This month we have a cracking cavalcade of Scotch, Japanese, Irish and American whiskies to slake your thirst and arouse your interest.

Big Petrie once again gives us a sneak peak of this month’s auction here.

Firstly this month we have a crystal decanter that contains whiskey from Ireland. Distilled in 1943 and bottled by Douglas Laing 42 years later, this is one of only 36 decanters bottled, so the angels were especially greedy with this rare and special spirit.

From across the Atlantic we have a bottle from the ever exciting Pappy Van Winkle. This particular bottle was distilled in 1974 and bottled at 16 years of age.

There are three 50 year olds in this month’s auction. Firstly, from the lost Glenury Royal distillery, is whisky distilled in 1953, then two bottles from the same distillery and same bottler – one distilled in 1936 and the other in 1957. Gordon & MacPhail has bottled both these Mortlachs,o why not buy and try both as a compare and contrast exercise?

Glenlivet brings us a 49 year old bottled for the Italian market and Probably Speysides Finest Distillery pops up twice with 46 and 47 year old offerings. Glenfarclas from a cognac cask bottled at 43 years old is up next and a Pride of Strathspey from 1950 also makes an appearance.

We have a Talisker from 1947, a White Horse from 1937 and a Linkwood from 1938. As well as a Cardhu, 1962, Dalwhinnie, 1957, Glen Lochy, 1967, Springbank,1965, and a 39 year old Littlemill all from the Granddaddy of independent bottlers, Cadenhead’s.

There are two interesting Glenlossies in this month, one from Cadenhead’s and the other from Gordon & MacPhail. The first is 43 years old and was distilled in 1938 before being bottled for the Connoisseurs Choice range. The other comes from 1957 and was bottled after 20 years by Cadenhead’s.

As always we have an array of Karuizawa, Port Ellen and other lost and hard to find distilleries and bottlings as well as this year’s Feis Ile offerings.

Please explore at your leisure but remember, Don’t Lose Your Bottle!

All the best from us here at SWA HQ!

MALTSTOCK MASTERCLASSES

It’s the moment many of you were waiting for, booking the Masterclasses! Over the years we’ve had amazing Masterclasses. And this year’s line-up looks very promising again. You can find all Masterclasses at our website.

In about 10 days you all can let us know, what your favourite Masterclasses are. On July 1st everyone with a Maltstock ticket will receive an email from us, explaining this year’s procedure.

If you aren’t the relaxed owner of a Maltstock 2016 ticket yet, you won’t receive the link until you are completely relaxed with a Maltstock ticket. To get the preference link, get a ticket first.
Get your ticket(s) here: TICKET SHOP

A more complete (work in progress) version of the program can be found here: MALTSTOCK PROGRAM

Trust us, you don’t want to miss this edition of Maltstock. We still have some tickets available, but please be fast in a relaxed manner of course, before we sell out.
Get your ticket(s) here: TICKET SHOP

FOOD AND DRINKS

As every year there will be plenty of Friday: Pizza, midnight snacks. Saturday: Full Scottisch breakfast, lunch, BBQ and midnight snacks. Sunday: Full Scottisch breakfast. At the bar we will have fruit available as well.

Softdrinks, coffee, tea, beer, you can get at the bar or at night in the Midnight Cafe.

All drinks and food available at Maltstock is included in the price!

The midnight cafe will be open again for dancing into the early hours. We are going to ask our guests what music they would like to hear a couple of days before Maltstock. The organisation will make a selection of this input.

Full Proof (Jeroen Koetsier) will be there with his insane collection of rare and outstanding whisky from the past. the Whisky Mercenary (Jurgen Vromans) will be there as well to present his relaxed bottles.
Remember last year’s whisky chocolate and candy? Wow, those treats were delicious! the Chef without a restaurant (Inge Lanckacker) will be back!!
Wagging Finger the new project of Erik Molenaar, who we all know from Kintra. We think Wagging Finger Gin is a very relaxed gin, easily drinkable with very relaxed flavor!

