The Macallan Harmony Collection

We are delighted to introduce the third release in the Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow and travel exclusive Green Meadow. Created in collaboration with Stella and Mary McCartney, the third release of the Harmony Collection celebrates the lush and fertile lands of Scotland, which connect all those who have stood upon them for generations.​

DISCOVER MORE

Green Meadow

This special single malt exudes notes of fresh citrus, vanilla and almonds. A single malt reminiscent of wild meadow. Green Meadow will be available from The Macallan Global Boutiques, in key airports and selected duty free locations around the world from February 2024. There will be limited availability worldwide.

The Macallan Distillery Experience, The Macallan Distillers Ltd,  Easter Elchies,  Craigellachie,

Moray, AB38 9RX, Scotland, +44 (0)1340 318 000

New Cask Collection No.71

Our 71st Cask Collection and final curation of 2023 is a celebration of boldness. Covering drams from the southern lowlands of Annandale to the northern highlands of Balblair, this release focusses on intensity of flavour…

CLICK HERE

Single cask whiskies are understandably lauded for their nuance and subtlety; singular expressions of distillery character, a particular cask type, and the idiosyncrasy of maturation. Yet at its heart, Scotch whisky is a potent spirit, embodying strength and warmth. The exceptional quality of Scotch whisky is that such a strong, high-abv drink can exhibit a myriad of tastes and aromas from all areas of the flavour wheel. As independent bottlers, we seek to harness the power of the cask, and restrain it in smartly presented 700ml glass containers.  

A. D. Rattray’s 71st Cask Collection and final curation of 2023 is a celebration of boldness. Covering drams from the southern lowlands of Annandale to the northern highlands of Balblair, this release focusses on intensity of flavour. The subtle quirks of single casks remain, but the overarching quality throughout this selection is a certain strength of character. Major contributors to this style include the spirit itself and its method of distillation, fresh, high-impact wood, and of course Islay peat. All feature prominently in this collection.

A Secret Speyside 11 Year Old – 2011 | Thompson Bros.

We’re delighted to announce our current Malt of the Moment is this superb Speyside dram from Thompson Bros. Let’s be honest, it’s all about how the whisky tastes not the look of the bottle, right? But sometimes we do get quite excited about a label and this is one of those times, proper retro! The whisky inside this tasty bottling was filled to cask 21st November 2011 and matured in refill sherry butts. The distillery is a secret but we think there’s a good chance that the label and contents match and this is another tremendous dram from the good folk from Dornoch.

We’ve got very limited stock available at this price.

Free UK Shipping on orders over £95 

Fast EU & Worldwide, Tax Free Shopping 

Nose

LEXINGTON BECOMES “OFFICIAL GATEWAY” TO THE KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®” EXPERIENCE

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) has announced that Lexington is the newest Official Gateway sponsor to the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tourism program.

Already renowned as the “Horse Capital of the World,” Lexington’s additional signature industry designation will bring new economic growth and tourism opportunities to one of Kentucky’s most loved cities.

“With more than a dozen nearby distillery destinations, Bourbon is integral to Lexington’s economy and thriving tourism market,” said Mandy Ryan, Director of Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experiences for the non-profit KDA trade group.

“Lexington is doing a fantastic job showcasing the vibrant charm of our unique Kentucky Bourbon culture,” she said. “They’re a perfect and natural fit as an Official Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure.”

As an Official Gateway sponsor, Lexington receives prominent placement on the KBT® website and marketing materials, including recommended itineraries, signage and more. Lexington joins Bardstown, Louisville and Northern Kentucky as Official Gateway level sponsors.

“Bourbon, horses, and Lexington are an unforgettable trifecta for those who know and love our city,” said Mary Quinn Ramer, President of VisitLex. “By becoming an Official Gateway, our unique culture built on these signature industries will be introduced to thousands of new visitors.

“As the Bourbon and horse industries have grown, so have our dining and hotel offerings ensuring that travelers from across the world are glad they visit.”

