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Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 452: Orkney 13 Year Old 2007 for Ypres Whisky Friends

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries an undisclosed Orkney malt. The boys of the Ypres Whisky Friends recently presented their third club bottling: a Highland Park – even if it’s not on the label. You know how that goes. What surprised Mark was that it got a finish on an ex-Glen Moray barrel. A bold choice. Let’s taste and see what that meant for this pale Orkney malt.

https://youtu.be/YKYRGXLtkVE

GORDON & MACPHAIL RELEASES HISTORIC SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Gordon & MacPhail is releasing its last cask laid down in the 1940s from Milton Distillery, today known as Strathisla. This is the oldest and last ever single malt to be released by Gordon & MacPhail to carry the Milton Distillery name.

Matured in a cask filled for Gordon & MacPhail, the 72-Year-Old Gordon & MacPhail 1949 from Milton Distillery is exceptionally rare, with only 180 bottles available worldwide. The title pays homage to the distillery’s original name given by founder George Taylor, and it represents one of very few releases ever to carry the Milton name.

In the mid-1940s, the site was undergoing several changes in ownership which resulted in the eventual name change to Strathisla in 1951. The picturesque distillery, with its distinctive twin pagodas, has been in continuous production since the 1700s.

Despite the varied challenges of the whisky industry including economic depression and war, Milton continued to operate even when the majority of whisky production was halted in the 1940s due to a post-war scarcity of barley.

It was thanks to close ties with Milton that the precious spirit was entrusted to Gordon & MacPhail’s to mature in a first-fill Sherry puncheon, where it would gently slumber for 72 years, finally bottled at a remarkable ABV of 48.6%.

Gavin D Smith, whisky expert, noted:

Retailing at £50,000*, the whisky has been described by renowned whisky writer Gavin D Smith as “gloriously drinkable.”

He continues, “Once again, Gordon & MacPhail has delved into the darkest recesses of their Elgin warehouse and come up with a unique chapter in Scotland’s liquid history. This is the first time in my career that I’ve sampled a whisky distilled at Milton Distillery – prior to it becoming known as Strathisla – which illustrates just how truly precious and important this release is.”

Ewen Mackintosh, Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail, said:

Ewen Mackintosh, Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail adds: “Milton, or Strathisla as it is known today, has small copper stills with a distinctive shape that helps to give the spirit its rich, fruity and full-bodied character. Decades of experience led us to fill the spirit into a first fill Sherry puncheon for long-term maturation.

“Having carefully assessed its progress down the decades, we feel now is finally the right moment to reveal this landmark single malt to enthusiasts and collectors. In terms of rarity, this deserves true ‘icon status. A Gordon & MacPhail whisky of this age bearing the Milton name has never – and will never – be seen again. Its long maturation has seen the cask gift the spirit notes of toffee, spice and a hint of smoke not traditionally found in more modern Speyside releases.

“Whether it was produced under the name Milton or Strathisla, greatly aged single malts from the site have always been met with anticipation. Given that so few releases have ever carried the Milton name – and that this bottling represents the oldest and our last – we expect demand for the 180 decanters to be extremely high.”

For more information, visit www.gordonandmacphail.com #GordonandMacPhail

TASTING NOTES – GORDON & MACPHAIL 1949 FROM MILTON
DISTILLERY – BY GAVIN D SMITH

Matured in cask 383, a first-fill Sherry puncheon, and bottled at 48.6% ABV. Outturn of 180 bottles.

COLOUR: Dark Gold

AROMA: Sherry influences intertwine with SWEET VANILLA POD and SEVILLE ORANGE. STEWED FOREST FRUIT aromas give way to vibrant FESTIVE SPICE and SOFT LEMON ZEST.

TASTE: Flavours of BUTTERSCOTCH give way to bright CITRUS and NUTMEG. BAKED APPLE notes come to the fore alongside POACHED PEAR and HONEYCOMB.

FINISH: A long finish with lingering APPLE, DARK TOFFEE and SUBTLE SMOKE. *Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.

ABOUT GORDON & MACPHAIL WHISKIES

For over 125 years, Gordon & MacPhail has been driven by a simple mission: to create single malt Scotch whisky of exceptional quality.

Through four generations of family ownership, the company has matched spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries to its own bespoke casks.

