The Scotch Whisky Industry Review 2015

The 2015 edition of “The Scotch Whisky Industry Review” has now been released. The Review is published annually and, having started life in 1977, is now in its 38th edition. Every edition of the Review has been compiled by the recognised leading independent industry analyst Alan Gray.

It is the single most authoritative source of business information on the Whisky industry – incredibly comprehensive in its coverage and painstaking in the accuracy of its research. The Review contains 280 pages packed with fascinating and useful information and is used as a reference by all the leading players in the Scotch Whisky industry.

In summary, the “Review” includes detailed information covering the following main areas;

• An overview of the industry and estimated consumption growth rates till 2019
• Industry Section
  • Consumption by market, production, stocks, production costs and profit margins
• Company Section
  • Names and addresses, list of distilleries (including new and projected ones), distillery capacity utilisation, new and visitor numbers
• Case Sales
  • The most comprehensive Annual Case Sale figures available anywhere by Scotch Whisky type (Blend & Malt). Also       10 year record for all the major brands
• List of Bottled brands
  • List of bottled brands sold in the UK and overseas by company and category – an unrivalled list categorised by standard & deluxe blends and malts. See the brands owned by the different companies at a glance!
• Issues and challenges facing the industry
• Sponsorships
  • Information on current sponsorship deals by Scotch Whisky companies
• Appendices
  • Includes detailed figures on Scotch Whisky Broking Prices and Retail prices of Leading Brandsand record of excise duty changes from 1885 onwards.

As Alan states “No Scotch Whisky industry professional, consultant, supplier, specialist retailer, importer, distributor or Scotch Whisky connoisseur should be without a copy!”

The Scotch Whisky Industry Review 2015 is available to purchase online now at: www.scotchwhiskyindustryreview.com

Whisky Offerings from Scotland’s Oldest Working Distillery

Well we don’t know if you are counting but we certainly are and by our count, there’s only 9 days left until Christmas. We repeat, 9 days left until Christmas! Usually, we would agree that having such little time before the big man’s arrival is reason enough to panic but this year we’ve got you covered. From whiskies to gifts galore, we’ve got just the thing to take the panic out of Christmas and as if that’s not good enough, there’s still time to order from our online store for Christmas Delivery. How’s that for convenience?

So take a deep breath, pop your feet up and relax and let us tempt you with some offerings straight from our ‘Famous’ store.

The last order date for Christmas delivery is December 18th. Make sure you don’t miss out.

Have you tried the exclusive new range from Glenturret yet? Choose from three different editions: Sherry, Peated and Triple Wood. Or if you’re feeling mischevious, have all three! All three are available in store and from our online store here. Order now to make sure you don’t miss out on Christmas delivery.

The Famous Grouse: The same ‘Famous’ taste but now with a new look. Mellow Gold: The newest addition to the ‘Famous’ family. Smoky Black: Previously The Black Grouse. All three are available in store and from our online store here. Order now to make sure you don’t miss out on Christmas delivery.

We try many different whiskey casks throughout the year to be able to offer unique bottlings to our customers.

Taos Lightning Governor’s Reserve D&M Exclusive Straight Rye Whiskey

Taos Lightning Governor’s Reserve D&M Exclusive Straight Rye Whiskey. The nose of this whiskey calls to mind the old Willett Cask Strength Rye (estimated same source) with up front pepper spice, toffee, butterscotch and butter pickle essence. The palate is rich and spice driven with fruit flavors towards orange marmalade, citrus zest, oak, and vanilla. D&M Tasting Notes

$57.99 Buy Now

Corsair D&M Single Barrel Selection Triple Smoke Whiskey

American Malt Whiskey Pot Distilled From Cherry, Beechwood and Peat Smoked Barley 64.75% ABV Cask Strength Our Triple Smoke selectionis a combination of two barrels that we selected blended together, to make sure we have enough for you and in all truth a bottle or two for ourselves. The nose shows aromas reminiscent of camping in Northern California with honey, earth, caramel, smoke and nuts. The palate has ample flavors of peat, brown butter, sweet spice rubs, old leather, brown sugar and grilled stone fruits. D&M Tasting Notes