Kentucky Bourbon Trail® members in the greater Lexington area include Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg; Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery in Lexington; Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg; Wilderness Trail in Danville and Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® members include Barrel House Distilling, Fresh Bourbon, James E. Pepper Distilling and RD1 Spirits in Lexington; Bluegrass Distillers in Midway; Castle & Key, Millville; Hartfield & Co., Paris; , and Whiskey Thief Distilling, Frankfort.

Lexington also features many popular venues like the 21c Museum Hotel and Lockbox restaurant and bar, which serve local food and Bourbon cocktails. Visitors can also eat well and sleep tight at the Campbell House and its dining destination, The Rackhouse Tavern.

Lexington is known for horses, so a horse farm tour with Horse Country is a popular attraction for visitors as well. Fans from around the world also flock to Keeneland which hosts world-class thoroughbred racing twice annually during its boutique Spring and Fall meets.

For more information about Lexington, go to visitlex.com.

The KDA created the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour in 1999 to give visitors an intimate, educational look behind the state’s most historic distilleries. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® launched in 2012 as the first excursion in the country to showcase smaller distilleries.

Bourbon Trail™ tourists made a record 2.1 million distillery visits last year, the first time the KBT® experiences eclipsed two million in total attendance in its history. In the last 10 years, the amber adventure has skyrocketed by a phenomenal 370% in attendance.

KDA President Eric Gregory said KBT® experiences are an integral part of local and state tourism efforts. Research shows Bourbon tourists trend younger, spend between $400 and $1,200 on their trip, travel in large groups and stay longer than the average visitor to Kentucky.

More than 70% of visitors are from outside Kentucky and nearly half have household incomes over $100,000. “This is a home run demographic for local communities, generating valuable revenue and tax dollars while boosting a hospitality industry still recovering from the pandemic.”

Learn more at kybourbontrail.com.

Gregory said Lexington’s distinctive blend of Bourbon, horses, dining and cultural attractions makes for a diverse visitor experience.

“Lexington showcases both the tradition of and innovations in Kentucky Bourbon,” Gregory said. “From centuries old distilleries to the state’s first Craft distilleries, this area offers an authentic Kentucky experience that makes it a true Bourbon lover’s dream destination.

“Lexington and its surrounding communities have seen what Bourbon can do for economic and job growth and the tourism it can bring. Now, as an Official Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, it’s going to be exciting to watch Bourbon help build the Lexington area even further.”

Our auction is almost at a close, finishing tonight,Sunday 22^nd October from 8pm BST.

Don’t miss out on your last chance to bid on some interesting bottles, including this Macallan 007 James Bond Decade II.

There’s no substitute for a well-aged whisky, like this Strathisla 30 Years Old from bottling giants Gordon & MacPhail, bottled in 2004.

The Dalmore Spey Dram series is available as individual lots, in case you are missing one for your collection, or are just getting started. Of course, you can always bid for all four!

The 1990 Macallan Elegancia was released in 2002 for the travel retail market. Bottlings from this era are becoming harder to source. This example is presented in a 1 Litre bottle.

Whatever your preference, we’ve got something we think will interest everyone and remember folks, if you want to place a cheeky late bid, you’ve got to be in it to win it! There’s still time to register at clickwhiskyauctions.com. Auction ends from 8PM BST on Sunday 22^nd October.

Keepers of the Quaich USA Gala Features Outlander Star Sam Heughan

NY Event Celebrates Scotch Heritage with World’s Most Coveted Drams 

NEW YORK, NY (October 2023) – Keepers of the Quaich USA Chapter (KOTQUSA.org), the American arm of the Blair Castle-headquartered Scotch whisky society, announced that Outlander star, philanthropist and founder of The Sassenach Scotch whisky, Sam Heughan, was the keynote speaker for the Gala at a private members club in Manhattan on October 4, 2023.

The Gala celebrated Scottish culture and heritage and showcased some of the U.S. market’s newest and rarest bottles of Scotch Whisky at a pre-dinner reception for 200 prominent opinion leaders, A-list media and top executives from leading suppliers, distributors, and retailers. Many of the attendees were “Keepers” who have been inducted into the society with pomp and circumstance by the parent organization at Blair Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

Heughan, as the Guest of Honor, took part in the important haggis ceremony, as well as leading a toast with his new award-winning whisky, The Sassenach, which he donated for the evening.

