anCnoc

Something Remarkable is happening at anCnoc

In the sleepy, picturesque village of Knock in Aberdeenshire, the Knockdhu Distillery is about to get a jolt of creativity from New York City.

Watch their video and register to be the first to know about something remarkable arriving from anCnoc.

I wonder what it could be?

Smokehead Rock Tin

Smokehead, the rich and powerful Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Ian Macleod Distillers, has released a new limited Rock Edition to celebrate its credentials as the rock n’ roll spirit of choice for 2012.

The limited edition evolves from the design of Smokehead’s existing tactile metal presentation tin, demanding attention with the introduction of a smoking skull, the time-honoured symbol of rock. Cocooned within the skull are the many adjectives that capture the Single Malt’s boisterous, outrageous, and deep peaty flavours.

Like the original award-winning packaging, The Rock Edition maximises its impact using embossed and debossed techniques to heighten the 3-D ‘reality’ of the new skull design and create a premium feel. The main Smokehead branding is also embossed, while a square letterpress block motif on the rear of the tin, reflecting the bottle label design is joined by a full flavour descriptor that also highlights Smokehead’s connection with music.

Entering its third year as the official drinks sponsor of The Marshall Ultimate Band Contest, the unsigned band showdown, in partnership with legendary Marshall Amps and Lick Library, Smokehead has also established itself as the drink of choice at big rock events including the annual Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards 2009-2011. The must attend event for rock artists and industry heavyweights, previous attendees have included iconic rock legends Slash, Brian May, Jeff Beck and Gene Simmons.

Ian Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers commented: “The new limited edition presentation tin not only celebrates Smokehead’s close affinity to rock music, but reaffirms the brand’s unique position within the Single Malt category. Smokehead is vigorous and unapologetic about its big and intense peaty flavours. Like rock and roll, people must accept it for what it is or not at all. The brand is an enthusiastic supporter of rock music and we have some exciting plans underway to take this even further in 2012.”

A rich, seaweedy and intensely peaty Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Smokehead is not for the faint hearted. With immense fresh and fruity flavours that burst with notes of sherry, iodine, toffee, smoke and sea salt, Smokehead hits the palate like a cannonball.

Smokehead ‘The Rock Edition’ will be available in the UK and international markets throughout 2012. Smokehead is widely available throughout the UK and worldwide, RRP £33.49. Details of some stockists can be found on the website www.smokehead.com

We hope to have some stock asap!

Octomore Comus

Some details on the upcoming Octomore Comus
61% ABV
167ppm
American Oak then additional maturation in Y’quem cask
18,000 bottles Worldwide

And, in thick shelter of black shades imbowered,
Excels his mother at her mighty art;
Offering to every weary traveller
His orient liquor in a crystal glass,

A MYSTERIOUS AND AMBROSIAL POTION.
THE MOST HEAVILY PEATED WHISKY IN THE WORLD, MATURED IN THE FINEST OAK POSSIBLE, IMPREGNATED WITH THE GREATEST SWEET WINE KNOWN TO MAN; AN UNLIKELY COMBINATION – AN EXCESS? OR A DIVINE, ETHEREAL, OTHERWORLDLY EXPERIENCE? WE CALL IT “COMUS”.
FOLLOWING ON FROM THE NOW LEGENDARY OCTOMORE ORPHEUS [SINGLE MALT OF THE YEAR 2010, JIM MURRAY] THE NOW LEGENDARY JIM MCEWAN HAS CREATED ANOTHER LANDMARK OCTOMORE. COMUS WAS THE SON OF BACHHUS [GOD OF WINE AND REVELLING] AND CIRCE, DAUGHTER OF HELIOS THE SUN GOD AND A SORCERESS WHO WOULD BEGUILE THE INNOCENT INTO DRINKING HER MAGIC POTIONS.

DISTILLERY NOTES:
LIMITED RELEASE: 18,000 BOTTLES WORLDWIDE.
THE SUCCESSOR TO THE LEGENDARY OCTOMORE “ORPHEUS”.
BOURBON CASK, WITH ADDITIONAL MATURATION IN
DECADENT PREMIER CRU SUPERIOR SAUTERNES CASKS.
BARLEY MALTED TO A LEVEL OF 167 PPM.
61% ALC/VOL.
AGED 5 YEARS.

