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Release Notes
A single barrel bottling at cask strength from a 1st fill ex-bourbon cask, distilled on November 1st, 2001. One of 216 bottles.
Yours Truly
3rd Party Tasting Notes
The nose started with linoleum and green leaf, but slowly opened like a flower - vanilla sponge, Danish pastries, toffee, some fruit (strawberry, banana) and floral notes (gentian, rosewater, gorse), The neat palate was assertive, but complex and unusually bitter-sweet - 'biting an orange', tutti-frutti, jelly beans - one panellist found a honey, vodka and gunpowder mixture, but he self-combusted and didn't trouble us anymore. With water, the nose became freshly intriguing, with tinned fruit salad, old-fashioned lemonade, tree-bark, liquorice and menthol. The palate was now really rather pleasant - juicy, sweet and refreshing, with peach and pear balancing clove and aniseed spice.
SMWS
The Bottler: Scotch Malt Whisky Society
| Established: 1983 |
| Silent since: False |
| Address: Scotland |
| → website |
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), founded in Edinburgh in 1983, is a membership organisation which bottles and sells single cask, single malt whisky. It purchases individual casks from more than 125 malt whisky distilleries in Scotland and throughout the world, bottles them and retails directly to its members. It also runs three private members’ rooms in the UK and in several international locations.
The origins of the Society lie in Phillip “Pip” Hills’ travels around the Scottish Highlands in the late 1970s, during which he sampled several whiskies drawn straight from the cask.
Hills was so affected by what he tasted that, in 1978, he persuaded several acquaintances to share in the cost of a cask from the Glenfarclas distillery. Over time, the group of friends expanded to become a small syndicate and more casks were purchased, bottled and distributed to subscribing members.
Coinciding with the decision to open membership to the wider public in 1983, the Society purchased its first property, The Vaults, in Leith; a building, whose vaulted wine cellars reputedly stretch back to the 12th century.
The Society created a set of members’ rooms there.
In 1996, the Society launched a share scheme for its members, the proceeds from which were invested in the purchase of a London venue.
2004 saw the Society purchase a second venue in Edinburgh – a Georgian townhouse on Queen Street. In the same year, the Society was acquired by Glenmorangie PLC.
To mark the 25th anniversary of its foundation, the Society redesigned its bottles, to include more information and a full tasting note on the front of the bottle.
The origins of the Society lie in Phillip “Pip” Hills’ travels around the Scottish Highlands in the late 1970s, during which he sampled several whiskies drawn straight from the cask.
Hills was so affected by what he tasted that, in 1978, he persuaded several acquaintances to share in the cost of a cask from the Glenfarclas distillery. Over time, the group of friends expanded to become a small syndicate and more casks were purchased, bottled and distributed to subscribing members.
Coinciding with the decision to open membership to the wider public in 1983, the Society purchased its first property, The Vaults, in Leith; a building, whose vaulted wine cellars reputedly stretch back to the 12th century.
The Society created a set of members’ rooms there.
In 1996, the Society launched a share scheme for its members, the proceeds from which were invested in the purchase of a London venue.
2004 saw the Society purchase a second venue in Edinburgh – a Georgian townhouse on Queen Street. In the same year, the Society was acquired by Glenmorangie PLC.
To mark the 25th anniversary of its foundation, the Society redesigned its bottles, to include more information and a full tasting note on the front of the bottle.
from Wikipedia
The Distillery: Balmenach
| Established: 1824 |
| Silent since: False |
| Address: Grantown-on-Spey |
Balmenach (also known as Balminoch and Cromdale) was legalised in 1824 by James McGregor, but rumour has it that it operated as an illicit distillery for quite a while before that. Balmenach stayed in the hands of various members of the McGregor family for almost a century, until the Balmenach distillery was sold to a group of blenders in 1922.
In the years that followed the Balmenach distillery repeatedly changed hands (owners included Peter Dawson Ltd. and SMD), but I won't bore you with all details of ownership over the years. You can buy a copy of the 'Moss & Hume' bible (or one of the other books recommended in the Beginner's Guide to Scotch whisky) if you're into that sort of thing. I'll pick up the thread again in the early 1960's...
In 1962 the number of stills at Balmenach was expanded from four to six and a so-called 'Saladin Box' (equipment to process malted barley) was installed in 1964 - the same year they installed one such device at Benrinnes. The Saladin Box maltings stayed in use at Balmenach until the middle of the 1980's. In 1986 Balmenach was sold to United Distillers who subsequently mothballed the distillery in May 1993. Eventuallly, Balmenach was sold by Diageo (the 'heirs' to United Distillers) to Inver House Distillers in 1997.
Dennis Malcolm at Inver House told me the company didn't start distilling at Balmenach immediately after acquiring the distillery. They had to thoroughly check the entire whisky production plant before they resumed malt whisky production at Balmenach again in March 1998. After all, the distillery had been silent for a few years.
In the year 2004 Balmenach produced just under 2 million liters of alcohol and they have done so since the stills were fired up again. They produce five days a week, from 22 PM on a Sunday night to 22 PM on a Friday night. When Inver House bought the distillery from Diageo the deal didn't include the maturing stocks of Balmenach malt whisky. So, I sort of expected a new official bottling of the Balmenach malt whisky to arrive on the shelves of various whisky merchants by the end of 2010. However, I haven't seen a new 'official bottling' of Balmenach - so far.
Not to worry though; now and then independent bottlings of Balmenach become available, like Gordon and MacPhail's 'Connoisseurs Choice' bottling above or the semi-official Flora & Fauna bottling at the right.
In 2001 Inver House themselves were bought by 'Pacific Spirits', part of the 'Great Oriole Group'. This group is controlled by a wealthy businessman from Thailand; Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi. And that's not the only Asian influence in the Scotch whisky industry. A few distilleries like Bowmore are owned by Japanese companies and in 2007 Indian businessman Vijay Mallya took control of Whyte & Mackay.
Isn't today's corporate whisky world an interesting one? While big players like Diageo, Macallan and Glenmorangie all set their sights on the far east (Taiwan in particular, as a gateway to China), some entrepreneurs from the far east are investing their money in Scottish distilleries. Don't you love it?
In 2008, Inver House owned four other distilleries; Balblair, Knockdhu, Old Pulteney & Speyburn.
In 2009, the Balmenach distillery moved even further away from the traditional activities of a malt whisky distillery. They installed a second hand gin still in the old filling room and started to produce gin at the Balmenach distillery.
In the years that followed the Balmenach distillery repeatedly changed hands (owners included Peter Dawson Ltd. and SMD), but I won't bore you with all details of ownership over the years. You can buy a copy of the 'Moss & Hume' bible (or one of the other books recommended in the Beginner's Guide to Scotch whisky) if you're into that sort of thing. I'll pick up the thread again in the early 1960's...
In 1962 the number of stills at Balmenach was expanded from four to six and a so-called 'Saladin Box' (equipment to process malted barley) was installed in 1964 - the same year they installed one such device at Benrinnes. The Saladin Box maltings stayed in use at Balmenach until the middle of the 1980's. In 1986 Balmenach was sold to United Distillers who subsequently mothballed the distillery in May 1993. Eventuallly, Balmenach was sold by Diageo (the 'heirs' to United Distillers) to Inver House Distillers in 1997.
Dennis Malcolm at Inver House told me the company didn't start distilling at Balmenach immediately after acquiring the distillery. They had to thoroughly check the entire whisky production plant before they resumed malt whisky production at Balmenach again in March 1998. After all, the distillery had been silent for a few years.
In the year 2004 Balmenach produced just under 2 million liters of alcohol and they have done so since the stills were fired up again. They produce five days a week, from 22 PM on a Sunday night to 22 PM on a Friday night. When Inver House bought the distillery from Diageo the deal didn't include the maturing stocks of Balmenach malt whisky. So, I sort of expected a new official bottling of the Balmenach malt whisky to arrive on the shelves of various whisky merchants by the end of 2010. However, I haven't seen a new 'official bottling' of Balmenach - so far.
Not to worry though; now and then independent bottlings of Balmenach become available, like Gordon and MacPhail's 'Connoisseurs Choice' bottling above or the semi-official Flora & Fauna bottling at the right.
In 2001 Inver House themselves were bought by 'Pacific Spirits', part of the 'Great Oriole Group'. This group is controlled by a wealthy businessman from Thailand; Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi. And that's not the only Asian influence in the Scotch whisky industry. A few distilleries like Bowmore are owned by Japanese companies and in 2007 Indian businessman Vijay Mallya took control of Whyte & Mackay.
Isn't today's corporate whisky world an interesting one? While big players like Diageo, Macallan and Glenmorangie all set their sights on the far east (Taiwan in particular, as a gateway to China), some entrepreneurs from the far east are investing their money in Scottish distilleries. Don't you love it?
In 2008, Inver House owned four other distilleries; Balblair, Knockdhu, Old Pulteney & Speyburn.
In 2009, the Balmenach distillery moved even further away from the traditional activities of a malt whisky distillery. They installed a second hand gin still in the old filling room and started to produce gin at the Balmenach distillery.
Trivia:
- 2001 - Inver House (the company that bought Balmenach in 1997) was bought by Pacific Spirits from Thailand.
- 2006 - The owner of Balmenach (Pacific Spirits UK) was bought by International Beverage Holdings.
- 2009 - An old, second hand gin still is installed in the old filling room of the Balmenach distillery. So far, only small quantities of gin have been produced though.
- 2010 - Since production at the distillery restarted in 1998, I sort of expected a new official bottling of the Balmenach single malt whisky by now. However, it seems that the Balmanach will be used exclusive for blends from now on.
from Malt Madness
The Owner: Inver House Distillers
| Established: 1964 |
| Silent since: False |
| Address: Towers Road, Airdrie, ML6 8P, Scotland, UK |
| → website |
Being part of a larger group ensures the company"s continued success in an increasingly competitive market place.
Inver House is also committed to the training and development of its employees and in 1999 received the coveted Investors in People accreditation.
