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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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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For you whisky lovers out there who are curious to try something new, this Flavour Map from Malts.com should give you some hints on what to try out next.
An extra golden star for the greatness of adding non Diageo brands to the map. Sharing is caring as we say in the blogosphere. Even better is that they will keep on adding whiskies to the map.
Visit Malts.com for more info on how to read the map.
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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 focus will be on the arts of nosing, tasting and understanding the creation of these exemplary spirits. The live webcast will cover the range of single malts, rare and extraordinary blends, superior Irish whiskies and single malts from various countries including the new artisanal American malts!
Head over here to catch the first webcast from Whisky Guild.
By the way! Great initiative!
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America’s most influential whisky taster has placed the PC5 from Bruichladdich, a 5 year old Islay whisky in the same league as single malts 7 times it’s age.
It’s The Malt Advocate, published quarterly by John Hansell, that has rated PC5, the new peaty whisky from Bruichladdich as: “Outstanding! The best for it’s style. Distinctive”.
The highest scorer was a single cask bottling of the legendary 35 year old Springbank. At 93%, a single cask of 34 year old Glenfiddich followed at £300 a bottle. 3rd equal, with 92%, was the 5 year old Bruichladdich “PC5” along with a 36 year old Mortlach. 27 year old Bunnahabhain and 26 years old Highland Park followed.
The review highlighted: ‘If you like your smoky Islay whiskies young and masculine, this one is for you. Multi-dimensional and balanced. Youthful, but not immature.’
The PC5 – Port Charlotte 5 year old – was the first whisky to be distilled under the new management at Bruichladdich Distillery following 6 years of dormancy.
Bruichladdich’s Jim McEwan: “The neighbouring village’s name was chosen to differentiate the new heavily peated spirit from our traditional, unpeated whisky.
Watch out for the PC6 out in September!”
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