Lady Of The Glen is a range of premium, independently bottled single cask Scotch whiskies. Each cask is hand-sourced, independently bottled, and 100% natural – bottled at cask strength, non-chill filtered, and with no added colouring. Each release represents one special distillery, one single oak cask, and a limited edition of individually labelled bottles of Scotch.

BROWSE OUR FULL LADY OF THE GLEN – SCOTTISH WHISKIES OF DISTINCTION RANGE HERE

The Balvenie 19 Year Old Edge of Burnhead Wood

Introducing a brand new dram from The Balvenie! And what a whisky it is.

This 19-year-old malt is made from home-grown barley malted at The Balvenie Maltings, ingredients, sourced locally in the distillery grounds, as well as water from the Robbie Dhu spring and fresh heather from Burnhead Wood.

Lively and vibrant, this is a whisky that offers plenty of fig and geranium oil on the nose, and honey, cloves and dates on the palate. Enjoy a lingering finish of oak and dried blossom.

Extremely limited, be one of the first to get your hands on this gorgeous dram.

The Balvenie 19 Year Old
Edge of Burnhead Wood
£260.00

This week it’s all about Banff! Scottish distillery rather than beautiful Canadian countryside. This distillery just wasn’t designed to make whisky. So many explosions, so many fires, luckily though it turns out they make good whisky.

https://youtu.be/sD5qmu9n0C8

SPOTLIGHT FALLS ON COMPLETE JAPANESE WHISKY SETS AT BONHAMS HONG KONG SALE IN MAY

 Alongside curated selection for budding whisky collectors

with bidding from US$320

A complete set of Suntory 山崎 Yamazaki and 白州 Hakushu

Vintage Malt 1st Edition-1979-1994 (16 bottles)

Estimate: HK$600,000 – 800,000

The international auction house Bonhams presents a Fine and Rare Wine & Whisky Sale on 16 May 2020 in Hong Kong, featuring a group of exceedingly limited Japanese whisky series – most of them complete – from prestigious and newly-trending distilleries such as Yamazaki, Hanyu, Chichibu and Hakushu.

The demand for Japanese whisky is strong with an average of 90% sell-through rate at Bonhams’ recent sales. In August 2019, Bonhams set a new world auction record for a Japanese whisky series, as Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series sold for HK$7,192,000 to an Asian female collector, nearly doubling the previous record set in 2015, also by Bonhams.

Daniel Lam, Bonhams’ Director of Wine & Spirits, Asia, comments: ‘Collecting by series is often considered the ultimate pursuit for any dedicated whisky collector. It takes a great deal of time and perseverance to acquire each bottle in the market, and therefore when a set is complete, it brings no less joy than a trophy bottle. It is rare that a full series – especially in the case of Japanese whisky – comes onto the market. But when it does, it holds more value than the individual bottle added together, and will surely be hotly-contested.’ 

Highlights of Japanese whisky sets include: 

• Lot 449  A complete set of Suntory 山崎 Yamazaki and 白州 Hakushu Vintage Malt 1st Edition-1979-1994 (16 bottles) (pictured front)

Estimate: HK$600,000 – 800,000
A complete set of first editions in unparalleled condition from two of Suntory’s most sought-after distilleries. Hakushu whisky won the award of The World’s Best Single Malt in 2019; whereas Yamazaki whisky was also awarded the World’s Best Whisky in the 2015 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

• Lot 475 A complete set of The Ghost Series Japanese Whisky (1st to 12th Edition) (11 bottles) (left above)

Estimate: HK$820,000 – 1,100,000

• Lot 505 A twin set of Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Joker ‘Monochrome’ & ‘Colour’ (2 bottles) (left middle)

Estimate: HK$350,000 – $500,000

• The largest group of Chichibu whisky ever offered at auction in Asia, among which ten lots will be sold as sets including:

Lot 594 Chichibu-2012-6 year old-#1487-章魚 and Chichibu-2010-8 year old-#646-金魚 (left right)Estimate: HK$30,000 – 40,000 

Once again, we offer a curated selection of over 50 attractively-estimated Scotch and Japanese whiskies for budding whisky collectors. Ranging from HK$2,500 to HK$15,000, these bottles – all from the most sought-after distilleries – carry estimates lower than the current market price.

