Balvenie 25 Year Old DoubleWood
Released to celebrate 25 years of the Balvenie DoubleWood, this 25 year old expression is a limited edition specially selected by Malt Master David C Stewart.
£525 Buy Now
Limited to 1 per customer
New range, new look, new liquids! Old Pulteney have always made whisky that’s caught my eye. Loving the retro label style as well, beyond that though is the liquid. Are they as good as hey old 17YO & 21YO are? Well, no but that’s because they’re totally different styles. The 15YO is so delicate with lemon, honey and toffee – the old salty not of OP is still around but it’s not as big as it was on the 17, which was by far one of the saltiest single malts i’ve ever tried. This is delicate and light and the second best value in the range for me. Cheers!
NEW WORLD WHISKY RECORD AT BONHAMS EDINBURGH
The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60 year old. Sold for £848,750. Estimate: £700,000-900,000
A bottle of the extremely rare The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60 year old sold at Bonhams Whisky Sale in Edinburgh today (3 October) for a new world record of £848,750. It had been estimated at £700,000-900,000.
The previous world record was set by Bonhams in May this year when another bottle of The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 was sold for £814,081 (HK$8,636,250).
Bonhams Whisky specialist in Edinburgh Martin Green commented:” I am delighted at this exceptional result. It is a great honour to have established a new world record, and particularly exciting to have done so here in Scotland, the home of whisky. Bonhams now holds the record for the three most valuable bottles of whisky ever sold at auction.”
The whisky was bottled in 1986. Macallan commissioned two world-famous Pop Artists – Valerio Adami and Peter Blake – to design labels for a very limited edition of 24 bottles –12 of the Adami and 12 of the Blake labels. The bottle is elegantly presented in a specially commissioned cabinet or Tantalus, based on the traditional ‘Brass and Glass’ distillery spirit safe. It was bought by the vendor direct from the Macallan distillery for an undisclosed sum in 1994 and was part of a wider collection from the same owner offered in the sale.
Although 12 bottles of The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 were produced, it is not known how many of them still exist. One is said to have been destroyed in an earthquake in Japan in 2011, and it is believed that at least one of them has been opened and drunk.
Valerio Adami (born 1935) is an Italian artist famous for painting bold, flat forms outlined in thick, black lines, in a style reminiscent of comic art. He is among the most acclaimed of 20th Century Pop Artists.
NOTES
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.
Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, London, London W1S 1SR, United Kingdom
Tamdhu toasts International Sherry Week with campaign launch
One of Speyside’s leading single malt scotch whisky distilleries has launched a new campaign to celebrate its strong links with Spain in time for International Sherry Week (8-14 October).
Tamdhu Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which is exclusively matured in Oloroso sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, is inviting whisky enthusiasts on a unique journey through the sun-drenched vineyards, dynamic cooperages and historic bodegas of Jerez to find out what makes its Scotch whisky so unique.
Along the way, people will follow the six-year journey of the Tamdhu sherry cask from ‘Spain to Speyside’ through a series of entertaining films, breath-taking photography, social media insights and new-look website. Audiences will also be introduced to the experts who dedicate their lives to hand-crafting the oak casks that make their final stop at the Tamdhu Distillery in Speyside, Scotland.
In 1898, Tamdhu’s founders secured their first precious shipment of sherry casks from Spain. Now 120 years later, Tamdhu is celebrating this history with a campaign that offers fresh insight into the sherry cask production process it uses exclusively today. Only 5 per cent of all Scotch whisky is matured in sherry casks, which are some of the rarest and most expensive available.
Only the best European and American oak casks are selected to mature Tamdhu’s spirit. These casks are seasoned with specially selected Oloroso sherry from the famous Jerez sherry triangle for a period of two years. After two years these casks are emptied and transported whole to Tamdhu distillery and filled with our precious new spirit.
These sherry casks are the finest in the industry. The highest quality is essential to give Tamdhu its natural, dark amber colour, intense richness on the palate and its deep, long finish.
Iain Weir, Brand Director for Tamdhu, said: “We’re really excited to be launching our ‘Spain To Speyside’ campaign in time for International Sherry Week.
“This fully integrated campaign will offer our international community of sherried whisky enthusiasts the chance to find out more about the passion that goes into every drop of our award-winning spirit.
“Although our casks are exceptionally rare and expensive, we wouldn’t change our methods, as we think it’s the only way to create the very best single malt whisky.”
