Auction Your Cask postpones second online auction despite confidence in whisky investment

Auction Your Cask has announced it will postpone its second online whisky auction dedicated to casks due to take place at www.auctionyourcask.com on 22nd April.

Despite their confidence in the whisky investment industry and the success of the first auction in January, the team at Auction Your Cask pride themselves on offering the best experience for their customers which would be impossible without the option of sending samples to potential buyers around the world and hosting tasting events for people to try before they buy. Added to this, people wishing to enter casks into the auction are unable to get them checked, re-gauged and request the relevant documents as the distilleries are closed.

Owner of Cask Trade, the parent company of auctionyourcask.com, Simon Aron, says he is still investing in the future of the business by buying casks and has an amazing list even at this time: “I am confident the auction would be a success but our business model is to offer samples to people all over the world and host tasting events. Plus, people wanting to enter the casks into the auction won’t be able to get them checked and re-gauged at this time as the whisky industry has shut down.”

“I am extremely confident in the value of whisky, we are fortunate that it’s a medium to long-term investment,” adds Aron.

Auction Your Cask hosted the world’s first, live, online only auction dedicated to casks in January. Auctionyourcask.com allows private owners and investors to sell their cask to independent bottlers and other investors all around the world. Among the casks sold during the first auction was a 1995 Springbank sherry hogshead which was bought for £47,200 and the Glen Ord barrel April 2015 went for £3,186.

Aron adds: “We will continue to monitor the unfolding Covid-19 situation closely and will announce the new date for the second auction as soon as safely possible, meanwhile we send our best wishes to everyone in these unprecedented times.”

For an inventory of stock available, including recently added new casks, register online at www.casktrade.comto receive a list.

NOTES:

Founded in 2018 by Simon Aron in partnership with several of the world’s foremost whisky masters, including Keeper of the Quaich Sir Colin Hampden-White, Cask Trade buys and sells exceptional cask whiskies. The company is unique because it only sells casks it owns outright, and it only sells whole casks: it is not a whisky cask broker and it does not offer fractional sales.

A passionate whisky collector for more than 20 years, Simon Aron suffered many false promises from whisky investment companies and this drove his ambition to create a real and trustworthy market place for whisky collectors and investors, and bottlers:

The company’s casks are held in the best HMRC bonded warehouses, regularly visited and approved by Cask Trade whisky masters. All stock holdings have a complete paper trail.

• Delivery orders from supplier to Cask Trade
• Invoices for transfer of ownership, storage insurance, re-gauging, sampling or movement
• HMRC-issued WOWGR (warehouse keepers, warehouse premises, owner of goods and registered consigners): a fully regulated and closely monitored license requiring due diligence on suppliers as well as customers.
• HMRC-issued AWRS Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme: Licenced to wholesale, bottle and retail.

Included in its extensive list of customer services, Cask Trade’s rigorous processes means that the company will guarantee to buy back from its clients the casks they buy from and have had managed by Cask Trade. It also offers…

• Regular sampling and re-gauging of casks
• Re-racking (sherry wine, port etc)
• Estimates of bottles and strength in cask (effects of angels’ share 0ver years of maturations)
• Financial modelling for each cask based on age and rarity with estimated % returns
• Costings for bottling, labelling and shipping (duty & tax)
• Regularly updated whisky investment guide which includes statistics from two authoritative third parties (independent of Cask Trade)
• Cask Trade will arrange for clients to receive samples of their whiskies and visit their barrels(s), upon request – wherever possible.

Cask Trade has started the first live auction website dedicated to exceptional whisky casks: auctionyourcask.com.

Hosted four times a year and helping private owners/investors sell their cask to independent bottlers and other investors all around the world. All casks will be re-gauged ready for auction and a full 70cl sample will be drawn so that bidders have the opportunity to try the whisky before they buy. – Wherever possible. We validate all the sellers and confirm proof of ownership and the history of the cask enabling bidders to safely buy. With complete transparency and no sellers’ fee we can offer you the actual hammer price. Our low buyers’ fee of 15% + VAT will offer the opportunity to buyers, trade or private, to buy rare casks.

https://www.casktrade.com

https://www.auctionyourcask.com

Whisky Price Growth

Results of the recent Knight Frank Wealth Report’s new unique luxury investment index revealed whisky was one of the most coveted objects of desire in 2019.

