Scotchtalk

I came across this post of 10 best Scotch bars in New York City on a site called Meet Live Now, I have no idea who the author is so caveats about authority apply. But the writer won immediate credibility with me for including in the No. 2 slot St. Andrews – a bar I have visited frequently during trips to Manhattan at first out of convenience but ultimately due to the phenomenal Scotch menu and terrific staff.

Here’s the rundown:

1. Brandy Library – 25 N Moore St, New York, NY 10013 / (212) 226-5545

2. St. Andrews – 120 W 44th Street New York, NY 10036 / (212) 840-4450

3. Campbell Apartment – 15 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, NY 10017 / 212-953-0409

4. D.B.A. - 41 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10003-9426 / 212-475-5097

5. Hudson Bar and Books – 636 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014 / 212-229-2642

6. Lexington Bar and Books – 1020 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10021 / (212) 717-3902

7. Flatiron Lounge – 37 W. 19th St., New York, NY 10011 / 212-727-7741

8. Keen’s Steakhouse – 72 W. 36th St., New York, NY 10018 / 212-594-6371

9. Angel’s Share – 8 Stuyvesant St., 2nd fl, New York, NY 10003 / 212-777-5415

10. Whiskey Park – 100 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019 / 212-307-9222

Diageo is launching a new single malt, The Singleton of Dufftown. Following a test run in duty free shops, where ist sold well, the 12-year-old Speyside whisky will be sold in Great Britain with a recommended retail price of about $50.

The brand is being marketed as a smooth tasting Scotch for new whisky drinkers, with some hyperbole tossed in. Writes Talking Retail:

The 12 year old Scotch Whisky achieves its exceptional smoothness through longer fermentation, slow distillation and the use of a highly revered water of exceptional quality. The water, which comes from Highlandman John’s Well in Scotland, is so sought-after, legend has it that in the past the Dufftown distillery has had to field off rivals who have tried to steal it.

John Hansell has posted a press release with the details:

The First Growth series comprises of  6 limited edition Cuvées – labelled A to F. Each is a 16 year old Bruichladdich, American oak matured, with an additional cask evolution in French oak casks from each of the 1855 first growth chateaux, including Sauternes. UK Retail Price: +/- £40.

The release goes on the explain the unique character of the Bordeaux casks:

The famous 1855 Classification of Bordeaux rated chateaux into 5 groups according to quality and price of their wines. The First Growths were the best.

Today these legendary estates use casks coopered from the finest French oak, 150 to 200 year old trees from the forests of Tronçais, Allier and Vosges.

Costing up to four times more than an American oak equivalent, the flavour-rich oak staves are weathered outside for 4 years for extra finesse.

The fourth edition of Malt Whisky Year Book is now available for about $22.

Malt Whisky Yearbook has become an authoritative book that whisky enthusiasts worldwide look forward to each autumn. This is the fourth edition – Malt Whisky Yearbook 2009.

The Yearbook is again fully revised and packed with new and up-to-date information on whisky distilleries from all over the world. Once again, distinguished whisky profiles such as Charles MacLean, David Stirk, Gavin Smith, Ian Buxton, Dominic Roskrow and Walter Schobert contribute with initiated features penned exclusively for the Yearbook.

Malt Whisky Yearbook 2009 lists hundreds of whisky shops, whisky sites and new bottlings. A comprehensive summary of the whisky year that was and all the latest statistics is also included.

A new feature for this year are nearly 200 tasting notes describing the flavour of single malts from all working distilleries in Scotland and Ireland.

Finally, with more than 500 colour photographs (most of them new since the last edition),”Malt Whisky Yearbook 2009″ is as much an essential reference guide as a book to read for pleasure.

Brazilian Claive Vidiz amassed 3,384 bottles of Scotch whisky in a prolific 35 years of collecting (that’s 100 bottles a year, or about two purchases per week, every week for three and a half decades.) Now Diageo has purchased the entire collection, shipped it back to Scotland, and plans to show it at the Edinburgh Whisky Experience, BBC reports.

