JOHN DEWAR & SONS HELPS POWER THOUSANDS OF SCOTTISH HOMES 

Industry-wide collaboration generates energy by burning whisky by-products

Hamilton, Bermuda, August 25, 2015 – In a country famous for its award-winning, highly respectable Scotch whisky production, Scotland now boasts an innovative partnership with benefits beyond the traditional toast and good cheer.

The Rothes CoRDe, part-owned by The Combination of Rothes Distillers, is a facility that produces enough energy to power entire communities of neighboring distilleries. “A number of whisky companies are part of an industry consortium looking at sustainable ways of processing by-products from our distilleries,” says Iain Lochhead, Operations Director for John Dewar & Sons Ltd., part of the Bacardi group of companies.

The Speyside area of the Scottish Highlands is home to around 50 whisky distilleries. Rothes, in the heart of that region, is the site of a new, blended-biomass plant that generates heat and power for local communities. It works by burning draff (the spent grains used in the distilling process) with woodchips to create steam-generating electricity.

“We generate 8.3 megawatts of electricity every hour of every day. We use some onsite and export the rest – enough for 20,000 people in 8,000 homes,” explains Frank Burns, Managing Director, Rothes CoRDe. “We are powering all of the local communities.”

Another innovation is converting pot ale – the residue from copper whisky stills – into organic feedstock that local farmers use for their animals. “By recovering by-products from our distilleries, we turn them into material of purpose and value,” adds Burns. “Ultimately, everything we make, whether it’s animal feed – or even the ash from our boiler process – goes back to the land or to the farm.”

“In the end, we want to take this industry forward, to invest and grow, but also make sure we preserve the natural environment we rely on to support Scotch whisky for many years to come,” says David Williamson of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

As part of the Bacardi group of companies, John Dewar & Sons honors the spirit of sustainability. “We believe we are doing our part in protecting the environment of Scotland,” says Lochhead. “Since we use natural ingredients to make our whisky, we want to leave our surroundings in the same pristine condition as we find them.”

The CoRDe project is part of a broad scope of sustainability initiatives for John Dewar & Sons, producers of DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Blended Scotch whisky and the single malt brands of ABERFELDY®, AULTMORE®, CRAIGELLACHIE®, THE DEVERON® and ROYAL BRACKLA®.

As part of Bacardi, John Dewar & Sons honors the spirit of sustainability with these benchmarks at its five malt distilleries:

• 34 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2006
• 46 percent reduction in water use since 2009
• 30 percent reduction of waste to landfill since 2010

Since 2006, when Bacardi began tracking its global impact on the environment, it has reduced nonrenewable energy use by nearly 28 percent and decreased its greenhouse gas emissions from production by more than 28 percent. Building on current programs and efficiencies that reduce its environmental impacts, the Bacardi Limited “Good Spirited” sustainability program sets specific goals in three areas to help reach its vision of a net zero impact:

1. Responsible Sourcing: Bacardi strives to obtain all raw materials and packaging from sustainably sourced, renewable or recycled materials while maintaining or enhancing the economic status of growers and suppliers. By 2017, the goal is to obtain 40 percent of the sugarcane-derived products used to make its rum from certified, sustainable sources – and 100 percent by 2022. This pledge from Bacardi is an industry first.
2. Global Packaging: Bacardi commits to use eco-design to craft sustainability into its brand packaging and point-of-sale materials. By 2017, Bacardi plans to reduce the weight of its packaging by 10 percent and achieve 15 percent by 2022.
3. Operational Efficiencies: Bacardi continues to focus on reducing water use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with a 2017 goal to cut water use by 55 percent and GHG emissions by 50 percent. In addition, Bacardi aims to eliminate landfill waste at all of its production sites by 2022.

To learn more about Bacardi Limited and its “Good Spirited: Building a Sustainable Future” environmental initiative for sourcing, packaging and operational efficiencies across the entire Bacardi family of premium spirits and wine brands, visit http://www.bacardilimited.com/good-spirited.

About John Dewar & Sons Ltd.  John Dewar & Sons Ltd. employs 300 people at seven locations throughout Scotland. The Company currently operates whisky distilleries in Aberfeldy, Macduff, Aultmore, Craigellachie and Nairn with ageing, blending, bottling and packaging facilities in Glasgow and additional maturation facilities in Poniel in Central Scotland.

DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, the world’s most-awarded blended Scotch; WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Blended Scotch whisky, the world’s second fastest growing Scotch; and the single malt brands of ABERFELDY®, AULTMORE®, CRAIGELLACHIE®, THE DEVERON® and ROYAL BRACKLA® are part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Blended Scotch whisky, ERISTOFF® vodka, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur.

Founded 153 years ago in Santiago de Cuba on February 4, 1862, family-owned Bacardi manufactures its brands at 29 facilities and sells in more than 160 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. http://www.bacardilimited.com/

New Season Malts – September

The first releases of the new season are about to start arriving this week. We start with the New Longrow Red 12 matured in Pinot Noir wine cask 52.9% Vol 9000 bottles and the new Springbank 12 year old 53.8% Vol 9000 bottles.

A NOTE FROM US ON REVIEWS AND COLLECTOR ITEMS

Before I go into more detail about the new products, I want to touch on the reviews and points given for some products that can cause a little mayhem from time to time.

As you know a number of web sites offer reviews on single malt’s, some that we bottle along with many more from other bottlers or companies big and small. After the Littlemill 24 review, things got a little crazy as people rushed to find a bottle or 3 of the now rare bottling we had stock of since June.

I understand that some of you might not be aware of the latest releases until the on-line review has been released and as a result you miss the chance of savoring the latest malt to get the highest score. While this can be disappointing one has to remember that we have a finite number of bottles available at any one time due to the fact we mainly bottle from single casks or in the case of the Small batch black label 2 casks can be married together to create some rather legendary drams.

We will try to give you our advice in the newsletter as to what is good but that like any on-line review is subject to personal opinion or as i am often doing adding customer comments to the web shop especially if that vintage has been tried and enjoyed in the tasting room.

So my advice is read the newsletters check the web shop where you will find the tasting notes alone with any comments about the product before the actual tasting note itself, the comments are feedback not our personal opinions.

Now back to the whiskies…

Due to high demand and the Bank holiday weekend we will ship all web orders on Tuesday to avoid them being lost in a backlog at the delivery company.

Longrow Red 12 years in a Pinot Noir caskABV 52.9% Vol 9000 bottles in the world

We are aware that this new Longrow is going to sell very fast just as it did last year. We sadly have a limit of 1 bottle per customer due to the high demand and limited availability. If we get anymore we will naturally release it as and when it comes in just as we have done with several vintages in the past.

Allocations are not in my control, what I get is all done back in Scotland by head office who need to keep not only our web shop and retail stores stocked they also need to supply to customers around the world so in the case of Longrow Red 9000 bottles will not last that long.

Springbank 12 cask strength 53.8% Vol 9000 Bottles in the world

This is truly limited availability for August / September 2015, so limited it might not make it onto the web shop! However don’t worry too much if you miss this one as another batch is due in January 2016 that should give us a few more cases!

If you missed the archive bottles that hit the web shop across August (We only had 1 bottle of some of the products so it was blink you will miss it) We have a few more to add as soon as we have compiled the full list.

WHAT’S NEXT?

At the moment we are finalising the next small batch release, around 12-13 new products should be on the next newsletter with age ranges from 14 years to 38 years, one of them is a trademark blended malt of 26 years that I know will be gone very quickly, more on that and why we are advising that it’s a trademark product in the next newsletter.

We also have a rather special Speyside vintage 26 years old in a sherry cask again, it’s rather stunning but I must confess I have a special place in my whisky collection for any malts from the distillery.

Two Islay malts are also in the next batch not Ardbeg so no panic just exceptional tastes for Islay lovers.

TUBE STRIKE AND TASTINGS

As some of you who live in London know we have had several months of Tube Strikes taking place with the knock on effect for customers wishing to attend the Tasting Room events we run daily.

 It can take several weeks to book a Tuesday-Thursday or Friday evening if not months starting in September I should guess given the rate of enquiries we are getting each day.

Because so many have cancelled due to the now moronic strikes we will be busier than usual for some of the Tuesdays and Thursdays as people try to re-book, with this in mind we are looking at holding a few on Wednesday evenings assuming the strikes are close to over (If TFL/ Unions and the Mayor can sit down and talk that is rather than act like brats)

As and when the situation clears up we will let you know via the newsletter or on the web site.

SHIPPING

Just a short reminder that our London store does not ship to the EU or the rest of the world just yet due to so many changes in the law and to be honest price hikes that make it dreadfully expensive to do so, we know London is expensive but some of the prices we get quoted are truly shocking, no matter how much we would try to explain this during the ordering process we would have so many complaints and cancelled orders it’s currently not economical to offer this service.