It is this unique depth and breadth of experience that enables Gordon & MacPhail to combine oak, spirit and time to create a portfolio of iconic whiskies found nowhere else in the world.

‘DISCOVERY’
This flavour-led range is the perfect introduction to our portfolio of quality single malt Scotch whiskies.

‘DISTILLERY LABELS’
A range celebrating our long-standing relationships with Scotland’s distilleries.

‘CONNOISSEURS CHOICE’
The heart of our portfolio. Always unique, these non-chill-filtered, natural coloured, small batch expressions are genuine one-offs.

‘PRIVATE COLLECTION’
Greatly-aged single malts from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries specially selected by members of the Urquhart family

‘GENERATIONS’
A prestigious collection of old, rare, and exclusive masterpieces.

THE EMERALD ISLE BY THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO.

THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE WHISKEY COLLECTION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FABERGÉ
The Rarest, Triple-Distilled, Single Malt Irish Whiskey and First Fabergé Celtic Egg featuring Rough Uncut Emerald Surprise

In partnership with iconic jeweller, Fabergé, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. celebrates the ‘Seven Wonders of Ireland’ with a handcrafted Irish whiskey collection of unrivalled luxury and sophistication. The Emerald Isle Collection now takes the crown as the oldest triple-distilled Irish whiskey in the world, comprising a seven-piece custom-made whiskey set. Every component of this masterpiece is crafted entirely by hand.

The first luxury whiskey set of The Emerald Isle Collection sold at auction for a record-breaking $2,000,000 and the remaining sets were launched at exclusive events across the world throughout 2021, achieving upwards of $3,000,000. Just two remain.

All proceeds of the inaugural launch went to the Correa Family Foundation, a charity supporting children affected by cancer.

Jay Bradley, Founder, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. comments:

“We’d been planning to release a whiskey in collaboration with Fabergé. It was to have a small egg pendant, but the moment I tasted this liquid, I knew it had to be more. We had to shoot for the stars. I knew this liquid had the potential to become the most expensive whiskey on earth; it’s the rarest triple distilled single malt, and it tastes perfect so I knew we could auction it to raise a lot of money for charity. A small pendant was no longer enough for a whiskey of this calibre, so we started working with Fabergé on the world’s first Celtic Egg to accompany the world’s finest whiskey. And the rest is history!” 

The Emerald Isle’s exquisite beauty has drawn praise and admiration from judges across the world, including the Luxury Packaging Awards 2021 and iLuxury Awards 2021. In 2022, it became the world’s leading design when it was awarded a perfect score to take Platinum at the Prestigious and influential A’Design Awards, the only spirit to have ever done so.

Tiago Russo, Chief Design Officer, , The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. says:

“The Emerald Isle is a historic collaboration, the first of its kind and one that has changed the worlds of design and whiskey forever. As well as a luxurious exterior, the design of The Emerald Isle empowers the product, the collection and merges art, display, functionality and the most experiential storytelling to date. Combining new technologies, light sensors, hidden cabinets and immersive beauty it has transformed the luxury market like never before. Truly, a singular moment in design history. Winning a perfect score to take Platinum at the A’Design Awards 2022, was the fulfilment of a lifetime’s ambition and an extraordinary recognition by esteemed judges of the thought, time and work that combine to create a design worthy of becoming the number one design in the world.”

Beautifully presented in a dark walnut experience box, each set features a bottle of ultra-rare, single cask, 30-year-old, triple-distilled single malt Irish whiskey, accompanied by two unique and exclusive creations from Fabergé – the first-of-its-kind Fabergé Celtic Egg and bespoke 1/1 Fabergé watch. Each collection also includes a humidor with two limited edition and sold out, ultra-rare Cohiba Siglo VI Grand Reserva (2009) cigars. Top rated scoring 100/100, it is the holy grail of cigar collectibles and has increased by over 1,200% in value in the last decade. It also features a gold-plated cigar cutter, gold plated water pipette, pure obsidian whiskey stones, a hip flask with a sample of the Emerald Isle whiskey, which is the rarest Irish whiskey in existence, and a carafe filled with Irish spring water from the same region where the whiskey was made.

