ralfy review 852 – Fettercairn 16yo @46.4%vol: (1st Edition 2020)

Dream Whiskies celebrates 4 years with its best whisky competition prize yet.

With Dream Whiskies on the verge of their 4^th anniversary, they are offering a £700 bottle of the limited edition Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix in their 2020 Christmas competition for just 50p an entry!

But who are Dream Whiskies (the whisky world’s best kept secret)?

Dream Whiskies was launched by world-champion mixologist Paul Martin back in 2016, to give whisky fans the chance of winning some fabulous whiskies for the smallest of entry fees.

Based on the concept that the majority of whisky fans are priced out of the more exclusive releases, Paul wanted to offer the chance to all whisky fans, through regular whisky giveaway competitions, of winning some amazing whiskies for just a few pennies!

Since launch, Dream Whiskies has given away more than £25,000 worth of whisky prizes and has evolved from the original concept a fair bit. As a result, they now offer two ways for people to engage.

Firstly they have a subscription membership where for £4.99/month, members can enter into a weekly whisky giveaway competition where the winners select their prize from the ‘Prize Library’ of over 50 fabulous whiskies. In addition, members can also enter a weekly spot-prize giveaway, get discount vouchers for glassware & barware plus get free lifetime access to Paul’s online whisky-cocktail masterclass which retails at £60.

However, for those that don’t want to become a member, there is the ‘open-to-all’ premium competitions where a whisky of greater value is offered and players (members or not) can enter for a very low price, in the pennies.

This month it’s the Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix which is up for grabs.

Dream Whiskies players are based the UK, USA, Europe and beyond. With prize value having risen over time as the number of Dream Whiskies players has expanded………… So what’s the goal?

Paul says, ‘ultimately, I want to keep the entry fee down at the 50p but increase the prize value until I can offer the very highest value whiskies possible’. ‘My original motivation was whether I could eventually offer a £50,000 whisky as a prize’! 

‘Whilst we are quite a way from that stage, prize value is starting to grow as more players come in. We have gone from giving away £50-£100 whiskies to now offering this Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix at £700. Who knows where we may be able to take it in year 5’. 

Is it the whisky world’s best kept secret? Well, certainly from the point of view of those who already know about it. If you fancy knowing more about Dream Whiskies or having a go at winning their Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix, check out their site here: dreamwhiskies.com

Snow Phoenix Competition – https://www.dreamwhiskies.com/premium 

DISCOVER

We’re hurtling towards the festive season so we’re here to get you into the Christmas spirit with the year’s BIGGEST Outturn, jam-packed with 39 new bottlings, intriguing bundle and case offers and fascinating gift ideas. The Outturn is available to read on the website now, ahead of its full release TODAY – Thursday, 19 November at 11am.

READ THE OUTTURN

VIEW ALL WHISKIES

The perfect gift for the whisky fanatic in your life – or perhaps it’s a well-earned treat for yourself? Countdown to Christmas with this sensational selection of single cask treats, from whiskies to spirits and even a couple of extra surprises thrown in along the way. With a different 25ml bottle to try every single day, your December is guaranteed to be bursting with flavour. Order soon to ensure your calendar arrives in time for the big day, and join us from 1 December at smws.com/25casks to find out about each day’s dram.

BUY ADVENT CALENDER

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

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY BOURBONS WIN NINE GOLD MEDALS AT 2020 INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS CHALLENGE 

            FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Nov. 12, 2020) – Buffalo Trace Distillery spirits received 14 medals at the 2020 International Spirits Challenge. Of those, nine bourbons produced at Buffalo Trace won Gold medals, and five other Distillery whiskeys and spirits were awarded Silver medals.

Buffalo Trace bourbons receiving Gold medals:

• Buffalo Trace Bourbon
• Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Bourbon
• Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon
• Stagg Jr. Bourbon
• Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bourbon
• Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon
• W. L. Weller Special Reserve Bourbon
• W. L. Weller 12 Year Old Bourbon
• W.L. Weller Antique 107 Bourbon

Silver medals were awarded to:

• Col. E.H. Taylor Jr. Straight Rye Whiskey
• W.L. Weller
• W.L. Weller Full Proof Bourbon
• Buffalo Trace Distillery Bourbon Cream

All spirits entered into the ISC are subjected to intense blind tastings conducted by panels of more than 50 respected and experienced industry professionals. Each judge assesses the products according to age, region and variety, which is determined by the entrant and verified by the chairman.

Results from the 2020 International Spirits Challenge can be found at https://www.internationalspiritschallenge.com/2020/en/page/2020-results.

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 1775 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 as well as is 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 for 2018 and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world for 2020.  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

Following the update today from the Scottish Government regarding COVID-19 restrictions we have taken the decision to close our office the the public whilst Glasgow remains in Tier 4. Whilst there will be no collection or drop off appointments during this period  – commencing 6pm on Friday 20th November –  our courier services and indeed auctions will continue as normal online.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and office appointments will resume as soon as it is safe to do so. We are hopeful that appointments can resume from Monday 14th December.

Wishing everyone the very best in these challenging times.

Old Forester Barrel Strength

This is Party Source’s Single Barrel Barrel Strength pick coming in at 63.75% ABV and was uniquely selected just for you. Bottles are limited and will be sold this evening (Monday, 11/16) beginning at 5:30 PM on a first come first served basis. Limit 1 per customer. When they’re gone, they’re gone!

