The Whisky Exchange BLOG

Time for some more tasting notes now, but first a quick check on the predictions…

Well, the Ardbeg debate has definitely kicked off on the forums, with the news that the official website have raised their price of Ardbeg 10yo to £36.99 and the other two major online whisky sites selling out (or at least declaring that they’re out of stock). That’s one tick for the predictions (although as I said at the time, it was a total gimme, so it doesn’t really count).

Next up, I’m delighted to report that my last prediction (TWE to continue being the Daddy) is also coming true already, with us being crowned as World Online Whisky Retailer of the Year at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky awards for the second year running!!  This is particularly gracious of Whisky Magazine, who organise the awards, in the light of some harsh words from these quarters in the not-too-distant past.

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Okay, so it’s been a while getting these down – apologies if anyone was waiting (joke). 

Right, firstly I need to apologise to Rob and Dave from Whisky Mag for something I said in the last blog. 

For the record, I am happy to clarify that my speculation about Whisky Mag relying on Diageo sponsorship was totally inaccurate as they haven’t advertised in the magazine for years.  In addition, I would like to make clear that there was never any intention by me to imply that Dave Broom had deliberately given Diageo (or anyone else) favourable editorial coverage.  Hopefully you all know already how much I respect Dave and that I would never question his integrity, but if you don’t, you do now.  I also sincerely hope that none of you took anything that I wrote as attacking either Dave or Rob personally, it was not what I meant at all. I have edited the post to clarify that.

On with the rest of the predictions and hopefully I won’t get myself into more hot water.  Please be aware that the below are just my opinions and speculation, they are not gospel and they certainly do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Whisky Exchange.  As before, if you’re cross or if I’m just plain wrong like last time, I would ask that any factual errors or complaints are reported to me either in the comments or by email (tim[at]thewhiskyexchange.com)  – I will be happy to discuss / fix them as necessary.

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Okay, so the London transport network is f@cked, there’s more snow due this afternoon and I live too far away from work to risk trying to get in and find myself stuck in Park Royal when I try to get home – nearly three hours it took me yesterday.

I’ve also managed to get myself temporarily barred from remotely accessing my work computer by getting my password wrong too many times (because I’m a total numpty). So in fact the only thing I can work at from home today is Wordpress.

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I’m delighted to have a preview bottle of the general release of Ardbeg Corryvreckan sitting on my desk, so I thought I’d dip in and share my thoughts in what has turned out to be the first blog post for a few weeks (due to me busting a gut on a separate project, about which more in the very near future). 

Actually, I’ve had this bottle for over a week, but it’s been embargoed so I had to keep it under my hat.  It wasn’t easy, let me tell you – for one thing, hats don’t suit me.  Also, I have a very small head.

Ardbeg Corryvreckan - not ideal under headgear

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Day 10:  A Kick In The Ballochs…

Aftermath: Hannibal before his Calmac fry-up

Bang on 7am and our alarm clock blasts into action, as welcoming a sound as a prize festival bottling smashing on a stone floor and the accompanying ‘yelp’ of despair.   Last night was our ‘big night out’ and boy, we were all paying for it this morning.  As the memories started returning to our hazy heads, it became apparent that both Murdoch and Hannibal had found temporary ‘accommodation’ on, respectively, the bathroom floor and the green of the local golf course.

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The Malty-Millionaires….

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Day 5 –there’s no way a Chinchilla can play drums like that….

It was a beautiful day for a change

After shaking the bed out to check for any errant sand fleas that might have escaped the heel of a brogue the night before, our team assembled around the breakfast table for scotch pancakes and Sugarpuffs. 

Darrell, looking particularly tired, remarked that room-mate Tim’s snoring was akin to a cornered Rottweiller, or, to be slightly more specific, a suffocating wild boar.  As expressions of wonder and condolence were wished to the long-suffering Mrs F, an abashed Tim announced his intention to sleep in self-imposed exile on the sofa for the rest of the festival.

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Shame about the weather

The 6.30 wake up call resonated through our ears like plates being dropped in a restaurant; initial shock followed by reluctant applause.  But you get on with enjoying your lot and pay your bill at the end.  And a reasonable bill it seemed as we made our way up the A83 to Kennacraig for the 9.45 ferry to Port Ellen.

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To be honest, peating levels shouldn’t be a competition.  “My ppm is bigger than yours” sounds pretty ridiculous however you dress it up.  This sort of thing might be construed as macho willy-waving and not very big or clever – but it’s certainly sparked debate and everyone seems to have an opinion, judging by the deluge of comments we had on the blog after the previous Octomore / Supernova post!

So it is with a certain irony that I’ve christened this tasting The Mega Peat Face-Off.  Now, before anyone gets their Calvins in a twist, can I just say that I’m not trying to stir anything here.  Who knows (or indeed cares) the reasons, if any, that led two of the most talked-about distilleries in the industry to release super-peated whiskies at practically the same time?  Whose idea was it first and who nicked it?  Does anyone actually give a monkey’s thingummy?  I can say with confidence that the answer to literally none of these questions is below.  

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Sorry for the delay posting this, folks – you know what it’s like when you come back to work from holiday.  It’s taken me all week just to catch up on my regular TWE stuff.  I’ve been longing to write this blog, though – so here I am on Friday evening staying late to crank this out, when I promised Mrs. F we’d go out for dinner! Don’t say I’m not good to you.

Anyway, At last!  Back after a week’s skiing (no broken bones, thanks for asking - but plenty of aches in the rear end from falling over on it every five minutes).  And what’s this, waiting for me on the desk on my first Monday back?  Why, it’s my Ardbeg Supernova!!  Life is good…

(You can click on any of the photos below to enlarge.)

You beauty!

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