I’m really starting to like news such as Maestro Dobel’s Diamond Tequila, or in this case Highland Park is launching their 40 year old premium single malt scotch whisky. Keyword, premium.

Matured primarily in previously-filled sherry oak casks, Highland Park 40 Year Old is a harmonious masterpiece. The extended time that the spirit matures in previously-filled sherry oak casks is evidenced by the classically composed and perfectly balanced Scotch whisky Highland Park 40 Year Old. The delicate coppery paleness of the whisky is entirely natural — true to all bottlings of Highland Park — and in this case also a result of the judicious use of refill casks.

Highland Park 40 Year Old encompasses the essence of the Orkney Islands with its authentic taste and characteristics.

Tasting notes by Max MacFarlane, Whisky Maker:

Color: Rich, coppery hues of amber
Bouquet:Spicy and aromatic with a background of rich dark fruits, nutmeg and darkest chocolate
Palate: Beautiful balance of sweet toffee notes, dark chocolate, sun dried orange zest and aromatic heather peat smokiness
Finish: Rich, long, elegant, smoky and surprisingly sweet

Adding an element of virtuoso to the timeless 40 Year Old expression is the enduring packaging. The distillery enhances its existing bottling to exude a sense of smoothness coupled with durability. The decanter-like bottle has a bell-bottom shape, which slips nicely into a resilient, solid grey-oak wooden box, finished to cabinet quality. Highland Park silver amulets adorn the box and bottle, which are accompanied by a premium, leather-bound book that explains the expressions in more detail.

Highland Park 40 Year Old is available in key markets with a suggested retail price of $2,000.

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is the most northerly Scotch whisky distillery in the world. With windswept moors, craggy outcrops and ancient religious sites, Orkney is a land full of mystery and rich in anecdote. This, combined with the wind, rain, crushing waves and freezing hail of the Orkney environment provide the perfect setting for the home of one of the world’s best malt whiskies. The Highland Park range of single malt whiskies in the U.S. includes: 12 Years Old, 15 Years Old, 18 Years Old, 25 Years Old, 30 Years Old and Single Cask. For more information, please visit www.highlandpark.co.uk.

Despite being a premium at a very premium price; I’m quite sure Scotch enthusiasts will love this one as well. I’m just personally in love with the bottle.

Although I have a Caribbean background that fully supports my love for Rum, I’m no stranger to Tequila. But I’ll be honest, just most any type of tequila was used in our Margaritas and Tequila Sunrises. And by “any type of tequila”, I mean truly any type of Jose Cuervo or Pancho Villa Tequila this stuff could strip paint would do. That is until I found Sauza’s Tres Generaciones which still had that - which I thought was - vintage Tequila “bite” and taste. I have enjoyed Tres Generaciones, Three Generations in Español - thinking that it was pretty much one of the best I could find and afford.

Wrong. Enter Maestro Dobel’s Diamond Tequila. It’s definitely on the upper end of what most casual drinkers could call affordable at $75.00 a bottle, but I have Cognacs and Single Malt Scotch in my “collection” that cost easily near double that. Those are the ones I bring out when the good friends and company come by and share while talking about world events, sports, stocks, gadgets, or most anything else while trying to feign sophistication.

As mentioned here previously on Remove The Labels, Maestro Dobel is a hand made. From the cultivation of the Blue Agave to the blending to even the labeling of the very nicely crafted bottles which combine metal and rubber for the bung to the weighted metal and rubber bottoms with a very angular cut, a play on the “diamond” no doubt, clear glass bottle, the whole initial experience just screams premium.
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This really marks a first for RTL, but let’s be honest. There’s nothing like a premium crafted adult beverage to make that date day just that much better.

Cristal? Courvoisier? They have absolutely nothing on Maestro Dobel’s Diamond Tequila.

Juan-Domingo “Dobel” Beckmann, the sixth-generation leader of the world’s most prominent tequila-producing family, today announces the introduction of Maestro Dobel, the first-ever diamond tequila. Unlike any other aged tequila, Maestro Dobel is a diamond-clear spirit – a result of a proprietary blending and filtration technique.

Juan Dobel first imagined this unique tequila brand that bears his name while working with his family’s distilling Maestros. Beckmann personally raised the finances for his vision in order to bring this silver tequila concept to market as a completely separate business entity.

“I have long desired to create an aged spirit that is the liquid embodiment of my passion for tequila,” said Beckmann. “Maestro Dobel represents six generations of my family’s dedication to crafting the finest tequilas available. Yet, it also signals a renaissance – a new way of thinking about and enjoying tequila. ”

Standing alone in the category, Maestro Dobel is a luxurious silver tequila with the complexity of an aged spirit. This exceptional blend of three tequilas can be judged, like a diamond, by four C’s:

Clarity: The proprietary filtering system used by Maestro Dobel gently expels congeners and colors from the tequila, producing the “Diamond Clarity” without having an affect on aroma, flavor or complexity.

Complexity: The incredible complexity of Maestro Dobel stems from the incredible array of differently aged tequilas in the blend: Reposado (rested 15 months), Anejo (rested 24 months), and Extra-Anejo (rested for 36 months).

Crispness: The agave selected for Maestro Dobel grows in the volcanic lowlands of the Jalisco region, producing a tequila with lighter herbal and citrus aromas. This hand-selected agave, combined with the tequila’s double distillation in post stills creates an exceptionally crisp tequila.

Craftsmanship: Juan Dobel has entrusted the Tequila Maestros – Marco Anguiano and Luis Yerenas – to create the special blend for Dobel. Every step of the process is crafted by hand – from the harvesting of the agave to the blending of the tequilas.

Maestro Dobel will be available in August 2008 at the finest evening establishments in Los Angeles, Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta as well as online where legal. Dobel is 40% Alc./Vol. and has a suggested retail price of $74.99.

Seriously. This isn’t your normal guzzling in a plastic margarita bucket type of Tequila.

Check out their nice website to see more pictures and find out more information.

Update: The post has been updated and moved here.

Check out their nice website to see more pictures and find out more information.