Chicago Whisky Fest 11 Sold Out! What are the Other Chicago Options?

For some this may be old news, but for the first time in years, if ever, that Whisky Fest has sold out in February. For those unable to get tickets, all is not lost. There will be other Malt Advocate Promoted events during Whisky Week Chicago in April including Binny's World of Whisky.  Also, the U.S. Annual Ardbeg Committee Meeting will be in Chicago on Saturday. Some of us delayed our purchases due to the price increase, while others capitulated to new ownership and quickly paid the increase.  Frankly, I was frustrated with the minimal VIP discount, but ended up with the vanilla envelope ticket. I know its a bargain.

Malt Advocate's  membership program appears in limbo after the new management takeover. In a world with at least two top names in whisky magazines and a third or fourth in their genesis, it is unclear how some stalwarts will react to change.  If Chicago is any indication, it will make no difference. However, a few notable players including Binny's will not be at Whisky Fest. This, according to Malt Advocate is due to Illinois Law

Apparently, Malt Advocate informs us that its lawyers fear that retailers cannot sample whisky at the off site events.  However, I am told that the Illinois forms allow for retailers to do so and the license is for the individuals working for the retailer. In addition, we understand that tasting sites may be registered, as well.  Perhaps, new management overlooks one of the most renown retailers in the U.S., let alone the U.S. due to Binny's Event which is on the day before Whisky Fest Chicago. Perhaps, there is confusion over Illinois law.  Maybe eliminating a big retailer from the floor is better for the smaller ones.


Excuse the digression. Whisky Fest is a popular event in Chicago, so expect more competitors, one of which is Whisky Live, which will be at the Scottish Festival and Highland Games on June 17 and 18 in Itasca. That is a bit of a drive from Chicago.  However, I'll be in California, so Binny's Event and Whisky Fest remains more of a priority. Also, watch for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Extravanganza in October.

Meanwhile, check Binny's Website and the Malt Advocate Website for more information in the weeks before April 15, 2011.

A Tale of Two Mortlachs. One Way to Compare and Contrast.

These two bottles appear similar. However, how different are they? No one will know unless both are opened and tasted together. Perhaps, this may happen at some Mortlach Single Malt Scotch tasting event. If not, a collector may hold onto them for decades. Some families may hold onto the bottles for a century. Unlike wine, whisky rarely goes bad.

These two bottles are from two different casks distilled on the same exact day. However, one is aged a year longer than the other. The casks are numbered four from each other, so they likely contain malt distillate from the same still.  In aging longer, one cask lost 0.7% alcohol by volume or 1.4 proof.  However, at 60% ABV, this likely will not make much difference. 

The difference in time spent aging in the wood as well as the location where aged, and the fact that two different casks were used may impact the nose (meaning "bouquet" or "scent") and the flavor (referred to in three parts as the "palate," "body," and "finish").  The difference can be significant or very limited. For some, it can be difficult to sense the difference due to the higher alcohol content.

Often, collectors want the official as well as independent bottlings, like these two Gordon and McPhail single cask bottles, for a representative tasting. An official bottling or OB may be unavailable or difficult to find, since some distilleries casks tend to be used mostly in blends rather than sold alone. However, this is changing due to demand.

In addition, the dwindling supply from some distilleries, due to closure, can create shortages. As a result, a stock from Independent Bottlers may be almost all that is left, where a distillery is demolished, dismantled or demolished. If the distillery is/was owned by Deageo, among other conglomerates, then securing official bottlings of a non-producing distillery may prove futile to cost prohibitive without enough interest.

Just who do the malt trusts think will drink if prices exceed demand? That is the risk, but more often then not, reasonable prices may be found. At what point do single malt producers like Deageo best introduce the public to their official bottlings of closed distilleries? Well, that is easier said than done.  Sometimes, demand exceeds supply even at higher price points.

