Isn’t that a superb combination?

Enjoying finest whiskys with friends and watch football? I think this is close to the perfect day. Anyway will be heading down to Glasgow tomorrow after getting some organisational things done and then treat myself to some nice drams.

I only hope that the weather will be fine and we can enjoy at least a couple of hours sunshine. Wouldn’t be too much to ask would it? Anyway for all of you who live in Glasgow. The weather forecast for the weekend: http://bit.ly/1zcwuZ

A list I’ll be bringing along

Ardbeg Supernova

Ardbeg Blasda

Some of the very nice whiskys you get from Islay

Apart from that there are a few things I need to organise so I won’t be up to  too much today. Bit of housework and Christmas shopping. Not too early for that is it?

Fire eating at the British Council

The MOU was the memorandum of understanding which I witnessed this afternoon between Universities Scotland and the Association of Indian Universities .  Witnessing along with me was Mr Thakur, the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, who made a most interesting speech, talking about the educational reforms which the current newly elected Indian Government intends to introduce in the next session of Parliament.   The challenge is massive but so are the resources being applied to the task – some 16 new Universities to be built, to continue to support the output of 2.5 million graduates a year.   Half the population of Scotland !

In an interview with the Times of India after the ceremony I likened a MOU to an engagement – a declaration of serious intent which needs to be followed up by further action. Both sides intend to do so.

Late afternoon I met a leading Indian company which  is in discussion with SDI about investment in Scotland.   The omens are good and the deal is almost closed.   Hopefully there will be a positive announcement within the next few months.

Then this evening we had the fire eaters.  And the been players (who used to be snake charmers, we were told from the platform).   And the piper.   And India Alba, a wonderful combination of traditional musicians from both Scotland and India.

The reception was held in the British Council building  in New Delhi, an inspirational modern construction  with a wonderful courtyard, which was hung with Scottish banners and which formed a great natural theatre.    The drink sponsors were Bowmore, but alas their product was involved in a car accident on the way, and had to be replaced sometime after we had started.  They made it though, and the peaty, sea-weedy aroma (the distillery sits right on the rocks by the shore in the village – I can see it clearly in my mind’s eye)  overcame the meths which the amazing fire eater used in his performance.

"Should auld acquaintance ?"

The lone piper had greeted us on our entrance from a balcony way above the invited guests and after the speeches the been players and India Alba provided the perfect backdrop to meetings and conversation.   I was lucky enough to join then at the end for the most unusual rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” I have ever heard.

Tomorrow includes an orphanage visit, and conversations with companies who are investing in India from Scotland, and in Scotland from India.

But it has been a long day.  And the mouser…in case you have been paying attention.  A lovely black cat, a little like my own, crept across the courtyard and under the stage whilst the Director of the British Council in India , Ruth Gee was speaking.   A most auspicious start to a great evening.

The water was amazingly still

Been out on Islay for a few days – Jazz Festival time once more – and the weather was absolutely amazing!

Bowmore 7y 2000/2007, 60%, Van Wees – The Ultimate Collection, cask 800064, bottle 190 – Islay – 77/100
Een jonge Bowmore met zoals te verwachten jonge, frisse turf. Nat hooi, rook en citroenen. Eerste slok is wat scherp… nu ja, met 60% is dat niet verwonderlijk. Daarna best drinkbaar zonder water. Ook hier de jonge frisse turf, peper, zoethout en wit fruit. Turf en zilt in de droge finish. Zonder al te complex te zijn, is deze dram best OK voor z’n leeftijd, maar ook niet meer.
 
Bowmore 17y, 43%, OB 2006 – Islay – 79/100
Eerste maal geproefd op het Whiskyfestival Gent 2007. Complexe en aangename neus. De zee! Wat kruidig ook. Smaak maltig en ziltig, met een aangename bitterheid. Citrusfruit. Een weinig turf. Complex. En een lange rokerige afdronk. 89 punten. Op dat moment nog te krijgen, maar niet meer voor lang (vervangen door een 18-jarige botteling, maar daarna toch ook nog door een nieuwe 17), dus snel nog een fles gekocht.
Fles geopend op 17/05/07, maar deze had een zeepsmaak! Nochtans dezelfde batch, dacht ik toch. Nu ja, het was wel nummer 28 of zo op het festival… Naast de boven beschreven sensaties dus duidelijk zeep. Doet me wat denken aan die harde paarse snoepjes (viooltjes?) die m’n grootmoeder vroeger had, vond ik toen ook al naar zeep smaken. Lavendel zeep.
Ook bij volgende pogingen nog steeds de (lavendel) zeep. Storend. De zeep-toets in de voor de rest best wel lekkere whisky kost deze fles toch 10 punten.
 
Bowmore 17y 1989/2007, 51.9%, cask 7914, 222 bottles – Islay – 80/100
Frisse neus (munt) met stevige rook en turf. Beetje kruiden. Ook de smaak is in eerste instantie erg fris, maar wordt vrij snel gevolgd door een turfexplosie. Lange afdronk met weer eens veel turf. Lekker hoor, maar de turf is me wat te dominant en de combinatie turf-munt is niet helemaal my cup of tea.

