This week, we’re continuing to celebrate the diversity that the Society’s single casks offer. Whether it’s comparing two contrasting casks from the same distillery, discovering an unusual flavour profile for a particular region or even trying a bottle from across the Irish Sea, there’s much to be gained by striking out from the norm and sampling something new.

READ OUTTURN            LATEST 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

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Spring 2019 Edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of the Spring 2019 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Comprised of barrels produced in September of 2005, and bottled in February of 2019, the third release ushers in the latest hallmark series to the bottled-in-bond legacy.

Bottled in an ornate decanter, the spring edition denotes a green label, which will stay consistent across all spring releases. As was the case for the past editions, this edition’s tax strip, which has always been a signature of transparency on bottled-in-bond products, will disclose when the liquid was produced and bottled. The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond spring edition will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis. It meets the strict requirements of a bottled-in-bond: the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof or 50% alcohol by volume. The third edition is available at a suggested retail price of $130.

As a leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium, allocated product within this special class that showcases the authenticity and quality of the American Whiskey portfolio. Acquired in 1999 by Heaven Hill, the legendary Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree and intriguing story behind its namesake, John E. Fitzgerald.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.5 million barrels aging in 57 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Best Bourbon, 2017 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, and previously held the titles of 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, 2016 Whisky Advocate American Whiskey of the Year and 2016 Rye Whiskey of the Year from “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.” For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL ENGRAVed

Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the pinnacle of Blended Scotch Whisky making from Johnnie Walker. Only 1 out 10,000 casks is deemed to be of sufficient character to deliver its remarkably smooth signature taste, and these casks are drawn from the largest reserves of whisky in the world. Blue Label is a big flavoured whisky that reflects the Walker belief that neither whisky age alone, nor whisky from a single location, is enough to achieve the creation of a masterpiece today. Layers of big flavour, deep richness and smoke, layers of honey and fruit and an incredibly smooth finish deliver this truly rare character.

£159.00 (Including Engraving) – Buy Now

Kentucky Bourbon at Its Finest
Maker’s Mark 46 “K&L Exclusive Barrel #906” Private Select Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) ($69.99)
“This may be the most exciting Maker’s barrel we’ve done to date.”
—David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer

Traveling to Maker’s Mark to see their gorgeous distillery in Loretto is a rite of passage for any bourbon lover, so when we sent our SoCal Store Manager & Resident Kentuckian to visit this historic distillery it was a very special occasion. Illya loves bourbon and he knows exactly what kind of bourbon he likes: big, rich, bold, and powerful. That’s why letting him loose in the Maker’s Mark creation lab was so exciting. We spent hours in there examining every combination and he ultimately developed what I believe to be our most successful Maker’s Private Barrel to date. Previously, we’ve avoided experimenting with more intense chars for fear that the bourbon, which spends 90-120 days soaking with staves, might end up unbalanced. Instead, we stuck to flavors that seemed to complement the already sweet, supple qualities of the Maker’s Cask Strength base.

How wrong we were! Illya, using his good sense and excellent palate, added a hefty dose of “Roasted French Mocha” staves to the two we typically use, American Pure and Seared French. The resulting bourbon is one of the most complex and opulent we’ve ever bottled. And Illya’s signature is on the back of every single bottle. We’ve had incredible success with the Maker’s Private Select program, but it’s clear we’re only scratching the surface of what this incredible, innovative barrel program is capable of.

