Whisky collection time! Featuring an old matress and a badly lit room. It’s been a while since you’ve all seen the collection, this seems like the perfect time to do so! Enjoy and let me know what you folks currently have at home!
WHISKY FROM BLUE CHIP DISTILLERIES TRIUMPHS AT BONHAMS HONG KONG WHISKY SALE
New auction record for Karuizawa ‘Samurai’ series
Bonhams Director of Wine and Whisky Asia Daniel Lam commented: “After a strong start in our January sale, the whisky market in 2021 continues to be robust and healthy. Collectors showed huge interest in the finest editions from the ‘blue chip’ distilleries such as Macallan, Karuizawa, and Yamazaki, the fame of which is enjoying a new high due to the auction world record we set last year. Overall, Karuizawa whisky has seen a growth of up to 30% over the past six months, and this time we are pleased to establish a new auction record for the Karuizawa ‘samurai’ series.
Browse all results here:
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26983/
Notable highlights include:
Top lot of the sale:
Lot 482 Macallan Lalique-50 year old
Estimate:HK$750,000-950,000
Sold for HK$1,178,000
Lot 702
Karuizawa-1984-30 year old-#3139-侍 (1)
Karuizawa-1984-30 year old-#7963-侍 (1)
Karuizawa-1984-30 year old-#3656-侍 (1)
Karuizawa-1984-30 year old-#8354-侍 (1)
Karuizawa-1984-30 year old-#3139-侍 (1)
Karuizawa-1985-30 year old-#4201-侍 (1)
Karuizawa-1985-30 year old-#3622-侍 (1)
Karuizawa-1985-30 year old-#6432-侍 (1)
Karuizawa-1985-30 year old-#3620-侍 (1)
Karuizawa-1985-30 year old-#7843-侍 (1)
Estimate: HK$500,000-700,000
Sold for HK$818,400
**New auction record for a Karuizawa ‘Samurai’ series**
Lot 686
山崎 Yamazaki-35 year old. This is only one of the 200 bottles released.
Estimate: HK$720,000-850,000
Sold for HK$868,000
Lot 880
山崎 Yamazaki-Mizunara-1979-#RF1037
Estimate: HK$150,000-230,000
Sold for HK$347,200, over doubling the pre-sale estimate.
Lot 701
Karuizawa-1967-#6426-TWE
Estimate: HK$150,000-200,000
Sold for HK$272,800
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
1983 vintage Eidolon 1st release from Hunter Laing
Receiving a huge 93 point score from the eminent Serge @ Whisky Fun, this is a another example of the quality whisky that was produced from this (currently) lost distillery. Only 638 bottles were yielded at 53.5%. With a resurrected Port Ellen distillery on the way, this is pure, old style PE. Port Ellen 36 Year Old 1983 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Eidolon is the first in a three-part series of Port Ellen limited-edition bottlings from Hunter Laing & Co. Limited release of 638 bottles.
Port Ellen Distillery was established by Alexander K. Mackay on the southern coast of the Isle of Islay at Port Ellen in 1825. Port Ellen was a malt whisky distillery but closed in 1983 and whilst some of the distillery buildings remain Port Ellen drum maltings occupy part of the site. During the winter of 1823-24 James Fox tested his newly designed spirit safe at Port Ellen Distillery prior to its introduction in all Scottish licenced distilleries by 1825 in order to comply with enactment of the Excise Act of 1823. Thus Port Ellen Distillery was the first Scottish distillery to install a spirit safe and James Fox was paid £428 for his work. Official bottlings of Port Ellen single malt whisky include the Port Ellen Annual Release and independent release from Hunter Laing & Co. are highly prized.
BUY NOW – Port Ellen 36 Year Old
Last Chance at Retail for a Groundbreaking American Whiskey Icon
High West “Campfire” American Whiskey ($54.99)
“…the sheer boldness of mixing high quality American whisky with heavily peated Scotch… truly put these guys on the map.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer
A blend of bourbon, rye, and peated Scotch, High West’s now-iconic “Campfire” American Whiskey started as an idea that no other blender had the fortitude to take on, as it was yet unproven in the market. Over the years, though, the “Campfire” has more than vindicated the wisdom of High West’s gambit, as it’s found immense favor with whiskey lovers everywhere. The fine, seamless expression of all the best qualities of each of its component whiskies “offers something that few else can,” as spirits buyer David Othenin-Girard puts it. When the brand recently announced that the whiskey would no longer be sold in the retail market but only through the distillery in Utah, we knew what we had to do. We secured as much of it as we could get our hands on, and we’re letting High West fans everywhere know that this is your last chance to pick some up, unless of course you have a road trip to Park City on your schedule. There’s no telling how long it’ll be available in California (hint: not long), so stock up while you can.