Región: Islay

Olor: cola, madera, pimienta, cuero

Color: naranja marronoso

Es sábado. Como de costumbre, acudo a mi establecimiento de venta de licores habitual para realizar mi compra quincenal de malta. Pero al entrar por la puerta, mi cara dibuja una sonrisa que no puedo esconder. Hoy es una ocasión especial, así que vengo decidido a regalarme algo a la altura, sin mirar el presupuesto. No me considero para nada un sibarita, pero mi paladar va aprendiendo poco a poco, y ya no se conforma con cualquier cosa. Además, como es el día de mi santo, mi mujer me acompaña dando carta blanca a mi elección. La oferta es amplia y tentadora, y tras una difícil elección, me decanto por una caja blanca con una banda azul en la parte inferior. Es un Bowmore de 17 años. Conozco la casa, así que no dudo que va a ser un buen regalo. Le doy un besazo a mi mujer en señal de agradecimiento, y espero con ansia que llegue la hora de la sobremesa para saborear mi nuevo juguete.

Al abrir la caja me sorprende gratamente el color del contenido: naranja oscuro. La cosa promete. Abro la botella y huelo una cierta dulzura inicial, que queda rápidamente superada por el aroma a madera y a pimienta, con un cierto toque de especias.  El gusto me parace maravilloso, sobresaliente, elegante, suave a la vez que potente. Al saborearlo a fondo me invade una sensación de seguridad, comodidad y calma. El gusto a madera no es exagerado, para mi en su justo punto. No obstante, se percibe claramente la crianza en barrica. La sensación de ahumado tampoco va a molestar demasiado a los detractores. Ideal para después de una buena comida bañada con el mejor Rioja.

Mis sensaciones:

Atardecer a finales de verano. No hace calor, tampoco frío. Mi nuevo yate de 25 metros tiene 3 camarotes y la cubierta es toda de madera de roble. Es un viaje familiar, pero sin niños. Cenaremos tarde, así que decidimos sentarnos sobre cojines de cuero a saborear un buen malta. Encima de la mesa hay buen tabaco. Hablamos de cosas triviales. Son los pequeños momentos de sencillez que dan sentido a la vida. Me siento feliz de estar vivo.

Var på en mycket givande provning av whisky från Bowmore på Islay. Provningen leddes av Tom Jones (nej inte han) som representerade destilleriet. Det var en provning i befriande avsaknad av whiskynörderi. För den som inte vet det så är whiskeynörden en extremform av vinnörden. Han (det är alltid en man) ligger i samma nördklass som frimärkssamlare och fågelskådare. Det handlar om att kryssa av specialbuteljeringar av ofiltrerad whisky med hög PPM i numrerade flaskor (låga nummer) från företrädesvis nedlagda destillerier. Viktigast är att ingen annan provat den.

Skotsk whisky, Bowmore inkluderat, lagras idag företrädesvis på gamla bourbonfat som finns i obegränsad mängd och är ganska billiga. Traditionellt användes sherryfat men dessa är idag sällsynta och mycket dyra. För att bibehålla whiskyns karaktär började man därför att ge den en “finish” av sherryfat genom att avsluta lagringen med en kortare tid på dessa fat. Detta förfarande är upphovet till dagens trend med “wood finnish”. Det finns en uppsjö av buteljeringar där whiskyn fått en dos karaktär från sauternes-, portvins-, oloroso- och madeirafat. Uppfinningsrikedomen har tydligen inga gränser. Senaste stolleprovet är fat som härbärgerat australiensisk shiraz! Min personliga uppfattning om detta är att det oftare blir mer intressant och kuriöst än bra. Bowmore med bordeauxfinish är ett exempel på mindre bra resultat (se provningsanteckning nedan).

Med ett lysande undantag imponerade all provad whisky som balanserad och elegant. Absolut bäst och med en mycket speciell karaktär var Bowmore 25 YO. Men med ett buteljpris på två lakan så ska det bjudas något utöver det vanliga. Tycker jag.

Bowmore 12 YO 40%. Liten rökighet, toner av jod, hö, vanilj och honung. Torvig karaktär och inslag av tjära och citrus. En ganska mjuk och fruktig whisky. Med lite vatten och senare jämförelse med de äldre varianterna framstår vaniljtonen dominerande och whiskyn uppfattas som relativt enkel.

Bowmore Darkest 15 YO 43%. Mycket mörk. Toner av torkad frukt, jod och en lite volatil karaktär minnande om gammal calvados.. Nötig, bränd, ekig och inslag av mörk choklad och bokna äpplen. Eldig, kraftfull, astringent smak med inslag av tjära och salmiak.

Bowmore 18 YO 43%. Nyanserad doft av jod, vaniljkola, apelsinskal, bränt socker och aprikosmarmelad. Mjuk, fyllig och mycket lång och elegant smak med viss astringens och viss jodton i avslutet.

