The KOTQ

There’s a sea change taking place in Scotland about how to appropriately name what we know as vatted and blends. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is doing this in response to Diageo trying to shift Cardhu from a single malt to vatted. Read these for starters:

Whisky Magazine Editorial March 05
Daily Herald 3/11 This link is now dead, Bop 2/26/06

I’m all for it. It should make it clearer to the consumer what he/she is buying and it will elevate single malts. Pure Malt was always a little confusing too–unless you were in the know. Also the SWA proposal will protect the region naming (Speyside, Lowland, etc).

What do you guys think?

Last Thursday, I came across two bottlings at Binny’s that I think are worthy of mention.

Talisker now has an 18 year old available, rumored to be somewhat mellower than the 10. Anyone try it yet?

Also, I found a Lombard bottling of Teaninich which I haven’t seen before. I found it interesting considering the distillery’s proximity to our castle, Balnagown. Has anyone had a single malt from Teaninich before?

The Glenlivet is launching a new expression. A 15 yo French Oak Reserve. This follows the 12 yo Limousin oak finished expression they’ve had out for a couple of years. (And it may replace it.) http://www.theglenlivet.com/society/auction.html

For those of you who like golf and glenmorangie here’s a special “e-mail only” offer from Sam’s for purchasing the St.Andrews “Old Course Clubhouse” 12 yr-old Single Malt Scotch – previously only available at the Links Clubhouse.

The Old Course Clubhouse 12 year-old single malt has been launched by an independent company, The Scotch Embassy, together with the charitable institution St Andrews Links Trust, which preserves and manages the famous golf courses of St Andrews in Scotland. Royalties from sales go to the preservation of the Old Course St Andrews, the world’s most celebrated course. The delicious dram is presented in a distinctive gift canister, featuring famous holes of the Old Course, including the infamous Road Hole (17th), the Tom Morris (18th) and the Bobby Jones (10th).

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E-MAIL ONLY SALE! $46.99
Made by Glenmorangie, the floral light sweetness of this 12 year-old malt is designed for mass appeal. It has been matured in Chenin Blanc grape casks. For the first time ever it’s now on sale outside the Links Clubhouse.
E-MAIL ONLY SALE PRICE: $46.99 (WAS $51.99)

E-mail seanhartig@samswine.com

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HOW TO PURCHASE:
E-MAIL ONLY OFFERS!

This offer is available only via e-mail. Orders will only be accepted via e-mail to Sean Hartig at seanhartig@samswine.com We reserve the right to limit quantities. Payment is due at confirmation of your order. If this is your first order with Sam’s or your billing information has changed since the last time you have ordered from us please reply with the following information – full name, billing address, shipping address, telephone number and credit card details including expiration date. Orders accompanied by incomplete information will not be considered. We make no guarantees to fill requests. Receipt of this email does not guarantee an allocation. Cancelled orders are subject to a 5% fee. If you wish to fax this information: (FAX)312-867-3246.

Ok, Brothers I spoke with David Soto, Sam’s Spirits Manager about his upcoming event and I believe you have an AWESOME opportunity to sample some GREAT singlemalts. Among them:

Cragganmore 29
Dalwhinnie 29
Oban 32
Caol Ila 12
Caol Ila 18
Clynelish 14 <------!!! Highland Park 18 YR Benromach 25yo Ardmore 1990 12yo Cask Strength Prime Malt #1 Bruichladdich Signatory: Cragganmore Unchillfiltered Sam's Spirits Night Thursday, April 14th - 5:30pm to 8:30pm $35 each I will be eating dinner prior, across the street at Goose Island Brewery. Dinner from 6-7pm and drinking at Sams 7- 8:30. For those of you that have not attended a "Night" at Sam's, it's informal and you walk around with a provided glass and drink and drink and drink. Often the distributor is there so there's an opportunity for you to learn about what you are tasting and you get to drink some great stuff. It's a good deal, actually, when you consider that it's less than a chapter meeting. For those of you interested in joining me, call Sam's and sign up (event # 10027118) 312-664-4394. And send me an email: peterlitton#@#yahoo.com. I hope many of you can come. Brother Irving