Category Archives: Companies
Michel Couvreur Whiskies in SA
No matter who you are or where you live, if you are a semi-knowledgeable whisky enthusiast, you are cognisant of the fact that there is most likely an independent bottler that you have not yet heard of. For me, Michel Couvreur is the most recent addition to my obscure bottlers list, and I’m proud to say his whiskies are now available in South Africa.
The story of Mr Couvreur, a Belgian with almost 30 years in the wine business, and his whiskies dates back to the 1970s when he moved to Burgundy, France. There be built himself a maturation cellar and started aging Scotch whisky. I’m a bit sketchy on the details of his operation, but from what I understand he buys newly matured whisky (around 3 years old) by the cask, ships it back to France, re-racks it into quality Spanish sherry butts that he has personally selected, and then matures and bottles it. All online accounts of his whisky producing behaviour indicate he is meticulous and quality obsessed. He is also quoted as controversially saying that the distillery in which the whisky was distilled doesn’t matter and that 90% of the whisky’s quality is attributed to the casks it was aged in.
What you need to know, and due mainly in part to the nature of Michel’s operation, is that quantities are very limited. From my understanding there is only one 6-bottle case of each expression available, if that, so if you are interested you need to act fast*. Prices are not competitive, but nor are they meant to be; a whisky like this is not produced or aimed at the general whisky drinker, but rather for the curious enthusiast (with means). My recommendation, and I lead by example I assure you, is to rather get a few friends together to share the costs, and the resulting whisky bounty.
The individuals responsible (and kudos to them) for successfully bringing these whiskies into the country is the team behind the online South African whisky retailer www.whisky.co.za. Depending on the response to the stock they’ve secured this is planned to be a long-term endeavour, and I certainly hope their efforts will be met with due support to ensure that indeed becomes the case.
The expressions available are:
Overaged Malt, 12yo blended malt, 45%, 75cl – R499
Overaged Malt Cask Strength, 12yo blended malt, 55%, 75cl - R699
Special Vatting, 12yo blended malt, 45%, 75cl – R999
Blossoming Auld Sherried, 15yo Speyside single malt, 45%, 75cl – R1695 (sold out already!)
The Twenty, 21yo Speyside single malt, 49%, 50cl – R2495
Delectum, 19yo Speyside single malt, 49%, 50cl – R2795
Ever Young Pristine, 35yo Speyside single malt, 47%, 50cl – R4999
For more information you can email info@whisky.co.za or visit their facebook page; I’ve been informed that enquiries will be promptly responded to. Patrick Leclezio, one of the individuals behind the undertaking also has a blog and has written a post with details of his trip to meet Michel. Patrick was kind enough to provide me with two samples, so expect tasting notes soon, but until then you can visit Serge Valentin’s WhiskyFun for the most Michel Couvreur whisky tasting notes I could find online.
*Update: I’ve been informed by Patrick that their are larger volumes of the Overaged Malt and Special Vatting.
SMWS in SA
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is an international whisky community started in Edinburgh in 1983, that independently bottle their own single cask, single malt whiskies from over 120 distilleries. In additional to bottling they also arrange tastings and various whisky events, and in some countries have dedicated SMWS whisky bars. They are a admittedly a curious bunch, but there is no denying the quality of their whiskies.
I have been aware of the South African SMWS chapter for sometime now, but didn’t know how active they were and thus was hesitant to pay memberships fees and join. Several months ago when seeking information I visited the website and found it outdated and neglected, and when I called the contact number someone promised me information that I never received. Today, however, I have just discovered they have revamped their local website AND have found a home within with the Maxim Lounge in the Davinci Hotel! Both excellent pieces of news as it surely must mean the society is growing in number and activity.
If I wasn’t out of the country I would pay the bar a visit tonight, but alas that will have to wait for now. When I do finally get there I’ll let you know how it is, in the meantime you can find more information on the local branch of the SMWS here and on Maxim’s Lounge here. (Curious how the SMWS website doesn’t mention the bar…) If any readers do go, give us a quick comment on your experience.
Personally, I think it’s time to join.
Follow-up: See here for my visit to the bar.
Master of Malt
Master of Malt (MoM) is a specialty online store with over 25 years of experience selling whisky. Originally a shop in Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK, they have traded in their brick ‘n mortar for a very well designed and maintained website offering a massive selection of whiskies from around the world, as well as other spirits. (Non-whisky spirits, what! Who drinks such things? Bah.) Nowadays there are plenty of online whisky stores, but MoM seem to be taking the lead with their originality and innovate approach to what can often be a boring interaction with an online retailer.
Joshua of the Jewish Single Malt Society (USA) recently interviewed the folks over at MoM on his excellent blog (see here), where it was revealed that they are near the 3,500 mark in terms of different lines they carry. That is enormous by anyones measure! In addition to their original distillery and independent bottlings, they also offer their own MoM independently bottled whiskies, undisclosed whiskies (such as their MoM 50yo Speyside), whisky books and glasses, personalised whisky labels, and more recently a genius scheme that allows you to try-before-you-buy with their drinks by the dram offering.
Drinks by the dram enables you to buy a 3cl (30ml) sample of a whisky at the fraction of a cost of a full bottle, and for those of us who buy often and are eager to taste as many whiskies as possible, this is the perfect way to reduce the risk of getting stuck with a full bottle of less than desired whisky. There are currently close to 250 whiskies available to purchase as samples, and each dram is superbly packaged with its very own wax seal and rustic label. Their aim is to eventually offer every whisky in production as a sample! Every whisky in production?! That is one serious goal, and I think epitomises the mindset of the MoM folk and their future ambitions.
Recently MoM offered whisky bloggers the opportunity to receive free whisky samples. (OK perhaps not totally free, for in return they get some publicity, but well worth the cost nonetheless in my opinion.) I am eagerly awaiting my samples for review, but there is no doubt I’ll be purchasing more samples in the not too distant future.
Get in touch with Master of Malt via their website, twitter, or facebook page.
Disclaimer: Master of Malt does offer an affiliate scheme, however, I do not participate in it. I simply think they offer a very good service, and as such would like to bring them to the attention of any whisky drinkers who are yet to discover them.
