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Thursday, 23 May 2019
Friday, 10 May 2019
Tuesday, 2 April 2019
Rumour: Ardbeg Supernova 2019
Ardbeg Supernova returns to planet Earth in 2019 with a Committee Release to "transport your tastebuds to peaty parts unknown".
SN2019 probes the palate - revealing smoky malt stimuli you never knew you had. Enter into realms of sweet treacle toffee, aniseed, eucalyptus and intense oak bonfires - finally re-emerging through a dense nebular of peat and smoke. Whisky will never be the same again.
Embark on a journey like no other with Ardbeg Supernova and unveil your own account of events. Or just keep it to yourself. It's not like anybody will believe you anyway.
Source: Colas Public Registry
Entries from the TTB Public Registry (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau) are a fairly reliable source for upcoming new whiskies. Although not all entries make it to the market. There’s always the possibility a brand decides not to launch a whisky, even if the label has been approved. Until the distillery sends out a press release, this whisky should be considered a rumour…
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| Discover thick clouds of aniseed, menthol and soot. Travel further and marvel in fierce explosions of fennel, charred oak and birch before your voyage culminates in an almost eclipsing wave of peat and smoke. |
Identity Card Ardbeg Supernova 2019
- Official bottling from Ardbeg Distillery
- NAS single malt Scotch whisky
- Matured in American oak and oloroso sherry casks
- Alcohol: 53.8% ABV
SN2019 probes the palate - revealing smoky malt stimuli you never knew you had. Enter into realms of sweet treacle toffee, aniseed, eucalyptus and intense oak bonfires - finally re-emerging through a dense nebular of peat and smoke. Whisky will never be the same again.
Embark on a journey like no other with Ardbeg Supernova and unveil your own account of events. Or just keep it to yourself. It's not like anybody will believe you anyway.
Source: Colas Public Registry
Entries from the TTB Public Registry (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau) are a fairly reliable source for upcoming new whiskies. Although not all entries make it to the market. There’s always the possibility a brand decides not to launch a whisky, even if the label has been approved. Until the distillery sends out a press release, this whisky should be considered a rumour…
Tuesday, 26 March 2019
Rumour: Glenfiddich Grand Cru
William Grant & Sons prepares a 23YO wine cask finish. Nicknamed Grand Cru, it hints at the use of wine casks from a reputable vineyard. Grand Cru is a regional wine classification and the top appelation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) in wine regions such as Burgundy and Alsace.
Neither one of the labels hints at the origin of the casks. So we'll have to wait for the full story behind this whisky.
Source: Colas Public Registry
Entries from the TTB Public Registry (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau) are a fairly reliable source for upcoming new whiskies. Although not all entries make it to the market. There’s always the possibility a brand decides not to launch a whisky, even if the label has been approved. Until the distillery sends out a press release, this whisky should be considered a rumour…
Identity Card Glenfiddich 23YO Grand Cru
- Official bottling from Glenfiddich Distillery
- 23-year-old single malt Scotch whisky
- Cuvée cask finish
- Alcohol: 40% ABV
Neither one of the labels hints at the origin of the casks. So we'll have to wait for the full story behind this whisky.
Source: Colas Public Registry
Entries from the TTB Public Registry (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau) are a fairly reliable source for upcoming new whiskies. Although not all entries make it to the market. There’s always the possibility a brand decides not to launch a whisky, even if the label has been approved. Until the distillery sends out a press release, this whisky should be considered a rumour…
Thursday, 7 March 2019
9 Irish whiskeys for Saint Patrick's Day 2019
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| Saint Patrick depicted in a stained glass window at Saint Benin's Church, Ireland Picture: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) |
The Emerald Ile's National Holiday is approaching fast. Saint Patrick's Day is a celebration of the heritage and culture of the Irish people who spread across the globe. 17 March is the death date of the Christian missionary Saint Patrick who converted the Irish pagans to Christianity. One of the symbols he used to explain the Holy Trinity to them was the shamrock. The shamrock (and everything green) became the symbol of Saint Paddy's Day and by extension of Ireland itself.
I selected 10 Irish whiskeys, pot stills, single malts, blends and single grains, to make the most out of Saint Patrick's Day. Let's pour a whiskey. With an e!