The Emerald Isle Collection fuses Fabergé’s unique heritage with rich Irish tradition and mythology, as well as the distinctive flavours of an ultra-rare whiskey, in a highly collectable and unique special-edition, legacy bottle. It is little known that Ireland invented whiskey in the 14th century and dominated the sector for centuries until an unfortunate fall due to both world wars, embargoes and their fight for independence; with the launch of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s collection, Irish whiskey is being restored to its former glory as the world’s most iconic whiskey.

THE CELTIC EGG

Each experience box has been inspired by the shape of an emerald, representing the natural beauty of Ireland, and features an illustration of one of the ‘wonders’ of Ireland and its geographical coordinates. Inside each box is the pièce de resistance, the hand-crafted whiskey bottle containing the ‘liquid gold’ – a collector’s item in its own right, design inspired by the Imperial Fabergé Hen Egg from 1885. All bottles of whiskey are accompanied by a bespoke Fabergé Celtic Egg. Each egg is handcrafted from 18k yellow gold and features Fabergé’s legendary guilloché enamel in a pastel green; the green, white and gold colours of the egg symbolising the Irish flag. Inside, a unique surprise awaits in the form of a rough, uncut Gemfields Zambian emerald.  This represents a feature that is truly historical, as it is the first time Fabergé has ever featured an uncut gemstone as the egg’s surprise. The uncut gem can be customised by Fabergé into an exquisite one-of-a-kind piece of Fabergé jewellery.

THE TIMEPIECE

In addition to the whiskey and one-of-a-kind Fabergé Celtic Egg, each box features another ultimate collector’s item – a bespoke 1/1 Fabergé Altruist 18k rose gold watch. Each individual piece has a unique dial, inspired by the landscape of one of the ‘Seven Wonders of Ireland’ crafted by Fabergé’s Workmaster, André Martinez. Encased in rose gold, with rose gold crowns and upper and lower sapphire crystals, the timepieces contain a self-winding automatic movement and a precious and rare 22k gold oscillating weight, decorated in the Fabergé style. As functional as they are exquisite, the watches are 41mm in diameter and water-resistant to 30-metres. Each is numbered 1/1 to highlight the unique design, and finished with a brown alligator strap and rose gold buckle; the epitome of Swiss watchmaking.

TASTING NOTES

Colour: Deep, rich treacle

Nose:  Butter toffee, chocolate fudge, followed by a rich maple syrup. Hints of brine and tobacco come to the fore after time 

Palate: Old leather-bound books up front with slight tobacco backdrop. Really silky smooth with some cherry notes, ripe banana and residual caramel. The back palate gives way to Christmas cake spices that flow perfectly into the finish  Finish: A wonderfully long and decadent finale with some hints of creamy meringue and vanilla cigar smoke that transform into a lingering touch of spice and sweet leather flavour.

Seven Wonders of Ireland and Their Mythology

1. The Old Head of Kinsale, Co. Cork (Blue Sapphire): The cliffside headland is a celebration of Ireland’s beauty and heritage, with panoramic views of the sea. It also marks the location where the first settlers came to Ireland over 6,000 years ago

2. The Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare (Gemfields Zambian Emerald): Located on Ireland’s breath-taking west coast, the aerial sight of the grassy headlands of the Cliffs of Moher epitomises the Emerald Island and are home to some of the greatest Irish mythology chapters, where great creatures of both land and sea meet

3. The Newgrange, Co. Meath (Amethyst): Built around 3200BC, this Neolithic tomb is one of the most significant references in early Irish literature and tradition. It is associated with the Tuatha Dé Danaan, a race of supernatural beings who, according to legend, ruled Ireland before the coming of the Celts and afterwards retreated into the fairy mounds and forts

4. The Blarney Stone, Co. Cork (Rhodolite): According to legend, those who kiss this mythical stone, which is built into the battlements of Blarney Castle, are endowed with the gift of gab (or eloquence). The myth is associated with Clíodhna, the goddess of love and beauty, who assisted Cormac McCarthy by instructing him to kiss the first stone he saw on his way to court in order to help him win his case with surreal eloquence

5. The Giant’s Causeway, Co. Antrim (Spessartite): Renowned for its scenic beauty, Giant’s Causeway features more than 40,000 basalt columns which, according to the Gaelic mythology, are the remains of a causeway built by Finn McCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill a giant that was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner, who built the causeway across the Channel so that the two giants could meet