While the details of the terms of its sale to Diageo remain under wraps, the unique collection is described by whisky experts as “invaluable” and ranges from the most popular whiskies to some of the rarest.

Mr Vadiz said: “To split up a collection which I have devoted more than 35 years of my life to would have broken my heart so I am truly thrilled Diageo has purchased it in its entirety.”

A 100-year-old bottle of Old Pot Still Scotch Viking, from the Glencadam distillery, is going up for auction next month and could fetch as much as (US$8,700), The Whisky Channel reports.

The bottle was apparently hidden in the U.S. in a cupboard during Prohibition and forgotten, then discovered wehen the wall was removed during renovations.

“This is one of the rarest bottles of single malt to come up at auction in recent years,” Martin Green, whisky consultant at Bonhams.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen this particular bottle in over 20 years in this field.” The Scotch, which is though to have been hidden during the time of Prohibition in the US, will go up for auction at Bonhams’ whisky auction on 12 November, in Edinburgh.

Dr. Whisky has posted some interesting tasting notes on a rare Balvenie expression, with some great historical context:

The Balvenie 17yo Sherry Oak
Speyside Single Malt Whisky
43% abv
£60
$85(USD)

A few years ago Balvenie introduced a limited release 17yo that had been finished in casks that had previously held peaty Islay whisky called The Balvenie 17yo Islay Cask. Today, that bottling is highly collectible and it spawned a series of annually released 17yo expressions from malt master David Stewart and his long-serving apprentice Brian Kinsman. We have seen Islay Cask, New Wood, New Oak, Sherry Oak, and this year, The Balvenie Rum Cask 17yo (to be tasted on the next post).

This release spent all of its 17 years maturation in European oak casks that used to hold oloroso, the dark, glycerine-rich “scented” Spanish sherry. This presents a rare opportunity as most Balvenies contain significant percentages of American oak and only rare single casks like Cask 191 (50 year old and £6000 per bottle) show The Balvenie under full sherry influence.

Click through for the full tasting notes.

We’ve noted the Balvenie rum cask before on Scotchtalk.

Loch Fyne Whiskies reports that Diageo have announced the imminent release of their Classic Malts Selection Special Releases 2008. The list follows:

Brora 28yo, 56.3%, Distilled in 1983 or earlier, less than 3000 bottles at a RRP of £175
Caol Ila unpeated 8yo, 64.2%, Distilled in 1999, 5664 bottles, RRP £43
Glen Elgin 16yo, 58.5%, Distilled 1991, 9954 bottles, RRP £52
Lagavulin 12yo, 56.4%, Distilled 1996, RRP £50
Linkwood 26yo, 56.9%, Distilled 1982, Port Wood Finish, 1260 50cl bottles, RRP £130
Linkwood 26yo, 54.5%, Distilled 1982, Rum Finish, 1260 50cl bottles, RRP £130
Linkwood 26yo, 55.5%, Distilled 1982, Sweet Red Wine Finish, 1260 50cl bottles, RRP £130
Port Ellen 29yo, 55.3%, Distilled 1978. 6618 bottles, RRP £180
Talisker 25yo. 54.2%, Distilled 1983, 6708 bottles, RRP £132
Talisker 30yo, 49.5% Distilled 1978, less than 3000 bottles, RRP £205

UPI reports:

Sweden’s first-ever whiskey auction will be held Oct. 7, officials have announced. State-run alcohol retailer Systembolaget said among the 400 bottles on the auction block will be a bottle of Macallan from 1946 with a starting price of $3,620, The Local reported Saturday.

From the press release:

Knappogue Castle, a series of vintage-dated Irish single malt whiskeys, is proud to release its first limited edition expression. Knappogue Castle 15 Year Old Irish Single Malt Whiskey was created by marrying one cask each of single malt distilled in 1990, 1991 and 1992. The whiskey was not chill filtered and was bottled at 86 proof. After the angels’ share, these three casks produced 600 bottles…. The suggested retail price is $100.