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Saturday 31 December 2022

SEAGRAMS 100 PIPERS FAMILY

  100 PIPERS SCOTCH WHISKIES

The Original 100 Pipers NAS

When alcohol aficionados develop a penchant for identifying and appreciating elements of fine whisky, it’s time for them to graduate to Scotch. And the True Legend in the world of Scotch whiskies in Asia, specifically India, is Seagram’s 100 Pipers – India’s largest-selling Scotch brand. It is the first and only Scotch to achieve the milestone of one million+ cases in sales in India in 2020 and again in 2021.

Seagram's 100 Pipers is the leading introductory Scotch whisky in India and is supposedly also the leading Standard Scotch in many countries around the world, including Thailand, Spain, Venezuela, and Australia. The brand's unique iconography and heritage reflect the essence of a "True Legend". It is available as a NAS 750 ml bottle, a 12 YO 750 ml, The Black Watch and, in its latest avatar, an 8 YO Blended Malt.

The Seagram’s 100 Pipers blend was created by the Chivas Brothers in 1965, and, as was usually the case with Chivas Brothers, first launched in the US.  It owes its name and Celtic imagery to the old Scottish tradition of bagpipers who led soldiers into battle. The ‘100 Pipers’ name in particular, literally comes from the famous ballad of ‘The Hundred Pipers’, which tells of the heroic Bonnie Prince Charlie’s 1745 uprising led by a troop of 100 bagpipers. The sound of bagpipes as it cut through the cold, dark, intense and hostile air; the myriad of black polished boots clickety clacking against the earth in unison. White socks, kilts, sporrans, bagpipes – the hundred that marched leading the militia towards war; a piece of history that has inspired and made its way into The 100 Pipers brand.

Four years later, in 1969, the name ‘Seagram’s’ was added to the label (and remains to this day), and the Scottish flag was removed. A 12-year-old extension was added in 1986, by which point 100 Pipers was selling 800,000 cases globally, of which 270,000 were in the UK. A 20-YO version followed two years later. It was claimed to be the fourth best-selling Scotch in Scotland.

In 1992, 100 Pipers became the first Seagram-owned Scotch whisky in Korea and was launched in Thailand a year later. Back in the UK it was decided to co-opt a famous Scottish regiment into the brand and rechristen it the ‘100 Pipers of the Black Watch,’ just in that nation. The more observant consumers may have wondered why there was just one piper on the label, and in due course, the brand became simply The Black Watch blend.

The contents in the bottle hadn’t changed, and Brits drinking Black Watch were enjoying the exact same standard blend as Thai, Indian and other Asian consumers with their 100 Pipers. By the time Pernod Ricard had acquired the lion’s share of Seagram’s spirits business in 2001, the focus was very much on 100 Pipers in Asia. 100 Pipers started bottling in India in 2011 and is reported to be the seventh-largest-selling brand of Scotch whisky across the world.

The 100 Pipers 8-year-old blended malt was launched in Thailand in 2005. All this time, the brand’s spiritual home was Allt-a-Bhainne, the Speyside distillery built by Seagram in 1975. It is also locally bottled in India where sales of 100 Pipers reached 300,000 cases in 2011, never to look back.

The Hundred Pipers family claim that this blend of 25–30 carefully selected malt whiskies from the Speyside region gives rise to an aroma that is sui generis woody and fruity, with a touch of peat oaky fragrance in medium intensity creating an aromatic sweetness. The nose is full and fruity with delicate honey and vanilla notes. The body is heavy, sweet, complex and rounded, leading to a taste that is full-bodied, mellow and sweet, combined with well-balanced notes of fruitiness and soft smokiness. It is rounded off by a finish that is floral and elegant, with subtle oak notes coupled with vanilla. These notes stand out in the 12 YO and The Black Watch.

The 8 YO Blended Malt is evidently a non-conformist. The nose is biscuit & buttery like Apple jelly. The palate is oily, thick and very sweet, like autumn fruit syrup. The apples remain with a touch of quince. The cask wood is well integrated. The finish is sweet, with a slight dry spiciness. Some nuttiness maybe. Overall, a very gentle and fruity whisky. Would have benefited from a balancing dryness. 

Seagram’s 100 Pipers’ burgeoning popularity has much to do with its unique product range and strong consumer resonance with its purpose-led initiatives due to their uniqueness, authenticity and credibility, like the international award-winning Legacy Project – which showcases endangered Indian artforms via Limited Edition Packs and provides tangible livelihood support to artisans. Recognised internationally and in India by some of the most prestigious awards in the world for creative excellence, The Legacy Project won the Bronze Pencil at One Show Awards (New York), Merit at D&AD Awards (UK), Bronze at Spikes Asia and multiple honours at Kyoorius Creative Awards. Also, the 100 Pipers Play for a Cause platform that has been leveraging music for many years to raise awareness and funds for various social causes like meals for underprivileged, flood relief, etc. in addition to supporting the partnering musicians.