“COMUS” WAS A PLAY WRITTEN BY POET JOHN MILTON AND FIRST PERFORMED IN 1634 AT LUDLOW CASTLE, ENGLAND. THE WORK PRESENTS THE DESPERATE BATTLE BY COMUS TO ENSNARE A BEAUTIFUL, INNOCENT GIRL AND THROUGH THE HEDONISTIC POWER OF HIS MAGIC POTIONS – “HIS ORIENT POTIONS IN A CRYSTAL GLASS” – ROB HER OF HER VIRGINITY. A PHILOSOPHICAL DISCOURSE ON THE BATTLE BETWEEN SENSUAL PLEASURE AND PHYSICAL ABANDON, AND REASON AND VIRTUE. ALL VERY BRUICHLADDICH. IN THIS OCTOMORE 4.2 “COMUS” WE SEE THIS SAME DUALITY – THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN THE BROODING POWER OF THE EXCEPTIONAL OCTOMORE PEAT AND THE SUBLIME ELEGANCE OF CASKS THAT PREVIOUSLY HELD THE WORLD’S GREATEST SWEET WINE. HENCE THE WHITE, VIRGINAL, INNOCENT PACKAGING – BUT LIKE OUR HEROINE, DO NOT BE DECEIVED… ALL IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS.

Gordon and MacPhail

Elgin based whisky, wine and spirit merchant, Gordon & MacPhail, has been named Drinks Wholesaler of the Year at the Drinks Retailing Awards 2012.

The awards, held at The Dorchester in London on 7 February 2012, brought together the leading lights of the drinks industry to recognise innovation and best practice across the sector.

Established in Elgin in 1895, the family owned and managed business of Gordon & MacPhail is one of the UK’s leading independent specialist wholesalers. Gordon & MacPhail stocks over 4,500 product lines, including an extensive wine list, an impressive portfolio of spirits and a wide range of micro beers. The company is the UK’s top wholesaler for Malt Whisky, stocking every distillery bottling of Single Malt available in the UK market.

The award was presented to Gordon & MacPhail in acknowledgement of the company’s extensive portfolio of products, investment in staff training and commitment to delivering excellent customer service. The judges were also impressed by the company’s investment in technology including a new voice activated picking system.

Receiving the award on behalf of Gordon & MacPhail, Joint Managing Director, David Urquhart said: “Since 1895, we have placed our customers and their requirements at the heart of our business. We value our working relationships and are eager to listen to our customers, working with them to meet their objectives. Along with the ongoing support from our suppliers and customers, winning this award is testament to the commitment and skills of the Gordon & MacPhail team at and their drive to continually exceed customer expectations.”

The company employs 140 people from its base in Elgin, of which a sales team of 20 covers the length of the UK. Gordon & MacPhail operates wholly owned bonded and duty paid warehouses, along with an own transport network (supplemented by courier).

Highland Park Thor Pack Shot

Highland Park Thor – you all know about – we have it in stock and it looks absolutely STUNNING! (to say the least).

Other bottlings include – The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee bottling of Glen Grant 60 Year Old. Wow.
Regular selling price £8000, what a bottling.
My biggest issue with this bottling – will it ever ‘increase’ in value over the long term?
Only 85 bottles available, unfortunately (and no disrespect to Glen Grant), it’s not a big collectors/investors wet dream such as a Port Ellen or a Macallan… However it is presented in a crystal decanter with a diamond shaped stopper; expertly engraved – the script in-filled with silver!
I guess time will tell. Personally…… I will not be buying.
We will update you if we get it in stock…..

Glen Grant Queen's Jubilee

Highland Park 21

Springbank Rundlets and Kilderkins

Finally – 3 Benriach editions and a Cutty Sark
Benriach:
17 Year Old Solstice Peated Port (2nd Edition), Septendecim 17 Year Old Peated, and a Benriach Authenticus (RSP £130.00).
Cutty Sark:
Cutty Sark 25 Year Old Tam O Shanter, with a RSP of £199, it’s certainly an interesting one.