From left to right:

• Lot 254 Karuizawa-8 year old (bottled 1990’s Mercian)

Estimate: HK$4,500 – 6,000

• Lot 347 Macallan Speymalt-1973-30 year old

Estimate: HK$13,000 – 18,000

• Lot 671 Mars Shinshu-The Lucky Cat set (5 bottles)

Estimate: HK$10,000 – 14,000

• Lot 319 Chichibu-2019-#5821-Mount Bukō 武甲山

Estimate: HK$7,000 – 9,000

Other auction highlights include:

Whisky (from left to right)

• Lot 635 Karuizawa-1969-50 year old-#539-白命の水

Estimate: HK$360,000 – 450,000

• Lot 439 響 Hibiki ceramic-35 year old-人間国宝 三代徳田八十吉作 〈耀彩瓶　碧陽〉

Estimate: HK$180,000 – 240,000

• Lot 496 Dalmore-1926-50 year old

Estimate: HK$200,000 – 260,000

• Lot 493 Macallan Millennium Decanter

Estimate: HK$340,000 – 400,000

• Lot 459 Bowmore-1961-50 year old

Estimate: HK$360,000 – 460,000

• Lot 458 Bowmore Queen’s Cask-1980-21 year old

Estimate: HK$150,000 – 190,000

At the moment, this sale is planned to be conducted live behind closed doors. An auctioneer will be present on the rostrum, and bids will be accepted in the following formats: online, on the telephone with a member of client services, or by leaving an absentee bid. All bidding will be done remotely in accordance with government guidelines. Our specialists are also working remotely and are available to assist clients by email, telephone or social media platforms.

Fine & Rare Wine and Whisky 16 May 2020 Online catalogue HERE

Specialist: Daniel Lam, Bonhams’ Director of Wine & Spirits, Asia

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

Glencairn Crystal to pay tribute to 20 years of The Glencairn Glass – the world’s favourite whisky glass 

Family owned and award-winning Scottish crystal company Glencairn Crystal Studio is marking 20 years since the birth of the world’s favourite whisky glass, The Glencairn Glass, throughout 2020.

Since its creation by Glencairn Crystal Studio in 2000, The Glencairn Glass has become an iconic must-have for whisky lovers around the world. The glass was borne out of Raymond Davidson’s (Glencairn’s Founder) vision to create a glass that would encourage the user to fully appreciate the nose and palate of a whisky, whilst being an aesthetically pleasing object. The Glencairn Glass is now THE definitive whisky glass around the world today, with over 3 million being sold each year, across 140 different countries in every corner of the globe.

The Glencairn team is set to mark this momentous anniversary in 2020 with a number of milestone moments including:

• The new Glencairn PodGlass series: a first for the brand – a series of insightful and informative podcasts with Glencairn Crystal Founder, Raymond Davidson, and guest appearances by some of the whisky industry’s more renowned and respected names – some of whom were involved in the early development of The Glencairn Glass. The first PodGlass goes live on 5^th May, visit www.whiskyglass.com for details.

• New versions of the Glencairn Glass that will be added to the existing range.

• A unique fundraising initiative with the proceeds going to the company’s chosen charity partners.

• The official opening of the new expanded Glencairn Crystal Studio site in East Kilbride: which incorporates a stunning refurbishment and a substantial new build on the original Glencairn site to cater for expanding demand – all built by local businesses.

• Social media: to keep whisky lovers going through the current challenging COVID-19 climate, @TheGlencairnGlass is inviting the online community to follow them and share their favourite stay at home Glencairn moments via a new platform:

#beathomewithGlencairn.

Glencairn will be revealing more details on how followers and fans can become part of their 20^th Anniversary tribute later in the year.

For further information go to: www.glencairncrystal.co.uk or www.whiskyglass.com

Notes:

Glencairn’s clients over the last 20 years include leading drinks companies, brands and other organisations, including: Liverpool FC, BP, Brown-Forman, Cunard, Diageo, Houses of Parliament and Scottish Parliament, Muller, Google and the majority of the Scottish Whisky manufacturers, in addition to many of the international whisky and spirit producers.

Exclusive Apollo 13
50th Anniversary Bottling

Houston We’ve Had A Problem Highland Park 13YO

Fifty years ago Apollo 13 Commander & Pilot reported “Houston We’ve Had a Problem”. Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the near disastrous Apollo 13 moon mission and the remarkable ingenuity which brought the astronauts home.