Certainly, there are many pundits.  There are some who think that they can do better at finding the best casks. Yet, there is a balanced interest to remain in business, while making a profit, yet not losing out on opportunity. The efforts of Whisky Fest, Whisky Live, the Whisky Extravanza, and other events create more demand. However, reaching the folks that actually drink may make a difference in whether the stock sells soon or sells short.
Those of us who do more than warehouse know that there is a time and a place for everything. We just take it one day at a time and drink responsibly. Who would want to miss that opportunity?

Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix and My Twist of Fate

Eventually, you may begin to appreciate a dram of Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix, but respect may take a few sips.  That is my experience, because there is something that works.  If I were to score it by nose, taste, body and finish, then its at 87 points based upon N21, T22, B23, F21.  I will explain in a moment, but first the history.

Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix was developed and released after several Glenfiddich Cask Warehouses had roofs destroyed from snow damage. Many casks within these warehouses had to be blended in order to avoid serious loss.  As a result, Snow Phoenix arose as the no age statement blend of a variety of these casks of varying ages.  Perhaps, someone knows whether any casks in the blend exceed fifteen years. I understood otherwise. It is now being sold in the U.S.

A number of Glenfiddich Dinners at The Palm Restaurant featured Snow Phoenix.  This expression was a temptation due to respect for Glenfiddich and its unfortunate loss.  I liked the way it turned a mess into a money maker. The price was worth taking a risk.

After U.S. Distribution delays, the introduction, and a few questionable comments from some single malt bloggers, among other internet acquaintances, I 'too quickly' labeled it 'snow penis.' This was prompted upon the what seemed like marketing overdrive and a desire to challenge it. The first sip was not it.  It did not help to view comments by other experienced imbibers. In the end, the dram was well above average. Although the snow god may have screwed with Glenfiddich, these whisky lords rose up and threw back a bunsen that does not burn given the market and limitations!

I like the primarily sherry nose, get almonds, enjoyed the body, but the finish, well. The mouth feel for me became better as I sipped a bit. It is unique and takes over in a friendly, yet pronounced Glenfiddich way. I don't think that scoring on one sip will work for me.  After two to three, I get it.

My recommendation? Well, if you get the chance, have more than a few sips, perhaps three, before you throw this bottle back into the snowy cabinet of oblivion.  Glenfiddich fans should buy this expression. And if you find this bottle not to your tasting, I won't fault you, but the body on this Snow driven expression is worth the experience, IMHO.  I have had about four to five drams this week. I will move on to others, but there is something that I have yet to identify and savor a bit for this price point. What have others found?

It is worth the $89.99 that I paid for it.  For me, it's a fun bottle to double up on and pull out in ten years.  It is dynamic and complex for a Glenfiddich. It has some parallels to Glenmorangie Astar in that it is the no age statement Glenfiddich of 2010-2011.  I think that I'd prefer the Glenfiddich 21 rum finish, but that now averages $130 a bottle. There are other unique Glenfiddich expressions that I have been fortunate enough to sip. However, none recently due to controls put in place by the distillery. Now, if I had just taken notes.  However, those bottles are likely in the history books. 

I have yet to see any Indie Glenfiddich Casks being sampled at the Hansell's, Binny's, or Shayne's Events. Perhaps, I have to look harder. They may be older. I hope to taste more than the garden variety Glenfiddich expressions.  However, I consider the Snow Phoenix to be an historic oddity worth the experience.  Some with more Glenfiddich experience may rank it higher.

Is Bland Better? Does the Diet Matter Before Dramming?

One thing that I have learned is not to try to sell a friend on single malt after an Indian or Mexican meal!  My first glass of Chivas Regal was ruined by a spicy meal.  It took me a decade, perhaps longer, to believe that any form of scotch could actually taste good. 

As a result, I became a tea drinker. Pettigrew, not Jackson or Murray was my guidebook.  I still enjoy loose tea and favor Keemun with Souchong, in the morning, but it depends upon my mood.

If there is one thing that I noticed for me is that a bland diet is best before tasting single malt. I have heard a blender, or another professional, comment on one of Mark Gillespie's Whiskycasts that he has the same challenge, so he avoids spicy food.  In addition, Official Macallan tastings often start with bowls of walnuts? Is this an attempt to revive the tastebuds?