Follow Tamdhu’s ‘Spain to Speyside – journey of the sherry cask’ campaign online at www.tamdhu.com and on social media by joining the conversation using hashtag #SpainToSpeyside
www.instagram.com/tamdhuwhisky
Notes:
Photos:
Tamdhu
Tamdhu is 100% matured in the finest Oloroso sherry oak casks from Spain. Born on the banks of the River Spey in 1897, its quality is also defined by the hint of peat in its malted barley and the natural Speyside water that is drawn directly from the Tamdhu spring. It is owned by one of Scotland’s leading, independent family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers.
Tamdhu’s Oloroso sherry oak casks are hand-crafted from European and American oak in the cooperages of Jerez, in Spain’s ‘sherry triangle’. The cask staves are air dried for a minimum of two years, then seasoned with Spanish Oloroso sherry for a further two years.
PARTNER BARS EXCLUSIVE BOTTLING – 64.97
Don’t miss out on this new partner bar exclusive bottling: taste it only at participating partner bars this weekend but be quick before it goes live on 11 October and disappears entirely. A juicy and fruity expression to keep summer alive a little longer.
Visit your local partner bar and ask for your share of A sunny day in late summer, remembering your membership card for preferential dram price
64.97 is available in the following partner bars:
Austria
Germany
France
Italy
Sweden
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
This 5 year old expression from Bruichladdich’s Octomore range was distilled in 2012 and peated to 156ppm, and aims to debunk the myth that older is better. Matured in American oak whisky casks for its full term, this edition is limited to just 42,000 bottles.
Friday, October 12th, 5-7PM:
Diageo
The distributor behind some of the world’s best loved scotches, Diageo will be featured at this expert presented in-store tasting. Johnnie Walker, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, and Oban are just a few of the many single malt scotches in Diageo’s impressive portfolio. Come by and taste a variety of new, rare, and award-winning single malts at our in-store tasting, presented by whisky experts.
This is one of two Diageo tastings in October.
The second is Friday, October 26th, from 5-7PM.
Tamdhu Launches New 12 Year Old
Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has introduced its new 12 Year Old to its exclusively sherry oak matured range.
The new 12 Year Old single malt reflects Tamdhu’s commitment to producing ‘only the best’ sherry cask matured whisky, and will replace the existing Tamdhu 10 Year Old. The new Tamdhu 12 Year Old is rolling out globally now and is expected to be available in the UK in 2019.
Benefiting from an extra two years of maturation, and bottled at 43% ABV, Tamdhu 12 Year Old has been 100% matured for a full 12 years in first fill and refill American and European Oloroso sherry casks from the cooperages of Jerez, in Spain’s ‘sherry triangle’. The result is a complex and rich single malt whisky that delivers a wealth of complexity, with flavours of cinnamon, dried fruit, banana and classic sherry oak depth.
Tamdhu 12 Year Old launches globally with a bold new marketing campaign and packaging design, including a new strapline, ‘Only the Best’ and activation, ‘From Spain to Speyside’; a reference to the top-quality Spanish Oloroso sherry oak casks which were recorded as being first used by Tamdhu Distillery to mature its Speyside single malt whisky 120 years ago, in 1898.
The iconic 12 Year Old Tamdhu bespoke bottle takes the prominent position within its new luxurious packaging, on show for all to see. The packaging details the story of Tamdhu Distillery and the importance of sherry casks and natural colour within the Tamdhu story.
Only the best Oloroso sherry seasoned American and European oak casks give Tamdhu its distinctive colour and flavour. The striking amber tones in the single malt are developed naturally through contact with the sherry seasoned casks, which are crafted in the family cooperages and bodegas of Jerez for up to 6 years before beginning their journey to Scotland.
Sandy McIntyre, Tamdhu Distillery Manager said:
“We’re delighted to introduce the new Tamdhu 12 Year Old as our new entry level expression.
“All our whisky at Tamdhu is exclusively matured in the finest Oloroso sherry oak casks. The American and European oak soaks up nearly 35 litres of Oloroso sherry during the seasoning process in Jerez, which gives our new Tamdhu 12 Year Old its distinctive flavour and striking natural colour.
“When you taste a dram of Tamdhu 12 Year Old, you can really taste the time, care and expert craftsmanship which has gone in to creating this incredible whisky. We hope Tamdhu drinkers around the world will savour it as much as we do.
“We’re on an exciting journey with Tamdhu and we remain committed to bottling only the best.”
