The Epicurean Pays Homage to City of Glasgow with Launch of New Cask Strength Glasgow Edition 

Award-winning Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky brand, The Epicurean, today reveals a new release dedicated to “his” home City of Glasgow – also home to independently family-owned parent company, Douglas Laing & Co. This limited-edition expression marries together the finest Single Cask Single Malts from the Lowland region of Scotland and is offered at a natural cask strength of 56.8% alcohol, proudly without colouring or chill-filtration. Strictly limited to just 3,000 bottles globally, this release is expected to be snapped up quickly.

Presented in a black bottle with gold foiling and packaged in a premium gift tube, the “striking” black and gold design was inspired by the 1920’s Art Deco visual arts era, the same era that inspired The Epicurean’s brand character – a true Glasgow gentleman. Tasting notes are said to reveal “fresh fruits with lashings of runny honey and sweet raspberry jam”, a dram the Douglas Laing team describe as a “spectacular melody of sweet flavours”.

To support the new release, the team behind the iconic Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky brand have partnered with local bar KONG to host an official launch event where invitees will get the chance to sample this new, limited edition bottling plus enjoy several Epicurean based cocktails.

Commenting on the special edition bottling, Cara Laing, Marketing Director, said:

“The Epicurean Glasgow Edition takes our hats off to the culturally unique city that we call home and perfectly encapsulates the ever-friendly, vibrant and energetic spirit of Glasgow. The exceptional liquid quality and premium packaging pay tribute to the values held by our Epicurious gent, who is ever the life and soul of the party and a connoisseur of fine food and drink.”

The Epicurean Glasgow Limited Edition will be available from specialist Whisky retailers around the world, plus online retailers, from May 2022. It carries a suggested retail price of £52.50 / €62.00.

ABOUT THE EPICUREAN

Instagram: @theepicureanwhisky

Facebook: /dltheepicurean

Meet The Epicurean – our 1930s Glasgow man, a real cheeky character who was ever the life and soul of the party and a connoisseur of fine food and drink. A master of versatility, this fresh, zesty, grassy marriage of the finest Lowland malts is perfect for cocktail hour or simply for sipping. 

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO.

www.douglaslaing.com

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distillery, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards is testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay).

Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular, Xtra Old Particular and XOP Black, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

SCOTCH WHISKY AUTHENTICATION PIONEER THE WHISKY BARREL LAUNCH SECOND RELEASE

Wednesday 1 June, 2022, Fife, Scotland

Scotland’s specialist online whisky shop, The Whisky Barrel launches the second single cask Scotch whisky with a full Digital Provenance Certificate (NFT).

Recognising the growth of digital whisky collections and bridging the gap between the physical and the digital world ‘phygital‘. Fife-based online whisky merchant, The Whisky Barrel, is run by Alastair Brown with his brother, Chris. They have applied blockchain technology to 279 bottles of a single cask of peated Scotch distilled at Annandale distillery, whilst also featuring recognition of the poet and lyricist, Robert Burns, the once local exciseman in Annan.The Whisky Barrel’s Digital Provenance Certificates (NFTs) securely transmit essential product information on a public ledger, helping collectors and connoisseurs alleviate the risk of investing in counterfeit whisky.

“The positive response from customers who purchased our first release a Glen Moray 30 Year Old has emphasised the benefit that this technology brings to rare Scotch whisky. Each individual bottle features a layer of provenance that’s unrivalled in the Scotch whisky industry.” Alastair Brown

Developed in conjunction with Aberdeen-based tech start-up CD Corp. Each Digital Provenance Certificate is minted on the Solana (SOL) blockchain platform, chosen for its verified carbon-neutral, low-energy consumption.

Today sees the release of the second bottling a 6-year-old peated whisky distilled at Annandale distillery in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Each of the 279 individually-numbered bottles feature a unique QR code that links to its corresponding Digital Provenance Certificate. This token provides digital proof of ownership, as well as the provenance of each bottle, which can be stored in a digital wallet securely on a smartphone.

Owners of the these bottles are granted membership to The Whisky Barrel Scotch Club hosted by Solsea.

