Thirsty in LA » Spirits

When Scotland Met Portugal: The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old

thirstyinla — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:48:49 +0000

The Balvenie has been called “the bourbon lover’s scotch,” a perfect description of the smooth, honeyed sweetness found in the Speyside distillery’s single malts. For the last several years, Balvenie has been one of the foremost practitioners of the wood-finished style, in which traditionally-aged Scotch is “finished” for an additional two years (or more) in casks previously used to age wine, or fortified wine such as port or sherry. The method results in whisky of considerable flavor and complexity. In years past, Malt Master David Stewart has crafted releases such as Sherry Oak (2007) and Rum Cask (2008) for The Balvenie 17 Year Old Limited Edition Range.

The latest in the series is the Madeira Cask 17 Year Old, which was released September 2009 in limited markets worldwide. For this release, mature Balvenie spirit has been finished in casks that previously held Madeira, a fortified Portuguese wine. Stewart notes that “the 17 year old whisky extracted some wonderful rich spice and distinct raisin flavors from the Madeira cask, which we hope malt enthusiasts will enjoy discovering in the glass.” In his Malt Advocate review, John Hansell rated the Madeira Cask 90 points, calling it “one of the most deftly-balanced whiskies I’ve tasted this year.”

After attending a recent launch event for the Madeira Cask, I was eager for a quieter, more focused experience with the excellent limited release. The booze fairy was apparently listening, for a sample arrived on my doorstep just before the holidays. Given its scarceness, I was particularly grateful to receive the review bottle. Suffice to say, subsequent drams have reinforced my enthusiasm for the Madeira Cask. I highly recommend seeking out The Balvenie Madeira Cask; your efforts will be rewarded.

Slàinte Mhath!

The Balvenie Madeira Cask

17 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
43% ABV
Retail price: $120.00

TASTING NOTES

Color – Amber, golden honey.
Nose – Spicy, earthy oak notes with subtle hints of vanilla and honey. Soft fruit aromas, with apple infused with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
Taste – Initially, notes of sweet vanilla oak. Followed by spices and dried fruit notes of apricots, figs, and dates.
Finish – Long and balanced between sweetness and dry oak. A bit of water softens the spicy kick and adds even more sweetness and vanilla.

For more information, please visit www.thebalvenie.com.

Finishing Strong: The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old

thirstyinla — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:52:42 +0000

images courtesy The Balvenie

To coincide with the U.S. release of its Madeira Cask 17 Year Old, Scotland’s renowned Speyside distillery The Balvenie held a series of launch events in key cities across the country. The Madeira Cask is the latest release in the Balvenie 17 Year Old Limited Edition Range. Each year, Malt Master David Stewart crafts unique 17 year old limited releases by finishing mature Balvenie spirit in various oak casks. Previous releases include: IslayCask (2001), New Oak (2006), NewWood (2006), SherryOak (2007), and RumCask (2008).

Regarding the Madeira Cask, Stewart notes: “Each bottling is its own alchemy of spirit, wood and time, but knowing how well port and Oloroso sherry cask maturation complements The Balvenie’s honeyed sweetness we were sure that a Madeira cask would produce interesting results.” Stewart continues, “The 17 year old whisky extracted some wonderful rich spice and distinct raisin flavors from the Madeira cask, which we hope malt enthusiasts will enjoy discovering in the glass.”

Brand Ambassador Andrew Weir (L) spreads the Balvenie gospel.

In L.A., a launch party was recently held at Philippe by Philippe Chow. The informal event was hosted by Balvenie Brand Ambassador Andrew Weir, who mingled with guests and answered questions throughout the evening. The full Balvenie range was available for tasting, with stations arranged so that attendees could begin with the 12-year, move on to the 15- and 21-year, and finish with the star of the show, the Madeira Cask. Passed hors d’oeuvres were provided by Philippe and eagerly snapped up almost as soon as the servers left the kitchen.

All in all, the evening was very enjoyable and educational. Guests ranged from whisky newbies to serious single malt enthusiasts, but everyone felt comfortable and conversation flowed as easily as the Balvenie. My knowledge and appreciation of the Balvenie’s limited releases was greatly expanded, and I’ll freely admit that I’ve been shamelessly dropping big Christmas gift hints ever since. Whether you’re gifting or receiving, the Balvenie is sure to please even the most discriminating of palates.

Following are tasting notes and descriptions of the Balvenie range. Because of my eagerness to try the other releases, I skipped the 12 year old. However, it’s certainly well worth a try if you haven’t had it previously.

Slainte Mhath!

No waiting for the 15 year old.

Single Barrel, Aged 15 Years
The Balvenie Single Barrel is a 15 year old single malt which is drawn from a single traditional oak cask of a single distillation. Though each cask is subtly different, Stewart selects only those casks which the Balvenie Single Barrel essence, particularly honey, vanilla and oak notes.

