The Tasting Panel magazine

November 2013

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SCOTCH REPORT High Road, Low Road DISTILLERS AND BOTTLERS HAVE NEW RELEASES FOR ALL BUDGETS by Ian Buxton I  try, as a rule, to avoid recommending expensive whiskies, recognizing that any bottle over a few hundred dollars is getting into pretty rarefied territory and likely to be of limited appeal. What's more, these trophy bottles are all too frequently aimed squarely at the collecting and investing community, not the drinker. So please bear with me as I make an exception for a whisky likely to set you back around $10,000, always assuming you can get a bottle. I have tasted this and it's exceptional. I'm reserving a special place this gifting season for Glenfarclas The Coronation, a single cask bottling of 1953 distillation just released by London merchants The Whisky Exchange to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. There have been a number of special editions to mark this hugely significant anniversary, but this really is special: limited in number (just 60 decanters, naturally), extraordinary value for a single malt of such a great age and really, really enjoyable to drink. It's been my privilege to try a few of the 60-year-old casks left at this Speyside distillery—all are remarkable, but this is a joy. They tell me they will ship to the U.S., so if you are fortunate enough to acquire a bottle, please open it and share! Meanwhile, back with whiskies that your correspondent can afford himself, Impex Beverages tell me that the Kilchoman 100% Islay 3rd Release is available now at a suggested retail of $89.99. Visiting this little Islay farmhouse-style distillery earlier this year it was pleasing to see it busy greeting visitors from round the world who seemed eager to try variations of Kilchoman's whiskies as they evolve with greater age. Speaking of variations, lovers of iconic single malt The Glenlivet—known as The Guardians of The Glenlivet—are being offered the chance to select the brand's next limited release by trying three alternatives and voting for their favorite at one of a number of sampling events. Worldwide dates can be found at www. theglenlivet.com/theguardians-chapter. The chosen whisky will be released in February 2014. Also upcoming in 2014 are visits to U.S. ports by the fleet competing in the Clipper 2013–2014 Round the World Yacht Race. Expect them in San Francisco in April and New York at the end of May. To mark this, Old Pulteney single malt, the Official Scotch of U.S. Sailing, has released Old Pulteney "Navigator" (retail $49.99) to markets including New York, Illinois, Texas, Florida and California. Finally, with flavored whiskies rapidly gaining in favor it's no surprise to welcome two Irish newcomers from Pernod Ricard's Irish Distillers subsidiary. Paddy Devil's Apple and Bee Sting (both 35% abv and retailing at $21.99; see if you can guess the flavor) were launched in the U.S. on October 1 with "support in 14 key focus markets," according to the company. Apparently there will be an integrated campaign, "Sleep When You're 30," activated initially in the U.S. via a new website (www.paddywhisky.com) plus a social media campaign, drinks strategy and advertising to reinforce the brand's image for "craic." For Glenfarclas's $10,000 you could afford just over 450 bottles of one of these. Choices, choices! 26  /  the tasting panel  /  november 2013 TP1113_001-33.indd 26 10/24/13 8:47 AM

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