Final days for whiskey book discount

My new book, "Barrels & Drams: The History of Whisk(e)y In Jiggers and Shots," will officially be released on September 6.

The retail price then will be $18.95, but you can get a hefty 33% pre-release discount from Amazon.com by going here.

It is a collection I co-wrote and edited with essays from numerous writers famous in the field, from F. Paul Pacult to David Wondrich to Tom Wolfe.

You'll discover the spread of whiskey throughout the world and how it helped build countries. Read profiles of some of the most famous giants of the industry as Jack Daniel, George Smith and the Beam family.

Plus, go behind the scenes of Prohibition to check out the legendary gangsters, small-time rumrunners, a famous NASCAR champion who made his mark as a moonshine runner. And, you'll get insiders' looks at legitimate whiskey-making in such diverse spots as Scotland, Ireland, the U.S., South Africa, India and Japan.

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Perfect weekend for a Hurricane Cocktail

One of the most enduring fruity, summertime adult drink is the Hurricane Cocktail, also a favorite during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

And, what better weekend for it than this one, what with Hurricane Irene creating concern and damage all along the Eastern Seaboard.

As with so many drinks, the precise recipe is argued, with regional preferences abounding In that spirit, I'm offering several variations.

NEW ORLEANS CLASSIC

Yields 10 drinks

10 ounces white rum
10 ounces Jamaican Dark rum
10 ounces Bacardi 151 rum
30 ounces orange juice
30 ounces pineapple juice
5 ounces grenadine syrup

Combine all ingredients and mix well in a chilled pitcher.Serve in large glasses over crushed ice with an orange slice as garnish.

O'BRIEN'S BAR VERSION

Yields 2 drinks

2 ounces light rum
2 ounces dark rum
2 ounces passion fruit juice
1 ounce orange juice
juice of a half a lime
1 tablespoon simple syrup
1 tablespoon grenadine
Orange slice and cherry for garnish

Squeeze juice from half a lime into shaker over ice. Pour the remaining ingredients into the cocktail shaker. Shake well. Strain into a hurricane glass (see shape above). Garnish with a cherry and an orange juice.

THE HURRICANE!

Yields 2 drinks

1 ounce vodka
¼ ounce grenadine syrup
1 ounce gin
1 ounce light rum
½ ounce 151 brand rum (dark añejo rum makes a good substitute)
1 ounce amaretto almond liqueur
1 ounce Triple Sec
grapefruit juice
pineapple juice

Pour all but the juices, in order listed, into a "hurricane" glass three-quarters filled with ice. Fill with equal parts of grapefruit and pineapple juice, and serve.

Note: Rum drinks are famous for a rum "float" on the top. A dark añejo rum such as Brugal makes a nice finishing touch.

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Absolut Orient Apple has 'secret' ingredient

Just when you think the variety of infused vodkas must have topped out, along comes another.

This one is Absolut Orient Apple, now available in some U.S. markets. Most tasting results say the fruit is evident more in the aroma than in the taste. That may be because rather than an apple, the "Orient Apple" on this infusion is more commonly known as the gently flavored Asian pear.

Absolut Orient Apple is available at a suggested retail price of $20.95 for the 750ml bottle.

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Cocktail of the Week: French 75

• This is the latest entry in an every-Saturday feature. To compile it, I'll be combing through all sorts of sources -- my own archives, old bar books, readers' suggestions, distillers' ideas -- even press releases from breathless PR people seeking to get their clients' products mentioned. If you have a favorite recipe to share, don't hesitate to send it along.

Mixologist Chris McMillian of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel's Library Lounge in New Orleans is known as a master of the classics.

This is one of his favorites, named after the famous French World War I artillery piece, the 75mm howitzer, also called a "French 75" ("Soixante Quinze" in French) and is a favorite New Orleans brunch drink.

Ingredients:

1½ ounces gin (preferably Bombay White Label)
1 ounce simple syrup
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
Champagne

In a pint glass, pour gin, simple syrup and lemon juice. Mix with a shaker. Use a strainer to pour the mixture into a Champagne flute and slowly top off the glass with champagne. Give the drink a brief stir and garnish with a lemon spiral.

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Deep discount for new BARRELS & DRAMS whiskey anthology
by: williamdowd



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Drambuie issues limited Jacobite Collection

If you have $5,725 and are one of the first 150 people to get in line, you may be in luck.

The Scottish liqueur maker has launched the extremely-limited Jacobite Collction priced at £3,500 (US$5,725) per set. It features a hand-blown crystal decanter containing a blend of 45-year-old whiskies.

