Archive for November, 2023

THE MACALLAN A NIGHT ON EARTH THE JOURNEY – The Whisky Shop News

THE MACALLAN A NIGHT ON EARTH THE JOURNEY

The Macallan A Night On Earth The Journey

The second release in A Night On Earth series, The Journey has been crafted in collaboration with acclaimed Chinese artist Nini Sum.

Guarantee your bottle before it is released.  Pre-Order today and have it delivered direct to you from next week!

£105.00

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Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more

LONGROW 21 YEARS 46% – Scotch Whisky News

LONGROW 21 YEARS 46% 
RRP £260 – £270

Nose
There is a savoury note in the introduction to this dram, along with hints of hazelnut and blackcurrants.

Palate
Syrupy sweet yet delicate on the palate, there are notes of fizzy cola bottles and cigar box smoke.

Finish
A characteristically Longrow finish reminiscent of shingle beaches, flint and seaweed.

DISTILLERY LIMITED RELEASE

Whisky Wednesday Reviews Bruichladdich Rhinns Single Barrel – Islay Scotch Whisky News

https://youtu.be/edMMFqklcEw

Bruichladdich.

That distillery name conjures up many an opinion on their many distillates. But now we get to focus on one that doesn’t get so much attention, Rhinns.

Rhinns is the level below Port Charlotte, but just above the standard distillate regarding PPM. This, along with Lochindaal (baby Octomore), are rarely sold in the public facing sectore, they’re typically reserved for private cask purchases, which makes them all that more elusive to the ‘must try all’ whisky drinkers that we are.

Matured in a Yulumba Viognier cask, this has all of those fun notes from Laddie, but with a little more flourish around the edges.

BERRY BROS. & RUDD CELEBRATES 325 YEARS WITH EXCLUSIVE LAPHROAIG BOTTLING – Islay Single Malt News

BERRY BROS. & RUDD CELEBRATES 325 YEARS

WITH EXCLUSIVE LAPHROAIG BOTTLING


Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd honours its historic 325th anniversary with an exclusive bottling handpicked by Chair, Lizzy Rudd.

The limited edition release, derived from the renowned Laphroaig Distillery on Islay, is a testament to the company’s rich history of exceptional craftsmanship that spans over three centuries. The liquid itself has been patiently maturing since 1999 to create exceptional depth, complexity, and character.

Lizzy Rudd, Berry Bros. & Rudd Chair, commented:

“We started bottling casks under our label in the early 19th century so to celebrate our 325th anniversary, we wanted to offer something truly exceptional. This exclusive bottling from Laphroaig is a testament to our long-standing commitment to curating the finest spirits.”

Rob Whitehead, Spirits Buyer at Berry Bros. & Rudd, added:

“Every so often, when tasting through our repository of casks, one barrel begins to separate itself from the pack. When this happens, it feels beholden on us to find the ideal moment for such casks to shine at their brightest. Selflessly tasting an earmarked special cask repeatedly over several years helps us to pinpoint the optimum age for bottling – thus capturing the whisky at the height of its development. We had been tracking this barrel for a while and, with unknowable serendipity, its particular apogee coincided with our 325th anniversary celebrations”

From the creation of Cutty Sark whisky at the dawn of the 20th century to the recent launch of The Collective #1: The Pioneers, a celebration of sustainability, Berry Bros. & Rudd has consistently demonstrated innovation and leadership in the world of spirits.

Berry Bros. & Rudd 325th Anniversary Laphroaig 1999 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, £800.00, will be on sale at bbr.com, beginning 21st November 2023, with only 232 bottles made available.

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TASTING NOTES

Berry Bros. & Rudd 325th Anniversary Laphroaig 1999 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

A spectacular bouquet; sophisticated peat smoke, luscious pineapple, coal soot and mango all appear in perfect balance. This dram rewards some patience and a little breathing time shows yet more complexity, with lychee, apricot, harbour rope and engine oil. The palate lives up to the promise offered by the nose with perfect poise and grace, peat smoke beautifully tempered with age and a serene tropicality note to offer a beguiling experience.  Subtle vanilla, spice, bonfire ash and soot linger on the finish.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Berry Bros. & Rudd has been a trusted merchant since 1698 and in 2023 it celebrates 325 years in business. It’s survived over the centuries because, as a family business, it has always operated with family values in mind. Recognised as the global destination for fine wine and spirits, Berry Bros. & Rudd still operates from its historic home at No. 3 St James’s Street and are committed to helping customers drink better now, and in the future. As it marks its 325th year, it continues to collaborate with our community of customers, producers, and colleagues to help create a sustainable future so it can confidently raise a toast to the next 325 years.

