AMAZON PRIME TO AIR “THE THREE DRINKERS DO SCOTCH”

New three-part series shakes up the whisky category

A new three-part series surrounding Scotch whisky invites Amazon Prime viewers to embark on an imbibing adventure with a trio of spirits enthusiasts. Set to air later in 2018, Colin Hampden-White, Helena Nicklin and Adrian (Aidy) Smith will take their global audience of over 120million viewers on a journey of discovery around Scotland, exploring the world of whisky through ‘edutainment.’

In “The Three Drinkers Do Scotch,” the trio of presenters will tap into an otherwise distant audience, while also staying relevant to those who already enjoy a dram.

Journalist, photographer and himself a Keeper of the Quaich, Colin Hampden-White explains: “By following our journey, our audience can absorb the flavours, culture and diversity of Scotland’s iconic spirit. We want people to feel inspired to try Scotch whisky – maybe for the first time, or perhaps they are already a fan looking for something new. This is the other side of the all-to-often snobbish and pretentious way in which drinks are communicated. Scotch has never before been promoted through entertainment on a digital platform as The Three Drinkers are doing so now.”

Helena Nicklin, wine and drinks presenter, author, writer and videographer, continues: “During filming, my intention is to get as close as possible to make the world of whisky – and drinks in general – less stuffy. Forget the swirling glasses and the lofty tasting notes. This show is fun and we want to teach through an entertaining travelogue in a way that appeals and makes sense to everyone.”

“Let’s face it, people like to explore new flavours, places and experiences,” continues wine and spirits columnist and drinks inspirer, Aidy Smith. “Now is the time to encourage younger and more inquisitive generations to get involved and excited about this industry. Drinks tend to all look the same on camera, but this is a subject that is so sexy in real life. So we asked ourselves: how can we take a world-famous spirit and inspire people? Our first three episodes are only the beginning.”

“The Three Drinkers Do Scotch” will be filmed in summer 2018 and air on Amazon Prime later in the year. Series 1 is already in partnership with Winerist – a global market leader for experiential tours and digital content in one of the fastest growing trends in travel: food and drink. With over 200 destinations worldwide, 3000+ experiences and a rapidly growing community of thirsty readers, Winerist provides inspirational drinks travel and content to those seeking an imbibing adventure.

Each of the three 30-minute episodes in series 1 will feature The Three Drinkers doing drinks differently – with big personalities, stunning landscapes, quirky visuals and humour. Available to over 120 million subscribers in the UK, USA, Japan and India*, this will be the largest drinks series on any platform. Series 2 is currently in creation.

*This program will continuously enter into new markets/countries as Amazon Prime expands its global reach.

About The TALENT

COLIN HAMPDEN-WHITE
Working initially for the Scotsman, Colin moved to London to work for The Times and Financial Times. During this time, he explored his love of wine and whisky, culminating in his series: the Greatest Winemakers and Greatest Whisky makers, exhibiting extensively in London, including the National Portrait Gallery, and Manhattan, winning the Louis Roederer Award for Artistry along the way. Colin continues to write about wine and spirits for LUX and Condé Nast. He has won the Born Digital award for photography, is a Keeper of the Quaich, and is Chairman of the Circle of Wine Writers. Having been the founding editor for Whisky Quarterly magazine, he is now the spirits editor at Winerist.

HELENA NICKLIN
Helena Nicklin is an award-winning wine and drinks presenter, author, freelance writer and influencer. She is also Head of Content for drinks, food and travel platform Winerist.com. As a professional drinks communicator, Helena’s niche lies in bridging the gap between fabulously detailed books and those who just want the basics in memorable, bite-size chunks. A member of the prestigious Circle of Wine Writers, Helena has written for various consumer publications and her videos have been featured on international wine travel sites. She is a columnist for online entrepreneurial website Talented Ladies Club and writes for luxury print title Savile Row Style Magazine. She also presents workshops at consumer fairs, has appeared as the wine expert on live TV, frequently speaks on TalkRADIO, runs private wine tasting events, writes and edits copy for wine businesses and sits on various tasting panels for competitions.

AIDY SMITH
Adrian is a fresh face and emerging personality in the wine and spirits industry, with a particular focus on the modern and explorative drinker. Put bluntly, the industry has remained stagnant for way too long and it’s about time an emphasis was placed on getting the younger and more inquisitive generations more involved and excited. Cutting through the BS, Adrian creates a fun and approachable mind-set to wine and spirits through his interactive guides, ABC education, videos, masterclasses and anti-snobbery approach. Former Editor-in-Chief for Drink Me, Adrian is the wine and spirits columnist for The Independent, Head of Brand Partnerships at Winerist, and official Brand Ambassador for Vivino (the world’s #1 wine community). Aidy has a vibrant community of over 126 million thirsty readers each month.