6. The Ring of Kerry, Co. Kerry (Tourmaline): The first home of the Milesians, the original settlers arriving in Ireland, this circular route full of valleys, lakes and river streams is the site of ancient legends, with sightings of mythical creatures such as the Leprechaun – who is said to have been first seen here

7. The Ha’penny Bridge, Co. Dublin (Gemfields Mozambican Ruby): The Ha’penny, now named Liffey Bridge, is Dublin’s oldest footbridge, which dates back to 1816. It was originally a tolled access bridge for travellers to cross the River Liffey, where they would have to pay half a penny – a “Ha’penny” – to cross. The toll system was abandoned a century later, but to this day, the bridge keeps its name, and memories of ancient stories of lovers from both sides of the bridge meeting at the very top, sharing that moment together over the cost of a ha’penny.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is on a mission to reinvent Irish whiskey, elevating its potential as a luxury product and restoring Ireland’s reputation for crafting the finest whiskeys in the world. 

Formed in 2018 by Irish entrepreneur Jay Bradley, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was born from a desire to return Irish whiskey to the heights it once enjoyed. To achieve such a goal has taken a complete reimagining of the craft; honouring centuries of tradition but questioning convention and adding scientific understanding to reinvent the maturation of the whiskey. No expense is spared, no corners are cut.

In 2021, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. became the most highly awarded new company of the year amassing a total of seventeen awards across both Taste and Design for four of its ultra-rare whiskey releases. In 2022, the company continued this award-winning streak, adding the world’s Best Irish Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards for The Devil’s Keep, and a perfect score to achieve Platinum at the A’Design Awards for The Emerald Isle.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is the exclusive Michelin Plaque Distribution Partner for The Michelin Guide Star Revelation Great Britain and Ireland 2022.

 For more information visit www.craftirishwhiskey.com  or click vimeo.

Fabergé

Fabergé, the world’s most iconic artist jeweller, creates extraordinary jewellery, timepieces and objets d’art, as well as bespoke commissions for a discerning international clientele.

Founded in 1842, Fabergé has been the most revered name in jewellery ever since Peter Carl Fabergé became official goldsmith to the Russian Imperial Court; the house created exquisite jewels and objects, including the legendary series of lavish and ingenious Imperial Easter Eggs.

Today, Fabergé takes inspiration from its storied past to introduce a new era of enchanting and enduring personal possessions and gifts for contemporary connoisseurs. By painting with the world’s finest coloured gemstones, Fabergé explores the art of colour through creations which are designed to become future heirlooms.

Fabergé collections are available to purchase via its boutiques in London, Houston and Dubai, its’ By Appointment service in London and New York and through authorised retailers in over 80 countries around the world. Selected items are also available via Fabergé’s online boutique at Faberge.com.

The Correa Family Foundation

The Correa Family Foundation is a non-profit organisation created by the Correa-Oppenheimer family with the mission to provide transformative experiences and support to children affected by poverty or illness. The board of Directors is headed by Dr. Ricardo Flores, who is also Clinical Director at the Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands.

The Foundation specialises in helping with the emotional and economic burden of childhood cancer are enormous and affect the well-being of the entire family. Part of the Foundation’s mission is also to commit to support communities affected by natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Correa Family Foundation is a cause close to Jay Bradley’s heart. His daughter was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare form cancer, when she was five-months old and thanks to charities like the Correa Family Foundation is now a healthy, thriving young woman.

American Oak ex-Tawny TD0309

Tomorrow we release an American oak ex-Tawny, TD0309.

TD0309 is a testament to the ultra high standards we set ourselves at Sullivans Cove.

In March of 2021, TD0309 scored very highly with the Sullivans Cove tasting panel, so we began watching it closely. It was then assessed on 9 different occasions between April 9 2021 and February 8 2022. Each of these 9 times, the panel was blown away by the flavour and texture of this rich American oak ex-Tawny, but it hadn’t quite reached its full potential.

Until now.

16 months since that first high score, and the scales have finally balanced for TD0309. We are generous with our time at Sullivans Cove, and we track our casks extremely closely because we want to catch them when they reach their absolute peak.

Until the panel is unanimous, we will not decant.

American Oak ex-Tawny: TD0309

Storm clouds of Dutch cocoa powder loom over an engine oil ocean – this is a whisky with serious backbone and a broad, rich flavour profile.

