Whiskey

My friends Connie Lukasz were over the other day, and even though they know my cupboard is well stocked with Canadian whisky, they always try to find something that I haven’t tasted yet. On this occasion, they brought along a bottle of Bison Ridge Special Reserve Canadian Whisky to share a few drams with me. The whisky is produced (by this I mean bottled) by the Crosby Lake Spirits Company who are located in Minnesota, USA. All Canadian whisky must (by law) be distilled and aged in Canada; however, I could not locate any information as to which Canadian Distillery was the source for this brand. You may read my full review by clicking on the following excerpt: Review: Bison Ridge Special Reserve Canadian Whisky “… The initial nose reflects sweet butterscotch, some notes of corn mash, with wood spices rising in the background. As the glass breathes I notice an underlying ‘earthiness’ which reminds me of the scent of an old those fashioned damp cellars which were built with wooden floorboards lain directly over the black dirt …” Please enjoy the review which includes a recipe recommendation, the Buckeroo! Tagged: Bidon Ridge, Buckeroo, Canadian Whisky, Cocktails and Recipes, Crosby Lakes Spirits, Whisky, Whisky Review

Hogshead 758 – 51.2% My Tasting Notes: Colour: Medium gold Nose: Candied pineapple, mango, vanilla, hints of liquorice and pepper, only a light whiff of smoke. Palate: Very mild peat with faint hints of bacon, a rich mix of tropical fruits, butterscotch, liquorice and nutmeg. Finish: Long, fruity and slightly smoky. Overall: The peat has almost completely transformed into fruity aromas after 30 years. The wood influence is surprisingly gentle – very delicious. Rating: 88/100 – Price Tag $$$$$ – Value for your Money $$$$$ Scored blind for the Malt Maniacs Awards 2012 where it won a silver medal, re-tasted for notes

Cask 39 – 44.2% My Tasting Notes: Colour: Dark amber Nose: Orange marmalade, dried apricots, polished wood, honey, vanilla, creme brulee, cinnamon. Palate: Treacle, vanilla, apricots, orange zest, cinnamon, hints of cloves and pepper. Finish: Medium long, sweet and slightly fruity. Overall: While the nose of this old grain is truly delightful, it fails to fully satisfy on the palate. The sweetness is quite dominant, though the wood is kept under control. Rating: 83/100 – Price Tag $$$$$ – Value for your Money $$$$$ Scored blind for the Malt Maniacs Awards 2012 where it won a silver medal, re-tasted for notes

Bacardi’s latest TV spot explores the possible origins of the Cuba Libre cocktail.  Have you seen it? The post History of Cuba Libre appeared first on Rum Connection.

Around the time of The Whisky Show last year we were rather pleased to have scored some whisky from a brand new distiller on the single malt scene – Goa’s John Distilleries, makers of Paul John Single Malt Whisky . … Continue reading >>