Well that’s it for this short newsletter I will be sending another out shortly with the full details of new products.

All the best

Stephen at Cadenhead’s London

Balblair 21 Year Gordon & MacPhail First Fill Sherry Cask Strength Single Barrel Single Malt Scotch 750ml

( $229.99) Only 5 cases for California and we got them all! This is massively sherried Balblair at the peak of maturity. A true Sherry Bomb if you’re in the market for one. Dark like coffee, rich like molasses. It’s a dream for any lover of the Sherried style, but also a great introduction to the unusual Balblair Distillery.

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Treat the old man…or yourself this Father’s Day

This Father’s Day we’re giving away a free bottle of whisky to match each cask purchased between Monday the 31st and Sunday the 6th of September. In other words, buy a French Oak barrel and get a bottle of French Oak free. Hurry and remember, the only thing better than sharing a bottle of whisky with your father is sharing a barrel!

CLICK HERE FOR WHISKY BARRELS

Tasmania Distillery
Lamb Pl
Cambridge, TAS 7170
Australia

This week Joe Ellis reviews Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon.

https://youtu.be/PNkdm3um3Nw

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

ROYAL BRACKLA® SINGLE MALT: THE FIRST WHISKY FIT FOR A KING

Glasgow, Scotland, 25^th August 2015 – John Dewar & Sons Ltd. has unveiled a new range of proprietary bottlings from Royal Brackla distillery, one of Scotland’s oldest and most venerable distilleries.

The new expressions of this regal single malt, ROYAL BRACKLA® 12 year-old, ROYAL BRACKLA® 16 year-old and ROYAL BRACKLA® 21 year-old will be available initially in 10 markets from September 2015; a regal opportunity to savour whisky fit for a King.

Standing on the fertile farmland of the Cawdor Estate, Royal Brackla Distillery was established in 1812 by the fiery Captain William Fraser who returned to the family farm after military service and took advantage of the fine barley it grew. Within 25 years his distillery’s reputation for spirit of sterling taste received its crowning moment when King William IV bestowed ‘Royal’ status to Brackla, in 1835. It thus became the first ever Scotch to garner a royal warrant, a revelation that led to its nickname: ‘The King’s Own Whisky’.

Traditional production techniques help to protect a distilling heritage that spans more than two centuries and preserves the unparalleled quality of a rather special spirit. To allow for the development of intriguing complexity and fruitiness, extra time is taken at the fermentation stage, which acts for up to 80 hours; far longer than most Scottish distilleries.

The notably tall stills run at an unusually slow pace. Their height allows plenty of reflux, with the leisurely nature of the operation increasing the contact that the spirit shares with copper, thus filtering out unwanted sulphury notes. Instead, delicate and lightly perfumed notes of grass and green foliage develop, alongside inviting fruity aromas. Crucially, the whisky is finished in premium first-fill sherry casks, enriching it with notes of muscovado sweetness and dates, alongside opulent walnuts.

Stephen Marshall, Bacardi’s Global Marketing Manager – Single Malts says: “This is the one that was described as ‘The Drink Divine’ by the Royal household in the 1830s, that’s no small claim, so we had to take our time and the entire team have done an amazing job that really does justice to Royal Brackla’s incredible heritage. There’s only one whisky in the world that can be the first Royal whisky, I feel privileged to have worked on this”.

The new portfolio consists of three age statements, each bottled at 46% ABV: Royal Brackla 12 Years Old, Royal Brackla 16 Years Old and Royal Brackla 21 Years Old. Each expression has been launched in 10 initial markets around the world including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States and Global Travel Retail.

http://www.lastgreatmalts.com/

Tasting Notes

Royal Brackla 12 Years Old, 40% ABV

Salute a superior Scotch: almonds, vine fruits, opulent spices; steeped in sherried richness. Ennobled nectar, fit for a king.

Royal Brackla 16 Years Old, 40% ABV

A royal flush of flavour: vanilla, soft caramel, ripe apricots; replete with sherry tones. Hold court with a monarch of the glens.

Royal Brackla 21 Years Old, 40% ABV

All hail a high-born spirit: summer berries, dark chocolate, star anise; infused with sherry sweetness. A member of malt aristocracy. 