Each of the 150 sets in the Jacobite Collection -- named for a series of anti-English uprisings that took place between 1688 and 1746 -- is in a solid wood presentation box containing a hand-etched crystal replica of the Spottiswoode Amen glass and a large crystal decanter stopper.

It also comes with a letter-pressed, hand-bound 32-page leather booklet written by whisky author Ian Buxton. It details the history of both Drambuie and the Jacobite Rebellion.

Incidentally, if you're interested in how the Jacobite uprising is treated in Scotland, go here to read my report about the updated battlefield at Culodden that effectively ended the action.

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An interstate earthquake chat

From the National Hurricane Center.

I'm among the apparently very few here in Upstate New York who felt nothing during Tuesday's earthquake. Perhaps that is a result of my famously brilliant balance, or my equally famous unawareness of what goes on around me.

Anyway, I was in the midst of an e-chat with Paul McCann, owner/distiller of Parched Group in Richmond, VA, where he makes the exquisite craft vodka named Cirrus.

It was Paul who alerted me to what was going on. Here's a bit of the back-and-forth. Obviously, there were time gaps between the messages.

PAUL: Cirrus just launched in GA and will be launching in MD Oct 1.

BILL: That's good news. Best wishes.

PAUL: We just had an earthquake. No damage.

BILL (obviously oblivious): Seriously?

PAUL: Yep, 6.0.

BILL: Any damage to your facility? (Apparently the shock waves radiated all the way up here, but I never felt it. Living atop a mountain helps, I guess.)

PAUL: No damage here fortunately. This building was constructed in '46. They don't build 'em like this anymore. I was a little worried about the old smoke stack that is 200 ft tall but I don't see any problems. If there are maybe the hurricane will blow it over; hopefully sway from my building...

As noted, the next East Coast worry is the progress of Hurricane Irene, now gathering strength in the Caribbean.

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Glenmorangie names new president

Paul Skipworth

EDINBURGH, Scotland -- After a 14-year run as president and marketing director of the Glenmorangie Company, Paul Neep is moving to the non-executive chairman slot. He is being succeeded by Paul Skipworth.

The distiller, owned by French luxury goods giant Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, produces Glenmorangie Single Highland malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay malt. It left the blended whisky field in 2009.

Skipworth will be charged with charting the company's further efforts to increase market share. Last year, Glenmorangie opened a new bottling facility at the Alba Campus in Livingston, Scotland

The plant was built to allow for an increase in production to meet future demand for premium single malt whisky in such markets such as Asia, Europe and the U.S.

"Going forward, we are planning further investment in advertising and promotions to build our brands in key markets," Skipworth said. "We will continue to benefit from the strong global distribution network of Moet Hennessy."

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Cocktail of the Week: Triple Orange Margarita

• This is the latest entry in an every-Saturday feature. To compile it, I'll be combing through all sorts of sources -- my own archives, old bar books, readers' suggestions, distillers' ideas -- even press releases from breathless PR people seeking to get their clients' products mentioned. If you have a favorite recipe to share, don't hesitate to send it along.

Ronaldo P. Colli, mixologist at the Americano restaurant in San Francisco, was asked by the makers of Gran Gala Triple Orange Liqueur to come up with a seasonal margarita showcasing their product. He came up with an excellent one, and here it is.

INGREDIENTS:

1½ ounces ultra premium tequila
¾ ounce Gran Gala Triple Orange
1 ounce orange juice, freshly squeezed
½ ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
¼ ounce agave nectar
1 lime wheel
1 orange peel

Pour Gran Gala, tequila, orange juice, lime juice, agave nectar and orange peel into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled glass filled with ice. Strain into a chilled margarita glass if you prefer your margarita up. Garnish with a lime wheel and the same orange peel on top of the cocktail. Salted rim is traditional, but optional.

(Agave nectar is a natural sweetener. Adjust according to desired sweetness. Available at gourmet stores or from online retailers.)

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Isle of Skye 12 coming to U.S.

ISLE OF SKYE, Scotland -- In just a few weeks, Isle of Skye 12 Blended Scotch Whisky will be available in the U.S. for the first time.

Ian Macleod Distillers, owner of the brand, announced today it is attempting to follow up on satisfactory sales of its 8-year-old expression that was introduced to the U.S. market in 2009.

The noted whisky expert and judge Jim Murray describes Isle of Skye as "an absolute must for any Islay-philes out there -- in fact, a must for everybody. Your taste buds are beaten up and caressed simultaneously. One of the most enormous yet brilliantly balanced whiskies in the world."