I've always been a huge fan of cartoons and from my uncle who learnt his English by reading Donald Duck comics first in Norwegian and then again in English, through to my older brothers who always had copies of The Beano lying around, it's been a consistent family trait.Starting with the aforementioned Dundee-based comic (which has been the subject of a post before) I graduated to the excellent Tintin series of works, but that's where my interest waned in favour of books with less illustrations and more words.However, I've still maintained a love for graphic art and, of course the odd relaxing cartoon on the telly from time-to-time.One of my guilty pleasures in life is to set the Sky+ box to series link for The Simpsons and, once the working day is over, to sit back with a nice dram and an episode or two of this now iconic American show. So, imagine my surprise when I heard that in the latest season (season 24) one episode, called Whiskey Business, was to feature the down-at-heel local bar owner, Moe Sizlack landing venture capital investment to sell his own bourbon, Maker's Moe.Amid the growing craft distillation movement in the US, we shouldn’t forget those staple bourbons which populate our backbars and supermarket shelves, so this gives us a nice chance to have another look at Maker's Mark whisky.Maker's Mark – Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky – 45% abv – 70cl £22.95 hereNose: a bourbon which doesn’t shout but gets its point across well with few words. Vanilla pods and oak spices are backed with some subtle honey and red apple, all wrapped in parma ham.Palate: soft brown sugars are mixed again with vanilla pods and some red cherries. There is a hint of ginger and a mixed dried fruits. Oaky drieness kicks in, but this is, overall, soft and subtle on the palate.Finish: Some spices, but not over powering. Softness again.Overall: A really great whisky for mixing or pouring, this is a classic example of a great American bourbon which has established itself as a go-to brand for all the right reasons.It's no secret that craft distilling is in a boom-time in the US and it has reached such a height that even The Simpsons is featuring it. Quite the accolade for those already set-up and distilling.Of those making interesting spirits, Chip Tate at Blacones in Texas has to be right at the top of the tree. From his crazy creations such as Rumble (a distillation of figs, honey and sugar) through to his Baby Blue and the 2012 Best In Glass award-winning Texan Single Malt, Chip has now delved into the world of bourbon, making something which we would describe simply as ‘extraordinary’. We tried a sample at this year’s Whisky Live...Blacones – Straight Bourbon Whisky – Single Cask – 64.2% abv - 100 bottles approx. worldwideNose: A classic “yee-haa” of a bourbon nose with rich toffee apple, light wood varnish (Pledge?), rich vanilla pods, some freshly laid garden wood chippings and that wonderful delicate drying note provided by the corn.Palate: As is becoming traditional with Chip’s offerings, this is stout, strong and robust, with elements of charred meats, heavy oak and red cherries, yet there is a complexity on the back of the palate where spices dance around hand-in-hand with those vanilla pods from the nose, with hearty red berries and cinnamon spices providing a velvety backdrop.Finish: Cigar box and leather with those red berries finishing off and a drying tone of menthol to end the experience.Overall: Another great whisky from Chip Tate. I hope, unlike Moe Sizlack, that Chip maintains his independence and can play around with ideas and flavours at will. It’s a great bedrock on which to build a business.How unusual be reviewing two American offerings and not have to put an ‘e’ in my whisky. However, when you pour yourself a dram of the Balcones Straight Bourbon, you’ll certainly be putting the ‘you’ into flavour...

ARDBEG UNEARTHS ITS LATEST LIMITED EDITION Ardbeg, the world’s smokiest, peatiest award winning whisky is set to launch its latest limited edition called Ardbog, on ‘Ardbog Day’ – 1st June and will be available exclusively at New Zealand Ardbeg embassies. To be the first in the country to enjoy a wee dram of the 2013 Ardbog Limited Edition, whisky connoisseurs can either head to Whisky Galore in Christchurch or Sam Snead’s House of Whiskey in Auckland on 1st June where Ardbog will launch for sale. These Ardbeg Embassies will also host special tastings during Ardbog Day as well as some peaty instore events to celebrate the worldwide launch. Rai Banbury, senior brands manager, says, “The Islay Ardbeg Festival has become a key date in the calendar of malt whisky lovers worldwide. Every year Ardbeg creates a unique and fun way for our Ardbeg fans to celebrate Ardbeg and the much anticipated limited edition release.” The name Ardbog was chosen to highlight the peat bogs of Ardbeg’s island home Islay and the part they play in the whisky making process. The unique peat bogs contain highly aromatic plants that when used to dry malted barley gives Ardbeg whiskies their distinctive smoky flavour. Ardbog has deep, enticing waves of pecan nuts, salty toffee & caramels, fudge, leather and a distinct whiff of herbs, lavender and violets. The smoke is soft and aromatic, and is interwoven with savoury notes, like Iberico ham (de bellota) and olives. The release of Ardbog follows the highly acclaimed Ardbeg Galileo, awarded as the World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whisky Awards earlier this year. To find out more about ARDBOG Day and becoming a committee member, visit http://www.ardbeg.com/ardbeg/members/public/index/register. Notes NZ Ardbog Day Events on Saturday 1st June: • Whisky Galore, 66 Victoria Street, Central City, Christchurch. 11-5pm • House of Whiskey, 50 Courthouse Lane, Auckland, CBD. 11-5pm Tasting Notes: Colour Deep ochre Aroma Deep, enticing waves of pecan nuts, salty toffee & caramels combine with fudge, leather and with a distinct whiff of herbs, lavender and violets. The smoke is soft and aromatic and is interwoven with salty, savoury notes, such as berico ham and olives. The addition of water brings forth herbal, perfumed notes, smoked rhubarb, aged balsamic vinegar and some salty, ‘graphite’ notes reminding you of the Manzanilla cask element. Taste/Texture A full, oily/tingly mouth feel leads into a powerful, salty, savoury burst of flavours including salted cashews and peanuts, clove, aniseed flavoured toffee, green olives and a curious hint of anchovy. A long, lingering aftertaste, in which the classic Ardbeg sweetness (like a hint of maple syrup) is kept in check by oak tannins, clove and coffee grounds. RRP $160 About Ardbeg: Ardbeg prides itself on being the ‘Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky’. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by whisky connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite this, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.

