Homage to Nathan Thomas & Paul Cooper!
Dear All,
A great meet last month with five excellent 18 year olds in a blind tasting format. The new and very impressive Laphroaig 18 (replaced the old and much loved 15 earlier this year) clinched second place in the tasters scoring, with Bowmore 18 narrowly taking first place.
Markus, who's now returned to Germany, just took the tasting prize from Stephen N, with 3 of 4 successfully identified in a memorable and fun blindfolded tie-break.
Congratulations are due to Paul (Cooper - the exceedingly 'outgoing' Canadian for those not yet sure) for passing his 'exam' to join the clubs organising committee as a 'Founding Member - Standing'. The exam was a bit of fun, but admittedly a bit tricky in places, the exam was at the drunken insistence of Nathan (one of the original Founding Members) whom he shall replace until such a time as Nathan may eventually return to China.
A busy month ahead, in addition to Tam's blind tasting this Wednesday, we'll be having our 27th Sunday meet (hopefully) with a Campbletown theme on the last Sunday of the Month (Sunday 25th) followed by a (Charitable) Old Pulteney Master Class from Kelvin on Thursday the 29th.
As always do please think of the club when traveling internationally, we are always reliant on our members to keep up our supplies, please drop me a line if you can help.
Our thanks to Martin this month.
Upcoming Events:
2nd WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH (14th October): Tam's Blind Tasting: Wednesday 14th, from 20:30 - O'Malleys, upstairs. 150 RMB for four drams. Test your taste and enjoy fine whisky, most of which is not normally available in Shanghai. Tam has hinted that they will all be on the mature side this month.
THE LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH (25th October): XXVII Monthly Clan Gathering - from 13:30 - O'Malleys, upstairs. 200RMB (50 discount for paid up members) for the whisky and food and as usual there will be happy hour drinks prices and 10% off food over the bar. I am due to have three Campbletown whiskies hopefully before the meet, in which case we'll be tasting SpringBank, Glen Scotia and Longrow (from Springbank) - as well as one or two others of course! As always, guests are very welcome, although:
Please, Please, Please, as always, try to confirm in advance if you will be attending (and if you will be bringing guests) so I can gauge how many bottles to bring along!
(Charitable)
OLD PULTENEY MASTER CLASS (29th October) from Kelvin Tam of Inverhouse.
Kelvin Tam from Inver House will be treating us to a tutored tasting of Old Pulteney on the evening of Thursday October 29th from 20:00 at O'Malleys. Old Pulteney, as many of you will know, is a coastal distillery in the Northern Highlands Scotch, well known and much loved in the UK but alas rarely seen in Asia. There are a few very interesting things about the distillery not least the shape of the stills, the traditional worm tub condensers and the geographical location as the most Northernmost on the mainland.
Many of you will already be familiar with Kelvin and his great enthusiasm for and depth of knowledge of Inver House's whiskies, so the evening is sure to be fun and memorable. I've been assured we'll have enough 12 and 17 year old to become well acquainted with the whisky! Not to be missed.
Costs are 50 rmb for paid up members and 100 rmb for guests and non-paid up members. 50 rmb for each person attending will go to our club charity - the Bo Ai Childrens Rehab Centre. There will also be special prices on whisky available from Inverhouse's local distributor. Places are limited so please RSVP to reserve a place.
Cheers,
Glen
Chieftain
Shanghai Malt Whisky Society
Mobile: +86 13817868296 (GMT+8)
Some Particularly Interesting Industry News:
Whyte & Mackay Wins Gold….Twice
Whyte & Mackay’s 30 year old whisky has scooped gold at two of the most authoritative award ceremonies in the drinks industry.
Richard Paterson, Whyte & Mackay’s master blender created the 30 year old masterpiece. Richard (60) has worked for the Glasgow-based whisky company since the tender age of 26 and is the mastermind behind all the company’s brands, including the Whyte & Mackay flagship whisky.
He is also one of Scotland’s most successful record breakers of all time – in the last three years alone he has won over 58 medals in the IWSC competition, as well as a plethora of country specific awards presented to him.
Commenting on his success for the Whyte & Mackay 30 year old Richard, said: “I am truly passionate about whisky and developing perfect blends and flavours. The Whyte & Mackay 30 year old is one of my finest achievements. ‘It’s a masterpiece which has taken three decades to create and is an unforgettable and rare perfection to enjoy. It is rich and mellow, elegant and distinguished – and is a dram that must be savoured with the utmost respect.”
Dalmore Releases £10,000 Malt Whisky
A rare 1951-vintage single malt whisky with a RSP of £10,000 per bottle will be released today (Monday 5 October).