Maker’s Mark 46 “K&L Exclusive Barrel #906” Private Select Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) ($69.99)

The extremely popular Maker’s Private Select barrel program has become one of our favorite. Maker’s has always had some serious cache, but their consistency and commitment to their original product line might have hurt their clout with the cognoscenti. But over the last few years they’ve started to introduce new products many of which have become go-to products for our customers. This trend has culminated in the creation of the Private Select program, which offers accounts an opportunity to create their own finishes onto of the already delicious Maker’s Cask Strength flavor profile. They start with a small batch dump of cask strength (10 barrels). Used barrels are then popped open and filled with a special selection of 10 custom staves of various toast and char levels. In this case, LA manager Illya Haase determined the recipe. We’ve got 2 staves of Baked American Pure adding deep vanilla and sweet woodiness. 3 Seared French Cuvee staves offering bold cinnamon and a balancing tannin. And 5 Roasted French Mocha (a first for any K&L Private Select) adding dense dark coffee, cocoa, and subtle licorice to the mix. All in all this is the most unique and intriguing Private Select we’ve done to date. Truly the total package, with an integration right out of the bottle that isn’t always evident in these barrels. I liked this one at cask strength with no water. Bravo Illya, bravo!

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 23, 2019

Another MONSTER from the Maker’s Mark Private Select line. This one was built and brought to you by our illustrious LA Manager Illya Haase. Illya happens to be from Northern Kentucky and he just happened to be on vacation with his family when I had planned to be at the Maker’s Mark distillery to select a barrel. So he did what any serious bourbon love would and raced to meet me in Louisville. Building your own bourbon at Maker’s Mark is not an opportunity anyone should pass up. And Illya has some very clear ideas about what he likes in bourbon. We spent a good 90 minutes tasting and blending the various staves in the lab at Maker’s. And while I’ve got my biases in the blending room, I have to say, Illya opened my eyes to some seriously exciting possibilities. Namely that the some of the staves we’ve avoided in the past because their character stood out in blending trials, could offer you an integrated bourbon once the actual process had been run. And while this cask falls well outside our normal recipe, it hits all the notes that Illya was looking for. Big bold spice, tempered by rich sweet vanilla. Dense textured sweet fruit balanced by an inviting sweet fruit. My fears of the Mocha staves turning bitter were completely unfounded. This may be the most exciting Maker’s barrel we’ve done to date and certainly offers an exceptional contrast to all the others we’ve done. Kind of proof of concept for our friends at Maker’s in my opinion. Top tier stuff.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 08, 2019

Each Maker’s Mark Private Select Barrel is unique . This selection is rich and sweet with vanilla and spice undertones. It has mouth coating flavors but is not too heavy.It should be on the top of the list for anyone looking for a wheated Bourbon. Barrel 906 tasted much better after a touch of water, which opened it up and made it lively and delicious.

Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 03, 2019

One of the most rich and dense barrels of Maker’s I’ve had the pleasure of tasting. First whiffs evoke mocha and spice with just a hint of vanilla and leather. The taste of rich, candied fruit is balanced nicely by rye spice and well curated heat. But that’s not all – there’s tons of vanilla, caramel and fudge throughout. The finish brings a buttery sweetness and warming cinnamon. I highly encourage you to pick one up before they’re gone.

Illya Haase | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 29, 2019

Maker’s Mark 46 “K&L Exclusive Barrel #906” Private Select Kentucky Bourbon is finally here! Being a Kentuckian, I am proud to say, that it is one hell of a bottle!I was very lucky to taste this barrel and at the first whiff you are in for something special. Out of the gate, catch that big blast of mocha. Cinnamon, burnt brown sugar, sweet corn vanilla and dried fruit are a few others that rise out of the glass. First sip, note the candied Red Hots, then on to the baked pear and butterscotch. A little dash of water punches up the spice component. For a completely different glass of bourbon, the finish is pure heaven, captivating; with just the right amount of burn and bite that feels like a warm blanket that coats every inch of you.

Saturday, March 23rd 

2:30-5:30PM: 

Mystery Scotch Tasting  

Our Single Malt Saturday tasting series continues with a mystery scotch tasting! Previous mystery pourlist tastings have included some of our rarest and oldest drams yet, often not revealed until the day-of. Come by for a surprise- you might just find your new favorite single malt.