Notes 

FORMAT – “The Three Drinkers Do Scotch”
Episodes: 3-Part Series
Length: 3 x 30-Minute Episodes
Episode 1: What is Whisky?
Episode 2: Exploring The Key Regions
Episode 3: A Journey Through Scotland
Filming Dates: Summer 2018
Live Dates: November 2018

Andrew Usher & Co. Edinburgh
Green Stripe early 20th century

From time to time we come across truly magical whiskies from eras that are long lost and whether they’re single malts or blends, they’re all worth getting excited about.
This bottle was purchased in 1914 by the vendors Grandfather (A Worcestershire farmer 1876 – 1960) at the beginning of the first World War with the intention of opening it to celebrate the end, which came in 1918. He never ended up drinking the whisky but instead passed it down to his son (Also a Worcestershire farmer). Again he never found the time to drink the whisky and consequently passed it down the his daughter, the current owner of the bottle. It has been sat in a cupboard in her home in Worcestershire until recently when Wayne I consigned the bottle for auction.

”I remember it sitting in the Cupboard waiting for a Suitable Event that would Warrant opening it!! I think that now, that decision maybe left to Another to choose the Occasion?”

Relics like this don’t turn up in auction often, especially with such precise provenance. Bottles like this deserve spot light in a museum or opened and shared with good friends. Either way we know this bottle will go to a good home with one of our bidders.

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Ardbeg 1963

This is definitely one to look out for and one we’ve never seen in our auction before. A 1963 Ardbeg bottled in 1994 by Gordon & MacPhail for their Connoisseurs Choice Map label. We’re seeing less & less off these older 1960s distillate Ardbeg’s in auction and this is mainly down to their reputation of being absolutely spectacular whiskies.

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Ardbeg 1966

Joining the 1963 Connoisseurs Choice Ardbeg is this 1966 32 year old. A single cask from Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection with the Chairman’s Stock Gold Seal; This gives you and idea they were impressed with his whisky when they bottled it – This will be equally as good and you could argue harder to find with only 120 bottles produced.

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Glen Grant 10-year-old
Dark Sherry 1960s

By far my favourite bottle in this months auction. We collected this from the vendors house in Chiddingfold. We’ve never come across this one under the Peatling & Cawdron label before and we’re excited to see what interest it creates.

Peatling & Cawdron is one of many business established by Thomas Peatling, a wine and spirits agent dating back to 1826. In 1988 Peatling & Cawdron was incorporated with several other small businesses before reverting to its original name of Thos. Peatling.

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Old Blended Scotch Whisky

We have even more old blends avalible in our May auction. You will find numerous examples from White Horse, Black & White, Johnnie Walker, Haig & Logans. Along side these brands you will also find a very interesting 1930s Gilbey’s Spey-Royal. This will contain a high proportion of malt distilled at the Glen Spey distillery. Like many of the blends bottled before the war, the malt contributed was much more concentrated and often peaty. These make for fascinating drinking sessions and often the only way to experience the flavour profile of a distillery from this period is through blends like this.

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Macallan Madness

With the hype of the official opening of the new (£140m) Macallan distillery, it would be rude not to share a few highlights from their old stock that are avalible in our May auction.

Macallan in 1996

In nineteen ninety six Macallan produced two iconic whiskies and arguably two of the most collectable whiskies every produced. The Macallan Private Eye, bottled in 1996 for the 35th anniversary of the magazine. The whisky is a vatting of several casks including a 1961 vintage to represent the year the magazine was founded. The very catching screen printed label was designed by Ralph Steadman, a freelance illustrator for the magazine. At the time of release they decided to keep the price of the whisky in theme with the occasion and therefore sold them for £35. To put things into perspective the p&p was £6.95. The Nicol’s Nectar is another classic collectable Macallan and is somewhat rarer than the Private Eye. Produced for the occasion of Peter Nicol’s retirement from the office. The label was drawn by artist Colin Rizza who has created numerous labels for the distillery. These were never sold publicly but instead given to everyone who worked at the distillery at the time. From a close and very reliable source approximately only 120 bottles were produced.

Macallan Private Eye

Macallan Nicol’s Nectar

Experience Macallan ten, through the decades

We have a run of 10-year-olds bottled from the seventies through to the noughties. This would make a great line-up for anyone planning a whisky tasting and would given those attending a much clearer understanding of how the profiles of the same whisky can changes over many decades.

