Whisky Hunter — New Features!

We have some news to tell you about. As usual, we continue to add new features for our users that make their hard journey as whisky collectors or investors easier.

Tracking ROI for each bottle separately

Our paid subscribers now have the ability to track changes in ROI and costs for each bottle in the collection separately. Simply go into the collection and click on the ROI button to see a graph with the data for a particular bottle.

View lots completed today

In the previous, if lots ended, they would immediately disappear from Live and Targets and there would be no way to look at them. Now it is possible to see them.

To do this, click on the “Show finished” check box.

Auction end time in your local time

Whatever time zone the auction is held in, you can now see the end time of the auction in your local time zone. Which we get from your device’s time zone settings.

The time zone is displayed on the Live auction page at the bottom of the table.

We will be pleased to welcome you as a Whisky Hunter user – join us and you’ll be satisfied with our service.

Our 133rd auction is now up and running with over 7000 bottles of fantastic drams to choose from.  To ease your scrolling burden we’ve taken the liberty of picking out a few highlights from this month’s offerings.

Macallan 1950 Tales of the Macallan Volume 1 Lalique Decanter

Distilled way back in the fifties the Macallan 1950 Tales of the Macallan Volume 1 is a special release indeed.  The whisky is contained in a resplendent Lalique decanter, which is itself housed in an impressive 800-page almanac.  The first release in the Tales of Macallan Series, expect this one to become even more valuable as new editions are released.

Yamazaki 1984 25th Anniversary

This tremendous Yamazaki 1984 25th Anniversary edition is a bottle as rare as it is prized.  Winner of the coveted gold medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in 2009, this is a special whisky with real pedigree.  Rarely seen at auction this is your chance to purchase something with real growth potential.

Springbank 50 Year Old Millennium Collection 75cl

The Springbank 50 Year Old Millennium Collection 75cl, part of the famed Millennium Collection from Springbank, is amongst the oldest whiskies ever bottled by the esteemed Campbeltown distillery.  Another one we don’t see too often; this is a US import version meaning you get an extra 5cl of goodness for your money!

We think you’ll agree these are some pretty special bottles, but as always with an auction so large there is a bottle to suit every palate and pocket so we’re certain you’ll find your own hidden gems in this month’s auction.  Happy bidding and best of luck!

TWB Apollo Whisky

Shop the series so far

Since 2019 and the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing, we have been celebrating each of the manned Apollo missions (7-17) with a hand-picked cask of Scotch whisky.

Becoming a sought after series of bottles, with many selling out quickly at release, now is your chance to fill any gaps in your collection or catch up on series with labels capturing moments from each mission.

We have released a small parcel of each* release from the series so far. From the incredible Apollo 13 Highland Park 13yo, the Caol Ila ‘Oh Man, That’s Great‘ and ‘The Eagle Has Landed‘ and the epic 48yo blend  ‘We’re On Our Way, Houston‘ for Apollo 17.

(*Deanston 10yo ‘One Giant Leap is not available)

> SHOP – TWB Apollo Whisky Series <<

K&L Exclusive Cask: A Coveted Islay Malt Makes a Triumphant Return
Kilchoman “K&L Exclusive” Ex-Bourbon Barrel Aged STR Finished Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(750ml) ($149.99)
“This ex-Bourbon, STR-finished cask delivers so much value for the Islay lover.”
— Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

As Kilchoman’s star has risen dramatically over the past five years, we’ve been hard-pressed to source any single casks from this incredible Islay distillery. But we’re thrilled to say, this exceptional new arrival has more than made up for the extended hiatus. Produced by one of the most exciting and innovative distilleries in Islay, this cask is nothing short of heavenly. Aged in a first-fill Bourbon barrel and finished in a shaved, toasted, and recharred Portuguese red wine cask, this is big and bold yet remarkably polished and refined for the level of outright intensity that it conveys on both the nose and the palate. Luxurious fruits and spices give way to an incredibly assertive smoky character, culminating in a “long and mesmerizing” finish. K&L spirits buyer Andrew Whiteley notes, “This whisky is the complete whole, with no hard edges to be found.” Like all of our hand-selected single casks, this one is highly limited. Factor in the pent-up demand for something we haven’t seen in years, and you can be sure that avid collectors will act quickly and decisively to secure their bottles before it disappears.

Kilchoman “K&L Exclusive” Ex-Bourbon Barrel Aged STR Finished Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($149.99)

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: June 14, 2022

It’s been so long since we’ve had a Kilchoman cask to call our own. This ex-Bourbon, STR-finished cask delivers so much value for the Islay lover. It’s an incredible mix of caramelized fruits, mostly of the apple and pear varieties, mixed with intense applewood-smoked bacon, freshly cracked barley, dark roasted cocoa and coffee, tangy molasses BBQ sauce, sweet spices, and a faint suggestion of floral nectar. The palate is jammed with baking spices ranging from nutmeg, cinnamon, and mace to vanilla, allspice, and raw brown sugar. There isn’t a hard edge to be found here. It’s sweet and sultry, pinging back and forth between meaty, sweet, and a touch of savory. There is a prickly but sweet spice, like a Habanada pepper (the mutant Habanero with no heat, just all fruitiness), and yet something piquant about it. The smoke washes over you in waves. It moves from a raging bonfire to a wafting pizza oven in a flash. The whisky shows off a ton of vanilla and a touch of tropical coconut. The finish is long and mesmerizing. The whisky is a complete whole, with no hard edges to be found. With the addition of water, it doesn’t lose an ounce of intensity, but it does lose that piquant edge, giving way to a soft and supple texture that fans of smooth whisky will die for.

