IT IS one of the world’s most famous single malt whiskies.

But the Macallan is now being trialled as a liqueur in the United States - complete with ingredients such as maple and pecan - in a bid to appeal to upmarket women drinkers.

The new drink, called Amber, is being test marketed across Washington, Denver and Seattle after small-scale trials in Boston. It is the first time Macallan has built a liqueur around its malt, which has achieved global renown since its launch 183 years ago.

However, the trial has provoked controversy among some purists. One expert last night said it was “madness” to tamper with a flagship like Macallan.

The Scotsman understands the Macallan single malt in the drink is not a ten or 12-year-old vintage. Instead, it is somewhere between three years old - the minimum required to be classified under UK law - and eight years.

The drink is being targeted at “upscale” drinkers, particularly affluent women, who might have traditionally been resistant to whisky. The curved glass of the bottle is suggestive of perfume packaging.

Amber will be distributed in the US by Remy Cointreau and is on sale at trial outlets at around £20 for a 750cl bottle.

Sample tastings appear to have proved favourable. (more…)

Scotch Whisky | Comments Off

Like minded Tasmanians have banded together under the guise of the Tasmanian Whisky Appreciation Society or TWAS, a new society specifically formed to discuss, describe, dissect, digest and even debase whiskies of the world.

The Society had its foundation based on informal discussion over a whisky (of course) in the local whisky hangouts.

A pre-society meeting was arranged at Larks Distillery to determine the name and basic formula for the official gathering. The meeting started in earnest, however, some of the members brought along whisky (goes without saying). Not that the meeting degenerated, but everyone was having a good time. As an example suggested names included “Whisky Appreciation No Kids”, and others that can’t be alluded to.

The resolution of the meeting was to form a society called the Tasmanian Whisky Appreciation Society. The commonality was for the formation of a local group with a shared common interest in whisky, to control their own destiny in an informal atmosphere that catered for the novice to experienced palate and allows whisky to be introduced to the unenlightened without the intimidation of more formal structures. Interaction is encouraged between all those that attend whether addressing the gathering or talking quietly in individual groups.

Another benefit of membership was for individuals to be kept regularly informed of the position and progress of the local industry in Tasmania.

Other resolutions included meeting quarterly and setting a specific theme, venue and date for the next meeting.

It was also decided that the first ten (10) minutes of any meeting was crucial for the determination of the structure of the following meeting. Those ten minutes correspond to pre-tasting when decorum still remains intact before we settle in for some indulgence and banter in a relaxed atmosphere.

A degree of formality is resurrected as each whisky is introduced by a nominated individual, usually the distiller or the supplier of the whisky.

One rule exists and that is don’t drive.

The cost per head per meeting is around $50.00, covering food, venue and whisky. Any funds remaining will go to the purchase of more expensive whiskies such as those from silent distilleries.

A specific theme is a foundation for the formation of TWAS. Not only is TWAS a vehicle for people of similar habits coming together, it has been established as an educational tool. Themes that have been discussed are:

• Tasmanian Malts 4-6 years of age
• North American whiskies, non bourbon
• Japanese whiskies
• Distillery tasting covering the wort, wash, spirit and developing whiskies
• Vertical tasting within a distillery (eg Old Pulteney 12, 17 and 21)
• Comparison of similar aged malts and alcohol content from different distilleries
• Non malt whiskies of the world

The list is endless.

The inaugural meeting on the last Monday in November 2006 was based on Tasmanian Malts ages 4-6 years of age. The whiskies were kindly supplied by Hellyer Road, Tasmania and Lark distilleries (nine whiskies in total). The next meeting is on the last Monday in February 2007 at Tasmania Distillery, Cambridge. The theme being, “non-Bourbon North American Whiskies”.

As TWAS caters for the experienced palate through to the complete “doof” in an informal atmosphere there isn’t any pressure on the participant to describe whisky where your ability to appreciate whisky isn’t based on your vocabulary of eloquence, adjectival phraseology, fruit bowls, pasture grasses and road pavement. “Good and “I like it’” are descriptive enough. If you want to talk about the whisky to the gathering or just to your nearby associate, that’s fine. Informality is the key. No-one should feel uncomfortable.

Richard Stewart, (a foundation member) has developed a comprehensive TWAS web-site that can only be described as exceptional, informative and forms the basis for communication within the membership. Look for www.twas.com.au. The website also contains forums, chat sites and the capacity to post relevant articles.

The initial meeting was attended by eighteen individuals. Indications are that numbers are swelling very quickly, possibly, faster than can be accommodated. TWAS will need to adapt to cater for the growth in numbers. TWAS’s success is assured. Its growth and direction will have to be discussed over a whisky.

Announcements, News Items | Comments Off

NC2 is an exclusive collection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies at 46%abv, aged from 10 years and bottled by hand in its natural form in Aberdeenshire.

This new range follows on from the world-wide success of its established older brother, The DT Rare Auld range of whiskies, 21 years and over.

Launching the NC2 collection is the highly-coveted Springbank 1996 which has been left to mature in a Port cask, imparting an intense and complex flavour, warming fruity notes and a touch coastal. Very light smokiness with a long satisfying finish.

NC2 is available from this month from leading whisky merchants and is priced from £30.

Commenting on NC2, whisky writer Dave Broom (more…)

Scotch Whisky | Comments Off

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2007 has been published and the latest bottlings of Sullivans Cove single malts have bowled a hatrick. This is a fantastic result for the Tasmania Distillery and all the people involved with its development over the past 6-7 years. Well done troops.

Jim’s scores and comments:

Sullivans Cove Single Malt Whisky 6 Years Old

Bourbon maturation cask no. HH0274 distillery bottled - Score 95

• Nose: 23 - rich and intense, there is a lovely jammy fruitiness attached to the big barley;
• Taste: 24 - barley concentrate with a dab of golden syrup and raspberry jam towards the middle. The body and weight are nigh perfect. Sensational!;
• Finish: 24 - lovely strands of vanilla interplay with the barley and then cocoa to see out the lightly oiled finish;
• Balance: 24 - great on these guys. This must be the biggest Australian comeback since Larwood and Voce taught them how to bowl. A distillery once understandably a byword for less than brilliant whisky has come up with something truly beautiful. When I was in their warehouse a few years back, I detected the odd cracking cask, so knew their future could be bright. But perhaps not quite this brilliant…! 60%

Port maturation cask no. HH0571 distillery bottled - Score 90

• Nose: 23 - so much grape but enough room for lots of natural caramel and vanilla;
• Taste: 23 - lush, grapey delivery, which is no surprise. Excellent spice burst in the middle;
• Finish: 22 - those caramels begin to spread;
• Balance: 22 - high quality whisky helped by some pretty top-dog casks. 60%

Matured in French Oak Port and American Oak Bourbon casks (Double Cask) dist bottled - Score 88

• Nose: 22 - butterscotch tart, grape juice and barley in just-so portions;
• Taste: 23 - oak-led and dry with just enough clean barley to sweeten the edge;
• Finish: 21 - vanilla and toast breeze through to the finish;
• Balance: 22 - subtle and sensuous. A bit like your average Tasmanian…40%

Score Chart

85-89 Very good to excellent whiskies definitely worth buying
90-93 Brilliant
94-97 Superstar whiskies that give us all a reason to live
98-100 Better than anything I’ve ever tasted

Announcements, Australian Whisky | Comments Off