Bowmore 25 YO 43%. Stor komplex doft av engelsk apelsinmarmelad, rökighet, kanderad frukt, mandel och nötter. Fyllig smak med torkad frukt, salmiak och en distinkt ton av violpastill. Mjuk, lång och elegant eftersmak.

Bowmore 1992 Bordeaux Barrel Finnish 53,5%. Röd ton. Doft av rostade hasselnötter, trä/ek, grön paprika, jordig ton. Smaken är osammanhållen, jordig och med en bitter ton. Det smakar som om man tagit ut det sämsta och tråkigaste bitarna av bordeauxviner och destillerat ned dem i denna whisky. Riktigt tråkig.

http://intressant.se/intressant

Everyone was asking how the fellow on Scaravay was getting on without his fags so I roused Cameraman out of his pit and we set off for the island to have a chat with non-smoker of the year, Geoff Spice.

Neil expertly wheeched his superfast inflatable in and out and around the waves. Cameraman was panicking. By the time we were past the wee green and white Celtic supporters’ lighthouse out from Leverburgh, he had taken to hugging his camera tighter than he has ever hugged his poor wife, Jann.

I was a bit green myself. Was this a good idea I began to wonder? Had the God of Tornados, which we were all assured by Reverends Smith and Tallach had puffed with vengeance recently, decided that he, like so many others, should flee Lewis? Had he moved to Harris and Uist, there to move in mysterious ways?

And he had. He quickly answered my unspoken plea for a more comfortable crossing. Rather than setting about us with a big, bad water spout, he made sure that that wave and wind were stilled before us and, verily, verily, we were amazed. Soon Neil had us gliding safely and comfortably into that bonnie bay on Scaravay.

We found Geoff looking windswept and interesting. Not expecting the constant battering by gales that threatened to rip his tent away each night, he was however hugely bolstered by well-wishers from all around the globe. The boys who go to shear the sheep on Scaravay bring him good wishes from Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Strond.

Geoff on Scaravay

As we bid him farewell, Geoff was just getting ready for his next challenge – making the bottle of Bowmore we brought him last until the end of the month.

The whole of Harris though is famous for inspiring people to tackle challenges. Many are the wise men of words who have lived there. J M Barrie, Finlay J Macdonald and countless others have shared profound discoveries about life while based somewhere between Aline and Rodel. To the list of eminent Harris thinkers, another name must be appended. Angaidh George Macdonald of West Tarbert.

Over a half of shandy in the Harris Hotel, that oasis of polite and patient night hospitality, whatever the hour, I was telling him that in Uig I had a demonstration of the new anti-midgie combined hood and jacket. As long as they are zipped up, the midgies can’t get near you. The downside is that you look incredibly stupid. They are only midgies, after all, but you look as if you are going to fight the Taliban.

Angaidh George has been experimenting with ways to repel the midgies himself. At times of excessive itchiness, he now just pops on wife Linda’s tights. Not on his legs, you understand, but pulled over his head. The problem, sadly, is that they are too tight. They keep pushing his nose and ears out of shape and the midgies can still bite because there is no space between the mesh and the skin. It is a work-in-progress and I shall report on all developments.

Will the midges chomp away at the peat-cutters who are setting off for London at the weekend? Not any old peat-cutters, mind you. These are some of the guys who famously posed for a calendar while shedding their clothes in favour of strategically-placed slabs of peat. That was the plan. It was so chilly on the day of shooting that only caorans – tiny knobs of peat – were required.

They are holding ceilidhs in Inverness, Fort William, Glasgow, Edinburgh and even Gretna Green on the way down to Petticoat Lane. It’s all for worthwhile causes like Leukaemia Research and the Anthony Nolan Trust so if you do see them, dig deep and buy a calendar or a T-shirt.

Remember to look out for naked peatcutter-in-chief Jock Murray and his head of admin, Ken Galloway. You’ll know them easily – just look for the tiniest caorans.

I was going to tell you about the whisky. Jumping ashore on Scaravay, I was still a tad wobbly. All that earlier adrenaline as I feared that Cameraman and his £40,000 camera were about to plunge over the side had jangled my nerves. And my stomach. So much so that, as I scrambled, goat-like, up the rocks, I somehow slipped and lost my footing.

Before I realised what happened, the presentation box containing the bottle of Bowmore 12-Year-Old Single Malt tumbled out of my bag and loudly and clunkily bounced and banged all the way down the cliff onto the lethal, jagged rocks 30 feet below.

Peering down, I could make out the distinctive tubular box, burst open. Realising the bottle of Islay’s finest would be smashed into a thousand bits after a crash like that, I clambered down for it to prove to Geoff that the thought was there.

“Sorry Geoff, it’s just an empty box. Still, it’s the thought that counts, eh?”