You can enjoy Wagging Finger Gin on Saturday before the BBQ.

MALTSTOCK TICKETS

You don’t have a Maltstock 2016 ticket yet?

Please, for your own well being, make sure the time till Maltstock is as relaxed as possible and buy a ticket in our ticketshop:

TICKET SHOP

ps. at our Facebook page we are posting photos and videos of previous Maltstock edition. Take the trip down memory lane here: Maltstock Memory Lane

Agenda (Maltstock visiting other festivals):

Aquavitae 2016, Mullheim (29.10.16-30.10.16)

Our 63rd Auction is now live.

Kind regards from Glasgow

The SWA Team

Kavalan “Ex-Bourbon Cask #75” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ( $149.99) Taiwan’s Kavalan distillery once faced an uphill battle, selling the quality of their precocious young single malt whisky to a world of skeptics. It didn’t take long, however, to sway the critics. When the Kavalan Vinho Barrique expression won “best in the world” at the 2015 World Whisky Awards the entire planet took notice and Kavalan’s reputation received an instant shot in the arm. Here at K&L we are lucky to have a close relationship to both the company and to the master distiller Ian Chang, who hosted our group in Taiwan back in 2014. Due to the close bond that was formed between K&L and Kavalan, we were allowed to select three single barrel casks to be bottled exclusively for our store; all three of which were ex-Bourbon barrels. Because of Taiwan’s subtropical climate and intense humidity, the whisky ages more rapidly and soaks up the flavor of each cask with intense concentration. In all three cases, the Bourbon flavor comes through on the whisky almost more than the single malt character. Barrel #75A is another beast of a whisky at 58.6% ABV, but it’s the richest of the three by a hair with subtle floral elements that dance atop the intense oak flavor. There’s more maltiness apparent on the palate than the others and there’s a tropical coconut note on the finish that comes from the sweetness of the oak. It still needs water, however, as the high proof masks much of the complexity when taken neat. It’s a whisky to unlock slowly and methodically.

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

Whisky & Golf, Scotland in June

We enjoyed a tour with two really fun Californians here in sunny Scotland. Matt and his dad Tom worked with us to design this whisky and golf tour, boy where they lucky with the Scottish weather! They didnee see any rain in 7 days! They played golf and drammed great Scottish whisky in the 70 degree heat!

I (Paul) picked them up at Edinburgh airport, driving directly to Gleneagles for teas/coffees and a look around this famous golf resort. A hot day. From here via Perth to Broughty Ferry where we picked up our glamour (Liz) partner. A drive along the coast to Arbroath for a smokey and smoked salmon at the harbour followed, mmmmmmmmmmm. Returning towards the Ferry we called in at Carnoustie golf club – where they play in a day or two. Also dropped by Monifieth golf club and then to the hotel, drop off luggage and chil out with a drink in the bar. We left them alone for the remainder of the day/night after a long flight. Liz and myself did some whisky research in the Ferry with her pal Lynn.

Day 2. Playing around with the locals; we had arranged for Dennis and Les to make a four ball at Monifieth golf course, you have to laugh, the first ball hit by Matt in Scotland, another golfer took it by error! No quite the same as Tom Watson eh? Tom Watson: “My relationship with Scotland got off to a wonderful start at Carnoustie,” he recalls. “We stayed at a little house in Monifieth (in Angus]. The whole week the neighbours were very respectful of our privacy. Then on the last day they couldn’t contain themselves any longer. That morning the little girl from next door knocked on our front door and said: ‘Here, this is for good luck.’ I could barely understand her accent. But she gave me white heather wrapped in aluminium foil. I put it in my bag and, sure enough, I won. My love affair with the Scottish people had begun. Although I’m a Yank and always will be, I clearly love being in Scotland. I love them because they are so polite and they ask you for things in the right way”. TOM has had a charmed golfing life in Scotland, winning four of his five Open championships all three of his seniors Opens. He has won on five of the links here. It all began in 1975 when he beat Jack Newton in a play-off to take the Claret Jug at Muirfield. Our two Californian guests also played their first course in Scotland at Monefieth, a beautiful sunny afternoon just up the road from Broughty Ferry where we had them staying for 3 nights. As Matt said to Dennis, “Dennis, Tom Watson. Unbelievable to hear that his first hole in Scotland was at Monifieth! Dad and I really enjoyed the links we played – we thoroughly enjoyed the experience at Monifieth with you and Len, it’s one we soon won’t forget. Fantastic course and great company. You’re a lucky man to call that your local course.” Best, Matt. We all shared drams and grub at the Ship in the Ferry that night. Nice to get our guests loosen up and come out a wee bit with a dram or 7.

