AWAKEN YOUR SENSES AS CHIVAS BROTHERS UNLOCKS THE VAULT: THE ULTIMATE LUXURY EXPERIENCE TO DISCOVER A HAND-PICKED SELECTION OF EXCEPTIONAL SCOTCH WHISKY CASKS

The Vault takes whisky lovers through a sensory tasting journey at Speyside’s iconic Strathisla Distillery, offering exclusive access to Chivas Brothers’ highly desired portfolio of whiskies.

Chivas Brothers, makers of world-class Scotch whiskies including Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet, unlocks The Vault; a bespoke tasting experience in the hallowed chambers of its Strathisla distillery, leading up to the unveiling of exceptionally rare and sought-after casks from its enviable reserve of high-aged Scotch whiskies. Fourteen precious casks have been revealed for the first time, offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of Scotch heritage.

Guests stepping inside The Vault will be taken through a one-of-a-kind tasting experience which promises to elevate any Speyside visit. The journey will start with a private tour of Strathisla Distillery, the oldest working whisky distillery in the region, founded in 1786, followed by a walk-through of Chivas Brothers’ incredible history with its Archivist. The multisensory journey, guided by Chivas Brothers’ team of experts, will continue in The Vault’s impressive whisky library. A bespoke selection will be drawn from 240 exclusive samples, including distillates, high-aged whiskies and one-off rarities, to lead guests through a fully personalised tasting, before entering the chambers of The Vault itself to enjoy a final dram.

The Vault houses fourteen casks, none of which have been available for purchase before, hand-picked by Chivas Brothers makers, Blending Expert Sandy Hyslop and Cask Expert Kevin Balmforth. Together, they combine more than sixty years of experience and passion to meticulously assess the vast inventory across Chivas Brothers’ reserves. From iconic Speyside single malt, The Glenlivet, to the last remaining whiskies from the now-closed Caperdonich distillery, to the master of exceptional blended Scotch Royal Salute and the newly reintroduced Longmorn single malt, each cask has been chosen for its unparalleled character.

Under a Chivas Brothers expert’s guidance, whisky lovers looking to own an exclusive cask will be taken through a series of tastings best suited to their individual palate, before discovering their perfect cask match to purchase. The elevated experience offers whisky collectors an opportunity to not only own a piece of a Scotch whisky history but also to invest in time, as once a cask is sold it can be safeguarded within The Vault for a further four years of maturation before bottling.

Sandy Hyslop, Director of Blending and Inventory at Chivas Brothers commented:

“Every cask safeguarded inside The Vault demonstrates Chivas Brothers’ unrivalled quality, heritage, and craftsmanship. By opening the doors of The Vault, we are providing a one-of-a-kind opportunity for those visiting Speyside, bringing some of the world’s rarest and most remarkable whiskies into the spotlight for whisky connoisseurs and collectors to enjoy, savour and purchase.”

Jacques-Henri Brive, Head of Luxury Development at Chivas Brothers added:

“The Vault is a unique place where we invite whisky aficionados to discover our exceptional cask programme through a tasting experience like no other. Every journey into The Vault is entirely bespoke, paired with the potential to own one of Chivas Brothers’ most desired whiskies and maturing it in the optimal conditions for up to four more years – which makes this offering a very special one.”

The Vault by Chivas Brothers will be officially unlocked in March 2024. Whether visiting Speyside to discover the incredible world of Scotch, or looking to own a one-of-a-kind cask, The Vault has something to offer and is an experience you will want to explore. To discover more about the exclusive collection and book a personalised experience, which starts at £1,200 per guest, visit www.chivasbrothersvault.com. Guests seeking the ultimate country retreat can extend their stay at Chivas Brothers’ newly reopened private guest house, Linn House.

Follow @chivasbrothersscotch for the latest news and information.

GlenAllachie Distillery

New branding but the same excellent whisky, here’s the fresh new look from GlenAllachie Distillery.

