Dekanta

2-49-7 Minamiikebukuro Toshima-ku, Tokyo,

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 395: Glenkinchie 2007 Distillers Edition

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, publishes his first Glenkinchie rambling! The Glenkinchie distillery has been renovated and since October 2020 has been turned into the Lowland Home of Johnnie Walker. This Lowlander is one of the fingerprint malts in that famous blend. Today Mark tries this so-called Distillers Edition, in which the malt has gotten a second maturation. In the case of Glenkinchie this is on a Amontillado sherry cask.

https://youtu.be/RmOFxCLWuTU

Whisky Hammer/Still Spirit. PR SHOTS OF CO-FOUNDERS DANIEL (black) AND CRAIG MILNE(grey). INTERIOR SHOTS OF THE SHOP.

Scottish whisky auction firm Whisky Hammer agrees investment deal with Hong Kong business Rare Whisky Holdings

Online whisky auction site, Whisky Hammer, and its sister retail business Still Spirit, is poised for global expansion after selling a 49% stake of the Scottish family business to Rare Whisky Holdings, a whisky investment group managed out of Hong Kong.

The multi-million-pound deal will deliver a 2.6X return to retail investors on their original investment, who participated in its crowdfunding campaign just two years ago.

Whisky Hammer started in 2016 by brothers Daniel and Craig Milne who are originally from Macduff, near Speyside, an area renowned for the production of Scotch whisky.

The success of Whisky Hammer, and its vast potential, has been recognised by Rare Whisky Holdings, which is the same management team behind the Platinum Whisky Investment Fund, the first private equity fund in the world to focus on rare single-malt whiskies.

Platinum Whisky Investment Fund launched in 2014, raised USD 12 million and is in the final stage of its wind down, exiting at over USD 24 million in 7 years.

Rare Whisky Holdings also owns the Glenor Cask Company, which holds 1,000 casks of maturing single malt, blended, and grain whiskies. The new investment and partnership ensures registered members of Whisky Hammer and Still Spirit will receive exclusive access to a range of cask opportunities for the long-term.

Whisky Hammer hosts monthly auctions, dedicated to whisky and other fine spirits, allowing buyers and sellers from every corner of the globe to participate. It has auctioned a wide range of whiskies, both bottles and casks, with auctions selling in excess of £1 million under the hammer each month.

A recent feature included the 31-Year-Old Black Bowmore ‘DB5’ collaboration with Aston Martin, distilled in 1964 and sold for a hammer price of £81,000 in March 2021.  The customer base of Whisky Hammer features an extensive global network of whisky enthusiasts who buy and sell on the platform, resulting in a 70% growth in revenue in 2020.

Whisky Hammer re-located in 2019 to a new, purpose-built facility in Aberdeenshire, which is also home to Still Spirit – a whisky shop, e-commerce site and dram bar offering over 100 rare whiskies to taste while overlooking the beautiful Scottish countryside.

Daniel Milne, Managing Director of Whisky Hammer and Still Spirit said: “This is a very exciting time for our business.  The transaction signifies an important bond with our new Asian partner that will rapidly bring the group to the next phase of growth, and we are incredibly excited about what lies ahead. In addition, we are delighted to have generated a substantial return for our crowdfunding investors that helped us build the business to where it is today.”

Rickesh Kishnani, Co-Founder of Rare Whisky Holdings commented “Our investment group is proud to join the Milne family business and help with their expansion to Asia, where the demand for whisky continues to grow at a rapid pace. We are also excited to use this new partnership to provide Whisky Hammer and Still Spirit members with exclusive access to our collection of aged casks.”

Legal support was provided for the transaction by Goodwin Proctor LLP (acting on behalf of the buyer) and Brodies LLP (acting on behalf of the sellers).

Follow Whisky Hammer on @whiskyhammer on Facebook and Instagram. 

https://www.whiskyhammer.com

Each Spirit of Art release is from a single carefully selected cask of Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Each cask is celebrated by the commissioning of an original artwork from an established Scottish artist.

The bottling is accompanied by a print from the original painting printed on museum grade acid free paper, individually numbered and signed by the artist to match the number of bottles drawn from the cask, then safely secured in the tube to partner the Whisky.

Every bottle, every painting, and every signed print are unique, providing an emotional connection to the place where these exceptional whiskies were crafted.

Benrinnes & Signed Print

Limited Edition | 10 Year Old | 2009 Vintage | 70cl | 55.5% ABV

Aromas of sweet caramel with a floral and slightly citrus background. This sweetness continues onto the palate with notes of toffee, tangerine and a hint of peat. The finish is lightly smoky with sugar and spice.