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A run of Macallan through the decades 1970s – 2000s

Masters Of Photography

The Masters Of Photography by Rankin is a series of 1,000 bottles and unique portraits taken by Rankin on the Macallan estate that heavily features Easter Elchies House. Most will agree the best portraits include the nude shots of Tuuli, Rankin’s inspiration and wife. Each piece is presented with the original Polaroid that is depicted on the bottle of 30 year old with a booklet telling the story and Rankin’s signature to certify it’s an original.

”This project is very special to me for two reasons. Firstly, I’ve been able to come back to the country of my birth and portray its beauty through one of the most ambitious projects I’ve ever attempted. The second reason is that this collection marks the full stop after Polaroid, as we head into the digital age.” 

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Macallan Masters Of Photography – Rankin 

The Masters Of Photography by Annie Leibowizs is a set of four single cask Macallan that feature the actor Kevin McKidd. The scenes include The Library, The Skyline, The Bar & The Gallery. Within the whole series there were 1000 bottles produced. The library edition has the smallest outrun with only 145 bottles, the other three in this series yielded 285 bottles making The Library edition the rarest of the four bottlings. Taking this into account means there were only 145 possible complete sets available Worldwide.

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Macallan Masters Of Photography – Annie Leibowitz

As always there’s a whole load more of amazing whiskies to discover over on our website. If you’re not already registered, you can do so here.

Ledaig 13 Year Old Amontillado Finish

Pre-Order Now £75
Orders will be dispatched week beginning 4th June

The Macallan Edition No.4>

 Pre-Order Now £85
Orders will be dispatched week beginning 4th June

Festival Week

Can’t make it across to Islay or Campbeltown for the Festivals this year? Join in the adventure wherever you are with whiskies from the distilleries.

Shop – Islay Whiskies
Shop – Campbeltown Whiskies

CARIBOU CROSSING CANADIAN WHISKY NAMED

“CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY FINALIST”

AT 2018 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE

Three other Sazerac Canadian whiskies honored 

        NEW ORLEANS, lA.  (May 24, 2018) – Judges awarded four Canadian whiskies from the Sazerac Company with high honors at the 2018 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and selected Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky as “Chairman’s Trophy Finalist.”

Those awarded the distinction of “Excellent, Highly Recommended” were:

• Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky
• Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Blended Whisky
• Rich & Rare Reserve Canadian Blended Whisky

Awarded the distinction of “Very Good, Strong Recommendation” was:

• High River Canadian Blended Whisky

Rich & Rare Reserve and Royal Canadian Small Batch were deemed to be “Great Values.” Caribou Crossing was designated as “Tried & True,” as was Rich & Rare Reserve.

This competition, in its eighth year, is judged by a panel of the spirit industry’s most renowned judges including award-winning authors, buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners, who rate each spirit on a 100-point scale.

Complete results for the 2018 Ultimate Spirits Challenge can be found at www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2018results.

About the Sazerac Company

Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com.

Sullivans Cove is delighted to partner with Christie’s to auction one of the last remaining bottles of this year’s World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt, with all proceeds going to charity.

The auction will take place in London (and online) on June 7th, with one of only 136 bottles ever produced of American Oak cask HH0351 offered for sale along with a hand-made Tasmanian blackwood presentation box and a framed certificate from the 2018 World Whiskies Awards. This is the only bottle from Cask HH0351 offered for auction, and all proceeds from the sale will be donated to The Alannah & Madeline Foundation.

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is an Australian charity set up in memory of Alannah and Madeline Mikac, who, along with their mother and 32 others, were tragically killed in the 1996 Port Arthur attack in Tasmania. The foundation’s mission is to keep children safe from all forms of violence.

Your ongoing support allows us to give back to our community, so from all of us, thank you.

Sullivans Cove Distillery · Lamb Pl · Cambridge, TAS 7170 · Australia

JUNE OUTTURN ALERT

We’re celebrating the arrival of summer this month with a sparkling selection of single cask whiskies – 21 new emerald gems including our first Irish whiskies from distillery 51 for more than 25 years, and the introduction of distillery number 135. Don’t miss out on your favourite bottlings, click over to our website now and get yourself familiar with the full listing ahead of the release on Friday, 1 June at 9am.

READ OUTTURN

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

The Good Dram Show – Episode 267 ‘Blended Whisky‘

This weeks episode of the show features a number of blended and vatted whiskies that were entered into the 2018 World Whisky Awards.

PORT ASKAIG WELCOMES TWO NEW EXPRESSIONS IN THE US

8 Year Old joins core range as a 14 Year Old Bourbon Cask limited edition is released 

Scotch whisky brand Port Askaig is extending its core range of Islay single malt whiskies available in the United States, with Port Askaig 8 Year Old aged in refill American oak casks, whilst also releasing a limited edition 14 Year Old aged in Bourbon barrels.