Day 3. Started with a drive to Kingsbarns golf club, they want to return and play this course at another time, it’s that good. Back to St Andrews, a quick tour and lunch at the Jigger Inn, a walk around the “The Himalayas” putting green, where anyone and everyone can enjoy the experience of St Andrews golf, with absolutely no experience needed! The course is owned by St Andrews Ladies’ Putting Club, but open to the public. The Himalayas costs £2 per round (£1 for senior citizens). Then up to Carnoustie for a round of golf, we left them there once on the tee, coming back to meet them and a drink at the 19^th. Good day again. This is getting to be a habit!

Day 4. Leaving the Ferry and heading through Aberdeen, Huntly up to Dufftown where we all enjoyed lunch at Glenfiddich distillery, the guys then taking the full tour. One more tour today, Glen Grant distillery, again, they liked it there. Dropping them off in Rothes at the superb hotel, I drove back to Dufftown for my digs.

Day 5. Did I happen to mention all the drams whilst in the car? Aye they had a few.

Day 6. A drive to Benromach distillery, Maclean’s Bakery in Forres and a round at Nairn golf club, what a hot sunny day it was! I collected them and took then to see Sueno’s Stone – standing over 6.5 metres (about 21 feet) high and is a Picto-Scottish Class III standing stone on the north-easterly edge of Forres, Scotland. It is the largest surviving Pictish stone of its type in Scotland. Radiocarbon dating at the site produced dates of charcoal fragments to between AD 600 and AD 1000. The interpretation of the battle scene shows a victory by Malcolm II (Máel Coluim mac Cináeda) (reigned 1005–1034) against Danes or Norse led by one Sueno. A visit followed at Gordon & MacPhail for shopping, then back to the hotel for a nap. More drams that night – boy this touring lark is exhausting. We tried out a Laphroaig dram, good stuff, just like tasting an old pirate’s boot!

Day 7 saw us heading to Cragganmore distillery at 10am, a private tour and taste, then back to Glenfarclas for more drams and a looksee, many thanks here Johnathan. I took them to the Mash Tun for lunch – where the fun started. Liz had called me in the morning saying she was on her way to Glasgow for a passport. She had colluded with our pal Louise who met her at Elgin station and drove here to Aberlour. She was missing out on the whisky tour and couldnee resist coming through! Was it a surprise? Is the Pope a Catholic? Lou and Liz stayed for lunch and then we went away to Macallan for a tour – 6 pillars. Just as they were aboot to start the fire alarm went off. Half an hour late they took the tour! Liz and myself went to do some research (well she did, I was still the driver). Picking them up again we headed the short distance to Cardhu distillery, where we all fed the hairy coo’s digestive biscuits. That night was long – drinking and dining at the Craigellachie hotel. A taxi back to Rothes and then up to Dufftown where Liz and myself stayed.     Day 8. Glen Moray tour with a difference, the lovely Emma took a private tour with drams from two casks, followed by 4 more in the shop. A wee bit tipsy (Guests) we drove down to Pitlochry in 74 degree heat for lunch at Moulin, and a drop in to Edradour distillery. Finally getting to Edinburgh and their final night hotel.

A great tour, thanks to everyone involved, see you again Tom and Matt.