If I have that samosa or salsa, then single malt may turn into a spicy oblivion of near useless heat. At that point, I'm no longer tasting, I'm wasting.  When I fear the worst, I usually test my tastebuds and if they aren't working, I not drinking single malt.  Maybe beer or wine, but not scotch.

How bland will my diet need to land? I'm unsure.  Salt seems less destructive. How long must you stay away from that burrito or hot and sour soup? What seems to mess up your tastebuds?  If you're striken, then how long do you take a licking?  Do you notice a difference?

For me, it seems like I have to wait the better part of a day, arguable longer, before I can savor the flavor, again.  So do you remain bland and enchanted? Or are you able to find single malt contentment as you haul down the jalapenos?

Is the Chivas Regal Gateway/Portal Down?

Has anyone succeeded in getting past the gatekeeper portal and onto the Chivas Regal Website?  I am 'going gumby' trying to reinstall Adobe Flash and enter my DOB. Is www.chivascircle.com a secondary entrance or a more questionable gateway?  Does Chivas need to upgrade,to A-Flash 10 or contact its internet guru?

Dalmore and America - When Will the Bolder Better Buy Expression Bolt Forward?

Let me confirm that at least ten, likely more, Dalmore bottles grace my cabinet shelves. I now stock a 'six pack' of Old Dalmore 12 after the packaging changed and the price lurched forward. Is it the same twelve? I also have a few Cigar Malt bottles.  There is no question that I enjoy Dalmore. Yet, I am unable to justify the price point, on my budget, for the bottled expressions that I like the best.  What can Dalmore do to blend and bring a Balvenie Signature Reserve Batch-type bottling to retailers?

Some may call me an indignant, yet aging member of the nouveau pobre class, who will limit travel to the U.K. until the kids hit 18, if ever!  However, for those of us who are more stingy, and not single;  that is, those who had that sip of too much too good. . . .well . . . will we see a best buy Dalmore bottling in limited quantities in Binny's, Beltramos, Park Avenue,or Federal? Will Richard anoint an annual bottling with somewhat surrealistic grace for those of us in the U.S. who want to taste?  Will his distributors and overlords have compassion to the more attentive drinkers who want to do more than look at their Dalmore bottle and fantasize?

Richard Paterson assures us that Cigar Malt and Gran Reserva are one in the same.  A bite of chocolate while imbibing works well with this expression.  My last Cigar Malt v. Gran Reserva test may have been tainted by bad glass or an overwhelming number of other Dalmore expressions.  Perhaps, LeBon's Mind Theory took control since some in our group were noticeably skeptical that they were one in the same.  However, there were about nine bottles at that evening's tasting.  Memories fade, and palates numb, as do the positioning of indistinguishable snifter glasses.  Since Kingfisher took control and brought back the Whyte and Mackay moniker, where do Dalmore aficionados go until the renaissance begins, if any?

I wish to find fruitier honey-filled fields in more affordable Dalmore distillery expressions.  I recognize that it costs money to age single malt whisky.  Most of us know that some have found a way to put Dalmore on shelves in less consistent, yet extremely worthy expressions.  This fortunately allows the more sensitive public to go outside the distillery expressions to private bottlers like Chieftain, G&M, MM, Dewar Rattray, the Single Malt Scotch Whisky Society of America, Whisky Fair, etc.

I have tended to favor the private bottlers when venturing beyond The Dalmore twelve.  I prefer to give more of my Dalmore Dollars to Whyte and Mackay, so I'll continue to taste and hopefully justify an eventual discretionary purchase.  However, if it eclipses $150, then the flavor better be more 'spot on' for the value!  Too many distilleries seem to have done better on the retail front, even if I know that Dalmore can outdo them. As a result, Old Dalmore 12 still sits on smaller Chicago Area Liquor Retailer's Shelves in need of owners.  At this point, these are the values, since the 12 is no longer below $35.

