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Guess where on Islay :: Where are these stones ?

Sun, 11 May 2008 18:46:08 +0000

Whisky and Distilleries :: Re: Bruichladdich Distillery

Tue, 06 May 2008 18:43:49 +0000

That's quite a collection they have at the Dell.
I think I've spotted a Blacker Still.
If you look at the webcam called Shop Goodies there is on the fourth shelf, right in the middle of the image, a row of, what I surmise, Redder Still.
In the middle of that row is a black tube. (I think).
I am going to check that out in a few weeks time.
If it's a Blackie, I have to slaughter my piggybank, I guess. :lol:

Whisky and Distilleries :: Re: Laphroaig Distillery

Tue, 06 May 2008 18:34:20 +0000

By: bgulien

Just got this mailing:

May is the time of year for 2 important events. The Feis Ile of Malt and Music and of course our limited Laphroaig “Friends” special bottling, released at the distillery and in the friends online shop.

This year we have called it Cairdeas (Friendship in Gaelic). It is really unique and its creation is an interesting story in itself, which you can read below. As last year, it is, I am afraid, to be sold on a first come first served basis. For the lucky friends that do get a bottle please save some for our live webcast from the distillery on June 18th. We will be tasting it live and would love you to join in and share the experience. At the bottom of this E Mail is the link. Click on it to make your order.

Robert Hicks wrote the following piece on how he developed your 2008 Cairdeas.

Slainte,

John

The Creation of Cairdeas by Robert Hicks

To me a Master Blender needs 4 skills. 1. Obviously a good nose (far more important than taste, incidentally). 2. A memory like an elephant! - You need to be able to remember things you tasted 10 - 20 years ago. 3. A little imagination – it goes a long way and 4. Patience! Whisky is a slow process and cannot be rushed!

I like to think all 4 skills came into play when creating Cairdeas for you.

My first approach

When I sat down to consider this challenge, my thoughts went back 3 years to a little experiment I did when creating Quarter Cask. Having perfected the blend from the first maturation, rather than placing all the spirit in the tiny “Quarters” (which give a very “intense” maturation) I placed a small quantity of this whisky into first fill Bourbon casks and left it to see how it matured. My thoughts returned to these barrels and the whisky they contained. It was good, in fact very good, but to me it still lacked the exact flavour profile I was looking for.

A month later...

I had not cracked the problem, and I was in the process of tasting a quantity of 17 year old Laphroaig barrels (more of this some time in the future!). Two barrels were quite different to the rest, really special – and they had exactly the missing characteristics I was looking for. I asked John if I could have them and he grudgingly accepted (they were expensive barrels!).

The bottling

With trepidation I added this 17 year old. It was perfect. I asked for it to be bottled without chill filtering to ensure it retained the exact flavour profile. Please note it is also bottled at 55% ABV, so add a dash of water (or ice for those that know me!)

I love it; I really hope you do too. John has agreed to keep the price to £40 - even though I used his precious 17 year old!

For the lucky few of you who can get their hands on a bottle, we will be tasting it at our “Distillery Live!” broadcast on June the 18th, so please leave some to taste along with me live!

Slainte,

Robert Hicks.

needless to say I ordered it right away, so if you want to do the same....I'd hurry!!!

Whisky and Distilleries :: Re: Bruichladdich Distillery

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:01:26 +0000

By: omaha+dellrod

Omaha is about a one hour flight from Chicago - About 25 of us fly up to Chicago every Spring for John Hansell's Whiskyfest (Malt Advocate Magazine) - Its a great event and Brett Pontoni who manages the whisky collection at Binny's also throws a big tasting party the night before - We drop a bundle at his store every year.

Dell does tastings once a month with a MegaTasting every year (when else can I afford to taste Black Bowmore or Bunnahbhain's 1968 Auld Aquaintance) - Anyway love to have you visit - You can check the Dell's collection at http://www.dundeedell.com

Whisky and Distilleries :: Re: Bruichladdich Distillery

Tue, 06 May 2008 11:53:46 +0000

By: omaha+dellrod

Gordon

We purchased Octomore II in 2004 - If it actually got released by 2010 we plan to be back in Islay that March so would be great if we could pick them up then - If not we will have to arrange for them to be picked up and shipped (we go to Islay every three years) - Of course we could always make a special trip :D

B.J.

Whisky and Distilleries :: Re: Bruichladdich Distillery

Mon, 05 May 2008 20:55:39 +0000

By: Spirit+of+Islay

Quote by: omaha+dellrod

and have purchased a "futures" case of Octomore - which will be the worlds most heavily peated malt - Of course I will not be able to pick that one up till Jim says its ready - Probably 2012 or 2013 -

B.J. (Omaha Dellrod) :D

Hi B.J.
Which Octomore Futures did you buy ?
I bought the original (2002) and when we had Jim McEwan on our weekly chat in March he told us the Futures will be released this summer if not before .

Slainte
Gordon

Whisky and Distilleries :: Re: Bruichladdich Distillery

Mon, 05 May 2008 20:00:26 +0000

By: bgulien

B.J. and Danny you're a pair of very lucky fellers.
If I'm ever in the vicinity of Omaha, I'll check the Dundee.
Is it far from Chicago?
I am from Holland, but my company has a factory over there.
I feel a businness trip coming up.... :roll:

Whisky and Distilleries :: Re: Bruichladdich Distillery

Mon, 05 May 2008 19:51:45 +0000

By: Singlemalt-Danny

Quote by: bgulien

I checked, just for the fun of it, but only the exchange has a Redder Still, but none of the three had a Blacker Still.
At GBP 110 for the Red, it is just above my budget.
This what Royal Mile has to say about the Black:

NO LONGER AVAILABLE. This 'Dearly Departed' whisky is a rare, discontinued bottling shown for information only. If we find another bottle should we email you?

So Danny, if you have a bottle, keep it hidden....
:lol:

I will, I will ;)

Whisky and Distilleries :: Re: Bruichladdich Distillery

Mon, 05 May 2008 18:59:26 +0000

By: omaha+dellrod

Bummer - I am surprised the Whisky Exchange didn't have it - We have the blacker still here at the Dundee Dell so I can always have a wee dram if I am in need of it - We tasted the Links Liverpool 14 YO yesterday - Very nice!

Whisky and Distilleries :: Re: Bruichladdich Distillery

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:43:22 +0000

By: bgulien