Cutty Sark Tam O' Shanter

That’s it for now

Highland Park Thor

Bottled at a robust 52.1% abv this limited edition whisky comes housed in a unique wooden frame, which echoes the fearsome contours of a traditional Viking long ship.

Who knows what the next release will be – on the Whisky of the Gods website, they’ve got the 6… Thor, Odin, Freya, Loki, Tyr and Baldr, however I’m not sure if Loki and Baldr will be versions, but we’ll wait and see – Any more info – we’ll let you know!

Highland Park Thor Pack Shot

And here’s our very own picture of the bottling:

Our Highland Park Thor

Highland Park Thor

So, it’s The Green Welly Stop’s THOR’sday, and we have the mighty Highland Park Thor in stock available for despatch!
At 52.1% Strength, it’s sure to be a true whisky of the gods

We did however, purchase the name www.Tyndrum-Gold.co.uk for future use!

Move forward to June 2011, a new planning application for the mine was being produced, we decided to look again at our Tyndrum Gold. Craig (our internet manager) was given the task to create our first ever bottling, from designing the label, to liasing with suppliers, obtaining quotes, the only thing Craig didn’t do, was actually attend the tasting session we had for the selection of the whisky!
By the start of July 2011 Craig had the idea for the label already in place and things were moving along well.

Edward, (our resident Keeper of the Quaich and also a Partner), decided that we would also need a back label for some more information on the bottling.
It was also decided at this point that we would do a limited release of 600 bottles, (excellent idea Craig)
So there we have it – the first insight into our Tyndrum Gold Limited Edition Whisky.

I will bring more information as time permits!
The internet team.

In January and February, the buying team head off to the various tradeshows to gather together what we hope will be fantastic items for our shops. Keep an eye on our whisky special offers here and don’t forget that you can get a variety of gifts online. We have such a variety of goods in our shops, and we try where possible to have the very best of them on line as soon as possible.

One of our biggest sellers on line was our range of Contigo Mugs which are truly amazing! Look out for any new designs and colours.

We really appreciate feedback and consider your comments as a gift, so we can make our service to you even better. Leave a comment on your purchases, and we will give you a 5% discount on your next purchase. How cool is that! Keep up with news, weather forecasts and general high-jinx on our Facebook pages, we even have a Welly Wednesday competition.

In the meantime, here’s to a fantastic 2011 and we look forward to welcoming you to The Green Welly Stop very soon!

Fiona

Batch 3 Optic Barley

Speyside’s smallest whisky distillery, Benromach, has added two new variants to its Origins range.

Benromach Origins Batch No. 2 was distilled in 1999 and has been fully matured in Port Pipes. This is the first Benromach expression to be fully matured in a wine cask, allowing the characteristics of the port to infuse with the whisky. The resultant single malt has red berry fruitiness with hints of orange peel, dark chocolate and soft smoke.

Benromach Origins Batch No. 3, distilled in 2000, has been created using the finest Optic barley then matured in Sherry casks. It displays zesty citrus flavours, softly infused with spicy aniseed and menthol notes. The two new whiskies are the latest additions to Origins – a series of special bottlings launched in 2008 to highlight how small changes in the art of whisky making can help shape the character of the final single malt. Each batch displays the ‘Benromach style’ of peat-smoke with malt aromas and a delicate perfumed nose, while at the same time offering a slightly different sensation for the consumer.

Batch 2 Port Pipes

Benromach has also recently re-packaged its exclusive Vintage Speyside Single Malt. This sophisticated greatly-aged single malt, a winner at this year’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards and described as ‘a powerful presentation of a Sherry-matured Speysider’, has been encased in a sleek brushed metal tin, replacing the previous outer box, to give it a stylish and contemporary look in line with other whiskies in the Benromach range.

Benromach Origins Batch 2 and 3, and Benromach Vintage will be available from whisky shops and fine wine and spirits retail specialists with suggested UK retail prices of £38.50 and £299.00 respectively.