The Annandale 6 Year Old is the second release from The Whisky Barrel’s 15th Anniversary Portfolio Series, that will culminate in the bottling of a 50-year-old single cask whisky.

Second release Annandale 6 Year Old

The second release of The Whisky Barrel’s 15th Anniversary Portfolio Digital Provence Certificate series is a Annandale 6-year-old. This modest yield of 279 unique bottles was minted on 12th January 2022. The Whisky Barrel’s decision to digitally certify their provenance adds an enhanced layer of security for buyers.

Lowland single malt distilled at Annandale Distillery.

2015 vintage.

59.7% ALC/VOL

Single cask, 1st fill Oloroso Sherry Butt.

Bottled the old-fashioned way at cask strength with natural colour and unchill-filtered.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Bonfire smoke, shortbread, roasted nuts and sweet sherry.

Taste: Layers of peat smoke and sherry, cherries, warm spices and almonds.

Finish: More smoke, long and oily with pine cones and sugar ginger.

Bottle #001 Digital Provenance Certificate (NFT) on Solsea

THE ENGLISH – 11 YR
4300 bottles available
£59.95
70cl   46% ABV

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The 132nd auction is now live!

We are live a day earlier this month as the office is closed tomorrow in recognition of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

This month Scotch Whisky Auctions will be donating more than 50 bottles, with 100% of the hammer price and commission being donated to the DEC to support their ongoing relief efforts in Ukraine.  By clicking the ‘Charity’ tag you can navigate to all the Ukraine charity bottles once the auction goes live, but here are a few of the highlights.

Glenlivet 80 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail Generations with Sample Set

Before we get into the charity bottles here is an exceptionally rare whisky which was actually distilled before Queen Elizabeth II had even sat on the throne, the peerless Glenlivet 80 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail Generations.  The oldest whisky ever bottled until the Macallan Reach was announced earlier this year, this expression is a frankly astonishing release from Gordon & MacPhail and will be sure to take pride of place in one lucky collection at auction end.

Macallan Classic Cut 2017 Release

A fantastic bottle from one of Speyside’s heavy hitters, The Macallan.  The Classic Cut series, besides being incredibly tasty, has gone from strength to strength in the secondary market.  This 2017 has been achieving record prices recently and shows no signs of stopping.

Lagavulin 22 Year Old Jazz Festival 2020

The Islay Jazz Festival has given us some terrific Lagavulin bottles over the years, and none more so than this 22 Year Old for the 2020 iteration.  This is another release whose value has been steadily increasing lately at auction, and would be a welcome addition to any collection.

Daftmill 2007 Single Cask #43 for Abbey Whisky

One of the new kids on the block Daftmill is actually a working farm and has only been making whisky since 2005, so this 2007 hails from the early days of the distillery.  Bottled in 2020 for online whisky shop Abbey Whisky this is an ex-Heaven Hill bourbon single cask of undoubted quality.

By donating these bottles we are trying to make a genuine and positive contribution using the best means available to us, with the only intention being to raise the largest amount of money that we can for a worthy cause.

We sincerely hope that these bottles will achieve the highest prices possible, and in some small way we can all help to ameliorate the suffering of the Ukrainian people.

Highland Park 1989 32 Year Old Connoisseurs Choice

Aromas of orange oil and nutmeg linger, moving to toffee apple and a surprising but welcoming hint of menthol. 

This Highland Park single malt is part of the Connoisseurs Choice Series. This expression spent 32 years slumbering in a refill sherry butt before 347 bottles were filled at 51.9% abv.

On the nose, there is orange oil, golden syrup, and nutmeg. The palate has sweet caramel coated apple complemented by a surprising but welcome menthol hint before leading into the spicy medium finish.

£779.00
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Limited edition

BUNNAHABHAIN ABHAINN ARAIG

Fèis Ìle 2022 starts today and in celebration of this iconic whisky festival, Bunnahabhain has released Abhainn Araig, a rich and velvety limited-edition single malt inspired by the waters of Islay. Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon casks, Pedro Ximenez sherry casks and sherry octaves, this bold and spicy dram is packed with flavours of dried raspberries, milk chocolate, macadamia nuts and cinnamon.

