ralfy review 913 – Inchfad 14yo @49%vol (North Star)

Bimber to release exclusive fino sherry finished single malt whisky  

with Fortnum & Mason 

London’s Bimber Distillery today announced that it has partnered with the iconic department store Fortnum & Mason to release an upcoming exclusive single cask, single malt London whisky that has been finished in a Spanish fino sherry butt.

Originally matured for over four years in American oak ex-bourbon casks, the whisky was transferred for an additional maturation in a fino sherry butt sourced from Jerez-based Bodegas Tradición who are dedicated exclusively to the elaboration and ageing of very old sherry wines. The resulting single malt offers notes of vivid fruitiness alongside feisty piquancy, a nutty edge and ripe salinity. 

The release of 857 bottles at 51% ABV will be available from Friday 11^th February in Fortnum & Mason’s Piccadilly-based store and via the retailer’s website.

The single cask release was 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, fruit-forward, layered new make spirit.

Bimber Distillery spokesperson Matt McKay said “We are delighted to be working with Fortnum & Mason to release our first fino sherry cask matured single malt – and to introduce Bimber’s whisky to the store’s many whisky lovers. This new release shows off a different aspect of Bimber’s versatile spirit profile, marrying intense fruitiness with the instantly recognisable character derived from fino sherry.”

Oscar Dodd from Fortnum & Mason added “Knowing first-hand the outstanding quality of Bimber’s whisky, I sought a cask to add a new and unique dynamic to Fortnum’s first ever London single malt. Through our longstanding relationship with Bodegas Tradicion, I was fortunate enough to source a fino butt which was shipped over to Bimber in 2021 – a Fino finish also being a first for Bimber. Ex-Bourbon casks were transferred to the first-fill butt, with 857 bottles drawn at the point of perfect harmony between the whisky’s generous, sweet, fruit and nut character; and the sherry’s saline freshness.”

Bimber Fortnum & Mason Exclusive 

Matured in first fill ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in a butt which previously held Spanish fino sherry

Nose:               Griddled pineapple, poached apricots and oven-baked pear tarts join nutmeg and ginger, dry nuttiness and a hint of coastal breeze

Palate:             A riot of juicy fruitiness – pineapple, apricot and damson sit alongside a cup of warm mocha, toasted cereals, chopped nuts and saline minerality

Finish:              Candied peels, lingering aromatic wood spice and a pinch of sea salt

70cl

51% ABV

RRP £85

Available from 11th February via Fortnum & Mason  

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.

www.bimberdistillery.co.uk 

About Fortnum & Mason 

First founded in Piccadilly in 1707, Fortnum & Mason has remained an essential London destination for anyone in search of extraordinary food, joy-giving things and exceptional service ever since. Proud of its storied past and innovating still, Fortnum’s mission remains to deliver a sense of pleasure to every customer, whether they’re shopping in-store or from around the world at the award-winning

www.fortnumandmason.com

In every auction there is always a few bottles that stand out from the crowd and these three distinguished old drams, distilled more than five decades ago, certainly do that.

Dalmore Constellation Collection 1966 45 Year Old 75cl

The Dalmore Constellation Collection 1966 45 Year Old 75cl is a special bottling, in over ten years of auctions we’ve only seen one other example of this particularly rare expression.  One of only 237 bottles it forms part of the lauded Dalmore Constellation Collection first released in 2012.

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Glenfiddich 50 Year Old

This magnificent 50 Year Old represents the pinnacle of Glenfiddich’s range.  Only 50 bottles are released each year in hand-blown glass bottles individually numbered in wax and finished in Scottish silver.

Glen Grant 1963 50 Year Old

Shaped like the stills at the historic distillery this Glen Grant 1963 50 Year Old was taken from a single cask first filled by current master distiller Dennis Malcolm when he was still just an apprentice.  Decorated in 18 carat gold and presented in a bespoke Scottish oak box this a rare and historic dram.

New exclusive

GLENDRONACH 1993

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Benromach 46 Years

1972 vintage single cask American oak hogshead yielding only 75 bottles.