Sullivans Cove spirit, brought to you in the wrappings of toasty Australian Tawny, and 13.5 years of careful maturation. Both of these fighters refuse to go down, and the bell just keeps tolling.

13.5 years old, matured in a 300L first-fill American oak ex-Tawny cask, TD0309 yielded just 439 bottles.

Read the full tasting notes here

This whisky will be released via ballot.The ballot will open for 24 hours from 10am Hobart time on Tuesday 26th of July. Further details will be sent prior to the ballot opening.

A note on our ballot system. 

Our policy is one entry per person, per household, per ballot. Our fraud detection algorithm detects multiple entries and removes them to ensure our whisky lands in the hands of our genuine supporters, so to ensure your entry counts, please enter each ballot once only. If you have any questions around our ballot process, you can email us at info@sullivanscove.com Successful entries will be notified shortly after the ballot closes.

Our July Auction ENDS SOON!

Auction closes from 8pm (BST) Tuesday 26th July.

www.speysidewhiskyauctions.co.uk

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Linkwood 25 Years Old Distillery Label 70cl 46%

NOSE: Hints of baked apple, stewed raisin, and cinnamon enhance rich Sherry influences. Sweet liquorice aromas develop enhanced by light floral nuances. A polished oak edge remains.

PALATE: Sweet and spicy; date, prune, and raisin flavours complement warming pepper. Hints of cinnamon and clove add spice. Tangy blackcurrant notes mixed with sweet cherry jam and candied citrus fruit.

FINISH: A nutty edge balances the lingering oak notes.

£195.00

Mortlach 25 Years Old Distillery Label 70cl 46%

NOSE:  Rich and full; Sherry and orange marmalade notes combine with stewed dates and prunes. Underlying herbal aromas surface and transform into brown sugar with gentle toffee highlights.

PALATE: Pronounced Sherry influences join crème brûlée, orange marmalade, sultana, and raisin flavours. Hints of mature oak appear whilst an aniseed edge underscores dark chocolate notes.

FINISH: Medium with lingering charred oak and cocoa powder.

£195.00

Pre order shipping week commencing August 1st

Cities Of The Future is a global, Limited Edition series featuring some of the world’s most iconic cities. The stunning illustrations by Luke Halls, the renowned digital artist, offer a utopian vision of famous future cityscapes in the year 2220, including London, Seoul, Sydney and Singapore. These highly collectable whiskies are only available in limited quantities, and are exclusive to the country that is featured on the bottle.

£214.95

ralfy review 936 Extras – £15 million for a cask ?

Clonakilty Distillery has announced future sustainability commitments

The distillery has outlined a number of pledges in an attempt to increase awareness of sustainability and will focus on reducing overall energy usage with the aim of eliminating the use of single-use plastic from their whiskey packaging by the end of the year.

The purpose behind these commitments is to increase biodiversity in Clonakilty by working with the local community to provide food and habitat for native birds, bees, and insects. The Distillery has outlined a number of commitments, including planting over 100 mature trees and 400 natural hedgerows and shrubs by 2023, as well as establishing a permanent wildflower meadow.

Michael Scully, Managing Director at Clonakilty Distillery said, “We take our environmental responsibilities seriously, prioritising sustainable actions where possible”.

He added that “We work closely with our colleagues and the local community in Clonakilty while constantly seeking improvements to implement best practice so that we at Clonakilty Distillery can make our own difference in helping to shape a better world”.

The distillery has already made a direct and significant impact on the economic and social well-being of the community by taking over a former bank building in a prime waterfront location in Clonakilty town.

Other sustainability commitments are as follows:

• By the end of 2022 the distillery will reduce average glass weight by 15%.
• By 2025, a minimum of 40% recycled glass will be included in the standard bottles, with the intention of increasing this even further as technology allows.
• By 2025, 100% of packaging materials will be reusable, recyclable and/or compostable.
• The Distillery has promised to continue assisting local charities and groups on a yearly basis, as well as creating and cultivating relationships with local sustainability community groups.  By 2023, 100 percent of production will take place in the local area and community. This will involve processes such as blending, bottling, and packaging.

To keep up to date with all things Clonakilty Distillery, check out Clonakilty Distillery on Twitter @clondistillery, on Facebook @clonakiltydistillery and on Instagram @clonakiltydistillery. For more information visit https://clonakiltydistillery.ie/