For the price, the 100 Pipers is not a bad buy. However, it does reflect a certain character and profile that is quite similar to blends of a comparable price range with very little that makes it stands out from the rest. The whisky is spirity and young with some of the flavours calling out for attention. This zest can be offset by resting it to calm it down a notch or two. A bit of water would lighten the 40% ABV spirit, hardly elevating it to divine status. However having said that, it isn’t as dull as the ‘Old Smuggler’, nor is it as sweet as the ‘Vat 69‘. And though flawed in its own right, it’s very much an average tipple, one that doesn’t require much thought – pour, sip and gulp as you quietly progress through the night.

Thursday 29 December 2022

FIVE ARDBEGS IN 2022

 2022 MARKS RELEASE OF FIVE ARDBEG EXPRESSIONS

2022 proved to be a hectic year for Ardbeg, releasing as many as five expressions.

          

February this year saw the release of the Ardbeg Fermutation which had undergone an unnaturally long fermentation period, more by accident than design. April saw the debut of the Fon Fhòid which had been buried in peat bogs for several years, before being released from Singapore on the back of an NFT, marking Ardbeg's entry into the virtual world of shadowy tokens. Fèis Ìle 2022 saw the Ardcore, distilled from roasted black malt and launched on Ardbeg Day, 22 June. Then the fourth Traigh Bhan in September, setting the stage, as it were, for October and Ardbeg’s new Smoketrails Manzanilla Travel Exclusive edition at major Airports, initially within the UK, but moving out across international borders.

ARDBEG FERMUTATION: The Ardbeg Committee Selection for February 2022 is one that honestly could not be replicated even if tried. This is the second “happy accident” with Ardbeg, but somehow that one-off whisky is found on the shelves over and over. For the Ardbeg Fermutation, a broken boiler is to blame for the longest fermentation period in the distillery’s history.

Ardbeg typically ferments its products for 72 hours. In November 2007, a dead boiler almost ruined six washbacks full of whisky. Dr. Lumsden wanted to experiment with longer fermentations and told the distillery team to open the washback lids. With these lids open, the salty Islay air graced the contents as it fermented for another three weeks.

Alcohol conversion slows down dramatically after 48 hours, but the longer a ferment goes on, the more flavour is imparted. Whether wood or steel, the washbacks also impact flavour. At Ardbeg, they are made of Oregon pine (Douglas fir), which has nuances of its own. With the Ardbeg Fermutation, no one knew what those extra three weeks would do to the whisky. A science project worth a run. Whether the extended exposure of the wash to the Islay air added flavours to the whisky or whether this is just a marketing story is up to you to decide.

The Ardbeg Fermutation is only available to The Ardbeg Committee members at this time. While this sounds exclusive, anyone interested can join The Committee. There are more than 130,000 members in over 130 countries. I too am a member of The Ardbeg Committee.

Tasting Notes:

ABV: 49.4%

Type: An Islay whisky matured in ex-bourbon casks (first and refill) for 13 years. Limited Ardbeg Committee release.

Volume & Cost: 750ml ~$195.

Colour: Pale straw

Nose: Upon first whiff, fresh mulch and herbal with menthol, sage and lovage, but there are also damp and musty notes and sweaty socks to make a stinky combination. The dram then turns lighter and more floral. Accents of baby powder and spearmint. Marzipan, a touch of lime, grilled pineapple and pears, with ash notes coming through. Macaron provides a touch of nuttiness at the end. With a little water, powerful waves of diesel oil, tar, fresh paint and anise.

Palate: Soot and black pepper touch the tongue first. A sweet follow up that turns mineral and ashy with cold smoke, along with a citrus note. The smoke is not robust and lingers in the background. Overall, the whisky is earthy. Despite the earthiness, the whisky is also fruity with oranges and charred peaches with fresh cream.

Finish: Short to medium length and maintains those mineral and ashy notes; salt, mint, tar, oak tannin & leather.

ARDBEG FON FHÒID: The idea of burying a barrel of whisky in a peat bog was conceived by Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, and in 2014, the distillery was able to bring that idea to life. Ardbeg’s team, led by then Distillery Manager Mickey Heads, took two casks of already mature whisky aged in second-fill bourbon casks and buried them in a peat bog near the distillery. Two years and 10 months later, the casks were unearthed from the peat bog and returned to the warehouse, where they were left to mature for a few more years before being married and bottled as an NFT.

Category – Spirits, whisky, Scotch, Single Malt, 45.5% ABV
Location – Worldwide, available as an NFT edition via BlockBar.com
Price – Approximately US$3,000

The latest Ardbeg expression takes its name from 'under the turf'. Moët Hennessy has become the latest spirits brand owner to jump on the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) bandwagon, announcing the release of a limited edition from its Ardbeg single malt Scotch whisky brand.

