Macallan Afternoon Tea

The British tradition of afternoon tea, has been elevated over the years from a simple ‘cuppa’ and a biscuit to an elegant affair. Here at The Dram House we have taken it a step further and created a high tea experience with our friends at Macallan.

Our Macallan High Tea is a bookable experience we are now offering (minimum 2 people per experience), marrying one of the world’s leading whisky brands, with our preeminent chef to curate a selection of whiskies and snacks to wile away an afternoon.

The experience consists of the new (and hard to find!) Macallan Harmony Rich Cacao, paired with our Haggis & Guinness Bon Bons. Next is the classic Macallan 12 Sherry Oak, paired with our Quail Scotch Eggs, and to finish is the Macallan Rare Cask 2021 Release, paired with our Manchego Stuffed Gordal Olives. No high tea would be complete without Scones (with clotted cream & raspberry jam) and a portion of our world renowned Three Cheese Croquettes!

Our Macallan High Tea is £120pp and is a 1.5 hours long.

See below for information on how to book!

Each of our Macallan High Tea tickets (£120pp + 12.5% optional service) includes:

1 dram (25ml) of each of the Macallan expressions

1 serving of our: Haggis & Guinness Bon Bons, Quail Scotch Eggs, Manchego Stuffed Gordal Olives, Three Cheese Croquettes & Scones (with clotted cream & raspberry jam).

Our Macallan High Tea runs Tuesday to Saturday (4pm – 9pm)

48 hours notice needed for all bookings, cancellation policy applies

If you would be interested in booking one of these experiences please get in touch:

tastings@milroys.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Special Offers

PRODUCTS OF THE MONTH

There are only a few days left to enjoy discounts on our drinks of the month, including the exciting new release from The Single Malts of Scotland Reserve Casks series by Elixir Distillers: Caol Ila 2011 10 Year Old Parcel No. 7. This is a dram bursting with an intriguing melange of childhood sweets, savoury notes, richness and characterful smoke.

SHOP NOW

1995 Strathmill 26 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” Cask Strength Single Sherry Butt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $249.99 View

1994Glenallachie 26 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Hogshead Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $379.99 View

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 425: IN2Spirit, a new Belgian bottler

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, discovers that a new Belgian bottler has risen: IN2Spirit. Behind the initiative are Steven Demarez & Tijs  Denuwelare, two people from West Flanders. And it has to be said: it is daring to start a new company in these circumstances. And it can also be said: the packaging is spot on. Beautiful. And now let’s hope that the contents of the first two bottles are good as well. Mark is trying their Dalmunach 2015 on a PX Quarter cask and their Blair Athol 2009 on a refill hogshead.

https://youtu.be/Q3jH_iNnx58

FROM WHISKY BEGINNER TO BOFFIN: 9,000 BOTTLES OF WHISKY MAKE
HISTORY AT AUCTION

A man who has travelled the world in pursuit of good whisky, has made history after selling his personal collection – the largest in the world to come to auction. Working with market leader Whisky Auctioneer, over 9,000 bottles and 23 auctions later the curtain has closed with the final auction on 22 November 2021 bringing the total to £3,360,000 (over $4.5 million USD).

Unprecedented on the secondary market, Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection took over 12 months to auction off across a series of specially curated monthly spotlight auctions and dedicated sales. Featuring over 5,000 Scotch single malts, more than 1,000 blended whiskies, over 600 American whiskies and hundreds of often overlooked grain whiskies and independent bottlings, Pat’s Whisky Collection is the most complete picture of whisky ever brought to market.

The collector, known only as Pat, bought his first whiskies based on the recommendation of a colleague. His determination to explore and taste every area of whisky soon outstripped his ability to open the bottles he was acquiring and so began his collection.  Almost twenty years later, Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection became the largest private collection ever to go to auction.

Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection was sold via Whisky Auctioneer, the world’s leading online platform for buying and selling whisky and spirits at auction. A collection like no other, it has been one of the company’s biggest success stories and will likely never be replicated on the secondary market.