The report out in February 2020, says Rare Whisky has grown in value the most over the last 10 years at +564% and increased by +5% in the past 12 months; and states casks remained in huge demand. By comparison cars have seen an increase of 194%, art by 141% and wine by 120%.

https://www.knightfrank.com/wealthreport

Data collected by Rare Whisky 101 suggests the four-year growth from December 2014 in rare whisky has increased over 160%, compared to just 2.47% for the FTSE 100. https://www.rarewhisky101.com/indices

The same report by Rare Whisky 101 claimed via the BBC that they had performed a controlled test of 55 rare bottles, of which over a third were fakes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-46566703

We might be apart,
but whisky can bring us together…

In times of trouble, triumph and everything in between, whisky brings people together. Even though we’re currently keeping our distance, we’d love to keep sharing our passion for whisky knowledge with you. To help keep spirits up, you can save 30% on all Edinburgh Whisky Academy courses, until we can get together and meet again.

Keep dramming, keep learning.

Sláinte 🥃

One of only 26 Decanters, this was distilled back in 1978, and matured in refill casks, then was matured in a personal Spanish sherry octave cask of Bunnahabhain’s Master Blender Kirsty McCallum! The Decanter is inspired by the Waves that you can see at Bunnahabhain.

The tasting notes:

Rich and fruity with Figs, toffee, espresso, toasted oak and roasted nuts on the nose.
A definite PX influence with more roasted nuts, toffee and dark chocolate.
The finish is long and oaky with chocolate nuts!

From Bunnahabhain Distillery, one of the rarest Bunnahabhain whisky releases available

Glencadam Distillery was established in 1825 in the heart of the ancient town of Brechin, and is one of the oldest whisky distilleries in Scotland. It has enjoyed a long and interesting history, having been closed during both World Wars and used to barrack soldiers. To this day you can still see the evidence of this at the distillery.

Throughout the years, the distillery itself has remained mostly unchanged, and retains all the original character and charm from when it was built in 1825. It has two unique stills, which produce a rare “East Highlands” style of whisky, which is very fruity and slightly spicy.

BROWSE OUR FULL GLENCADAM RANGE HERE

Reviewed between to Casks

Joylon and Angus are two of our most senior staff with a wealth of knowledge in all things whisky. They are the dynamic duo of Milroys, giving their success to communication,  being the first people they speak to in the morning and the last at night. They are partners in life and partners in whisky. Here are their reviews on this weeks £100 combination.

Joylon on Hakushu Distillers Reserve : The first time I tried this was with Angus at a Monday night tasting. We were debating whether Japanese whisky was as good, if not better than its Scottish counterpart. Completely forgetting our conclusion, but not the whisky, the Hakushu DR is gentle with hints of smoke, green apples and white flowers. On its own or with soda, recommended as you like it.

Angus on The Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old : A classic single malt. Conjuring the rugged Islay coastline on the nose, with hints of Parkin cake and rum soaked raisins. The palate unleashes that iconic sea salt, interlaced with those dried fruit, nutmeg and clove sherry cask notes. Can the finish of this malt end? Although a regular fixture on our shelves Jolyon and I first drank this together after a handsome meal of white cabbage and brown shrimp, followed by rarebit and then a plate of gorgeous madeleines. What dram could do the meal justice? Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old, the digestif of our times.

ORDER NOW

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES FOURTH INSTALLMENT IN OLD CHARTER OAK SERIES, CHINKAPIN OAK 

New Addition will Continue the Exploration of the Role Oak Plays

in Making Great Whiskey

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (April 2, 2020) – Buffalo Trace Distillery continues its exploration into oak tree varietals with the release of its Old Charter Oak Chinkapin Oak.  This species of oak is native to the Midwest United States. These large Chinkapin Oak trees are often found in parks and on large estates.

The Chinkapin Oak joins the three previous releases in the Old Charter Oak series, a collection exploring the different taste profiles of barrels obtained from trees grown in different countries, climates and soil.  The Old Charter Oak collection explores, honors, and celebrates the role of oak in making great whiskey. The oak trees used for this brand vary by country of origin, or species, or U.S. state. Some barrels are even made from century old trees that grew for 100, 200 and 300 years.

For the newest release, Buffalo Trace obtained a small number of barrels with staves air dried for 24 months before assembling into barrels.  Most barrel staves air dry for three to six months, but the additional time spent air drying eventually allows the whiskey to extract more rich and complex flavors deep within the oak. “The extra seasoning of the wood allows it to break down and we then capture the flavors when the barrel is charred.  The extra time caramelizes wood sugar and reduces some of the tannic flavor,” said Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. Buffalo Trace traditionally burns the inside of their barrels for 55 seconds, known as a number four char. For an additional twist, these Chinkapin Oak barrels were charred slightly less. A number three char was used, charring just enough at 35 seconds to caramelize the wood sugars and unlock the flavor in the oak.