1. Jameson Irish Whiskey
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| Picture: The Whisky Exchange |
I usually kick off this list with the special edition from Jameson for Saint Patrick's Day. It's is the classic Jameson with an haute-couture jacket. Alas, after the 2019 redesign by the people from Pond Design, there does not seem to be a special edition. So it's just the usual triple distilled blend of pot still and grain whiskey with no fancy frills. Price: €28
2. Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey
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| Picture: The Whisky Exchange |
3. JJ Corry The Flintlock Irish Whiskey 16YO
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| Picture: The Whisky Exchange |
This small batch whiskey takes his name from JJ Corry, an Irish whiskey bonder from Kilrush. Chapel Gate Whiskey calls it their first true Bonder's Blend. This 16YO whiskey was drawn from three ex-bourbon casks. Price: €116
4. Red Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 15YO
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| Picture: Mitchell & Son |
2018 marked the revival of one of Ireland's legendary whiskey brands: Red Spot. After reviving Green Spot and Yellow Spot, Mitchell & Son brought back Red Spot, a 15YO single pot still whiskey. The names originated from the practice of marking casks with a certain colour to identify its ageing potential. Price: €115.
5. Lambay Blended Irish Whiskey
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| Picture: The Whisky Exchange |
This brand of Irish whiskey matures on the privately-owned Lambay Island, a few miles off the Dublin coast, and this blended whiskey was finished in casks from Cyril Camus, owner of the cognac house Maison Camus. Price: €42.
6. Method & Madness Virgin Hungarian Oak Finish
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| Picture: The Whisky Exchange |
The micro-distillery from Midleton released this peculiar cask finish in 2018. The single pot still whiskey matured in ex-bourbon casks en was finished for 11 months in Hungarian (Quercus petraea) Virgin Oak casks. Price: €89.
7. The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey
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| Picture: The Whisky Exchange |
The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey is a creation by the Dublin Liberties distillery and the New York Dead Rabbit Saloon cocktail bar. This 5YO blend of malt and grain whiskies matured in ex-bourbon casks and was finished in virgin oak casks. Price: €48.
8. Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition
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| Picture: The Whisky Exchange |
Jameson Caskmates is a collaboration between the Irish whiskey brand and the Franciscan Well brewery. The brewery could use some casks to mature stout beer before returning them to Jameson who used it in the Caskmates project. There is also an IPA edition. Price: €32.
9. Proper No. Twelve
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| Picture: The Whisky Exchange |
Another new Irish whiskey brand and one that has been promoted by MMA fighter Conor McGregor. Some claim it was co-created by him. I'd say he tied his name to it to drive sales of a basic blended whiskey. You want a real season to buy a bottle? $5 of each case sold goes to first responders organisations. Price: €34.
What's your preferred Irish tipple for Saint Paddy's Day (or any random tasty dram day)? Let me know in the comments!
Friday, 22 February 2019
Catching Up on Friday (22 February 2019)
I'll try to get you up to speed in less than two minutes on the latest whisky news, rumours and interesting blog posts from the past week.
Rumour: Ardbeg Traigh Bhan
Ardbeg Distillery is planning a new (pricey?) release with an age statement called Ardbeg Traigh Bhan. It is a small batch 19-year-old single malt matured in American oak and oloroso sherry casks.
The whisky is named after Traigh Bhan beach, also known as the Singing Sands of Islay.
The Singing Sands is the local name for Islay's beautiful Traigh Bhan beach. For this captivating place has white soft sands that sing beneath your feet, a hum that ebbs and flows with Islay's winds and tides.
This rare, small batch 19 Year Old Ardbeg has tantalising notes of PINEAPPLE, gentle TOFFEE and LIME SHERBET on the nose, with a sweet and sour mouthfeel of smoked CHILLI CHOCOLATE, PAPRIKA and chocolate cream. Aromatic WOOD SMOKE resonates through the long finish.
Source: Colas Public Registry
Entries from the TTB Public Registry (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau) are a fairly reliable source for upcoming new whiskies. Although not all entries make it to the market. There’s always the possibility a brand decides not to launch a whisky, even if the label has been approved. Until the distillery sends out a press release, this whisky should be considered a rumour…
The whisky is named after Traigh Bhan beach, also known as the Singing Sands of Islay.
Identity Card Ardbeg Traigh Bhan
- Official bottling from Ardbeg Distillery
- 19-year-old single malt Scotch whisky
- Matured in American oak and oloroso sherry casks
- Alcohol: 46.2% ABV
The Singing Sands is the local name for Islay's beautiful Traigh Bhan beach. For this captivating place has white soft sands that sing beneath your feet, a hum that ebbs and flows with Islay's winds and tides.