Follow Tamdhu’s journey from Spain to Speyside on social media:
www.instagram.com/tamdhuwhisky
Notes:
Tamdhu is 100% matured in the finest Oloroso sherry oak casks from Spain. Born on the banks of the River Spey in 1897, its quality is also defined by the hint of peat in its malted barley and the natural Speyside water that is drawn directly from the Tamdhu spring. It is owned by one of Scotland’s leading, independent family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers.
Tamdhu’s Oloroso sherry oak casks are hand-crafted from European and American oak in the cooperages and bodegas of Jerez, in Spain’s ‘sherry triangle’.
Full Tasting Notes for Tamdhu 12 Year Old:
Nose
Rich and enticing; iced cinnamon rolls, orange boiled sweets, fresh sweet oak with raisins and a faint hint of mint.
Palate
Silky texture that coats the mouth with banana, berry jam, malt biscuit and classic sherry oak depth.
Finish
Pleasantly long and balanced with ground spice, dried fruit and soft Scottish tablet, finally unveiling the merest whisper of peat smoke.
It’s SMWS Canada’s 7th anniversary and we’re celebrating with an Outturn that introduces two new distilleries to the Canadian branch, a “milestone” bottling, and some old peat! Buckle up and hold on to your senses!
CASK NO. 51.12 PASTRIES AND SWEET TREATS
15 years old; 1st fill barrel; 58.9%; Juicy, oak & vanilla
The first bottling from distillery no. 51 for the Canadian branch!
Milk chocolate caramel, pastry and dried flower aromas, then sweet and spicy to taste with pineapple, butterscotch and fizzy orange drinks.
CASK NO. 48.97 1950s ICE CREAM PARLOUR
10 years old; refill barrel; 58.3%; Sweet & spicy
The nose hides cinnamon behind vanilla ice cream and strawberry milkshake. The palate’s toffee and brown sugar joust with chili and oak.
CASK NO. 13.56 THE DARK SIDE OF THE MELON
9 years old; refill barrel; 60.7%; Spicy & dry
The first bottling from distillery no. 13 for the Canadian branch!
Ripe melon, cut grass and frankincense beckoned cedar wood and a darker palate of bitter chocolate, muscovado sugar and spiced tobacco.
CASK NO. 5.62 CRUMBLED SWEETS IN A LEATHER SATCHEL
17 years old; 1st fill Oloroso hogshead; 58.8%; Sweet & spicy
Leather satchels with crumbled parma violets and cherry cake plus rum and raisin ice cream with treacle. Formerly in an ex-bourbon hogshead.
CASK NO. 30.100 AN ABUNDANCE OF FRUITCAKE
20 years old; 2nd fill butt; 56.5%; Deep, rich & dried fruits
Milestone Cask!
Frankincense, cinnamon and malt loaf joined Pedro Ximenez sherry and fruit cake with brazil nuts, prunes and dark chocolate sauce.
CASK NO. 10.133 AN ENTIRE MOUTH EXPERIENCE
10 years old; refill barrel; 62.2%; Oily & coastal
A sweetly seductive nose – toffee apples and clover honey. The palate is an entire mouth experience – chewy, viscous and mouth-filling.
CASK NO. 29.231 SUBLIME SERENITY
20 years old; refill hogshead; 48.5%; Lightly peated
Spoil yourself! A delicate balance of sweetness and smoke enhanced by a soft mineralic note and creamy texture. Can it get better than this?
SAUTERNES CASK MATURED
The Sauternes Cask Finish follows a range of wine cask releases we’ve bottled over the previous five years. This latest offering differs in that it was initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred into fresh Sauternes hogsheads for five months prior to bottling. This finishing period allows the caramel and vanilla influence of bourbon barrels to be accentuated by the buttery sweetness of the desert wine casks. Meanwhile the classic peat smoke and citrus character of the Kilchoman spirit brings a distinct depth and punch to the whisky, emphasised at the increased strength of 50%.
We have previously favoured full-term maturation for our wine cask releases, bottling fully matured Port, Madeira, Red Wine and Sauternes editions every other year since 2013. The Sauternes Cask Finish approach has arguably provided a more balanced character, combining both the maritime peat smoke and tropical fruit typical of Kilchoman with the softer buttery floral notes characteristic of the Sauternes casks.
Nose: Maritime peat smoke, citrus and tropical fruit with hints of buttery sweetness.
Palate: Soft creamy chocolate and liquorice with waves of peat smoke, cinnamon and mixed fruit.
Finish: Layered peat smoke and fruit with lasting honey sweetness.
Please feel free to reach out for more details on the bottling: office@impexbev.com
