Only 180 people populate the Isle of Jura, and the Jura distillery lies on the east side of the island. Distilling scotch on the remote island of Jura dates back to the 1600’s and the Jura distillery just celebrated their 200 year anniversary in 2010. The island of Jura is just 7 miles wide and 30 miles long with one road, one hotel and one distillery. In Gaelic, the people of Jura are known as Diurachs and known for their hunting, shooting, fishing, sailing, lobster, and of course, single malt scotch. The Jura 16 Year Single Malt is aged just off the beach on the Isle of Jura and gets much of its complex characteristics from the ocean air. Matured no less than 16 years, this single malt Scotch whisky is simply one of the best in the world period. All we can say is WOW!
The Jura 16 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tasting Notes:
With a scent of ocean air, oak and syrup, thw Jura has notes and flavors of oak, syrup, honey and has real complexity. Smooth yet very complex, this is the perfect single malt scotch and comes with our highest recommendation.
A unique blend of three of Speyside’s finest Single Malts, Monkey Shoulder is matured in first fill Bourbon casks hand selected by iconic Malt Master Brian Kinsman. Released in the UK in 2006, Monkey Shoulder already has a history of accolades and awards including a Gold award at the 2011 International Wine & Spirit Competition, a Master distinction in the Speyside Blended Malt category at the 2011 Scotch Whisky Masters and a Gold award in the 2011 International Spirits Challenge. Of course there are a lot of gold medals for whiskeys these days but the Monkey Shoulder lives up to the hype, especially for its price. Available for about $35-40, the Monkey Shoulder blend includes Balvenie, Glenfiddich and Kininvie single malts.
The Monkey Shoulder Tasting Notes:
Thick for a blend and light gold in color with a slightly red tint, Monkey Shoulder has a sweet scent of honey and syrup. With a sweet flavor, this is a solid blended scotch whiskey in whish the slightly spicy flavor and finish provide a very proficient complexity. The triple malted blend works very well and for the price, the Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky is a straight up stud!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONKEYSHOULDER WHISKY ARRIVES IN AMERICA!
“Most Coveted Spirit” Makes Long-Awaited Stateside Debut
NEW YORK –IWSC Distiller of the Year William Grant & Sons announces the arrival of the ground-breaking blended malt Scotch whisky, Monkey Shoulder, on American shores! Often referred to as one of the “most coveted” spirits in the U.S. due to its popularity among the bartending community and whisky connoisseurs, Monkey Shoulder has just landed exclusively in Illinois!
An irreverent nod to the traditional distillery malt-men who painstakingly turn malt barley by hand and wooden schiel, the “MonkeyShoulder” moniker refers to the colloquial term of a once common temporary injury, when after a long day’s work, a maltman would feel as though he had a monkey on his shoulder. While the injury is fortunately a thing of the past, the dedication to quality and craftsmanship involved in the hand turning of barley lives on in the Monkey Shoulder distillation process and the name today.
Since first appearing in bars across the United Kingdom in 2006, Monkey Shoulder has redefined whisky drinking for a new generation of Scotch whisky drinkers looking for an upgrade. What sets Monkey Shoulder apart from other whiskies is its unique combination of provenance and personality. By marrying five generations of award-winning distilling experience with a uniquely cheeky contemporary style and commitment to innovation within the Scotch category, Monkey Shoulder represents the ideal pairing of style and substance. A unique blend of three of Speyside’s finest Single Malts, Monkey Shoulder is matured in first fill Bourbon casks hand selected by iconic Malt Master Brian Kinsman, to ensure its signature smooth flavor.
“Monkey Shoulder is a new style of Scotch whisky – one rooted in heritage and tradition but firmly grounded in the contemporary world. Connoisseurs appreciate that Monkey Shoulder is a new style of Speyside whisky from a known world class distiller, while whisky newcomers are drawn to the mixability of the quality liquid and the irreverent and cheeky personality Monkey Shoulder presents to the category,” said Cindy Wang, Senior Brand Manager, Monkey Shoulder.