Ardbeg Fon Fhòid may still be available exclusively on high-end wine and spirits NFT trading site BlockBar.com from 19 April. Limited to 456 units, the expression will be stored at BlockBar’s facility in Singapore until redeemed by its owners. The whisky has an SRP of 1.00 Ethereum (around US$3,000). 

The release is groundbreaking for Moët Hennessy in more ways than one, having been aged in second-fill Bourbon casks that were buried under a peat bog near the Islay distillery for two years and ten months. For the first time ever, Ardbeg burrowed their barrels in oxygen-deprived, water-rich, soggy, boggy ground, resulting in a one-of-a-kind NFT exclusive to Blockbar.

BlockBar is a platform that offers NFTs, each of which is linked to an individual physical bottle of liquor from luxury brands that is stored by BlockBar. In effect, Ardbeg has released its first NFT in the form of an unusually matured whisky!

Quite a few distilleries have taken to selling their spirits in NFT form or accompanied by NFTs (Hennessy, Dalmore, Glenfiddich, Macallan, Kinsale and Patrón). Maker’s Mark even became the official bourbon partner of an NFT collection and created a custom bottle label for it.

Bottled at 45.5% ABV, Ardbeg Fon Fhòid will be priced at 1 ETH (about $3,034 on April 18). The sale went live on the whisky NFT platform BlockBar at 10 a.m. EST on April 19. The release is limited to 456 bottles, all of which will be sold on BlockBar.

The bottles will be stored at BlockBar’s facility in Singapore until they’re redeemed, which can begin Dec. 1. Buyers can also trade their NFT within the BlockBar marketplace, store the bottle in a virtual bar or gift the NFT through the company’s new gifting platform. Each buyer will receive a digital certificate that will verify their ownership and the authenticity of the bottle.

                    

Tasting Notes

Colour: Pale Straw

Nose: Pungent, waxy and salty with a curious, but distinctive, mossy note. This is then followed by a hint of molasses or sugarcane. There is also a background musty/earthy note, like walking into a damp whisky warehouse. A splash of water releases some more herbal notes, almost like asparagus or artichoke. Next comes a waxy, oily fragrance, reminiscent of a freshly waxed jacket along with a distinctive soapy aroma.

Palate: A slightly drying mouthfeel is followed by some savoury notes, like grilled artichoke and ground pepper, along with a suggestion of rye bread. The classic Ardbeg smokiness is subdued, but always in the background, coming across as tar-coated fennel.

Ardbeg’s decision to partake in the NFT trend, however, has ruffled some feathers in a whisky community that scoffs at NFTs and cryptocurrency. Ardbeg is something of a darling in the whisky world, so seeing a distillery that is widely adored join the NFT party has spawned some annoyance.


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ARBEG ARDCORE: Limited Edition Islay Single Malt Whisky was officially released on Ardbeg Day, June 4th, 2022, during the Fèis Ìle (Islay Festival) on Islay. In 1986, locals founded the festival to celebrate the island’s unique history and heritage within the wider world of whisky. It is a ten-day event of tastings, tours, and festivities, including traditional Scottish dances (ceilidhs).

The new Ardbeg Ardcore actually went on sale on April 26th (Committee Exclusive), while the general release was available from May 17th on Ardbeg.com. LVMH’s marketing department went to great lengths to come up with a marketing story for the Ardbeg Ardcore, this time focussing on brand’s alleged punk past, with Islay’s main port, Port Ellen, going by the nickname ‘Punk Ellen’ in the 1970s. It is difficult to verify this little scrap of information, and it’s probably based on something obscure. Islay was never a hotbed for punk rock! However, there is something called The Ardbeg Song (?) from a Danish punk rock band.

Each of the island’s distilleries has a featured day in the Feis Ile week, during which they host tours, offer entertainment, and even release new whiskies. COVID forced the festival to go virtual in 2020 and 2021, so there was plenty of pent-up demand and excitement surrounding the 2022 in-person events.

The latest special edition has been released for the 2022 Ardbeg Day celebrations. June 4th sees celebrations at the distillery and at various events all over the world, not to mention online. Each year there is a theme. This year its punk rock. The whisky is called Ardcore and its made from dark roasted malted barley.

This whisky takes the name “Ardcore” as a shortening of “hardcore” in homage to punk rock and the roasted black malt used for this release. It’s probably appropriate to describe black malt as malt roasted all the way up to 11, or until “practically incinerated,” to quote Master Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden in the official launch video.

In it, they describe how the typical Ardbeg heavy peat profile was toned down to better showcase the aromatics of malt so dark, it turned the mash jet black. The whisky was aged in first-fill and second-fill American ex-bourbon barrels to add a contrasting sweetness to the finished product. The Committee release, offered to Ardbeg email newsletter subscribers in select countries, was bottled at 50.1% ABV.