Click Here to RSVP

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show. Today I’ll be looking at the Wolfburn range.

https://youtu.be/MEB5l3YgkQA

NEW B2B RESOURCE ‘MYDIAGEO’ HELPS OUTLETS TO OPTIMISE THEIR OFFERINGS

Immediate release: Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol, has launched an innovative new online platform, designed to provide its on-trade partners with information, training and advice to help boost their company’s growth.

Launching this month, MyDiageo is a free technical resource that offers customers a wealth of category, brand and training content, as well as featuring an innovative online beer diagnostic tool, providing support to outlets and helping them solve beer equipment issues with ease.

MyDiageo recognises the important role that digital plays; with many licensees investing in online presence and looking to online resources for support.  The platform will be available on mobile, tablet and desktop, making it perfectly suited to the fast-paced and increasingly connected lives of Diageo’s on-trade customers.

As customers log in to the website, they will be presented with five key, easy to navigate sections; ‘My Events’, ‘My Offering’, ‘My Social’, ‘My Staff’ and ‘My Quality’, which provide dedicated tools and advice to help outlets deliver the best offering; whether it’s enhancing their expertise through training modules or using the innovative diagnostic tool to resolve equipment issues 24/7. Each of the five sections will offer licensees a wealth of advice, downloadable and printable assets that can be utilised to compliment or improve an outlet’s offer.

Sashi Sangala, Head of MyDiageo in Europe comments, “MyDiageo will enable us to transform how we partner and service our customers end to end – the possibilities are endless, and we are at the beginning of an exciting journey.

“We’re passionate about putting our customers at the heart of everything we do – independent research^[1] revealed that licensees are looking for convenience, flexibility and advice on how they can improve their business. We have no doubt that MyDiageo will become an invaluable tool for licensees to help grow and develop their offering.”

To take advantage of this free offering, on-trade owners should sign up now by visiting MyDiageo.com.  If they sign up before 9th March 2019, they will be in with a chance to win a pair of tickets to the England vs Scotland Six Nations match on 16th March. See attached full T&Cs.

MyDiageo is available to on-trade customers in Great Britain and Ireland.

About MyDiageo:

We believe that every outlet no matter how big or small should have access to the latest category insight and tools. The five key sections of MyDiageo are listed below:

• MYEVENTS

Identify and maximise the key occasions for your outlet, from sports tournaments to cultural events. Receive tips, assets & serve strategies to drive your sales.

• MYOFFERING

The right range of products, displayed in the right way can drive sales. Find the tools and advice to you need to deliver the best offering and maximise value.

• MYSOCIAL

Make the most of this important communication tool to take advantage of the increasingly connected lives of consumers. Access downloadable social assets and great offers from our digital partners.

• MYSTAFF

Explore our training modules for your staff to help enhance expertise on a range of topics from brilliant menus to in-depth beer knowledge.

• MYQUALITY

Make use of a range of tools to help you maintain and promote the great quality drinks in your outlet. Troubleshoot quality issues using the self-serve quality diagnostic tool; automatically log and track unsuccessful fixes with engineers for a call back.

For further information visit www.mydiageo.com

Notes 

About Diageo:

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories.  These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and GUINNESS.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.  The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).  For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com.  Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

[1] Qualitative commissioned research performed by Incite November 2018

Whisky storms to the top of Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index with 40% annual growth

Edinburgh, UK – The Wealth Report 2019, released today, reveals that new entrant whisky has topped the Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index (KFLII), surging in value by 40% over the 12 months to Q4 2018.

The Knight Frank Rare Whisky 100 Index, featured for the first time in the KFLII and compiled by Rare Whisky 101, contains 100 bottles of the world’s most desirable rare Scotch whisky. The index tracks actual UK auction prices of these bottles, finding that over the past ten years values have increased by almost 600%.

The most significant sale of 2018 was a unique bottle of Macallan 1926, hand painted by Irish artist Michael Dillon, that sold for a record-breaking £1.2million in November. This incredible rise in values has been partially driven by the Asian market, as sales of Scotch whisky to India, China and Singapore rose by 44%, 35% and 24% respectively in the first half of 2018 according to the Scotch Whisky Association, with single malts totalling almost 30% of total exports.

