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 malts made in the Lowlands of Scotland are often overshadowed by those produces in the Highlands. It's an unfortunate oversight because the Lowland malts are delectably soft, light and fruity. Today, Auchentoshan is one of only three distilleries still operating in the Lowlands and the only distillery in Scotland dedicated to triple distillation. Their portfolio includes Auchentoshan Classic 12 Year Old, 18 Year Old and the limited release 21 Year Old, in addition to select vintage, limited edition releases. New to their range is AUCHENTOSHAN 1999 VINTAGE BORDEAUX WINE MATURED. This limited edition release is 100% wine cask matured. Bottled in 2011, it is presented at cask strength (58% alcohol by vol- ume) and non-chill filtered. A mere 300 bottles of the Auchentoshan 1999 Vintage Bordeaux Cask Matured are available for the U.S. Also released in 2011 was AUCHENTOSHAN VALINCH. The malt is non-chill filtered and bot- tled at cask strength (57.5% alcohol by volume), bringing the drinker all the smoothness, sweet vanilla aromas and citrus finish of Auchentoshan Classic, but with far more intensity. Two thou- sand cases of Valinch were released, with 1,200 bottles coming to the U.S. Also hailing from the south of Scotland is the GLENKINCHIE 10-YEAR-OLD SINGLE LOWLANDMALT. The 86 proof whisky is popular as a before dinner dram and is at the heart of the Pinch 15-year-old blend, primarily because of its light to medium body, and slightly sweet flavor. Located on a peninsula near the island of Islay, Campbeltown was once considered Scotland's whisky capital. Where once more than 30 distilleries flourished, Springbank and Glen Scotia are the last remaining enti- ties. Springbank is the oldest, family-owned distillery in Scotland. The family is involved in every stage of pro- duction—from the cutting of peat to final bottling. The distillery's range of handcrafted triple-distilled, lightly peated malts is awash with choices. Its core releases are 46% alcohol and include bottlings at 10 years old, 15 years old and 18 year old. Highland Park, from the island of Orkney, is the northernmost distillery in the world. The microclimate of the isolated and wind-swept island is dominated by 34 the North Sea and North Atlantic. Its U.S. portfolio includes 7 expressions of Single Orkney Malts —the standard bearer 12 years old, 15 Years Old, the limited edition Highland Park 18-year-old, and the 25 year-old Highland Park. The latter is an unfiltered, cask strength (96.2 proof) whisky made with several malts over 35 years in age. The distillery's highly acclaimed Orcadian series now features 3 vintage bottlings—1964, 1968 and 1970. ISLE OF JURA SUPERSTITION features a blend of finest peated whiskies and older, traditionally finished malts stored in their warehouses. The 86-proof spirit has a mahogany hue, velvety, medium-weight body and generous nose of light peat, honey, cinnamon and toffee. The Isle of Skye is the home of famed Talisker, a smoky, character-rich single malt aged a minimum 10 years. Talisker provides the backbone of Johnnie Walker Red Label blend. Of the Scottish islands, the malts distilled on Islay are most renowned. LAPHROAIG SINGLE ISLAY MALT SCOTCHWHISKY enjoys internation- al celebrity because of its powerful, exuberant flavor. While not for the faint of heart, Laphroaig malts offer aficionados a rare and singular taste experience. Laphroaig's range includes the acclaimed 10-year-old, vigorous malt full of salt and smoke, 15-year, 30-year and 40-year-old malts. Even sleeping one can discern that these superb whiskies were dis- tilled on Islay. New to the range is LAPHROAIG TRIPLE WOOD, a rare quarter cask expression. The first matura- tion takes place in American ex-bourbon barrels. It is then transferred into small 19th century style Quarter Casks for a second maturation The final maturation is in specially selected, large European oak, Oloroso sherry casks.The flavor profile includes a subtle sherry sweetness along with vanilla and nutty notes, as well as the signature peaty element. The Ardbeg distillery is one of the oldest, smallest distilleries in Scotland. ARDBEG SINGLE ISLAY MALT is a bold and robust whisky with the distinction of being the most heavily peated sin- gle malt. It is aged for 10 years in seasoned American oak casks, bottled at 92 proof and imported by Brown-Forman. SW StateWays s www.stateways.com s March/April 2012 Regional Malts Island Malts