Behold, another miracle. When I gingerly descended, what did I find? Was the bottle itself not intact? The box was bashed and the lid had been flipped yards away but there was not a mark on the glassware containing the fine drams.

Mysterious ways? You had better believe it. The God of Tornados and Sudden Gusts had obviously sent a tiny one to the bottom of the cliff which must have cushioned the plummeting 40-ouncer and then set it down softly and safely on the rocks without spilling a drop.

What do you mean, yeah right? Do not mock those of us who have seen the reaping of the wild wind. We can only hope the day will come when you too will feel the winds of change and realise that you too can be swept up with the true believers like Angus Smith and James Tallach. And now me too.

How many times must he let loose twisters before you stop your scoffing? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.

Hey guys,

I find myself once again apologising for not having updated my blog as much I would liked to have. Due to the lack to time available at events,(I’m too busy telling everyone about Black Bottle you see), it’s not always easy to find time to type up some decent news for you guys. Having said that, hopefully this week’s blog will go some way to making up for the lack of content. I’m going to blog about Birmingham this week and next week I’ll tell you all about my adventures round London at the London Taste Festival in Regents Park. I don’t want you to get too excited all at once.

My travels started a few weeks back going to the Summer Good Food Show (SGFS) in Birmingham. The SGFS is a huge indoor and outdoor event over 5 days in the Birmingham NEC where 120, 000 visitors get the opportunity to come and sample great produce from across the world and then take advantage of show prices. It was a great show for Black Bottle, we managed to sample 16k people over the 5 days and we sold all the stock that I had taken down to the show. For those of you who did miss out however, remember that in England and Wales you can purchase Black Bottle in all good Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s, as well as online. Remember to keep an eye out for it!

Highlights of the show for me included the banter from my team at the show; I’d like to thank Scott, Verity, Sharon and Kate for all your hard work. They are all big Black Bottle fans and their endless micky taking of myself ensured the long days were all the longer. Other highlights included having to repeatedly knock back offers for the Jalopy from show visitors – to the point that we had to write on a chalk board that the van wasn’t for sale. I have to add that some of the offers were very reasonable and if we ever decide to sell it, you’ll hear it here first.

I have added a few pictures below; make sure you check them out. As always if you have any comments or questions make sure you add them below.

Enjoy the rest of your week,
Darroch

Those regular visitors may notice that I have changed the header image; I got a little, well more than a little really, bored with that sunset that has beein sitting ther for far to long now, so, I changed it. I decided to move to one of my favourite islands, Islay, and to use an image of Bowmore Harbour. But, I wasn’t content with the original image, so I went into Photoshop, and in the immortal word of Elvis Costello “pumped up the volume” just a little. Here are both images for comparison:-

The original image

The enhanced version

Now I know there are those who will not like the ‘improved’ version, Bondwoman for one, but I think it is quite funky for a header, which after all should make a bold statement.

Att jobba med skuggor är väldigt intressant. Här har jag försökt dölja och visa olika detaljer på flaskorna och få lite dynamik i bilden. Utan skuggorna skulle bilden vara väldigt grafisk till sin karaktär, nu blir det mer djup och dynamik.

Maandagavond hebben we met Fulldram Leuven in stijl het seizoen afgesloten. Het betrof een supertasting samengesteld en geleid door Luc Timmermans. Dan weet je dat ‘in stijl’ geen verkeerde woordkeuze is. We kregen acht whisky’s voorgeschoteld (ja whisky’s, we zijn niet voor niets een whiskyclub nietwaar) waaronder een nogal indrukwekkende Ardbeg 1967 Pale Oloroso. Deze won echter het pleit niet, om maar te zeggen dat je mij niet gaat horen klagen over het niveau van deze tasting.
Nu donderdagavond. De madam op de lappen, de kids in bed, de ideale gelegenheid om mijn sampleflesjes met de overschotjes te ledigen. Samen met mijn notities van maandag resulteert dit in het volgende:

 
Miltonduff 12y, 43%, OB bottled mid 1990’s – Speyside
Deze laat zich herleiden tot kurk, kurk en kurk. En misschien een beetje rauwe champignons. Geen score dus, want defective bottle. De eerlijkheid gebiedt me wel te zeggen dat ik dat niet onmiddelijk merkte, pas nadat Luc ons op ‘een offnote’ wees, rook ik de kurk. Ik ging er van uit dat dat kwam omdat het kurkgehalte nog best meeviel, maar na andere whisky’s te degusteren, werd de kurk in deze alsmaar prominenter. Didactisch materiaal.
 