After the Chinkapin barrels were filled with Buffalo Trace Mash #1, they were then aged for nine years before being bottled at 93 proof.

  Tasting notes describe this bourbon as having a nose of cherries and spearmint with hints of floral.  On the palate, fresh herbs and honey abound, before a finish of warm baking spices, followed by dark chocolate.

This is the fourth release in the Old Charter Oak Collection and the first in the species series.  The other releases were Mongolian Oak, French Oak, and Canadian Oak.  Subsequent releases are planned a few times each year, indefinitely.

By federal standards, bourbon is required to be aged in a new, charred oak container. While there is no specification these containers must be American white oak barrels, nearly all bourbons made today are aged in white oak barrels.

The Old Charter brand dates back to 1874 and it has changed owners a few times, until it was purchased by Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1999.  The existing Old Charter Bourbon is still produced by parent company Sazerac and there are no plans to discontinue it. The Old Charter Oak series is an upscale brand extension, much like Buffalo Trace has done with its E. H. Taylor, Jr, line.

The suggested retail pricing for the Chinkapin Oak is $69.99. Like the other releases in this series, supplies will be limited. Packaging for the Chinkapin Oak will remain consistent with the other releases, with an upscale look consisting of a glass bottle with a cork finish. Each bottle has an oak medallion on the front depicting the Charter Oak tree.  This Chinkapin Oak bourbon will be available in limited quantities starting in April.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

TOKYO — Friday 10 April 2020 – Inspired by the new Japanese drink trend of ‘On-nomi’, dekantā TV’s ‘Japanese Whisky Lockdown’, presented by Japanese comedian Kilara Sen, will bring entertainment to Japanese whisky fans in isolation across the globe.

Japanese spirits e-commerce site dekantā today launch their online channel, ‘Japanese Whisky Lockdown’, offering an eclectic mix of comedy, whisky news, live music, and cultural trends, such as face yoga, in a bid to ease the boredom of lockdown for Japanese whisky and culture fans internationally. With bars, pubs and restaurants closing across the globe due to the COVID-19 outbreak, a new trend has emerged in Japan to allow people who are social-distancing to enjoy a drink with friends and family while chatting via video messaging apps. The trend is called ‘On-nomi’ (オン飲み), which means ‘online drinking party’, and it was the inspiration for dekantā’s new entertainment channel.

Hosted by Yokohama-born stand-up comedian Kilara Sen (Asia’s Got Talent, Laugh Factory 2016 Shortlist for ‘Funniest Person in the World’), ‘Japanese Whisky Lockdown’ will air on the dekantā website and social media channels every Friday at 8:30pm EDT, starting Friday 10 April 2020, with episodes available on-demand after that date. Each episode will raise money for Wellcome’s COVID-Zero Fund, with dekantā pledging to match donations from viewers. In the first episode, Kilara Sen will be receiving a lesson in face yoga from Healthy & Beauty Specialist and Face Yoga Instructor Koko Hayashi (Keeping Up With Kardashians; Shark Tank), alongside dekantā Founder and Director Makiyo Masa, getting a dance lesson from outspoken, independent singer-songwriter, rapper and producer GIRLI (“between PC Music, bubblegum pop, punk and rap, each one treading a line between catchy and deliberately discomforting,” The Guardian), and hearing the latest Japanese whisky news from drinks blogger ‘Whiskey Richard’ (nomunication.jp). “If hearsay is to be believed, alcohol is a tonic against viruses, and of course, laughter is always the best medicine – so our show will keep you in peak physical condition!” said presenter Kilara Sen. “Japanese Whisky Lockdown will be partly like a fast-paced variety show, partly like a big whisky tasting with your friends on video conference. We will be blending both Japanese and international humour and culture, in perfect harmony, just like a fine Japanese single malt.”

Japanese whisky specialists dekantā have an international community of clients who are referred to as the ‘dekantā family’. Founder Makiyo Masa and the wider dekantā team have previously enjoyed connecting with clients through social media, newsletters, client events and the dekantā blog, which covers Japanese whisky news and topics of wider Japanese culture. “I hope our new channel will help bring the international dekantā family even closer together in these challenging times,” said dekantā Founder and Director Makiyo Masa. “Kilara Sen is an exceptional talent, and a bright-shining personality to bring some joy and laughter into people’s lives, covering both in-depth Japanese whisky features and rib-tickling comedy sketches.”

To view episodes of dekantā TV’s ‘Japanese Whisky Lockdown’ and more information about the channel, visit dekanta.com/tv.

