May 26th, 2011

Review: Glenfiddich, Snow Phoenix

John Hansell

Glenfiddich, Snow Phoenix, 47.6%, $90

Second of this pair of limited editions from Glenfiddich. This was named after a number of the distillery’s warehouse roofs collapsed under the weight of snow in 2010. This was a bottling of a selection of casks — ex-sherry, ex-bourbon, refill — from one of those damaged warehouses. It is gentle and sweet — cooked pear, fruit crumble topped with rolled oats, golden syrup, and on the palate hints of raisin. A lemon finish adds a freshness to a dangerously drinkable dram. –Dave Broom

Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 83

Category: New Releases,Reviews,Scotch whisky,Writers Tags: , 43 Comments

May 20th, 2011

The leading single malt scotch brands in the U.S. (I think #5 might surprise you!)

John Hansell

Here they are, according to IMPACT DATABANK

US – Leading Single Malt Scotch Whisky Brands
(thousands of nine-liter case depletions)
  Percent Change
Rank Brand Importer 2008 2009 2010 2008-2009 2009-2010
1 The Glenlivet Pernod Ricard USA 285 286 309 0.4% 8.0%
2 The Macallan Rémy Cointreau USA 125 125 134 0.0% 7.2%
3 Glenfiddich William Grant & Sons USA 102 100 107 -2.0% 7.0%
4 The Balvenie William Grant & Sons USA 47 50 55 6.4% 10.0%
5 McClelland’s White Rock Distilleries 49 52 54 6.1% 3.8%
6 Glenmorangie Moët-Hennessy USA 37 43 52 16.2% 20.9%
  Total Top Six 645 656 711 1.7% 8.4%
Source: IMPACT DATABANK

 

McClellands? That certainly surprised me! Anything surprise you?

Category: Marketing,Ramblings,Scotch whisky Tags: , , , , , 83 Comments

May 13th, 2010

Bottle of 1937 Glenfiddich to be auctioned

John Hansell

The first of eleven bottles. It seems like a lot of distilleries have squirreled away some older whisky, which are now being released. This one’s not as old as Gordon & MacPhail’s 70 year old Mortlach, but it’s not too far behind.

The official listing on the Bonhams site is here, but there’s still no information (or images of the bottle) up there yet. Details below in the press release.

£20,000, VERY RARE BOTTLE OF 1937 GLENFIDDICH AT BONHAMS WHISKY SALE 

An exceptionally rare bottle of Glenfiddich distilled in 1937 is for sale at Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on 16 June. 

It is one of only 11 bottles of the 1937 produced by the distillery and is the first to appear at auction.  Having matured for 64 years it is also one of the oldest whiskies ever released onto the market.  It is estimated to make between £15,000 – 20,000 and is likely to be keenly sought after. 

Bonhams Whisky consultant, Martin Green, commented, “It isn’t very often that such a rare bottle comes along and it’s a privilege to be handling it.  As soon as I recognised the significance of the bottle I got in touch with the distillery to let them know that we were including it in the auction.” 

Libby Lafferty speaking for Glenfiddich said, “We were very excited when we heard that the 1937 was going into the sale and immediately invited Martin Green from Bonhams to bring the bottle back to its home distillery to photograph for our archives.  It really is that special.” 

ends 

For further sale information please go to www.bonhams.com/mechanicalmusic 

For further press information please contact Andrew Currie on 0207 468 5871  or andrew.currie@bonhams.com or press@bonhams.com

Category: Auctions,Scotch whisky,Special events Tags: , 7 Comments

May 3rd, 2010

New: Glenfiddich “Rich Oak” single malt scotch

John Hansell

This was posted up on Luxist yesterday. Have any of you tasted it yet?

“Glenfiddich has released a new expression, Glenfiddich Rich Oak 14-Year Old. Priced at around $50, the whiskey has been aged in second fill Bourbon barrels for more than 13 years, and finished in new American and Spanish oak.

