September 11th, 2009

Gold Bowmore: The Details!

John Hansell

First there was Black Bowmore, then White Bowmore. Now, it’s Gold Bowmore.

Gold_Bow-2-medHere’s a picture of it. I will have a sample of this by early next week and will let you know my thoughts on it. (Yes, I know… another “exclusive” whisky. I’m just doing my job.)

 

 

 

 

Here are also the details I received from my Bowmore contact:

 Gold Bowmore is the third and final release of the three limited editions:

o Black Bowmore – 827 Bottles Released in 2007
o White Bowmore – 732 Bottles Released in 2008
o Gold Bowmore – 701 Bottles Released in Fall 2009

• Release date: September 2009

• Suggested Retail Price: $6,250.00 / USD

• Availability: 701 Bottles worldwide

• Packaging: Hand-numbered bottle presented in a Burr Elm box

• Gold Bowmore is 84.8% proof

• Gold Bowmore was distilled on 5 November 1964

• Matured in three (3) Bourbon casks and one (1) Oloroso sherry cask then married together

• 45 years of aging in the famous Bowmore Number One vault – below sea level

• Colour: Rich Gold / Aromas: Passion fruit, papaya, and vanilla

• Flavors: Ripe exotic fruits, creamy vanilla, hint of smoky peat

• Other:  The oak Oloroso casks retain a tremendous amount of sherry walnut flavors resulting in a darker, reddish-amber whisky color

• The casks are aged below sea level in Bowmore’s coastal cellar – the Number 1 vault. 

• Floral notes are deeper, flavors more profound, color is darker than usual allowing it to develop in a fashion similar to a fine vintage port.

Category: New Releases,Scotch whisky 14 Comments

September 11th, 2009

Free preview of the new issue of Malt Advocate!

John Hansell

2009-Q3-Cover jpgThe new issue of Malt Advocate is out. And guess what? We put it up on our website for you to look at.

I know it’s possible that some of you haven’t seen Malt Advocate before. Well, we’re  kind of proud of it. In fact, we think it’s the best whisky magazine out there. (It’s also the oldest–we are in our 19th year!)

Okay, so maybe we’re a little biased. We’ll let you decided for yourself. Here’s the link to our website.

Just click on the “free preview” banner. You’ll be able to page through a portion of the magazine without having do to anything. It will then prompt you for your email address. This will do two things:

  1. Allow you to see the rest of the magazine
  2. Send you an email alerting you when the next online issue is posted up, so you can look at that one too! How’s that for being generous?

Have a look. Enjoy! (Oh, and if you like what you see, you might even want to subscribe to the paper version…)

Category: Malt Advocate Mag,Media,Special offers 6 Comments

September 11th, 2009

John Campbell (Laphroaig) Kevin Smith (Maker’s Mark) and me LIVE in two weeks

John Hansell

I’ll be with John Campbell (Distillery Manager of Laphroaig) and Kevin Smith (Master Distiller of Maker’s Mark) at the Maker’s Mark distillery two weeks from tonight. We’ll be doing a LIVE Webcast at the distillery on September 25, 2009 @ 8pm EST.

This should be fun. If you’re not doing anything at that time, tune in. We’ll be tasting Maker’s Mark bourbon, as well as several Laphroaig expressions (including the new 18 and 25 year old whiskies). Here’s the link to the site with all the details.

Category: Bourbon,Events,Media,Scotch whisky Tags: , 5 Comments

September 11th, 2009

GlenDronach: major investment in sherry casks, etc.

John Hansell

They’re hiring too! All this bodes well for the distillery–and for GlenDronach enthusiasts. Details below in the press release I just received.

Alistair Walker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW £7M INVESTMENT AS GLENDRONACH GOES FOR GLOBAL GROWTH
 
GlenDronach malt whisky is set to benefit from a major £7m investment this autumn.
 
It’s part of the strategy by the owners of the Aberdeenshire distillery to restore the malt to its former glory and accelerate its growth in new markets worldwide.
 
Forty years ago, GlenDronach was amongst the top five most popular malts in the world. Now a £5m investment in sherry casks over the next four years and a further £2m on brand promotion and extra staff will boost the sleeping giant, says MD Billy Walker.
 
“In recent years, GlenDronach has fallen out of view but it has maintained a kind of cult status. This new investment returns it to centre-stage.
 
“It’s testament to our ambitions as a small, niche distiller. We are making sure the whisky coming through is of the highest quality and the new sherry casks will be at the heart of maturation, imbuing the whisky with its distinctively sweet, fragrant and fruity taste.”
 