About ROYAL BRACKLA Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Founded in 1812 by Captain William Fraser, ROYAL BRACKLA’s regal malt has a remarkable history. The distillery itself is over two centuries old and its malt’s nickname of ‘The King’s Own Whisky’ stems from its distinction as the first single malt to be granted a royal warrant.

High-grade barley, flawless water from the Cawdor Burn and slow distillation produce a truly refined spirit, before it’s matured in the finest first-fill oloroso sherry casks. This rich, robust whisky offers muscovado sweetness, dates and walnuts within its opulent, sherried depths.

The brand new portfolio comprises of three ROYAL BRACKLA single malts: the 12 Years Old, 16 Years Old and 21 Years Old.

The single malt brand of ROYAL BRACKLA is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

http://www.royalbrackla.com/

About John Dewar & Sons Ltd.John Dewar & Sons Ltd. employs 300 people at seven locations throughout Scotland. The Company currently operates whisky distilleries in Aberfeldy, Macduff, Aultmore, Craigellachie and Nairn with ageing, blending, bottling and packaging facilities in Glasgow and additional maturation facilities in Poniel in Central Scotland.

http://www.lastgreatmalts.com/

For more information on the new single malt expressions, the five distilleries, tasting notes, crafting, and heritage, please visit http://www.lastgreatmalts.com/

ENJOY THE LAST GREAT MALTS RESPONSIBLY. 

ROYAL BRACKLA & THE LAST GREAT MALTS DEVICE ARE TRADEMARKS

Ladies and Gentlemen are cordially invited to enjoy a connoisseur’s evening featuring rare & exceptional single malt, Scotch and unique whiskies from around the world. The evening includes unlimited tastings, epicurean food, a selection of premium imported cigars for our guests’ later enjoyment, souvenir snifter glass and much more. The Whisky Extravaganza brings the discerning enthusiast the opportunity to sample the participating whiskies in a sophisticated and elegant environment with genuine camaraderie and knowledgeable representatives from each participating distillery.

Whisky Intelligence readers will receive a 10% discount on tickets to the Extravaganza. Please use the promotional code “EXTD2015″. You can purchase tickets directly from the link HERE, by visiting their  website  or by calling them at 800.990.1991.

All events from 6:30pm-9:00pm. Registration begins at 6:30pm.

Fall 2015 Whisky Extravaganza Schedule 

CHICAGO – THURSDAY 10/8/2015

THE UNION LEAGUE CLUB OF CHICAGO

65 WEST JACKSON BOULEVARD

CHICAGO, IL 60604

*JACKETS REQUIRED. NO DENIM OR ATHLETIC ATTIRE

WASHINGTON, DC – THURSDAY 10/29/2015

JW MARRIOTT HOTEL

1331 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW

WASHINGTON, DC 20004

BOSTON – THURSDAY 11/5/2015

THE TAJ BOSTON

15 ARLINGTON STREET

BOSTON, MA 02116

SEATTLE – FRIDAY 11/13/2015

THE RAINIER CLUB

820 FOURTH AVENUE

SEATTLE, WA 98104

*NO DENIM OR ATHLETIC ATTIRE

LOS ANGELES – THURSDAY 11/19/2015

MILLENNIUM BILTMORE HOTEL

506 SOUTH GRAND AVENUE

LOS ANGELES, CA 90071

 FT. LAUDERDALE – THURSDAY 12/3/2015

THE SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO

1 SEMINOLE WAY

HOLLYWOOD, FL 33314

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TheWhiskyExtravaganza

Instagram – @thewhiskyextravaganza

Values Soar as Demand for Rare Whisky Booms

The market for investing in and collecting rare whisky continues to boom, with a record number of bottles of rare whisky sold at auction in the UK during the first half of 2015, according to figures published today by whisky analyst, broker and investment experts Rare Whisky 101.

The first six months of the year saw 20,638 bottles of single malt Scotch whisky sold in the UK on the open market, an increase of 5,374 bottles and a 35% increase on the same period last year. Compared to the first half of last year, the value of collectables sold at auction grew 33.8% to £4.604m.

The continued growth of the whisky secondary market contrasts with the fortunes of the primary market where whisky exports have seen values fall over the past year.

Whisky investment analyst and co-founder of Rare Whisky 101, Andy Simpson commented: “Demand for rare whisky and the supply of bottles at auction are both accelerating at an extraordinary rate, and this is driving up values. Even using the broadest metrics of the top 1000 bottles, we have seen a dramatic and dynamic rise in values since 2008 to end June 2015.