High West “Campfire” American Whiskey (750ml) ($54.99)
91 points Whisky Advocate: “An oddball that crosses the divide between American whiskey and scotch by literally mixing the two, Campfire combines straight Indiana rye, straight Indiana bourbon, and peated blended malt scotch, marrying them together in heavily toasted French and Hungarian oak wine barrels. The scotch adds hearty, meaty flavors to the dry, spicy, and rich bourbon and rye. This is a robust and beefy whiskey, with smoke reminiscent of Southern barbecue. Earlier releases of this ambitious whiskey didnt quite hit the mark. Now, its right on target. *Top 20 Whiskies of 2017* (AP)” (12/2017)
91 points Wine Enthusiast: “An unexpectedly wonderful pairing with a sweet chocolate or a sticky caramel dessert, Campfire blends straight rye whiskey, straight Bourbon and blended Scotch. Altogether, its big and smoky, with lots of iodine, but doesnt completely overwhelm, settling into a pleasing mix of toffee and peat. Gift a bottle to a Scotch lover to introduce the joys of American whiskeys. (KN)” (07/2013)
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 26, 2021
To say this is the end of an era is an understatement. High West “Campfire” has long stood as a symbol of the risks that the special Utah distiller was willing to take as well as their prowess as blenders. It is indeed their ability to acquire and expertly blend whiskies that made High West the exceptional property that it is today. But the sheer boldness of mixing high-quality American whisky with heavily peated Scotch to create a new category of whisky truly put these guys on the map. Many were skeptical at first, writing off their efforts as a gimmick or a novelty, but ultimately this product has been embraced by so many in the whisky community who appreciate its balance and versatility. Now, with word that they’ll be transitioning this product to a distillery-only release, there’s been a renewed sense of urgency from many of those who have come to rely on this bottle when they found themselves craving something, shall we say, “in between” categories. Still now, years after its initial release, the “Campfire” offers something few else can. The nose is a luxurious amalgam of sweet new oak, tangy rye spice, and deep, sooty smoke. On the palate, the wood does a lot of the talking and falls distinctly in the texture range of a good straight bourbon or rye. The sweetness is tempered perfectly by the top note of clean Islay peat, while twinges of ash and iodine don’t distract at all from the gorgeous caramel and spice. Altogether an idiosyncratic expression that won’t necessarily make everyone happy all the time, but for times when you’re in the mood and there’s nothing else that can quite scratch that itch, it’s probably a good move to grab one or two just in case, since you’ll have to head to Utah to get this one in the future.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 26, 2021
Word on the street is that High West is transitioning “Campfire” to be a Utah-only product. They’re not going so far as to yank product from other markets but will just naturally let it run dry and no longer replenish it after March 2021. This means unless you’ve got a post pandemic trip to Park City in the works, you’ll have to stock the bar now. It’s what we did. There’s no telling when it’ll be sold out in CA for good, but the end is near. It’s a tragedy for whisk(e)y lovers without ties to Utah, as “Campfire” has been one of the more creative and interesting whiskies available for quite some time. It’s a beautiful mélange of bourbon’s classic highlights of sweet corn, vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch mixed with an impossibly complex rye profile. Cracked pepper, sweet cinnamon, nutmeg, spicy black pepper, and cut grass all work harmoniously with the bourbon. The kicker, though, is the peated Scotch. This component really ties it all together in an unexpected way that just works. The slightly salty and robustly smoky elixir makes its presence known from nosing through to finish, but it never overwhelms. The “Campfire” name really is perfect. If you’re dying to get outside and have a drink around the fire with friends, this is a great place to start.
Hello, yes that’s right! It’s that time again and we’re ready with our May auction, however this ain’t just any old auction…..Drum roll please…..for we’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of Scotch Whisky Auctions! Boy do we have some treats for you!
We would like to take this moment to thank everyone who has joined us on this incredible journey so far, our whisky friends from all corners of the globe who appreciate the joy of a good dram as much as we do. What better way to celebrate than to release a special edition bottle.<
For this month only, you have the option to purchase, on a ‘buy it now’ basis, a bottle of Glenfarclas 1991 30 year old. EXCLUSIVE FROM US it’s from a 2nd fill Hogshead and rich in colour. We’ve had a little swig of the stuff and believe us, it’s a cracker! You’ll have to be quick though as there’s only 537 to be grabbed. Once they’re gone, they’re gone!
We’re also giving you the chance to join us in a virtual tasting experience hosted by Glenfarclas’ very own George Grant (Sales Director, Glenfarclas) & Peter Donnelly (Director of Spirits, Pol Roger), we have 5 of the best drams the distillery has to offer.
This month also boasts some new releases from Campbeltown’s Online Tasting Week 2021. Each edition of Springbank, Hazelburn, Longrow and Kilkerran we’re sure will live up to high expectations, being aged in rum, PX and oloroso casks to name a few.
We continue to offer free doorstep collections for over 10 bottles or collectively worth a minimum of £1000. Contact us to find out more and check availability. Collection requests can be made here.
ralfy review 877 Extra Extras – Defence of GlenDronach
