RABBIE BURNS AND H.M. THE QUEEN AT BONHAMS CHRISTMAS WHISKY SALE

Bottle of Black Bowmore 1964, estimated at £5,000-6,000; The Macallan Robert Burns Semiquincentenary (1759-2009), estimated at £1,500-1,800

Two bottles of Black Bowmore 1964 lead Bonhams annual Christmas Whisky sale in Edinburgh on 7 December.  They are estimated at £5,000-6,000 each.

One bottle is from the Second Edition of the Black Bowmore 1964 that was bottled in 1994 and limited to 2000 bottles; the other comes from the Final Edition bottled in 1995 of which there were a total of 1812 bottles. Morrison’s Bowmore Distillery produced three editions from 1993-5.

As usual, the Christmas Whisky sale has some bottles with fascinating histories and associations including:

• The Macallan Robert Burns Semiquincentenary (1759-2009) which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national poet. (£1,500-1,800).

• The Macallan Diamond Jubilee bottled in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (£1,200-1,500).

One of the most intriguing lots is the Bruichladdich Château d’Yquem Finish 20 year old (£750-850 for three bottles).  The whisky has been aged for 15 years in a Bourbon cask and then finished in a cask that previously contained Chateau d’Yquem, the most famous Sauternes from one of the finest wine-producing areas in the world.

Bonhams whisky specialist, Martin Green, said, “Bonhams December whisky sale has something for everyone, from limited editions of cask-aged whiskies aimed at the dedicated collector to modestly priced malts that will help get the Christmas season off to a flying start.”

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, the auction house offers more sales than any of its rivals. The main salerooms are in London, New York and Hong Kong. Sales are also held in the UK in Knightsbridge and Edinburgh; in the US, in San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, in Paris and Stuttgart and in Sydney, Australia. Bonhams also has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

The Whisky SaleBonhams, 22 Queen St. Edinburgh EH2Wednesday 7 December 2016, 11amSpecialist: Martin Green Bonhams’ Whisky Specialist

NOVEMBER AUCTION NOW LIVE! 

Our November Auction is now live, featuring over 2500 lots! If it’s getting chilly where you are then there are plenty of winter warmers to keep the cold at bay and if the sun is only just emerging for you, well why not pick up a bottle or two to celebrate the return of Summer? We have quite the array to choose from this month! 

PAPPY VAN WINKLE FAMILY RESERVE SERIES

 With Thanksgiving coming up it seems only right that we kick things off with one of America’s finest and most sought after exports! We have a superb range of the legendary Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve starring in this auction. 

LARGIEMEANOCH 1967 12 YEAR OLD 

An incredibly rare and very special Bowmore, bottled under the Largiemeanoch label for The Howgate Wine Co Ltd. 

MACALLAN 40 YEAR OLD 2016 RELEASE

With a mere 500 bottles produced, this stunning 2016 release was only made available to a lucky few whose names were drawn from an online ballot! 

KINGSBURY BOTTLINGS 

A fantastic line-up of outstanding vintage whiskies from independent bottler Kingsbury, it’s impossible to pick just one highlight from this group! 

BOOKER’S RYE 13 YEAR OLD LIMITED EDITION 

The 2016 award winning limited release from the Jim Beam distillery! Jim Murray seemed to like it anyway but will it make the top of your list? 

KARUIZAWA COCKTAIL SERIES

Sold exclusively by La Maison Du Whisky, the ‘Cocktail Series’ has firmly joined the ranks of Karuizawa’s many whiskies that receive international acclaim. We are delighted that the current auction features various bottles from this legendary series!

 Auction runs Friday 18th November to Monday 28th November.

There is no registration fee, our commission structure is very competitive and we offer worldwide shipping. For our terms and conditions please click here. 

Have bottles you’d like to sell? Our Special Extended Christmas Auction is just around the corner! Contact us now to find out more.