$74.99  Buy Now

Bernheim Original 7 Year Old Small Batch D&M Exclusive Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 

Bernheim Original 7 Year Old Small Batch D&M Exclusive Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey. The Bernheim Wheat has a light and lively nose of pepper, dry caramel and light baking spices. The palate is clean with tropical fruit notes, pepper spice and a clean wheat and honey dominated finish. D&M Tasting Notes 

$32.99
Buy Now

Port Wood Single Cask 70cl, 59% ABV

Over the past 13 years Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible has established itself as the world’s leading whisky guide. Naturally the whole Penderyn range is featured, but we were particularly pleased with the review of our Limited Edition Port Wood Single Cask PT72 in the latest edition.

As well as receiving a mark of 96.5% Jim wrote, ‘A delivery to make the faint of heart swoon… it has now been carved in stone as one of the world’s great whiskies; it’s unveiling each year one of the stratospheric moments in the world whisky calendar. And yet again it lives up to it ridiculously high reputation.

If I find a better single cask than this for the 2016 Bible, it will be of the proportions of a Cecil B DeMille epic.’

We produced 231 bottles, but at time of writing only 80 remain. Port Wood Single Cask PT72 is available from our online store at a price of £295 (inc P&P).

£295 Buy now

“One of my favourite Whisky Shows of the year!” – Colin Dunn, Diageo

The Midlands Whisky Festival is back and aims to create the best possible experience for whisky lovers. We put together an event which inspires and educates, and steeps the visitor in the magic and history of the world of whisky. We’re busy lining up some dram-tastic treats for our 9th festival!

www.ralfy.com reads the magic words on a whisky bottle label in Whisky Review 565 – Bunnahabhain 24yo (The Whisky Agency)

DUTY FREE DRAMS

Top Whisky Picks for Airport Shoppers This Festive Season 

Diageo Global Travel, 10th December 2015: With the festive season approaching, finding that perfect gift for family, friends or colleagues is quickly becoming top of our to-do lists. And rather than battle the high street frenzy or wait for online shopping deliveries, many consumers are making their travel plans count – by exploring the great selection of gifts available in Travel Retail.

Today, almost $3billion (Source: CIR Research) per year is spent on gifts by travellers as they pass through airports – with one third of this spending taking place over the holiday season. In particular, Scotch Whisky is a huge draw – 44% of those shopping for spirit gifts choose whisky – with Travel Retail boutiques offering access to a wide range of brands, exclusive offers and unique limited editions which cannot be bought elsewhere.

To help travellers choose the perfect gift for the whisky lover in their life, we’ve put together this list of our top Travel Retail picks for 2015 – with something for every budget and every taste. 

HAIG CLUB™ LIMITED EDITION: THE DECANTER SERIES

The first limited edition from HAIG CLUB™: this bold, one-off special edition has been inspired by the handcrafted crystal decanter that was commissioned as a gift from HAIG CLUB to David Beckham to celebrate his 40th birthday, earlier this year. It is also reminiscent of a long standing tradition of exquisite decanters produced by the House of Haig in order to celebrate and commemorate special occasions. A gift of unquestionable style and substance, this rare and unique bottle is the perfect gift this holiday season.

The whisky has a clear, golden amber colour with a sweet aroma of toffee, vanilla and butterscotch. It is smoother and more accessible than you would ever dare expect from a Scotch making it an ideal purchase for the new generation of Scotch drinkers.

• Pack size: 1 Litre
• ABV: 40%
• RRSP:USD60, £39, €48

THE SINGLETON OF GLENDULLAN™: TRAVEL RETAIL EXCLUSIVES

Right from the very first sip, THE SINGLETON™ experience is one of immediate pleasure in its entirety. THE SINGLETON OF GLENDULLAN GLENDULLAN CLASSIC™, THE SINGLETON OF GLENDULLAN DOUBLE MATURED™ and THE SINGLETON OF GLENDULLAN MASTER’S ART™ single malt Scotch whiskies are crafted in the signature style – famous for being smooth and gentle on the palate. They are accessible, immediately enjoyable and great-tasting single malt whiskies which are light and delicate with a subtle complexity and are all exclusive to Travel Retail.