Under the scrutiny of William Grant & Sons award-winning distillers in Dufftown, Scotland, Monkey Shoulder is crafted in small batches of only 27 cases and offers a beautifully sweet and rich vanilla flavor, with brown sugar and creamy toffee notes balanced with oak and just a hint of spice. Monkey Shoulder already has a history of accolades and awards including a Gold award at the 2011 International Wine & Spirit Competition, a Master distinction in the Speyside Blended Malt category at the 2011 Scotch Whisky Masters and a Gold award in the 2011 International Spirits Challenge.
“Having caught the eye of the world’s leading bartenders, it’s high time my talented and influential friends in the U.S. have the opportunity to obtain and appreciate a bottle of Monkey Shoulder without a trip to London,” said Dean Callan, global brand ambassador, Monkey Shoulder.
Monkey Shoulder will be available in the Chicagoland area starting January 6th in top bars and select liquor stores and will be rolling out in Texas later in 2012. Those fortunate enough to discover Monkey Shoulder will be able to enjoy it neat, on the rocks or in a range of innovative cocktails.
Glenmorangie Unveils Artein: A Single Malt Whisky Born of Stone
NEW YORK — Glenmorangie is proud to announce the launch of Glenmorangie Artein, the third release in its award winning Private Edition range. ‘Artein,’ Scots Gaelic for stone, is an intriguing marriage of 15 and 21 Years Old Glenmorangie, extra matured in ‘Super Tuscan’ wine casks. Stone has always been at the heart of the making of Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Glenmorangie has its own unique hard water source – the Tarlogie Spring – which slowly filters through layers of limestone, adding rich minerals that eventually give Glenmorangie its complex fruity aromas. Stone also plays a more symbolic role for Glenmorangie. Located on grounds near the Glenmorangie distillery is the Hilton of Cadbol Stone, an 8th century Pictish artifact, rich in ancient intricate carvings. This treasure became the inspiration for Glenmorangie’s iconic emblem, The Signet.
Dr. Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Head of Distilling & Whisky Creation, is renowned for pioneering the innovative approach of extra maturing whisky in ex-wine casks. He has long felt a strong affinity with the innovative ‘Super Tuscan’ wine producers who are justly celebrated for breaking with established Italian wine making traditions. The rugged Tuscan coastal hills, located on stony ground, seem an improbable area for establishing vineyards, yet the stone plays an important role in the taste of these special wines. The vines are forced to take root deep into the soil for nourishment and as a result the grapes ripen with the intense flavor of this unique terrain.
Dr. Lumsden comments, “Wine is one of my huge passions and I was fascinated by the role the stony ground played in the flavor profile of the famous ‘Super-Tuscan’ wines. I was inspired to experiment with extra maturing Glenmorangie in these wine casks and was thrilled with the result: a rich, outstandingly fragrant whisky — quite literally born of stone.”
Glenmorangie Artein’s recipe has two thirds hand selected 15 year old whisky with a special additional one third of 21 year old whisky. The spirit started its maturation in American white oak ex-bourbon casks before individually spending a period of extra maturation in Super Tuscan wine casks. On the nose, Glenmorangie Artein recalls a sweet and heady bouquet of ripe red berries, honeysuckle and fresh mint. On the palate, one can taste sun-soaked baked fruits such as ripe apricots, peaches and plums which harmonize fluidly with hints of spearmint and cherries in milk chocolate. A whisky of great length, bottled at a strength of 46% alcohol by volume, Glenmorangie Artein finishes with high notes of zesty, lemon sherbet and a flourish of creamy cappuccino.
The official launch of Artein will be held at Colicchio & Sons in New York City on February 15th, 2012. Celebrity Chef and James Beard Award winner Tom Colicchio will be in attendance. He will create a Glenmorangie inspired menu for this special evening.
Glenmorangie Artein is the latest addition to the ongoing Private Edition range, which consists of rare and interesting limited edition whiskies selected from “the cabinet of curiosities” of Dr. Bill Lumsden. Released on an annual basis, this range comprises the highly esteemed Sonnalta PX and Finealta. Brian Cox, Vice President Glenmorangie in the U.S., commented, “These Private Editions are fast becoming valued collector’s items. We have completely sold out of the last two Editions and anticipate that Glenmorangie Artein 15 Years Old will sell out even faster since the Super Tuscan casks make this a very rare Private Edition indeed.” Artein is available in the U.S. from February 1st, 2012.