316 Bottled & Printed

£149.95

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anCnoc & Signed Print

Limited Edition | 13 Year Old | 70cl | 53% ABV

The nose emits lovely floral grassiness with hints of honey in the background. There is a fruitiness when tasted, like spicy cake mix with a sense of the honey from the nose coming through rounding off with gentle spice. A wonderful long finish lingers on and on and on.

257 Bottled & Printed

£129.95

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Craigellachie & Signed Print

Limited Edition | 12 Year Old | 70cl | 59.2% ABV

The nose has an aroma of the forest floor, gorgeous, earthy with a slightly salty background. As the palate opens swirls of coffee and dark chocolate merge with nutty apple tones and the finish is a happy mix of banana and apple pie.

257 Bottled & Printed

£149.95

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Caol Ila & Signed Print

Limited Edition | 12 Year Old | 70cl | 59.2% ABV

A nose that is grassy and smoky with a whiff of tobacco leaf. Oily and salty on the palate with a gentle smokiness rounded off by sweet fruit. The finish is long and rich with a burst of peppery peat smoke.

223 Bottled & Printed

£189.95

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Linkwood & Signed Print

Limited Edition | 10 Year Old | 70cl | 59.2% ABV

A grassy, herbal and fruity character comes through on the nose. The mouthfeel delivers sweet honey backed up with a spicy grassy flavour. The finish is long and dry with notes of fruitiness.

285 Bottled & Printed

£151.95

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Clynelish & Signed Print

Limited Edition | 12 Year Old | 70cl | 63.5% ABV

Inhale the delicious fruity pear and apple notes with the background essence of caramel and bees wax polish. The flavour has a beautiful soft zestiness mixing in with Christmas cake fruits and spices. The finish brings through vanilla and a light honeyed peppery dryness.

191 Bottled & Printed

£199.95

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New and trending: Yamazaki 18 Year Old…

This hugely respected Japanese single malt maintains its legendary status, gaining multiple awards over the years and receiving high praise from whisky connoisseurs the world over. Limited availability whilst stocks last!

Yamazaki is Suntory’s flagship single malt. The surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt was born at Yamazaki. Spiritual and deep, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs all over the world. Today, Yamazaki is not only the No.1 single malt whisky in Japan, but is enjoyed in more than thirty-five countries. The 18 year old is rich with mature autumn fruit and Mizunara (Japanese oak) aroma.

Buy Yamazaki 18 Year Old →

Introducing Stellum: Brilliant Selections from the
Team at Barrell Craft Spirits
Must-Try New Discoveries in Cask Strength Bourbon

Stellum is unquestionably one of the most exciting new entries in the craft bourbon market in recent years, presenting exceptional character and quality for spectacular prices. Many of our most devoted bourbon fans are well familiar with the exceptional single casks coming from Barrell Craft Spirits, so you’ll be happy to hear that it’s this same team of ace professionals who select and blend the Stellum line. We’re thrilled to introduce these three standout spirits to our own shelves and bring them to the attention of bourbon lovers everywhere. The Cask Strength Blend is a spot-on representation of what this project is all about, and best of all, it’s consistently available. The two casks selected exclusively for K&L, “Cygnus A9” and “Cygnus H4”, take it up a notch with each showing the extreme quality and distinctive character that drew our attention to these incredible drams in the first place. While the Blend will surely become a mainstay at K&L, the two single casks are available in limited quantities, so for anyone looking to get the full picture of this dynamic new brand, now is the time to strike.

 Stellum Cask Strength Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $49.99 View

Stellum “Cygnus A9” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $54.99 View

Stellum “Cygnus H4” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $54.99 View

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

TWB Exclusives!

Exclusive single casks from Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Ledaig, Aberlour, Dalmunach, Girvan, Balblair, LIttlemill and more, only at TWB. Burns Malt® & Burns Grain® single cask Scotch whiskies are exclusive to The Whisky Barrel online store alongside carefully selected casks from our independent bottling partners including Hunter Laing & Co. of Glasgow and Berry Bros & Rudd of London. You won’t find these great whiskies anywhere else!

SHOP – TWB Exclusives

https://youtu.be/xeUbxAKDOTk

I like grain…technically, we all do. But as a lighter, easier and more affordable style of whisky, it really can rock the world of whisky drinkers.

This Single Grain from Clonakilty is finished in Bordeaux casks, prior to which it was sat in ex-bourbon and both have imparted some wonderful flavours of strawberry, chocolate, cherry and caramelised white chocolate. These are all things I love and now there’s booze too!

Another fun and very well put-together example of Clonakilty’s style!

