Big Peat’s annual Christmas release for winter 2020.
Beat the Winter blues with this winter Cask Strength of 53.1%
Featuring whisky including Port Ellen, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila.
Get your order in early, this isn’t going to last long this year.
We’ve just added shiny new deals to our Price Drop, featuring £30 off Balvenie 19 Year Old and a massive £100 off Hibiki 17 Year Old. It doesn’t get much better than that! Whether Scotch whisky’s your drink, world whiskey, gin or rum – we’ve got all bases covered for your home bar. With free UK delivery on orders over £50, what are you waiting for? Grab your favourite before it goes – for good!
Watt Whisky Release First Bottlings
Husband and wife team Kate and Mark Watt, founders of The Campbeltown Whisky Company Ltd, are delighted to be releasing their first bottlings under their new Watt Whisky independent bottling brand.
Kate and Mark between them have 40 years experience in the whisky industry and are using all their knowledge and industry contacts to deliver what they describe as ‘good, honest whisky, priced for drinking rather than collecting.’ Their philosophy is very much ‘It’s All About the Taste’, which is reflected in the stylised tastebud logo they have chosen for the brand.
The Watts’ first release comprises a Sherry Cask 19yo Blended Malt, a 10yo Highland Single Malt from an undisclosed distillery, a Mannochmore 12yo from a single brandy butt and a classic 11yo Caol Ila. The 4 whiskies are all bottled as they believe good spirits should be – in their natural state with no chill filtration and no added colour – and all the whiskies are at cask strength.
Speaking about the product launch, Kate said, “We’re delighted to be able to launch with 5 great casks, which wouldn’t have been possible without the phenomenal support of our Crowdfunder supporters and friends in the industry. Starting a new business while expecting a new baby and trying to get it off the ground during Covid times (not to mention impending Brexit) isn’t exactly ideal timing but we are cautiously optimistic about the future and already looking forward to our next release.”
Instead of going down the classic route of regional profiles, Watt Whisky is taking a slightly more unconventional route. Mark has a mild form of synaesthesia which means that he smells in colour so the colour of the label is the colour he smells when he noses the whisky. Whether this results in different coloured labels having different flavour profiles or whether the colours are completely random remains to be seen!
Discussing distribution of the new brand, Mark explained, “With Watt Whisky, rather than trying to take over the world and potentially spreading ourselves and our whiskies too thinly we decided to work with only a few key partners. These are people I’ve worked with for many years and know that the working relationship with them will help to cement our brands in these markets for many years to come.
We’re planning 3 or 4 releases a year, which will allow us to focus on the quality of the whisky and minimise repetition in bottlings – choice and variety is something that we feel our customers will demand and that’s what we we plan to offer”
Watt Whisky will soon be available in the UK, Belgium, Denmark, Japan and Taiwan. Estimated UK retail prices of the first release are between £60 – £90.
Notes
Watt Whisky and Watt Rum are brand name of the Campbeltown Whisky Company Ltd, established in 2019 by the two directors, Kate and Mark Watt.
The Crowdfunder Campaign saw their entire first cask of whisky, to be bottled exclusively for supporters, sold in under 3 days.
Connect with Watt Whisky on Facebook and Instagram at @wattwhisky using hashtags #wattwhisky #wattwhiskyfriends #wattwhiskywhere Mark started working in the whisky industry aged 18 in the famous Quaich Bar of The Craigellachie Hotel then went on to work at Royal Mile Whiskies and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society while a student in Edinburgh. After graduation he worked at Duncan Taylor Ltd then William Cadenhead Ltd where he was responsible for cask selection and product development.
Kate worked at Springbank then Glenfarclas distilleries in a sales and marketing capacity, travelling the world doing tastings, festivals and sales visits.
National distributors are The Whisky Exchange in the UK, The Nectar in Belgium, Lago in Denmark, Whisk-e in Japan and Smartworld in Taiwan.
In Campbeltown, Watt Whisky will be available from Halls of Campbeltown and by the dram from the Ardshiel Hotel. Other local and regional stockists will be listed on the Watt Whisky website.
Kate is originally from Campbeltown. Mark is from Speyside. They met in Japan while attending Whisky Live Tokyo for their respective companies.