Tasting Notes: Ardbeg Ardcore Limited Edition Islay Single Malt Whisky

Vital Stats: Aged for nearly 10 years in mostly first-fill and some second-fill ex-bourbon barrels, 46% ABV, mash bill: 75% distilling malt, 25% black malt, SRP roughly $130/ 750ml bottle.

Appearance: This whisky is a pale straw yellow.

Nose: Lots of thick Ardbeg smoke. Coal fires. Chimney smoke. Ash. Charcoal. Soot. A touch of that famous medicinal TCP note that’s unique to Islay. The roasted barley is there too. Dark chocolate and well-fired morning rolls. Cereals. There’s also citrus – lemon and fresh orange. The longer it sits in the glass, the fruitier it seems to become, with notes of caramel sauce and melted white chocolate. Soon there’s tropical pineapple coming through. It almost develops a white wine quality. The moderate peat aroma shows a touch of sweet corn and iodine. It seems very fresh with a bracing aroma like newly fallen snow. There’s an earthy undertone of wet autumn leaves and fermented pu’er tea that distinguishes it from a typical Islay whisky.

Palate: This is sweet and delicate on entry, with an oily texture and moderately rich body. There’s a savoury quality not unlike Worcester sauce and roasted peanuts. The pepperiness builds on the finish, showing the lasting aromas of steamed corn, peat, and baked fish. An impression of salty liquorice and char. The aromas of stony beaches and seashells evaporate off the palate. Thick, almost acrid smoke like sitting too close to a campfire. Water brings out a delicate caramel note like milk powder, but does not further enhance the experience.

Finish: Smoky and long, though perhaps not as intense as expected.

ARDBEG TRAIGH BHAN BATCH 4: A September release of one of Ardbeg’s most rare spirits might pique Islay whisky collectors’ interest.

The release of Ardbeg Traigh Bhan No. 4 marks the fourth bottling of the sherry-cask-aged single malt, an emailed Aug. 17 press release states. This year’s expression, however, carries a unique flavour in its profile: smoky menthol.

This bottle is the fourth in the brand’s annual collection of Traigh Bhan whisky, an expression aged 19 years. It’s inspired by the namesake Isle of Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach, a location known as “Singing Sands” to locals.

The brand describes this year’s expression as serving decadent flavours of chocolate, raisin, peanut brittle, and bitter coffee. It offers an almost “medicinal” tone on the finish, with methanol, spicy anise, and other sharp notes.

Ardbeg 19 Years Old Traigh Bhan Batch 4 is another incredible iteration in the series,” master distiller Bill Lumsden states in the release. “It follows in the footsteps of previous bottlings, but thanks to some tweaks to the recipe, we’ve brought more woodsmoke, menthol, and aniseed to the fore. This is an impossibly balanced, not-to-be-missed Ardbeg.”

The flavour profile can be attributed in part to the whisky’s extra time spent in Oloroso sherry casks, compared to previous releases’ length of ageing. The 46.2 per cent ABV whisky is available at select spirit retailers, online, and at Ardbeg outlets. It’s priced at $299.99.

ARDBEG SMOKETRAILS: Ardbeg Smoketrails is a reportedly collectable series of limited edition whiskies aimed at travel retail.

Only available from Duty-Free and the Distillery Visitor Centre, each edition offers travellers a thrilling way to explore the influence of casks from around the world on the powerful smoky flavour of Ardbeg.                  

The first in the series – Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla Edition – marries whisky aged in the finest Manzanilla sherry casks and classic Ardbeg American oak casks. The result is a taste adventure that takes in dark chocolate, salty sea spray, Brazil nuts and saddle soap.

Ardbeg Smoketrails was available on sale from the 5th of October at nine UK airports, viz., Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Then, from 1st November, in person at the Ardbeg Distillery Visitor Centre and in most international airports globally.

The Smoketrails collection would involve sourcing good quality casks from different countries. The first edition features classic Ardbeg cask whisky matured in American oak married with Ardbeg whisky aged in ex-Manzanilla casks sourced from Sanlúcar de Barrameda off Spain’s Atlantic Coast.

Given the sheer number of operational whisky distilleries, releasing a Manzanilla Sherry-aged whisky isn’t particularly revolutionary these days. Amongst the main styles of Sherry, Manzanilla is one of the lightest and driest, with low sugar levels and often a tangy, yeasty, savoury character. These influences and flavours are significantly different from the more common types of rich or sweet Sherry used for whisky maturation, the likes of Oloroso or Pedro Ximénez.

ABV: 46%

Colour: Pale Gold

Nose: Deep, pungent flavours take to the air, a curious combination of tar, saddle soap, pine resin and Brazil nuts. A lively note of pomelo, dry Riesling and a slice of burnt lemon peels. A very aromatic whisky, with lovely herbal notes and a hint of moist peat bog, while storm-churned sea spray soars overhead. With water, some chocolaty notes appear, along with a touch of engine oil.

The Manzanilla seems to have imparted some oiliness and mild doughy character, croutons and herbed sourdough bread dipped in virgin olive oil.