TASTING NOTES

Nose – Fragrant aroma of vanilla, honey, and oak.
Taste – Rich and complex, a sweet maltiness with vanilla, oak, and spice.
Finish – Long and complex with a bit of licorice.

The PortWood 21-year: a favorite stop for many guests.

PortWood, Aged 21 Years
To create the PortWood 21 Year Old, the Balvenie is transferred to casks that previously held port wines. For me this was the highlight of the evening. Amazingly smooth and creamy, with a long finish. The PortWood was awarded a Gold Medal in the 2009 International Spirits Challenge and named Best in Class in the 2009 International Wine & Spirits Competition.

TASTING NOTES

Nose- Fruit and raisin notes, backed by a nutty dryness.
Taste – Refined, creamy and silky with fruit, honey and spice notes.
Finish – Long, gentle, nutty.

Guests listen and learn about the Madeira Cask.

Madeira Cask, Aged 17 Years
The Balvenie Madeira Cask was aged in traditional American oak casks before being transferred to barrels previously used in the production of fortified Madeira wine. Very spicy up front, with a long, dry finish.

TASTING NOTES

Nose – Spicy, earthy oak notes with subtle hints of vanilla and honey. Soft fruit aromas, with apple infused with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
Taste – Initial sweet vanilla oak notes, followed by spices and dried fruits (apricots, figs, dates).
Finish – Long and balanced between sweetness and dry oak.

For more information, please visit www.thebalvenie.com.

November 8: 23rd Annual Great Chefs of Los Angeles

thirstyinla — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:32:19 +0000

On Sunday, November 8, the 23rd Annual Great Chefs of Los Angeles brings together L.A.’s top tastemakers for an afternoon of food, wine, music and auctions to benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California. GCLA draws more than 500 people each year, and has raised more than $4.5 million for the foundation since its inception in 1987. The recently introduced “Go Green, Go Organic” theme promotes eco-conscious living and sustainability, utilizing organic foodstuffs and eco-friendly products throughout the festivities.

Honorary Chairs George and Ann Lopez.

National Kidney Foundation spokesman George Lopez, a kidney disease survivor, and his wife and kidney donor Ann Lopez, will host the afternoon’s festivities as Honorary Chairs. Joining the Lopezes will be a star-studded “green carpet” including such celebrities as Andy Garcia, Jennie Garth, Peter Facinelli, Amy Garcia, Paul Stanley, Deana Carter, Mark Rolston, Brook Burns and Jeff Davis.

Chefs of Honor Neal Fraser (Grace, BLD) and Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger (Border Grill, Ciudad) head an impressive lineup of top Los Angeles chefs. The Chefs of Honor will present awards to their fellow participating chefs to spotlight the use of local, organic and sustainable ingredients. (See below for a full list of participating chefs, wines, and spirits.) Hostess Chef Candice Kumai, The Stiletto Chef of TLC’s “Cook Yourself Thin,” will serve as emcee for the event and auction.

Featured items for this year’s live auction include a Maurice Lacroix Limited Edition 999 Watch, a private dinner party courtesy of Neal Fraser paired with wine from Frank Family Vineyards, a Border Grill Truck Party for 25, a La Loggia party for 25, two round-trip business class tickets on American Airlines to one of their European destinations, and a five-night stay at Aurelio-Lech, a new luxury ski lodge in Austria. The silent auction will include sports memorabilia, travel packages to international destinations, and numerous wine and spirits packages.

23rd Annual Great Chefs of Los Angeles
Sunday, November 8, 2009
12pm-3:30pm
$150 per person, proceeds benefit the National Kidney Foundation

CBS Studio Center
4024 Radford Dr.
Studio City, CA 91604

For more information, please visit www.kidneysocal.org

Featured chefs include:

Adam Horton, Saddlepeak Lodge
Akasha Richmond, Akasha
Andrea Cavaliere, Cecconi’s
Benjamin Ford, Ford’s Filling Station
Bob Lynn, La Grande Orange
Brain Moyers, BLT Steak
Calogero Drago, Celestino Ristorante & Panzanella
Celestino Drago, Drago Restaurant, Enoteca Drago, Il Pastaio, Drago Centro
Chris Moran, Events D’Elegance
David Linville, Charlie’s Malibu
Frank Leon, LaLoggia Ristorante & Bokado
Keven Alan Lee, EAST Restaurant & Lounge
Giacomino Drago, Il Pastaio
Govind Armstrong, 8 oz.
Jason Johnston, Dakota
Jesse Perez, Fuego at Hotel Maya
Jimmy Shaw, Loteria Grill
Joachim Weritz, Moonshadows
Jonathan Burrows, Mr. Cecil’s California Ribs
Jorge Chicas, The Bazaar – SLS Hotel
Josie Le Balch, Josie Restaurant
Margarito Cid, Harry’s Oklahoma Style Smokehouse BBQ
Mary Sue Milliken & Susan Feniger, Border Grill & Ciudad Restaurants
Michael Fiorelli, mar’sel
Neal Fraser, Grace & BLD
Paolo Sicuro, Via Alloro
Roberto Maggioni, Lago
Sam Marvin & Christopher Goossen, Bottega Louie Restaurant & Gourmet Market
Simon Dolinky, BLVD 16 at Hotel Palomar
Steven Fretz, XIV
Tanino Drago, Tanino Ristorante & Panzanella Ristorante
Yoji Tajima, SHU – Sushi House Unico