About Glenmorangie: Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky originates in the Scottish Highlands where, at the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland, expertly matured in the finest oak casks, and perfected by the Men of Tain. The Distillery was founded in 1843 and is renowned as a pioneer in its field uniting tradition with innovation to create ‘unnecessarily well made whiskies.’
About The Glenmorangie Company The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the company produces two main single malt brands – Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt Whisky.
The Glenmorangie Private Edition Range Glenmorangie’s Private Edition is an award winning special range that provides the occasional opportunity for the Glenmorangie Whisky Creation Team to share rare, limited samples of its rich and innovative experimentations to whisky connoisseurs and aficionados. Glenmorangie Artein marks the third release in this range; previous releases were Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX – a full bodied whisky, extra matured in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and Glenmorangie Finealta – an exquisite recreation of a 1900s recipe from the Glenmorangie archives with subtle notes of peat.
When people talk about the best single malts, most will tell you Macallan, Talisker, Balvenie and then tell you some dribble about the six classic single malts of Scotland, which was actually just a marketing ploy. Single malt vs. blended Scotch whisky, peated and smoky or smooth and syrupy, there are many ways to enjoy a scotch, all having their place. However, the Glenrothes Speyside Single Malt is one of the most overlooked single malts in the world, especially when you’re talking about the Glenrothes 1994. After winning multiple gold medals and “best in class” awards in international competition, one would think the Glenrothes would be behind the bars of many more establishments.
Established in 1879, this Speyside Single Malt is distilled in tall copper stills and aged in oak casks, the Glenrothes 1994 is a 12 year single malt scotch and it’s a work of art.
Tasting Notes of the Glenrothes 1994:
With the scent of sweet oak, syrup and salt, the taste is sweet and complex with flavors of oak, syrup, toffee, honey, and a complex finish with a slight hint of citrus. This is an excellent single malt that’s smooth and complex and we absolutely recommend it.
From Glenrothes:
Appearance:
Pale golden, clear and bright
Bouquet: Fruity, toffee, marshmallows
Palate:Soft, fruity, lemon citrus
Finish:Long, soft and fruits
The Glenrothes we believe that whisky is a bit like people; or wine perhaps, in that it matures in casks at its own gentle pace. Sometimes this takes longer than expected, sometimes we’re surprised early. But whether it’s a Vintage, a Single Cask or one of our House Reserves, we only ever bottle The Glenrothes when we deem it to be at its peak of maturity to ensure that each unique selection is ready to enjoy at its very, very best.
The Glenrothes is launching the second-annual Vintage Maker competition running now till Jan 31. Share Your Glenrothes Vintage Moment and Win A Trip To Scotland. The Glenrothes is asking you to recall and share a game-changing or halcyon moment in your life, for a chance to travel to Scotland and create the 2012 vintage. The winners will be the entries that in the opinion of the judges best represent the definition of a Glenrothes vintage moment: a perfect combination of time, place, people and/or occasion when everything comes together to create a moment that will stay in the memory forever.
Wondering what the perfect Vintage Moment looks like? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OalumKiFzU This brand new video shares an inside look at the distillery and highlights the beauty and history of The Glenrothes, from the breathtaking hills of Speyside to the river Rothes and barrels upon barrels of vintage whisky.
The Competition - 4 US winners will be chosen to create the 2012 vintage - Share your Vintage Moment in 1500 words or less - Trip takes place in May 2012 - Enter at TheGlenrothes.com or Facebook.com/TheGlenrothes - Contest ends on Jan 31
Tweeddale blend was first distilled in 1820 in Coldstream Scotland, just a few minutes from the border of England. Having been shut down during WWII, the Tweeddale Blend was reborn in 2009. The first batch was produced in 2010 and we were lucky enough to get a taste of Batch 2, bottled in June of 2011. Batch two is made up of single grain whisky aged for more than 15 years sherry cask. Seven of the eight single malts are from the same casks as batch 1 but a year older, from 12 years old to 21 years old. A blend of aged single grain whisky and eight individually selected aged single malt whiskies with a high malt content (50% grain, 50% malt), the Tweeddale blend is non chill filtered in keeping with the tradition of the original blend. Bottled at about 46% ABV, the 12 years aged Tweedale Batch 2 is a solid scotch whisky. With a thick gold color, the Tweeddale 12 Year is very smooth with a syrupy, fruity flavor with an oak and wood mouth feel. Sweet, smooth and warm this full bodied and balanced blend with a solid, light and refreshing smokiness. This is a solid scotch whisky and we definitely recommend it.
