June Whisky Auction – Ends Soon!

Just Whisky’s June auction ends this weekend. There are over 1000 lots to bid on and some of the bottles are very exciting indeed.

Highland Park Pure Malt – John Scott Kirkwall (98° Proof)

This bottle has created quite a stir here in the office. It’s a fantastically well-preserved bottle of Highland Park Pure Malt Whisky from licensed Grocer and Ironmonger, John Scott. John Scott has a long history in Orkney. The firm was originally a licensed grocer but John Scott obviously saw some potential in other products and it was no time before he was also selling hardware. After a while, the firm outgrew its premises and John Scott made the decision to move to 15-19 Bridge Street, where the company remains to this day. After World War 2 the decision was taken to turn the firm into a limited company and so, on 29th December 1955, the firm was incorporated and its name was changed from ‘John Scott’ to ‘John Scott & Miller Ltd’. This label features the pre-1955 name ‘John Scott’ and we date the bottle to the early 1950’s. Bottled at 98° Proof. This is a rare chance to sample an incredibly old whisky from a bygone age.

Ardbeg 1965 – Museum Case and Miniature

Wow! This Ardbeg is truly stunning. Just 261 hand blown decanters have been produced and contain an incredible 40 year old Ardbeg 1965 vintage malt. This set is beautifully put together and extremely high-quality, and comes with a glass museum case, black plinth & lid, 2 locking pins in black pouch and even some white gloves to handle this incredibly desirable lot. For those of you who wish to sample the precious liquid without opening the full sized bottle, Ardbeg has been thoughtful enough to include a 5cl version of the whisky.

Bidding comes to an end from 8PM on Sunday the 19th June.

View the Entire Auction here

This week sees the arrival of Ardbeg’s much anticipated limited edition Dark Cove at The Whisky Shop.

This new release from Islay’s Ardbeg Distillery is a limted edition created to mark the end of Ardbeg Day during the Islay Festival of Music & Malt. Matured in ex-bourbon and dark sherry casks, this expression harks back to the days of illicit stills and bootleggers hoping to avoid the notorious Excise Men.

The nose entices with dark chocolate, rich treacle and distant bonfires. The palate smoulders with charcoal and wood polish, raisins and dates emerging from the shadows. The finish is long and spicy with cured ham and squid ink noodles lingering.

£110 Buy Now

Auchentoshan 24 Year Old 1991 Old & Rare

Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

CHIVAS MASTERS’ GLOBAL FINALISTS PREPARE FOR SHANGHAI

Chivas Masters 2016 – Shanghai skyline

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, has announced the 15 international bartenders that will compete in the Chivas Masters Global Final in Shanghai on 19th-22nd June – the first time a major bartending competition has held its finals in the city. The Asian cocktail capital will play host to this year’s finalists who each impressed in regional heats with their bartending skills and demonstration of their knowledge of Chivas.

The national heats of the Chivas Masters – now in its third year – challenged bartenders to recreate Chivas Regal’s journey across the globe. The 15 global finalists created serves inspired by the classic cocktails of New York to the booming bars of Shanghai, via their local cocktail scene, all designed to enhance Chivas Regal’s smooth and generous house style – a feat they will have to replicate in the Chivas Masters Global Final.

Finalists are preparing to jet off to Shanghai for a four-day experience that will incorporate key challenges and workshops with the industry’s best, including Naren Young, Head Bartender at Dante in New York City and Chris Lowder, Head Bartender at the Four Seasons in Seoul. Naren and Chris will be joined on the judging panel by industry legend Dre Masso, Founder of Akademi in Bali, and Leo Robitschek, Bar Director of New York’s Eleven Madison Park and the NoMad Hotel Bar, where they will judge competitors on their bartending talent and ability to lead, mentor and inspire a team.

Max Warner, Global Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal comments: “The announcement of the global finalists always marks a build of anticipation for the Chivas Masters Global Final – a time at which excitement for the competition hits fever pitch. Our national champions have impressed us so far but now have the opportunity to represent their countries alongside one of the world’s most prestigious Scotch brands and, by doing so, ensure their future as a top-class bartender. We can’t wait to witness the start of this incredible journey in Shanghai.”

Collaboration at the Global Final will be rewarded this year by granting a winning team, formed at the competition – the Chivas Masters Collective – a once in a lifetime trip to the Tales of the Cocktail 2016 in New Orleans. A further prize will be awarded to the 2016 Global Chivas Master, who will earn a bespoke trip to one of the world’s most iconic bars in a city of their choice to create a signature Chivas cocktail as their lasting contribution to the global competition.

