BONHAMS UNVEILS EXCEPTIONAL WHISKY SALE IN HONG KONG THIS MAY

Unique Yamazaki Whiskies Exclusively Blended For

Famed Kyoto Michelin-Star Chef Kenichi Hashimoto

A set of Yamazaki Genmu and Hitomi (4 bottles). Estimate: HK$300,000 – 500,000 (From left) Yamazaki-Green Hitomi, Yamazaki-1991-Black Hitomi-Cask #1S70427, Yamazaki-Genmu, Yamazaki-Genmu Premium Red Edition

16 May 2024 | HONG KONG

Finest and Rarest Whisky (5pm)

Hong Kong – Bonhams is set to kick off its spring sales season in Hong Kong with two exciting auctions – Finest and Rarest Whisky to be held on 16 May 2024. Taking centre stage at the Finest and Rarest Whisky sale is a set of Yamazaki Genmu and Hitomi (HK$300,000 – 500,000), exclusively blended for Michelin-star chef Kenichi Hashimoto by Seiichi Koshimizu, former Suntory’s chief blender.

“This season, we have curated exceptional auctions in Hong Kong, highlighting the remarkable diversity and depth of our spirit offerings,” said Amayès Aouli, Bonhams Global Head of Wine and Spirits.

“The spotlight of our whisky sale is on the unique Yamazaki Genmu and Hitomi set, including the ultra-rare Genmu Premium Red Edition. An epitome of culinary and whisky craftsmanship, they are not only masterworks by two connoisseurs of taste, but also embodiment of a close bond and admiration between Hashimoto and Koshimizu.” 

FINEST AND RAREST WHISKY

Four bottles of Yamazaki-Green Hitomi, Yamazaki-1991-Black Hitomi-Cask #1S70427, Yamazaki-Genmu, Yamazaki-Genmu Premium Red Edition will be auctioned as a set for the first time, carrying an estimate of HK$300,000 – 500,000.

A Fusion of Refined Palates

Kenichi Hashimoto, owner and chef of the famed Michelin-star Kaiseki restaurant Ryozanpaku in Kyoto, Japan, and Seiichi Koshimizu, former Suntory’s chief blender, have shared a close friendship for years. Thanks to a gift from Koshimizu, Hashimoto was introduced to the captivating world of whisky, which led him to embark on the creation of Whisky Kaiseki—an exquisite fusion of Japanese whisky and cuisine. So exquisite is his culinary sensibility that, as soon as Hashimoto began his tasting journey, he discovered an extraordinary and distinctive mix of flavours with Sherry and Mizunara casks. Mesmerised, Hashimoto approached Koshimizu with a request. Despite nearing retirement, the legendary master blender was so inspired that he decided to craft a unique Japanese whisky exclusively for his friend, resulting in the creation of Yamazaki Hitomi. This victorious collaboration prompted Hashimoto and Koshimizu to explore new horizons, culminating in the birth of Genmu Premium Red Edition in 2012. Limited to a release of just 40 bottles, it features a blend of six handpicked, extremely rare Yamazaki single malts. 

Japanese whisky highlights:

• A set of Yamazaki Genmu and Hitomi (4 bottles). Estimate: HK$300,000 – 500,000
• Karuizawa-29 year old-#8897-Aika Geisha; Karuizawa-30 year old-#5347-Aika Geisha, a set of 2 bottles. Estimate: HK$250,000 – 350,000
• Yamazaki-1984-The Peninsula-#WM0044. Estimate: HK$120,000 – 160,000

In addition, the sale also features an exciting array of Scotch whisky:

• The Macallan-72 year old-Genesis in Lalique. Estimate HK$380,000 – 580,000

• Johnnie Walker 1805-The Celebration Blend. Estimate: HK$80,000 – 120,000

 Bonhams Hong Kong Saleroom, 20/F, One Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong 

Upcoming Wine & Spirits Sales Worldwide 

16 May | Finest and Rarest Whisky (Hong Kong)

20-29 May | Finest Whisky and Spirits (Scotland)

3-13 June | Rare Spirits (US)

21 June-3 July | Finest Whisky and Spirits (France)

About The Bonhams Network

Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.

Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement. More information here.

In 2023, Bonhams achieved 14% growth with $1.14 billion in turnover. Recent important auctions and landmark single-owner collections, include the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Alain Delon: Sixty Years of Passion; Sir Roger Moore: The Personal Collection; Personal Property of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting. Other notable single-owner sales included The Estate of Barbara Walters: American Icon; The Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; The Crown Auction: Props and Costumes and The Claude de Marteau Collection.

