Scottsdale, Arizona probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of fine Scottish whisky. But the rookie Scotchdale brand defies expectations. Created by Scottsdale residents Travis Ranville and John McDonnell several years ago and brought to market in early 2019, Scotchdale’s 80-proof blended malt Scotch whisky comes from Angus Dundee Distillers’ …
Scottsdale, Arizona probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of fine Scottish whisky. But the rookie Scotchdale brand defies expectations. Created by Scottsdale residents Travis Ranville and John McDonnell several years ago and brought to market in early 2019, Scotchdale’s 80-proof blended malt Scotch whisky comes from Angus Dundee Distillers’ two pure malt distilleries in the Highland and Speyside regions of Scotland, aged for a minimum of eight years in charred American oak bourbon barrels.
Whisky Advocate gave Scotchdale a solid 90-point rating in fall 2020, describing it as “medium-bodied” and noting that it “eschews sweetness and fruitiness to inhabit a world of dark toffee, Brazil nut, dry oak, malt, plain chocolate, hot peppery spice, and licorice.” The folks at Scotchdale simply tout it as “the most livable whisky.”
Previously only available in the Phoenix metropolitan area and surrounding Arizona communities, thanks to a partnership with Las Vegas-based West Coast Beverages, Scotchdale can now be found in a number of Southern Nevada bars and restaurants, including The Charleston Tavern, 18bin, and 595 Craft + Kitchen, as well as local retailers such as Crystal Liquors and Hacienda Liquor.
Scotchdale’s website features a number of delicious cocktail recipes for its flexible blended Scotch whisky—many inspired by the state of Arizona—but because McDonnell and Ranville are obviously men of good taste, the whisky brand’s signature cocktail is its eponymous “The Scotchdale,” a refined take on an Old Fashioned that subs chocolate and orange bitters for the traditional Angostura version, which naturally complements the spirit’s robust flavor profile.
The Scotchdale
2 oz. Scotchdale whisky
2 dashes chocolate bitters
1 dash orange bitters
1/2 oz. simple syrup
Top with soda water
Garnish with orange peel
Of course, if you want to get your sip of Scotchdale right now, you’d need to make your way to Arizona or Nevada. But now you know next time you find yourself in Vegas, Scottsdale, or even the New Age haven of Sedona, you can probably ask your bartender for a taste of this imported blend designed to “tame the Arizona heat.”
1st Round Wrap UpThe 5th annual Bourbon Gents World Cup is here and, as always, it means that the stars of the music world were knocking at our door hoping to be the chosen one selected to perform at the opening ceremony.In previous years we have had t…
1st Round Wrap Up
The 5th annual Bourbon Gents World Cup is here and, as always, it means that the stars of the music world were knocking at our door hoping to be the chosen one selected to perform at the opening ceremony.
In previous years we have had the likes of Beyonce, Drake and Ariana Grande open the tournament for us. This year though we shocked the crowd with the reveal of… BTS. Who? We hear you say. Well they are only the biggest most famous band on the planet right now (if you happen to be a teenage girl). They have broken records held for years by the likes of the Beatles and Michael Jackson and also recently got nominated for a Grammy.
Initially confused by the flamboyant boy band, the crowd were quickly won over and were up on their feet dancing to their hit song Dynamite. Although thinking about it now it may just have been the influence of the Elijah Craig barrel proof the bar was serving.
BTS (RM, Suga, Jin, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook) pictured here entertaining a rather confused bunch of middle aged bourbon drinkers
Once the ceremony was out of the way, it was down to the serious business of the ties themselves. An amazing 3,000 votes were cast in the first round and we would like to say a huge thank all of you for taking part and supporting your favourite bourbon.
Highlights of this round
We always start with a check on last years winner first just in case there was an upset. Old Rip Van Winkle were not about to let their hold on the trophy slip away that easily though, as they convincingly beat Evan Williams Single Barrel with 76% of the vote.
The biggest margin of victory for this round went to Pappy 20-year-old. They destroyed Widow Jane 92% to 8%. Which from our perspective is a bit harsh as it is not at all a reflective view of the drinking experience.
Noah’s Mill, a big favourite of the Gents and our first ever winner of our ‘Bourbon of the Year’, saw a very comfortable victory against Jim Beam Black (83% to 17%).
