Archive for October, 2019

Whisky Hammer October 2019 Auction Now Live – Auction Whisky News

October auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from Friday 18th October until Sunday 27th October at

www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Highland Park 50 Year Old 

Longmorn 1961 (Private Collection) from Gordon & MacPhail 

Macallan 30 Year Old (1989) Hogshead #2807 

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.co.uk.

Brexit – whatever happens…there will always be whisky – Scotch Whisky News

The Society is a place for fun and light-hearted whisky chat where we leave politics at the door so forgive us while we turn serious for a moment and address the UK’s situation with regard to leaving the European Union.

Since the UK voted for Brexit in 2016, we have been following developments closely, although like everyone else we’d need a crystal ball to accurately predict what might happen after October 31.

Whatever transpires, we’re confident we have the measures in place to ensure the continued supply of our bottles to our members in Europe. However, we’re also aware that if Brexit does take place on 31 October we may face some delays in delivery.

With that in mind, we’ve pulled together some multi-bottle deals, exclusively for our EU members, which we hope will keep you stocked up in case our delivery times are slightly longer than normal.

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

SMWS LOGO 2017 NEW

Ardbeg 19 Year “Traigh Bhan” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky at K&L California – Scotch Whisky News

Ardbeg 19 Year “Traigh Bhan” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

$299.99 View

SKU #1439409

Named after Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach, known locally as the Singing Sands, the whisky will be available in limited batches produced on an annual basis. The whisky’s recipe is set to change with each batch, creating subtle differences between future iterations. Each batch of Ardbeg Traigh Bhan will feature a unique code on the carton and bottle, which drinkers can enter into the distillery’s website to find out more about the story of the whisky. Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s director of distilling, whisky creation and whisky stocks, said, “A new, permanent aged Ardbeg is a rare occurrence, and cause for celebration. We hope that, by slightly tweaking the batch recipe year-on-year, Ardbeggians can have some fun exploring the finer details of this ever-changing dram.” Matured in American oak and ex-oloroso Sherry casks before being bottled at 46.2% abv, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan’s 2019 expression is said to have “intense and rugged notes of smoked chili, chocolate, and paprika with waves of toasted oak and roasted tea leaves on the palate.”

Glen Grant with Robin Coupar at The Whisky Shop #SFO Oct 19th, 2019 – Scotch Whisky News

Saturday October 19th 2-5 PM

Glen Grant with Robin Coupar 

Join us for a tasting of Glen Grant single malt scotch presented by whisky expert and reknowned brand ambassador Robin Coupar!

Established in 1840, the centuries-old Speyside malt remains one of the biggest selling single malts in the world. Guest will be treated to rare favorites and new releases from the centuries old distillery, with whisky experts present for all your scotch questions.

More Details & RSVP

Complete your Collection

We’re having a massive sale on ‘Game of Thrones’ branded whiskies, with most 50% to 75% off their original sale price! Even if you’re not a series fan, you can get Lagavulin, Talisker, Clynelish, and more single malt scotches at a fraction of the price during this sale.

Click Here for the Game of Thrones Single Malt Sale

2019 Special Releases Collection Unveiled – Scotch Whisky News

2019 Special Releases Collection unveiled

Diageo announces the highly anticipated launch of the 2019 ‘Rare by Nature’ inspired Special Releases collection. Comprised of eight cask strength single malt Scotch whiskies from some of Scotland’s most renowned distilleries, this year’s line-up has been hand selected by Master Blender, Dr Craig Wilson.

This year’s line-up was launched at an exclusive event at Somerset House in Central London, where guests were guided through a sensorial journey, transporting them from the hustle and bustle of the city to the wild Scottish habitats that inspired this year’s ‘Rare by Nature’ theme.

This carefully selected line-up features discoveries from Diageo’s most precious stocks maturing in Scotland. The collection celebrates whiskies with distinctive maturation techniques, rare finishes and unexpected taste profiles, with this year’s cask strength bottlings bringing to life each distillery’s unique character. Featuring expressions from famous, to supreme examples of the less well known and even closed distilleries, the bottlings are all extremely rare and sought-after whiskies.

The 2019 Special Releases collection

Ewan Gunn, Diageo Global Whisky Master, comments, “Discerning drinkers around the world will delight in this new collection. From the hand selected Single Malt Scotch to the visually arresting bottles, they each tell a strong story of the extraordinary place and the people who have shaped each dram. These prestigious and limited-edition bottlings offer fans an opportunity to collect and explore some of our rarest stocks.”