Port Askaig 8 Year Old

Having recently been awarded a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, alongside Port Askaig 110° Proof, the arrival of Port Askaig 8 Year Old in the US is hotly anticipated among spirits connoisseurs.

Port Askaig 8 Year Old, made in a beautifully sweet, smoky style, is an elegant and approachable expression that offers the perfect introduction to Islay single malts. Sourced from just north of the village of Port Askaig, the whisky is aged in refill American oak casks. This allows the character of the spirit to shine through, making for a gentle, smoky, moreish dram. This expression is an addition to the core range.

Tasting notes from whiskymaker Oliver Chilton:

Nose      Fresh, clean and vibrant with notes of lemon oil and sea spray. The smoke is gentle but alluring, reminiscent of wood embers and coal, cooling on a beach fire.

Palate   Rich citrus fruit and salt-baked mackerel. Classic Islay peat reek is mixed with a subtle honeysuckle sweetness while a background herbal character adds balance.

Finish    Barley sugar lingers as the soot and smoke dissipate, leaving the palate clean and ready for another sip. 

Port Askaig 8 Year Old is bottled at 45.8% ABV. Available at all good Scotch whisky retailers from early June at an RSP of $65.

Port Askaig 14 Year Old Bourbon Cask – Limited Edition

The new limited edition, Port Askaig 14 Year Old Bourbon Cask, was distilled in 2004 and matured in 11 first-fill bourbon barrels. This rare peated version from a distillery in the north-east corner of Islay, better known for its unpeated expressions, balances robust smokiness and sweet spice. Its character, however, still hints at its signature rich, sweet style.

Tasting notes from whiskymaker Oliver Chilton:

Nose      Stewed fruits and barbecue coal with sea spray and coastal rocks. Sweet smoke dissipates as core flavours of fresh citrus and salted caramel come to the fore combining classic Islay flavours with refreshing fruity notes.

Palate   Burnt honeycomb and baked raisins infused with five-spice and peat smoke. Candied fruits and sherbet lemon build as an underlying earthy peat brings together a superbly rich and juicy mouthfeel, with crème-brûlée-like notes and a delicious peat-infused caramel layer.

Finish    Long and heavy with maple-cured bacon and liqueur-soaked sultanas. A beautifully fresh and peaty finish.

Port Askaig 14 Year Old is bottled at 45.8% ABV. Available at all good Scotch whisky retailers from early June at an RSP of $99.99. Only 420 bottles are available in the US.

Sam Filmus, President of the brand’s importer ImpEx Beverages, commented: “The 110° proof US exclusive of Port Askaig is now being joined by the 8 and 14 year old bottlings, and we’re delighted to see this brand grow in the US and offering more expressions to Islay connoisseurs. Elixir Distillers and ImpEx Beverages have been working together as partners to make the best of Islay available. There is lots of soul behind this brand and that transfers into every drop of the spirit.”

ABOUT PORT ASKAIG

Created from carefully selected casks from distilleries across Islay, all whiskies from Port Askaig are truly ‘small-batch’ with as few as two, and no more than 40, casks used for each bottling. Port Askaig whiskymaker Oliver Chilton selects, matures and marries casks from distilleries around Islay. He creates Port Askaig expressions that showcase the diversity of Islay while maintaining the elegance and approachability that epitomises Port Askaig.

Islay whisky creates a myriad of styles, displaying light honey and sea spray flavours, as well as crashing waves of smoke and peat. These characters are essential to creating an exceptional Islay Scotch whisky and so, in order to maintain the authenticity of the Port Askaig liquid, the creators do not use chill filtering and no colouring is added.

ImpEx has introduced the brand to the US market via distributors in CA, CO, FL, HI, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, MO, NM, NJ, NY, RI, TN and TX.

About Elixir Distillers – www.elixirdistillers.com

Elixir Distillers is a creator, blender and bottler of fine spirits. The team, led by whiskymaker Oliver Chilton, seeks to combine aesthetically beautiful design with delicious, characterful spirits. The core brands of the business are Port Askaig, Elements of Islay, Single Malts of Scotland and Black Tot. Every member of the Elixir Distillers team is a spirits enthusiast with immense product knowledge, looking to produce the world’s next great drink. Quite simply, this passion is why the company’s brands have become so popular around the world.

About ImpEx Beverages – www.impexbev.com

Founded in 2008, ImpEx is an acclaimed US importer of fine spirits with a focus on independent Scotch whiskies. Their portfolio includes Port Askaig, Kilchoman, Tamdhu, Isle of Skye, Exclusive Malts and Chapter 7 which they distribute nationally.