Palate: Fresh, oily, ashy, full of aromatic herbs. Opens with the bright tartness of Riesling accompanied by a spearmint note, somewhat like Ricola Eucalyptus drops. The texture is lightly oily and the spirit coats the tongue. Quickly develops towards an understated ashiness as the peppery and assertive note of oregano grows and grows. A slightly drying mouthfeel, followed by deep, pungent flavours that hurtle across the palate: tar, soot, dark chocolate and a very distinctive nuttiness, like Brazil nuts or hazelnut.

Finish: Medium, with light notes of lemon cake, a hint of sweetness, once again burnt lemon peels, lively prickly spice entertaining the back palate and a trailing ham-like smokiness. Plumes of fennel and pine billow up, leaving a lingering trail of carbolic soap, aniseed and leather.

With Water: A few drops of water could be added; the ABV would accept water. But then, there are a few changes. The nose senses a smouldering log fire and some gentle vanilla sweetness peeking out from behind. Earth and tomato ketchup. Going back after time reveals some chocolate, vinegar, sulphur, dirt and more earth. The smoke has been diminished somewhat and there is a hint of tobacco. On the palate, it’s more bitter, with dark chocolate and coffee overshadowing the peat. It also seems hotter and spicier, with cinnamon, cloves and red chilli appearing on the mid-palate. The smoky note of ash and burning log fires recede into the background. Going back there’s liquorice and vanilla. The mouthfeel has thinned further, but the finish remains reasonable.

Personally, I wouldn’t add water to this, but even undiluted it’s far from my favourite Ardbeg. It’s not as smoky as I’d like, but it’s also missing some of the flavours/notes I enjoy from Ardbeg, and there’s nothing replacing these notes that I find overly enamouring. It’s also not as good as some of the core range releases and I’d recommend you skip this and buy the 10 YO instead.

Thursday 22 December 2022

FESTIVE SEASON PRICE DROP IN GURGAON

 L-1 PRICES BELOW DUTY-FREE STORE PRICES

L-1 Liquor vendors in Gurugram have varied the prices of low-cost Indian Made Foreign Liquor to keep their prices as close to those currently being charged by Delhi liquor vendors. This allows them to remain in competition with the Delhi market. Delhi introduced its new excise policy allowing retailers to offer huge discounts, attracting people from Gurgaon, Noida and Faridabad. The shopkeepers of Gurgaon began to feel the heat as the local market was disrupted. Surprisingly, the Delhi admin withdrew numerous benefits they had earlier allowed by relaxing the price of liquor in the price band of Rs 1,000 and below.

Liquor shop owners are eyeing profits with this move after they suffered huge losses over the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the currently relaxed scenario, according to shopkeepers, liquor in Haryana does not have a maximum retail price (MRP), permitting them to sell it at any price without offering discounts to customers and still offer the best deals vis-a-vis the national capital.

Currently, prices in the L-1 stores in Gurgaon are lower than the prices in the Duty-Free Stores at New Delhi airport, and in numerous instances, match, if not better, DFS prices in Dubai and Singapore. The photo infra shows the truly low prices being charged. The spreadsheet further down compares the prices of Scotch whisky across the nearest DFS at Singapore and Dubai, and, in certain cases, New York and Frankfurt. Macallan has too many expressions in the Gurgaon market for me to pin down four. I'll attend to that by and by.  

From amongst the Blended Scotch whiskies, I would stay away from run-of-the-mill brands and certainly from Bottled in India Blended Scotch whiskies. The only brands worth buying are Johnnie Walker Black Label and Chivas Regal 12 YO at their throwaway price of Rs 1,800; the Black Label 12 Islay Origin, the White Walker, the Double Black, the Gold, the Green blended malt and the Swing. The 18 YO is no longer available. The price of these bottles in India is at a lifetime low. Next would be the Chivas Regal 15, and 18-year-olds, at equally low prices. Just compare them to the prices in DFS overseas! The only Ballantine worth buying is the 17 YO. The Dewar’s 18 YO follows in alphabetical order, with the Dimple Pinch 15 YO right behind. The Islay Mist and the Six Isles blended malt are good blends to have on the list, followed by my personal favourite, the Highland Queen Majesty. 

An entry in maroon indicates that the price of that expression is lower than at DFS at home and abroad. Please understand that these are my selections and recommendations. There is no compulsion that you accept my recommendations and/or advice, except to drink moderately and refrain from driving thereafter. 

Note: All prices are compared at equalised volumes since most bottles at Duty-Free Shops at Ports are sold in bottles of 1.0 Litre capacity.

COMPARISON OF LIQUOR PRICES GURGAON L1 VS DFS AT DUBAI, DELHI & SINGAPORE

BRAND NAME

Rec

Discovery

GTown 

Lake Forest

REMARKS

Dubai

Delhi

S’pore

ABERFELDY 12 YO

3000

3000

3000

MUST BUY

4060

4960

4620

ABERFELDY 14 YO

X

 

 

 

12 YO GOOD ENOUGH

NA

NA

NA

ABERLOUR 12 YO

3200

3500

3500

GOOD BUY

NA

5270

6340

ABERLOUR 15 YO

?