Isle of Skye 12 Year Old will carry a suggested retail price of $38.99 for the 750ml bottle from mid-September.

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2nd release in Taylor collection unveiled

FRANKFORT, KY -- Buffalo Trace Distillery today announced the second release in its Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr. collection.

The E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon was aged for 11 years, 7 months in the warehouse Taylor built in 1881. It bottled at 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume).

It joins the Old Fashioned Sour Mash Bourbon Buffalo Trace released earlier this year that began a line to be released one-by-one over the next few years. The vintage label and canister are reminiscent of Taylor’s bottles nearly one hundred years ago.

Taylor was a great-nephew of President Zachary Taylor. He was mayor of Frankfort, and a member of both the Kentucky General Assembly and State Senate. He is recognized as one of the pioneers of the bourbon industry.

The E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel will be available at a suggested retail price of $59.99 per 750ml bottle.

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Washington gets state's first potato vodka

SNOHOMISH, WA -- Many craft disillers are making their own vodkas, but most use a grain mixture. The ​Skip Rock Distillery is taking a different path, producing the state's first potato vodka.

Skip Rock, founded 13 months ago, is owned and run by Ryan and Julie Hembree, who are not reluctant to let people know their undertaking is "a homebrewing hobby gone wild."

Ryan, a former agriculture coordinator for Snohomish County, has a formal education in winemaking. The couple pair spent a week in Louisville, KY, several years ago to study distillation techniques at Woodford Reserve.

The majority of Skip Rock's potatoes are grown in the state's Skagit Valley. The distillers use a 75%-25% mix of Yukon Gold and red potatoes.

In addition to running his own facility, Ryan does much of the distilling for Mac Donald Distillery. The two distilleries share a tasting room at 104 Avenue C in Snohomish. Phone: (360) 862-0272.

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Acid spill shuts Scottish distillery

X marks site of affected distillery.

LEVENMOUTH, Fife, Scotland -- A Diageo distillery that makes whiskey for some major brands was hit by a major chemical spill today.

Workers were safely evacuated by firefighters called to the Cameronbridge Distillery after thousands of liters of nitric acid spilled from a container. Some of it mixed with water, releasing dangerous gases into an outer safety tank called a bund.

There has been no word on how much of an effect the problem will have on the production flow of spirits.

The plant creates the base grain spirit used in such brands as Johnnie Walker, J&B, Bell’s, Black and White, Haig and White Horse. It also makes the grain-neutral spirit for Archers, Pimm’s, Smirnoff, Tanqueray and Gordon’s Gin.

Officials said thousands of liters of 60% nitric acid solution leaked from a 28,000-liter container. Nitric acid is a colorless, corrosive liquid which can cause severe burns. It is a common element used in plant disinfecting.

Site manager Jim McCowen said from the scene, "One of the process tanks has sprung a leak and it’s collected in the bund. Because the bund had a small amount of water in it, the acid has reacted and released a gas. It’s been contained in that tank, but until the specialist contractor gets here, the fire service is here to monitor the situation."

A Diageo spokesman later said, "No one has been injured and the spillage is being contained safely, with no environmental impact."

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Bols introduces alcoholic foams

By now, the idea of a foam component on dishes served at avant garde restaurants is commonplace. But, the Dutch liqueur maker Bols has come up with the first alcoholic foam.

The molecular mixology product is designed to be used with cocktails, sparkling wine, sodas, coffees and desserts.

Foam Bols is created using a special pump and a patented ingredient. The foam, which holds up for about 15 minutes. is available in six flavors: banana, blue, crème de cassis, amaretto, peppermint and white cacao.

Rob Rademaker of the Bols Bartending Academy, says, "Bols is the first company in the world to introduce instant foam from the bottle. We’re excited to see how it will be received in the bartending community and among consumers."

Foam Bols was launched in London, and is expected to be made available internationally within the next year.

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Celebri-quote: Daniel Craig

• Daniel Craig may be a star in his own right. but when he met the legendary Harrison Ford before they began filming "Cowboys & Aliens," he felt intimidated, as he revealed in an interview with Esquire magazine.

"You rarely get these opportunities to actually speak to people you admire. I think it's human nature to get a bit nervous around people like that, but certainly a coupe of large malt whiskies helped loosen my tongue.

