A Pearl of a Day

Can you imagine how hard it would be for a group of friends to get together today with the length of the wars around the world now? Here is a good read of a much simpler time. Enjoy with a good whiskey.

Speaking of Talisker ...

Blog props going out to my dog, Talisker. :)

Fantasy Hockey Draft

Ahh yes, the season is upon us. Fantasy Hockey draft is tomorrow night. I will be accompanied by a pleasant pour of Talisker 10, and will trickle down the ranks from there. GO TEAM!

Speaking of which, has anyone out there heard if Talisker 10 is going away or not? Please share.

100-year old Mackinlay Scotch opened ...

We've been anxiously following along with Scotch-in-ice saga for a while now. It has now been opened, and will hopefully be duplicated. Story here ...

Holy Smokes!

I've learned from the "Friends of Laphroaig" newsletter that Laphroaig Cask Strength is now being bottled with a batch number, and bottling date, thanks to a mandate instated by the Scotch Whisky Association.
From Laphroaig: "This means the ABV will vary from batch to batch, changing the flavor slightly and making each batch a unique expression in its own right - each will impart a nose and taste no different than the very moment it was recovered from the barrel."

Most interesting indeed. I can't wait to get my hands on some. Notes on the first arrival:

Batch 1 Facts
ABV: 57.8%/115.6 proof
Batch Date: February 2007
Tasting Notes: A full blast of massive peat smoke and seashore salt leads to a fading sweetness at the finish.
Batch Quantity: 5,100 bottles
Availability: Wherever Cask Strength is sold.

Laphroaig Quarter Cask Flapjack

This little gem comes directly from Laphroaig's Facebook page...

Laphroaig Quarkter Cask Flapjack

350 grams Butter
175 grams Syrup
175 grams Sugar
600 grams Porridge Oats
75 ml QUARTER CASK Laphroaig

1 - Melt Butter, Syrup and Sugar in a pan. Bring to boil for 20-30 seconds.

2 - Let mixture cool for around 30 seconds and add 50ml QUARTER CASK and mix well.

3 - Add the melted mixture to the Porridge Oats.

4 - Mix well until evenly mixed.

5 - Add the remaining 25ml QUARTER CASK and mix in

6 - Turn out onto a large baking tray and flatten out until even - flapjacks should be around 1cm thick

7 - Place in preheated oven at 170 C for 25-30 minutes.

8 - Take out of oven and cut into pieces. Remove from tray ONLY once cooled.

9 - ENJOY!

Looks like I know what I'll be having for breakfast this weekend.

Age Matters

A kind gentleman on behalf of Chivas Brothers contacted us with interesting information regarding age in Scotch whisky that we'd love to share ...

THE AGE MATTERS

Chivas Brothers launches global consumer campaign
on the importance of Scotch whisky age statements

The world’s leading producer of luxury Scotch whisky, Chivas Brothers, is launching a global campaign to advocate the importance and value of the age statements to consumers.

According to new research commissioned by Chivas Brothers, 94% of consumers believe the age statement serves as an indicator of quality, 93% believe that older whiskies are better quality and 89% actively look for an age statement when making a decision to purchase.

However, there is a global lack of knowledge about what the age statement actually means: only 10% understand that it refers to the youngest whisky in the bottle, nearly half (48%) believe an age statement refers to the average age and 35% believe it signifies the oldest whisky present. The Scotch Whisky Regulations (2009) make clear what an age statement means – the age of the youngest whisky in the bottle.

Chivas Brothers, Distiller of the Year 2009, is responding with a campaign called The Age Matters, which will manifest itself through stand-alone activity as well as through integration across the company’s aged whisky portfolio, which includes the Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, and Royal Salute brands.

The aim of the campaign is to enable consumers to understand fully the age statement and to appreciate the value of the premium product they are purchasing.

One of the greatest influences on the flavour of whisky comes from maturation. Much of the complexity of Scotch whisky comes mainly from its time in oak casks in Scotland; with outstanding spirit and excellent wood management, it follows that the longer the maturation period, the more complex the whisky.