“Demand for desirable single malt Scotch brands and previously discontinued bottles remains exceptionally strong. The dead hand of marketing is gaining an ever tighter grip on the single malt category, where retail releases are becoming non-age stated (NAS) and the number of bottles ever more prolific.  The dearth of truly collectable releases over recent years has only fuelled demand for older and discontinued past releases where quality and rarity are powerful motivations for purchase.

“For many in the broader Scotch industry, export and sales figures appear challenging. However, the secondary market for rarities shows little of this stress. We view this as a clear future trend, with the value of scarcity increasing demand from connoisseurs, collectors and investors.”

Liquid gold burns brighter

The top 100 performing bottles of Investment Grade Scotch (Rare Whisky 101 Apex 100 Index) increased by 8.93% compared to the same period last year.  The rising values have yielded an overall increase of 506.24% between 2008 and 31 June 2015. The Apex 250 and 1000 have recorded growth of 385.81% and 245.08% over the same time frame.

Bowmore rockets up rankings, but Balvenie takes a tumble

Leading rare whisky brands, Brora and The Dalmore, retain their positions as the top two ranked distilleries, but there has been significant movement elsewhere within the Investors Distillery Index. The biggest risers are Bowmore, up 13 places from 18 to 5, Ardbeg up 10 places from 19 to 9, and Glenfiddich which climbed 16 places to 23. Balvenie tumbled 10 places from 3 to 13.

Caveat emptor….worst performing whiskies continue to decline

Conversely, the negative indices plumbed new depths, continuing a downward negative trend. Despite producing a marginally positive performance (+0.16%) through the first half of 2014, the Negative 100 Index has experienced a significant -6.74% decline during the first half of 2015. From 2008 to the end of June 2015, the Negative 100, 250 and 1000 are down -67.84%, -60.2% and -44.12% respectively.

Japanese whisky experiencing meteoric ascent

While values for collectable single malt Scotch have made impressive gains during the first half of the year, their performance pales in comparison to some Japanese brands. Karuizawa, for example, has increased by 66.05% at the half year point, outperforming any other single malt Scotch brand.

For more information or to download the full report visit http://www.rarewhisky101.com/

Notes 

About Rare Whisky 101 Andy Simpson and David Robertson launched Rare Whisky 101 in 2014 with the aim of offering a whisky valuation service, brokerage and consultancy for whisky collectors and investors. Having tracked every bottle sold at auction over the past 12 years, the business now offers the world’s first and only online single malt Scotch whisky and most comprehensive dataset. In the last 12 months, RW101 have brokered around 15,000 rare whisky bottles around the globe in addition to trading in aged casks from iconic distilleries such as The Macallan, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Springbank and Highland Park.

Imperial 19 Year Old

Bottled July 2015 by Signatory Vintage, distilled at the lost Imperial Distillery September 1995.

Buy – $66.37

Imperial 19 Year Old 1995 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whiskey. Hogshead casks #50204 & #50205 of the lost Scottish distillery. Bottled July 2015 by Signatory Vintage for the Un-Chilfiltered Collection.

OUR LATEST AUCTION IS NOW LIVE!

Our latest auction is now live, and will end on Tuesday 8 September.

We have worked hard to put together an outstanding selection of whiskies from the much-sought-after Macallan 1938 to everyday drinking whiskies.

Our bourbon selection is impressive, including old releases from George T Stagg, Thomas H Handy and William Larue Weller.

Our line-up of miniatures is as strong as ever, with some rare examples that belonged to the one of the biggest collectors in the world, and some dating from the 1930s. Look out for the following bottles, and good luck with your bids!

• Brora 1970 32 Years Old Douglas Laing
• Glenlivet 1938 Gordon & MacPhail, bottled 1980s
• Highland Park 1968 Orcadian Vintage
• Johnnie Walker Red Label, bottled 1930s
• Karuizawa 1995 Noh Wine Cask #5039 for Dr Jekyll’s Pub
• Macallan 1938 handwritten label, bottled for Germany
• Macallan Private Eye
• Yamazaki 25 Years Old Sherry Cask

You can bid in two ways: either increase the highest bid by a fixed amount, or place your maximum bid straightaway – ideal if you can’t be online on the last day of our auction. Be the first to bid! Remember that you can also create a personalised Watch List to keep track of your favourite items.

View our current auction

Get bidding, and good luck!

The Whisky Auction team.