5200

5500

5400

OPTIONAL

 

 

 

ABERLOUR 18 YO

X

10,000

NA

NA

NOT WORTH IT

 

 

 

ABERLOUR  ABUNADH

X

TOO STRONG 61% ABV, FLAVOURSOME BUT BURNS NOSE & THROAT

NA

 7360

NA

ARDBEG 10 YO

5200

5400

6000

GOOD BUY

NA

 4260

5835

ARDBEG WEE BEASTIE 5YO

X

4900

4700

4900

NOT WORTH IT

NA

NA

NA

ARDMORE 12 YO

X

2300

2500

2500

DISAPPOINTING

2210

2500

5655

AUCHENTOSHAN 12 YO

3100

3200

3200

MILD DRAM; @ 2900 JFK

NA

3200

3950

AUCHENTOSHAN 3 WOOD

X

NA

NA

4000

NO NEED

NA

4970

4940

AUCHROISK 12 YO

NA

NA

5150

GOOD BUY

NA

NA

NA

AULTMORE 12 YO

4600

4900

NA

MUST BUY

4825

NA

NA

AULTMORE 14 YO

5100

NA

NA

GOOD BUY

NA

NA

NA

AULTMORE 18 YO

7100

7100

NA

GREAT BUY

NA

NA

NA

BALBLAIR 12 YO

X

4600

4900

NA

VALUE FOR MONEY VFM

NA

NA

9525

BALVENIE D'BLEWOOD 12

X

6200

6200

6200

NVFM

6115

NA

NA

BALVENIE  D'BLEWOOD 14

X

8000

8000

8000

40% ABV TOO LOW

8020

NA

NA

BALVENIE  D'BLEWOOD 17

X

18,000

18,000

18,500

40% ABV AND 18,000?

NA

NA

NA

BALVENIE TRIPLE 12 1L

X

NA

NA

8750

TRAVEL  EDITION 40%

NA

7290

NA

BALVENIE 16 TRIPLE  1L

X

NA

NA 

12,500

TRAVEL  EDITION 40%

NA

11590

NA

BENRIACH 12 YO

X

NA

NA

7,500

PRICEY

7240

NA

NA

BOWMORE 12 YO  40%

X

2700

2700

2800

SUB-PAR ISLAY

NA

NA

4200

BOWMORE 15 YO  43%

?

5500

5800

5500

SKIP

3875

4020

5835

BOWMORE 18 YO  43%

10,000

NA

9500

          GOOD BUY

13530

8440

7405

BUNNAHABHAIN 12 46.3%

NA

NA

5200

MUST BUY

4800

NA

NA

BRUICHLADDICH PORT CHARLOTTE 10 50%

NA

NA

9000

MUST BUY @6280 FKFT

7175

NA

NA

BRUICHLADDICH      CLASSIC 8 50%

8500

8500

8500

MUST BUY@ 4270 FKFT

7175

NA

6450

CAOL ILA 12 YO 70CL 40%

4500

4600

4500

MUST BUY

6420

6290

NA

CARDHU 12 YO 70CL 40%

4800

4500

4600

GOOD BUY

NA

4720

4500

CLYNELISH 14 YO 75CL 46%

4600

4600

4600

MUST BUY

6060

NA

NA

COPPER DOG 12 YO 70CL

2100

2700

2700

MUST BUY

NA

2275

3650

CRAGGANMORE 12  43%

3600

3600

3600

OPTIONAL

NA

NA

NA

CRAIGELLACHIE 13 YO

4000

4000

4000

MUST BUY

5350

4715

6340

CRAIGELLACHIE 17 YO

7100

NA

7500

EXCELLENT VFM

NA

NA

NA

DALMORE 12 YO

?

7100

7100

7100

NVFM

NA

7070

5900

DALMORE 15 YO

?

9000

9000

9000

GOOD BUY

NA

10,070

8415

DALWHINNIE 15 YO

4000

4000

4000

MUST BUY

5830

NA

NA

GLENALLACHIE 12 YO 46%

NA

NA

7000

MUST BUY

  7800

NA

NA

GLENBURGIE        BALLANTINE 15

X

3500

NA

3800

BALLANTINE SINGLE MALT WORTH A TRY

NA

NA

NA

GLENDRONACH 10 YO

X

NA

NA

7500

PRICEY @ 3900 FKFT

NA

4200

6120

GLENDRONACH 12

NA

NA

10,300

GOOD BUT PRICEY

NA

8900

NA

GLENFIDDICH 12 YO

2900

2900

2900

MUST BUY

4770

NA

NA

GLENFIDDICH 15 YO

4500

4500

4500

SOLERA MUST BUY

NA

4900

    5600

GLENFIDDICH 18 YO

X

8500

8700

8700

NVFM

6500

8490

NA

GLENFIDDICH XX

5500

NA

NA

MUST BUY

NA

5420

NA

GLENFIDDICH IPA 43% 

X

5000

NA

5000          

SKIP

 