Only 12 decanters of the Sirius expression from premium whisky brand The Dalmore will be produced. Sirius will only be available to private buyers and through a limited network of World Duty Free (WDF) stores.
"The international market for high-end luxury products which have an investment value is buoyant - and the finest whiskies are playing an increasingly dominant role in this sector," says The Dalmore's Brand Director, David Robertson.
"Our partnership with World Duty Free allows us to reach an elite group of investors and whisky aficionados across the globe. We will be focusing on key target markets in Taiwan, USA and France."
Sirius will be launched in the flagship WDF store at Heathrow Terminal 5. Nigel Sandals, Category Buying Manager for Liquor at WDF, adds: "Our customer base contains some of the most knowledgeable investors in spirits in the world.
"Being able to offer the absolute best-quality luxury goods is a very strong incentive for buyers to use travel retail and World Duty Free - as they would a specialist retailer - to get exceptional value and to see a real return on their investment."
The Dalmore's 1951 Sirius Vintage is a single-cask, single malt whisky, with a cask strength of 45%.
The Dalmore Master Distiller, Richard Paterson, says: "Distinguished and elegant, age has gracefully finessed this brilliant expression. Sirius is, quite simply, one of the world's most perfect whiskies."
For more information about The Dalmore visit www.thedalmore.com
Glengoyne 12 Years Old joins award-winning core range
Glengoyne Distillery is launching an exciting new edition to its acclaimed core range: Glengoyne 12 Years Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Like all of Glengoyne's Single Malts, the 12 Years Old is distilled from air-dried barley, untainted by harsh peat smoke, capturing the authentic 'Real Taste of Malt'. At 43% strength, with a natural, golden colour, the 12 Years Old has scents of coconut oil, lemon zest, honey and dried malt. With a warming mouthfeel, its initial palate is of toffee apples and cinnamon spice, while a touch of water brings out ginger, fresh orange and shortbread. The balanced finish is further mellowed by hints of sherry and soft oak.
Developed by agency, Ron Burnett Design, the bottle and tube presentation perfectly aligns the 12 Years Old within the existing Glengoyne 10, 17 and 21 Years Old core range. The metallic gold/copper coloured tube mirrors the rich colour of the malt within, while tasting notes and details on Glengoyne's tradition, craftsmanship and whisky making process, bring the Single Malt to life.
Available to domestic and international markets, Ian Macleod Distillers, brand owners of Glengoyne, plan to export the 12 Years Old Single Malt to over 60 markets worldwide and predict it will rapidly become a top best seller with specialists, second only to the Glengoyne 10 Years Old in overall sales volumes.
Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, commented: "The 12 Years Old is a very welcome addition to the Glengoyne core range. The decision to introduce the 12 Years Old is an integral part of our ongoing successful marketing and sales strategy to continue to grow and develop the Glengoyne brand. It is also in response to international demand, particularly from Western Europe, where our customers are looking for a high quality, intermediate step between the Glengoyne 10 and 17 Year Olds."
Glengoyne 12 Years Old will be available from October to UK and international markets RRP £33.99 ($56.00 €39.50).
For further information on UK distribution contact: Harvey Miller Wine & Spirit Agencies www.hmwsa.com 08445 611 252. For international distribution contact Ian Macleod Distillers www.ianmacleod.com
Multi-gold award winning Glengoyne Highland Single Malt is one of the leading premium malt whiskies in the world and has been distilled at Glengoyne distillery since 1833. Along with the core range, Glengoyne produce a number of limited edition casks each year, including most recently the super premium Glengoyne 40 Years Old.
Curious to discover more visit: www.glengoyne.com
Article Courtesy of Press Release
Whisky giants Diageo announce ad campaign to cash in on Scottish roots... weeks after axing 900 workers
WHISKY giants Diageo are launching a multi-million pound ad campaign cashing in on their Scottish roots - as 900 workers face the axe.
Bosses want to relaunch Johnnie Walker at the same time as severing all links with Kilmarnock, the birthplace of the famous whisky.
They have kept their plans under wraps, fearing a backlash.
But a secret document leaked to the Record reveals the proposals for the ads, which will feature a wacky TV chef called Bruce Campbell.
Last night, furious union official Georgina Cunningham said it was "a slap in the face" for the workers who face life on the dole.
A casting agency will audition actors for the role of Campbell in Glasgow tomorrow. And shooting is to begin on November 9.
An industry insider said: "Diageo won't be happy when this gets out because they are embarrassed by the money being spent when hundreds of folk are losing their jobs.
"They didn't want any backlash and thought it could be done secretly.
"But it's difficult to audition for Scottish actors and shoot it in Scotland without anyone getting a sniff."