• Pack size: 1 Litre
• ABV: 40%
• RRSP: USD89 – USD179, £57 – £103, €70 – €125 

JOHNNIE WALKER® GOLD LABEL RESERVE™ LIMITED EDITION (EXCLUSIVE TRAVELLERS’ EDITION)

Inspired by the spirit of travel, JOHNNIE WALKER® GOLD LABEL RESERVE™ Exclusive Travellers’ Edition is a new, limited edition bottle design for the brand’s creamiest and smoothest, award-winning blended Scotch Whisky. The striking metallic gold-coloured bottle has been imprinted with a beautiful image of the world map for a luxurious embossed effect. Exclusive to duty free, this is the perfect gift for intrepid travelers and explorers, and whisky lovers alike.

• Pack size: 1 Litre
• ABV: 40%
• RRSP: USD70, £49.50, €59.75, AUD84

JOHNNIE WALKER® PLATINUM LABEL™ 18 YEAR OLD TRAVEL RETAIL GIFT PACK

JOHNNIE WALKER® PLATINUM LABEL™ 18 Year Old is a sophisticated blend created by JOHNNIE WALKER® Master Blender Jim Beveridge. Up to 18 carefully selected Scotch Whiskies from distilleries across the four corners of Scotland are blended to create this very special Whisky.  Rich in Malt Whiskies that have been matured in Oak Casks for 18 years, this blend is exceptionally well rounded and supremely smooth- the perfect gift to celebrate these special occasions. This exclusive gift pack offers travellers a free 20cl bottle of the whisky, alongside the 1 litre bottle, presented in a striking gift box.

• Pack size: 1.2 Litre
• ABV: 40%
• RRSP: USD112, £89.50, €103, AUD112 

JOHN WALKER & SONS XR™ 21 Year Old

Launched earlier this year, the new look JOHN WALKER & SONS XR™ 21 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky is available to travel retail customers exclusively in a 1 litre format. Presented in an elegant decanter inspired by the art deco era and house in an exquisite polished gold box, this is the ultimate gift for super deluxe whisky drinkers in a format which cannot be purchased elsewhere.

The whisky is a superior blend of exceptional smoothness and depth that contains whiskies that are aged for a minimum of 21 years, and drawn from extremely rare Johnnie Walker reserves – including some from distilleries no longer in existence.

• Pack size: 1 Litre
• ABV: 40%
• RRSP: USD178, £115, €140

JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ LIMITED EDITION DESIGN

JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ is well renowned as the ultimate gift for whisky lovers. An exquisite blend made from some of Scotland’s rarest and most exceptional Scotch Whiskies,  only one in every ten thousand casks has the elusive quality, character and flavor to deliver the’ remarkable signature taste of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL.

This limited edition design celebrates the ‘Art of Blending and Flavour Experience’ of this premium whisky is a stunningly engraved bottle designed by artist (and whisky lover) Shan Jiang.

• Pack size: 1 Litre
• ABV: 40%
• RRSP: USD258, £152.80, €206.50, AUD258 

PORT ELLEN™ 33 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

With only 210 bottles existing in the world and only available in travel retail, this once-in-a-lifetime island malt has become one of the most exclusive and sought after Single Malts in the world today, following the closure of its distillery in 1983. Intensely smooth and sweet-centred with gentle salt and spice notes, this well-structured whisky is both complex and robust beyond its years, crafted to be savoured and enjoyed.

• Pack size: 70cl
• ABV: 50.5%
• RRSP: US$7,020

CRAGGANMORE™ 43 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Believed by some to be the oldest Single Malt ever bottled, this exclusive product has been produced from a hand-selected single cask, with only 474 bottles available exclusively in Dubai Duty Free.

This whisky is a complex, dry and bittersweet Single Malt. Unusually spicy, it has great depth of character and a long, dry finish with pleasingly charred warmth to compliment these cold winter nights.