Jura Launches Travel Retail Exclusive Jura distillery has released a new expression – Turas-Mara – for sale exclusively through travel retail. Gaelic for long journey, Turas-Mara is inspired by the travels of the many Diurachs who were forced to emigrate during the 18th and 19th centuries, in what became known as “The Clearances”, to countries including the US and Canada. Turas-Mara is an expression that honours those who carried Jura in their hearts, as they travelled and migrated across the globe. Jura Turas-Mara allows travellers to experience a little bit of Jura as they embark on their own journeys. Each pack is adorned with a compass to help steer the traveller home, and a poem written by a former resident of Jura, Jessie Scott. Jessie lived on the island during the 19th century and witnessed many of its inhabitants depart Jura by boat for the shores of North America. The poem is an ode to her homeland and has been immortalised on a plaque which currently stands on Jura’s Corran Sands beach. Jura Turas-Mara is bottled at 42% ABV and available to buy in selected travel retail stores throughout 2013, with a RSP of £40 or €50. Jura Distillery Manager, Willie Cochrane said: “The spirit of travel is reflected in this whisky as it takes its unique and exotic flavour from casks sourced from America, Spain, France and Portugal. Its fleshy notes of vanilla and toffee and black cherries on the palate will make duty free travellers long to visit our wonderful island.” Francesco Scaglione, Whyte & Mackay Travel Retail Director commented: “For a whisky inspired by those Diurachs who set off around the globe, it’s fitting that this expression will only be available for sale through selected travel retail outlets. Over the past five years, the brand’s sales within this channel have grown more than any other top single malt, and this year we aim to build on that momentum and continue to work closely with our partners to create innovative brand exclusives.” Taste Notes Colour: Velvet Mahogany Nose: Vanilla, coconut and sweet toffee Taste: Honeyed vanilla, succulent black cherries, fleshy grape pulp and juicy raisins About Jura Off the west coast of Scotland lies one of nature’s best kept secrets, the Isle of Jura. Populated by a community of less than 200, known as Diurachs (the Gaelic name for the people of Jura), the island is home to Jura distillery and an award-winning range of single malt whiskies. There are four classic bottlings in the Jura Collection, each with their own distinctive flavour profiles: the light and delicate Origin 10; the rich and full bodied Diurachs’ Own 16 year old; and Superstition and Prophecy, which are lightly and heavily peated respectively. Jura whisky, as we know it today, was born in the late 1950s when two local estate owners – Robin Fletcher and Tony Riley-Smith – took the bold decision to rebuild the Jura distillery following decades of neglect, employing architect William Delme-Evans. By 1963 their work was complete, providing much needed economic support for an isolated island community. The story of the distillery’s rebirth is one of many that define the unique character of Jura, the islanders and their whisky. From the Writers’ Retreat to the annual Music and Whisky Festivals, Jura continues to generate stories worth telling. www.jurawhisky.com