About Chivas Regal Launched in 1909, Chivas Regal is the world’s first luxury whisky and is considered to be a timeless classic, renowned for its benchmark quality and taste, style, substance and exclusivity. A truly global brand, Chivas Regal has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide and today sells 4.5 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across the globe. With generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity at the heart of Chivas Regal, the brand launched its successful Win the Right Way campaign in 2014, which aims to inspire a new generation whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. The Chivas Regal range includes Chivas 12, Chivas 18, Chivas 25 and the Global Travel Retail exclusive, Chivas Brothers Blend. In October 2014, Chivas Regal announced the addition of a fifth permanent expression in the Chivas Regal family, Chivas Regal Extra, a new blend with a unique richness derived from selective maturation in rare ex-sherry casks. In 2015, the iconic brand welcomed the pinnacle of the range with the introduction of the new ultra-prestige blend, Chivas Regal The Icon. www.chivas.com

About Chivas Brothers Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s No. 2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the single malt whisky that set the standard; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch. www.chivasbrothers.com @ChivasNewsRoom

About Pernod Ricard Pernod Ricard is the world’s No. 2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,558 million in 2014/15. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 80 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index. www.pernod-ricard.com

SMALL CASK, BIG WHISKY: AN INNOVATIVE NEW RELEASE FROM THE BENRIACH

MULTI award-winning BenRiach Distillery in Speyside has today (7th June 2016) launched a peated expression of its Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in quarter casks. Its makers hail it as “a peaty fruit bomb”. 

The BenRiach Peated Quarter Cask single malt is the first product to be launched after the parent company was taken over by Brown Forman at the end of April. 

This innovative release revives the once-obsolete tradition of using smaller “Quarter” casks to give greater intensity of maturation.

Unusually for a Speyside distillery, this BenRiach expression is distilled from peated malted barley. The spirit is then matured fully in superlative quarter casks before being bottled at 46% abv.

A smaller cask, such as the quarter cask, allows for more interaction between the wood and the spirit, giving the whisky a great depth of flavour and aroma in a shorter period of time.

Colour – Bright summer gold.

Nose – Elegant waves of wood smoke intensify to burning heather with a delicious contribution of ripe orchard fruits. Subtle hints of peaches, cinnamon sugar and a slight herbal note of fresh barley give an added contrast to the unique, rich peat character.

Taste – Intense peat smoke mellows to smouldering peat embers infused with green pear and nectarine notes. Nutty oak and vanilla pods combine with a touch of white pepper and a twist of lime to give a crisp, smoky finish.

Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “Smaller casks mean bigger whisky. Using quarter casks allows the intensity of the spirit to shine through by speeding up the maturation process. In this fantastic new expression, the peat combines with the hints of pear and peach to produce an extraordinary fully-flavoured dram.”

Keep an eye on our website (www.benriachdistillery.co.uk/) and Facebook pages over the coming weeks for more information on new releases, tasting notes and exclusive product photography.

CELEBRATE SOLSTICE AT HIGHLAND PARK’S MIDSUMMER SOCIAL

DALSTON ROOF PARK | 21 – 22 June 2016 

Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the ‘Orkney Single Malt with Viking Soul’ is taking over London’s Dalston Roof Park for two evenings to celebrate Midsummer Solstice.

A hugely significant time of year at the whisky’s home on Orkney and an important celebration in Nordic history and culture, Midsummer Solstice is traditionally celebrated with good friends, bonfires, music and dance.

The narrative of Highland Park is deeply rooted in Nordic traditions and the people on Orkney (1 in 3 have Viking ancestry) take huge pride in honouring the spirit of their Viking ancestors by hosting a week’s worth of events dedicated to the official start of summer, when the evenings are at their longest.

The Highland Park Midsummer Social at Dalston Roof Park will bring to life this wonderful heritage through the following:

• Torchlight whisky tastings with Highland Park’s global brand ambassador Martin Markvardsen
• Highland Park infused cocktails
• Nordic inspired food curated by Root + Bone
• Highland Park Boilermaker pairings with 40ft Brewery
• DJ Eelke Kleijn will play a set on Tuesday 21 June
• Acoustic band Slow Club will provide live music on Wednesday 22 June

Mike Mackenzie, Highland Park Brand Manager said: “Highland Park’s Midsummer Social is a unique and exciting event to celebrate the brand’s Viking heritage. The fantastic rooftop setting at Dalston provides an opportunity for guests to fully immerse themselves in Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky, enjoy great cocktails, food and music whilst celebrating the official start of summer.”