Wines:

Barone Fine Winery
Buttonwood Farm Winery
Crossings, New Zealand
Duckhorn Wine Company
Frank Family Vineyards
FIFTYROW
Golden State Wine Co.
Grgich Hills Estate
Jaffe Estate Wine
Jack Wines
Jocelyn Lonen Winery
Kunde Estate Winery
L’Aventure Winery
Laetitia Vineyard & Winery
Loring Wine Co.
Quinta do Castro
Regal Wine Co.
Sterling Organics
Trefethen Family Vineyards
Vega Sicilia
Villa Franttina

Champagnes:

Remy Cointreau USA
Charles Heidsieck
Piper-Hiedsieck

Spirits:

VeeV Açai Spirit
Tequila Ocho
RIGHT Gin

944 Get Hip Get Green Lounge
944 and Get Hip Get Green, an eco-conscious leader in producing stylish reusable bags, totes and water bottles, sponsor the GCLA “944 Get Hip Get Green” Lounge, outfitted with environmentally friendly lounge furniture provided by Girari Sustainable Furnishing. VeeV Açai Spirit, a leading distiller in promoting social responsibility in the beverage industry, will pour cocktails at the “Go Green Go Organic” Spirits Bar. Guests will use biodegradable utensils by Sysco’s Eco Company line.

Guests will receive Get Hip Get Green’s reusable gift totes stuffed with $250 worth of goodies from leading green and eco-friendly companies, including LaRocca Skincare, Healing Skin, Utter Cream, Eco-Panda, Herbal Water, Nelson J Salon, Alterna, OPI, Explorer’s Bounty, Celtic Sea Salt, Edward & Sons Trading Co., Pop Chips, Robert’s American Gourmet and Little Laura’s Sweets, among many others. Signed copies of Skinny Bastard, the latest book by Skinny Bitch authors Kim Barnouin and Rory Freedman, will also be included in the gift bags.

When Tequila Meets Art: the 1800 Essential Artists Series

thirstyinla — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:42:01 +0000

Bottle design by Studio Number One, Essential Artist 21/1800.

November is certainly off to an auspicious start, as the Booze Fairy gifted me yesterday with a bottle of 1800 Silver Tequila, featuring a striking design created by Studio Number One. The bottle is part of the second annual collection of limited-edition 1800 Tequila Essential Artists bottles, a series of 12 bottles that showcases original artwork by up-and-coming artists from New York to Hawaii. The first installment of the series attracted attention from a wide-range of both world-renowned and unknown artists. This year, from a total of 15,000+ online submissions, 1800 Tequila selected eleven user-generated designs and one special edition “celebrity artist” bottle by Studio Number One.

Founded in 2003 by acclaimed artist Shepard Fairey (creator of the Obama “HOPE” poster and the “Obey Giant” campaign), Studio Number One has built a reputation as one of today’s most influential creative agencies in the country. Describing themselves as a “firm where art and design bridge the gap between culture and enterprise,” Studio Number One reflects the mission of the 1800 Tequila Essential Artists series.

“It’s a pleasure to be involved with something that puts art in more people’s hands, and to work with a brand like 1800 Tequila that supports and promotes artists,” said Amanda Fairey, Chief Operating Officer for Studio Number One.

“We wanted to create something that’s as much fun to enjoy on the shelf as it is off the shelf. It’s a design that captures the wild side of tequila, but tames it with a dose of humor and a sense of adventure,” added Florencio Zavala, Associate Creative Director for Studio Number One.