Glenugie 20y 1984/2004, 50%, DL OMC, cask 1320, 201 bottles – Highland – 90/100
Aangezien Glenugie z’n deuren sloot in 1983 hebben we hier te maken met een misprint. Ofwel heeft de kuisploeg zich in 1984 eens goed laten gaan. Soit, het is dus whisky van 1983. Stevige neus met veel fruit. In your face fruit. In your face fruit?? Het is nogal een krachtige neus is, het fruit stuwt zich als het ware een weg door je neusholte, dat bedoel ik. Vooral wit fruit. Sappige peer. Zoet ook. En een beetje kruidig. Maar dan het ‘herbal’ type kruidigheid. Kruidenthee. Het Nederlands maakt spijtig genoeg niet het onderscheid tussen ‘herbal’ en ‘spicy’ kruidigheid. De spicy variant zit dan weer wel in de smaak. Vooral op het eind veel peper. Natuurlijk ook hier veel (zoet) fruit. Vrij lange, fruitige afdronk. Smullen!
 
Port Ellen 21y 1979/2001, 50%, DL OMC, 618 bottles – Islay – 91/100
Deze heb ik recent nog bij Dominiek gedronken. En goed bevonden. Lekkere turf perfect in harmonie met dito sherry. En zonder scherpe kantjes. Score bevestigd.
 
Tomatin 25y 1980/2005, 56.6%, Weiser Germany, cask 13462, 320 bottles – Speyside – 91/100
En dan gingen we weer de fruitige torr op. En hoe. Deze Tomatin zit vol fruit, fruit van het exotische type hier. Passievrucht, mango, ananas… Schitterende frisse neus en erg drinkbaar voor dit alcoholpercentage. Lange afdronk met… juist, fruit. Top!
 
Bowmore 35y 1968/2004, 40.5%, DT for The Whisky Fair, cask 3818, 150 bottles – Islay – 88/100
En voor diegenen die nog niet genoeg fruit hadden, stond er nog een Bowmore 1968 op het programma. Bowmore 1968, dat is tropisch fruit. Veel ervan in de neus. Nat hooi ook. Beetje zoet. Smaak is erg zacht (ok, amper 40%), zoet en fruitig. Naast de tropische toestanden ook wat citrus. Na een tijdje komen er bloesems door. Lange afdronk. Lekker? Zeer zeker, maar mist de complexiteit van de 1966 distillaten. Dat laatste zet ik er vooral bij omdat dat wel chique staat, niet dat ik al geweldig veel jaren zestig Bowmore gedronken heb. Met 88 punten voor mij de minst scorende dram. Jawel, een Bowmore 1968.
 
Nectar of the Gods (Glenfarclas) 38y 1966/2004, 42.3%, Whisky Magazine Editor’s Choice, cask 6461, 84 bottles – Speyside – 92/100
De naam die de jongens van Whisky Magazine deze whisky hebben meegegeven, wekt wel wat verwachtingen moet ik zeggen. Benieuwd of hij deze kan waarmaken. Zoete neus met honing en speculaas. Bodding roept er iemand. Nu je het zegt. Boenwas heb ik ook. Fruit natuurlijk. Gestoofd fruit en confituur toestanden. En dan komt er ook nog ‘s subtiele rook door. Woodsmoke zegt Luc, hout dat verwarmd wordt. Inderdaad. Sherry? Amper. Heerlijke complexe neus. Hetzelfde geldt voor de zoete, romige smaak. Bijenwas, honing, hout, sinaas, perzik, beetje zilt, beetje meer peper, en ongetwijfeld nog heel wat meer want complex is ie wel. Zeer lange afdronk. Schitterende whisky.
 
Ben Nevis 34y 1966/2001, 53.7%, OB for Germany, cask 4276, 209 bottles – Highland – 93/100
Neus: banaan! Ben Nevis noemt men ook wel de banaanwhisky. Nu weet ik waarom. Ondanks het feit dat deze vrij recent gebotteld is toch wat lichte old bottle toestanden. Oude boeken, oude kleren… dat soort zaken. Zoet (karamel) en geleidelijkaan kruidiger. Zalig! Het fruit (banaan, jawel, maar niet alleen dat) en de kruiden kom ik ook de smaak tegen, én in de lange afdronk. Voor de leeftijd niet te veel hout. OK, de smaak wordt naar het einde wat bitter, maar het is een bitterheid van de heerlijkste soort. Lange zalige afdronk. Deze whisky leunt trouwens een beetje tegen rum aan. De banaan, de (verbrande) karamel. Zeker geen gemakkelijke whisky, je moet hem wat tijd geven. Maar hij is o zo lekker.
 

En dan… dan kwam de Ardbeg 1967 Pale Oloroso. Ik kan me moeilijk een betere afsluiter van een supertasting voorstellen. Man, dit is zó goed. Whisky van een andere planeet. Whisky van een ander tijdperk, en dat mag wél letterijk genomen worden. Dit soort whisky maken ze vandaag immers niet meer. En kán – met de huidige productieprocessen – ook niet meer gemaakt worden. Vandaar ook de prijzen. Deze kan je met wat geluk nog wel op één of andere veiling op de kop tikken, maar dan moet je wel bereid zijn een 900 euro neer te telen. Voor de rest van de fles (toch nog een achttal drams) had Dominiek nog 130 euro over. Mijn maximum lag een beetje lager, maar heb vandaag – met de resterende anderhalve centiliter die ik van de tasting mee naar huis had genomen voor mij – al spijt van m’n consequentie. Nu ja, ben Dominiek vergeten vragen wat z’n maximumbod was geweest. Whatever, laat ik maar gewoon genieten van dit kostbare restje.