A limited number of tickets are available for Tuesday 21 June and Wednesday 22 June at 7.30pm priced at £15. To reserve your place please click here or visit www.skiddle.com and search ‘Highland Park’. 

Notes

Please enjoy Highland Park responsibly, visit www.drinkaware.co.uk for the facts.

Join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook with #HPSolstice

Like Highland Park on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HighlandParkWhisky

Follow Highland Park on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@HighlandPark

Follow Highland Park on Instagram: www.instagram.com/@highlandparkofficial   

About Highland Park

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection. Its range of 12, Dark Origins, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts. Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently Highland Park ICE Edition was awarded 99 points and the Chairman’s Trophy at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge. While Highland Park 12, 15 and 18 Year Old were all awarded 96 points or above and the Tried and True Award at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge.

www.highlandpark.co.uk   

Eelke Kleijn

Eelke Kleijn is a Dutch producer and DJ hailing from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He is known mostly for his electronic dance music, but nowadays also produces music for other media, such as television series, commercials, movie trailers and animations. 

Slow Club

Slow Club are an English duo formed in Sheffield in 2006. The band consists of multi-instrumentalists Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor, with Watson contributing piano, Taylor contributing drums, and both performing guitar and vocals.

Single Cask Special!

We have some amazing single cask expressions in stock here at The Whisky Shop. From an impressive Single Grain Scotch aged for half a century to a relatively sprightly 8 year old Single Malt Scotch, these whiskies are all limited to just a couple of hundred bottles.

Free delivery available on all orders over £75 Next day delivery available (selected lines only)

Invergordon 50 Year Old The Sovereign

This expression from the Whyte & Mackay owned Invergordon Distillery has seen 9 different Prime Ministers during its 50 year maturation! Bottled at 50% abv, non chill-filtered and free from artifical colouring, this is a grown up drink with only 261 bottles produced. The nose is sweet and mellow with vanilla, sherbet and shortbread. The palate is fruity and effervescent with notes of dark chocolate and vanilla, while the finish is long and dry with sweet fruits and oak.

£845 Buy It Now

Auchentoshan 12 Year Old Distiller’s Art

This Lowlands Single Malt was distilled in 2003 and matured for 12 years in a single refill hogshead before being bottled in 2015 at a strength of 48% abv. This expression from the Auchentoshan Distillery in Clydebank is non chill-filtered, natural coloured and, with only 257 bottles produced, a rare and unique take on the usual Auchentoshan 12 year old.

£76 Buy It Now

Old Malt Cask Bunnahabhain 26 Year Old

Hailing from Islay’s most northerly distillery, this expression of Bunnahabhain Single Malt from Hunter Laing’s Old Malt Cask range has been aged for an impressive 26 years in a refill hogshead. Bottled at 50% abv, this single cask offering is non chill-filtered with no added colouring, with just 132 bottles produced. A sweet nose offers sticky toffee, green apples and vanilla, while the palate is indulgent with caramel shortbread and chocolate orange notes. The finish is long and lingering with a lasting oak influence.

£200 Buy It Now

Old Malt Cask Bruichladdich 12 Year Old

Another Islay offering from Glasgow-based Hunter Laing’s Old Malt Cask range, this 12 year old expression from the Bruichladdich Distillery is non chill-filtered and presented with its natural colour at 50% abv. Limited to just 284 bottles. The nose is full of tangy apples and sultanas with a hint of butterscotch. The palate offers sticky toffee pudding with a lemon peel edge cutting through. The finish is long and satisfying with sweet dried fruit lingering.

£95 Buy It Now

Inchgower 8 Year Old Douglas of Drumlanrig

This single cask expression from the Inchgower Distillery was distilled in 2008 before being matured in red wine finished barrels for 8 years. Bottled earlier this year at 46% abv, this Speyside Single Malt is limited to only 429 bottles. The nose has strawberry, vanilla and hints of toffee. The palate is malty and robust with fruit an oak notes, while the finish has red fruits and sweet oak lingering on.

£60 Buy It Now

Woodford Reserve 1L The Party Source Private Barrel! – We were sad when the Woodford Double Oaked private barrel program was suspended, but we’re elated that Woodford Reserve opened up a private barrel program for their flagship Woodford Reserve Bourbon! It’s smooth and sweet and everything you love about Woodford, but with a little more stuffin’. Stop by when the Tasting Library is open and ask J.O. for a taste.

