Friday 25 April 2014

The Original Whiskey


The re-introduction of the original pure pot still Irish whiskey style takes us on a true journey of discovery into the original whiskeys of the world. A time when only spirit from copper pot stills were allowed to be aged into a whisky. A time before blended whiskeys. A time before quantity jeopardised quality. These extremely smooth Irish Pure Pot Still whiskies are rich in character and abundant in charm.

I am extremely excited about Irish Pure Pot Still whiskey's revival. The complete range of expressions of these Pure Pot Still whiskeys may be viewed on the Single Pot Still website: http://www.singlepotstill.com/
I recently introduced Redbreast Pure Pot Still whiskey to whisky friends and their consensus is a match: "You really haven't experienced whiskey before you taste the Original Whiskey." Redbreast is a perfect place to start, and it is now available in all reputable establishments.

Tuesday 15 April 2014

The Age Matters - Royal Salute

The Age Matters - Royal Salute is a must see video about why age matters. Please click the link which will take you to the YouTube channel.

I am fascinated by the honesty of whiskies produced at Chivas Brothers. Almost every expression of the great Whiskies produced by Chivas Brother carries age statements on their labels. We know that whisky develops in character and especially smoothness when it spends more and more years aging in casks. The longer the whisky is aged in the extremes of the Scottish climate the more the aggressive alcohols escape & as the whisky rids itself of these harder alcohols over the many years, the whisky becomes increasingly smooth.

If you want a guarantee of a great Scotch whisky, look out for the age of the whisky stated on the label. This age statement will be the youngest drop of whisky in the bottle. It's no wonder Royal Salute is the best blended Scotch whisky range available in the world today.

Tuesday 1 April 2014

The Balvenie launches 17 year old DoubleWood



Press Release

The Balvenie’s family of single malt Scotch whiskies has grown with the arrival of The Balvenie DoubleWood, Aged 17 Years – a significant new addition to the range from Scotland’s longest-serving Malt Master, David Stewart, which will be available in South Africa for the first time from June 2014.
The DoubleWood 17 Year Old is an elder sibling to DoubleWood 12 Year Old, The Balvenie’s most popular expression. The new aged version shares the same DNA and the honeyed, spicy characteristics as the 12 Year Old, but it is distinctly different, with deeper vanilla notes, hints of green apple, creamy toffee and a striking richness and complexity.
“The “cask finishing” technique is at the heart of The Balvenie DoubleWood – it sees the whisky matured first in American oak barrels, which impart soft sweet vanilla notes, before being transferred to European oak sherry casks. The second cask ageing adds a depth and fullness of flavour. We are very excited to be introducing the rich, spicy flavours of the 17 Year Old Doublewood to the South African consumers,” adds Marketing Manager Lauren Kuhlmey.
The Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood has an MRP of R1 399 and will be available in all leading liquor stores nationwide.
Tasting notes:The Balvenie DoubleWood 17 Year Old is an expertly proportioned single malt with distinctive rich vanilla oak, with honey and layers of sweet spices. On the nose, it is elegant and complex with oak, vanilla, honeyed sweetness and a hint of green apple. To taste, it is sweet with dried fruits, sherbet spice, toasted almonds and cinnamon, layered with a richness of creamy toffee notes and traces of oak and deep vanilla

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask aged 14 years launches in SA



Produced by William Grants & Sons Ltd
Press Release 
Single malt Scotch enthusiasts can now enjoy a sweet taste of sunnier climes with the news that The Balvenie Caribbean Cask, Aged 14 Years, is launching in South Africa from June 2014.
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask was created by The Balvenie Malt Master, David Stewart, who celebrated an incredible 50th anniversary at the distillery in 2012.  This single malt has had a 14-year maturation period in traditional oak whisky casks, before being transferred to casks that previously held Caribbean rum to finish aging.
“This expression is a beautifully rounded whisky that combines traditional Balvenie vanilla notes with rich toffee, a hint of fruit and a warm, lingering finish. We are very excited for The Balvenie Caribbean Cask to be launching in South Africa for the very first time!” adds Marketing Manager Lauren Kuhlmey.
The outstanding quality of The Balvenie is a result of the craftsmanship retained by The Balvenie Distillery. Nowhere else is there a distillery that still grows its own barley, malts in its own traditional floor malting, employs a team of coopers to tend its casks, a coppersmith to maintain its stills and has in its service the most experienced Malt Master in Scotland.
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask, Aged 14 Years, has an ABV of 43% and will be available in all leading liquor stores nationwide at an MRP of R799. 
Tasting Notes 
Nose: Rich, sweet and creamy toffee on the nose combines with fresh fruit notes
Taste: Rounded with vanilla and sweet oak notes, with a fruity character that develops with time time
Finish: Soft and lingering