When Mr Walker and his associates bought GlenDronach last year, there were less than 20,000 bottles sold worldwide. This year, having added a number of new expressions like the 15 and 18 year-old, GlenDronach will sell around 150,000 bottles. By 2014, the aim is to sell some 250,000 bottles.
 
The company currently employs thirty people and is now looking for a further five.
 
Mr Walker added: “We’re pursuing our dream – to sell fine malt whisky all over the world and put GlenDronach back where it belongs.”

[The photo is that of Alistair Walker, regional sales director]

Category: Scotch whisky 4 Comments

September 11th, 2009

Kilchoman releases first single malt Islay whisky

John Hansell

KilchomanIslay’s newest distillery, Kilchoman, released their first whisky this week. (Has it really been three years already?) All the details are here on the Islay Blog.

I toured the distillery back in 2007, and the spirit I tasted showed great potential.

Congrats to Kilchoman! I’m looking forward to trying this whisky!

Category: Distillery Tours,Events,New Releases,Scotch whisky,Special events Tags: 13 Comments

September 10th, 2009

Review: The Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph 1991

John Hansell

This whisky will be available in November. The name, Triumph, based on the barley variety used exclusively for this whisky, which their press release says is not longer being used by the distillery.

If you like more oak influence (and a mouth-coating one at that), then go for the new Triumph 1991, but if you want your Glenlivet more vibrant and lively, then stick with the original 16 year old expression. (I like both equally.)

Nadurra_Triumph Low ResThe Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph 1991, 48%, $85
Richly textured with mouth-coating malt that is balanced by an array of lively fruit (fresh peach, nectarine, tangerine, pears in honey, and delicately caramelized pineapple). Creamy caramel, crème brulee, anise and subtle toasted marshmallow add complexity, as does its gently spicy, pleasingly dry finish. Two years older than the standard 16 year old Nadurra (which I like for its vibrancy and freshness). This new Triumph 1991 is richer and more textured, with more caramelized sugars, riper barley, and greater fruit impact. More mouth-coating too. (Exclusive to the U.S.)

Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 91

Category: Reviews,Scotch whisky Tags: 5 Comments

September 10th, 2009

The worlds largest bottle of whisky

John Hansell

Tomintoul Big BottleAfter all the serious Diageo “Manager’s Choice” talk, I though I would post up something a little less intense. Tomintoul has just bottled the world’s largest whisky bottle, over 100 liters.

It’s filled with 14 year old Tomintoul, bottled at 46%.

There’s even an entire website devoted to it, how it was made, etc., along with many more pictures, right here.

I wonder if they asked Glencairn to make a glass extra large to go with it?

Category: Humor,Scotch whisky 10 Comments

September 9th, 2009

Diageo responds to criticism over new “Manager’s Choice” whiskies

John Hansell

After more than 100 (mostly negative) comments on my posting about Diageo’s new line of single cask whiskies called “The Manager’s Choice,” Nick Morgan of Diageo has posted up a response.  Since many of you might not go back and check older postings, I wanted to make you aware of it.

You can go back and follow the thread, and Diageo’s response, here. If you have any comments, please make them on the original posting. We don’t need two threads going at the same time. Thanks!

Category: Administrative,New Releases,Scotch whisky 1 Comment

September 8th, 2009

This week’s schedule of my live reviews on Twitter

John Hansell

It’s a short week, so I’m only reviewing one whisky this week live on Twitter. It’s the new Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph 1991. I’ll be reviewing it this Thursday, September 10th, at 4pm EST. I’ll also be comparing it to the standard Glenlivet Nadurra 16 year old.

One benefit to following me is the live discussion after my review. I stick around and answer questions for anyone who has any. So, if you are on Twitter, follow me this Thursday (@JohnHansell).

I’ll still post up my review here on WDJK soon afterwards, if you can’t make this live review.

Category: New Releases,Reviews,Scotch whisky 1 Comment

September 8th, 2009

Ask Bill Lumsden questions about Ardbeg and Glenmorangie

John Hansell

I’m spending Monday Morning, September 14th, with Dr. Bill Lumsden, the creative genius behind Ardbeg and Glenmorangie. Just like last year when I was with him, once again I am going invite you to post some questions here that you would like me to ask him. I can’t promise that I will get all of the questions answered, but I’ll do my best within our time constraints.

So, fire away. What would you like to know about Ardbeg and Glenmorangie? I’ll print out your questions and bring them along with me when I see him on Monday.

Category: Interviews,Scotch whisky Tags: , 24 Comments

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