Last week, Pernod Ricard, owners of the Glenlivet scotch whisky brand, unveiled an addition to The Glenlivet portfolio in the US. Named The Glenlivet XXV, it represents the oldest permanent release in the brand’s range, and will be available in the country in a limited quantity.
It’s made from hand-selected vintage that has been finished in first-fill Sherry casks for at least two years before bottling. Glenlivet XXV was also signed off by four expert whisky-makers: Alan Winchester, who oversees the production process; Bill Lamb, who supervises the filling and warehousing of the casks; David Boyd, who regularly “noses” the whisky to inspect its progress and selects the casks for bottling; and Jim Cryle, The Glenlivet’s acclaimed Master Distiller.
The XXV comes packaged in a wooden box accented with limestone and brushed steel.
Unlike other products in The Glenlivet’s permanent range, [click to continue…]
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Clydesdale, probably Sweden’s most interesting distributor of whisky released news about two new bottlings under the Blackadder Raw Casks brand – Royal Brackla and St Magdalene.
Blackadder does not believe in chill-filtering or in colouring whisky. They believe that the purest is the best. Quite simply, Blackadder RAW CASK is every bit a Blackadder whisky but even more so. They use a special bottling process to make sure that each and every bottle of Blackadder RAW CASK contains its own share of the cask sediments as well as of natural oils and fats that might otherwise be left behind when filling a cask strength whisky straight from cask. This ensures the maximum possible natural flavour is in each and every bottle. The only thing they [click to continue…]
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The BenRiach distillery are adding a number of new expressions to their whisky range. The first one to see the light is the BenRiach 16 years old Sauternes Finish.
Matured in the traditional style in American bourbon barrels, this Single Malt whisky is then finished in Chateau D’Yquem Premier Cru Superior Sauternes wine barrels (sourced from the Bordeaux region of France), for a period of approximately 2 1/2 years.
According to BenRiach, the Chateau D’Yquem Sauternes casks are extremely hard to come by, and this release represents the rarest of all their wood finishes, with just 281 six-packs bottled for worldwide distribution. During this 2nd period of maturation the whisky derives a number of additional flavours and aromas specific to the Sauternes barrels.
Tasting notes from BenRiach
Nose: Sultanas, figs, butterscotch.
Colour: Rich gold.
Taste: Rich sweet Sauternes notes married with tropical fruits, melons, toffee, sultanas and butterscotch.
Stay tune for more info about the BenRiach Maderensis Fumosus and the BenRiach Limited Release Batch 5
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In September, get ready to taste some Jamaican tones performed by Balvenie.
It’s the speyside distillers latest limited edition, the Balvenie RumCask 17 Year Old that has spend it’s second period of maturation in rum casks shipped all the way from Jamaica.
This ‘Rastafari’ brew has been matured in traditional oak whisky casks before spending a second period of maturation in rum casks shipped from five thousand miles away in the Caribbean. The long maturation in traditional oak casks has given the whisky its characteristic Balvenie vanilla notes, while the finishing period in rum casks has added a further level of richness, warmth and spice. Its intensely fruity and floral nose certainly evokes the warm climes of the tropics, as does its beautifully sweet taste, subtle spice and gentle, silky oakiness.
We’ll tell you more as soon as we know!
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It gives me great pleasure to announce that William William Grant & Sons USA has announced the appointment of Sam Simmons a.k.a “Dr Whisky” as the first-ever Balvenie Brand Ambassador.
I personally have gotten to know Sam through his excellent blog Dr Whisky where he posts all his tasting notes. And by God does he post. Dr Whisky should probably be called Dr Frenzy based on the amount of postings. Among other things Sam’s blog received the People’s Choice Award at the 2007 Drammies, and was featured in Scotland on Sunday and The Malt Whisky Yearbook 2008.
Apart from blogging away Sam has also been busy serving as the the first Society Ambassador of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, and hosted whisky history and distillery tours throughout England and Scotland. His nosing and tasting skills have earned him invitations to sit on the judging panels of the World Whisky Awards as well as the International Wine and Spirits Competition.
“Sam’s vast knowledge and immense passion for Scotch whisky makes him a great asset to William Grant & Sons,” said Lynn Raynault, The Balvenie Marketing Manager. “His respect for craftsmanship and maintaining the integrity of 115 years of whisky traditions make him an ideal representative of The Balvenie.”
Way to go Sam!
And smart move you Balvenians.
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