Top lots for 2023 include 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, Sold at Quail Lodge, US for US$30,255,000. Tipu Sultan’s Bedchamber Sword (sold in London for £14m – a world record for both an Islamic and an Indian object); Paul Signac (1863-1935), Sisteron, 1902. Sold for US$8,580,000 (estimate US$4-6 million), and Claude Monet (1840-1926), La Seine près de Giverny, 1888. Sold for US$6,352,500 (estimate US$4-6m), both from the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; A Gilt Copper Alloy figure of Virupaksha, Central Tibet, Densatil Monastery, Early 15th century. Sold for HK$37.9m (£4,060,326) in Hong Kong. Yoshitomo Nara (born 1959) Three Stars. Sold for HK$36,754,000 (£3,930,914), also in Hong Kong.

More information and highlights can be found HERE

For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

Saltire Rare Malt to launch at Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

Falkland, Fife / Archiestown, Speyside – Thursday 2 April 2024

Independent bottler Saltire Rare Malt Ltd will present its first 3 releases celebrating the 25^th edition of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. The company was originally founded by Keith Rennie and Nigel Heywood, two Scottish friends from Falkland in Fife.

Keith Rennie comments: “We wanted to honour the pedigree of Scotland’s liquid pride and started to quietly buy casks of maturing whisky over the past decade. Now, 530 years after the official birth of Scotch in 1494, coincidentally at Falkland Palace, we thought it was the right time to release the first bottlings of Saltire Rare Malt. In the Whisky Couple, we have found the perfect team to curate our stock.”

The Whisky Couple, Hans & Becky Offringa, are honoured to have been appointed curators of the entire stock, consisting of over 250 casks, and growing. Each bottle will carry a small statement about their involvement. “We’ve never before connected our name so clearly to a specific whisky company, but really felt this is the time and the opportunity to do so. The stock is of excellent quality and from a wide variety of distilleries’ adds Hans.

David McCallum has been appointed UK & Europe Brand Ambassador, and he will focus on introducing the brand to consumers and the trade. David comments “I am excited to join the project to bring a new independent bottler to the market, with Saltire Rare Malt single cask bottlings released only when ready, at a minimum of 48.8% abv or higher and at 14 years old or older.”

Saltire Rare Malt will be initially available in the UK and The Netherlands with other countries planned to follow soon after, such as Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Japan, New Zealand and the USA amongst others.

The Saltire Rare Malt Aultmore 14 years old and Tamnavulin 15 years old bottlings will be presented during four sessions at the Dowans Hotel in Aberlour on the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 3 to 5 pm, as part of “A History of Scotch”. Limited places are still available and can be booked HERE 

The Saltire Rare Malt Glen Moray 17 years old bottling will be presented at the Glen Moray Distillery on Saturday evening at the Star Wars Event Return of the Jedi, limited tickets available HERE 

During the Spirit of Speyside Festival, bottlings of all three Saltire Rare Malt single cask whiskies will be available to purchase at Hotel 1881 in Archiestown and The Dowans Hotel in Aberlour.

To find out more about Saltire Rare Malt, visit https://www.saltireraremalt.com/

About the Saltire Rare Malt Collection 2024 Releases:

Release No.1 – Saltire Rare Malt Glen Moray 17 years old

Region: Speyside

Distilled: 4^th May 2007

Bottled: 4^th May 2024

Cask: #800471

ABV: 48.8% abv

Notes: 2^nd Fill American Oak

Bottles in Batch: 310

RSP: £105

On the Nose and Palate:

A bit of a surprise on the nose and palate but very tasty with a gentle goodbye.

This whisky has a pale gold colour in the glass. The nose starts with aromas of stewed apples, tinned pears and pineapple chunks. A sturdy background of malty notes supports this fruit salad, which is laced with aniseed and crystalized ginger.

On the palate, what follows is a succulent burst with more fruit (ripe cherries) and shaved hazelnut.

The finish is slightly astringent and pleasantly reminiscent of bitter lemon soda. Adding water is not recommended since it slightly flattens the delicate experience of this fine malt.