Ladies only Balvenie Whisky Tasting with Alwynne Gwilt (Miss Whisky) – Thursday 6th June – Delightful Drams & Delicious Nibbles! Just a quick reminder that on Thursday 6th June we are holding our next Ladies only whisky tasting.  Alwynne Gwilt is a lady who has a real passion for whisky and through her website (misswhisky.com) is helping to spread the word that whisky is as much a drink for women as it is for men so we’re delighted that she will be joining us to present some of the delicious honeyed drams from the Balvenie distillery on Speyside, and to give us a unique perspective on the whisky world. We will be starting with a whisky cocktail then move through a selection of drams that will include such luscious lovelies as the new Single Barrel 12 year old and (perfect for a summer’s evening) the Caribbean Cask 14 year old. Along with the whiskies we will be tasting some dainty nibbles specially selected by Alwynne to enhance the flavours of each dram so the evening has all the perfect ingredients for a great girls night out with a difference. Come by yourself (we’re a really friendly bunch of ladies) or get some friends together and join us.  See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us Sláinte! Fran Arkwrights Whisky and Wines Ladies only Balvenie Whisky Tasting with Alwynne Gwilt Date Thursday 6th June 2013 Time 7pm for 7.30pm Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren SN6 7SD Details Balvenie is still a family owned distillery, having been established in 1892 by William Grant. It retains it’s own maltings and cooperage, and production of its smooth, rich whiskies is overseen by David Stewart, who has over 50 years of experience. Excellent use of different cask types produce some delicious variations in the range and the whiskies that have been selected for the night will give you the chance to find your own particular favourite(s). Tickets are £13.50 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting. Tickets are very strictly limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and as these tastings sell out very quickly it is best to book ASAP. To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com  and place an order for the number you require. Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared. N.B. We have negotiated special rates at the hotel for anyone who wants to stay overnight after the tasting – click here for further details.

anCnoc builds on Peter Arkle partnership Once-in-a-lifetime competition launched to celebrate latest release anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled its third Limited Edition Peter Arkle release. The striking and distinctive packaging from the New York-based Scottish artist takes its inspiration from the thick, brick walls of anCnoc’s Knockdhu Distillery’s dunnage warehouses. Internationally-acclaimed illustrator Peter Arkle said: “I have loved working with anCnoc and am very proud of our latest limited edition. The distillery at Knock is such a great place and I had a fantastic time visiting there. This particular illustration for me really shows a complex thought in a very simple way. On one hand it’s just a drawing of the bricks that make up the walls of the distillery and the warehouses with a yellow sign stuck on. But, on the other hand, those bricks are so old and so soaked with the essences of anCnoc –absorbed over the years – that they are not just any old bricks. They are bricks with real character and history. And the sign is there to remind people that anCnoc is not something you can take for granted. One must handle something remarkable with care.” The liquid has anCnoc’s signature honey and lemon notes and has a spicy taste with notes of citrus, sherry and dark chocolate. Strictly limited to only 1000 cases, this Limited Edition will be available online and through specialist retailers in the UK as well as across the globe in the USA, Germany, Russia, Japan, Taiwan and Canada. To mark this unique collaboration, anCnoc is offering 10 fans the chance to win a personally illustrated bottle of anCnoc in a Twitter contest. By Tweeting in a picture of how they enjoy their whisky, 10 of the entries will be chosen by Peter and hand-drawn before being transposed onto a label and tube of anCnoc. Gillian Gibson, Brand Manager for anCnoc, said: “anCnoc has long had a close relationship with visual art and we are delighted to not only be continuing with this fantastic series with Peter which we are sure will become instant collectors’ items like its predecessors, but that we can also offer truly personalised art with a mighty fine dram with our #youranCnoc campaign.” The campaign, called #youranCnoc, will go live on June 17th when people all over the world will have a single day to Tweet in their perfect way to enjoy a dram of anCnoc – whether that be at the beach, by a roaring fire with a dog or looking at the countryside from their window. One of the 10 winners will be flown to New York to meet Peter and be presented with their personalised bottle. Peter added: “I have been so inspired designing for anCnoc and I’m really excited for people to get the chance to be inspired themselves and have their own personal anCnoc moment immortalised onto their very own bottle. It’s such a fun opportunity.” For more information on the anCnoc range or the #youranCnoc campaign please visit www.anCnoc.com