Many of you may have noticed that the Asian whisky market is on fire. Japanese whisky has become all but extinct and the category continues to garner multinational accolades. While the fervor builds for the ever elusive Japanese Single Malt, a little distillery in Yuanshan in Western Taiwan has quietly been cranking out award winning whisky after award winning whisky. The special distillery in this rural township was only built in 2005, but is already bottling world class whisky. Named for the native people of the island, the distillery was built to exacting standards and features a Scottish style double pot still set up. With the quiet and confident Master Distiller Ian Chang at the helm the distillery has received several of the whisky world’s highest honors. Of their many offerings, the most special are their single barrel cask strength offerings (known in the rest of the world as Solist Casks). Here in the states a trademark dispute prevented the use of that moniker, but the whisky is no less special.

Of all the Solist offerings, the Sherry Cask (drawn from Spanish Oloroso Sherry Butts) is arguably the most delicious. Since its release two years ago we’ve not received more than 75 bottles in total from their importer. Each shipment has sold out within minutes of arriving on our shelves. For that reason we’re extremely lucky to be able offer you unlimited access to a very special single cask from Kavalan (Solist) Sherry Single Cask. It is the darkest and most powerful sherry cask from Kavalan we’ve ever seen and while stocks are open at this time, they will not last long.

Kavalan “Sherry Cask” Cask Strength Single Barrel Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $300) ($199.99) – Arriving In Two Weeks

After so much time spent merely reading about the great single malt whiskies from Taiwan’s Kavalan distillery, we can finally get our hands on them here in the states! This is the elusive Single Sherry Cask, known in every other market as the Solist Sherry. This particular cask was purchased exclusively for the Southern California Artisanal Group and represents a huge chunk of the total US allocation. It’s extremely rare because it’s rightfully regarded as one of the world’s great sherried malts. Rated 97 points by the BTI, 5 time double gold SFWSC and the winner of the coveted “Supreme Champion” title from the well respected Malt Maniacs Award, it’s no wonder connoisseurs around the world scramble to get their hands on this stuff when available. This particular cask #S100127022A is the DARKEST sherry from Kavalan we’ve ever seen. It maybe the darkest sherried whisky we’ve ever had in the store period and that intense color translates to monster flavors.. If you like big sherry and big malt this is the whisky for you. Color: Dark Raisin Nose: Multi-layer dried fruit, nuttiness and spice with marzipan and vanilla as well. Palate: Rich, oily and full with dense dried fruit and spices that linger into a fine coffee finish. We’ve secured a healthy chunk of this special cask but it won’t last long once our competitors notice that it’s available. Expect higher prices as it trickles through the market or secure your bottle right now.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 29, 2016

If you’re a fan of the heavily-sherried Karuizawa whiskies, then this whisky is going to light your fire. It’s a total sherry bomb, dark and dense, and loaded with big, heavy Oloroso flavor. It’s totally concentrated as well, despite only seven years in the butt. That’s that Taiwanese heat, I guess. I don’t know how else to explain it. It’s not youthful or hot or out of whack. It’s the real deal — lots of cakey baking spices, dark fudge, and rich decadent sherry action.

Daniel Maas | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 16, 2016

Sure, most of us probably think of Japan as the eminent whiskey producing country in Asia, but just wait. If you’re like me, you will find yourself reconsidering that ideology upon tasting this ultra-rare cask of super-sherried KAVALAN! Easily the finest example of the Taiwanese distillery’s offerings I’ve had, this takes power to a new level with a myriad of spices, creamy-vanilla, and a subtle nutty essence. It’s all wrapped up nicely in a plush, full bodied malted texture that easily holds the immense level of sherry character. Bottled at a full-proof 57%, this beast remains quite drinkable and carries with it a lingering finish that left this PEAT-HEAD simply mystified. Could it be? Have I finally become a sherry lover? Yes.. Friends, we are truly in a new world. AND I LIKE IT.

Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637) Email: wine@klwines.com

K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Orders will be dispatched week beginning 21st November

Hazelburn 9 Year Old Barolo Cask Matured ~ Springbank

57.9% vol. / 70cl

This Campbeltown Single Malt from Springbank’s Hazelburn line of unpeated, triple-distilled whisky spent 6 years in fresh bourbon casks before an additional three years in refill Barolo wine casks.

Nose: sweet confectionery and fruit salad notes before sherbet, sugared almonds and soft fruits emerge.