Release No.2 – Saltire Rare Malt Aultmore 14 years old

Region: Speyside

Distilled: 25^th March 2010

Bottled: 26^th March 2024

Cask: #21250

ABV: 48.8% abv

Notes: 2^nd Fill Oloroso Ex-Agitator

Bottles in Batch: 380

RSP: £79

On the Nose and Palate:

A nice aperitif, elegant and accessible. This would be a lovely accompaniment to a summer fruit salad.

This whisky is pale gold in the glass. On the nose is an immediate hint of buttered banana bread surrounded by floral aromas of broom, honeysuckle and pansy, carried on a malty platform.

That malty character carries on in the palate with added notes of walnut and unsweetened citrus lemonade. A quiet finale, medium long and very pleasant. This dram really benefits from a dash of water to release a fresh floral note appearing next to more banana aromas.

Release No.3 – Saltire Rare Malt Tamnavulin 15 years old

Region: Speyside

Distilled: 2^nd April 2009

Bottled: 3^rd April 2024

Cask: #1975

ABV: 48.8% abv

Notes: 1^st Fill Ex-Rhum Agricole

Bottles in Batch: 296

RSP: £95

On the Nose and Palate:

A very agreeable aperitif that may serve as a companion with asparagus with a butter cream sauce and a dusting of celery salt.

This pale gold whisky is slightly mineral in the nose at first, then followed by toasted banana bread. Then the aromas remind one of walking on a green wet lawn while tasting fresh sour cherries. Later a clear vegetal note of cooked asparagus sprinkled with lemon juice arrives, over a background of wet sawdust.

On the palate it is really fruity and vegetal, with the emphasis on the latter. After a while longer, angelica appears during a pleasant, slightly bitter finish that does not linger. Add a few drops of water and notice an increased creaminess in the mouthfeel.

About The Whisky Couple, Hans & Becky Offringa:

Hans Offringa is an international author and whisky expert who has worked in the industry for over 30 years. An inductee of the Whisky Hall of Fame, a Kentucky Colonel and a Keeper of the Quaich, Hans is a judge at the Scottish Whiskies Awards and the World Whisky Awards and serves as Director on the Advisory Board of The Council of Whiskey Masters.

Becky Lovett Offringa is a Keeper of the Quaich and co-author of numerous whisky books. Becky is a well-respected judge at the Scottish Whisky Awards and the World Whiskies Awards. She also is a Member on the Advisory Board of the Council of Whiskey Masters.

Becky & Hans, internationally known as ‘The Whisky Couple’, are trusted partners of the Saltire family and with their guidance and advice we are proud to be launching our inaugural release in May 2024.

ARDBEG DAY 2024
ARDBEG SPECTACULAR

The next Ardbeg Day release has arrived and it’s one of the Islay distillery’s most innovative expressions to date – the first-ever Ardbeg whisky matured in Port casks. The result is a classically oily and heavily peated Ardbeg single malt with notes of eucalyptus, mint chocolate chip, mossy peat smoke and worn leather on the palate. A real treat for Islay fans.

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Mortlach 23 Years Old Connoisseur’s Choice

This single malt was distilled in 2000 at the Mortlach Distillery in Dufftown, in the heart of Scotland’s Speyside Region. It was aged for 23 years and bottled without chill filtration or artificial colouring from a single First Fill Sherry Butt. It is a rich and fruity whisky with notes of bright vanilla, stewed plum and dark chocolate.

Only 563 bottles were produced.

£225.00

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Bulleit 12 Year Old Rye Whiskey (750ml)

$44.99 View

Bulleit, the nation’s number one rye whiskey, added a 12 year to their lineup back in 2019 and it sold out instantly. The same 95% rye, 5% malted barley mashbill is used here, and longer aging provides more smoothness, richness, and a longer finish than the standard rye. Now in 2024, the blend includes whiskies up to 17 years old and remarkably, the price is little changed despite the inflation we’ve seen over the last 5 years. There is virutally no American whisky available at 12 years old under the $50 mark. This makes this latest release from Diageo one of the best values in the country.

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

The Good Dram Show – Episode 553 ‘World Whiskies’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be reviewing a random selection of world whiskies. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 553 – Simply A Random World Whisky Episode!

Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Featuring

Cadenheads World Whiskies Union Distillery 5 year old 58.4%

Mackmyra Destination 48.7%

James Sedgwick Distillery Three Ships 10 year old Limited Edition 44.6%

High Coast Hav ‘Oak Spice’ 48%

Hatosaki 12 year old Umeshu Cask Finish 46%

Milk & Honey 2018 (3 year old) Private Cask 64.5%

 Filmed & Edited by Chris Goodrum

 Disclaimer The views, thoughts, or opinions expressed during this episode are solely those of the individual involved (me) and do not represent those of my employer.

Glen Scotia unveils ‘Campbeltown Malts Festival 2024’ limited-edition release

Glen Scotia has unveiled its 2024 Festival Edition release – a limited-edition bottling to celebrate the Campbeltown Malts Festival (21^st and 22^nd of May 2024), the annual event which celebrates the region’s incredible whisky past and present.

Glen Scotia’s yearly festival bottlings are known for being intriguing, bold expressions, and the 2024 global release is no exception.  The nine-year-old unpeated single malt was matured in first-fill bourbon barrels before being finished in the finest Fino sherry casks for six months.

The result is a charmingly unconventional dram which brings vibrant flavours of citrus and white orchard fruit along with hints of oak spice. Natural in colour, its mouthfeel is satisfyingly dry before it finishes with a subtle but distinctive maritime note.

Following on from the success of Glen Scotia’s first-ever on-pack virtual experience with last year’s Festival Edition, the 2024 edition will again offer fans the chance to go behind the scenes of the distillery.

By scanning the on-pack QR code, viewers will be transported to the ‘Sound of Glen Scotia’.

Created by whisky expert and musician, Neil Ridley, music producer, Dean Horner, and Scottish singer-songwriter, Jenny Sturgeon, Sound of Glen Scotia will allow audiences to create their very own music track by putting together soundbites captured at the distillery with the musical track ‘Copper Heart’, which was created by the trio for last year’s Malts Festival.

From banging casks as drumbeats and mash tuns churning to soundbites of the distillery team’s discussions during production, the soundbites allow audiences to enjoy a completely immersive tasting experience as they sip this year’s Festival Release.

Available to purchase online and in specialist retailers globally, Glen Scotia’s Campbeltown Malts Festival 2024 release is non-chill filtered, bottled at cask strength (56.2% ABV) and retails for £65.

Iain McAlister, Glen Scotia master distiller and distillery manager, said: 

“This 2024 Festival Release bottles the unique and exciting atmosphere of the Malts Festival – a delicious dram which is quintessentially Glen Scotia, with our distinct salty maritime note and salinity, as well as being bold and punchy, appealing to those looking for something a little more unconventional. 

“With tickets for our events selling out in record time this year, it is an increasing priority for us to share the spirit and character of our remote whisky home with our fans around the world who cannot make the festival. The on-pack virtual experience does just that, and our discerning aficionados can transport themselves inside the walls of the distillery in what is a wonderful experience for any whisky fan.” 

 Every year, Glen Scotia welcomes whisky enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy the charm of the ‘Wee Toon’ and sample the finest drams from Scotland’s smallest whisky-making region at the Campbeltown Malts Festival.

This year, the team will partner with experts from the industry, including Dave Broom, Becky Paskin and Millie Milliken, for a host of ticketed and free events that celebrate the rich heritage of the town and Glen Scotia.

Glen Scotia’s 2024 Campbeltown Malts Festival release is available to purchase via specialist suppliers and the Glen Scotia website, visit HERE

For further information on this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival, visit: www.glenscotia.com/

Tasting notes:

Nose: Fresh floral

Palette: Lemon citrus, white orchard fruits and oak spice.

Finish: Long, satisfyingly dry with a subtle maritime quality and salinity

About Glen Scotia 

Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.  Producing peated and non-peated whiskies, the distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the stillroom and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s. To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style the brand has become world-famous for.

Recognition of Glen Scotia’s style and craftsmanship continues to be acknowledged globally.

• In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old single malt was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Over 3,800 entries across thirty-one categories were judged with Glen Scotia being awarded the overall winner across all countries and styles. Only seven months later, Glen Scotia was also named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2021.
• In 2022, Glen Scotia’s Victoriana won ‘Best In Class’ in the Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• In 2023, Glen Scotia won ‘Best Single Cask Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards for a single cask bottling distilled in 2009 and aged for 13 years exclusively in a first-fill bourbon barrel.
• Later that same year, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old won a coveted Platinum award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, which is awarded to the very few entries that receive a Double Gold medal for three consecutive years at the prestigious global event.

GLEN SCOTIA

CAMPBELTOWN MALTS FESTIVAL 2024
UNPEATED FINO SHERRY FINISH

9 Years Old | 70cl | 56.2% ABV

To celebrate the Campbeltown Malts Festival of 2024, Glen Scotia has released a magnificent un-peated nine year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. After a minimum of 6 months in Fino Sherry casks, this Single Malt is bursting with citrus and orchard fruits, woven with a distinctive Campbeltown maritime quality. The 2024 edition is bottled at cask strength, is natural in colour and is non-chill filtered.

£64.95

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Tasting notes:

Fresh and floral with notes of vibrant lemon citrus, white orchard fruits and oak spice. The finish is long and satisfyingly dry with a subtle maritime quality and salinity.

Cask-Strength Batch 2 reveals another side to

Lochlea’s award-winning spirit

Award-winning Ayrshire distillery, Lochlea, will be revealing its second cask strength whisky on 10^th June, just in time for Father’s Day – the perfect dram for those looking for a bolder version of the farm-to-cask distillery’s much celebrated single malt whisky.

Cask Strength Batch 2 follows last year’s launch of the distillery’s first ever cask strength bottling, released to show whisky lovers how the Lochlea house spirit tastes at a higher ABV.

Batch 2 differs from last year’s release – not only is it older, but this year’s bottling uses a cask make-up that the distillery has never shown before: Pedro Xímenez (PX) (60%) and Oloroso (28%) sherry butts, as well as STR barriques (12%). The various cask profiles give the whisky a weightier, peppery European Oak finish.

Each cask brings a different dimension to the final vatting: the Oloroso brings a creamy, dry and fruity character, the STR casks offer a spice and depth and the PX gives an interesting and unique sweet mustiness to the spirit.

Bottled at 60% ABV, this limited edition whisky is one of the oldest Lochlea whiskies to be released, with the majority of the liquid being five years old alongside a small amount of four year old spirit. The five year old spirit in the bottling also adds a fuller complexity to the final whisky.

John Campbell, Lochlea’s Production Director said: “Last year’s Cask Strength exceeded expectations for a 4-year-old, setting a high standard. With Batch 2 this year, we’ve once again surpassed expectations. This whisky packs a punch, showcasing a complexity greater than the sum of its parts.”

“Cask Strength Batch 1 had lovely layers of fresh, tropical fruit. Batch 2 has less of the signature Lochlea green apple dominance, but will have more weight to it, with a floral, lively palate and peppery European Oak finish. Batch 2 will feel bigger and bolder than Batch 1, making it an interesting dram to explore.”

Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 2 will be available from 10th June, RRP: £66.50 – the perfect special gift for Father’s Day this year.

Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 2

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Apples, peach syrup, marmalade

Palate: Wild lavender, rose petals

Finish: Black pepper, dried fruit, hints of apple and pear 

For a full list of Lochlea stockists, visit: Lochlea Distillery stockists

About Lochlea Distillery:

Lochlea was originally a 222-acre livestock farm before being purchased by Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006. After much consideration of the future of the farm and a successful trial to grow its own barley in 2015, the couple transformed the land and existing farm buildings into a fully operational distillery in 2017 and started distilling the following year. The farming side has remained a unique part of Lochlea, with the move into barley production – paving the way for Lochlea to be one of the very few fully grain-to-cask distilleries in Scotland. It also has a rich Scottish heritage with strong links to Robbie Burns, with the bard having worked and lived on the farm a several years.

Lochlea Distillery has recently won the following awards:

– Icons of Whisky Scotland 2024: Single Estate and Brand Innovator

– Icons of Whisky 2023: Single Estate Distillery of the Year

– San Francisco Spirits Competition 2023: Our Barley – GOLD

– Las Vegas Global Spirits Competition 2023: Our Barley – GOLD

– Scottish Field Summer Whisky Challenge 2023: Distilleries under 10 Years Old – GOLD

– Scottish Field Summer Challenge Awards 2024: Distilleries under 10 Years Old AND £50- £100 whiskies: GOLD for Fallow Edition (Second Crop)

Loch Lomond The 152nd Open Course Collection 2000 24 Year Old

Released to celebrate the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon, this special edition is one of only 4,500 bottles. Distilled using a combination of whisky from the distillery’s unique Straight Neck pot stills and more traditional Swan Neck stills, the expression was matured for 24 years in American oak casks, including a six-month finish in the finest Manzanilla sherry butts from Jerez, Spain.

£290.00
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