“Over the years, as I traveled, lived and worked abroad, I found myself incredibly homesick. One Christmas holiday, I vividly remember ordering a single malt, from the top shelf of my local London bar,” recalled Heughan, the star of the long-running TV series about Scottish history. “Instantly, the smell took me back to Scotland. Upon tasting, I had such a profound feeling of ‘home’… transported back to the hills and glens of Scotland.”

Keeping Scottish tradition alive, the evening’s first toast featured the presentation of a Scottish Quaich, the two handled drinking vessel that dates back to the 16th century. The Quaich is also known as the ‘Cup of Friendship,’ and has been used for centuries to welcome friends, family, and visitors at gatherings and celebrate the communal drinking of whisky.

“Scottish culture is a cornerstone of Scotch whisky and we are delighted to keep the storied traditions alive with the annual Keepers of the Quaich USA events,” said Chapter CoChair and Diageo’s Chief Marketing Officer Ed Pilkington. “The USA is the most important market for Scotch and there has always been an unwavering relationship and appreciation between Scotland and the USA, which we are honored to have the opportunity to uphold.” 

The evening benefitted the Entrepreneurial Scotland Foundation, a charity that specializes in creating scholarship opportunities in the U.S. for people currently studying in Scotland, many whom are the first in their family to go to college. 

Also speaking was the top Scottish government official in the U.S., Counsellor for Scottish Affairs Chris Thomson, who discussed the importance of whisky in the US/Scotland relationship. 

Notable attendees at the event included: New York Football Giants Punter, Jamie Gillan, known as the Scottish Hammer; New York Giants Placekicker Graham Gano and Sir David MacMillan, PhD, FRS, FRSE, 2021 Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, currently at Princeton University and is from the Glasgow region. 

U.S. Market is Scotch’s Most Valuable and Growing, Particularly at High End

According to the Edinburgh-based Scotch Whisky Association and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, in 2022 the United States was Scotch whisky’s most valuable market, worth $2.7 billion in supplier revenue and growing, up 4.2% from the prior year. Total market volume was nearly 10 million cases, which is equal to 120 million bottles.

“In fact, Americans’ taste for the ‘king of spirits’ is driven by a growing desire for the most expensive bottles, with over one billion dollars in revenue spent on the priciest bottles. That is up 16% over last year,” said Co-chair and Master Keeper Frank Coleman, President of Frank Coleman Strategies LLC.

KEEPERS OF THE QUAICH OCTOBER 4 GALA: SCOTCH WHISKY TASTINGS

BEAM SUNTORY 

Laphroaig^® Single Cask – The Jack Rose

Laphroaig^® Ian Hunter 33YO

Bowmore^® 30YO

Bowmore^® Aston Martin^® Masters’ Selection 22YO

DEWAR’S 

Dewar’s^® Double-Double 37-Year-Old

Dewar’s^® Double Double 21-Year-Old Mizunara Cask Finish

DIAGEO 

Johnnie Walker^® Umami (New Blue Label Extension)

Johnnie Walker^® Blue Label

Mortlach^® 2023 Special Release “The Katana’s Edge”