 

 

GLENGOYNE  12  70CL  43%

4000

4200

4300

MUST BUY

6600

5260

8000

GLENKINCHIE 12  43%

3800

3800

4000

GOOD BUY

 

 

 

GLENLIVET 12 70 CL 40%

2900

2900

2900

MUST BUY

3600

3380

6400

GLENLIVET 15 70 CL 40%

X

4500

4500

4500

12 YO IS FINE

NA

5295

  7575

GLENLIVET FOUNDER’S

4000

NA

4200

GOOD BUY

7350

3040

  NA

GLENLIVET NADURRA

X

6300

NA

6200

CASK STRENGTH~60%

NA

5160

NA

GLENLIVET 18 YO

X

NA

8200

8500

NVFM

7380

NA

NA

GLENMORANGIE 10

3500

3500

3800

MUST BUY; 3025 @ JFK

3000

3640

4650

GLEN’GIE LASANTA 12

X

5700

5600

5700

SKIP

NA

NA

5560

GLEN’GIE NECTAR D’OR 

5200

NA

6300

46% MUST BUY 

NA

NA

  6620

--DO-- QUINTA RUBAN 14

?

4700

6000

6500

GOOD BUY

NA

NA

NA

GLENMORANGIE SIGNET

X

18000

17500

17000

TOO PRICEY

13,175

18,730

16,000

GLENMORANGIE X

X

4500

NA

4000

FOR MIXING; AVOID

NA

NA

NA

GLEN GRANT 10

X

3000

3000

3000

UNDERDONE

2300

2825

2960

GLEN GRANT 12

X

3200

3200

3200

UNDERDONE

2860

3400

3800

HIGHLAND PARK 12 40%

3900

4000

3900

      MUST BUY 3650 @JFK

5500

NA

NA

HIGHLAND QUEEN S MALT

NA

NA

2800

MUST BUY IF AV’BLE

NA

NA

NA

JURA 10

X

4700

4700

4800

GOOD BUY

NA

NA

NA

JURA 12

5300

5300

5400

GOOD BUY

NA

4450

4200

KAVALAN CONCERTM'R

X

7000

7000

NA

YOUR CALL

NA

NA

4825

KAVALAN CLASSIC

X

7000

NA

7000

YOUR CALL

NA

7080

NA

KAVALAN SOLIST SHERRY

11,000

NA

NA

   SUPER BUT NVFM

NA

NA

9550

KAVALAN DIST’RY SELECT

X

8000

8000

NA

NVFM

NA

NA

5600

KILCHOMAN SANAIG

9000

9000

NA

NVFM; 7700 @JFK

NA

NA

NA

LAPHROAIG 1815

X

NA

NA

11,000

NVFM;  8850 AT FRKFT

10,250

10,070

7830

LAPHROAIG SELECT 40%

X

3500

3500

3500

~3350 IN THE WEST

NA

NA

4480

LAPH'G  QTR CASK 48%

4400

4600

4400

MUST BUY 6100 @ JFK

NA

NA

5600

LAGAVULIN 16

6500

6700

6500

MUST BUY

8740

NA

7525

LAGAVULIN 8

?

NA

NA

7200

OPTIONAL

7000

NA

6850

LONGMORN DIST EDN

6300

6900

7900

GOOD BUY

7200

NA

NA

LOSSIT

NA

6200

NA

MUST BUY

NA

NA

NA

MACALLAN SHERRY OAK 12

    X

NA 

9800    

NA

OVERPRICED

NA

6200

6300 JFK

MACALLAN TRIPLE 12

    

6500 

6500    

 NA

OPTIONAL 

NA

 

9900

MACALLAN DOUBLE 12 YO

    

5500

5500    

 NA

GOOD BUY 

NA

 

7200

RAMPUR DOUBLE CASK

    

5600

5600    

 NA

MUST BUY 

NA

7390

7200

MONKEY SHOULDER

2500

2800

3000

MUST BUY  2050@ JFK

2400

2525

3100

OBAN LITTLE BAY

5800

6000

6000

FAIR BUY  5450@JFK

NA

5760

6900

OLD PULTENEY 12 YO

4200

4250

4300

FAIR BUY

NA

NA

NA

OLD PULTENEY 10 1.0L

5500

5800

5800

FAIR BUY

3950

NA

NA

SCAPA SKIREN

X

4500

4500

4500

HAVEN’T TRIED YET

NA

NA

NA

SINGLETON GLEN'LAN 12

?

2800

3000

3300

GOOD ENTRY LEVEL

NA 

3015 

3500* 

SINGLETON G'ULLAN 15

4500

4500

4500

GOOD BUY

NA

3915 

5575* 

S'TON GLENDULLAN 18

7000

7200

6200

MUST BUY

NA

5825 

9060* 

SMOKEHEAD HEAVY PEAT

3600

4200

4000

MUST BUY - PEAT FANS

2725 

3500 

3690 

SPEYBURN 75 CL 43%

4000

5200

4800

MUST BUY ; 2950 @FKFT

NA

3560

7200

SPEYBURN 1L  43%

X

NA

5250

5200

SKIP

NA

NA

NA

SPRINGBANK 70CL

NA

8000

NA

MUST BUY RARE BRAND

NA

NA

NA

TALISKER 10 45.8%

3600

3800

3600

MUST BUY

NA

5290

5000

TALISKER STORM  45.8%

X

4800

4900

4800

+VFM: YOUR CHOICE

NA

7300

6625

TAMDHU 12

5300

5300

NA

   OPTIONAL; 4600 JFK

 

 

7300

TOWIEMORE

X

NA

6200

NA            

SKIP

NA

NA

NA

BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

JOHNNIE WALKER RED

   X

800

950

1000

AVOID

1205

1395

2525

JW BLACK

   √

1800

2000

2000

MUST BUY

2150

2450

NA

JWBL 12 SPEYSIDE

   √

1800

2000

2100

GOOD BUY

NA

2650

NA

JWBL 12 HIGHLANDS

   √

NA

NA

NA

DUE ANY MOMENT

NA

2650

NA

JWBL 12 LOWLANDS

   √

1800

2000

2100

GOOD BUY

NA

2650

NA

JWBL 12 ISLAY

   √

NA

NA

NA

DUE ANY MOMENT

NA

2650

NA

JW WHITE WALKER

   √

2400

2400

2400

INTERESTING

 

 

 

JW DBL BLACK

   √

2500

2600

2700

MUST BUY

2525

3225

4200

JW GOLD

   √

3500

3600

3800

MUST BUY

3650

3250

5600

JW GREEN

   ?

NA

NA

NA

DUE ANY MOMENT

NA

NA

5350

JW ISLAND GREEN

   ?

NA

NA

NA

GOOD BUY

NA

5090

NA

JW SWING

   √

NA

NA

5750

JUST GRAB

NA

NA

NA

JW 18 YO

   √

 4800

5000

5200

MUST BUY

6000

6290

6900

CHIVAS REGAL 12

   √

1850

2000

2000

MUST BUY

2200

2340

NA 

CHIVAS REGAL 15

   √

3500

3600

3600

GOOD BUY

3850

4065 

NA 

CHIVAS REGAL 18

   √

5000

5200

5300

MUST BUY

NA

6090

NA 

BALLANTINE'S FINEST

   X

850

NA

1000

GOOD BUY

NA 

1400 

NA 

BALLANTINE'S 7 YO

   X

1800

NA

NA

NVFM

NA 

NA

NA 

BALLANTINE'S 12 YO

   X

1900

NA

NA

YOUR CHOICE

NA 

2220  

NA 

BALLANTINES 15 YO

   X

3600

3350

NA

YOUR CHOICE

NA

NA 

NA

BALLANTINES 17 YO

   √

4600

5000

4800

MUST BUY

NA 

NA 

NA 

DEWAR'S 15 YO

   X

3500

3500

3500

FAIR BUY VFM

2700 

3030 

NA 

DEWAR'S 18 YO

   √

4800

5200

5000

MUST BUY

5550 

5800 

5890 

DIMPLE’S 15 YO

   √

4800

4800

4800

MUST BUY

5535

4250

NA

GRANTS TRIPLEWOOD 12

   ?

NA

NA

5200

GOOD BUY @1660 FKFT

NA

3230

4225

HIGHLAND Q'N MAJESTY

   √

NA

NA

2375

MUST BUY 12 YO

1925

NA

NA

ISLAY MIST

   √

2800

2800

2800

INTERESTING

NA

NA

3750

SIX ISLES BLENDED MALT

   √

3500

3600

NA

VERY INTERESTING

NA 

3560

NA 

SOMETHING SPECIAL NAS

   √

1350

1450

1450

MUST BUY

NA

NA

NA

100 PIPERS BLENDED MALT

   √

NA

1300

1300

MUST BUY 8 YO

 NA

NA 

NA 

TEACHER’S H’LAND CREAM

   ?

1300

NA

1400

NO IDEA

1050

1550

1450

TEACHER’S 50

   ?

1400

1400

1400

FAIR BUY

NA

NA

NA

WILLIAM LAWSON’S 12

   ?

1000

NA

NA

NO IDEA

1015 

1245 

NA

WILLIAM LAWSON’S 13

   ?

NA

NA

NA

I LIKED IT, VFM

NA

1630 

NA

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Royal Salute is now affordable

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