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

JULY OUTTURN ALERT

Get ready to ride a wave of flavour. July First Friday is the week, bringing with it 20 new Society cask bottlings perfect for summer sipping. With a wide variety of feel-good flavours, there’s something for all tastes and occasions. But if you’re looking for inspiration, our spirits manager Euan gives some recommendations and suggestions.

READ THE NEW OUTTURN

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

Virginia Distillery Company Whisky Receives Highest Score at Ultimate Spirits Challenge

The award is one of many the distillery has recently received from national and international competitions 

Lovingston, Va. (June 21, 2022) – Virginia Distillery Company whiskies have recently been recognized by a number of different national awards programs. One whisky in particular brought home top honors just this week from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, an international competition that provides expert evaluation of spirits for producers, importers and marketers.

Virginia Distillery Company’s Cuvée Single Cask received the highest score awarded this year for all spirits with a 98-point rating and was ranked #12 in the Top 100. The whisky was the highest awarded American Single Malt Whisky in the competition and was one of only a select few American products. More than 1,400 spirits were entered into this year’s competition for judging.

“We are honored to be recognized by the prestigious Ultimate Spirits Challenge and these other notable industry competitions,” Virginia Distillery Company CEO Gareth H. Moore said. “Cuvée Single Cask Whisky was one of only two whiskies from craft independent producers that scored a 98 at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. I couldn’t be prouder of our team and the quality of whisky we are producing here in Virginia.”

In addition to the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, the distillery and its whiskies have been recognized recently with awards and positive ratings from the International Whisky Competition, the New York International Spirits Competition, American Spirits Council of Tasters (ASCOT) Awards, Los Angeles International Spirits Competition and Tasting Panel Magazine.

The International Whisky Competition is one of the most competitive whisky competitions to date, offering only three medals per category, designed to be like ‘The Olympics of whisky competitions.’ Virginia Distillery Co. won several medals, including ‘Best American Single Malt Whiskey’, ‘Best Micro Distillery Whiskey’, and ‘Best Virginia Whiskey’:

Best American Single Malt Whiskey

• 1st Place: Virginia Distillery – Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – 91.69 Pts
• 2nd Place: Virginia Distillery – Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – Cuvée Cask – 91.2 Pts

Best Micro Distillery Whiskey (Under 150,000 bottles)

• 1st Place: Virginia Distillery – Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – 91.69 Pts

Best Virginia Whiskey

• 1st Place: Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – 91.7 Pts
• 2nd Place: Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – Cuvée Cask – 91.2 Pts
• 3rd Place: Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – Cuvée Single Cask – 89.6 Pts

The NY International Spirits Competition is a New York-based competition that provides expert evaluation of spirits from a trade-only, blind judging panel. At the awards, Virginia Distillery Company was recognized as the Virginia Distillery of the Year. The four whiskies in the Courage & Conviction product line were also awarded:

• Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask – Double Gold Winner
• Courage & Conviction Sherry Cask – Double Gold Winner
• Courage & Conviction – Gold Winner
• Courage & Conviction Bourbon Cask – Bronze Winner

The ASCOT Awards was created by author and veteran tasing judge Fred Minnick and aims to honor the best in spirits. All entries were tasted blind by a panel of judges made up of spirits industry and evaluated on appearance, aroma, taste and finish. Virginia Distillery Company’s whiskies earned the following:

• VHW Port Cask Finished Whisky – Double Platinum

• Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask – Platinum

Virginia Distillery Company’s Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask received a best of class gold medal and a 94-point rating at the LA International Spirits Competition, an awards competition bestowing medals to the best wines, spirits, olive oils and dairy products from around the globe.

Virginia Distillery Company’s inaugural Courage & Conviction Cuvée Single Cask Strength whisky earned a 96-point rating in Tasting Panel Magazine’s May issue.

Virginia Distillery Company recently reopened the doors to its Visitors Center to the public.  While visiting the distillery in Lovingston, Va., patrons can tour the distillery, taste the full Courage & Conviction product line and Single Cask offerings and enjoy a new Whisky Snack bar. The Visitors Center is open to guests Thursdays-Sundays from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis, but reservations are encouraged and can be booked online.

For more information about Virginia Distillery Company or American Single Malt whisky, visit the distillery’s website and complete guide to American Single Malt whisky. More information on awards recognition for the distillery can be viewed here.