"I was very open about how much he's influenced me. He's Harrison Ford, you know? He knows how to ride a horse, shoot a gun, build a house, fly a helicopter. But he's also very funny, very dry. Thank God. Could have gone either way, I suppose."

[Go here for more Celebri-quotes.]

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Heaven on a stick for $1,000

• This is an installment of "Gotta Have ...", my ongoing series of occasional postings on unusual spirits products.

In this time of global fiscal uncertainty some people might think it decadent, perhaps indecent, to spend $1,000 on a popsicle.

I agree. It is ridiculous, wasteful, condescending, unfeeling .. and I want one.

This tidbit, available only at the swanky Marquis Los Cabos Resort in Mexico, is made from Tequilas Premium Clas Azul Ultra ($1,500 a bottle) laced with 24-carat gold flakes. Mmmmm. Chilly and shiny.

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Grant's joins the RTD market

This one is mostly for my friends in the UK, although one never knows how inventive consumers can become in obtaining what they want despite various shipping rules.

The whiskey distiller Grant’s has announced the launch of its first ready-to-drink (RTD) product, Grant’s Scotch Whisky and Cola.

A second RTD will be launched at a date to be determined: a whisky and ginger drink.

"RTDs are the fastest growing category in the UK off-trade -- with RTD cans in dynamic growth, up 48%," said James Stocker, marketing controller for Grant's at its UK distrbutor, First Drinks, "so we felt this was a really important area to exploit."

Grant’s Scotch Whisky and Cola and Grant’s Scotch Whisky and Ginger are, or will be, available at 6.6% abv (13.2 proof) in 250ml cans priced at £2 (US$3.25).

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'Trends' that make you say 'Huh?'

OK, so what are the "experts" telling you that you'll be drinking for at least the next year?

The Food Channel, CultureWaves and the Mintel research firm teamed up to create the TV channel's annual "Top 10 Beverage Trends" list released this week.

Kay Logsdon, editor-in-chief of The Food Channel, said the list confirmed what the network has seen in the marketplace.

"It indicated we're drinking more water these days, although we like to dress it up a little. And, it told us that coupons have little or no influence on whether we purchase a beverage at a fast-food restaurant."

Here are the "trends," in the words of the great seers.

1. D.I.Y. Flavor: Many of us are taking flavor matters into our own hands.

2. Parental Discretion Advised: We're still seeing lots of buzz around beverages and kids.

3. Iced Coffee Is Scalding Hot: Consumption of this cold caffeinated beverage has heated up.

4. For Medicinal Purposes Only: There's certainly no shortage of ways to "drink to your health."

5. Sipping Seasonally and Simply: In much the same way we're eating local and choosing foods when they're in season, we're making a more conscious effort to drink that way, too.

6. Fast Food Beyond the Fizz: There are changes happening here, too, with specialty drinks getting as much play as burgers and fries.

7. Craft Beers: The Buzz Is Back: While overall beer sales are flat these days, sales of craft brews are seeing double-digit increases.

8. Bourbon Booming: The retro revival of the classic cocktail has hip, young consumers bellying up to the bar for whiskey.

9. Show Biz: While the food generally takes center stage in restaurant exhibitionism, beverages are being offered more starring roles.

10. Drinking Ourselves Thin: We want to enjoy our drinks without drinking in the extra calories."

If most of these 10 "trends" leave you saying "Huh?," you're not alone.

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Four Roses joins brewer for party time

The new loft space. (WHAS11 photo)

LOUISVILLE, KY -- Many a local and visitor has spent time at the Maker's Mark Bourbon House & Lounge downtown. Now, Four Roses is getting in on the branding act.

Bluegrass Brewing Company this week held a grand opening for its new Four Roses Bourbon Barrel Loft. It is located on the third floor of BBC's downtown location at 3rd and Main streets, opposite KFC Yum! Center.

Jim Rutledge, Four Roses' master distiller, said "We supply [Bluegrass Brewing] with a number of barrels, a minimum of 14 a month, to age their beers. And they'll age them up to a couple of months. It gives them really nice flavorful beers. And that was the beginning of the relationship."

The loft can accommodate up to 150 for a seated dinner or 175 for a cocktail or beer tasting event.

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Bacardi challenging Captain Morgan with Oakheart

September will bring many things -- a new school year, changing colors of foliage, an occasional nip in the air, and a rum giant's challenge to the market leader in spiced rum.

Bacardi, the global leader in traditional rum with 55% of the market, according to Nielsen rankings, in September will bring to market Bacardi Oakheart, a spiced rum aimed directly at category leader Captain Morgan's dominance.