Here is just a snap shot of this year’s line-up:

  • Cardhu 14-Year-Old: Smooth and generous, a small batch double matured for two years in Amontillado sherry-seasoned hogsheads
  • Cragganmore 12-Year-Old: An unusual smoky expression of a Speyside classic, never released before, matured in refill American oak casks
  • Dalwhinnie 30-Year-Old: Extra-mature & gentle highland malt with rich flavours from over thirty years of maturation in refill hogsheads and butts
  • Lagavulin 12-Year-Old: Powerful & peaty, the king of Islay, a small batch of Lagavulin matured in refill American oak casks
  • Mortlach 26-Year-Old: Rich & bold, a small batch of ‘ The Beast of Dufftown’ matured in first-fill Pedro Ximenez/Oloroso-seasoned casks
  • Pittyvaich 29-Year-Old: A 1989 ghost, double matured in Pedro Ximenez & Oloroso sherry seasoned casks
  • Talisker 15-Year-Old: Rugged & smoky, made by the sea, the first ever release of Talisker as a 15 year old, matured only in freshly charred American oak hogshead
  • The Singleton of Glen Ord 18-Year-Old: A previously unreleased expression of lively rich fruit & spiced oak matured in freshly charred American oak hogshead

About Diageo’s Special Releases

During the late 1980s, the benchmark expressions of single malt whiskies from six single malt distilleries became well known under the CLASSIC MALTS name. Interest in older and rarer malt whiskies in general also grew during this period. One product of this was the RARE MALTS, a series of rarer releases begun in 1995, and which ended in 2005. There remained a demand for unusual, distinctive, often older, unrepeatable cask strength bottlings, usually of the CLASSIC MALTS. Such bottlings allowed collectors, connoisseurs and enthusiasts to enjoy and experience remaining older stocks, and/or unusual expressions of a distillery’s character – a treasure trove of priceless malts. To satisfy this demand, the SPECIAL RELEASES series was born in 2001, and the annual collection – with familiar names and some surprises – has been eagerly awaited by enthusiasts ever since.

You can view our 2018 Special Release collection here.

MACALLAN LALIQUE-50 YEAR OLD TOPS BONHAMS WHISKY SALE IN EDINBURGH – Scotch Whisky News

MACALLAN LALIQUE-50 YEAR OLD TOPS BONHAMS WHISKY SALE IN EDINBURGH

Macallan Lalique- 50 year old. Sold for £100,062.

 

Two bottles of one of the world’s most sought-after whiskies, the Macallan Lalique-50 year old, sold for £100,062 each at Bonhams Fine Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Wednesday 9 October. They had been estimated at £67,000-93,000.  

 

The Macallan Lalique-50 year old is the first of The Lalique Six Pillars Collection of the distillery’s rarest single malts, released between 2006-2016. Distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers Ltd., Easter Elchies, Craigellachie, it is said to have the aroma of cumin, cardamom and maraschino, and a taste of dark prunes and plain chocolate.

 

Other highlights included A bottle of Karuizawa-50 year old-1965 which sold for £27,562 (estimate: £23,000-25,000.  The Karuizawa distillery, which is now closed, was situated on the slopes of Mount Asama an active volcano in Nagano Prefecture Japan. It was the smallest distillery in Japan and its output is among the rarest and most sought-after of all Japanese whisky.  The Karuizawa was part of a collection of Japanese whisky that sold for a total of £200,000.

Sale: Fine WhiskyLocation: 22 Queen Street Edinburgh EH2Date: Wednesday 9 October at 11 am

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.com

Dallas Dhu Distillery Dinner & Dance Saturday November 16th, 2019 – Scotch Whisky News

Join Murray McDavid’s famously hospitable team to celebrate Aceo’s 20th year in the Scotch whisky industry. Do not miss the party in the historic whisky warehouses at Dallas Dhu Distillery.

The doors swing open from 7pm where guests will be warmly greeted with a carefully crafted cocktail, created by the three finalists of the Malt Mixers Challenge.

Throughout the four-course meal, guests will enjoy a variety of entertainment including leading luminaries from the world of whisky, whilst sipping specially selected whiskies.

Following after dinner speeches, there will be a lively blend of traditional and modern music, which is sure to get the crowd up on their feet late into the night.

To apply for one of the limited tickets, please email: Anya.Harris@aceo.co.uk or call: 01452 762 024

www.aceo.co.uk

Dress: Smart/Formal evening attire

Bar: The onsite bar will be able to take payment via cash or card

The Whisky Exchange “Whisky Tasting: Diageo Special Releases 2019” – Scotch Whisky News

DIAGEO SPECIAL RELEASES 2019

WITH COLIN DUNN

Wednesday 30 October 2019
7pm-8.30pm
£60

Limited spaces. Tickets on sale now.