THE ULTIMATE
COLLECTION
PART II
To Headline Sotheby’s Inaugural Annual “Halloween” Spirits Sale in London on 31 October 2020
*Sale to Open with A Unique Offering at Auction of
A New Collection of Six Classic Aged Single Malt Whiskies
from The Macallan Distillery, Launching on 15 October*
Proceeds to be Donated to Global Food Charity, City Harvest
LONDON, 2 October 2020 – Almost one year ago, Sotheby’s made history in the world of collectible spirits when the sale of The Ultimate Whisky Collection achieved £7.6 million ($10 million), the highest total for any whisky collection ever offered at auction. Headlined by a bottle of The Macallan Fine & Rare 60-Year-Old 1926, which set an auction record for any bottle of wine or spirit at £1.5 million ($1.9 million), the sale was 100% sold, with all 391 lots snapped up by collectors eager to acquire sought-after and iconic bottlings.
Now, on Saturday, 31 October in London, Sotheby’s will offer The Ultimate Whisky Collection Part II, as part of a wider sale of spirits – The Ultimate Whisky Collection Part II + More – that will bring together whiskies from renowned distilleries in Scotland, Ireland and Japan. The sale marks Sotheby’s first annual auction of Spirits to fall on day that Halloween is celebrated around the world.
Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Spirits Specialist, said: “After launching Sotheby’s Spirits business last year, this segment of the wine and spirits market has seen the fastest growth, not least during these past six months, with three new world auction record prices, and an increase in buying and bidding from both new and young collectors. The appreciation for whisky is incredibly diverse and our younger collectors are showing a keen interest in understanding the nuances of age, rarity and provenance, whether acquiring bottles for current drinking, special occasions, or to treasure for the future.
This season, we are thrilled to present the first of our annual spirits sales to take place on Halloween, not least with the second part of the Ultimate Whisky Collection and an opportunity for collectors to get their hands on a complete set of The Macallan’s new collection, so soon after its official launch. Our sale of part one a year ago – our first-ever single-owner spirits auction – marked an historic moment for the spirits market, with new benchmark prices and a fresh approach to selling whisky. This year’s offering, though lower in value, is testament to the quality of the collection in its depth and breadth. With The Macallan continuing to take the dominant pole position in our spirits sales, it is a real pleasure for us to open the auction with one of the most exciting launches in the world of collectible whisky in recent years.”
In a collaboration with The Macallan, to mark the launch of a new classic aged collection of single malt from The Macallan Distillery, the sale will open with a complete set of six whiskies from age 40 Years Old to the oldest whisky ever released by the brand. The proceeds generated from this one-off offering at auction will be donated to global food charity, City Harvest, which redistributes surplus from the food industry to vulnerable people internationally. Full details will be revealed on 15 October, to coincide with The Macallan’s official launch.
Please visit The Macallan by clicking here
Assembled by a private American Connoisseur over some 20 years, The Ultimate Whisky Collection was most comprehensive catalogue of whisky ever to be offered by a single owner in a single auction. This year’s offering will present 190 lots of Scotch, Japanese and Irish whiskies, estimated to bring in the region of £800,000. The roll-call of all 37 distilleries represented in the sale is equally extensive, including: Ardbeg, Auchentoshan, The Balvenie, The BenRiach Benrinnes, Benromach, Bowmore, Brora, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Cragganmore, The Dalmore, Glen Grant, Glen Mhor, Glenburgie, Glendronach, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Glengoyne, The Glenlivet, Glenlossie, Glenturret, Hibiki, Highland Park, Imperial, Knappogue Castle, Laphroaig, Linkwood, The Macallan, Miltonduff, Mortlach, Mosstowie, North British, Springbank, Strathisla and Tomatin.