From 1 July 2010, consumers will be encouraged to look for age statements on Scotch whisky, via point-of-sale materials, advertising and public relations. A logo using the language Guaranteed Age Whisky has been created for usage in retail, and will be visible in the environment of Chivas Brothers brands that carry an age statement.

Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers Limited, says: “The revelation that so many existing whisky drinkers do not understand that the age statement refers to youngest age of the whisky, shows that there is an opportunity for us to inform them.

“In an age when consumers of luxury goods increasingly demand transparency and authenticity from brands, it is vital that we empower consumers with knowledge, so that they fully understand the value of what they are buying.”

More information can be found here.
Cheers to Nick for the heads up.

A taste of smoke, fraction of price.

I've switched my utility scotch over to Black Bottle for the Summer - a blend of Islay whiskies. It has a polite peaty/fruity kick to it, and that signature smokey Islay aftertaste. Can't argue with the price @ $17 either, considering the high end contents that make up the blend.
Definitely one of the better utilities I've scored.

Laphroaig 15yr spotted

Was out and about in Minneapolis over the weekend and swung into a small place called Mission. Was in the mood for a smoke-out, and ordered up a Lagavulin after seeing the bottle perched up among the other scotches. After sipping on that for a while, I flipped through their bar menu only to notice that they have Laphroaig 15yr on their menu -- I asked the bartender if this menu was current, and/or, did they still have some in stock. They sure did, and she sarcastically poured up a very generous pour. Score.

Dear Edradour, Your Web Page Blows

http://www.edradour.co.uk/
I appreciate the attempt at nostalgia, but the page is severely out-dated and difficult to navigate. I have graphic design/web experience. You have a bunch of what I want ... lets work something out.

I'm here to help.
Cheers

Scotch on the Rocks, Update: Retrieved!

Scotch whisky meant to warm Antarctic explorers retrieved after century locked in ice

Associated Press (via Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN) -- thanks to Sean for the heads up.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - This Scotch has been on the rocks for a century.

Five crates of Scotch whisky and two of brandy have been recovered by a team restoring an Antarctic hut used more than 100 years ago by famed polar explorer Ernest Shackleton.

Ice cracked some of the bottles that had been left there in 1909, but the restorers said Friday they are confident the five crates contain intact bottles "given liquid can be heard when the crates are moved."

New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust team leader Al Fastier said the team thought there were two crates and were amazed to find five.

Current distillery owner, drinks group Whyte & Mackay, launched the bid to recover the Scotch whisky for samples to test and decide whether to relaunch the defunct spirit made by distiller McKinlay and Co.

Fastier said restoration workers found the crates under the hut's floorboards in 2006, but they were too deeply embedded in ice to be dislodged.

The New Zealanders agreed to drill the ice to try to retrieve some bottles, although the rest must stay under conservation guidelines agreed to by 12 Antarctic Treaty nations.

"The unexpected find of the brandy crates, one labeled Chas. Mackinlay & Co and the other labeled The Hunter Valley Distillery Limited Allandale (Australia) are a real bonus," said Fastier.

Ice has cracked some of the crates and formed inside them. Fastier said in a statement that would make extracting the contents delicate, but the trust would decide how to do so in coming weeks.

Richard Paterson, master blender at Whyte and Mackay, whose company supplied the Mackinlay's whisky for Shackleton, described the find as "a gift from the heavens for whisky lovers."

"If the contents can be confirmed, safely extracted and analyzed, the original blend may be able to be replicated. Given the original recipe no longer exists, this may open a door into history," he said in a statement.

Shackleton's expedition ran short of supplies on its long ski trek to the South Pole from the northern Antarctic coast in 1907-1909 and turned back about 100 miles (160 kilometers) short of its goal.

The expedition sailed away in 1909 as winter ice formed, leaving behind supplies, including the whisky and brandy.