Andrew Shirley, editor of The Wealth Report and the Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index, commented: “The stunning price growth of rare single malt whiskies shows that the appetite for new “alternative” asset classes remains strong among high-net-worth investors. However, we are seeing growth soften for some of the other asset classes in KFLII like classic cars that had been performing exceptionally strongly. This is partly down to a slowdown in activity by speculative investors and a return to a genuine collector-driven market. Despite this, the best examples in each asset class are still setting records when they come up for sale (see below).” 

Andy Simpson, Co-founder Rare Whisky 101 said: “While rare whisky remains a somewhat fledgling asset class compared to some other passion investments, the market for rare and vintage bottles has witnessed extraordinary growth over the past ten years, both in terms of the volume of whisky being traded and the value of that whisky. The key to rare whisky’s sustained growth as an asset class, is the passion buyers worldwide share for investing, collecting, and occasionally drinking, some of the best and rarest Scotch whisky ever made!” 

The KFLII shows that whisky is followed by coins (12% annual growth) and wine and art (9% growth). In terms of Art – KFLII’s top performing asset class in 2017 – we now track the performance of works by 10,000 artists using the AMR All-Art Index to provide a more complete view of the market.

Record-breaking sales also took place for a number of the KFLII’s other asset classes in 2018:

• In the classic car market, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO was sold for US$48 million – the most expensive car sold at auction. Another sold privately for a rumoured US$70 million
• The Marie Antoinette pearl pendant was sold by Sotheby’s for US$36 million, the most expensive piece of pearl jewellery sold at auction
• Christie’s US$833 million spring sale of objects belonging to the Rockefeller estate was the highest auction total ever for a single collection
• The US$90 million sale of David Hockney’s Portrait of An Artist in November was a record for a living artist

Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index (to Q4 2018) 

 All data to Q4 2018 except stamps (Q4 2017) and watches (Q2 2018). Reflecting demand Chinese Ceramics have been replaced with Rare Whisky. Following the decision of Stanley Gibbons to cease its coin and stamp indices this data is now provided by Art Market Research. Art is now based on the Art Market Research All Art Index, which tracks around 10,000 painters

Compiled by Knight Frank research using data from Art Market Research.com (art, jewellery, watches, stamps, coins, furniture) Fancy Color Research Foundation (coloured diamonds) HAGI (classic cars) Rare Whisky 101 (whisky) Wine Owners (wine).

Comparative assets 

 Investments of Passion (taken from The Wealth Report Attitudes Survey 2019) Are more of your clients starting to collect investments of passion? 

 For more information, please visit: http://www.knightfrank.com/wealthreport

Notes

Knight Frank LLP is the leading independent global property consultancy. Headquartered in London, Knight Frank has more than 15,000 people operating from 418 offices across 60 markets. The Group advises clients ranging from individual owners and buyers to major developers, investors and corporate tenants. For further information about the Company, please visit www.knightfrank.com.

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Get stocked up for st.patrick’s day

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner!

Whether you’re attending a party, catching up with friends or having a quiet night in, celebrate St.Patrick’s Day with a dazzling Irish dram. Order today to ensure UK delivery in time for St. Patrick’s Day!

TULLAMORE D.E.W. 12 YEAR OLD

Like Tullamore D.E.W. Original, Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Old Special Reserve is a triple distilled blend of all three types of Irish whiskey but with a high proportion of pot still and malt whiskeys, matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, for 12 to 15 years. A very fine aged whiskey with great complexity.

£61.00 – Buy Now

Yellow Spot

Yellow Spot Whiskey was last seen in Ireland in the 1950s and 60s but recently reintroduced. Created and sold by Mitchell & Son Wine and Spirit Merchants, Yellow Spot is a 12 year old single pot still whiskey made using three different cask types – American Bourbon barrels, Spanish sherry butts and Spanish Malaga casks resulting in a superbly complex whiskey with fresh and sweet top notes.