Tasting Notes from Tweeddale:
Batch Two (First bottled June 2011, available now)
Nose -mellow, sherry, toffee.
Palate -rich, full yet delicately flavoured
Finish -rounded, with hints of spice.
Just as every batch was slightly different when my Great Grandfather produced it over 70 years ago, my 2nd batch of The Tweeddale Blend is 12 year old.
Distilled and matured in Ross-Shire, the Glenmorangie 18 Years Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is considered “Extremely Rare.” Once it has spent fifteen years maturing in American white oak bourbon casks, approximately 30% if the whisky is transferred into Spanish Oloroso casks to spend a further three years maturing. Most scotches are aged for the majority of their maturation in bourbon casks because bourbon casks are only used once, usually aging bourbon in Kentucky for about 3-6 years. Then, the bourbon cask is shipped to Scotland to create single malts and blended scotch whiskies.
In the north of Scotland in the Highlands, the Glenmorangie distillery sits on the shores of Dornach Firth. Since 1843, Glenmorangie has been distilling single malt Scotch whisky and the 18 year is the magnum opus of this long, rich, critically acclaimed and award winning single malt distillery. Like many coastal distilleries in Scotland, the salty ocean water air gives the single malt much of its character.
Winning gold gest in Class at the 2011 International Wine & Spirits Competition, the double gold medal for single malts at 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, best Highland Malt at the 2009 World Whiskies Awards, and gold best in class for Highland Malt at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, the Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18 Years Old has proven it’s stature in double blind taste tests again and again. Glenmorangie was also named distillery of the year in 2011 at the IWSC after taking 5 gold best in class awards.
Tasting Notes for the Glenmorangie 18 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky:
With a light gold color, slightly sweet in flavor, this whisky is a complex and crisp single malt. Slightly dry towards the finish with a good, thick mouth feel, there are hints of honey, malt smoke and oak. This is a beautiful whisky and we are lucky enough to have the pleasure to have tasted it multiple times. We highly recommend this single malt but there is a steep price tag, about $100.00.
From Glenmorangie:
For a whisky of this age this expression has maintained, thanks to our delicate floral spirit and fine Oloroso casks, an incredible degree of vibrancy where the raisiny sweetness of the sherry has been toned down by the nuttiness of the American oak.
ABV: 43%
Aroma
Rich, rounded and sweet with dried fruits and a complex floral fragrance.
Taste
The taste is balanced between honey, malt and flowery scents. Dates and figs emerge in the background with a hint of wood smoke.
Finish
The finish is long and enticing with the sweetness of dried fruit and subtle dryness of Oloroso nuttiness.
The Wemyss (Pronounced Weems) family of Scotland has been distilling and winemaking since the turn of the 19th century, and barley from the Wemyss estate is actually used in multiple distilleries throughout Scotland. The Wemyss experience in blending whisky actually came from winemaking. As all wine is blended, the Wemyss family brought that experience to making their exceptional whisky. “Up to sixteen different single malt whiskies are expertly blended together before introducing the “signature” malts to create three distinct taste profiles: ‘Spicy’ (Spice King), ‘Peaty’ (Peat Chimney) and ‘Smooth’ (Smooth Gentleman).” For the Spice King 8 Years aged, the signature malt is from the Highlands, in order to produce a whisky with rich, full and spicy top notes. All of the blends are bottled at 40% and the range has five, eight and twelve year’s age.
The Spice King 8 Years Old Tasting Notes:
With a solid scent of peat the Spice King is bit thin, with a medium peat flavor. Slightly sweet with a good spiciness this is a very good whisky. Smooth and a bit complex the Wemyss Spice Kings 8 Year is perhaps a thicker, more complex and better Johnnie Walker Black and available for about $40 to $45. We definitely recommend the Wemyss Spice King 8 Years aged and it’s much better than some pricier single malts on the shelf.