Oldest Vintage Glenfarclas Wealth Solutions Available On The Mark Littler Shop – Scotch Whisky News

Oldest Vintage Glenfarclas Wealth Solutions Available On The Mark Littler Shop 

There are no remaining Glenfarclas casks distilled prior to 1953. 

As vintage Glenfarclas whiskies go, you will be hard pressed to find one older than this. Glenfarclas distillery has no remaining stock that was distilled prior to 1953. As a result, whisky collectors vie for these Glenfarclas 1953 58 Year Old Wealth Solutions bottles when they come to market.

The Glenfarclas 1953 58 Year Old Wealth Solutions #1674 is available for £5,151 on the Mark Littler Shop.

The whisky was distilled on 20th November 1953 (70 years old as of this week) and bottled on 13th February 2012. It is from a single sherry butt, number #1674.

A panel of whisky experts and connoisseurs handpicked this sherried single malt for bottling and sale through Wealth Solutions, Poland. These experts included Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun, Ben Ellefsen who is the Sales Director at Master of Malt, Michał Kowalski of Wealth Solutions, and George Grant of the Grant family, owners of the Glenfarclas distillery. Four casks were tasted but #1674 was the chosen cask.

Only 400 of these legendary bottles were released and sold exclusively through Wealth Solutions. As such, they are extremely rare in the UK market. If you would like to get your hands on some of the oldest remaining Glenfarclas stock, head over to the Mark Littler Shop.

About Mark Littler Limited

Mark Littler is an independent whisky broker, market analyst and consultant with over a decade of experience in the industry. Each week he publishes new videos on his YouTube channel about topics such as cask investment fraud (and how to avoid it), the history of distilleries and bottles, debunking whisky investment myths and much more. For more information visit www.marklittler.com.

If you are interested in the Glenfarclas 1953 58 Year Old Wealth Solutions or would like to chat to one of the team about our other services, please get in touch.

Email: whisky@marklittler.com

Telephone: 01260 218 718

K&L California “25-Year-Old Blair Athol at a Jaw-Dropping, One-Time Price” – Scotch Whisky News

The Trophy Scotch Buy of 2023 at Over 25% Off
1997 Blair Athol 25 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Highland Single Malt
Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Previously $280)
($199.99)

“Here is the big dog for the year. We’re not expecting another old sherry butt of any kind until sometime next year.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

The coup de grâce among all the smash-hit exclusive casks we’ve taken in this year has to be this 25-year-old stunner from Blair Athol. The revered Highland distillery seldom shows up on the independent market, so when a cask comes along we jump. Especially when it’s a 25-year-old, premium sherry cask strength edition! We’re making room for some incoming new treats, so take advantage of our one-time price at under $200.

1997 Blair Athol 25 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Previously $280) ($199.99)

K&L Notes: This beautiful cask of Blair Athol is truly the star of our 2023 campaign. We rarely get access to such exceptional old malt, and if you’ve been following the K&L Exclusives, this will easily compare to the wonderful 25-year Cragganmore we sold last year. The Blair Athol malt is an absolute dream, and when you put it into high-quality casks, it can produce one of the Highlands’ most complex and delicious whiskies. Founded in 1798 by John Steward and Robert Robertson, it changed hands many times until eventually being mothballed in 1932. It was after that that Arthur Bell purchased the distillery to make it the home of his Bell’s Blend. Production started up again in 1949 and continues to produce the top dressing malt for blends. But a few special casks make it out of the system, and we’re extremely lucky and proud to have procured this exceptional whisky. Fewer and fewer casks are able to offer this old malt experience for a relatively reasonable price. Anyone looking for great old Highland sherry-aged malt should look no further. This is the best around.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: June 06, 2023

Here is the big dog for the year. We’re not expecting another old sherry butt of any kind until sometime next year. Let’s get in there asap! A gorgeous chestnut/russet color. The nose is all purple plums and dried berries, coupled with deep roasted arabica beans, old mahogany, cocoa powder, and gingersnaps. It’s a bit asleep I think. Leave it for 20-30 minutes and it’ll give so much more! Deep oloroso nutty character, dried plums and raisins, old leather, sweet medium-roast brewed with a dollop of cream, hints of savory allspice and tarragon. The palate is rich and open with gorgeous, creamy cocoa, wild honey, sweet caramel candies, and a big clove finish. It’s so pretty and appealing, it may actually bother some of the people hoping for a sulfury funk bomb like we’ve seen in other Blair Athols. Luckily, the sulfur lovers will still have plenty of other gorgeous stuff to love here too. With water, the savory character really develops, adding more leather, and more pure oloroso oxidative notes on the palate, taming the big spice at the end. I think it’s really pretty either way, but water does do a lot here so maybe try it both ways. This is really exceptional whisky, and my only demand is that you give it time in the glass or you’ll miss all the fun.

