Worth the EXTRA Wait!

BLOG RESILIENCE
So why the wait? Mostly to test the a 'long-term-content' blogs resilience. Would people care if regular posts were absent, but the overall content was legend? It turns out 'The Whiskey Notebook' blog is supremely resilient.

N.A.S. BRANDS
It was coincidentally opportune to be silent as the whisky world was doing an about turn on aged-stated whiskies. I refer to N.A.S. (non-age-stated) whisky. Today matters are settled and most leading whisky producers include N.A.S. whiskies in their range. One company is even promoting 'Flavour is King' without stating 'king over what?'. They mean 'king over aged whiskies' but the claim is wrong.
 
I have embraced NAS whiskies after extensive tastings across the latest offerings from various whisky suppliers. Some were awful and others awesome.

CHIVAS EXTRA
This brings me to this newest post and to a new passion - a N.A.S. whisky from Chivas Brothers - Chivas Regal Extra Blended Scotch whisky which won Gold at the recent 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Challenge in the category 'Best Blended Scotch up to 15 years old'.

 Photograph property of Mark Backhouse

"An incredibly rich and discerning interpretation of the Chivas Signature style".

Colin Scott

Chivas Regal Master Blender

There is nothing I do not like about this new expression in the Chivas Regal range. I prefer the uncomplicated studier gift box. The word 'Extra' fully encapsulates the rich, generous, and discerning taste of the new blend assembled by the world-renowned Chivas Regal master blender. The packaging is a mixture of deep burgundy-red and gold elements representing the REGAL and Classic character of the whisky. I am an immediate fan of Chivas Regal Extra. Chivas Regal further reinforces its credentials as the world's leading premium blended Scotch whisky with this fantastic addition in the range.

TASTING NOTES:
Colour: Dark in shade with a warm amber glow. Nose: Fruity sweet with notes of ripe pears and melon, creamy toffee, milk chocolate, cinnamon, and a hint of fresh ginger. Taste: Sweet ripe pears in syrup, vanilla caramel, cinnamon sweets, and almonds in the background. Finish: Beautifully rounded mouth feel, leading to a long, luxuriant sweet finish.

The Case of Not So Rare

Have you noticed that the word "RARE" is no longer on a bottle of J&B or at least, by law, it should NOT be on the bottle or label. What defines a rare whisky? Would you expect to find a rare whisky in a medium priced Scotch? Has the SCOTCH WHISKY ASSOCIATION been unclear in it's definition allowed in Scotch whisky labels?

There are four Scotch whisky definitions:

1. Single Malt Scotch Whisky - a single distillate from one distillery; is made with 100% barley & is distilled in copper pot stills.
2. Blended Malt Scotch whisky - a blend of Single Malt Whiskies from many distilleries; each is made with 100% barley & is distilled in copper pot stills.
3. Blended Scotch Whisky - a blend of many different Single Malt whiskies (see point 2); is blended with grain whisky & is distilled in continuos stills that also produce Vodka. Grain whisky is made using other cereals such as wheat, corn, rye etc.
4. Grain Whisky - is mostly made using cereals other than barley and the process uses continuous stills as apposed to copper pot stills.

All Scotch whiskies are matured in oak casks for a minimum of three years - both single malt and grain whiskies.

The reason for this definition was to avoid suppliers from deceiving consumers about their whiskies by using words to elevate the whiskies status.

The Scotch Whisky Association did a great job to implement these measures to guarantee customers are not deceived. It is now up to the industry to educate the consumers and to abide by the rules. There are still many whiskies that bend the rules. My research for this article focused on J&B's online communication. Every search related to J&B still shows the word Rare on the label. Even the JB website still shows the word RARE.

J&B is a good Blended Scotch Whisky even though there are no rare whiskies in the bottle. I could as easily have picked on other whiskies that also used fluffy words. As an educated consumer, please check your whiskies and challenge them if they do not adhere to the four approved definitions.

Kickstarter Funds SIA - A New Blended Scotch Whisky

A blended Scotch whisky funded by 'Kickstarter' is soon to be launched. Kickstarter is the worlds largest funding program for creative projects.

Kickstarter is a funding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Kickstarter is full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative projects that are brought to life through the direct support of others. Since their launch on April 28, 2009, over $350 million has been pledged by more than 2.5 million people, funding more than 30,000 creative projects.

Her product is named SIA, it comes in a 750ml bottle at 46% ABV (96 proof).  SIA is Carin’s own blend of grain whisky and single malts from various Scotch whisky regions. Sia is distilled, aged, and bottled in Scotland therefore legally qualifying as a “blended scotch whisky”.

Kickstarter funded San Francisco resident Carin Castillo's dream of releasing her own blended scotch whisky. The product will be released late February 2013.

Chivas Regal Short Films

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, teamed up with Academy Award® winning short filmmaker, Joachim Back, to create two beautifully shot and engaging short films, as part of its latest consumer campaign designed to connect with discerning modern gentlemen.

The films depict a group of sophisticated male friends in their early 30s enjoying quality time together over a glass of Chivas Regal in a bar setting, while reminiscing over legendary moments from their shared past that truly affirmed their friendship. Their memories are brought to life for viewers with stunning backdrop visuals and entertaining, comical scenes.

Here's to Big Bear'

'Here's to Twinkle'

In line with Chivas Regal’s ongoing Live with Chivalry campaign, which launched in 2008, the films feature men who embody the masculine values that the brand embraces such as loyalty, brotherhood, honour and a sense of passion and luxury.

The films were created by Euro RSCG London

Chivas 18 x Pininfarina Limited Edition Whiskey Gift Collection

Chivas Regal 18 year old is the largest selling 18 year old blended Scotch whiskey in the world!

Chivas 18 x Pininfarina Limited Edition Whiskey Gift Collection

Posted by LeVar Thomas on the link above.

Storied whiskey maker Chivas 18 has teamed up with legendary car design firm Pininfarina for three editions of whiskey gift sets.  In the Chivas 18 x Pininfarina Whiskey Gift Collection, edition 1 is a sleek and slender case that retails for $145 and fits like a glove over the original Chivas 18 whiskey.

Edition 2 takes the case a step further by incorporating a nice wooden veneer inlay representing Chivas 18 aging barrels with metalwork outside to represent Pininfarina’s work.

The 3rd Edition, is a mascherone sculpture that emulates a wooden car frame template is yet to be priced due to its limited nature.  Only 5 have been produced, closing out a unique collection for the distinguished drinker.  Get editions 1 & 2 at your duty free airport shop or at Chivas.

The Scotch - Ballantine's

I met Ballantine's Scotch Whisky ten years ago and I have remained a loyal supporter of the greatest blended Scotch whisky I still know. Ballantine's is Scotch and Scotland in a bottle for many reasons. Ballantine's is a honest legend and is the next whisky in the "Beankeeper" feature section.



The feature will include various expressions in the Ballantine's range. Ballantine's is a keeper.
The above clip is the property of the owner and is shared via YouTube.