The Grand Prize Winner: SteveOramA, Essential Artist 10/1800

In addition to Studio Number One, eleven artists from across the country contributed work to create the 12 bottle series. These artists include:

SteveOramA (Honolulu, HI): the $10,000 Grand Prize Winner and star of the series
Ian McGillivray (Brooklyn, NY)
Nickelyn Reames (Manteca, CA)
danyol (San Francisco, CA)
Leyland “Lee” DeVito (Detroit, MI)
Danielle Salinas (Bloomfield, NJ)
Chad Shore (Atlanta, GA)
Mark Sweeney (San Francisco, CA)
Branden Tintiangco (San Diego, CA)
Chuck Trunks (Los Angeles, CA)
Michelle Villasenor (Atlanta, GA)

“We’re excited to offer another round of Essential Artists bottles, as we received an overwhelmingly positive response to the first campaign,” said Elwyn Gladstone, VP of Marketing for Proximo Spirits, the New York-based company that distributes 1800 Tequila. “Emerging artists can struggle for years before seeing their work recognized on a national scale, but the creative genius behind the submissions and the incredible demand from consumers has allowed us to expand this program and feature 11 more artists, on our way to showcasing 1,800 inspired submissions.”

Only a limited number of the current series of Essential Artists bottles have been produced, making them attractive collector’s items and lively additions to any bar. In addition to the artwork, the bottle design features the artist’s bio on the side and a sticker that certifies the limited edition and bottling date. With the holidays just around the corner, Essential Artists bottles are sure to be gifted to tequila enthusiasts and underground art aficionados alike. To find the Essential Artists bottles (priced at $24.99 retail), enter your zip code in the “1800 Locator” on 1800Tequila.com.

1800 Tequila plans to re-launch the contest at the end of this year by inviting artists to submit their own bottle designs for a chance at inclusion in the next Essential Artists series.

To view the current Essential Artists series, including bottle designs, artist bios, and more, please visit 1800tequila.com/essential.

The 1800 Tequila Essential Artists Series.

2009 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition

thirstyinla — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:35:47 +0000

Since its inception just after the repeal of Prohibition, the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition (now in its 70th year) has become one of the Top 5 wine competitions in the country. This year’s 3,400 wine entries were judged by an international panel for three days at the end of May, while another team of judges tasted 199 spirits in early June. The competition also serves as the foundation for a wine education program available to visitors of the annual L.A. County Fair, which opens Labor Day Weekend in September.

I was invited to attend a very special sneak preview event to sample the competition winners, who didn’t find out they’d won until the awards were officially announced earlier today. Appropriately enough, the preview event took place at McCormick & Schmick’s on tony Rodeo Drive.

In a change from previous years, judges awarded Best of Show red and white wines by price point.

Following are the Best of Show reds:

Tamari, Malbec, Reserva, Mendoza Argentina, 2007 ($14.99 and under)
Target Wine Cube, Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah Blend, California, 2007 ($14.99 and under)
Cantina Redi, Briareo Riserva, Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano DOCG 2006 ($15 – $29.99)
Armida Winery, Syrah, Flora Ranch, Chalk Hill, 2006 ($30 and up)
David Bruce Winery, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2006 ($30 and up)

And the Best of Show white wines:

South Coast Winery, Muscat Canelli, Temecula Valley, 2008 ($14.99 and under)
St. Hallett, Riesling, Eden Valley, Australia, 2008, ($15 – $29.99)

Last year, the Wine World of Sports category was created to introduce the wines of sports figures such as Mario Andretti and Greg Norman. Top honors this year went to Los Angeles Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda’s wine, Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT, 2008. Not surprisingly, there’s a picture of Tommy on the bottle. I should also mention his wine was really good.

New for 2009 is Music Uncorked, a category for musician vintners that includes everyone from Lil Jon to Barry Manilow. Maynard James Keenan, lead singer for Tool, and his Caduceus Cellars took Best of Show for Red Blends, Shinola, Merkin Vineyards, California, 2007.

A blind taste test of the Best of Show reds.

After making our way around the various tasting stations, attendees were invited to gather at a communal table, where glasses of the Best of Show reds were lined up. The object was to guess the price points of each glass. I have to admit it was both intimidating and educational to be seated at the table with two of the wine judges, Bob Blumer (aka “The Surreal Gourmet”) and Master Sommelier Michael Jordan. While suppressing my urge to eavesdrop on them, I managed to get two right (both of the $15 and under reds) and I wasn’t too far off with the other three. The Armida Syrah was the consensus winner at the table, even before the prices were revealed.

The Spirits display, including Best of Show winner Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban.

The Spirits category was added in 2007, and this year Best of Show was awarded to The Glenmorangie Company, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban (Whiskey/Whisky Single Malt Scotch 11-20 years old).

The 2005 Samuel Adams Utopias, a Gold Medal winner.

Winner of the Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition was The Bruery’s Berliner Weisse. Among the other beers on display was the 2005 Samuel Adams Utopias (Gold Medal, Wood and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer).

In the Extra Virgin Olive Oil competition (first introduced in 2000), California and Spain emerged as the big winners of the 477 entries.

The public will have its first opportunity to taste the award-winners at Wine & Cars Under the Stars, a fundraising event to benefit the education programs of the Foundations at Fairplex.

The complete list of all the winners is available at the official competition website.