To mark this occasion, TheWhiskyBarrel.com has bottled a single Oloroso sherry cask distilled in 2007 at the Orcadian Highland Park distillery. Yielding 322 numbered bottles at cask strength 61.3%.

SHOP – HOUSTON WE;VE HAD A PROBLEM ~ £90

Join us for a walk on the wild side as we unleash 18 intriguing new casks, which aim to celebrate the diversity of not only the Society’s whiskies, but our wonderful members.

In a month when many of us would normally be joining together at whisky festivals around the country, we’re instead inviting you come flavour-hunting with us by delving into this wildly varied new Outturn. Featuring all 12 flavour profiles (including an exotic creature from Taiwan), a couple of single cask spirits and a trio of celebratory Speyside bottlings, there truly is a dram for everyone to raise this month. Head over to our Outturn hub now to get involved.

OUTURN HUB                  SEE OUTTURN BOTTLES

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

ralfy gets nostalgic !

https://youtu.be/vUYJx2Qlv4g

GLEN MORAY SINGLE MALT IS LATEST GLOBAL BRAND TO JOIN GROWING 375 PARK AVENUE SPIRITS PORTFOLIO

Louisville, KY (April 30, 2020)— 375 Park Avenue Spirits is thrilled to announce that it has come to an agreement with Glen Turner Company Ltd, the Scottish subsidiary of French group La Martiniquaise-Bardinet to act as the US importer for another of the company’s iconic brands—Glen Moray Speyside Single Malt Whisky—effective June 1, 2020.

“Earlier this year we expanded our strategic relationship with La Martiniquaise-Bardinet when we took on Cutty Sark, and today we add another award-winning global brand to our mix of products,” said Jason Schladenhauffen, president and CEO of 375 Park Avenue Spirits. “Our team looks forward to rapidly increasing the availability of this portfolio of unique Scotch whisky to new and existing customers. The unique finishes available from Glen Moray are like nothing else we currently have within our range, and that’s exciting.”

Glen Moray has been distilled in Speyside on the banks of the River Lossie outside of Elgin since 1897. The distillery offers a range of expressions and vintages in its four major collections: Elgin Classic, Elgin Heritage, Elgin Reserve and Elgin Prestige.

“Adding our single malt Speyside Glen Moray range to the 375 Park Avenue Spirits portfolio will help us reach new customers and markets and continue to build our brand equity in the United States” said Christophe Pichambert, international director for La Martiniquaise-Bardinet. “Glen Moray has a 120 years rich history and has been available as early as the 1930’s. We are convinced that, Jason and his team’s passion and incredible enthusiasm will make Glen Moray become one of America’s favorite Scotch Single Malt. ”

Glen Moray will be available from 375 Park Avenue Spirits beginning on June 1, 2020. Available SKUs include the following: Glen Moray Classic 750ml & 1.75L, Glen Moray Classic Port Cask Finish 750ml, Glen Moray Classic Sherry Cask Finish 750ml, Glen Moray Classic Chardonnay Cask Finish 750ml, Glen Moray Classic Cabernet Cask Finish 750ml , Glen Moray Classic Peated 750ml, Glen Moray 12YO 750ml, Glen Moray Classic 15 YO 750ml, Glen Moray 18YO  750ml and Glen Moray 21YO Port Wood Finish 750ml.

About 375 Park Avenue Spirits

375 Park Avenue Spirits specializes in the premium- to luxury-spirit categories and our portfolio includes numerous expressions from leading international producers.  Founded as Luctor International, LLC in 1981, 375 Park Avenue Spirits joined the Sazerac Company in early 2015 to act as an independent, yet fully integrated sales and marketing affiliate. The company is known today for creating an environment of growth for supplier partners in the domestic market for renown brands like Van Gogh Vodka from Holland, Sobieski Vodka from Poland, Cutty Sark Blended Scotch, J.P. Wiser’s Canadian Whisky, Paul John Single Malt Whisky from India, Scapegrace Gin from New Zealand, Novo Fogo Cachaca and many others. For more information on 375 Park Avenue Spirits, please visit www.375park.com.