Palate: peppery with light tannins, a continuing sweetness with dried fruits, raisins and a hint of coconut.

Finish: medium dry with dark sugars and chocolate alongside vanilla and stewed fruits.

Loch Fyne Whiskies

tel: 0800 107 1936

info@lochfynewhiskies.com

R&B Distillers win two bronze awards at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition

R&B Distillers are delighted to announce that their Raasay While We Wait single malt and Borders highland single grain whisky have both been awarded a coveted bronze medal in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (HKIWSC).

These prestigious awards are an outstanding achievement for such young whiskies and is a great addition to R&B Distillers growing list of accolades: in May 2016 the lightly-peated single malt, Raasay While We Wait, won the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) bronze award and was swiftly followed in July by a silver medal in the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Raasay While We Wait is now a triple award-winning scotch whisky and the bronze HKIWSC medal is the first international award for Borders.

HKIWSC is run in partnership with the IWSC and is the first truly Asian wine and spirit competition in the world. Judging is conducted by Asia’s most esteemed wine and spirit experts in two stages, first through a silent blind tasting in which the whisky are ranked alongside their competitors and proceeded by a discussion.

R&B stands for Raasay and Borders, two unique Scottish landscapes brought together through one unique whisky company. Co-founder Alasdair Day embodies this coupling; his great grandfather hailed from the Hebrides, while his other great grandfather was a master-blender in the Borders in the early 19th Century. Raasay

While We Wait, which is finished in Tuscan red wine casks, is R&B’s representation of the style of whisky they intend to distill at their brand new Isle of Raasay Distillery. With the distillery currently under construction and set to open and begin production in late spring 2017, the first single malt from Raasay itself will be bottled in 2020.

R&B plan to build a second distillery in Peebles, within the Scottish Borders region and their Borders single grain has been produced to reflect this lowland style. It is uniquely the only single grain Scotch Whisky to contain 50% wheat & 50% malted barley from one highland distillery.

Borders is finished in Oloroso sherry casks rendering it dry and complex with herbaceous and floral notes. Alasdair Day said of their fantastic achievement at the HKIWSC – “Since The Tweeddale Blend was introduced to the Asian market there’s been an interest in the story behind R&B Distillers, and Raasay and Borders have proved no exception. We’ve been able to provide an uncommon Scotch whisky palate to a new younger urban market .”

Raasay While We Wait, priced at £56.95 and Borders priced at £49.95 and is available to buy directly from the R&B Distillers website www.rbdistillers.com T: 0131 564 0761 E: sales@rbdistillers.com

RETAILERS UK: 

●  Master of Malt (online)
●  Whiski Rooms (Edinburgh shop)
●  Oban Whisky & Fine Wines (Oban)
●  Shop4Whisky (online)
●  JL Gill (Crieff)
●  Royal Mile Whiskies (Edinburgh & online)
●  Raasay Community Store (Raasay)
●  Jeffrey Street Whisky & Tobacco (Edinburgh)
●  The Whisky Shop (Dufftown)
●  Mainstreet Trading Co. (St Boswells, Scottish Borders)
●  Oblo Bar (Eyemouth, Scottish Borders)

BARS/RESTAURANTS
●  Whiski Rooms (Edinburgh bar)
●  Teuchters Landing (Edinburgh Leith)
●  Teuchters West End (Edinburgh West End)
●  Drysbrugh Abbey Hotel (Drysbrugh)
●  Raasay House Hotel (Raasay)
●  Sconser Lodge (Skye)

BARS AND RESTAURANTS – TAIWAN
●  Mume
●  TCRC Bar
●  Marsalis Home Hotel

TASTING NOTES:

‘Raasay While We Wait’

Aroma: Surprisingly very little smoke on the nose but instead light fruity notes come through.
Colour: Natural colour, heather tinted imparted from Tuscan red wine oak casks.
Taste: Instantly there is peat smoke and spice (a distant campfire, black pepper, liquorice, oak and then the
sea breeze) slowly this is balanced with the dry fruit from the Tuscan red wine casks (black currant, blackberry,
raspberry and cherries).
Finish: A long lingering finish.