Shop Benromach 46 Years »

£1,750.00

Benromach 46 Year Old 1972 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask Refill American Hogshead #4471 released 2019. 75 bottles. Presented in a bespoke wooden box, made in oak, and designed to reflect the colour of the wooden washbacks at Benromach Distillery. MAXIMUM 1 BOTTLE PER CUSTOMER.

Take a short inhalation, appreciating the wonderful aromas without water… enjoy the tantalising notes of vanilla custard, honey and baked pineapple, mingling with intriguing hints of beeswax polish, mature oak and an edge of fresh menthol. Now take a sip. Savour the smooth sweetness beautifully balanced by a gentle dash of warm pepper. A medley of ripe tropical fruits, mango and passion fruit develops. Candied citrus peel and dried tobacco lead to subtle undertones of aniseed. Add a few drops of water and take time to enjoy the nose as it develops… gorgeous aromas of exotic fruits come to the fore with top notes of toasted coconut and zingy lime. Now lift it to your lips and enjoy a slow sip… notes of tropical fruits soften and mingle with hints of pear drops, leading to lingering oak notes and hints of mellow cigar box on the finish. Magnificent!

Benromach Distillery was designed by Charles C. Diog and constructed at Forres in the Speyside whisky region for D. McCallum and F.W. Burickman in 1898. Following numerus periods of closure, it was purchased in 1993 by Gordon & MacPhail who charged up its single pair of stills in 1998 and have nurtured Benromach ever since. Striking new labelling combined with an increasing range of single malts is forging a very popular brand of single malt whiskies which includes Benromach Organic, Benromach Peatsmoke and Benromach 10 Year Old.

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

Gordon & Macphail Glen Grant 1966 45 Year Old

Released with the traditional old distillery label, it has been aged for 45 years in sherry oak – G&M are masters in maturation. This Glen Grant 1966 bottled by indpendent bottler Gordon & Macphail is a whisky of great age and rarity. Released with the traditional old distillery label it has been aged for 45 years in sherry oak – G&M are masters at ensuring whiskies of this age do not take on too much flavour of the wood as many old whiskies do. Bottled in 2012 at a strength of 40% abv.

£780.00
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THE MACALLAN UNVEILS THE REACH SINGLE MALT WHISKY

CAPTURING AN EXTRAORDINARY MOMENT IN TIME AND AN ENDURING SPIRIT

The Macallan has unveiled The Reach, an incomparable single malt whisky that reflects an extraordinary moment in time and exemplifies the enduring spirit that has been at the heart of the brand for almost 200 years.

Crafted during the Second World War in a period of increasing hardship, The Reach was laid to rest in 1940 before The Macallan was compelled to close its doors for the first time in its history.

Its very existence is testament to the care and commitment to uncompromised excellence that has driven The Macallan since it was founded in 1824. It also pays tribute to those who strived amid great adversity to resume distilling The Macallan’s spirit, as well as the craftspeople today who continue to uphold the brand’s values.

A rare single malt at 81 Years Old, The Reach is the oldest whisky ever released by The Macallan, crafted from a single, sherry seasoned oak cask. The dark, precious whisky is encased in an exquisite decanter created from mouth-blown, hot glass, cradled on a bronze sculpture of three hands.

Each hand represents characters in The Macallan’s history and their unique story. One commemorates the Distillery workers of 1940 who crafted the spirit into existence, in challenging times, over eight decades ago. Another is the hand of one-time chairman, Allan Shiach, whose grandfather headed the company when this remarkable spirit was first consigned to its cask. The third is that of today’s Master Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell, who carefully selected the 1940 cask used to create The Reach, deciding that now was the time to share this precious whisky with the world.

Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker, The Macallan, said: “It is an honour to introduce The Reach. Created during a turbulent time in the world, this extraordinary expression showcases The Macallan’s history, ingenuity and unmistakable strength of character. 

“The creation of many hands, The Reach has been a truly collaborative effort. It’s also a tribute to the people who made this precious whisky, and their enduring spirit which never wavered. 

“Its deep auburn hue is the first hint of this remarkable whisky’s astonishing depth. Offering notes of dark chocolate, sweet cinnamon and aromatic peat, leading on to treacle toffee, crystalised ginger and charred pineapple, before giving way to an intensely rich, sweet and smoky finish.”