The effect, as one would expect, is higher vanilla notes than is found normally in Glenfiddich, the number-one single-malt Scotch whiskey in the world. The notes of dried fruit and walnuts shine through as is the case with any Glenfiddich pour.”

Category: New Releases,Scotch whisky Tags: 26 Comments

April 2nd, 2010

Guest blog #5: Speyside Part 2 (Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Tullibardine)

John Hansell

Highlights on this trip are hard to narrow down, but there is no doubt that Glenfarclas and Glenfiddich/Balvenie are among our all-time favorites. Much of this has to do with George Grant and Ian Millar. Both are great ambassadors for their distilleries and the industry. Both have been to Omaha to do tastings even though we are a very small market in the grand scheme of things.  Previously George and Glenfarclas have hosted us for lunch; this time it was dinner in the industry’s most beautiful tasting room. This is a must-see, right off the visitor’s center shop and includes salvaged remnants from the ship The Empress of Australia, including beautiful wood paneling and restored chandeliers.  The entire Family Cask Series is on display, dating from 1952 to 1994, the lucky few can sample the casks and pick your favorite. It’s tough to find a more consistently tasty whisky of these rare vintages.

Touring Glenfiddich (left) with Ian Millar is unlike any other experience. His passion and knowledge about Glenfiddich, Balvenie, the industry as a whole are unparalleled.  We got to sample expressions in the works including “Project Indiana” and even a bit of the rare Kininvie single malt. As always, a tour of the warehouse with Ian is as close to nirvana as you can get.  You walk in and stare at the huge Solera vats holding thousands of liters of 15 YO Glenfiddich. Climb the ladder and pull out a sample to taste, an incredible experience.  That’s when the fun begins: cask hunting!  Glenfiddich casks, Balvenie casks everywhere from the 50s, the 60s, the 70s, well, you get the idea. This warehouse is like a cask museum, you’ll see more rare and experimental types and shapes of casks than anywhere. Tasting from them is just heavenly, if a bit chilly.   We also had the chance to purchase some of the last Port-aged Balvenie Rose. With only 426 bottles ever made available, it’s almost gone. With the close proximity of the distilleries here and the quality of the tour and shop, this is a must-see.

Finally, we could not finish our description of the distilleries we visited without mentioning Tullibardine.  This gem is actually located in a shopping center, at first glance you would think it would be a disappointment but initial impressions are deceiving.  Just like Highland Park, Aberlour and others, you can pick the type of tour you would like from basic to Tullibardine’s “connoisseur level.”  Our guide and leader Gavin Cuningham (see left) makes sure you have a wonderful time.  The shop is lovely and actually includes Starbuck’s coffee!!  The distillery was on a deathwatch for a number of years until a group of investors purchased the distillery in 2003 and began producing spirit again.  It’s a very traditional distillery with the mash tun, wash backs and stills all in close proximity to each other.  Great for explaining the process to a group, as you can literally do a 360 turn and see everything!   The shop itself has large numbers of Tullibardine vintages for sale that are very hard to get in the states.  Finishes in Sauternes, Rum, and Sherry were all available as well as vintages dating back to 1964.  The distillery also offers casks for sale. This is one we would absolutely recommend. – B. J. Reed

Category: Distillery Tours,Guest Blogger,Scotch whisky Tags: , , , 18 Comments

December 1st, 2009

Glenfiddich launches 50 year old

John Hansell

I actually received a pre-release sample back in August and reviewed it here. The official launch begins today in the U.S., along with an auction where you can bid on one of the bottles later this week. Details are below in the press release.

Now you know what to ask Santa to put under your tree. Let’s hope he has a bigger line of credit than I do.