Of course, many of us us look forward to a Dalmore Dinner as the one recently promoted by Bowmore.  For me, being a bit older, taking flight to New York requires tedious planning and the wife's consent. It also requires funds that may be more wisely spent at Coach and Tiffany.  We envy Richard's position, but may not be able to justify or work with our significant other's expressions at the thought.

Richard Paterson's voyages to Chicago make a difference.  So do those of Willie Tait for Isle of Jura. Jura's Prophecy should take off, but at a retail value of $49.99 to $59.99, if possible.  The current $69.99 will pit it against hardcore Lagavulin and Talisker drinkers, who have too much brand loyalty to give Prophecy a much deserved tipple or two.

When push comes to shove, Dalmore has priced its upper level expressions into an area that makes it less marketable to those who might otherwise take the plunge into or above the twelve.  However, Richard Paterson's is one of the show horses, that is the Secretariat, of all single malt ambassadors.  However, Seattle Slew and Affirmed are nipping at his hoofs on the sales front, even if the presentation not as legendary.

I fear that this may be a distillery issue, but the need to create profit or whether enough profit is made remains unclear.  I have wondered whether hoarding plays a role.  I admit that I hoard way to much, so my passion is just as challenged, as Richard Paterson, among others.  At a certain point, it is important to not only sell but to get folks to drink the stuff. 

Yet, I am content to find time for the Dalmore Twelve, an occasional tipple of Cigar Malt and the privately bottled Dalmores until we win the lottery or something gives on the other Dalmore Expressions.  I'll be waiting and watching, but my current open Dalmore bottle is the Cigar Malt and its not emptying fast enough for me. Are there any other thoughts on my Dalmore Dilemma?  What is there to splurge on among the Dalmore expressions?

Laphroaig Ten and Chicago - Can it be More Affordable?

Laphroaig has been one of my preferred Islay Single Malts. My collection has favored Ardbeg due to the number of Ardbeg expressions on the market. Yet, this may be a sign to investigate Laphroaig. I know that Triple Wood will have a place in my single malt cabinet.  However, is anything going on with the distributor? Why is the ten priced higher in the Chicago Area?

The smoky, maritime-like sweet flavor and slightly oily texture works incredibly well for me.  Some woman claim Laphroaig is their 'go to' Islay.  Frankly, I just think that they just have good taste.  I hoard the stuff.  Laphroaig lacks the coal-like spicier Islay palate of either Caol Ila.  Talisker is a joy, but it is also spicier.  Nevertheless, CI, Lagavulin, Isle of Jura, Bunnahabhain, etc. all also have a place and purpose in my palate depending upon the expression and moment.  The peatier versions get my attention. The Laphroaig Ten challenge is the price disparity between the Midwest and the West Coast.

Chicago often sells the bottle for $20 to $30 above the West Coasts best price.  West Coast retailers can sell a bottle for as low as $29.99. How and why this is done is unclear.  Chicago has Laphroaig 10 year old, but the Midwest prices remain consistently above the West Coast.  What drives these prices? A difference in regulations? A desire to hike the price for the expression so that it remains on shelves and not on the palates of those who otherwise will drink it? Will it ever makes its way low enough for fans to more heavily stock it or buy it at their local watering hole?

Laphroaig has a place in bars that seek single malts for their patrons. However, not ever bar is going to pay a premium for something that it cannot sell for under $15 per dram/shot. $9 Laphroaig Shots make sense in Chicago. Any lower should make it the rage, but $9 may work!  Many pubs simply won't carry Islay single malt until something gives.  Could it be the distributor?  New taxes (this price difference existed b4 the tax)? Is it supply and demand? Ardbeg 10 tends to have seen a rise in the Midwest depending upon the location.  I am curious whether anyone knows or cares.

When Laphroaig Triple Wood hits the Shelves, where will it fit on the single malt price continuum?  I'll buy, but how much will be stocked and where it will find its place depends upon the distributor.  Any thoughts?