve received from connoisseurs who have tried it is very encouraging.”

The new 16 year old dram have been released to be sold in specially selected counties worldwide, with a RRP of £39.99.

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Ulf Buxrud, Keeper of the Quaich is releasing a guide to Japanese Whisky.

The book is Ulf’s endeavor to document the facts and figures of a formative and exciting segment of the Japanese whisky industry. It is also an attempt to mirror the arduous work and joy surrounding the rise of a trade that became an industry on its own merits.

The ‘Japanese Whisky’ portrays all distilleries involved in the foundation of a unique chapter in the global history of whisky making. Some of these entities are gone, others are still operating at full steam. Each of the distillery portraits contains histories and comprehensive technical data, some never published before.

It also includes a special segment maps a vast number of whisky versions produced over the years. Tasting notes, photo documentation and comments are included for each of them.

The book also features plenty of side information such as how to travel and visit distilleries, the Japanese whisky bar culture, how to and where to find Japanese whiskies and much more is highlighted in the book.

Ulf has set up a web site where more information will be available soon.

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You might have noticed our black & yellow banner here to the right. It’s the symbol for the War on Whisky fakers led by sergeant Serge over at Whiskyfun.com.

War on Whisky Fakers

Serge says “Yes, wasn’t it about time we did something new against these forgers who sell fake or refilled bottles on eBay or elsewhere? I’ve been caught myself (at least four bottles I think within one year) and that really hit a nerve! That’s why I decided to expose all forgeries (or even possible forgeries) on Whiskyfun’s main page and to simultaneously archive them on this central page.”

And I just wanted to make sure you all noticed as well. It’s a DRAM good cause!

Head over to the War of Whisky Fakers page on Whiskyfun.com and show your support!

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Tune in for the live webcast of the Celtic Malts Whisky School

January 23, 2008

The first class of The CelticMalts Whisky School is due tomorrow. The classes are all sold out but thanks to Riannon over at Whisky Guild you have the chance to enjoy the class online instead.
So make sure you tune in to the CelticMalts Whisky Schools live webcast tomorrow, Thursday January 24th at 7pm EST/4pm PST.
The [...]

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Victoria Whisky festival throws exclusive Bruichladdich tasting for women only

January 23, 2008

This weekend if you’re in Canada, why not head over to the Victoria Whisky Festival.

Among other events Andrew Gray of Bruichladdich Distillery, is to lead an exclusive tasting for women only at the Victoria Whisky Festival.
I like the thought of this. Maybe this initiative will bring more female connoisseurs to the whisky scene. I sure [...]

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Malt Maniacs lists the important Whisky Events of 2008

January 23, 2008

Bar crier Konstantin has done a great job over at Malt Maniacs of listing the the most noteworthy whisky festivals, tastings & happenings.
Make sure you pay them a visit and maybe we’ll see each others out there.
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10 year old added to the Auld Reekie family

January 21, 2008

Whisky merchant Duncan Taylor has launched the Auld Reekie 10yo.
 
Joining its older brother, Auld Reekie 12yo, the Islay Malt Scotch Whisky is light straw in colour, the nose is smoky, revealing lime marmalade and gingerbread aromas with wood smoke and a gentle medicinal note. The body is an explosion of peat smoke with a silky [...]

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Belgian Whisky Awards 2008 open for entry

January 21, 2008

If you speak Dutch, then why not head over to the homepage of the Belgian Whiskyfestival and place your vote.

The BWA2008 have the following categories.
- Whiskypionier
- Whisky Ambassador of the Year
- Whisky Club of the Year
- Whisky Shop of the Year
- Whisky Bar/Restaurant of the Year

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Soap made of Whisky

January 17, 2008

Royal Mile Whiskies has got some clean products on sale. Or at least products that can make you clean.

Designed to compliment the many layers of single malt whisky, this is a hand-crafted soaps. Vegetable oils are mixed in small batches using the traditional “cold process”, using sugar, vegetable glycerin and large dram of Malt.
They come [...]

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Bruichladdich documentary on BBC

January 13, 2008

For you whisky lovers out there who have access to BBC. A BBC fly-on-the-wall  type documentary on the Bruichladdich distillery will be aired on January 15th at 10pm.
The producer, Stuart Rivans: “During this time, we found out what makes the company tick, filmed the making of both Bruichladdich and new Port Charlotte spirits as [...]

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