Glenfiddich Unveils its Masterpiece
Rare and precious 50 Year Old Single Malt Makes Long-Anticipated American Debut

NEW YORK, December 1, 2009 – Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky, today announced the U.S. launch of its much-heralded Glenfiddich 50 Year Old expression.  One of the rarest and most precious expressions of authentic Single Malt Whisky ever released by Scotland’s most distinguished distillery, Glenfiddich 50 Year Old will be available in extremely limited supply, with only a handful of bottles available in the U.S.

4303_hi_glenfiddich_50yo_bottle_and_box (2)Beginning in December, Glenfiddich 50 Year Old will be available exclusively at three U.S. hotels, with one additional bottle scheduled to be sold at a charity auction on December 7, making this one of the most sought-after expressions of Glenfiddich ever released.

For half a century, two casks of whisky have aged gently in Glenfiddich’s Warehouse 8, under the watchful eye of the industry’s longest-serving and most experienced Malt Master, David Stewart.  As a consequence of this care and attention, Glenfiddich 50 Year Old is imbued with a unique preciousness that only time can bring, and remains remarkably light and elegant on the palate. The nose is beautifully harmonious with an uplifting, vibrant and complex aroma. The taste is initially sweet with a zesty orange marmalade and vanilla toffee, which then cascades through a wonderful series of layers: aromatic herbs, floral and soft fruits, silky oak tannin and hints of gentle smoke. The finish is exceptionally long with a touch of dry oak and the merest trace of peat.

“Time and tradition, and a small, significant measure of the unknown have contributed to making every drop of this beautifully-matured fifty year old whisky, some of the most precious Glenfiddich has to offer,” said David Stewart.   “It is some of our finest whisky, nurtured over many years by generations of dedicated and distinguished long-serving craftsmen using techniques lost to most other distilleries. Only an independent, family-owned distillery can remain true to its founding principles and continually pioneer in its pursuit of excellence.”

In addition to this, the packaging, rich with authenticity and heritage, also reflects the excellence of the whisky: Design cues have been painstakingly taken from archives that record the distillery’s 120 year history; the hand-blown bottles are individually numbered and presented in beautifully hand-stitched, leather-bound cases, which were inspired by William Grant’s personal ledgers.

“As the world’s most awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glenfiddich has a long tradition of innovation and setting the benchmark for quality” said Caspar MacRae, Category Director – Scotches, William Grant & Sons USA.  “The introduction of Glenfiddich 50 is a testament to the quality and pioneering spirit that has gone into the production of Glenfiddich for more than 120 years.”

American buyers will have the opportunity to bid for the sole bottle available for home purchase in the U.S. at a charity auction event, held simultaneously at New York’s Mandarin Oriental hotel, Miami’s Fontainebleau hotel and the Peninsula hotel in Los Angeles on December 7.  These hotels will also be the only places where the whisky will be available by the glass, until the next batch is released in 2010. 

Proceeds of the auction, which will be conducted by Christie’s Head of North American Wine Sales Charles Curtis MW, will go to Friends of Scotland, the charity founded by Sir Sean Connery, dedicated to advancing contemporary Scottish causes in the United States via educational scholarships, and to benefit veterans of foreign wars. In addition, Sir Sean has agreed to provide the winning bidder with a personal letter. Interested bidders should contact 646-356-8350 for the opportunity to take part in the auction.

Category: Auctions,New Releases,Scotch whisky Tags: 9 Comments

September 19th, 2009

Six incredibly rare whiskies (one bottle produced of each) for WhiskyFest San Francisco

John Hansell

Six different whiskymakers from six different distilleries have agreed to make a unique bottle of whisky (bottle #1 of 1) just for WhiskyFest San Francisco, which takes place on October 16th. Attendees will be able to taste a 1/2 ounce pour for a requested $20 donation to charity (Meals on Wheels).

Here are the six whiskies, along with a description of each, as provided by the whiskymaker.

Isle of Jura- Willie Tait: “I put a hogs head of Jura down on the 23rd Nov 1989, on my daughter’s 13th birthday. This was my legacy for my children, as they have already taken all my money.”

