Proselytizing the way of the malt
This year’s swag giveaway has hit a couple of bumps. The first and second registered users contacted either did not qualify or did not respond. So the first person to email me at richard@whiskeyapostle.com with a valid name and mailing address in the continental US will get the swag box.
UPDATE: We have a winner. It took less than five minutes.
Yes it is!
We received a press release announcing the launch of Machrie Moor, the “first peated Arran Single Malt.” Very exciting folks. So far the Arran Malts have won high praise, we’ll see how this one does once the whiskirati gets a hold of it. Maybe they’ll send us a sample to try? No word yet on the US price point.
FIRST PEATED WHISKY FROM ISLE OF ARRAN ON ALLOCATION
Award-winning Scotch whisky producer Isle of Arran Distillers is launching its first peated Arran Single Malt under the brand name Machrie Moor.
Such is the expected demand, that retailers will only receive a limited allocation when the whisky, named after a peat moor on the west coast of Arran, is launched worldwide. The distiller expects to sell all available stocks quickly.
Master Distiller James MacTaggart has skillfully combined all of the elements available to create a harmonious combination of malt, peat and cask.
MacTaggart said: “With the distillery’s first peated malt, I wanted to create a whisky where the character and taste of Arran that our followers love remained but add a something different with the peat flourish.
“This first peated whisky has a hint of fudge, coconut and spice with notes of orchard fruits and cardamom spice. This is complimented by the peat -reek smoky finish which we are sure will go down well with single malts fans.”
To celebrate the first peated whisky and give it more stand-out, the distillery have given the bottle a different look than the usual Arran style. Only 9,000 bottles will be available from the first edition of what is set to become a limited annual release.
Isle of Arran Distillery Managing Director Euan Mitchell says: “We’re very proud of our first peated whisky and thought it merited a new look to separate it from the regular un-peated Arran malt.
“The barren Machrie Moor is strewn with Bronze Age stone circles. It is said that on one of these stones, the legendary warrior giant Fingal tethered his favourite dog, Bran.
“This peated expression of the Arran Single Malt perfectly captures the rugged beauty and lore of the landscape and Bran was the perfect pin-up for the bottle.”
Machrie Moor is packaged in a dark green bottle with an image of ‘Bran’ in copper and the words ‘Machrie Moor’ in bold to further add standout on shelves/back bars (change accordingly for on/off trade.)
The first release will be available to all Arran key markets worldwide including UK, France, Germany, USA, Russia and Japan.
Machrie Moor (46% abv) has an RRP of £39.99 available from www.arranwhisky.com
Machrie Moor tasting notes –
Aroma: Subtle and elusive initially. Hints of fudge, coconut & spice with a teasing touch of the glorious peat reek to follow.
Palate: Classic Arran at first with notes of citrus, orchard fruits and cardamom spice mingling in a rich melting pot. At the back of the palate peat smoke finally emerges to whip up a storm.
Finish: The peat reek takes centre stage leaving a rich, warming glow like the burning embers of a bonfire.
Is that peat smoke wafting from the Isle of Arran? Read More »
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, 2010 Edition
47.5% ABV/95 Proof
$35 to $40
Available across the U.S.
What the Distillery Says:
George Garvin Brown, founder of Old Forester bourbon and the first person to bottle bourbon, was born in Munfordville, Kentucky, on September 2, 1846. This vintage release of Old Forester has been selected to honor the birthday of this bourbon pioneer, innovator and industry leader.
This year’s vintage release of Old Forester is crafted from a 72 barrel batch of 97J24. These barrels were evenly matured together in the very middle of Warehouse K, on the 5th floor in ricks 42, 43, and 45, surrounded by open space. This environment allowed the barrels to easily breathe during maturation and develop a rich fruit and spice character.
Color-Deep caramel brown.
Aroma-Rich hints of cedar, dark chocolate and tropical fruit underscored by caramel and butterscotch notes.
Taste-Crisp cedar and nutty oak mingle with fig, berry and citrus character.
Finish-A long, crisp wood spice note ends with a touch of fruit.
What Richard Says:
Nose: Very rich on the nose. Sticky toffee and cedar wood with an almost oily resinous smell.
Palate: Raisins, Christmas spices (think mulled wine or pumpkin pie spice) with a little mint right before the finish.
Finish: The finish is long and woody. Pepper and oak seem to stay around forever.
Comments: Are you looking for good bourbon for under $40? Here you go. This annual release has swung widely from year to year. This year’s is some of the best 12 year old coming out Brown Forman. Not a must try but it really stands out.
Rating: Stands Out
Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Single Barrel Vintage 2000, Barrel No. 438
43.3% ABV/86.6 Proof
$25 to $30
Available nationwide
What the Distillery Says:
This Bourbon was personally selected by our Master Distiller, only after meeting his exacting standards for this vintage. Taken from a single barrel, it is the purest achievement of the Bourbon making art. Bottled unblended with other barrels to preserve its individuality. Hand-numbered as a sign of its limited availability.
What Richard Says:
Nose: Fresh grass, wildflowers, and butter on the nose.
Palate: The palate is very clean and subdued. Vanilla notes stand out and it is overall creamy, oaky, and infinitely drinkable.
Finish: A little sweetness clings to the oak on the finish and plays around with a slight bit of spice too. Mild and very enjoyable.
Comments: Evan Williams has released vintages every year beginning in 1986 through 2000 at around the 10 year old mark. The quality has varied over the years as can be expected but this year’s vintage is something really nice. Generally speaking, the vintage bottling tends to be some of the best stuff coming out of Heaven Hill in the 10 year age range for each given vintage. I really enjoyed this dram. It’s not particularly bold or unique but it is sinfully drinkable and at this price why not buy two.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value
In conjunction with our new year’s resolution we also added an archive page under “About Us” that lists all our posted reviews. In the past you could always do a search if you were looking for something specific but we thought this might be helpful too.