This is an in-store purchase only.

$78.99 + tax

ralfy review 851 Extras – Why Single malts get rebrand and repackaged.

Angel Share Artworks Launch Their Contemporary Whisky Flavour Charts

Launched in August 2020, Angel Share Artworks is reinventing the whisky flavour chart, using graphics to explore the incredible stories and themes that have shaped whisky. We empower whisky enthusiasts around the world to better understand their palate and elevate their appreciation and enjoyment of whisky.

Our unique tasting system

The use of visual imagery to identify taste is a scientifically proven method of stimulating flavour recall. The original graphic system provides visual cues for the whisky tasting experience, in three simple steps, you can assess the colour, activate the flavours and pick out tasting notes.

The unique Beyond The Keyhole sensory system – integrating colour assessment and tasting notes with great design – allows Angel Share Artworks to create an infinite number of themes and styles to suit individual tastes, as well as branded distillery editions.

Over 175 select whisky flavours are on their whisky flavour charts – organised into 8 categories and 31 sub-categories – helping enthusiasts to easily distinguish the tasting notes. From fragrant to smoky and fruity to woody, pick your own and unlock the mystery of whisky.

Born out of the 2020 lockdown

Craig Townsend worked as a Design Director at a creative agency in London before the national (UK) lockdown in March 2020. The industry was devastated by the pandemic and the agency where he worked, wasn’t immune to this.

While visiting friends just before the lockdown, he observed them tasting and discussing wine. He began wondering if there was a way to enhance his own experience of tasting whisky, being a whisky fan himself.

Then lockdown hit. After leaving his role, Craig decided to combine his design experience with his passion for whisky. He set about creating a contemporary, interactive whisky tasting system to explore the enthusiast’s whisky palate and enjoy as a unique whisky wall art.

For an entire month during lockdown, Craig and his wife went on a treasure hunt to shoot over 175 flavours using their makeshift photography studio. Finding and shooting flavours

like; apple, bark, chocolate, nuts, wine and some of the more obscure off-notes such as sweaty trainers, car tyres, tar and mining lamps! Whilst being immense fun, it took up a lot of space in the home they share with their 1 year old daughter.

Once the imagery was shot and edited, the design phase began. Using Craig’s skills in visual storytelling, each series of artworks presents a new theme inspired by whisky.

The Origin Series

The Origin Series is inspired by origin mysteries, represented here as a pyramidal stairway, leading to a portal to another world. This series has two editions: The Solas Edition – meaning light in Scots Gaelic – and The Dorcha Edition – meaning dark in Scots Gaelic.

The Contour Series

The Contour Series explores the theme of ‘terroir’ in whisky – how the local environment impacts flavour. There are 8 regional styles of Scotch, our Contour lines are a representation of the geology and geography of these styles of whisky.

More to come

There are many more series to come and new learning materials for Whisky Enthusiasts. Look out for our collaborations with distilleries in the future.

What people are saying about us

“An Angel Share Artwork is really helpful for those starting their whisky journey and looking for guidance on their palate vocabulary, and there’s even some more obscure tasting notes for those who have been on the scene a little longer!”

– The Edinburgh Whisky Club, @TheEdinburghWhiskyClub

“It’s a great idea to have whisky aromas and flavours in a handy chart which can assist with experiencing your dram. Especially since it can be quite tricky to pick out and identify certain aromas. It’ll be of great assistance at my future whisky tastings.”

–Moa Katarina Nilsson, www.moakatarinanilsson.com

“Angel Share Artworks create beautiful flavour charts, far less boring than the traditional flavour wheels.”

– Robyn, www.WhiskyFemme.com

“A whisky tasters must have! A great piece of artwork and a brilliant visual aid for my whisky tasting nights. (…) I’m well happy! Great service, it looks beautiful.”

– 5 star Trustpilot Review

What is the meaning behind the name?

The “Angels’ Share” is an affectionate term used in whisky production, referring to the volume of whisky lost to evaporation during the critical ageing process. It is thought that the mysterious volume of whisky is so divine, it is taken to be enjoyed by angels. Angel Share Artworks is here to unlock the mystery of whisky, note by note, dram after dram.

About

We at Angel Share Artworks exist to make whisky more enjoyable, accessible and inclusive. Our artworks empower whisky enthusiasts around the world to better understand their palate and elevate their appreciation and enjoyment of whisky.

After launching our initial series in August 2020, Angel Share Artworks has had a truly humbling response from around the world, including the UK, Europe, Canada & the United States.

Angel Share Artworks is on a mission to empower whisky enthusiasts to discover their whisky palate on their own terms, and is becoming a staple gift for whisky enthusiasts. Find out more at www.AngelShare.Art.

Wood is pretty special to us whisky drinkers … Which is why we are committed to planting a tree with every artwork purchased at Angel Share Artworks, in partnership with Tree-Nation. Find out more on our website.

November whisky auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from Friday 13th November until Sunday 22^nd November

www.whiskyhammer.com

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!

Macallan – 50 Year Old (The Red Collection)

Bowmore – 52 Year Old (1965) Oloroso

Macallan – Distil Your World (London Edition)

Pappy Van Winkle – 23 Year Old (Family Reserve, 1^st Release) 1999

Talisker – 24 Year Old (1953) G&M

Yamazaki – 1979 Mizunara Oak (Bottle #1)

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.com.