Japanese Whisky Lockdown Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wlOJ7LYWI0

Kilara’s showreel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6GH3VQbPro

youtube.com/kaoricomedy
instagram.com/kilaracomedy
twitter.com/kilaracomedy

About dekantā

dekantā offers the world’s largest online selection of authentic Japanese spirits and, since the opening of its online store in 2015, has delivered to 127 countries across every continent in the world. A family owned and run business, dekantā’s founders have been selling collectibles since 1985 and specialize in rare, collectible, and new release single malt Japanese whisky. dekantā offers worldwide delivery on an extensive range of Japanese single malt whisky, Japanese grain whisky and Japanese blended whisky, in addition to Scottish whisky released for the Japanese market only. More recently, Japanese wine has been introduced through the dekantā Cellar, and spirits from wider Asia through dekantā Oriental.

dekanta.com

Follow dekantā on Twitter: @dekantawhisky 

Like dekantā on Facebook: facebook.com/dekantawhisky/

‘Wild Water’ for Whisky Larkfire Launches Multi-Pack Due to Demand

‘Wild water’ for whisky Larkfire has launched a new multi-pack to give consumers a taste of the Outer Hebrides at home as demand for the product rises.

Larkfire has developed a 4-pack which is now available to order online, priced at £4, via www.larkfire.com/buy.

Larkfire – a natural ‘wild water’ that brings out the full flavour of whisky – is stocked by prestigious venues including Boisdale Group venues in Mayfair, Belgravia, Canary Wharf and Bishopsgate. Soho Whisky Club also uses Larkfire for its tasting events, and Islington restaurant Frederick’s offers Larkfire alongside its range of world whiskies.

James McIntosh, co-founder of Larkfire, said: “Anyone wanting to enjoy a drink at home shouldn’t have to compromise on quality. We’ve recently seen a surge in demand and want to make sure we’re catering for our loyal customers as well as those new to Larkfire, or those buying it as a gift.

“Die-hard whisky fans know that tap water and bottled water interfere with the delicate flavours of whisky, due to the mineral content and added chlorine or fluoride. But Larkfire is a pure, naturally soft ‘wild’ water from Scotland that creates a natural chemistry, offering the very best for those enjoying a dram at home.”

James and his team travelled the length and breadth of Scotland to create award-winning Larkfire, which was named Best Premium Drink at the World Beverage Innovation Awards.

Larkfire was launched after a study by Swedish chemists Björn Karlsson and Ran Friedman in the Scientific Reports journal helped prove that water boosts the concentration of flavour compounds at the surface of whisky, enhancing the flavour.

A percentage of Larkfire sales flow back into the Outer Hebrides via a partnership with The Stornoway Trust – a community landlord that looks after 69,000 acres of land on the Isle of Lewis, where the water is sourced.

To find out more or to buy Larkfire online, visit www.larkfire.co.uk.

New York, 6 April 2020 – Sotheby’s Wine is pleased to announce two exciting online auctions to be held this April: Distilled | The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection From Wing Hop Fung + More (now open for bidding through 19 April) and Vine to Online | The Old & New World (open for bidding from 13-26 April).

Connor Kriegel, Head of Auction Sales for Sotheby’s Wine in New York, said: “Following the success of our March sale series in London, which included a new auction record for any bottle of Japanese whisky, we are very pleased to present these two online auctions this month. Offering more than 300 lots, these sales will present collectors with the opportunity to acquire some of the very best bottles in both wines and spirits.”

DISTILLED | THE MACALLAN FINE & RARE COLLECTION FROM WING HOP FUNG + MORE

Now Open for Bidding through 19 April

THE MACALLAN COLLECTION | PROPERTY OF WING HOP FUNG

Our spirits auction is led by an extraordinary and rare group of 30 bottles from the legendary Macallan Fine & Rare series, on offer from specialty retailer, Wing Hop Fung. Spanning five decades from 1937 – 1972, these iconic whiskies were purchased as a single set directly from The Macallan in 2005. Each bottle, in its original wooden case, was delivered to Wing Hop Fung on 26 July 2005, by then Macallan Brand Ambassador, Mark Izatt, who also awarded a Certificate of Authenticity to the owner of Wing Hop Fung, Mr. Dayton Ong. Per this document, at the time that Wing Hop Fung acquired the collection, the retailer was the “only location in North America to house, in its entirety, The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection.”

The collection has been stored in Wing Hop Fung’s private cellars ever since and was only recently removed by Sotheby’s Wine Specialists this year for the April auction. In addition to the collection’s sterling provenance, the highly-coveted Macallan Fine and Rare 56 Year Old 1945 distinguishes this exceptional offering, carrying an estimate of $38/50,000.