1995 Blair Athol 24 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single First Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) $119.99 View
This little distillery outside of Pitlochry is one of Scotland’s most picturesque. Few know it well on this side of the pond, but there’s a constant stream of visitors arriving to tour the famous home of Bell’s Blend. This regional blend is very popular in the U.K. and we’ve been lucky to have a steady stream of casks coming from the lovely distillery. Located just a few clicks south of the even tinier Edradour distillery, the beautiful stone buildings were originally constructed in 1798, but closed soon after opening. Now covered in vines, the distillery reopened in 1825 only to be mothballed again a century later in 1932. Finally, in 1949 it was purchased and reopened by Arthur Bell & Sons destined to become the heart malt for their eponymous blend. The distillery features 2 wash and 2 spirits stills and a total capacity of 2.5 million liters per year, although it’s unlikely they get close to that quantity. The spirits character is medium to full bodied with a distinct herbal character that lends itself nicely to maturation in sherry casks. We’ve managed to keep these excellent first fill sherry casks at an altogether reasonable price point despite the increasing age and unbelievable quality. This is one of the more complex and savory sherry butts we’ll see this year with a full body and an unctuous texture. It’s not designed for those expecting sweeter flavors, but also refrains from crossing the savory line toward sulfur. This butt turned out 262 bottles at cask strength.
2007 Daftmill “Winter Batch Release” Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $249.99 View
1995 Aberlour 25 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Hogshead Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) $299.99 View
The gorgeous little distillery at the entrance of the tiny town of the same name has quietly become one of the Scotch loving world’s darlings. The distillery, owned by blending giant Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard), was built in 1879 and features two 21 thousand-liter wash stills and a pair of each spirits stills, 20 and 15 thousand liters. The distillery’s name means “mouth of the babbling brook,” and indeed a stream meanders next to the distillery, but the distillery’s water comes from Ben Rinnes like many of the other distilleries around the famous mountain. We’ve never been offered a barrel of Aberlour much less one of such astonishing age. While the distillery itself has been focused on NAS bottlings like their popular A’Bunadh series, the older expressions have become extremely rare. This single hogshead was selected not only for the incredible provenance and rarity, but also its extreme deliciousness. Unlike many modern Aberlour’s, which have become synonymous with hardcore sherry, this is a much more nuanced and idiosyncratic. While by no means a value buy, it does represent a malt that is otherwise unobtainable at nearly any price and its inherent quality and unique character easily merit the price of entry. Only 184 bottles came out of this old Hogshead. It was bottled at cask strength without chill-filteration or coloring of any kind.
Ardbeg 19 Year “Traigh Bhan – 2020 Release” Batch #2 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $299.99 View
Named after Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach, known locally as the Singing Sands, this whisky will be available in limited batches produced on an annual basis. The whisky 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, this is the second batch of Traigh Bhan (pronounced Try-Van) bottled in 2020. Amazingly the price remains the same despite the incredible success of the first batch.
Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 343: Nc’nean Organic Single Malt – Batch 1
Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky vlogger, tries the first Nc’nean organic single malt. Nc’nean is a new distillery, one that holds nature in high regard. They grow their barley organically and use only renewables for energy. Even the packaging, both bottle and tube, are made of recycled material. In 2020 the inaugural release ‘Ainnir’ at cask strength was launched (1320 bottles), immediately followed by this general release – batch 1 – at drinking strength. This Batch 1 sold out pretty quickly. It’s a vatting of 14 casks, 65% STR red wine casks and 35% former bourbon casks.
MEET ROBIN REDBREAST
REDBREAST IRISH WHISKEY BRINGS ICONIC ROBIN TO LIFE AND ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL
Redbreast Irish Whiskey has unveiled Robin Redbreast, an engaging evolution of its iconic character to inspire a new generation of whiskey lovers. Elevating Robin Redbreast from the icon of the brand to the voice of the brand, Robin is a plucky yet charming character, with a dry wit and Irish sense of humour that reflects Ireland and the home of Redbreast in Midleton, Co Cork.
Evoking the quality and craftsmanship of Redbreast Irish Whiskey, Robin Redbreast’s new look is carved from wood, paying homage to the wood casks that help to make Redbreast Irish Whiskey so uniquely special.
Redbreast is also launching a global partnership with leading bird conservation charity, BirdLife International, to support the organisation on its mission to keep the common bird common. Redbreast Irish Whiskey will raise funds, help to conserve and restore bird habitats and support BirdLife International in its quest to monitor bird populations so that deeper environmental problems (and successes) can be rapidly identified.