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

 

Discover The Macallan Lifestyle Collection – Scotch Whisky News

The Macallan Lifestyle Collection

Transform your space into a haven of warmth and welcome with The Macallan Lifestyle Collection.

Embrace the luxury of slowing down, savouring the cosy ambience of your home after an invigorating autumnal outing. The Macallan Lifestyle Collection comprises carefully crafted and curated pieces to elevate the most sacrosanct of spaces.

This collection is exclusively available at The Macallan Estate Boutique, The Macallan Online Boutique and The Macallan Boutique in Raffles, Singapore.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTION

Our Biggest Ever Japanese Whisky Sale… Dekanta Japanese Whisky News


Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 508: Glen Moray 15 Year Old 2007 Thompson Bros – Scotch Whisky News

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 508: Glen Moray 15 Year Old 2007 Thompson Bros

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tastes a Glen Moray. It is one of those distilleries that often stays under the radar, producing primarily for blending purposes. But sometimes independent bottlers succeed in selecting an excellent single cask. This is one of those, bottled by Phil and Simon Thompson under their Thompson Bros label. It’s a single bourbon cask from 2007, bottled in 2023 at cask strength. And while it’s a UK exclusive, Mark was lucky enough to have a pal bring over a bottle.

£1.8 Million / $2.2 Million Auction Record for a Collection of Japanese Whisky – Stratospheric Whisky News

Auction Record for a Collection of Japanese Whisky

KODAWARI | The Greatest Japanese Whisky Collection

Achieves £1.8 Million / $2.2 Million

“I am delighted that we have broken the record for the most valuable collection of Japanese whisky ever sold at auction. The KODAWARI Collection was built tirelessly over many years by an extremely passionate and dedicated collector and it’s fantastic to have achieved such a fitting result for him and his bottles. With many of the rarest whiskies from Karuizawa, Hanyu and Yamazaki distilleries among others, it was a real honour to work on a collection of this calibre and bring yet another record-breaking collection to auction at Sotheby’s. The result far outweighs the previous record which is a testament to the quality and rarity of the KODAWARI collection and this is undoubtedly one of my career highlights so far.”

James Gray, Sotheby’s Whisky Specialist

17th NOVEMBER 2023 – Today at Sotheby’s in London, an auction record for a collection of Japanese whisky was achieved when KODAWARI | The Greatest Japanese Whisky Collection brought an overall total of £1,784,937 / $2,216,892.

Predominantly made up of single cask releases from the famed Karuizawa Distillery, which ceased production in 2000, many of which rarely come to auction, the four-hour sale drew spirited bidding in the room and on the telephones as well as online. The results were headlined by a bottle of Karuizawa 52 Year Old Cask #5627 1960, which sold for £300,000 / $372,600. One of only 41 bottles and the oldest Karuizawa to have been released, each is uniquely identified not by a bottle number, but by an individual character or katabori netsuke that was carved from the oak cask head of cask #5627.

The collection included in excess of 150 bottles of Karuizawa dating back to 1960, alongside rare whiskies from The Yamazaki, Hakushu, Yoichi and Hanyu distilleries. Among the top lots were a trio of Karuizawa distilled in 1965 and bottled for the 60th Anniversary of Parisian whisky shop, La Maison du Whisky, and a bottle of the Karuizawa Aqua of Life 45 Year Old, released for the Taiwanese market.

This year, 2023, marks the centenary of Japanese whisky – a spirit that 100 years ago was forged in the footprint of Scotch whisky, but nowadays very much has a unique standing in the whisky collecting world. Today’s sale was made possible by one collector’s foresight for the potential of Japanese whisky. Not only did the collector manage to obtain some of the rarest whiskies ever produced, he is also in the unique position of having tasted almost every single one of them, including the Karuizawa 1960. His passion overwhelmed any sense of trepidation when building the collection – when he began his foray into Japanese whisky, interest in the category outside of Asia was fairly non-existent, which is surprising given the exceptional quality of much of the malt whisky being produced in Japan. Although a ‘hidden gem’ in the West at the time, Japanese whisky was still fairly accessible. By the early 2010s, the whiskies had begun to appear regularly in Europe and the collector – a true enthusiast – started to swap and trade bottles with other like-minded individuals around the world to ensure his collection was as comprehensive as possible.

About Sotheby’s

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and overhead premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.


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