The Macallan Fine and Rare 56 Year Old 1945

Estimate $38/50,000

This outstanding ensemble comes on the market following Sotheby’s exceptional results for whisky in 2019: The Macallan was ranked #1 spot on the list of Top Spirits Producers in our annual Wine Market Report. Moreover, our October sale of The Ultimate Whisky Collection in London – Sotheby’s first live auction dedicated entirely to spirits and the most valuable private whisky collection ever sold at auction – saw a new world auction record for any Spirit, when the The Macallan Fine & Rare 60 Year Old 1926 sold for $1.9 million.

Established in 1985 in Los Angeles’ Chinatown, Wing Hop Fung has become the premier and trusted location for Asian products in Southern California. Meaning “Together, Forever, Prosper,” the store offers the best in Chinese herbs, premium loose teas, ginseng, Asian delicacies, housewares, and fine wine and spirits.

A photo documenting the ceremony, in 2005, during which then The Macallan Brand Ambassador Marc Izatt delivers The Macallan Fine & Rare collection to Wing Hop Fung’s ownership. Image courtesy of Wing Hop Fung

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Spirits Specialist, said: “Macallan is, undoubtedly, the world’s most collectable whisky and at the core of its most coveted expressions is the Fine & Rare collection. This collection achieved its cult status due to a number of qualities: vintages that stretch back to before the Second World War, age statements that exceed half a century and undeniable quality throughout. It is only the most savvy and determined of whisky collectors who have been able to build a truly comprehensive collection of Fine & Rare bottlings over the years, and it is rare to find one with such provenance. It is not only an honour for Sotheby’s to bring these bottles to auction, but an exciting opportunity for any collector to be able to build and complete their own meaningful collection of The Macallan Fine & Rare.”

CJ Lin, Fine Wine & Spirits Advisor for Wing Hop Fung, remarked: “We are very pleased to present our Macallan Fine and Rare collection to whisky enthusiasts worldwide this spring, and privileged to be in partnership with Sotheby’s. Beginning with our first acquisition of 2000 Chateau Mouton Rothschild almost two decades ago, Wing Hop Fung has built a fine wine and spirits collection that will satisfy even the most discerning palate. Our passion and dedication to fine wines and spirits has established our loyal relationships with wine growers, producers, importers and brand ambassadors. The Macallan Fine and Rare collection is one of our most treasured collections, and we hope it will be acquired by someone who can enjoy the legacy, spirit and prestige of this set.”

ADDITIONAL SPIRITS HIGHLIGHTS

Outside of the Wing Hop Fung collection, desirable lots include: The Macallan 50 Year Old in Lalique, 6 Pillars, First Edition (estimate $65/95,000); The Macallan Lalique 72 Year Old Genesis Decanter (estimate $80/120,000); the Black Bowmore and Bowmore Trilogy Collection (pictured left, estimate $140/220,000); as well as notable selections of Pappy Van Winkle, Colonel E.H. Taylor, Eagle Rare, Yamazaki, and Karuizawa.

In particular, The Macallan Lalique 72 Year Old Genesis Decanter represents the oldest age statement whisky to ever have been released from The Macallan Distillery. To date, only The Macallan and one other spirits producer have been able to release a whisky that exceeds 72 years – a testament to both the highly meticulous ageing process and The Macallan’s mastery. Additionally, the stunning Lalique Decanter is held in a bespoke cabinet designed by Burgess Studio and crafted by NEJ Stevenson, royal cabinetmakers to Queen Elizabeth II. Distilled during the Second World War, only 600 bottles of The Macallan Lalique 72 Year Old Genesis Decanter were released worldwide and with very limited allocation. Today, this remarkable whisky showcases what many connoisseurs refer to fondly as the “old style Macallan”, never to be recreated.

Other highlights include the Black Bowmore and Bowmore Trilogy Collection. The April sale marks the first time that the entire seven-bottle collection of Bowmore’s most iconic expressions, Black Bowmore and Bowmore Trilogy, has been offered as a single lot. Undoubtedly the most notorious Islay whiskies, some collectors have spent years attempting to complete this prized collection.

The Black Bowmore and Bowmore Trilogy Collection

About Sotheby’s Wine

In October 2019, our ‘white-glove’ sale of The Ultimate Whisky Collection smashed its pre-sale high estimate, achieving $10 million and establishing a new auction record for any bottle of wine or spirit when The Macallan 60-Year-Old 1926 sold for $1.9 million, far surpassing its estimate of £350,000-450,000. The landmark sale, held within the RM Sotheby’s Classic Car exhibition, bared witness to the highest-ever total for any whisky collection sold at auction, and the highest value wine or spirits sale ever staged by Sotheby’s London.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.