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New Scotch Whisky Law

November 23, 2009

New Scotch whisky rules covering every aspect of the distilling, bottling and labelling have come into force today. Introduced by the UK Government, the regulations are designed to “reinforce the integrity of Scotch” and provide legal protection for Scotch Whisky from imitations, said the Scotch Whisky Association.

From today, single malt whisky can only be bottled in Scotland. Other measures include tighter rules on the use of distillery names on bottle labels, and better protection of traditional regional names such as ‘Highland’ and ‘Lowland’. Consistent labelling terms and rules are also designed to ensure consumers receive clear information about what they are buying, the SWA said. “Protection and promotion of Scotch Whisky is at the heart of the new UK regulations, which are in the best interests of whisky consumers, distillers, and the wider economy,” said Paul Walsh, chairman of the SWA and also CEO of Diageo. “Working with the UK Government and officials in Scotland, these regulations are a major step forward and form the definitive statement of the rules on making, bottling, and labelling Scotch Whisky. The new rules have been welcomed across the industry, benefiting small and large distillers alike, and supporting the growth of both Single and Blended whiskies,” Walsh insisted. The SWA recently defended the new regulations following criticism from some corners of the industry. (via just-drinks.com)

November 22, 2009

November 19, 2009

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey 47%

This is a unique small batch 100% malt (yes!) whiskey from Colorado.

Sweet, fruity nose, slight alcohol, strong banana scent.

Sweet, easy going whiskey, sweet fruits, lightness of vanilla, pepper and strong spices from he new oak.

Fruits with taste like pear and banana, in fact lots of banana, a little honey. A light, slightly spicy taste if you drink it straight; a few drops of water makes it even lighter and increases the presence of the fruits.

An excellent whiskey from Colorado.

November 6, 2009

November 4, 2009

Short summary of the 5th Birthday Club Event of the Whisky Societyof Hungary (only in Hungarian). We celebrated the anniversary with a bottle of Ballantine’s 30YO, Glenfiddich 21 YO Caribbean Rum Finish, The Macallan 20YO Sherry Wood Finish, Johnniew Walker Blue Label, Glenfiddich 18 YO and The Glenlivet 12 YO.

Whisky Society of Hungary

November 2, 2009

All right, all right … we are not so old yet. although our favourite Whisky Society of Hungary celebrates its 5th Birthday this month! That’s an achievement knowing that not every club or society lives longer in Hungary than couple of years after granting. But we are tough and persistant when talking about whisky or whiskey. And even more passionate and ethusiastic when tasting and drinking the noble water of life.

Some statistics: 5 years, 25 members, around 50 outsider participants on club events, 150 various whiskies tasted, on 55 monthly society events. Appr. 250 hours spent together tasting whisky, 250 bottle of whisky consumed, which is appr. 4.300 drams. And we are still alive.

We celebrate tonight the 5th Birthday with the following special tasting: Ballantine’s 30 years old, Glenfiddich 21 years old Caribbean Rum Finish, The Macallan 21 years old Sherry Wood Finish and a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

Thank you for all the members, the sponsors and supporters! (Whiskynet, Pernod-Ricard, William Grant’s, Diageo, Zwack, Bols Hungary and Brown-Forman)

Bruichladdich Organic Whisky

October 29, 2009

There was an organic whisky bottled by The Macallan couple of years ago without any huge success. Now, here is another one from Bruichladdich. The Islay distillery is very strong in innovation, so now wonder, they ride the waves of the “fight against climate change” hype. No industry can resist. Everyone shares the responsibility of global warming. The Bruichladdich Organic 5 Years Old whisky is labelled by the Biodynamic Agricultural Association to be credible. Bruichladdich might have been worried about the pace of climate change, therefore was not able to wait more than 5 years to have a really matured whisky. Or just simply, doesn’t make any sense to age an organic whisky too long?

Since the re-opening of the distillery in 2001, Bruichladdich is working on producing more than 50% of malted barley locally, doing malting and kilning on the spot, distilling and even bottling on Islay. The barley source of Bruichladdich Organic is the farm of William Rose, where the barley was separately grown in 2003. At the end of the ageing process the whisky dilluted with pure Islay water only to 46% abv, then bottled without any chill-filtering and colouring. ‘Anns an t-seann doigh” - as it was done in past times.