About Virginia Distillery Company
Staffed by a local Virginia team mentored by Scottish consultants with decades of experience, Virginia Distillery Company is the largest dedicated American Single Malt whisky distillery in the U.S. The distillery has a current annual production volume of 80,000 4.5L cases and growing. At full capacity, the distillery can produce over 8,000 casks yielding 350,000 4.5L cases annually. The distillery produces Courage & Conviction American Single Malt on-site using malted barley from North America and water from Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, the distillery offers the award-winning VHW series, made with 100% malted barley. Showcasing both Old and New World whisky-making, the award-winning line marries whisky made on-site in Virginia with whisky from Scotland. In 2020, Virginia Distillery Company was named among the top 10 winners of the Best Craft Whiskey Distillery category in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards, and in 2021, Courage & Conviction was awarded 96 points by Wine Enthusiast.

Our ‘Spirit of America’ auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from Monday 4^th July until Sunday 10^th July.

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, investor enjoy!

Old Rip Van Winkle – 23 Year Old (1986) Signed

Old Fashioned Copper – 25 Year Old (1994) Vintage

WhistlePig – 17 Year Old (The Boss Hog VIII) LapuLapu’s Pacific

Michter’s – 20 Year Old (2015)

Black Maple Hill – Limited Edition

Old Fitzgerald – 10 Year Old (1849)

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.co.uk.

Happy 4th of July to our friends in the United States of America!

Our picks

TOP 10 AMERICAN WHISKIES

With July 4th days today, our eyes have turned to the USA and our favourite whiskies from across the country. We don’t hold a grudge and love an excuse for a party, so have put together a list of our top bourbons, ryes and more. Whether you’re celebrating with fireworks or just looking for a great whiskey, you’ll find something that fits the bill in our top 10.

EXPLORE NOW

A K&L Exclusive Cask Debut from a Bourbon Powerhouse
Angel’s Envy “K&L Exclusive” Cask #2665 Private Select Port Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon (750ml) ($89.99)
“This is it! This is the profile we want from Angel’s Envy.”
— Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

Our latest epic exclusive cask comes from one of the hottest names in arguably the hottest spirits category in the market right now. This Kentucky distiller has found a fanatical following over the last ten years for crafting some of the biggest, boldest whiskeys out there, so we were ready to jump at any chance to get our hands on an exclusive single cask. When we finally thought we had one, a mix-up at the distillery resulted something unexpected in the form of Cask #2665. While it’s not what we originally selected, it’s most likely better, so count this as a big win. And although it’s not technically cask proof, its quintessentially boisterous nature makes it drink like a bigger whiskey than it is. More importantly, it’s everything Angel’s Envy fans are looking for. As spirits buyer Andrew Whiteley notes, “It’s big, it’s sweet, it’s intensely concentrated, and most importantly for anything finished in port barrels, it’s clean.” Profound bourbon spices and maple character ring across the entire profile, and despite it being “only” 110 proof, a few drops of water bring out the full kaleidoscopic panoply of flavors and aromas, resulting in a whiskey that defies individual descriptors. Our first go at an Angel’s Envy cask had some real twists and turns, but the story ends with a most incredible (yet highly limited) bourbon that every collector will want to get their hands on.

Angel’s Envy “K&L Exclusive” Cask #2665 Private Select Port Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon (750ml) ($89.99)

K&L Notes: Mistakes happen. No one is immune. The real test comes down to what you do when you make one. Angel’s Envy showed the utmost in integrity after the mix-up here at K&L. Barrel #2665 is the glorious replacement for the infamous #4018 cask. If you weren’t involved from ordering one and the subsequent refund, you may not know, but #4018 was never supposed to enter the door at K&L—it wasn’t the type of cask we were looking for, and it most definitely wasn’t the cask we ordered. However, Angel’s Envy went out of their way to make things right. Unfortunately, our originally selected cask ended up in another store somewhere else in the country, so we weren’t able to get that one, but in the end things worked out in our (and our customers’) favor. Angel’s Envy rushed us an epic set of cask samples and scheduled a personal zoom with Kyle Henderson to walk through each barrel and make our selection. Despite all of the samples being superlatively good, cask #2665 stood out above the top-notch field. We bottled at the highest available ABV of 55% (they protect the cask-strength bottling for the highly limited official CS release), but in truth, it opens up dramatically with a few drops of water anyway, so be sure to add some!

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: June 10, 2022

This is it! This is the profile we want from Angel’s Envy. It’s big, it’s sweet, it’s intensely concentrated, and most importantly for anything finished in port barrels, it’s clean. Robust, but not a fruit bomb. The spice of the bourbon stands proud, helped along by the maxed-out (and just a few points shy of true cask strength) 110-proof bottling. While we fought hard to leave it at full proof, it just simply wasn’t in the cards. The nose is a bit dusty in that beautiful old Kentucky way. It’s almost gummy on the palate, like a hard candy chew, as red fruits shine through, especially cherries and plums. There is a sweet bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup profile that threads from start to finish. If you add a touch of water (and for all my kvetching about proof point, I recommend you do anyway), the oils come out beautifully, and the whiskey opens in dramatic fashion. It becomes an integrated whole rather than a bunch of individual tasting notes. It’s now something to pick apart sip by sip and enjoy pour after pour. All in all, we won out in this quest to get our “first” Angel’s Envy cask here by winding up with Cask #2665 on our shelves.