Iain McClune, Founder of Whisky Auctioneer, said:

“Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection was historic, a once in a lifetime chance for whisky lovers old and new to bid on some of the most diverse bottles on the secondary market. The variety of whiskies on offer was unique, with whiskies accessible at every price point, hopefully inspiring the next generation of collectors.

“It’s highly unlikely we’ll ever see a collection as large and diverse as this one, meaning this auction will go down in whisky history, setting a precedent for future collectors.”

Pat, the collection’s owner, said: 

“Building a whisky collection was never actually my original goal – I simply wanted to try everything and there were so many releases, distilleries and countries to explore. When I reached over 2,000 bottles, I decided to create a collection that represented the full picture of whisky and for me that meant everything from non-age statements, blends and world whiskies to the rarest examples – a true showcase of all sides of such a varied spirit.

Selling the collection was a deeply emotional process for me since it has been such a huge part of my life. I feel this incredible journey has culminated in a fitting finale with these bottles entered back into the market so other people can enjoy them, perhaps with some added knowledge gained alongside.

My journey with whisky is not over but I hope my approach will inspire whisky lovers and future collectors to be diverse and eclectic when constructing their own collections. Anyone can collect whisky and good whisky can be discovered anywhere and at any price.”

This last auction completed twenty-three stellar auctions, nine of which were curated exclusively from Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection. Highlights from these curated auctions include:

• The Heart & Soul: Bourbon & American Whiskey Auction (total hammer price:
• £376,183.00), 9 October 2020 – 19 October 2020
• A Journey of Discovery: The European Bottler’s Auction (total hammer price:  £302,456.00), 10 December 2020 – 14 December 2020
• A Connoisseur’s Choice: Gordon & MacPhail Auction: (total hammer price:  £246,209.00), 8 October 2021 – 18 October 2021
• Pat’s Whisk(e)y: The Grand Finale (total hammer price: £758,223), 12 November 2021 – 22 November 2021.

Highlights from across the 9,070 lots include the following hammer prices:

• Brora 1972 Rare Malts 22 Year Old / 60.02%: (total hammer price:  £20,500)
• Glenfarclas 1952 Family Cask #1712 / Release I: (total hammer price: £18,000)
• Highland Park 50 Year Old 2018 Release / Charity Lot: (total hammer price: £15,000)
• Glenfarclas 1953 Family Cask #1678 / Release I: (total hammer price: £10,100)
• Karuizawa 35 Year Old Bourbon Cask #8518 / Emerald Geisha: (total hammer price: £9,200)
• Glenfarclas 1957 Family Cask #2111 / Release I: (total hammer price: £9,000)
• Dalmore 45 Years Old 2018 Release: (total hammer price: £8,700)
• Glenfarclas 1955 Family Cask #2211 / Release I: (total hammer price: £8,200)
• Old Rip Van Winkle 23 Year Old Family Selection / Stitzel-Weller: (total hammer price: £8,000 hammer price)
• Eagle Rare 20 Year Old Double Eagle Very Rare 2020 Release: (total hammer price: £7,600)

Mid-October to mid-November 2021 saw Whisky Auctioneer’s largest sales month in both value and volume, with site sales including a £758,000 hammer price for the grand finale sale of Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection with £26,200 of this grand total going to Teenage Cancer Trust*,  £5 million in sales during its October auction, and £246,000 raised through a specialist Gordon & MacPhail auction.

Inspired by Pat and to mark the end of this historical collection, Whisky Auctioneer ran the world’s first-ever Summit of Collectibility, bringing industry leaders and experts together to pioneer a discussion around modern collectors and the future of whisky within the secondary market. The Summit of Collectibility recording is available in full here.

Notes:

*£26,134,90 was raised for Teenage Cancer Trust from during Pat’s Grand Finale. £23,759 was the hammer Price from the bottles.  £2,375.90 was Whisky Auctioneer’s contribution.

About Whisky Auctioneer

Whisky Auctioneer is the global market leader and trusted authority on the buying and selling of whisky and spirits at online auction. Founded in 2013 and located in Perth, Whisky Auctioneer utilises its expertise and knowledge combined with its auction platform to increase interest and passion in the whisky and spirits community.

