An epic night off - Ludo Ducrocq and William Grant & Sons

Upstairs at The Wild Rover, Surry Hills.

On the 10th February 2015, I was invited to share an evening with  Ludo Ducrocq - Global Ambassador / Head of Brand Ambassador Advocacy for William Grant & Sons. Also at the table to equally share in the experience was Andrew Derbidge (Whisky & Wisdom and SMWS), and our local William Grants & Sons crew, Mark Little, Laura Hay, and Richard Blanchard.

The first time I met Ludo was back in 2012. Ludo here in Australia for a series of Grants line releases into the country. This first meeting started with a well structured tasting of the Grants family range that then proceeded to the official launch of the Grants 12yo. From back then I was extremely impressed with Ludo's passion for Grants whisky that only emphasised a remarkable event with an amazing setup to make the mouth water. If you would like to read more about that event jump over to Grant's 12yo Sydney Launch & Grant's Masterclass after this article. Unfortunately if you have a soft spot for the Grants 12yo then you should certainly start stocking up on it now as Ludo mentioned it has ceased production due to stock issues.

A Joe Davola in the making.

The initial meet and greet was the top floor bar at The Wild Rover set over in steps of Sydney city Surry Hills. The Wild Rover entertains the Speakeasy notion of plain package frontage then a saloon style bar on entry. It is one of those bars where everyone turns for a gander as the door swings open while the bar staff are quick to welcome and ask for your poison. Though I am well out from the city, I have been to The Wild Rover many a time now and find I cannot pass the front bar without at least wording a cold beer or a cocktail. Considering my early arrival this visit was no exception. I promptly had to order a cold brew from the tap plus a cocktail on the side. The cocktail was a Joe Davola consisting of Redbreast 12yo, smoked maple syrup and black walnut bitters served over a micro iceberg. mmmmm mmmm hot damn it was good! For those more local be sure to check out or get involved in the monthly whisky tasting events at The Wild Rover, Campbell Corner Whisk(e)y Co-operative.

So Ludo and Laura strolled in and we proceed upstairs to start the conversation while we waited the arrival of the other guests. Not realising at the time how intimate things were to be, the entire top floor was to be ours and ours alone. I was greatly appreciative on discovery as it meant time for one on one discussions. Ludo was quick to basically say lets just have some fun as it was his night off from work. Pulling out of his bag were 4 very speacial vials of hand drawn whisky from various William Grant & Sons stocks. If Ludo’s sense of a night off is this, I am all over it and inspired to do the same!

This is what Ludo cals a night off from work.

On the table we saw: Grants Nordic Oak; Kininvie 1996; Girvin Single Grain 21yo; Lady Burn 1973 41yo. I took some brief notes as follows:

Grants Nordic Oak - A blended whisky at 40% ABV and around 3 to 5 years. It displayed peaches and peanuts with a classic oak spice finish. Really well layered for a youngster with a perfumed nose, high palate sweetness that balanced against dry oak spices. Some interesting smokey textures came out a little later also. It seemed the longer the conversations went on the more often I returned to explore the mouth feel over and over again. Unfortunately you won’t be getting this in Australia as it is only available in the Nordic domestic markets. As them name suggest it is finished in Nordic, handpicked oak.

Kininvie 1996 17yo Batch 1  - Rich on the nose it was all warm butterscotch and hot house flowers for me. Tasting delivered elements of sour cherries, fruit salad, and crusty pork knuckle fats. At 42.6% ABV the finish still ended up evening out with a extended dryness a bit like a subtle warm wind. I was getting hungry sipping this and kept thinking about what I was to eat later in the night. You will note Kininvie is the 3rd great distillery that makes up the William Grant & Sons Speyside trifecta. The Kininvie single malt is rarely seen as a single malt due its prime purpose of blending into the Grants Whisky expressions, and the more recent Monkey Shoulder triple malt.

Girvan Patent Still Single Grain 21yo - A nose of dried straw and floral vanilla. Again in the palate lots of dry straw and vanillas but not as intense as the nose. True to form, in my experience with Single Grains, is that the a grain softens over time tending towards an even flattening out. The layers of flavour is like a stack of wafer thin paper where you have to peal them back one by one to discover what is in between. Situated in South Ayrshire, Scotland, Grivan Distillery is recognised as the worlds second largest grain distillery.