Paul McLean; MCLEANSCOTLAND/WHISKY TOURS SCOTLAND info@mcleanscotland.com   (As you can see I’m still catching up with all my emails) The trip was great! Had a ton of fun and made lots of memories. We couldn’t have asked for better tour guides-Matt

Paul & Liz

CHIVAS BROTHERS’ PAISLEY, GLASGOW AND AYRSHIRE EMPLOYEES DONATE TO MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT WEST OF SCOTLAND

Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, is today awarding £5,000 to Macmillan Cancer Support in the West of Scotland, after employees from its Willowyard, Strathclyde and Paisley sites voted in their droves to support the charity.

Each year, Chivas Brothers’ staff select their favourite causes to support as part of the company’s commitment to build strong relations with the local communities where it operates.  Macmillan Cancer Support in the West of Scotland is dedicated to working closely with local people and raising money to provide services for those living with cancer and to support their families. A £5,000 donation ensures that a Macmillan nurse is able to give in-home support for people living with cancer for a whole month.

Lisa McGrogan, of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We are extremely grateful to the staff at Chivas Brothers for choosing us as their charity of the year partner for 2016-2017.  Sadly the number of people being diagnosed with cancer is increasing every year and that means Macmillan’s support for people living with cancer is in more demand than ever.

“Without companies like Chivas Brothers fundraising for us we would not be able to be there to support people with cancer and their families when they need us most.”

Jim Beck (pictured), who works within IT at Chivas Brothers, said: “I think if you took a survey on the street and asked them what the Macmillan charity meant to them, the majority would reply that they have a friend or relative who has benefited from the work and care they provide, and I am included in this. This is why it is a special charity to me.”

Jennie Norrish, Head of Communications at Chivas Brothers, said: “It is a great pleasure to announce that our employees have chosen to support Macmillan Cancer Support in the West of Scotland this year. We are dedicated to being a part of the communities where our employees live and work, and therefore support this incredibly worthy cause that is so close to the hearts of our Willowyard, Strathclyde and Paisley workforce. The Charity of the Year initiative is a great opportunity for Chivas Brothers to give back to our local communities.”

The donation to Macmillan Cancer Support forms part of a £20,000 contribution to four charities across the UK, each representing a region in which Chivas Brothers operates and includes; Macmillan Cancer Support in the West of Scotland, Paisley, Glasgow and Ayrshire; The Jake McCarthy Foundation, London and Plymouth region; Alzheimer Scotland, Northern Scotland region; and the Beatson Cancer Charity, Dunbartonshire.

The annual charity vote is just one of a number of initiatives that Chivas Brothers’ employees can take part in throughout the year, including a ‘doubling-up scheme’ where the company matches funds raised for good causes by workers in their spare time.

Notes:

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.2 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.chivasbrothers.com
@ChivasNewsRoom

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°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 85 “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 40index.
www.pernod-ricard.com

Introducing Whiskey Thief

“Life’s too short to wait for the good things, so we made the clock tick a little faster when we created Whiskey Thief.”

www.whiskeythief.co.uk/

Welcome to Whiskey Thief, the bourbon that fuses whiskey-making tradition with innovation to offer the modern consumer an intriguing, contemporary brand with a smoother, more mature flavour.

Whiskey Thief is authentic to its core and has been created by Bourbon experts specifically to fill a gap in the market by offering consumers something refreshingly different. From its distinctive mask-style label to its contemporary typography and bold colour scheme, Whiskey Thief is very much the antithesis to most bourbon brands that follow a well-trodden design path and apply similarly traditional themes, names and motifs. Everything about Whiskey Thief reflects the ethos and independent spirit of its UK-based creators.

The bourbon in every bottle has been developed over several years with MGP Distillery in Lawrenceberg, ‘Malt Advocate’s 2015 Distiller of the Year’. Even before full production could begin many experiments and tastings were undertaken to finally arrive at the finished taste profile. During this development process the team ran a particularly exciting experiment which utilized new innovation made available from the barrel industry. The results were truly captivating as they discovered a method which helped the clock tick a little faster and accelerate the maturation process.