There was almost the biggest shock result in world cup history in one of our final matches of the 1st round. Buffalo Trace was up against William Larue Weller and no one expected much from this other than a large win for the mighty BTAC bourbon. However, Weller didn’t get its own way in this match, and it turned out to be a lot tougher than it had any right to be. With 5 minutes left in the match Buffalo Trace still had a chance of winning as the score was delicately balanced at 52% to 48% in Weller’s favour. The crowd watched on with bated breath waiting to see if there would be a final push from the Buffalo… but it wasn’t to be! It ended 54% to 46% and William Larue Weller move on to the second round.
And finally, it isn’t a Bourbon Gents World Cup without Four Roses Single Barrel, who won their match with a canter against Evan Williams Bottled in Bond 83% to 18%.
For the full results of the 1st round, and the match ups for the second round, check out the handy World Cup wall chart below.
Our beautiful world cup wall chart. Track the progress of all the teams here
2nd round
There are some very interesting match-ups to look forward to in the next round. Our pick of the bunch is a former World Cup final - Blanton’s Gold vs Four Roses. We think this is way too close to call but from experience we never bet against Four Roses!
Whatever happens, it will be exciting stuff so don't miss your chance to vote - just head over to our twitter account now to vote for your favourite bourbon.
Bunnahabhain 9 yo 2010/2020 (66.7%, Lady of the Glen, first fill oloroso sherry hogshead, cask #901203, 325 bottles) – Bunnahabhain 12 yo (53.4%, OB, hand-filled at the Distillery, manzanilla, cask #332, 2017) – Bunnahabhain 12 yo (55.7%, OB, hand-fill…
Bunnahabhain 9 yo 2010/2020 (66.7%, Lady of the Glen, first fill oloroso sherry hogshead, cask #901203, 325 bottles) - Bunnahabhain 12 yo (53.4%, OB, hand-filled at the Distillery, manzanilla, cask #332, 2017) - Bunnahabhain 12 yo (55.7%, OB, hand-filled at the Distillery, palo cortado, warehouse 9, cask #16, 2019) - Bunnahabhain 28 yo 1990/2019 (44.3%, Elixir Distillers, The Single Malts of Scotland, hogshead, cask #7727, 252 bottles) - Bunnahabhain 9 yo 2009/2019 (58.9%, Cadenhead, Small Batch, bourbon, 564 bottles)
Bunnahabhain 18 yo 2001/2020 (54.7%, Elixir Distillers, The Single Malts of Scotland, sherry, cask #1253, 620 bottles) – Staoisha 2013/2020 (59.6%, Whisky Is The Limit, 2nd fill ruby Port wine barrique, cask #10439) – Staoisha 7 yo 2013/2020 (61.3%, Ma…
Bunnahabhain 18 yo 2001/2020 (54.7%, Elixir Distillers, The Single Malts of Scotland, sherry, cask #1253, 620 bottles) - Staoisha 2013/2020 (59.6%, Whisky Is The Limit, 2nd fill ruby Port wine barrique, cask #10439) - Staoisha 7 yo 2013/2020 (61.3%, Maltbarn, bourbon, 151 bottles) - Bunnahabhain 10 yo 2007/2017 (56.7%, Signatory Vintage, Straight from the Cask, hogshead, cask #140, 360 bottles) - Bunnahabhain 'An Cladach' (50%, OB, 1l, +/-2020)
Bunnahabhain 8 yo ‘Moine’ (60,2%, OB, hand filled at the Distillery, 1st fill oloroso, cask #3657, 2016) – Ma3 2004/2019 (55.2%, Elixir Distillers, Elements of Islay, bourbon barrels, 734 bottles) – Bunnahabhain 13 yo 2004/2017 (54.1%, High Spirits Col…
Bunnahabhain 8 yo 'Moine' (60,2%, OB, hand filled at the Distillery, 1st fill oloroso, cask #3657, 2016) - Ma3 2004/2019 (55.2%, Elixir Distillers, Elements of Islay, bourbon barrels, 734 bottles) - Bunnahabhain 13 yo 2004/2017 (54.1%, High Spirits Collection, refill hogshead, cask #3162, 100 bottles) - Bunnahabhain 10 yo 2009/2020 (67.1%, La Maison du Whisky, Artist, cask # 900086, 589 bottles) - Bn8 2013-2015/2020 (58.4%, Elixir Distillers, Elements of Islay, bourbon and sherry, 1896 bottles)