“With the Robin being one of the world’s most recognisable birds, Redbreast Irish Whiskey is delighted to take the opportunity of the launch of its new character to announce its commitment to supporting BirdLife International and the welfare of not only Robins but all birds.” explains Laura Hanratty, Head of Prestige and Speciality Brands at Irish Distillers.
Commenting on the new partnership, Patricia Zurita, CEO, BirdLife International adds “We welcome this partnership with the iconic Redbreast Irish Whiskey which promises support for our conservation work in Ireland and globally. With the new Robin Redbreast ambassador launched, we’re looking forward to working with the Redbreast team as they join us in our mission to keep common birds, and not so common birds, common.”
The ongoing partnership between Redbreast and BirdLife International will aim to educate consumers on how to protect the common birds, and will see the first limited-edition Value-Added Pack launching later next month.
Redbreast is the world’s bestselling single pot still Irish whiskey, a style of whiskey which is historically unique to Ireland. First referenced in 1912, “Redbreast” was a nickname given to the whiskey by the chairman of Dublin whiskey bonders Gilbeys, who was an avid birdwatcher. The robin symbol has been synonymous with the brand’s growing reputation ever since.
Today Redbreast is considered the definitive expression of single pot still Irish whiskey and features a range of expressions from 12-Year-Old through to 15, 21 and now 27-Year-Old – as well as Redbreast Lustau Edition and the brand’s eagerly anticipated annual Dream Cask bottling of the rarest casks in the Redbreast inventory. The brand has built a global reputation for excellence by marrying a combination of the world’s finest aged pot still whiskeys, created at the world-famous Midleton Distillery in Cork, and finishing them in a combination of the very best bourbon, sherry and port casks.
With ambitious growth plans for Redbreast, which was also recently named in IMPACT’s top five-selling Irish whiskeys in the US, the introduction of Robin Redbreast has been designed to drive discovery with more whiskey fans, broadening its audience by creating a distinctive and memorable character for the beloved range.
Robin Redbreast will feature in a series of digital creatives, flying in to share brand news and celebrate occasions with whiskey lovers across the globe. Shot on location at Midleton Distillery, fans can also expect cameos from Irish Distillers’ expert whiskey blenders Billy Leighton and Dave McCabe.
‘We know that the Redbreast audience is driven by curiosity and that they discover new brands that they can engage with online. As we seek to widen the audience for the brand, it is a natural next step to introduce a modern-day digital evolution of our revered Robin that encapsulates the essence of the brand and the people who make it,” explains Laura Hanratty.
Robin Redbreast has been created by The Public House with CGI development produced by Jelly London and will be rolling out across global marketing channels from 1 October.
#PassItOn
#RobinRedbreast
#RedbreastIrishWhiskey
Watch Robin Redbreast:
How to Enjoy Redbreast -With Robin Redbreast
Who introduced you to Redbreast – With Robin Redbreast
How did Redbreast get its name? – With Robin Redbreast
Notes:
About Irish Distillers
Irish Distillers is one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 8m cases in 2019. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 70 of those experiencing double or triple-digit growth.
Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.
We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.
About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €9,182 million in FY19. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.
Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.
About BirdLife International
BirdLife International is the world’s largest nature conservation Partnership. Together we are 116 BirdLife Partners worldwide and growing, with almost 11 million supporters, 7,000 local conservation groups and 7,400 staff. BirdLife is widely recognised as the world leader in bird conservation, a United Nations-recognised civil society observer, and our unique local-to-global approach delivers high impact and long-term conservation for the benefit of nature and people. Find out more at www.birdlife.org
Benromach launches 21 Year Old whisky as new look goes global
To mark the worldwide release of Benromach’s new look, the Speyside distillery has launched a new permanent addition to its core range – the Benromach 21 Year Old.
Matured exclusively in first-fill sherry and bourbon casks, the 21 Year Old leads with sherry aromas followed by the taste of subtle spice, raspberry and Seville orange, with a soft smoky finish.
Benromach launched its new look core range, which includes the 10 Year Old, 15 Year Old and 2009 Cask Strength Vintage, in June and began shipping to several markets throughout Europe and Asia. These designs were inspired by the Speyside distillery’s history and traditional approach to making their award-winning single malt whisky, and are now beginning to hit the shelves.
Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach, said: “The 21 Year Old is the oldest expression we have offered in our core line up since our team reopened the distillery 22 years ago. As an older whisky which is still grounded in our commitment to using only the finest first-fill bourbon and sherry casks, it provides a unique take on the classic Benromach style.
“We’re proud to see our new bottles which better reflect the Benromach story and approach to whisky making, now filling stockists’ shelves and drinks cabinets around the world. Made by hand for genuine character, Benromach is a traditional Speyside distillery owned by a family intent on producing single malt the right way. Our small team of distillers rely entirely on their expertise and senses to make the finest handmade whisky, matured exclusively in first-fill casks, with a subtly smoky character and authentic Benromach taste.”
Benromach 21 Year Old will be available at selected retailers worldwide from mid-October. Stockist information can be found on the brand website: https://www.benromach.com/stockists
Benromach 21 Year Old is priced at £129.99. Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.
Notes
Tasting Notes:
New addition to Benromach’s Core range:
Benromach 21 Year Old
Benromach 21 Year Old is bottled at 43% ABV
About Benromach Distillery
Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family realised a lifelong dream to own a distillery and purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 1998.
In reopening Benromach Distillery, the Urquhart family wanted to create a single malt whisky that has a classic Speyside character: beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.
Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A five-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail.
For more information, visit: www.benromach.com
Third Time’s a Charm: The Really Good Company goes for a Hat-trick with their 2020 Whisky Advent Calendar
The Really Good Whisky Company have launched their 2020 version of their Malt Teaser Advent Calendar which is ready to be shipped worldwide*. This year, the calendar contains 25 drams, one more than last year. The whisky included come from a range of distilleries from around the world with an emphasis this year on single malt Scotch. The whiskies range in age from the minimum 3 years and 1 day, going all the way up to a 28-year-old. The whiskies also vary in strength with the ABV ranging from 40% – 61%.
Closer to Advent, The Really Good Whisky Company will release a short blurb on the website alongside a short tasting video which contains information such as the history of the distillery, details on the whisky-making process of the specific dram and brief tasting notes which aim to guide the recipient.
The company has gone for a sleek design. Each dram comes in an individual box with a number on top indicating the day it is meant to be opened. The company understands if people want to keep the whisky a secret until the day of, however, they have included a list of all the drams available in order to be as transparent as possible about the quality of the whisky available. This list includes award-winning drams such as Machir Bay by Kilhoman and a 28-year-old Old Particular Cameronbridge.
Managing Director, Shelley Kelaty said, “I am very excited to release a new calendar this year after last year’s success. This year we have decided to include an extra dram of whisky to allow our customers to taste an even wider selection from around the world. Our selection this year comes from Scotland, Ireland, North America and even as far as Australia. We love introducing customers to new whiskies and believe that the Advent Calendar is a great way to sample some of the best whiskies in our warehouse, making the run-up to Christmas a lot more enjoyable.”
Whether you are looking to buy it for yourself or as a gift for someone else, the 2020 Malt Teaser calendar has something for everyone. It is also excellent for anyone looking to get into whisky as the calendar holds a varied selection of some of the best whiskies on offer for an accessible price.
Reviews of 2019 Malt Teaser Advent Calendar:
The range and quality of these whiskies is exceptional… There genuinely isn’t a dull of duff product among them.
H – Two Thirsty Gardeners
This is 24 really good drams and it’s currently being sold for £125 which works out at a fiver a dram, go and find me a pub where you’ll get this sort of quality for a fiver a dram?
H – The Captain, Whisky Apocolypse
*exceptions apply.
The Really Good Whisky Company is a specialist online retailer for rare, collectable and drinkable whiskies. Along with its vast selection of bottles, it also carries its own line of miniature tasting packs and products, under its brand ‘Malt Teasers.’ The Really Good Whisky Company is based in London and ships product worldwide.
For further information, please contact Victoria Gilbert at The Really Good Whisky Company. Email: tori@reallygoodwhisky.com Telephone: 0203 872 7771