The result is a mature and truly well-rounded flavour. With a pleasant sweetness, an undercurrent of fruit spice and delicate vanilla and mocha notes, Whiskey Thief is delicious either as a smooth, sipping drink or in a refreshing cocktail. Its initial run is limited to 80 barrels meaning that every drop is created with a labour of love.

Whiskey Thief will be distributed in the UK exclusively by Amathus Drinks Plc and is available now at an accessible retail price point of £25 for a 70cl bottle.

Whiskey Thief is perfectly poised to capture the imagination of bourbon connoisseurs and newcomers alike and make an impact in 2016 as the bourbon scene continues to grow. Its mystery surely won’t remain a secret for long.

The Macallan 25 Year Old Anniversary Malt is a very rare bottling.

This great whisky is presented in a beautiful wooden case for you to admire.

Distilled in 1965 and bottled in 1991.

Macallan is the highest sought-after whisky for collectors and whisky lovers alike.

Macallan harbours the best reputation for rare expressions with some bottlings cashing in for thousands of pounds – and the prices are only climbing.

 Macallan 25 Year Old Anniversary Edition £2,500.00 incl. VAT

 JUNE AUCTION LIVE!

 Summer has arrived and with it comes our June Auction! If the sun isn’t shining where you are take a look through the sale and bask in the warm glow from some of the hottest bottles around right now!

THAT BOUTIQUE-Y WHISKY COMPANY COLLECTION 

 Dazzling this auction is a vast array of That Boutique-y Whisky Company bottles! More colourful than bunting at a summer fete, the collection includes fantastic Port Ellen and Brora releases among many others. 

GLENUGIE 1966 SAMAROLI 33 YEAR OLD, GLENUGIE 1966 SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND

& GLENUGIE 1966 THE BOTTLERS 

We rarely see Glenugie these days let alone of this superb old vintage! A real treat!

ARDBEG 1967 KINGSBURY 29 YEAR OLD 

Sherry casked Ardbeg of this vintage is an unusual thing indeed! Bottled in 1996 by Kingsbury, who mostly export to Japan.

KINCLAITH 18 YEAR OLD CADENHEAD’S 1980S 

A rare bottling of very rare whisky from Glasgow’s last distillery, Kinclaith, which only operated for 18 years!

LAGAVULIN 18 YEAR OLD FEIS ILE 2016

The bottle that inspired some of the longest queues on Islay during the 2016 Feis Ile. Pick up yours here!

PORT ELLEN ANNUAL RELEASES 1^st – 10^th

The lost jewel in Islay’s crown, Port Ellen has achieved near mythical status since its closure in 1983. Here we have numbers 1 through 10 of their incredible annual releases, don’t miss your chance to fill that gap in your collection! 

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

Happy bidding!

Laphroaig “Triple Wood” Islay Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ( $59.99) 94 points Whisky Advocate: “This is the first time I’ve been up for reviews here so I had a game plan: play it cool, mark tightly, let everyone know I’m hard to please. Then they gave me this, the whisky equivalent to front row tickets to Neil Young on his current Twisted Road tour: not just a chance to get up close and personal with an old favorite, but to do so with an old favorite who’s on fire. Laphroaig’s owners are intent on ensuring a big peaty engine for any new release, but this is a monster by anyone’s standards. It’s essentially Quarter Cask finished in oloroso sherry casks, so in addition to the intense charcoal smoke attack there are rich fruity notes; blackcurrant and berries. It’s an evening barbecue whisky. Grill that fish until it’s blackened and crispy, drizzle on lemon, and as the smoke rears up in protest, sip this. Big, moody, broody, fruity, and rich: what’s not to love? (Vol 19, #3)” K&L Notes: A limited release that was supposedly for European Travel Retail only! Lucky for us some popped up in California. This is essentially the Quarter Cask finished in Oloroso Sherry Butts. There’s an extra touch of savory richness at the back end, but the entry is all peat and iodine just like we expect from Laphroaig. The finish really lurks for some time, morphing from smoke, to nutty rancio, to savory sea salt. It’s a great new release from Laphroaig – a distillery that has been absolutely killing it with their special edition whiskies as of late.

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