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New Riff “K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #18-8658″ Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $49.99 View

Knob Creek “Single Barrel Select” K&L Exclusive Barrel #14479 (Distilled 10/10/12, Warehouse I, Floor 6, Rick 68) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $59.99 View

Knob Creek “Single Barrel Select” K&L Exclusive Barrel #14675 (Distilled 10/10/12, Warehouse G, Floor 3, Rick 48) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $59.99 View

Jack Daniels “ Barrel Proof” Single Barrel Select Tennessee Whiskey (750ml) $62.99 View

ralfy review 929 – GlenAllachie 13yo @ 48%vol: (Madeira cask finish)

Joint Honours for the Urquhart Brothers

Michael (L) and Ian (R)

Gordon & MacPhail has offered their warmest congratulations to two of their former Managing Directors who were both awarded CBEs in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Honours List this week.

Ian and Michael Urquhart, both third generation owners of the Elgin based Scotch whisky specialists were granted their honours for services to the Scotch Whisky Industry and to Charitable Work in Moray.

Ian, Managing Director of G&M from 1990 until 2007, having started in the business in 1967, said it was an honour and a pleasure to receive the award in her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee Year. He continued: “I have had the privilege to lead two successful family-owned Moray companies. They are two very different businesses – single malt Scotch whisky and Scottish cashmere – yet they share a commitment to producing the highest quality iconic products, now exported to over sixty markets throughout the world.  None of this would have been possible without the support of my family and the wonderful staff at both Johnstons of Elgin and Gordon & MacPhail who I have worked with over the last fifty years.”

Michael Urquhart added: “I am delighted to receive this honour in such a special year for Her Majesty. I like to think this is not mine alone but recognises the Urquhart family as a whole and our role in building a grocer’s shop in Elgin into a thriving business which exports around the world and is now the owner of two distilleries. Ian and I are only sorry our late brother David is not here to see the family honoured in this way.

“None of this, of course, would have been possible without the support and hard work of our wonderful staff at Gordon & MacPhail over the years. And of course, I also have to thank my wife Ailsa and our four children for putting up with my almost nonstop travelling over the years.”

Michael was Joint Managing Director, together with David Urquhart, from 2007 until 2012 when he became sole Managing Director until his retirement in 2014. A Chartered Accountant, he had initially joined the business in 1981 as Finance Director.

Both Ian and Michael continue to be active in local charities and in the wider business community. Ian remains a Deputy Lord Lieutenant and is also President of Johnston’s of Elgin. Michael is as busy as ever in the Scotch whisky industry, as Chairman of the Scottish Committee of the Worshipful Company of Distillers and is also a non-Executive Director at the National Theatre for Scotland and leads the Strategic Business Forum on the Moray Growth Deal.

Gordon & MacPhail was established in Elgin in 1895 and continues to be owned by members of the Urquhart family. The company owns Benromach Distillery in Forres and will its second distillery, The Cairn, is due to open later this year.

Notes 

Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned premium spirits company based in Elgin, Scotland. Owner of Scotch whisky distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn, Gordon & MacPhail is also a Scotch whisky maturation expert, the owner of Scottish Gin brand, Red Door and the operator of a wholesale business in the United Kingdom selling premium Scotch whiskies and spirits, along with a high-quality retail outlet.

The company owns Benromach Distillery located in Forres in Moray.  Benromach Single Malt Scotch Whisky is handcrafted using traditional methods by a small team of distillers using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. The multi award-winning portfolio of single malts is enjoyed by whisky drinkers worldwide.

The company launched Red Door in the summer of 2018. Created at Benromach Distillery, this award winning, small batch Scottish gin now forms a strategic part of the company’s product portfolio.

Work commenced in July 2020 on The Cairn, the company’s second distillery, overlooking the River Spey towards the Cairngorms.  The new site will add further distillation capacity and brand ownership to the company’s asset base and is a key part of the plans to continue building a long-term sustainable business.  A high-quality visitor experience offering tours and tastings will also attract visitors from around the world.

Since the founding of the business in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has sent casks to Scotch whisky distilleries throughout Scotland to be filled with new-make spirit, before being left to mature for many years either at the distillery or in their bonded warehouses in Elgin.  The Gordon & MacPhail portfolio offers some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to discerning whisky drinkers globally.