Food  Pairings:  Pairs  well  with  Sconser  Scallops,  Smoked  Salmon,  game,  grouse,  woodcock,  venison,  creamy
blue cheese, bacon, haggis.

ABV: 46% Non-Chill Filtered

Year released: November 2015 – 1st Release Limited Edition

‘Borders’

Aroma: Prominent sherry notes on the nose, hints of sugar-coated nuts.
Colour: Natural colour, lightly golden taken from sherry finishing casks.
Taste:  Surprisingly  dry  on  the  palate  with  the  sherry  influences  dominating.  Walnuts  balanced  with  vanill a,
herbaceous and floral notes coming through towards the end, and just a touch of warm spice.
Finish: Lingering, dry and complex.
Food Pairings: Pairs well with Cocoa Black dark praline chocolates.

ABV: 51.7% Non-Chill Filtered

Year released:  November 2015 – 1st Release Limited Edition

ROCK TOWN WHISKEYS SCORE LIQUID GOLD IN JIM MURRAY’S 2017 WHISKY BIBLE with a 94, 95 and a 95.5!

“The nose will give any rye lover a serious hard on”

Little Rock, AR – (November 7, 2016) –  Rock Town Distillery is pleased to announce three of its whiskeys have scored the rating of “Liquid Gold” in Jim Murray’s 2017 Whisky Bible. Rock Town’s Arkansas Rye Whiskey received a “brilliant” 95.5/100, while its Barley Bourbon from the Flavor Grain Series received a “fabulous” 95/100 and its Single Barrel Bourbon received a “superb” 94/100.

According to Murray, Rock Town’s Arkansas Rye Whiskey, which received the 95.5, “will give any rye lover a serious hard on” and “one can only swoon. Brilliant!”   Rock Town’s Arkansas Rye is slowly distilled from a mash of 52% Arkansas grown rye grain, 38% Arkansas grown corn and 10% malted barley and also won a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition earlier this year. Rock Town’s Arkansas Barley Bourbon is part of its experimental Flavor Grain Series, where un-malted barley was used instead of the typical rye or wheat, received a score of 95/100. The mashbill is 60% corn, 30% un-malted barley and 10% malted barley. The review calls it “Irish whiskey meets bourbon” and describes the flavor as “the extraordinary dispersal of crisp sugars, the mouth-watering qualities, the spices, the chocolate….fabulous!”. This bourbon is only available for purchase at the distillery. Also awarded the status of “Liquid Gold” was barrel #337 of Rock Town’s Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon Whiskey.  The 94/100 rating was accompanied by the description, “exploding with character and flavour” and it was called “superb”.   “To receive these ratings on three different whiskeys is a tremendous achievement” said distillery founder and head distiller Phil Brandon, “I’m so proud of our team and what our little distillery in Arkansas has be able to achieve in its short 6-year history.”

ABOUT JIM MURRAY’S WHISKY BIBLE

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible is the world’s leading whisky guide. Each edition contains over 4,600 detailed, professionally analyzed and easy to understand tasting notes on the world’s leading and lesser known whiskies.

ABOUT ROCK TOWN DISTILLERY

Rock Town Distillery produces the award winning Arkansas Bourbon, Arkansas Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey, Arkansas Hickory Smoked Whiskey, Arkansas Rye Whiskey, Arkansas Lightning, Brandon’s Gin and Rock Town Vodka which are distributed to 15 states and the United Kingdom.  Winner of the 2015 US Micro Whisky of the Year in the 2015 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Rock Town Distillery, Arkansas’ first legal distillery since prohibition, is located in downtown Little Rock at 1216 E 6th Street, Little Rock, AR 72202.  The distillery is open for tours 7 days a week. To find out more please visit www.rocktowndistillery.com

Chivas Regal Ultis: THE ESSENCE OF CHIVAS REGAL 

Chivas Regal Ultis, the first blended malt Scotch whisky from the House of Chivas, is an uncompromising and visionary expression of Chivas’ inimitable style; the ideal drink for the discerning gent.

Launching today in the UK, in tribute to the passion and dedication of five generations of Master Blenders, Chivas Regal Ultis uses only five of the most precious, signature single malts from Speyside, Scotland, to create a luxury whisky with complex flavours, a glorious golden hue and a commanding, rich aroma.