In October 2001, Inver House entered a new chapter when it was purchased by Pacific Spirit (U.K.) Ltd, now International Beverage Holdings Limited (InterBev) - the international arm of Asia"s leading drinks business, the Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev) with an outstanding portfolio of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wine and beer categories.
The substantial warehousing, blending and office facilities all remained, and do so to this day, as do the state of the art Gin, Vodka and Cream Production Facilities.
However, following the takeover by the management team in 1988, and the revival of the Scotch Whisky industry, Inver House Distillers purchased 5 highly regarded malt distilleries over a period of 9 years. Since then Inver House has gone from strength to strength in its commitment to a worldwide market. This continued commitment was recognised in 1992 with the granting of the Queen"s Award for Export Achievement.
Inver House Distillers was established in 1964 as a subsidiary of the American company, Publicker Industries. In the 1970"s the Scotch Whisky industry faced competition from other spirit categoreis and coupled with the death of its American Chairman, Publicker Industries did not focus its business interests in its Scottish subsidiaries. As a result of this, the malt and grain distilleries at the Scottish site in Airdrie became surplus to requirements and were closed in 1985 and 1986.
Trivia:
- IHD currently owns 5 distilleries: Pulteney, Balblair, Knockdhu (including anCnoc Single Malts), Speyburn and Balmenach.
- IHD also produces blended malt scotch whisky Blairmhor and the blends Hankey Bannister, MacArthur"s, Catto"s and Green Plaid.
- IHD"s portfolio also includes Vodkas, Gins and Liqueurs.
from Inver House Distillers
The Owner: International Beverage
| Established: 2005 |
| Silent since: False |
| Address: 14 Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, Chom phon, Chatu chak, Bangkok 10900 Thailand |
| → website |
International Beverage"s aim is to become the leading Asian international drinks company.
International Beverage now has responsibility for the growth internationally of a strong portfolio of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and other categories. These global operations are managed out of our four regional headquarters located in United Kingdom, Singapore, China and North America.
We export our brands to over 80 countries outside Thailand and our operations include distilleries in Scotland, China and across South East Asia.
International Beverage Holdings Limited (International Beverage) has been formed to be the international arm of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev) and was established in 2005 to facilitate the continued expansion of the drinks business outside of Thailand.
Trivia:
- IB"s brand portfolio includes Chang beer, Mekhong Thai whisky, Sang Som liquor, Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn single malts, Hankey Bannister, MacArthur"s, Catto"s and Drummer blended scotch whiskies, Caorunn gin, Old Pulteney and Heather Cream scotch liqueurs."
from International Beverage
The Owner: Thai Beverage Public Company
| Established: 2003 |
| Silent since: False |
| Address: 14 SangSom Building,Vibhavadee Rangsit Road, Chomphon,Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 Thailand |
| → website |
White spirits are distilled liquors made from molasses without any mixture or color, and produced in four strengths of varying degrees of alcohol: 28, 30, 35 and 40% alcohol per volume. The company"s largest-selling white spirits are branded Ruang Khao or rice stalk. The labels are color-coded to reflect the alcoholic strength but do not have the brand name printed on them. Other brands in this category are Niyomthai and White Tiger.
ThaiBev produces brown and white spirits. Thai liquor is technically rum. Rum is derived from distilling cane juice, sugar or molasses until the product is with 60-95 degree alcohol content. The content is mixed with purified water to produce a satisfactory level of alcohol content before being transferred to age in charred oak barrels for at least one year. Before being bottled the liquor may be further mixed to adjust for desired color, aroma, and taste, but it has to have at least 40 degree alcohol content.
ThaiBev"s most famous, but not highest selling, liquor brand, Mekhong, originated in 1941 at the Bangyikhan Distillery west of Bangkok. Originally a state-owned distillery, it dates back over 200 years to the beginning of the current Chakri Dynasty. The launch of Mekhong was aimed at producing high-quality Thai liquor to stem the increase in the import of foreign liquor and to eventually replace imported brands. Sang Som however, has been the country"s most popular liquor brand for over 29 years, until 2006 holding almost 50% of the entire brown spirits market in Thailand. The company also produces Mungkorn Thong and Hong Thong and brands based on malt whisky, like Crown 99 and Blue, as well as Scottish whisky brands such as Hankey Banister and Pinwinnie Royal Scotch Whisky.
Thai Beverage (ThaiBev) is one of the largest beverage alcohol companies in South East Asia. Listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, Thai Beverage Plc has a market capitalisation in excess of US$4bn.
Thai Beverage Public Company Limited owns and distributes a number of significant brands including Chang beer and Mekhong and Sang Som rum. Chang Beer, which first started production in March 1995 at the brewery in the district of Bang Ban, Ayutthaya Province, is the top-selling brand in Thailand. It managed to win 60% of market share in Thailand after a hard market fight with the previously biggest brand Singha. In 2006, the company"s market share was 49% of the beer market, according to research company Canadean.
"ThaiBev" was incorporated in Thailand in October 2003 in order to consolidate Thailand"s leading beer , spirits and non-alcohol businesses owned by the principal shareholders and their business associates under a single holding company.
from Wikipedia, ThaiBev.com