Tag Archives: new single malt

Introducing Glenglassaugh

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Glen…what??

Yea, it’s not a familiar whisky to most dramheads in the world, that’s coz the distillery’s been out of commission for awhile. However, Glenglassaugh’s here in Malaysia, where it was launched at Blue Elephant recently, after being brought in by Single Malt Sdn Bhd.

The distillery back in action

The source

Glenglassaugh is actually one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries dating back to 1875, and is situated on the Banffshire coast, founded by a local merchant named James Moir.

The highlanders

The highlanders

After being completely re-built in 1960, the distillery continued to produce whisky until 1986 when it was mothballed. Although it’s located near the sea, it’s a highland-style whisky.

It’s whiskies are bought by distilleries like Scotland’s favourite whisky The Famous Grouse, and Cutty Sark to be used in their delicious blends.

The stills are bored no more

The stills are still no more

The distillery sat silent until a group of investors bought Glenglassaugh distillery and started production again in 2008. So now we have a whole bunch of expressions of the Glenglassaugh range – Revival, Evolution, Torfa and the rare 30 Year Old and 40 Year Old.

The Revival is a x year old dram

The Revival is a reintroduction whisky

So 2012 saw the introduction of ‘Revival’ and ‘Evolution’ – the first single malt Scotch whiskies to be produced at the distillery in over two decades. Both whiskies are NAS (no age statement) ones, meaning it doesn’t say 12 years or 14 years or anything.

However, like all Scotch whiskies, it needs to be aged at least 3 years to be called a Scotch.

The stash

The stash

I find the Revival to be smooth, well-rounded, with sweet sherry notes. It does time in sherry casks as well for six months. The Evolution, which weighs in at 50% ABV, is kinda peppery and robust.

The Torfa is actually a peated highland whisky! It was only introduced last year. Nowhere as smokey as the Islay gang, but you definitely feel it.

Cool bottle

Cool bottle

While many distilleries have become highly automated; at Glenglassaugh, the spirit is still handcrafted by a small, skilled team dedicated to creating the highest quality product.

You can try them out and score yourself one at Single and Available stores:
– Revival, ABV 46% (no age statement) at RM270
– Evolution, ABV 50% (no age statement) at RM309
– Torfa, ABV 50% (no age statement) at RM299
– 30YO, ABV 44.8% at RM2280
– 40YO, ABV 42.5% at RM8500

As you can see, none of them are 40%. However, they are still very smooth, well-created whiskies. Adventurous drinkers should get a bottle or two.

Brain damage: 7/10

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The high-class single malt, Mortlach

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A new single malt has hit our shores, Mortlach, with the official launch party taking place at a cool spot called the Glasshouse.

The mega-pad

The mega-pad

Mortlach was the first distillery to be built at Dufftown, Scotland, in 1823, producing high-quality, luxurious malt that is unrivalled in flavor, earning its recognition as ‘The Beast of Dufftown’ from whisky connoisseurs.

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The bottle’s cool

Guests refuelled at the bar that was cookin up three types of whisky cocktails, that had the Mortlach Rare Old as the base. Each of the three mixologists served up a cocktail each.

Joel, Shawn and Osmond were on liquid duty

Joel, Shawn and Osmond were on liquid duty

 

One of the welcome drinks

One of the welcome drinks

The three new expressions are aimed at global travel and the luxury connoisseurs: Rare Old, 18-Year-Old and 25-Year-Old, which were awarded the best malts in its category at the recent International Spirits Award 2015.

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A tasting was also done

The Rare Old Mortlach, carries Mortlach’s signature balance of sweetness and dryness, infused with the whisky’s fruit and flora notes; while the 18-Year-Old Mortlach sees an interplay of malty sweetness and balancing acidity, which is best enjoyed straight.

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Mortlach brand Ambassador Georgie Bell talking about the drink

The 25-Year-Old Mortlach on the other hand, is a complex mix of spices and dense layers of sweetness, with some liquorice coming thru. Surprisingly light and easy on the palate. All bottles are 500ml.

A little display

A little display

Guests gained a premier Mortlach experience at an excellent and impressive venue. The Glasshouse lies by lots of greenery, and the rooftop is really cool too.

A spacious spot

A spacious spot

Whisky connoisseurs who have the desire to have a super premium single malt may contact 012-299 0722.

They are also available at MHDM and authorized distributors in Malaysia. On top of that, they’re available in some 5-star hotels, speakesies and whisky bars.

 

Brain damage: 8/10

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KAVALAN Single Malts

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So, a whisky from Taiwan?? The main thing i saw in that country were some fruit wines!

But am open-minded, so i didnt think twice and wasn’t skeptical when i was invited to taste a range of Taiwanese malts. In fact, i sacrificed a much-needed nap. Haha

Was it worth it? For sure. All KAVALAN whiskies i tried were good. It was tough to pick a favourite.

Gobble up!

Gobble up!

On the firing line that evening at Whisky Tango Foxtrot in Damansara Heights were four varieties, out of a total of seven expressions! Quite a range.

The welcome drinks were the KAVALAN King Car Conductor (46%) ABV. I didnt ask how it got its name.

Ridin with The King

Riding with The King

An easy-drinking whisky, a lil spice, a lil sweetish, with a medium finish. Good balance. Actually all the whiskies are easy on the palate.

The Classic is the best-seller, and gave me a nose of liquorice. It tastes clean and pleasant, with some fruit-spice in the mix.

Style

Style

The Concertmaster has a weird bottle. It looks more like absinthe than anything else. It’s richer than the rest, with some sweetness and some complexity. It was a lil difficult to figure out as i had a damn cold.

Tripped-out

Tripped-out

An interesting drink is the Solist Ex Bourbon Cask. The name says it all – it’s aged in those barrels. This deep whisky does give you a quick bitch-slap, but it passes quickly, and you’d never guess it rolls in at 57%.

Champ

Champ

Unsurprisingly, this is Taiwan’s first single malt, and it’s only been tickling livers since 2008. Very young.

But it’s whooped ass. Between 2010 to 2013, KAVALAN won an incredible number of gold medals – at the highly-respected IWSC (International Wine & Spirits Competition) and SWSC (San Francisco World Spirits Competition). It was also in the best-selling whisky guide, 101 Whiskies To Try Before You Die. Prices however are on the high side, more than most Scotch whiskies.

It’s named after the earliest tribe that ran the show in the Yilan Valley.

The barley is sourced from Scotland, and the distillery is an hour from Taipei.

Takes a million visitors a year

Takes a million visitors a year

You can get them at certain bars (Barn Thai, Whisky Tango Foxtrot) as well as retailer Single And Available in BSC (Bangsar Shopping Centre), where there are monthly tastings.

The whisky has no age expression, and since it’s not a Scotch, they can legally be younger than five years.

As long as they taste good and are balanced, I have no issue with age!

 

Brain damage: 7.5/10

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