Georgina, shop steward for the union Unite at the Kilmarnock plant, said: "This is a slap in the face and a disgrace that they tried to be so sneaky about it."
Diageo have refused to back down on plans to close their Kilmarnock plant and a distillery in Port Dundas, Glasgow, with a total loss of 900 jobs.
The secret document detailing the huge TV and poster campaign says Campbell "should be very Scottish to the point his Scottishness is part of what we find funny about him".
But the ads will not be shown in Scotland as they are aimed at wooing younger drinkers in South Africa, the world's fifth largest market for Scotch.
A Diageo spokeswoman said: "The campaign, which is still in the very early conceptual stage, is designed to promote a wide variety of our brands ... to the important South African market."
Article Courtesy of Daily Record
The Glenrothes launches John Ramsay legacy bottling as malt master retires
The Glenrothes single malt is launching a limited edition John Ramsay Legacy bottling to mark the Malt Master's retirement this month.
His final gift to The Glenrothes, the John Ramsay Legacy bottling, is a non-Vintage selection of 30 casks personally chosen by John to create an impressive single malt in celebration of his longstanding relationship with the Speyside distillery. The casks are all 2nd fill American Oak sherry casks from Vintages ranging from 1973 to 1987.
Bursting with aromas of spice, blood orange and vanilla, this limited edition single malt has a rich palate of fruit and mango with a long, mature unmistakably American oak finish. Only 100 bottles of this Legacy bottling (46.7% abv) are available in the UK.
John Ramsay, Malt Master for The Edrington Group, says: "My signature and tasting notes have been on each and every label of The Glenrothes since 2004. This final bottling has given me a wonderful opportunity to craft a single malt which embodies the exceptional quality and distinctive style of The Glenrothes and I am truly delighted with the result."
Since joining The Edrington Group in 1991, John Ramsay has held the esteemed position of overseeing the quality of the Group's whisky portfolio, including The Glenrothes' Vintages and non-Vintage Select Reserve.
Ronnie Cox, Global Brand Ambassador for The Glenrothes, says: "John Ramsay's outstanding efforts have resulted in a fine selection of The Glenrothes Vintages, each with their own and unique personality. In 2005, John also created a house style non-Vintage single malt that truly typifies the character of The Glenrothes distillery with ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and hints of spice. In creating The Glenrothes Select Reserve, John has enabled us to make our single malt more accessible to whisky lovers around the world."
"With the John Ramsay Legacy bottling, he continues to impress. As with all expressions of The Glenrothes, this limited edition should be shared with likeminded friends. Together with everyone at the distillery, I would like to raise a toast to John for his exceptional contribution to The Glenrothes single malt and the legacy he leaves us with."
Each 70cl bottle of the John Ramsay Legacy limited edition is individually numbered and beautifully presented in a bespoke oak box designed to showcase the rare single malt. A booklet scripted by John Ramsay, including tasting notes, is also kept in a hidden drawer at the base of the box.
The Glenrothes John Ramsay Legacy bottling is available from the start of October at specialist retailers across the UK and on The Glenrothes website www.theglenrothes.com (RRP £699).
Article Courtesy of Press Release
My Health: Charles MacLean, whisky expert
I rarely have days when I don't have a whisky, though there are mornings when I give it up for life.
Most of my evaluation work is done in the mornings, because that's when your nose and palate is freshest. I drink it for pleasure in the evenings. Does it have health benefits? I think it probably does - I very rarely catch a cold and I can't ever remember catching flu. They used to believe it had disinfectant qualities - it's very pure and clean.
A study done a few years ago by the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen found that whisky drinkers absorb higher levels of phenols from the blood than red wine drinkers. Phenols help protect against cardiovascular disease. My father, who was a surgeon, would say to his patients, "when you reach 40, give up smoking and take up drinking, in moderation".
I think the essential thing is not to think about your health but to listen to your body. I'm a great believer in the body telling you when there's something up. It may be exercise or lack of it, food or lack of it, or overdrinking - or lack of it!
I'm 58 and I do enjoy robust health. It's my view that to some extent, ill-health can be self-generated. I'm not talking about serious illness, but poor health. I think you can become obsessed about your health to the detriment of enjoying your life. I'm really a stranger to the doctor. I'm not on board for check-ups - perhaps I should be.
I'm fortunate that I live right next to the Pentlands. I have two dogs and my duty of the day is to hammer up the hill by the ski slope at Hillhead and jog down again. It takes about 50 minutes. It's a pain in the neck, but I think that, drinking and smoking as I do, it's important. It's mortification of the flesh: the only pleasure in it is self-righteousness when you get to the top - and it is a lovely view.
Article Courtesy of The Herald