This rare, small batch 19 Year Old Ardbeg has tantalising notes of PINEAPPLE, gentle TOFFEE and LIME SHERBET on the nose, with a sweet and sour mouthfeel of smoked CHILLI CHOCOLATE, PAPRIKA and chocolate cream. Aromatic WOOD SMOKE resonates through the long finish.
Source: Colas Public Registry
Entries from the TTB Public Registry (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau) are a fairly reliable source for upcoming new whiskies. Although not all entries make it to the market. There’s always the possibility a brand decides not to launch a whisky, even if the label has been approved. Until the distillery sends out a press release, this whisky should be considered a rumour…
Monday, 18 February 2019
The Big Fat Feis Ile Releases List
The popular big fat list of Feis Ile - The Islay Festival of Malts & Music - special releases returns!
Source: Colas Public Registry
Entries from the TTB Public Registry (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau) are a fairly reliable source for upcoming new whiskies. Although not all entries make it to the market. There’s always the possibility a brand decides not to launch a whisky, even if the label has been approved. Until the distillery sends out a press release, this whisky should be considered a rumour…
Ardbeg Drum
- Official bottling(s) from Ardbeg Distillery
- Alcohol: 46% ABV (regular release) or 52% ABV (Committee release)
- Matured in ex-bourbon casks, finished in American ex-rum casks
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| Ardbeg Drum - Ardbeg Committee Release |
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| Picture: Colas Online |
Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood
- Official bottling from Laphroaig Distillery
- Alcohol: TBD (51.9% ABV?)
- Matured in ex-bourbon, quarter and oloroso sherry casks
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| Picture: Colas Online |
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
The independent bottler SMWS already has plans to bottle a 10YO Caol Ila for Feis.SMWS 53.286 - Salt strewn on smoky marmalade (Caol Ila)
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| Picture: Colas Online |
Source: Colas Public Registry
Entries from the TTB Public Registry (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau) are a fairly reliable source for upcoming new whiskies. Although not all entries make it to the market. There’s always the possibility a brand decides not to launch a whisky, even if the label has been approved. Until the distillery sends out a press release, this whisky should be considered a rumour…
Sunday, 27 January 2019
Armorik Sherry Finish
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| Picture: Distillerie Warenghem |
The distillery dates back to 1900. Léon Warenghem started distilling l'elixir d'armorique, a liquor containing extracts from 35 plants. His son introduced numerous flavoured liquors such as mint and cassis. In 1983 they started working on the concept a whisky Breton.
Today we'll focus on an entry from the core range. The NAS Sherry finish is bottled at 40% alcohol and serves as an introduction to the brand. It is widely available in French supermarkets.
Identity Card Armorik Sherry Finish
- Official bottling from Warenghem Distillery, Bretagne (France)
- NAS French single malt (some sources say 4YO)
- Maturation in ex-bourbon casks, finished in sherry casks
- Alcohol: 40% ABV
Tasting notes
Colour: Gold. Fast legs reveal a thin texture.Nose: Lots of candy, dates and raisins. A whiff of triple sec (Cointreau). Cinnamon and juniper berries. Sweet malt and vanilla. Burnt sugar, dried apricots and almonds.
With water: Caramelized malt, Werther's Original caramel candy. Cinnamon and liquorice candy. Dusty cardboard, oatmeal, oranges and dried mandarin oranges.
Taste: Caramel and oak. A soft and silky mouthfeel. A tiny pinch of pepper with raisins and blue grapes. Even a faint hint of smoke. Honey, nutmeg and brown spiced biscuits or speculoos.
With water: Liquorice candy and/or liquorice root. Salted caramel and buttery nut cake.
Finish: Warm sugar and brown spiced biscuits.
This is a fairly generic whisky from Armorik. There's nothing wrong with it, but it does not excite either. Given the price point, it's a decent daily driver. I've got nothing more to report on this except that I've heard some very good things on their higher strength single casks. So this won't be my last Armorik...
Sample: This Armorik came from a bottle share with a colleague at work coming back from Brittany.
Sunday, 20 January 2019
R&B Raasay While We Wait First Release
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| Picture: R&B Distillers |
The Raasay Distillery from R&B Distillers was initially part of a diptych dreamed up by Alasdair Day. The Borders distillery has been (temporarily) shelved, but the Raasay distillery is up and running. The first youngster-whisky is to be released somewhere in 2020.
In the meantime, we already got a taste of things to come with the While We Wait whiskies. This single malt is a blend of unpeated and lightly peated malt whisky from the same unnamed distillery. The liquid was finished in Tuscan red wine casks.