Reflecting its rarity and significance, The Reach is presented in unique packaging brought together by a collective of Scottish artisans. A tale of collaboration and connectivity, the result is a handcrafted quartet of liquid, glass, bronze and wood that is a fitting tribute to this very special whisky.

Sculptor Saskia Robinson created the timeless sculpture featuring three hands, producing countless drawings from every perspective before working in a physical medium. The veins, nails and skin detail are recorded in extraordinary accuracy, modelled on an artist’s impression of a hand of one of those original stillmen. The sculpture is cast in bronze and the glimmer of the metal contrasts beautifully with the dark amber whisky.

The surface of the glass decanter features subtle indentations that match the fingerprints of the bronze hands which support it, while a beautiful cabinet crafted using wood from a fallen elm tree, which is thought to have been on The Macallan Estate in 1940, houses the decanter.

A film has been created by renowned London-based photographer Nadav Kander working closely with his art director, Matt Willey, who was previously the art director at The New York Times Magazine. Featuring original music composed and recorded by Scottish band Mogwai, recently shortlisted for the prestigious Mercury Prize, it tells the story of The Macallan’s legacy and the collaborative process behind The Reach.

Highly limited to only 288 decanters worldwide, The Reach will be on display at The Macallan Estate Boutique from 9^th February 2022 and later in The Macallan domestic and travel retail Boutiques. The RSP is $125,000 / £92,000 / €110,000.

For further information visit www.themacallan.com

Whisky Maker’s Notes

Colour: Deep auburn

ABV: 41.6%

Nose: Dark chocolate, sweet cinnamon, aromatic peat, plums, leather, pink grapefruit, redcurrant jelly and a rich resinous note.

Palate: Treacle toffee, bramble jam, liquorice, crystalised ginger, nutmeg, charred pineapple, pecans, woodsmoke.

Finish: Intensely rich, sweet and smoky.

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824, The Macallan is renowned worldwide for its extraordinary single malt whiskies. Their outstanding quality and distinctive character reveal the uncompromised excellence pursued by The Macallan since it was established by Alexander Reid, on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland.

In 2018, The Macallan opened a new chapter in its history with the launch of its award-winning Speyside distillery. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects to promote sustainability, the building takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills. It stands nearby Easter Elchies House, the Highland Manor built in 1700 which is The Macallan’s spiritual home and remains the heartbeat of The Macallan’s beautiful 485-acre Estate.

Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

‘Whisky- The Final Edition’ by Ulf Buxrud

My third whisky book is soon to be published (March 2022).

It is a tale of the supreme collectible, enjoyable, and valuable iconic whisky series ever made.

A near-complete (54 of 58 versions) series was sold at Bonham’s auction house in Hong Kong November 20, 2020, for USD 1.5 million.

The book unfolds the story about the magnificent Playing Card Series from Hanyu and Chichibu Whisky Distilleries in Japan, distilled by the Akuto family and bottled by Ichiro Akuto-san.

The book is a 170-page book of coffee table size (29x29x1cm) and quality is near art book style. Its content encompasses the story of the Chichibu-Kikusui, Hanyu, Chichibu distilleries, and the Akuto family.

A chapter is dedicated to the complete Playing card series and how it started. Here, each bottle is the ‘objets d’art’, occupying a full page. The opposite page contains my 58 tasting notes, technical descriptions, and the flip side of the bottles.

All 58 bottle pictures are from my own Playing Card Series collection. Other sections comprise the series aftermath, auctions, rules and data, fakes, and frauds.

A special chapter called Passing time deals with experimental mixology on account of the Playing card series and summarizing tasting notes.

Publishing date and purchase information are available on www.buxrud.se/webb

Kind regards

Ulf Buxrud

A Keeper of the Quaich

whisky@buxrud.se

Other books by Ulf

–Rare Malts’, ISBN 1 84689 007 1, published by Quiller’s/UK 2006

–Japanese whisky ISBN 9789163320934 published by

 DataAnalys/SE 2008

-Contributed to the Asian segment of ‘Eyewitness Companion: Whisky’,

 ISBN 9781 40532 814 2 published by Dorling   Kindersley/UK 2008.