Golden Moon – We received another shipment from what is quite possibly our favorite Colorado Distillery. Everything they make it top shelf. New Golden Moon Spirits include: Ex Gratia  – think Chartreuse, Grappa – from fresh CO wine grape pressings, Gunfighter American Bourbon Double Cask – finished in Port casks, Gunfighter Rye Double Cask  – finished in Port barrels, and finally the Golden Moon Colorado Single Malt – only malted barley from CO and surrounding states is distilled and aged in new oak casks and then finished in used oak casks.

Jim Beam Signature Craft Triticale – Here’s the newest in Jim Beam’s Signature Craft series. Triticale is a hybrid grain produced from a cross of rye and wheat. The rye is most prominent on the nose with notes of many baking spices. On the palate however, the wheat shines through more with notes of apples, vanilla, and chocolate.

Dalmore 18yr – The first 14yrs were spent in American oak casks, then four years in two different sized sherry barrels. The result is a rich, complex, and wholly excellent Highland Single Malt Whisky. There are lots of chocolaty and citrusy qualities found in this delightful bottle.

Ardbeg Dark Cove – Here’s a real treat. It has been aged in dark sherry barrels and is Ardbeg’s darkest malt yet. Packed with flavors both fruit and earth, sweet and spice, all with a nice smoky backbone, any Islay lover would be remiss to not try this limited release.

Ardbeg 10yr with Uigedail and Corryvrecken 50ml sample bottles! – What better way to restock your Ardbeg 10yr than to get this gift pack that lets you try two of their other selections?  Compass Box – two special limited and special releases from Compass Box just came in.

Enlightenment had only 5,922 bottles produced, is a blend of fruity and floral Highland Single Malts, and is $78.99.

The Circus had only 2,490 bottles produced, are a harmonious blend of well-aged single malts that were then blended and aged, and is $239.99

FATHER’S DAY IDEAS

Child: “Dad, I’m hungry.” Father: “Hello Hungry, I’m Dad.” Check out the items below that any spirited father would be happy to receive in recognition of hard work, serious talks, enlightening life lessons, and Dad jokes.

Check it out:

For the Bourbon Loving Father 

Maker’s Mark The Party Source Private Select #2

Russell’s Reserve The Party Source Private Barrel

OKI Reserve 10yr Bourbon

For the Scotch Loving Father

Golden Moon Colorado Single Malt

AD Rattray Ben Nevis 17yr

Longrow Red 12yr

www.thepartysource.com

95 Riviera Drive, Bellevue, KY 41073  (859) 291-4007

Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 Old & Rare

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Young entrepreneur brings bespoke whisky experiences to the world’s whisky lovers 

Whisky tourism in Scotland is big business, with around 120 active whisky distilleries, 40 more in the pipeline and distillery visitor numbers reaching upwards of 1.5 million per year.

However, there’s a lack of services providing a personal connection between whisky tourists and the distilleries. With the industry looking to find innovative new ways to encourage whisky tourism in Scotland, whisky PR manager, Kirsty MacGeoch, has created the missing link between the distilleries and the visitors, with the launch of luxury whisky experience service, Whisky Co.

Based in Edinburgh and supported by RBS’ Entrepreneurial Spark start-up business accelerator, Whisky Co. connects people to Scotland’s distilleries through tailored whisky experiences.

Whisky Co. creates bespoke itineraries, individually suited to guests’ requirements and books all aspects of their trip, from transfers to tastings, with a focus on luxury. Whisky Co. has all whisky lovers covered, from the novice to the connoisseur.

Hailing from Scotland’s whisky capital, Speyside, Kirsty has created and hosted many VIP distillery trips for iconic whisky brands over the past 5 years. This experience, alongside booking spontaneous tours and transport for guests staying at her parent’s former guesthouse in Cardhu, gave Kirsty the idea to establish a tailored whisky experience service available to all;

“Whisky is a huge Scottish success story, but there’s a missing link between the distilleries and the whisky lovers coming to visit.  

“Everyone has a different taste when it comes to whisky and it’s the same when it comes to holidays. Whisky Co. stands for Whisky Connections, as that’s exactly what we do, provide that connection between the distilleries and the tourists. 

“I’ve always felt that there wasn’t a luxury, personalised service available to the public that offered something special to visitors. Whisky Co. is here to do that, by providing extra-special whisky experiences based on exactly what the customer wants, rather than providing just another pre-packaged whisky holiday. 

“I wanted to share my knowledge of Scotch and Scotland with the world to ensure visitors get the best out of what our country and its wonderful whisky have to offer.” 

Due to the bespoke nature of the trips, all prices are available on request.

Whisky Co. also make trip recommendations and can provide an itinerary only service.

Begin your whisky journey with Whisky Co here: http://www.thewhiskyco.co.uk/