Ladyburn 1973 #3174 (bottled 2009) - Possibly the most evoking of the 4 whiskies this lass drew a lot of talk and attention from the get go. As we bantered descriptors t was unanimous a nose of flat cherry cola was prevalent. Tasting a peppiness of creaming soda exploded then rounded out with red roses and subtle leathers. Andrew had the most apt of descriptors that could classify the entire whisky into a piece of Hubba Bubba chewing gum. Perfect. The Ladyburn distillery, originally forming an extension to the Girvan distillery, is long gone and ceased operation in 1975 before demolition in 1976. William Grant & Sons still retain some stocks but as you will note they are getting old.

Interesting facts that pop up in discussion was, as noted earlier, that the Grants 12yo is now passing due to stock issues. Also of topic was the conversation about that fact the Scottish law states that any whisky sporting the term Single Grain must in fact have 10% malted barley in the mix. The Malted Barely delivers the enzyme catalyst for gains to start fermentation. Without it additional enzymes must be added which which laws do not allow to happen.

Dinner over the Harbour and that Ladyburn

Later that evening we proceed for a continued dinner at Cafe Sydney where discussions quickly turned from whisky into anything other than that. Ludo spoke often of family and the importance it plays against his roll and travel in William Grant & Sons while Mark revealed his in obsessions with really small dumplings. Of course we carried on eventually ordering later than expected. For myself, with those whiskies still in memory, I had to team up a delicious cool Moreton Bay Bug in thought of the Ladyburn, then dashed it against the rocks with a fatty crusty pork belly just to satisfy the craving from the Kininvie. Last views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House (depending on which side of the table you sat) our final dram for the night as we a Glenfiddich 17yo (or was it the 18yo? I must get the checked). A fitting end to a fantastic night.

William Grant & Sons is not just a business but, for all intensive purposes, they are a world wide family. I have said it many times but it is important to reiterate they clearly recognise their audience as part of this extended family. It is certainly what I felt on this night more so than ever. Many thanks to everyone on the epic night off work and for such a generous opportunity.

It is important to realise that the people that make up this world of whisky are as human as you and I. These are the times real faces are put to the industry.

Tha Baron

A Day Gone & A To Come - Ardbeg Day 2014

Remebering Ardbeg Day 2014

So Ardbeg Day is coming again and the date is set for the 30th May 2015. To make this years event even bigger it is also the distilleries 200 Year Anniversary so we can only expect something magical to be happening at this years event.

Registrations are not yet open but rest assured that you need to be in fast as space is limited for the free world wide event. For Sydney news either watch the D.T.W.C. website, our facebook page, and or The Barons's twitter account and we will keep you informed of when Australian registrations are open. Even better sign up as an Ardbeg Committee Member and get word direct from the source.

Ardbegs Day’s reason for being is to unite the Ardbeg community and Committee Members in one big universal celebration of all things Ardbeg. Ardbeg Day world wide coincides with the Fèis Ìle Islay Festival Of Malt & Music. Fèis Ìle, now in its fourteenth year, is a week long event held on the island of Islay, Scotland, where all the islands distilleries open their doors over consecutive
 days to the public. It is like one big distillery crawl. The seventh and last day of the festival is when Ardbeg Distillery opens their doors. In turn, around the world, one big party is held in most major cities. Coinciding with Ardbeg Day we will be sure to see a new limited release bottling of an Ardbeg to be tasted on the same day (but more about that later).

The Shortie Dogs

Traditionally Ardbeg Day is a free event here in Australia. As I understand it Ardbeg / Moet Hennessy channel just about all their promotional funds into having this one big bash instead of lot’s of mini events through out the year. For a country of our population size this makes a lot of sense to me.

As with previous years various D.T.W.C members have attended this free event and we report on a lot of whisky things happening in the local dramming scene but so does everyone else these days. The community is thriving and I love it but it does deliver a bit of clutter. Instead of reporting on festivities after Ardbeg Day 2014 I thought to keep this review back as a bit of a teaser of what to expect in the coming event this year.