It will be interesting to see if this challenge fares any better than Bacardi's first spiced rum, Bacardi Spice, that was discontinued in 1998 after a mere two years of existence.

It's a long uphill struggle. Captain Morgan has 71% of the category. Spice has grown more than other segments this year, up 3.2% percent to make up nearly 30% of the total rum market.

Oakheart will carry a suggested retail price of $12.99 for the 750ml bottle.

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Buffalo Trace widens unaged availability

FRANKFORT, KY -- The flow of white whiskies in the U.S. is reaching flood stage.

More and more micro-distilleries in numerous states have been going to market with unaged spirits, perfectly understandable considering they don't have the financial reserves to hold them over until their spirits would have aged in the wood.

However, they're not the only ones producing clear liquor. Buffalo Trace Distillery has just unveiled two new unaged whiskies -- White Dog Wheated Mash and White Dog Rye Mash. They join White Dog Mash #1, which is used to make Buffalo Trace's signature bourbon, in the company's clear portfolio.

The clear whiskeys are bottled at barrel proof. The Wheated Mash White Dog from Buffalo Trace is distilled from corn, barley and wheat. The soft wheat offers less bite and ages gracefully to eventually become W.L. Weller and Pappy Van Winkle Bourbons. This whiskey goes into barrels at 114 proof, the same strength as this White Dog.

The Rye Mash White Dog is made from corn, barley, and rye grains. When aged, this White Dog will become Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey. The 125 proof is barrel strength -- before aging.

Originally, the new unaged whiskies were to be sold only at the Buffalo Trace distillery gift shop. However, consumer demand has changed that, according to the company. All three Buffalo Trace White Dog offerings now are being made at a available in 375ml bottles only at a suggested retail price of $15.99 per bottle. The three offerings are packed in one case.

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Gordon's to Gordon: F--- off

Those of you sick of seeing celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's face on TV -- some nights he's the total prime time lineup for Fox -- may be jealous of people living in the UK who will be seeing a bit less of the noted pottymouth.

Ramsay has been dropped as the face of Gordon's gin in the UK, not so coincidentally after sales began falling during his three-year stint on TV, billboards and in print.

According to The Mirror of London, "In November 2009, Ramsay was blamed by industry insiders for a 3% slump in sales of Gordon’s. Trade magazine The Grocer quoted brand expert Alan Morrison, consultant at Value Engineers, saying, 'I’m not sure a foul-mouthed, top-flight chef with a bad reputation is what they are looking for.

"Kate Waddell, head of consumer brands at Dragon Rouge, added, 'Ramsay has been over-hyped and commercialized. When a category is in the ascendant, this would seem the wrong tack to be pursuing'."

Two of his UK shows, "Ramsay's Cookalong" and "Kitchen Nightmares," have been sponsored in part by Gordon's, which is owned by international drinks giant Diageo.

Ramsay has been replaced by Brit TV actors Philip Glenister and Emilia Fox.

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Captain Morgan and a splash of water

Divers check out the Satisfaction.

• Wales Online just posted this story on underwater archaeology involving the ship of the Welsh sea captain after whom the ubiquitous rum is named.

Pirate Sir Henry Morgan’s flagship Satisfaction has lain on the seabed for 340 years.

Sand and mud have swept through the wreck until just two inches of its hull were visible. But, archaeologists found the Welshman’s prize vessel in waters off Panama in the nick of time.

The U.S.-led team, which earlier this year found six iron cannons believed to be from Morgan’s once powerful fleet, said it was like chancing upon a "needle in a haystack."

Divers have now found wreckage including about 52 feet by 22 feet of a 17th-century wooden hull’s starboard side. It contains numerous unopened cargo boxes and several large coral-encrusted chest but, as yet, has yielded no treasure.

Believed to have been born in Llanrumney, Cardiff, in 1635, Sir Henry sailed to the Caribbean as a young soldier. Although widely known as a pirate, he was in fact a privateer, having the backing of the English crown to terrorize the Spanish.

After gathering enough money to captain his own ship he eventually became the "admiral" of a fleet of privateer ships, plundering wealthy Spanish cities in the Americas, seizing islands, fighting battles, boarding treasure ships and earning a fortune.

The 17th Century Welsh buccaneer’s legend lived on in books and films such as the 1935 swashbuckler "Captain Blood," starring Errol Flynn, loosely based on Morgan’s life. And he is one of the inspirations of the Hollywood blockbuster series "Pirates of the Caribbean."

[Go here for the full story.]

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