Bruichladdich- Jim McEwan: “The title of my whisky will be “Working on a Dream” it will be a vatting of 46 years of Bruichladdich as that is the time I have been in the business. A single malt made by humble men on the west coast of Islay whereby you can feel and taste their personality, honesty and passion in every sip you take.”

The Dalmore- Richard Paterson: As Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface for the very first time at 02.56 GMT on 21st July 1969, the new spirit of Dalmore down on Earth on this very same day was being transported onto the circular surface of American White Oak to begin its epic journey too.

The Balvenie- David Stewart: David now has an intimate knowledge of where his personal favorites are within the Balvenie warehouses, many of which he has been carefully nurturing for several years. David’s unique bottling will be a single cask sampling drawn directly from one of this highly personal selections.

Glenfiddich- Brian Kinsman: Cask samples are retained long after the cask has long been bottled and savored. They form a historical archive of Glenfiddich’s greatest and best. Brian will be selecting from these precious remnants to craft a unique and unrepeatable one-bottle “vatting” of Glenfiddich.

Buffalo Trace- Our charity Buffalo Trace bottle contains the very first sample ever drawn from our “Millennium Barrel.” This barrel was filled on December 31, 1999, that’s why we call it our “Millennium Barrel.” It was the very last barrel that we filled on the last day of the last century.

This is about as rare as whisky gets. And you can be sure they are going to taste great. Come to WhiskyFest San Francisco, try one of these rare treats, and help support a good cause.

Category: Bourbon,Charity,Events,Scotch whisky,WhiskyFest Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

August 27th, 2009

Review: Glenfiddich 50 year old

John Hansell

Glenfiddich, 50 year old, 46.1%, $16,000
We’re drinking liquid history here. Antique gold color. Aromas of dried citrus, lemongrass, and ginger with background honeyed vanilla, dried herb, bouquet of roses, and a wisp of smoke. Very long and evolving on the palate, going from sweet to dry: vanilla custard, crème brulee, white chocolate, candied citrus, juicy oak, polished leather, dried tobacco, and then resinous oak, with teasing dry roasted nuts and hint of peat bog throughout. Long dry, resinous finish. Remarkably well-maintained for its age. I can tell that it’s an old whisky, but it shows good complexity. It’s not tired and excessively oaked.

When compared to the 30 year old and 40 year old expressions, it’s actually more vibrant and youthful than the 40 sample I have. Still, I admit it doesn’t have the deft balance and roundness which I consider a hallmark of the 30. Bottom line here: Anyone who can afford this whisky and actually drinks it will not be disappointed. It’s really nice. But for us regular folk, try to pick up a 30 year old Glenfiddich  if you can find one and you won’t go wrong with the whisky—or the price (relatively speaking, that is).

Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 92

Category: Reviews,Scotch whisky Tags: 13 Comments

August 24th, 2009

The schedule for my live whisky reviews on Twitter this week

John Hansell

This weeks live reviews on Twitter will feature two single malts that are getting a lot of buzz these days. The whiskies, and the times of my reviews, follow. Both tastings will occur at 4pm EST.

Wednesday, August 26th: Highland Park Hjarta

Thursday, August 27th: Glenfiddich 50 year old

One benefit to joining us 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 on Wednesday and Thursday.

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

Category: Reviews,Scotch whisky Tags: , , 2 Comments

August 12th, 2009

Update on Glenfiddich 50 yr. old Scotch whisky

John Hansell

I have managed to get a very small sample of this new whisky, which I blogged about earlier here. I’m told that it’s the only review sample that has made it to the U.S.

I’m honored, so I thought I would make the most of it. I also have samples of 30 and 40 year old Glenfiddich whiskies too! I’ll line them all up and give you my relative thoughts, along with my formal review of the 50 year old.

I’m scheduled to leave for Kentucky later today and won’t be back until the end of the week, so look for my review of this here on WDJK early next week.

Category: New Releases,Scotch whisky Tags: 2 Comments

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