Stateways

Stateways March April 2011

StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions

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THE BIG BLENDS One of the great milestones in history of distilla- tion was the advent of blending complementary spirits together to obtain something that’s more than the sum of its parts. Melding dozens of various whiskies into a unified, cohesive spirit is such a rarified skill that only a handful of individuals can lay claim to the title of master blender. When done with skill and intuition, the various elements meld together into something genuinely sensational—a spirit made better for every strand in its blend. Sterling examples can be found through- out the often-overlooked sector of blended Scotch. By their nature, these whiskies are artistic endeavors, the combination of dozens of spirits varying in ages and compositions, all produced by a number of distilleries. These are certainly the best of times for devotees of exceptional whisky. The biggest names in blended Scotch have line extensions that will be hard to improve upon. • BALLANTINE’S — Ballantine’s ranks as one of the world’s most famous and successful brands of blended Scotch. In fact, two bottles of Ballantine’s are sold somewhere on the planet every second. Prestigious Ballantine’s 30-Year Whisky is highly aromatic with a light silky body and a complex palate featuring sherry, honey and a hint of peat. • BLACK BULL — This exclusive blend is comprised of 12 years old single malts and single grain whiskies from Duncan Taylor’s limited cask collections. The blend is 50% malts and 50% grain whiskies and is bottled at 50% alcohol. Black Bull is also available in a 30-year and 40-year expression. • CHIVAS REGAL GOLD SIGNATURE — The special reserve blend is comprised of more than 40 whiskies, all of which were barrel-aged at least 18 years. The super-pre- mium marque is aromatic and accessible. • CHIVAS REGAL ROYAL SALUTE — Introduced in 1891 by James Chivas, the Chivas Regal blend was an immediate international bestseller. Royal Salute was released in 1953 to commemorate the coro- nation of Queen Elizabeth. The youngest whisky used in its blend is 21-years-old. • COMPASS BOX WHISKY — Founded in 2000, Compass Box produces a full range of blended Scotches from richest StateWays  www.stateways.com  March/April 2011 grains to the peatiest of malts. Compass Box Hedonism is a 100% grain whisky aged between 12 and 23 years in American oak, while limited edition Hedonism Maximus is a blend of 42 years old Invergordon whisky and 29 years old Cameron Bridge whisky. The firm also produces Compass Box Peat Monster, a blend of super-peaty Islay single malts, a peat- ed Speyside single malt and a malt matured in French oak from the northern Highlands. • DEWAR’S 12-YEARS OLD SPECIAL RESERVE — Dewar’s has long the bestselling Scotch whisky in America. Special Reserve is a blend of individually aged 12-year old single malt whiskies from the different regions of Scotland. At the core of its blend are the renowned malts of Dewar’s Highland distil- leries, most notably Aberfeldy (Speyside), Lochnagar (Highlands), Benrinnes (Speyside), Pulteney (Highlands), Aultmore (Speyside), Royal Brackla (Highlands), Craigellachie (Speyside) and Glen Ord (Highlands). After blending, the whisky is further mature in oak barrels to allow the blend to “marry.” • JOHNNIEWALKER BLUE LABEL — Considered the flagship of the Johnnie Walker line, Blue Label is blend- ed around a core of Cardhu single malt whiskies, some having been aged in sherry oak for up to 60-years. • JOHNNIE WALKER GOLD LABEL — This blend is made according to a 1920 recipe created for the company’s 100th anniver- sary. It contains fifteen different 18-year-old single malt whiskies. The brand is a relative bargain priced in the $80s. • JOHNNIE WALKER GREEN LABEL — A dramatic break from convention, Johnnie Walker’s latest release is an assemblage of exemplary single malts to create the signature house style. Its lush palate presents seemingly end- less waves of satisfying Highland flavors and tantalizing hints of sea-imbued Island malts. The minimum age of the malts used in the blend is 15 years. • MITCHELL’S GLENGYLE BLEND — This blend is comprised of whiskies from Mitchell’s Glengyle distillery, as well as Springbank and Longrow. The majority of the malt in the blend is Kilkerran, which is distillery’s inaugural whisky. Mitchell’s Glengyle Blend is a well- rounded dram from the nose through the finish; a fine example of a smooth Campbeltown malt. SW 47

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