About Sazerac

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, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com.

About La Martiniquaise-Bardinet

La Martiniquaise-Bardinet Group is a leading player in the Wine & Spirits industry and features in the world’s top ten spirits companies (source: IMPACT).

This independent French group founded in 1934 employs 2,400 people with a turnover of over 1 billion euros. Headquartered near Paris, the group operates in over 100 countries on many spirit categories and is particularly renowned internationally for its blended scotch whisky portfolio (Cutty Sark acquired from The Edrington Group in December 2018 and its two millionaire brands Label 5 and Sir Edward’s). The group also prides in being the category leader in Port with Cruz Port and Agricole Rum with Saint James.

For more information, please visit www.la-martiniquaise.com

International Beverage Holdings Ltd. Partners with Hotaling & Co. for Ambitious US Growth Plan

International Beverage Holdings Ltd. has today, 30th April 2020, announced a new partnership with leading super-premium artisanal spirits importer and distiller Hotaling & Co., as part of a new phase of ambitious growth for its portfolio in the US market.

San Francisco-based Hotaling & Co. will distribute and support International Beverage’s award-winning, premium Scotch whisky and spirit brands across the US. This will include Old Pulteney, Speyburn, Balblair and anCnoc single malt Scotch whiskies; Hankey Bannister blended Scotch whisky; super premium handcrafted Scottish Gin Caorunn; Phraya Rum; and The Spirit of Thailand Mekhong. Hotaling & Co. brings decades of experience building super-premium, artisanal spirits with an emphasis on whiskies in the US market to the partnership – a perfect fit for International Beverage’s high quality spirits, which are imbued with the character and exceptional craftsmanship of the people who make them.

An initial focus will be on the company’s flagship single malt Scotch whisky, Old Pulteney. Known as the Maritime Malt and holder of Jim Murray’s ‘World Whisky of the Year’ accolade, a new core range featuring 12, 15 and 18-year-old expressions, plus non-aged Huddart, was launched in the US in late 2019. Hotaling & Co. will also focus on building the super-premium single malt Scotch Balblair, produced in one of the oldest working distilleries in the ancient heart of the Highlands.

In addition to the new partnership with Hotaling & Co., International Beverage has announced the appointment of a new Regional Vice President, Americas, Alex R Steppacher, to lead the US business. An accomplished beverage industry executive with a successful track record in developing home-grown and global spirits brands in the US, he will work closely with the global team to drive a dynamic new US strategy for the brands.

He commented: “The USA has benefited from increasing premiumization in recent years across all categories and remains the top export market for Scotch. With record breaking case numbers in 2019, specifically for super-premium and above Scotch, and double digit growth in recent years, the outlook for a distinguished malt portfolio is excellent. This makes the timing right to partner with Hotaling & Co. Their focus on craft distilling and importing a collection of super-premium artisanal spirits from around the world makes them the wise choice for our US import strategy.”

Dan Leese, president & CEO of Hotaling & Co. added: “Hotaling & Co. has been seeking the right single malt producer from Scotland to round out our highly acclaimed portfolio. With the addition of International Beverage’s portfolio of award-winning Scottish single malts and spirits, we are proud to offer one of the most impressive and extensive selections of world whiskies available.” http://www.interbevgroup.com/

International Beverage Holdings Ltd

International Beverage Holdings Ltd is one of the drinks industry’s most dynamic global businesses. Established in 2006 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thaibev, the company operates as its international business arm, specialising in the development of premium local spirits for the global market. Its success is built on a strong understanding of local cultures and markets within a worldwide business network. Based in Hong Kong with regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, the USA and UK, the company is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium brands in over 85 markets. These brands are built on character, craftsmanship and quality, led by a range of award-winning Scotch whiskies and an array of vibrant beers and spirits. These include:

 Single malt Scotch whiskies Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn
 Blended Scotch Hankey Bannister

Inver House Distillers is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Beverage Holdings Ltd, producing its Scotch whiskies and gin at five distilleries around Scotland: Pulteney, Speyburn, Knockdhu, Balblair and Balmenach. Inver House is also highly active in the warehousing and blending of Scotch whisky, with warehousing for 500,000 barrels and state of the art blending and laboratory facilities at its headquarters in Airdrie. The business has won many prestigious accolades over the years, including the Icons of Whisky Distiller of the Year Award for Scotland (2017). www.interbevgroup.com