• Pack size: 70cl
• ABV: 47.4%
• RRSP: US$3,800

ROYAL LOCHNAGAR™ 36 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria and Consort Prince Albert in 1848, this single cask release is one of the oldest crafted by the original distillery. With only 174 bottles available, across Travel Retail and domestically, this extremely rare and precious Single Malt is deep and rich in character with an abundance of fruit and spice.

• Pack size: 70cl
• ABV: 57.6%
• RRSP: US$5,550

Notes 

ABOUT DIAGEO

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories.  These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.  The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).  For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com.  Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

It’s always hectic in the run up to Christmas but we’ve still found time to get some new whiskies in, including a couple of Kavalans from Taiwan, some American bourbons and whiskey, plus the first peated GlenDronach and their latest UK exclusives.  Check out the new arrivals below and online, and if something catches your eye then you’ve still got time to order if you’re quick (check out the last posting dates here) or the shop will be open up to 6pm on Christmas Eve so if you want to call in and have a dram while you choose some last minute presents or a bottle for yourself then we’d love to see you.  The shop will then be closed for the Christmas period, re-opening on Saturday 2nd January 2015 (see online for full details of our opening times).

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope your Christmas stocking will be full of lots of lovely bottles of your favourite drams!

Sláinte! Fran and Ken Arkwrights Whisky and Wines www.whiskyandwines.com

GLENFARCLAS 1994 THE WHISKY SHOP EXCLUSIVE

Winner of the coveted Liquid Gold award in the 2016 Jim Murray Whisky Bible – scoring an imprssive 95.5 points:  Bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop and limited to only 1200 bottles. Bottled at 43% volume.  In the words of Jim Murray: ‘Very close in character and quality to distillery’s latest official 1994 release. Which means it’s not far off God’s gift to present day sherried malt whisky.’

£84 Click to buy

TAKETSURU 21 YEAR OLD

Rare Japanese whisky: The Taketsuru range is named after the founder of the Nikka Whisky Company, Masataka Taketsuru.  The Taketsuru whiskies are a combination of single malt whiskies from Nikka’s two distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo. This award winning bottling is made up of whiskies which have been aged for a minimum of 21 years.

£195 Click to buy

HIBIKI 12 YEAR OLD

The perfect gift for someone who likes their whisky to be that little bit different.  Hibiki means resonance in Japanese. It speaks to the soul and emotions of the most discerning whisky lover. The legendary Hibiki represents true harmony, the ideal of perfection, the paragon of ‘The Art of Japanese Whisky’ and its artisans.  Numerous pure single malt whiskies aged in a variety of cask types, including Mizunara, a rare Japanese oak, all combine to create a dazzling, echoing roundness in the Hibiki 12 year old.

£49 Click to buy

THE LOCH FYNE LIVING CASK GIFT BOX SET

This gift contains one of the best selling whiskies of 2015. The Loch Fyne Living Cask is a combination of single malts that have all spent time in a cask that is never emptied – hence the concept that it is living! Different malts are introduced periodically and the cask is bottled in a series of batches. Batches one and two and now three have been released. The gift box contains a 50cl bottle of Living Cask and two Glencairn glasses.  Smooth, Rich and complex – one of our fastest selling gift packs!

£59 Click to buy

THE JAPANESE WHISKY GIFT BOX SET

We know how important gifts are to our customers – especially at Christmas. This year we have developed a range of beautiful gift boxes containing some of your, and our, favourite whiskies. Whether you’re looking for traditional single malt for your Dad, or a fashionable Japanese whisky set – we’ve got it covered.  The Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve is a wonderful balanced whisky. Full of soft, fresh fruits and Mizunara (Japanese Oak) aromas, this is a classic example of Japan’s number one whisky. Accompanied by The ice sphere mould to make the perfect ice ball and a stylish whisky tumbler.

£85 Click to buy

Four Roses Ambassador Night

Four Roses have been one of our favourite Bourbon distillers for some time. Their rye-heavy Bourbon has a great orangey spiciness, so it wasn’t much of a stretch of the imagination to invite them to run a tasting for us! We’re going to be tasting their range chased with the stories, history and science of how they produce their iconic Bourbon.

 More…