It is safe to say no Ardbeg Day is without a theme and last years was no different. It was the World Cup in 2014 so aptly Ardbeg Day was themed to the tune of Peat Football - the Ardbeggian take on the football World Cup. Held in the centre of Sydney city at The Mint, one of New South Wales Historic Houses and Living Museums, Osheen from Watch & Whisky and myself arrived early. Dressed in our most dapper jackets and peat pitch colours we were prepped for soiling. Soon to join us at the gate was El Capitan displaying slight jitters at the concept of a continuous supply of Ardbeg. Though the gates we peered in but nothing was to be seen though the sound of yapping dogs was not unchecked to our ears. As the crowd built many familiar faces nodded in acknowledgement though it was clear we were al itching to be in and at it.

Cocktails, Spit Pig, Foosball Pitch, and Watch & Whisky

As the gates swung open we entered the gardens of The Mint before our usher promptly directed us to the left and around the main historic sandstone building. It was soon very clear where the source of the dogs chatter was coming from. Before us and restrained by Ardbeg green leashes was a pack of Shortie Dogs aka Jack Russell’s, the mascots to the Ardbeg Brand. Though briefly encountered they were certainly one of the many memorable and unexpected moments of the day. I need a real one now.

Winning at shuffle the ball around blow up bottles of Ardbeg

Rounding the corner we entered the Peat Pitch filled with the typical fund games and activities we see at an Ardbeg Day. With cocktails in hand and a roasting spit pig to our right we claimed a table and rendezvoused with Mr and Mrs Gourmantic, Time For Whisky, and the Whisky Ledger to get our game plan together. Cocktails? check. Whisky? check. Gotta get me one of this Ardbeg Bags? check. Live band? check. Better take some photos? check. Uuummmmm there is a human size blow up fossball pitch over there… this is going to be fun.

The foosball team warming up, the band, the oysters

Time passed, we sampled our fine peated whiskies, and formalities played in. 2 teams entered the foosball pitch to play out a game of Peat Football. Lording from the balcony and commentating the match was the former Socceroo’s player Mark Bosnich (I had to be told who he was... sorry). Team skills could only be matched by those fitting of anyone that lacked an ability to kick a dead eye at the goal. We cheered, we laughed, we drank, and then Mrs Gourmantic and myself were completely smashed by a highball out over the field wall and straight into our well filled glasses. It was the cocktails too! Shattered glass and dripping from head to toe in red stuff little compassion from the crowd we delivered. I was not even delivered a comforting dram for the effort of taking one for the team. Bummed man that was my beverage.

With the game ending it was in shear delight the presentation of the official Ardbeg Day limited edition bottling fruited: Ardbeg Auriverdes. Garth Foster, local Brand Ambassador for Ardbeg and Glenmorangie, paraded a gold bottle of the Ardbeg Auriverdes (about the size of a 5 year old child) through the crowd pouring drams by the fist full to any willing to accept the liquid love. We had the privilege of trying the Auriverdes a few weeks prior to the release. To find out more about our thoughts check out the post: Pimped and loving it - Ardbeg Auriverdes Limited Release.

Human Foosball

As the crowd thinned and the Ardbeg souveniring began we thought where is everyone going? It seemed only the hard core Ardbegians were to remain and there was no stopping us building a team, then climbing into the foosball pitch for what looked like an easy win. Oh my were we all wrong. Heart thumping and Ardbeg pumping in our blood it was heart attack central. Who’s idea was this anyway? Watch & Whisky proceeded to take a few cracks at my heels (this guy) before our team thinned to the few players not yet going into cardiac arrest. You don't play human foosball when drinking whisky! It is safe to say we were all winners and we were all losers that afternoon.

Cannot stop for too long there is more Ardbeg things to do

As they day came to a close we limped or shuffled off to the local Ardbeg Embassy for one more dram, a meal (like all those oysters and roast pork was not enough), and a cold beer. It was a great day and plans were already in place for the coming year of 2015.