BOOK NOW

It’s that time of year again. Days are getting shorter, Autumn leaves are falling, and Diageo – the powerhouse responsible for 29 whisky distilleries and almost a third of the world’s whisky production – has announced this year’s range of limited edition whiskies: The Diageo Special Releases 2019.

We are excited to announce that our annual tasting of the famed Special Releases is here earlier than usual, and attendees will be amongst the first to try the eight new drams.

Join us to celebrate the release of this annual whisky institution in the company of someone who knows more about the whiskies than perhaps anyone else on the planet – Diageo whisky ambassador Colin Dunn.

THE LINE-UP

Cardhu 14 Years Old
Cragganmore 12 Years Old
Dalwhinnie 30 Years Old
Lagavulin 12 Years Old
Mortlach 26 Years Old
Pittyvaich 29 Years Old
Talisker 15 Years Old
The Singleton of Glen Ord 18 Years Old

ABOUT THE HOST

Colin Dunn has worked for Diageo since 2008 and has since established himself as an influential figure within the international drinks scene. Whisky Ambassador for the company’s impressive portfolio, and also a Keeper of the Quaich, he has switched many people on to the vast and varied world of whisky.

Wednesday 30 October 2019
7pm-8.30pm
£60

Limited spaces. Tickets on sale now.

BOOK NOW

VENUE

BROWNS COVENT GARDEN
82-84 ST MARTIN’S LN,
COVENT GARDEN,
LONDON
WC2N 4AG

The Whisky Shop – Pre-order the 2019 Diageo Special Releases today! – Scotch Whisky News

2019 Diageo Special Releases

The much anticipated 2019 Diageo Special Releases are here. Pre-order now to guarantee yours! The range features some stunning expressions, with our personal favourite being the Mortlach 1992 26 Year Old.⁣ Each expression comes in a brand new bottle, including a new shape for Dalwhinnie, Cardhu and Glen Ord. These are now all tall round bottles, making them a departure from the usual bottle style.⁣

PRE ORDER NOW

 

Compass Box “Why we made: Myths & Legends” – Scotch Whisky News

WHY WE MADE MYTHS & LEGENDS

Myths & Legends is a series of three Limited Edition whiskies, created to challenge certain Scotch “myths” and celebrate the creative opportunities offered by blending.

Here’s why we made our latest release, Myths & Legends

LOOKING BEYOND WHISKY’S RECEIVED WISDOM

In matters of Scotch whisky production, a number of myths have taken root. The role of blending especially is often misunderstood, typically associated only with whiskies of a certain category.

To emphasise the central importance of the blending process to all Scotch whiskies, we have created three distinctive blends. The series opens with two single malts, each the result of blending together a variety of casks from discrete distilleries. The final whisky is a blend of malt whiskies, some fruity and the others peaty, from different distilleries.

MYTH 1: SINGLE MALTS ARE THE POLAR OPPOSITES OF BLENDS

In fact, every major brand of single malt blends. Casks filled at the same distillery develop different flavours during maturation, so producers will blend numerous casks together to enhance the complexity of their single malts.

To demonstrate this, Myths & Legends I combines two contrasting parcels of whisky from a Northern Highland distillery. Our blend allows the flavours of both parcels to express themselves and reveals a fuller picture of distillery character.

MYTH II: THE REGION DETERMINES THE FLAVOUR

Speyside may be home to the distillery behind Myths & Legends II, but the tropical fruitiness and waxy texture of the finished blend have nothing to do with the region.

Instead, the distinctive character of this whisky stems from particular processes at the distillery, maturation in different cask types for different lengths of time, and the choices made in the Blending Room.

To understand the flavours of Myths & Legends II, knowing the whisky’s region is not enough.

MYTH III: WHISKIES FROM FAMOUS DISTILLERIES ARE TOO PRECIOUS TO BLEND

A distillery’s reputation should never limit how its whiskies are used. If a whisky is truly great, the whiskymaker can emphasise its virtues even further through blending.

For Myths & Legends III, we added casks from two celebrated island distilleries to some of the same whiskies used in Myths & Legends II. The fruitiness and notes of butterscotch remain, but they are now complemented and enriched by aromatic peatiness.

Creativity and quality matter more than legendary status, or the sanctity of a category.

CHALLENGE OLD ASSUMPTIONS

We love Scotch whisky’s countless stories, but when they impose limits on our enjoyment of the whisky itself it is time to think more critically.

The Myths & Legends series encourages whisky fans to examine old assumptions and to trust their own palate as the ultimate arbiter of quality. These whiskies reveal the beautiful forms and captivating flavours we can create through blending.

FIND OUT MORE


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