From millions of casks in the Chivas Brothers inventory, less than 1% has been hand-selected by the expert blending team to create Chivas Regal Ultis. This traditional method of individually nosing each cask ensures the superior quality of Chivas Regal Ultis.

Distilled exclusively in copper pot stills, Chivas Regal Ultis captures the essence of the smooth and generous character of Chivas Regal’s signature style.

Colin Scott, Chivas Regal Master Blender says, “I am honoured to be one of only five Chivas Regal Master Blenders to have spent our life’s work mastering the famous Chivas house style. I feel privileged to have continued the craftsmanship and I believe that Chivas Regal Ultis represents the true essence of Chivas Regal.”

Chivas Regal Ultis is now available from Harrods and Harrods.com at an RRP of £180. Whisky aficionados can also taste Ultis by the dram at Chivas Regal’s whisky blending experience, The Blend at the Truman Brewery (open until the 4^th of December).

Notes:

Twitter / Facebook / Instagram: @ChivasRegalUK

Chivas Regal Ultis: Tasting notes

Overall Tasting profile

The five single Malts that have been selected for Chivas Ultis are at the heart of Chivas Regal. The Strathisla, Longmorn, Tormore, Allt A’Bhainne and Braeval Malts are the signature malts of the Chivas house style sharing a smooth and generous character.

• Nose: The aroma presents ripe peach and red apples with accompanying cinnamon, fudge and honey infusions.
• Taste: Tasting reveals a smooth vanilla texture, brimming with clementine and apricots, before giving way to a background of soft caramel, spicy cloves and ginger.
• Finish: A bold finish is long with a warm hint of heather, leaving a satisfyingly full experience.

 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 Extra, Chivas 18, Chivas 25, the pinnacle of the range ultra-prestige blend, Chivas Regal The Icon and the Global Travel Retail exclusive, Chivas Brothers Blend. Launched in October 2016, Chivas Regal Ultis is the first blended malt Scotch whisky from the House of Chivas and represents the true Essence of Chivas Regal.

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 world’s No.1 single malt whisky; 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.chivasspirit.com/

New Releases

This week The Whisky Shop is welcoming some fantastic new expressions from the GlenDronach and BenRiach distilleries in Speyside.

The first expression from GlenDronach is the Grandeur Batch 008, a 25 year old expression matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry casks and limited to just 1,505 individually numbered bottles. The second is a 14 Year Old expression finished in a very small batch of Marsala casks, while BenRiach introduces a 22 year old expression finished in Moscatel wine casks.

For those of you looking for something different in time for Christmas, you can’t get much more different than these!

Orders will be dispatched w/c 21st November

GlenDronach Grandeur Batch 008 25 Year Old

£436 Buy Now

GlenDronach 14 Year Old Marsala Cask Finish

£71 Buy Now

BenRiach 22 Year Old Moscatel Finish

£175 Buy Now

Loch Fyne Range

Here in our workshop on the shores of Loch Fyne we do just one thing, and we do it very well. That’s to know what people like in a whisky. You’ve told us everything we need to know and we’ve heard you, because, like whisky, the skill of listening improves with age.

Old Forester “1920 Prohibition Style” Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (750ml) ($59.99)

As one of the few distilleries allowed to remain operational during Prohibition, Old Forester is celebrating this part of its history with with its Whiskey Row series. According to the distillery: “The 115 proof expression represents a barrel sample that company president Owsley Brown I would have batched at the beginning of Prohibition. The nose is an intense medley of cherry preserves, drippy caramel, dark chocolate, thickened maple syrup and seasoned oak spiciness. Dark caramel coats layers of malt nuttiness and sweet graham cracker all warmed by green peppercorn and coriander spice brightened with a hint of cedar. Tart apple crispness gives way to a long smoky finish full of toasted marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker sweetness.”

Lagavulin 25 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($1,149.99)

Brora 38 Year Old Limited Edition Special Release Single Malt Whisky (750ml) – 3 available ($2,199.99)

Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)

Email: wine@klwines.com

K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA

San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA