NEW SINGLE CASKS MURRAY MCDAVID

Exciting new single casks, recently in from excellent indie bottler, Murray McDavid!

Glen Spey 16 Year Old – 2007 | Benchmark

Distilled in 2007 and matured for 16 years in total with the final 4.5 years in a Murca Tawny Port barrique. 324 bottles filled from cask #804943 at 54.7% vol.

Glentauchers 26 Year Old – 1996 | Mission Gold

An absolute splendid old and rare release. A UK exclusive distilled at the Glentauchers distillery in 1996, matured for 26 years in total with some time in an Oloroso sherry cask. 131 bottles only.

Ben Nevis 10 Year Old – 2012 | Benchmark

Distilled in the beautiful Highland town of Fort William at the Ben Nevis distillery, this 10 year old single malt spent the final 5 of those years maturing in a red wine barrique from the famous vineyards of Chateau Lafite, Bordeaux!

Coastal Embrace 28 Year Old – 1995 | Mission Gold

This well aged blend has been crafted from single malt distilled at three legendary coastal distilleries, Bunnahabhain, Laphroaig and Highland Park, along with further Speyside malts including some from a certainly distillery starting with M!

For further details on any of these drams, head over to Abbey Whisky via the link below.

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Signatory Vintage North British 31 Year Old

£141.29 / $148* / c$201* / €136*

1991 vintage single Oloroso sherry butt bottle for the Cask Strength Collection. North British 31 Year Old 1991 vintage Lowland single grain Scotch whisky. Refill Oloroso sherry butt #272163 bottled October 2023 by Signatory Vintage for the Cask Strength Collection. 560 numbered bottles.

North British Distillery was established on farmland to the west of Edinburgh in 1885 by Andrew Usher, John M. Crabbie and William Sanderson. Since then the city has expanded ever outwards and now the distillery resides in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh. North British opened in 1887 to guarantee supplies of grain whisky for its owner’s cordials and scotch whisky blending businesses. It is equipped with four Coffey stills to produce grain spirit at 94.5% alcohol and multi-million litres of spirit annually. Whilst most of its whisky matures in racked warehouses in the central Lowlands, a small number of casks spend at least eight years at the distillery in dunnage Warehouse No.1. Official releases are very few but excellent independent ones are available from Hart Brothers and Hunter Laing.

Tasting Notes from TWB.

Nose: The olfactory profile of this 31-year-old whisky presents a harmonious fusion of aromas. Initial impressions reveal robust notes of seasoned oak intertwined with delicate nuances of vanilla and caramel. Aromatic spices, notably cinnamon and nutmeg, impart depth, while the presence of dried fruits, such as figs and dates, contributes to a layered sensory experience. Subtle undertones of tropical fruits, including pineapple and mango, add a touch of exotic allure.

Palate: On the palate, this whisky exhibits a lusciously smooth texture, indicative of its considerable age. Rich oak flavors dominate, complemented by a pronounced sweetness reminiscent of honey and toffee. Dark chocolate undertones, accompanied by hints of freshly brewed espresso, provide depth and complexity. Orchard fruits, notably apples and pears, lend a refreshing fruitiness, while warm baking spices, including cloves and a hint of pepper, add a subtle yet invigorating warmth.

Finish: The finish is prolonged and satisfying, characterized by a lingering warmth that gracefully recedes. Oak influences persist, offering notes of leather and tobacco, which contribute to a refined and contemplative denouement. A delicate balance between residual sweetness and a subtle bitterness ensures a harmonious conclusion, while lingering spicy notes, underscored by a hint of citrus zest, provide a tantalizing finale.

AON – SINGLE CASK 18-443
SINGLE MALT WHISKY

70cl | 57.1% ABV

Aon, or “One” in Gaelic, is a collection of single cask whiskies from Nc’nean Distillery. This exceptional single malt was matured in a single STR red wine cask that yielded just 302 bottles. The Whisky offers delightful flavours of English sweet treats, sticky toffee pudding, fudge, and fruit crumble with a buttery texture and a long finish. Bottled at a robust strength of 57.1% ABV, without chill-filtration and with no added colour.

£93.95

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Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 546 – Doing Their Own Thing And Not Conforming..!

Welcome to the second episode of the show dedicated to the Independent bottler Claxton’s. This week I’ll be looking at a selection of their cask strength, single cask releases in their Warehouise No1 series. Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Featuring

Claxton’s Warehouse No1 Port Dundas 2006 (15 year old) 58.1%

Claxton’s Warehouse No1 Orkney Islands (Highland Park) 2012 (9 year old) 61.2%

Claxton’s Warehouse No1 Linkwood 2010 (13 year old) 54.6%

Claxton’s Warehouse No1 Ben Nevis 1997 (26 year old) 47.1%

Claxton’s Warehouse No1 Arran 1996 (27 year old) 50.4%

Claxton’s Warehouse No1 Bruichladdich (Port Charlotte) 2008 (14 year old) 53.2%

www.claxtonsspirits.com

“WHISKY IS A LONG-TERM GAME”: CHIVAS BROTHERS POINTS TO SUCCESSFUL PREMIUMISATION STRATEGY, DESPITE CATEGORY-WIDE SOFTENING

Chivas Brothers, the Pernod Ricard business dedicated to Scotch whisky, today announced its H1 FY24 (July 2023 – December 2023) financial results with organic net sales down -6% against a high comparison basis.

The company attributes its performance to market and inventory normalisation following two years of outstanding growth. Chivas Brothers continues to outperform the market over the same period[1], owing to its world-class whisky portfolio and broad and balanced global footprint. With a +11% CAGR[2] since H1 FY21, Chivas Brothers also demonstrates a strong and stable growth trajectory despite significant global market fluctuations.

The business’ H1 FY24 performance, driven by a high price/mix effect, reinforces the resilience of its long-term premiumisation strategy, with consumers continuing to seek out prestige brands and experiences. Luxury whisky Royal Salute notably saw an uplift of +8% in organic net sales during the reported period.

Chivas Brothers’ Chairman and CEO, Jean-Etienne Gourgues, commented:

“Our H1 FY24 performance paints a clear picture of whisky market normalisation while also demonstrating the positive impact of strategic business decisions made in line with our premiumisation strategy. Whisky is a long-term game: we remain focused on our ambition to open up to new markets and consumers through product innovations and brand experiences.”

Performance across strategic brands

Royal Salute

Royal Salute continued to increase its value share with +8% global growth, as the brand continues to elevate through luxury releases, including the launch of Royal Salute 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition II and Royal Salute Coronation of King Charles III Edition. Notably, Royal Salute saw sustained growth in Asia, Global Travel Retail and South America.

Chivas Regal

Chivas Regal global sales softened –7%, partially offset by growth in its Prestige portfolio (+4%).

Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s global sales were down -8%, partially offset by the strength of Ballantine’s 30, as well as strong growth in its Prestige range through Global Travel Retail.

The Glenlivet

The Glenlivet global sales softened -5%, partially offset by growth in its Prestige portfolio (+29%). The brand gained share in the US market, despite inventory normalisation, and is growing in Asia, with key performers including India and Taiwan market.

[1] Chivas Brothers exports vs. Scotch Whisky Association exports (Volume & Value) Jul-Dec 2023

[2] Compound Annual Growth Rate or cumulating organic year on year net sales growth

LOCHLEA PLOUGHING EDITION SECOND CROP

£49.99

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This is the last release in the 2nd Crop set from Lochlea distillery and is even smokier than last year having been matured exclusively in ex-Laphroaig barrels! The seasonal small batch releases showcase the signature Lochlea style in four different ways each year. The icy blue label represents the cold and frosty Ayrshire mornings at the distillery…

As ever, if you have any questions or queries, please just get in touch.

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BLENDED SCOTCH DISTILLERY

Old School Malts 31 Year Old Signatory (2024)

£327.12

Old School Malts 31 Year Old is a blended malt Scotch from Signatory Vintage containing whisky from these remarkable distilleries: Ardbeg, Balvenie, Bruichladdich, Banff, Brora, Caperdonich, Clynelish, Coleburn, Convalmore, Dallas Dhu, Dunglass, Dufftown, Glen Albyn, Glen Mhor, Glenfarclas, Glendronach, Glen Garioch, Glenugie, Glenlochy, Glenury, Imperial, Killyloch, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ledaig, Littlemill, Linlithgow, Lochside, Longrow, Macallan, Millburn, Oban, Pittyvaich, Pulteney, Port Ellen, Rosebank, Springbank, Scapa, Strathisla, Talisker and many more. Matured in sherry casks and bottled 2024.

Blended Scotch whiskies are produced by blending whiskies distilled at two or more different Scottish distilleries and the whiskies may be single malt whiskies, single grain whiskies, or single malt and single grain whiskies.

Tasting Notes from TWB.

Nose: Rich and complex, with notes of dried fruits such as raisins, dates, and figs. Aromas of oak, vanilla, and toffee mingle with hints of dark chocolate and espresso. There’s a subtle smokiness reminiscent of a distant bonfire, with a touch of brine from coastal distilleries like Talisker and Scapa.

Palate: Luxuriously smooth and velvety on the palate, with a symphony of flavors unfolding. The sherry cask influence is evident, with layers of sweet, sticky dried fruits, complemented by baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. There’s a gentle peat smoke that adds depth without overpowering the palate, reminiscent of Lagavulin and Laphroaig. The whisky evolves with time in the glass, revealing hints of honey, marzipan, and dark berries.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, with lingering notes of oak, dark chocolate, and a touch of sea salt. The sweetness of the sherry casks lingers alongside a subtle earthiness and a hint of leather, leaving a satisfyingly rich and complex aftertaste.

Overall, this whisky offers a remarkable balance of flavors and a depth of character that reflects the influence of its long maturation in sherry casks, combined with the distinctive characteristics of the various distilleries represented in the blend.

NEW LIMITED EDITION:
BALLANTINE’S x RZA

We’re delighted to share a highly collectible Ballantine’s collaboration with Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA – the 2024 release of its seven-year-old blended whisky. A partnership rooted in history, love of music, good taste and a belief in doing things your own way, this limited-edition bottle features handwritten words from a poem RZA wrote on his first visit to Ballantine’s, along with the iconic Wu-Tang Clan hands.

Matured exclusively in American oak barrels, this blended Scotch whisky offers notes of toffee apples, vanilla, and honeysuckle, with a burst of pear, caramel, and baking spice on the finish.

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This us a friendly reminder that our first Spring 2024 collection schedule has been finalised. Please click HERE to see the list of dates, locations and to register your interest in the March 2024 collection service.

The deadline for collection requests is 12noon on Monday 11th March 2024.

Home collections are available for those customers sending 10+ bottles or bottles to the value of £1000. Lots can be split over the next three auctions.  Unfortunately this service is not available in London or to those customer who live within 10 miles of a collection point. Collections are limited and offered on a first come first served basis. It is essential that a submission sheet is completed, you can find the link to do so under the selling section on your ‘My SWA’ page. It would be appreciated if bottles could be packed for uplift with your name clearly marked on the front of the box.

A winner in our auction? We are now offering a delivery service to customers who are dropping bottles off for a future auction. This service is charged at £12 (inc VAT), optional loss and breakage cover is available.

Submission Form & Label

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 523: Roseisle 12 Year Old Diageo Special Releases

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries something very exciting. The Diageo Special Releases are a yearly event that every whiskylover looks forward to. This year, it also saw the very first release – as a single malt – of the Roseisle distillery, that huge green plant near Elgin that produces two styles primarily: Speyside Light and Speyside Heavy. Most of the 12 million litres per annum are destined for blends like J&B, Bells, Buchanan and, of course, Johnnie Walker. But now we find ourselves able to try a 12 years old single malt from Roseisle, nicknamed The Origami Kite.

https://youtu.be/Sa1Zs4nDEUc