Winner of our Double Blind Single Malt Scotch Taste Test
By Matt Goldstein & Amy K. Haight
Earlier this year, in our first double blind single malt scotch trials, the Balvenie Single Barrel 15 Years aged crushed the competition across the board and it wasn’t even close. Facing off against the likes of Macallan, Glenmorangie, Oban, Highand Park, and more, the Balvenie unquestionably stood apart. Since then, we’ve tasted this scotch again and again and it simply keeps performing like a champion. Aged in a single cask of no more than 350 bottles for a minimum of 15 years, the Balvenie Malt Master selects only the casks which have the essential characteristics of the Balvenie Single Barrel style. With a complete malty scent, the Balvenie 15 Year is sweet, with hints of vanilla, cream, citrus, fruits, honey, and oaky notes. The Balvenie 15 is rich, complex, sweet and full bodied. Smooth, silky and buttery, this single malt is simply one of the best in the world. Each cask of the Balvenie imparts slightly different flavor as our new limited edition bottle from the Balvenie Road Show is slightly different than the one which stole the show at our taste test. Surprisingly in fact, we believe it to be even better. From the moment that the traditional oak cask is filled it remains undisturbed and every year, the Malt Master hand selects each barrel that meets the required maturity. With supreme confidence, the Balvenie Single Barrel 15 Year Single Malt Scotch comes with our highest recommendation. This single Malt must be considered top 3 for any single malt scotch bottled at under $100.
Over the past five years Glenmorangie has won a remarkable total of 18 ‘Gold Best in Class’ medals at the International Wines and Spirit Competition (IWSC) – the most internationally-recognized wine and spirits awards body. This is more than any other single malt Scotch whisky, making Glenmorangie the ‘best awarded’ of any single malt.
Since its foundation in 1969 the IWSC has rewarded excellence in the world of wines and spirits, and November 16 was no exception. In the presence of 500 aficionados from across the globe at London’s historic Guildhall, Glenmorangie received yet another honor —the IWSC Best Distiller award. The title is a well-deserved addition to Glenmorangie’s collection of distinguished accolades.
Dr. Bill Lumsden, Head of Distilling & Whisky Creation at Glenmorangie, said: “It’s great to receive validation from theIWSC of our ‘unnecessarily well made’ whiskies. We have the tallest stills in Scotland giving us a smoother, purer spirit; we only use our casks twice for maximum flavor – whereas other companies use theirs up to six or seven times; and we are pioneers of extra maturation. Glenmorangie was the first whisky company to practice the art of extra maturing whisky in ex-wine casks and we are still the leading experts in this today.”
Brian Cox, Vice President of Glenmorangie in the U.S., said: “We are both honored and flattered to receive the IWSC Best Distiller award — a prestigious recognition that we do not take lightly. It’s truly the distillery and the people who create Glenmorangie that sets our whisky apart from the competition. I raise a glass of our whisky not only in celebration, but as a testament to all that Glenmorangie has collectively accomplished.”
About Glenmorangie
The Glenmorangie distillery was founded in 1843 in the Highlands of Scotland and is renowned as a pioneer in its field for uniting tradition with innovation. Glenmorangie is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills, expertly matured in the finest oak casks, and perfected by the 16 Men of Tain. It has been Scotland’s favorite single malt for over 50 years and is famous worldwide for producing the most complex and perfectly balanced Single Malts in the world.
About The Glenmorangie Company
The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moet Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the company produces two main single malt brands – Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt Whisky.
About The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC)
The International Wine and Spirit Competition was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. The IWSC Awards mark out of a possible 100, with Gold medals going to whiskies within the top ten percentile. Gold Best in Class is bestowed upon the top whisky within the top ten percentile. Silver medals are given to spirits ranging within 80 – 89.9 and bronze medals are appointed to products between 75 – 79.9 marks.
Responsible Drinking
The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers savor Glenmorangie whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.
What Single Malt Scotch Whisky was Meant to Be…
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