The final shots before Human Foosball killed us all

How do you get involved in the Ardbeg Day event? To get notifications you need to be signed up as a Ardbeg Committee Member. Committee membership is free with many perks to be had, notably Ardbeg Day access. For a break down of the welcome pack when becoming a Ardbeg Commitiee Member check it our this previous post: Ardbeg Abides – Becoming "The Ardbeg Committee" Member. These tickets go in a matter of days and even though the event is open to all, it will be you the Committee Member that gets the notification first.

We are really looking forward to what is to come for the 200 Year Anniversary of Ardbeg Distillery. It can only be a cracker! Hope to see you at Ardbeg Day 2015 and be sure to register.

Tha Baron.

This is a non-sponsord announcement. For any further details please defer to the Ardbeg website.

A truly is an excellent dram - Hellyers Road Pinot Noir Finish

Hellyers Road Pinot Noir Finish

As we get started let us be frank about habits we develop in our whisky adventures. I can assume you, I, and anyone to come is or will be guilty of writing off distilleries based on previous negative experiences. I know I have done it before in the past, though these days I make a point to return to those whiskies come distilleries to give them another go. Things change, distilleries develop new techniques, Head Distillers change guard, and so on. Hellyers Road is one of those distilleries I have returned to time and time again with a continued level of distraction at best. That is until late last year when I dug in and purchased  a bottle of the Hellyers Road Pinot Noir Finish. Give it another go I told myself. Give it a go did I what!

I have heard many things in the past about this expression, especially with the swag of awards it has slowly accumulated, notably the title of 'Best New World Whisky' in blind tastings held at Whisky Live Paris. It had been a few years since seeing Hellyers Road represented at any of the large whisky events in Sydney, so slowly it had pushed it to the back of my mind. The fool I am I for letting it happen.

A subsidiary of Betta Milk Co-operative Ltd., Hellyers Road is located in Burnie at the northern end of Tasmania. I am yet to visit Hellyers Road Distillery but I am looking forward to getting there this year with a return to Tassie. Too far north to be included in the Tasmania Whisky Tours at this time visitors can either walk in or book a tour directly through the distilleries website.

Unlike many of the other Australian Distilleries you can in fact buy Hellyers Road Pinot Noir Finish though the retail chains like Dan Murphy’s for a genuine bargain price of $74 AU a bottle. One of the few Aussie whiskies hitting the mark for general consumer pricing. Sporting the easily recognisable illustrated label, this whisky is packaged in a tall bottle with screw cap seal typical of Hellyers Road expressions. The tall bottle style is often seen used for Australian dessert wines so don’t be fooled into thinking it is simply misplaced on store shelves.

As the name suggests this is a is NAS (No Age Statement) Single Malt whisky built from the stocks of the Hellyers Road Original, then finished (officially for an undisclosed time) in Pinot Noir Wine Casks  sourced from a Tasmania winery (also officially undisclosed).

Hellyers Road Single Malt Pinot Noir Finish
Distiller: Hellyers Road
Location/Region: Tasmania
Alchohol / ABV: 46.2%
Finish: Tasmanian Pinot Noir Wine Casks

Colour: Sunrise flare.

Nose: A tantalising mix of creamy honey cereals, malt biscuits, rich oaks, and orange tea cake. I love nosing this whisky and will sit on a glass for a good 10min before tasting. After a dram I do find the nose takes on a green tomato vine prickle in the background.

Taste: Malt biscuits again a prevalent, caramelised edges of the orange tea cake, citrus zest, and rich spice. Very light in the mouth yet builds a kaleidoscope of delicious flavours.

Finish: Long and zesty with a invigorating spice flare.

Overall I found this whisky exceptionally enjoyable. Each night I looked forward to another night cap from the bottle knowing full well I have another put away for a raining day. Excellent value for money you cannot go wrong for an introduction into Australian whiskies at an affordable price. All these awards it has been winning are completely founded in my opinion. If I was to give a dram then a clear 6 out of 7 on our technical scale.

Not forgetting the reasoning discussed earlier of my initial ignorance of this dram, I did taste the Hellyers Road Original against the Pinot Noir Finish. I still don’t give The Original much chop in comparison and it is very much as I remember it. Clearly this whisky really responds to a finish influence and I hope we see more experiments like this in the future.

It truly is an excellent dram.

The Baron