Whisky Auctioneer endeavours to make the market more accessible for buyers and sellers of any background and geography. Its monthly global auctions feature the most comprehensive selection of old, rare, and collectible whiskies and spirits available online. Whisky Auctioneer is passionate about connecting these bottles with those who share their passion and actively supporting their customers in their aims, whether consuming, collecting, or investing.

Whisky Auctioneer became the first online auction house to sell a million-pound bottle and outperformed the nearest traditional auction house by 200% in value from spirits sales in 2020. This showcases the move that whisky collectors, investors, and drinkers have already made online and firmly establishing their leading position within the modern secondary whisky market.

The business currently sees over 100,000 bids per month and has conducted deliveries to 74 countries across the globe. It also opened its first European base in Germany last year. The business’ founder, Iain McClune, was listed as ‘One to Watch’ in The Telegraph’s Most Ambitious Business Leaders 2020 programme.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Visit:  www.whiskyauctioneer.com

Instagram: whiskyauctioneer

Facebook: WhiskyAuctioneer

Twitter: Whisky_auction

Tormore 26 Year Old

1988 vintage at an incredible price!

From our good friends at The Golden Cask (House of MacDuff), a stunning 1988 vintage Tormore single bourbon cask. Bottled back in 2015 at 53.3% and just 278 bottles. A fantastic distillery and this single cask, cask strength non-chillfiltered whisky is at a superb price point. Once it’s gone, it’s well and truly gone! Tormore 26 Year Old 1988 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask #CM226 bottled November 2015 by House of Macduff for the Golden Cask series. 278 numbered bottles.

Buy – Tormore 26yo – £117 / €116* / $132* / c$166*

Tormore Distillery was established in 1958 in the Speyside whisky region to supply malt whisky to blending houses. It was designed by Sir Albert Richardson, President of the Royal Academy and is set in stunning landscaped gardens. Resplendent with green-coppered roofs, decorative pagoda roofs, a clock tower and clock which still chimes Scottish tunes, a rectangular curling pond, topiary and houses for the staff. Tormore Distillery is now operating with eight stills in its tall still house and Tormore malt whisky is still mostly flowing into scotch blends. Whilst official bottling are sparse it features amongst the ranges of a number of independent bottlers including Signatory Vintage and Connoisseurs Choice.

FEBRUARY VIRTUAL TASTING:

We hope you’re all excited about our Big Burns Bash livestream kicking off at 8pm this Thursday evening. We’re keeping the entertainment and the whisky flowing the following week, with our February Virtual Tasting. Join us online as we serve up five amazing drams in five very different flavour profiles. Society ambassadors Madeleine Schmoll, Steven McConnachie and Lee ‘Connas’ Connor will be doing the honours, along with some special surprise guests, from 8pm Thursday, 3 February at 8pm.

If you’ve never participated in one of our virtual tastings, all you need to do is purchase your pack now and then join us online with the drams on the night. We’ll stream the tasting live on our Facebook page and our YouTube channel, SMWSsilverscreen. If you can’t make it, order your pack now and watch the tasting back anytime at your leisure.

We’ll be in touch via email before the tasting with a printable tasting mat and suggested food pairings. We’ll also send the secret link to our shop, where you can purchase full-size bottlings of the drams featured in the tasting. On the night, all bottlings apart from Cask No. 3.330 will be available to purchase.

VIEW TASTING PACK NOW

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

Three Impeccably Rare, Old Single Malts from Redacted Bros.
“The source of these three special casks must remain a mystery, but I can say that it is from one of the excellent distilleries on the southern shores of the mystical Isle of Islay.”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

Scotch aficionados and collectors should hold onto their hats as we introduce a trio of spectacular, age-stated Islay single malt treasures from Redacted Bros. Composed of juice ranging from 29 years to 32 years old, these K&L Exclusive Casks are supremely collectible editions from one of our all-time favorite bottlers. There is no overstating the unbelievable quality and character on offer here, and considering the age statements on these casks, the pricing is nearly impossible to beat. As spirits buyer David Othenin-Girard observes, “Distillery bottlings from any of the three distilleries is this area would sell for ten- or twentyfold of what we’re charging. We’re not exactly certain where/how they were acquired, but sometimes it’s best not to ask too many questions.” Each offers a distinct and completely singular expression that can only come from a whisky in its golden years, and these three sublime examples are certainly in the “liquid gold” category. Highly limited quantities will require Scotch fanatics to strike while the iron is hot, so don’t delay.