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Instagram: @thisiswhiskywednesday
Twitter: @whiskytube
Contact: thisiswhiskywednesday@gmail.com
Logo Design: @wenbilson – Instagram

Bimber Distillery reveals 2021 Country Collection 

2021 Country Collection consists of twenty-four cask strength single cask London single malt whiskies  

Eight new countries added to the growing Country Collection roster  

London’s Bimber Distillery today announced the release of its 2021 Country Collection of single cask, single malt whiskies. Following the well-received 2020 Collection which sold out worldwide, new editions have been exclusively bottled for Australia, Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Taiwan and the USA.

2021 sees eight new locations added to the Country Collection roster with Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Israel, Japan, Nigeria, South Africa and Switzerland all receiving their first exclusive Bimber releases.

Each exceptional cask was selected to showcase Bimber’s award-winning single malt spirit with the unique personalities derived from a variety of different cask types including: ex-bourbon; Pedro Ximenez finished ex-bourbon; madeira finished ex-bourbon; ruby port and ex-rye whiskey casks.

Bimber’s 2021 Country Collection continues the worldwide expansion of the London-based distillery and recognises the flourishing demand for the craft producer’s single malt whiskies. Fourteen expressions will be released over the summer with the remaining ten releases following later in the year.

Each of the Country Collection Editions were crafted to Bimber’s exacting standards. The spirit was produced from the distillery’s single farm barley and malted on a dedicated floor at Warminster Maltings before being fermented for seven days in bespoke, on-site constructed American oak washbacks. Distillation took place in Bimber’s customised stills, which possess an increased copper surface area, resulting in a light and fruity, but layered new make spirit.

Speaking of the upcoming release of the 2021 Collection, Bimber Distillery spokesperson Matt McKay said: “Each expression within our 2021 Country Collection celebrates the individuality of our growing selection of cask styles. Our exploration of the flavour possibilities of cask experimentation reflects how our traditional processes can be employed to produce impactful and delightfully flavourful results from a wide variety of wood types. As the distillery grows, we are excited to be able to share these exceptional single cask releases with an ever-widening number of worldwide Bimber drinkers.”

Bimber 2021 Country Collection  The initial expressions of the 2021 Bimber Country Collection include:

Cask #182 (Ex-bourbon), 58.5% ABV               -Produced for Austria
Cask #194 (Ex-bourbon), 58.4% ABV               -Produced for Belgium
Cask #150 (Ex-bourbon), 59.5% ABV               -Produced for China
Cask #254 (Ex-rye whiskey), 58.5% ABV          -Produced for Denmark
Cask #30 (Ex-ruby port), 58.9% ABV               -Produced for France
Cask #104 (Ex-bourbon), 59.7% ABV               -Produced for Germany
Cask #47 (Ex-ruby port), 58.7% ABV               -Produced for Hong Kong
Cask #101/7 (PX Finish), 57.4% ABV                -Produced for Japan
Cask #224 (Ex-rye whiskey), 58.2% ABV          -Produced for The Netherlands
Cask #29 (Ex-ruby port), 58.7% ABV               -Produced for Poland
Cask #102/8 (PX Finish), 57.6% ABV                -Produced for South Africa
Cask #178 (Ex-bourbon), 58.1% ABV               -Produced for South Africa
Cask #205 (Ex-bourbon), 58.6% ABV               -Produced for Switzerland
Cask #105/4 (Madeira Finish), 57.7% ABV        -Produced for Taiwan

A further 10 single cask releases will follow later in 2021 for distributors based in Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Israel, Italy, Nigeria and the USA.

About Bimber  

Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. As a leading distiller of English whisky, we combine generations of rich distilling heritage, with the finest quality ingredients to create the ultimate craft whisky experience.

A NIPPON WHISKY COLLECTION – ONLINE-ONLY SALE 

After a 100% “white-glove” achievement in March, the online-only sale of A Nippon Whisky Collection returns from 26 July to 2 August on Bonhams.com. Around 50 lots strong, the sale spotlights a range of fresh-to-market whiskies from the very early years of the eight most internationally-sought-after Japanese distilleries, namely Karuizawa, Hanyu, Yamazaki, Hakushu, Yamazakura, Miyagikyo, Yoichi and Saburomaru. Highlights include:

(From left to right)

·         山崎 Yamazaki-Noblesse Oblige-25 year old. Est. HK$60,000-80,000.

·         山崎 Yamazaki-1984-20th Anniversary of WakuWaku. Est. HK$38,000-50,000.

·         余市 Yoichi-1976-15 year old-#126121. Est. HK$20,000-26,000.

·         Ichiro’s Malt Pulse・Moment-律動・刹那. Est. HK$30,000-40,000.

Sale: “A Nippon Whisky Collection” Online-only Sale 26 July – 2 August Bonhams.com

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