Focus brands

Old Pulteney, ‘The Maritime Malt’, is crafted in the windswept coastal town of Wick at Pulteney Distillery – established in 1826 and one of the most northerly on the Scottish mainland. ‘Pulteneytown’ once housed 7000 fishermen during Wick’s famous herring boom, and Old Pulteney is the embodiment of this place, its people and its remarkable history. Crafted using the most time-honoured techniques, Old Pulteney recently launched a new core range featuring flagship 12 Years Old, Huddart, 15 and 18 Years Old. www.oldpulteney.com

Speyburn Distillery was established in 1897 by John Hopkins at Rothes in the heart of Speyside. The beautiful natural environment of this location, combined with traditional methods of production and a quest for innovation, produce a whisky that symbolises all that is special about the great Speyside region. Speyburn currently has three core expressions – Bradan Orach, 10 and 15 Years Old. www.speyburn.com
Balblair Distillery is one of the oldest working distilleries in the Scottish Highlands, built in 1790 and sitting on the original site to this day. Balblair whiskies are released as vintage expressions, only when they have reached their exact point of ‘optimum maturation’, the peak of perfection. www.balblair.com

anCnoc is produced at Knockdhu Distillery, built in 1894 and one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It is renowned by malt enthusiasts worldwide for bringing a contemporary twist to the traditions of fine malt whisky, producing a single malt that is accessible and versatile for all occasions. www.ancnoc.com

Hankey Bannister is crafted from a blend of fine single malts from the five Inver House distilleries, producing a smooth and distinctive blend that is true to the original recipe of its historic founders – the flamboyant Mr Beaumont Hankey and his astute business partner, Mr Hugh Bannister. The whiskies of these eighteenth-century pioneers were awarded royal warrants under King George V and Edward VII and were enjoyed by the likes of Winston Churchill and the Prince Regent William IV. www.hankeybannister.com

Caorunn was launched in 2009 at the forefront of the Scottish gin boom. Despite becoming one of the world’s most in demand super premium gins, Gin Master Simon Buley has never wavered from Caorunn’s slow, handcrafted, small batch production process at the near-200-year-old Balmenach Distillery in the Scottish Highlands. This includes using locally foraged wild Highland botanicals and vaporising through the distillery’s vintage Copper Berry Chamber. www.caorunngin.com

PHRAYA – meaning ‘high ranking’ – is a super-premium Thai rum, distilled, matured, blended, and bottled in the Kingdom of Thailand. Deep matured over cool lagoons in oak barrels, this is a rum of distinction, beautifully balanced and seamlessly smooth. www.phrayarum.com Mekhong has been ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941. Named after the famous river that snakes along the country’s border, it is traditionally distilled from both molasses and rice before being blended with a secret recipe of natural Thai herbs and spices. It’s a great cocktail base and more interesting alternative to rum. www.mekhong.com

Hotaling & Co.

Hotaling & Co., the leading San Francisco importer & distiller, offers the finest curated portfolio of premium artisanal spirits including Luxardo Liqueurs, Nikka Whisky, No.3 Gin, Kavalan Whisky, Lot 40 Whisky, HINE Cognac, Denizen Rum, and Hirsch Bourbon. Hotaling & Co., originally named Anchor Distilling Company, was established in 1993 and is credited with releasing America’s first craft whiskey (Old Potrero) and American craft gin (Junípero Gin) after Prohibition. In 2010, Anchor Distilling Company was sold to a business partnership that included Tony Foglio and London’s oldest wine and spirit merchant, Berry Bros. & Rudd and began expanding to incorporate a collection of super-premium artisanal spirits imported from around the world. In 2017, Anchor Distilling became Hotaling & Co. The new name is a nod to one of Anchor Distilling’s most beloved small batch whiskies (Old Potrero Hotaling’s Whiskey) and to the San Francisco legend A.P. Hotaling, who came out West during the Gold Rush and quickly became one of the most reputable spirits dealers in the country. Today, Hotaling & Co. celebrates exciting growth and achievements; marking its 26th year of distilling and its 10th year of commercially uniting artisan distillers from around the world and sharing their stories to discerning consumers. www.HotalingandCo.com