The company’s wholesale business serves customers throughout the United Kingdom selling Benromach Single Malt, Red Door gin and Gordon & MacPhail whiskies into the on and off trade. The business also exclusively represents a number of ‘distributor’ brands and stocks premium whiskies and spirits.

The retail shop in Elgin remains the ‘spiritual home’ of the business, 127 years after it was first established in 1895.  The shop is home to a large selection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies and is a destination for many whisky aficionados from around the world.

SECOND BATCH OF 30-YEAR-OLD

GLENALLACHIE HITS THE MARKET

Batch 2 of The GlenAllachie 30-year-old Cask Strength Single Malt is

world-leading Master Distiller, Billy Walker’s latest creation 

Hot on the heels of announcing whisky veteran Billy Walker’s 50^th Anniversary in the Scotch Whisky industry, The GlenAllachie today launches the second instalment of its oldest and most prestigious core offering: The GlenAllachie 30-year-old Cask Strength Batch 2 Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The annual batch-release by the leading distiller debuted last year to great acclaim, with the small quantity of bottles issued being met with substantial demand.

Batch 2 (UK RRSP £600) is a limited release of just 2,000 bottles globally, each encased in a premium black rigid box with impactful gold foil detailing.

The second instalment marries antique whiskies from eight casks handpicked by Walker from stocks spanning more than 50,000 maturing across 16 on-site warehouses at GlenAllachie.

To create this sophisticated whisky, Walker meticulously selected 1990 and 1991 vintages matured in six former Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry hogsheads and puncheons, along with two 1990 American virgin oak barrels which were toasted and charred to a medium level.

The result of Walker’s exceptional blending and wood management prowess is an outstanding whisky that epitomises rich Sherry-matured elegance, with flavour profile revealing layers of Seville orange, coffee beans, desiccated coconut and Medjool dates.

The remarkably opulent Speyside Single Malt is bottled at its cask strength of 50.8% ABV, non chill filtered and without added colour.

Reflecting on the exclusive release, Walker comments:

“When we first unveiled our 30-year-old Cask Strength annual release last year, we were completely overwhelmed and humbled by the immensely positive response from whisky fans around the world. This fuelled me with great enthusiasm to get underway with the next batch, endeavouring to raise the bar even higher with this instalment.

“We’re delighted to present the second batch of our eldest core release, delivering a bold and complex organoleptic profile truly representative of our house style and where we are taking The GlenAllachie Distillery.”

The GlenAllachie 30-year-old Cask Strength Batch 2 is available from specialist retailers globally, with a UK RRSP of £600.

ABOUT GLENALLACHIE:

One of Scotland’s few independently owned and managed distilleries, The GlenAllachie is led by industry veteran, Billy Walker, who boasts a 50-year tenure in whisky. With an emphasis on wood policy, The GlenAllachie’s cask budget for 2022 stands at an eye-watering £2m/$2.6m. With 16 on-site warehouses holding over 50,000 casks, we have complete control of the end-to-end maturation process.

The GlenAllachie focusses on quality over quantity, which is why we chose to reduce our production capacity from 4m to 500,000 Litres of Alcohol and increase our fermentation period to 160 hours for an ester rich, fruity spirit.

We believe age and integrity matter, which is why all our whiskies carry an age statement, and are bottled at a minimum of 46% ABV, natural colour and non-chill filtered for maximum flavour experience.

Our other brands are MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits – encompassing Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Exploration Rum – and White Heather Blended Scotch Whisky.

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com

Facebook – @TheGlenAllachie    |    Twitter – @TheGlenAllachie    |    Instagram – @theglenallachie_

TASTING NOTES

The GlenAllachie 30-year-old Cask Strength Batch 2 – 50.8% ABV

Colour: Rich Mahogany.

Nose: Bursting with heather honey, sultanas and mocha, followed by waves of cinnamon, coconut shavings and dried fruits.

Taste: Lashings of dark chocolate, figs and orange zest, with hints of treacle, raisins and cinnamon, with nutmeg on the finish.