*Pre-arrival items are expected to be available for shipment or pickup in May 2022.

1991 Isle Islay Malt 29/30 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) K&L Exclusive Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($299.99)

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 12, 2022

The source of these three special casks must remain a mystery, but I can say that it is from one of the excellent distilleries on the southern shores of the mystical isle of Islay. You can do the math. Distillery bottlings from any of the three distilleries in the area would sell for ten- to twentyfold of what we’re charging. We’re not exactly certain where/how they were acquired, but sometimes it’s best not to ask too many questions. This is the youngest of the three and was distilled on December 12th, 1991. There’s absolutely nothing like old, heavily-peated single malt scotch. The decades of aging polished the rugged edges of this rare gem. The nose has a purity of ocean character that cannot be achieved but from standing on the shores of the straights of Islay. The sweetness is astounding though, contrasting the decadent wafting smoke. It’s really very difficult to describe. Ozone, limestone, lemon, salt, gun smoke, kastuoboshi, diesel engine, orange oil, olive oil, olive leaves, and beeswax. On the palate, texture and richness with plenty of zesty citrus oil and smoldering, old fire pit. It’s just absolutely lovely. Don’t regret not buying plenty of this if you can manage it.

1990 Isle Islay Malt 30/31 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) K&L Exclusive Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($299.99)

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 12, 2022

The source of these three special casks must remain a mystery, but I can say that it is from one of the excellent distilleries on the southern shores of the mystical Isle of Islay. You can do the math. Distillery bottlings from any of the three distilleries in the area would sell for ten- to twentyfold of what we’re charging. We’re not exactly certain where/how they were acquired, but sometimes it’s best not to ask too many questions. The middle sibling was distilled on November 20th, 1990. This one is distinct from the briny olive nose that the younger one exhibits. Instead, more fresh green peat, tobacco leaf, salted pears, algae-covered old wood, stony beach, old kirsch. On the palate, it has plenty of leather, sweet lemon, rich smoldering underbrush, sage oil, and tobacco again. Altogether magical, but less oceanic and salty, more earthy and savory.

1989 Isle Islay Malt 31/32 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) K&L Exclusive Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($349.99)

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 12, 2022

The source of these three special casks must remain a mystery, but I can say that it is from one of the excellent distilleries on the southern shores of the mystical Isle of Islay. You can do the math. Distillery bottlings from any of the three distilleries in the area would sell for ten- to twentyfold of what we’re charging. We’re not exactly certain where/how they were acquired, but sometimes it’s best not to ask too many questions. This is the big daddy of the three casks. Distilled on November 15th of 1989. This one is the cleanest and most linear of the three casks. Sweet lemon rind, very clean white ashy smoke, salted plums. Vibrant, zesty, salty, and clean (comparatively) on the palate with a long, sweet citrus finish and a pure, lifted white smoke that lingers for ages. This is the easiest to love of the three and reminds me more of Ardbeg than Laphroaig, but many who taste all three will likely prefer this excellent whisky because it’s so friendly and open.

EDRADOUR DISTILLERY

22 Year Old 1999 Oloroso Finish (2021)

£299.90

Edradour 22 Year Old 1999 vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Double matured in ex-oloroso sherry casks bottled 2021. Limited release of 1,331 bottles. 1999 vintage Oloroso sherry cask finish. A limited small batch bottling showcasing a less often seen vintage from Edradour.

Shop Edradour 22 yo »

Edradour Distillery was formed in 1825 by a group of eight local farmers. Situated at Milton of Edradour near Pitlochry and still just a farm sized distillery equipped with a Morton refrigerator to cool the worts and two wee stills with their spirit cooled in a single worm tub. Whilst ranked amongst the small working distilleries in Scotland its owners Signatory Vintage have plans to increase its size and output. Official distillery releases include the Edradour 10 Year Old, Barolo Cask and Sherry Cask Ibisco decanters.