Ardbeg 28y 1967/1995, 53.7%, Signatory, cask 575, Pale Oloroso – Islay – 95/100
Neus het glas in. Geloofd zij de Heer! En Luk. Turf, maar niet de jaren zeventig Ardbeg turf, laat staan recentere, scherpere turf type Airigh Nam Beist. Deze turf is subliem zacht, fruitig en zoet. De heerlijkste, zachte sherry erdoorheen. Lichte zee associaties (zilt, zeewier…) en wat kruiden ook. Welke? Who cares! En waarschijnlijk kan ik nog heel wat meer uit de neus halen, want hij is zo complex, maar daar heb ik nu even geen zin in. Prachtig gewoon. En de smaak? Ja, ook die verantwoordt de score. Krachtig, mondvullend, met de fruitige turf, zilt, zoethout, was, beetje teer… whatever. Mooie verwevenheid om een illuster clublid te citeren. Nee, mooi is een term die afbreuk doet aan deze Ardbeg. Formidabel, subliem, breath-taking, mouth-watering, dat is de terminologie die hier van toepassing is. Zaaaalige, eeuwigdurende finish. Man, dit is lekkere whisky!
 

Bon, even terug met de voeten op de grond, voor ik het laatste – ja, écht het laatste – bodempje van deze godendrank mijn papillen laat beroeren (the lucky bastards). De top drie van de avond was:

1. Glenfarclas
2. Ardbeg (hunk?)
3. Bowmore & Tomatin ex-aequo

Mijn top drie:

1. Ardbeg (mocht u er nog aan twijfelen)
2. Ben Nevis
3. Glenfarclas

Vwalla, dat was weer eens een mooie avond zie. Enkele Orvals in de vroege uurtjes maakte wel dat het een beetje doorbijten was dinsdag, maar erg kon ik dat niet vinden.

Bedankt voor al het lekkers Luc! En nu de papillen…

A few years ago, I took a holiday in the UK. I had saved up for this trip for over a year, and looked forward to it with feverish anticipation. The plan was to spend about a week with my friend who had bought a house recently in a little town near Edinburgh in Scotland, and then spend another week in London.

Scotland is quite obscenely beautiful, with rolling hills and countryside which always looks like a freshly maniured golf course. The chief activity of the Scotland sojourn was a camping trip to Islay, which my friend Sanjay had organized. Islay is one of the larger islands off the west coast of Scotland, and I believe is also known as the Queen of the Hebrides. Its other claim to fame is the 8 still working whiskey distilleries dotted around the island, some of them producing the some of the finest single malts in the country.

We were to drive from Edinburgh to Kennacraig and from there take the car ferry to Port Ellen in the Isle of Islay. On the way, we made frequent stops to drink guiness and to take in the maginifecent Loch Lomond. Kennacraig is a tiny fishing town on the Mull of Kintyre. We arrived there quite late so didnt get much chance to see the place. The damper happened that night when it started raining. After a rather uncomfortable night in a tent, we started off the next morning for Islay. The ferry is the only means of transport from the Scotland mainland to Islay and can accomodate around 30 – 40 cars on each trip. The ride takes aproximately an hour and the views are breathtaking, though it did continue to rain persistently.

The Sea and Cliffs - Port Ellen

Islay’s economy is driven by 3 main activities – sheep farming, tourism and whiskey distilling. The first day, we mostly drove around the island looking for a place to set up our tent. And visit any distillery we saw en route.

Isaly whiskeys are very peaty and are some of the strongest single malts in Scotland. The island is almost completely composed of peat, and the water in the area is mostly brown. The sea salts brought in by the breeze adds another dimension to these distinctive whiskeys. We visited about 5 of the 8 distilleries. Our first stop was at Bowmore, the largest town in Islay which has the largest and oldest distillery in the area, opened in 1779. It still uses old fashioned methods like floor maltings. We took what is known as a whiskey tour, where a guide takes you through the distillery and the whiskey making process. The fun part was when at the end of the tour, we were all given “wee drams” of their best stuff to taste. It was fantastic. We also visited the Lagavulan, Ardbeg and Laphroaig distilleries that day, and tasted some of the best whiskey I’ve ever had. These are located at the southern coast of the Island and have much stronger and peatier flavours than Bowmore, which is more or less at the centre. I liked Lagavulan the best.

By the time we had done with the distilleries, we were hungry and not to mention buzzing with all the wee drams we’d had. It was late in the afternoon, and funnily enough the only restauraunt we could find in the area open for business was an Indian place called Maharani! Owned by an ancient Scottish lady, helped ably by her Pakistani and Bangladeshi chefs. The 2 helpers couldnt believe their luck to actually have 2 Indians visit them and quite overwhelmed us with their hospitality. After a long chat in Hindi and Bangla, and some very strange tasting mutton korma we headed out again, this time to definitely find a place to spend the night. And of course, it had continued to rain all through the night so we were forced to abandon our camping plans and take a room at a bed n breakfast.