£89.00 – Buy Now

Powers John’s Lane

This expression celebrates the origin of the Powers whiskey tradition and provides a glimpse of the whiskey style that made Powers famous. Using a pot still distillate which is true to the original style of John’s Lane, the whiskey has been matured for not less than 12 years, mainly in first fill American bourbon casks, with a small contribution of distillate which has been matured in Oloroso sherry butts. The result is a Single Pot Still whiskey of outstanding flavour and complexity which provides a fitting tribute to the spiritual home of one of Ireland’s most loved whiskeys.

£58.00 – Buy Now

TULLAMORE D.E.W. 14 YEAR OLD

This Irish single malt whiskey from Tullamore D.E.W. is triple distilled and matured in ex-bourbon casks for most of its life before being finished in four different casks: bourbon, Oloroso sherry, port and Madeira. The nose is fruity with citrus, apple and mango atop rich honey and vanilla. The palate has fresh green fruits, toffee, cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of ginger. The finish brings malty notes with some milk chocolate and a touch of spice.

£57.00 – Buy Now

Green Spot

Green Spot is a non-age statement single pot still Irish whiskey and is comprised of pot still whiskeys aged between 7 and 10 years old. The whiskey has matured in a combination of new bourbon and refill bourbon casks as well as sherry casks.

£44.00 – Buy Now

Roe & Co.

A premium blended Irish whiskey, Roe & Co. is a blend of single malt and grain whiskeys matured in ex-bourbon American oak, a high percentage of which are first-fill. Developed by Diageo Master Blender, Caroline Martin, in a process that took over two years, Prototype 106, was chosen specifically to hold up in cocktails as well as to be enjoyed neat or with water. Roe & Co. is fragrant and rounded with notes of soft spice, mellow spun sugar and warm hints of woody vanilla. The balance of the blend is immediately evident on the palate with a velvety texture and sweet flavours including spiced pears and vanilla, while a gentle creaminess lingers in the finish.

£35.00 – Buy Now

Tullamore D.E.W.

Tullamore Dew is the original blended Irish whiskey, known the world over for its smooth and gentle complexity. For one, it is triple distilled and patiently aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, developing its distinctive smoothness. Secondly, being a blend of all three types of Irish whiskey, it has a gentle complexity.

£30.00 – Buy Now

Slane Irish Whiskey

Created by the Earl of Mountcharles, this blended Irish whiskey is produced at the iconic Slane Castle just outside Dublin. Slane unusually uses a triple cask blend to add complexity, with a Virgin American oak cask, a seasoned freshly drained American whiskey cask and an Oloroso sherry cask. The nose is sweet with fruity notes of melon and oaky spice. The palate brings banana cream pie, cloves and toffee, before a fruity finish with lingering raisins and melon.

£32.00 – Buy Now

JAMESON BLACK BARREL

A tribute to the cooper’s method of charring barrels, this Irish whiskey is a triple distilled blend of small batch grain and traditional Irish pot still whiskeys in twice charred casks. Intense vanilla sweetness and caramel alongside toasted wood, fruits and warm spice.

£49.00 – Buy Now

Rosebank 21 Year Old Jealousy Lowland single malt Scotch whiskey. Third release (2019) bottled by Speciality Drinks for The Roses series. 695 bottles.

Shop $2,711.91

ROSEBANK DISTILLERY

Records indicate that a distillery with the name Rosebank was in existence in the vicinity in 1798 and that from 1817 to 1819 James Robertson was also distilling at a Rosebank Distillery in Stirlingshire although the exact location is not clear. The renowned Rosebank was established in Falkirk in 1840 by James Rankine at the junction of the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal and was equipped with three copper stills and round wooden worm tubs. Rosebank was a malt whisky distillery which produced triple distilled whisky but closed in 1993. Many of Rosebank Distillery’s buildings have been demolished and it is now a lost Lowland malt whisky distillery.