Aberlour Puts its Crafted Quality Under the Lens with Ted Dwane’s Photography Exhibition

Many peoples 'most favourite list' includes music, photography and great whiskies. Imagine discovering a collaboration that includes up-and-coming photographer and bassist for the world-famous band, Mumford & Sons, Ted Dwane and one of the world  major, if not best, Scotch Single Malt whiskies - Aberlour. Wham! You have an early Xmas present.

"The partnership celebrates an appreciation for authenticity, craft and enigmatic quality. The attention to detail required by both the photographer and the master distiller, in their mutual quest for a product of depth and intrigue, culminates in a multi-layered result, whether it be a velvety smooth single malt or a single edition hand-developed printed portrait."


See more at: Chivas Brothers website

Scotch Malt and American whiskey compared - really?

Some statements irritate like flies around a summer fish braai (barbeque). You should swat them or wear an Aussie 'cork-on-string hat' and move on. Mr Jim Murray's recent comments are a collective noun for flies - a grist of flies! So bad is his comment that I cannot resist a response!
 
"Scotch malt whisky is now being outshone by 'vastly improved' American brands, leading critic says."

See what I mean  - horrible - once you analyze this controversial claim and discover who made the claim it becomes quite obvious that It is a poorly qualified opinion.

The not-so-great 'WHISKY BIBLE' by Jim Murray

My opinion about this statement is that everybody has an opinion except some people write books. I purchased a copy of Jim Murray's Whisky Bible in both hard-copy and iPad App format. Both a waste of time & money if you ask me! This is my opinion. Some consider Jim Murray's whisky bible a good read. Others have discovered authentic whisky writers.

I promised myself never to waste money or time on Jim Murray's books. I exclusively read good whisky books by Charles McLean (pictured right), Michael Jackson, Paul Pacult and others. These men are, and have been, awesome contributors to a fantastic Scotch whisky industry and remain independent.

SCOTCH WHISKY ASSOCIATION'S RESPONSE
I am amazed at the very polite response from the Scotch Whisky Association. Rosemary Gallagher, the spokesperson for the Scotch Whisky Association stated: "... This is really about Jim Murray's personal taste." True but the man's looking for a fight.

THE CHALLENGE
Mr Jim Murray please defend the following US distilleries trends: white whiskey; 2 year minimum ageing versus Scotch 3 year minimum limit, hot climate & ageing, charcoal filtration etc? We know we have limited knowledge about a field you have mastered so we trust you will remain accurate in your reply. Please refrain from subjective answers.

John Powers John's Lane 12 yo now in South Africa

John Clement Ryan's visit to Cape Town at the end of January 2014 coincides with the availability of 'Powers John's Lane 12 year old pure pot still Irish whiskey' which will now be stocked in leading South African liquor stores and top end bars across South Africa. Stock are extremely limited.

This remarkable whiskey is described by internationally renowned whisky authority -  Dave Broom: "This is astoundingly complex for a 12yo. An instant classic" - and later states in the Financial Times "... a whisky which makes you sigh contentedly ... ". I concur. Powers John's Lane Pure Pot Still Irish whiskey is bottled at 46% ABV.

John Powers established his distillery in Thomas Street in Dublin, Ireland in 1791 - eleven short years after John Jameson. The John Jameson distillery was established on the banks of the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland in 1780. John Powers was quick to innovate to protect his brand of whiskey, thus Powers Irish whiskey became the first bottled whiskey. This was followed by the Baby Powers for the ladies - the first whiskey 5.cl (50ml) miniature.

Dave Broom's tasting notes

Nose: Bold and rich with masses of oily leather, sandalwood, spices frying in melted butter, plump black fruits - black cherry and tayberry. 
Palate: That ebullient fruitiness continues, this time opening into apricot, cling peaches (and custard) and a topical edge of passion fruit. The sweetness becomes more savoury in the centre as the oiliness picks up.
Finish: Long and spicy.

Watch the YouTube video - Power John's Lane Release - The Irish

Powers John's Lane 12 year old Pure Pot Still Irish whiskey is now available in South Africa's leading top end liquor outlets. 

John Clement Ryan in Cape Town late January 2014

I have admired John Clement Ryan from the very first time I was invited to sit in on a tasting he presented. I remained mesmerized by this larger than life man with his deep baritone voice and abundant charm. He closed the evening by playing his classic guitar and  singing familiar Irish folk songs
John Ryan is a direct descendent of the famous John Powers whiskey family. As John himself says - his veins run whiskey.

THE SINGLE PURE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY DINNER IN CAPE TOWN
John Ryan will be hosting a dinner late January 2014 for a group of invited guests in Cape Town, South Africa. He is introducing us to the Pure Pot Still Irish whiskey's new to South Africa. The new Pure Pot Still Irish whiskey's being introduced to South Africa from November 2013 include: Redbreast, Middleton Very Rare, Green Spot and Yellow Spot Pure Pot Still whiskey's.

This is now my most anticipated evening for 2014. Seats to the dinner are sought after but limited. We have one seat reserved for a true whiskey lover, so If you wish to meet the awesome Mr John Clement Ryan as an invited guest to his whiskey dinner - publish a remarkable  comment. Remember, if you are not from Cape Town, South Africa you need to budget for travel expenses.

Ballantine's South Africa Webiste Launched

Ballantine's Finest is the leading blended Scotch whisky in the world. The Ballantine's Family extends across various aged expressions including. the 12, 17, 21, 30, 40 and 41 year old Ballantine's. Many major whiskies of the world have no or limited age expressions.

Ballantine's is known as 'THE SCOTCH'. Not only is the bottle an original reflection of the bottles in which whisky was first bottled - now redesigned but still true to this original heritage. The lable is adorned with a coat of arms granted by The Lord Lyon - the master of Arms, and reflects the true art of whisky making.

There are over 40 single malts in Ballantine's. These malts are from across all the whisky producing regions in Scotland. Ballantine's therefore deserves the title of 'THE SCOTCH' as every element on the bottle and the contents in the bottle represents all and the best of scotch whisky making.

Visit 'Ballantine's South Africa Facebook Page' to see the latest Ballantine's bottle design. Please like the Ballantine's Facebook page.