The next night was fortunately bright and sunny and we set off to our last destination on the island before taking the ferry back to mainland. The distillery of Bruichladich. It was built in 1881, and unlike others which were converted from old farhouses, this one was built expressly for the purpose intended. In fact, it has preserved all its old decor and still looks exactly like what it must have when it started. They still use most of the old fashioned methods. It was the most charming of all the places we had visited. And I made my most extravagant purchase of my whole trip. I bought a bottle of their special designer whiskey, called Cote du Rhine. A limited edition whiskey, they had created only 400 bottles of it. But it was just absolutely magnificent. They even let me fill my own bottle from the tap and label and cork it.

Filling up my bottle of Cote du Rhine

We came at last to journey’s end and headed back to Port Ellen to take our ferry back to Kennacraig and from there drive back to Edinburgh.

This is perhaps one of the most interesting trips I have ever made. If you happen to find yourself in Scotland, and have a couple of days free, do visit Islay. It has great camping spots (if the weather holds) and some very affordable B&Bs. The scenery is stunningly picturesque, and if you are a whiskey fan, there are some single malts to die for.

I’ve been sitting on a 50ml miniature of Bowmore 18 for a while.  This past week, I finally purchased a bottle of Bowmore 12, so I decided to go ahead and compare these two expressions for my “nightly dram” last night.  The 12 is bottled at 40% ABV, while the 18 is bottled at 43%.  Interestingly, the 12 years miniature is bottled at 43%.  [What's up with that?  It seems like false advertising.]  Anyway, I’m going to compare the 40% and 43% 12 year at a later time.  For this sitting, I wanted to get a feel for how the 12 and 18 compare in their regular bottling expressions.

Bowmore 12 and 18 comparison

Availability and pricing here in AZ

There is quite a jump in price here in AZ from the lower Bowmore expressions to the higher ones.  Here’s the progression:  Legend = $22-$28; Bowmore 12 = $38-$46; Bowmore 15 Darkest = $70; Bowmore 18 = $95.  I picked up the 12 hoping that, at $38, it would become my go-to low to mid-priced Islay dram.  I suppose I should have started with the Legend, but I’m looking for something with enough maturity to compete with Caol Ila 12 (which costs $50-$60 locally).

Tasting

Bowmore 12

On the nose, there’s really nice earthy peat and light smoke right up front.  It’s also a little sweet, but more fruity than toffee.  As I persist, something else pops in there…it reminds me of a flavored hot tea.  [Update 5/25/09: Upon revisiting Bowmore 12, I think the "flavored tea" is actually more of an interplay between the smoke and a passion fruit scent.  The first time around, when I couldn't place it, it kind of turned me off.  Now I don't mind it so much.]

On the palate and finish, I get the earthy peat coming through loud and clear, which I really like.  There’s a little sweetness on the palate, but not much at all.  The body seems a little light, almost watery.  I’m going to have to compare this to the 43% mini I have.  On the finish, I really like the continued peat and smoke, but it’s slightly masked by kind of a dusty sensation.  That “hot tea” thing is coming back as well, in the form of a slight bitterness that sticks around after the peat and smoke dies off.  To be honest, this is a slight turn off to me.

Bowmore 18

On the nose, I think the 18 offers pretty much the same profile, but it’s stronger, with quite a bit more fruit.  I’m not getting that “hot tea” thing as much with this one.  Just peat, smoke and mixed fruit.

On the palate, again you can tell this is in the same family as the 12.  However, there’s more body.  Additionally, there’s some spice in the form of a peppery grip on the tongue.  It’s not as strong as a talisker, but it’s there, and I like it.

Summary

Overall, I thought these were perfectly nice single malts, and worth a try.  I used to think of Talisker as a “gateway” to Islay, but now I’m thinking you don’t need a gateway.  If you want to get an idea of what peat and smoke are like, but don’t want to get overpowered, go right for the Bowmore 12, and it won’t cost a lot.  It’s actually tamer than the Talisker 10 and 18, as it doesn’t have the strong pepper finish that those offer.  The peat and smoke in the Bowmore is also very Talisker-like…there’s none of the tar and coal like you get from Ardbeg, Laphroaig or Caol Ila.  I like the Bowmore 18 better than the 12, with the extra body and spiciness on the palate.  However, at $38 vs. $95, I’m having a difficult time with the Bowmore 18 price point.  For now, I’ll be happy to finish the Bowmore 12, but I’ll stick with Caol Ila 12 and Ardbeg 10 as my main, mid-priced Islay malts.  I am, however, curious about the Legend at $22 as an entry-level Islay scotch.