Lagavulin^® 12 YO “The Ink of Legends” 2023 Special Release

EDRINGTON

Glenrothes^® 18-Year-Old Single Malt

The Macallan Rare Cask

MARUSSIA  

Torabhaig^® Single Malt

Mossburn^® 12-Year Speyside Four Square Cask Collaboration

MOET HENNESSY 

Ardbeg^® Traigh Bhan 19-Year-Old old Batch 5

Ardbeg^® Anthology 13-Year-Old

Ardbeg^® 25-Year-Old

Glenmorangie^® A Tale of Tokyo

THE SASSENACH 

The Sassenach^®

PERNOD RICARD 

Royal Salute^® 21

Chivas Regal^® 25

Aberlour^® 18

WILLIAM GRANT 

Glenfiddich^® 29-Year-Old Grand Yozakura Limited Edition

The Balvenie^® Stories “A Revelation of Cask and Character” 19-Year-Old    

KOTQUSA OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Other KOTQUSA officers and directors include: Vice Chair Marvin Shanken, CEO of Shanken Communications, publisher of Whisky Advocate, Wine Spectator, Cigar Aficionado, along with other leading industry titles; Vice Chair Wayne Chaplin, CEO of Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits; Treasurer Brian Cox, Bacardi Vice President, Dewars Scotch Whisky; Corporate Secretary Kathleen Dibenedetto, Beam Suntory Sr, Director, Seed Brands; Finance Chair Jonathan Yusen, President of Allied Beverage; Paul Ross, CEO of Edrington Americas; Bob Hendrickson, Executive Vice President & COO, Republic National Distribution Co.; William Grant & Sons National Brand Ambassador Lorne Cousin; Mahesh Patel, CEO of the Universal Whisky Experience; and, Jeffrey Karlovitch, Master Blender, LHK Spirits.  

ABOUT KEEPERS OF THE QUAICH

Started in 1988 at the society’s spiritual home at Blair Castle in the Scottish Highlands, Keepers of the Quaich recognizes outstanding achievement in those who work, write or evangelize about Scotch Whisky by honoring them with title of “Keeper.”

A select few are invited each year to be distinguished with the role of Master of the Quaich. Since the foundation of the Society, just over 2,700 men and women from more than 100 countries have received the honor. There are around 300 U.S. Keepers and Masters in the United States.

Our October auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from Friday 20th October until Sunday 29^th October 2023 3pm.

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, invest or enjoy!

Dalmore – 50 Year Old Decanter)

Scapa – 41 Year Old (1979) Vintage Edition (Bottle #8)

Macallan – 40 Year Old (The Red Collection)

Karuizawa – Geisha

Bowmore – 52 Year Old (ARC-52)

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.com.

The Macallan Fine & Rare 1997

The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection is a celebration of place and moment in time, creating a rare opportunity to explore those that have come before us, their trials, their triumphs, and how they have shaped our world, through a medium we can consume.

The latest edition to this Collection of exceptionally rare bottles, The Macallan Fine and Rare 1997 represents over two decades of patience and craftsmanship. Filled on the 20th January 1997 and matured in a first fill sherry seasoned European oak cask for over 26 years, this 1997 Fine & Rare release has emerged as a masterpiece, encapsulating the trials and triumphs of its era.

DISCOVER

The Year That Was, 1997

Cinema has long played a key role in our history and 1997 was a particularly historic year for Hollywood, with several record-breaking films and franchises shining on the silver screen. The Macallan’s history also turned as global sales outpaced domestic sales for the first time, led by the thriving U.S. market. Photographer, Tim Walker, exquisitely captures The Macallan Fine & Rare 1997, channelling Hollywood’s allure and the cinema lights of his hometown for a vivid portrayal of that remarkable year.

The Macallan Distillery Experience, The Macallan Distillers Ltd,  Easter Elchies,  Craigellachie,

Moray, AB38 9RX, Scotland, +44 (0)1340 318 000

What is an autumn indulgence without a perfectly paired whisky dram? Our BRAND NEW bottlings have been aged to perfection, kissed by the embrace of sherry casks and infused with nuances of dried fruits, spices and oak. With each sip, you’ll be transported to a world of richness and depth, where every note tells a story, and every drop awakens your senses.

So why not join us this autumn on a journey of pure delight? Click onto our website to shop all of our Deep, Rich & Dried Fruit flavour profiles or scroll on for more…

BROWSE ALL

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

Spirited Xchange

DIAGEO SPECIAL RELEASES 2023

The Diageo Special Releases is a much-anticipated annual series for whisky enthusiasts. This year’s collection – Spirited Xchange – features one-of-a-kind whiskies from popular distilleries including a peaty Lagavulin finished in Don Julio Añejo Tequila casks and a meaty Mortlach finished in Kanosuke whisky and Pinot Noir casks.

DISCOVER NOW