Related links

• Whisky Magazine – Bowmore 12 review:  tasting notes and scores from Michael Jackson and Dave Broom (they really like it).  Dave Broom mentions a “lavender-tinged smoke”.  I wonder if that’s the “hot tea” flavor I’m talking about.  Scroll down for links to Whisky Mag. forum posts about this expression.
• WhiskyFun.com – Check out this comparison of all four of the latest Bowmore OB expressions.  They kind of panned the 18 year old, which surprised me.  This is a great site, btw…scroll to the top of their page and check out the side bar on the left to get links to the various distilleries, then browse all of their articles/ratings for that distillery’s expressions (OB and IB).
• Whisky For Everyone – Another whisky blog that I follow.  Here is some general information about Bowmore, followed by notes on the 12 year.
• YouTube Videos – Both PeatLuvr and IslayScotchWhisky have done videos on Bowmore 12.  You might want to also check out the IslayScotchWhisky review of the Bowmore Legend for comparison with the 12.

As I have a less event-laden week, I thought it would be good to blog a bit about Islay, and more specifically, the Islay Malts. For those of you who are not familiar with the island, Islay is off the west coast of Glasgow and is an area of Scotland that is rich with history – in fact the earliest evidence of human existence was found on Islay dating from around 10,800 BC – about the same time your granny was born. Currently just over 3,000 people inhabit on the island, a tenth of size of the population before the Highland Clearances in the 18^th and 19^th century.

There is a plethora of history I could bore you with, however it is the 7 whisky distilleries* on the island that it best known for; Islay isn’t just an island or a place, but a globally renowned sign of quality, reassurance and prestige.

Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin are in the south of the island and are famed as intensely peaty malt whiskies; the three distilleries are right next to each other but are three iconic brands with very distinct flavours. Caol Ila, Bruichladdich, Bowmore and Bunnahabhain are all in a more northerly part of the island and in general, much less peaty in flavour – in fact Bunnahabhain is completely unpeated in flavour – a lighter taste of Islay if you will.

The peat level of the barley, cask type, the source of water and shape of the pot still (used in the distillation) are just some of variables that have a huge bearing on the flavour of the whisky. This may answer a few questions for those of you who can’t fathom why 7 distilleries in such close proximity to each other make such distinct whiskies.

I have tried deliberately not to go into too much detail so not to alienate a proportion of my blog readers who are less knowledgeable about whisky – for some of you who may find this too basic and general, please accept my apologies.

Finally I apologise for the late blog this week, I’ll endeavour to make sure I update my blog on Monday next week! Enjoy the rest the week and make sure you check back next week!

*I have not included Kilchoman in discussing Islay distilleries as their new spirit will not become whisky until November 2009 and it would be unfair to comment at this stage. However it fair to say the it is the 8^th working distillery.

Our Swedish neighbours have a wee affinity for the Scottish tipple and often get special bottlings. Two very different distilleries are offering their wares purely to the Swedes this Spring.

The first one out is a very special Glengoyne expression – Glengoyne Swedish Oak Finish 16 Years (46.2% abv).

This is (I think) a dual cask bottling comprising of 660 bottles only available through the Swedish monopoly stores – Systembolaget. The price is to be 679 SEK (532 NOK/£58/€61) when it hits the stores in May. The plans for this edition started when Glengoyne in 2007 bought two casks made from Swedish oak from the Thorslundkagge Cooperage in Dyltabruk (Central Sweden, some 120 miles west of Stockholm).

The other is a limited edition whisky bottled at Cask Strength – Bowmore Laimrig (50,3%). Laimrig is gaelic for pier (or wharf, jetty, quay or landing according to Wiktionary). A total of 4.500 bottles have been made and are awaiting release, this also in May.The price for this one is 559 SEK (437 NOK/£47/€51). The whisky itself is 15 years old and has matured for 10 years in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to ex-Oloroso casks for a period of 5 years.

Tasting notes: Dark amber colour, the nose brings a sweet aroma of Oloroso Sherry, figs and cocoa with a finely tuned smokiness and a hint of saltiness. On the palate it’s dark chocolate, sherry and dried fruits (rasins) with a lovely, long and lingering finish with smoky notes.

Jag tänkte att eftersom Magnus Uggla har fredagsdrinken varje fredag på sin blogg, så kan ju tankesmedjan börja med något liknande, tänkte jag. Eller drink och drink. Den här gången blir det en liten så kallad “student-avec”.

Det hela är väldigt enkelt. Till er “take away”-kaffe så tar ni valfri whisky, av billig sort givetvis, och häller upp i ett glas vid sidan om. Ingen is och inget vatten så klart. Om ni inte är studenter så byter ni bara ut den billiga whiskyn mot en dyrare variant (läs Bowmore). Resultatet blir ungefär det samma som nedan:

Och ja. Jag är medveten om att en avec ska drickas efter middagen, men ni vet väl inte vilka tider jag äter middag. Eller hur?

Trevlig helg önskar vi på tankesmedjan Polaris.

(Visste ni förresten att Johnnie Walker var Elliott Smiths favoritwhisky?)