Again working exclusively with UK-based suppliers for all its packaging supplies, reducing the distilleries carbon footprint, this new luxury design uses uncoated paper and opulent black and gold foils, all wrapped in a bespoke embossed bottle.

The whisky speaks for itself, with Billy Walker at the helm the quality is always going to be excellent.

Head over to Abbey Whisky via the link below to view all things GlenAllachie.

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

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40TH ANNIVERSARY
RUBY EDITION

70cl | 40% ABV

To celebrate 40 years of excellence, Irish Distillers have released a limited edition Midleton Very Rare, the pinnacle of Irish Whiskey. The 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition is an extraordinary blend of single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys aged for up to four decades, and finished in a ruby port cask.

With a rich and complex flavour profile, this rare and luxurious Whiskey offers a harmonious blend of sweet and spicy notes, showcasing the expertise of three renowned Midleton master distillers across four decades.

This remarkable expression is a true collector’s item, presented in a bespoke crystal decanter by Waterford Crystal, and a striking handmade wooden display case.

£17,699.95

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WU-TANG DRAM: RZA AND BALLANTINE’S DROP LIMITED EDITION BOTTLE THAT SEES SCOTTISH AND U.S. CULTURES COLLIDE

Hip-hop legend and Wu-Tang Clan frontman RZA and Ballantine’s, the world’s second-most popular Scotch whisky*, have joined forces to release a limited-edition bottle. Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel x RZA Limited Edition is the culmination of their multi-drop collaboration that celebrates going against the norm and staying true to who you are.

The first-ever bespoke iteration of Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel, the bold look of the new bottle is inspired by RZA’s poetry written during his time spent at the home of Ballantine’s in Scotland. The beauty of the surrounding green farmland, blankets of rolling clouds across Scottish Highland plains, and the whisky-making process inspired RZA to capture the experience in a poem that he then left in founder, George Ballantine’s, library.

Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel x RZA Limited Edition epitomises Scotch whisky meeting American attitude. The label features an intricate pattern constructed from the handwritten words of RZA’s poem, complete with the iconic Wu-Tang Clan hands.

The whisky itself is aged for seven years and finished in American oak barrels, expertly combining the depth of Scotch whisky with the sweet touch of American oak to give a true fusion of both Scottish and US cultures. Expect creamy notes complete with the classic vanilla and apple characteristics of the Ballantine’s signature style, as well as extra layers of sweet caramel coming from the American barrel.

When asked about creating the new bottle design RZA said,

“This is a true representation of my entire journey with Ballantine’s. On my first visit to Speyside I found the land and the people so inspiring, it compelled me to capture the experience in a poem. To see this come to life through the bottle design is a true coming together of our cultures.”

Paul-André Vacheron, Ballantine’s Marketing Director at Chivas Brothers adds:

“Our shared belief in doing things your own way is what this collaboration is all about and the unique bottle design adorned with RZA’s words from his time in Scotland, is the perfect poetic note to end our journey together on.”

Over the last year, the partnership between RZA and Ballantine’s has seen the pair launch a bespoke Crosley record player and speaker, a fashion collaboration with Japanese streetwear brand NEIGHBORHOOD, and, most recently, a Ballantine’s inspired hot sauce with Flying Goose. The partnership has been a celebration of RZA’s shared DNA with Ballantine’s, which champions authenticity, showing that when you stay true to who you are there’s no wrong way to live.

The Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel x RZA Limited Edition will be available to purchase worldwide and from thewhiskyexhange.com for RRP £29.99 but is only available while stocks last so is a must-have for whisky lovers and hip-hop fans alike.

For more information on Ballantine’s partnership with RZA visit www.Ballantines.com/RZA or follow @Ballantines on Instagram.

RZA’s Poem

Scotland, greenery on the countryside

Enjoying the scenery on a country ride

Stone cottages adorn the road on opposite sides

It seems beauty has no place to hide

Surrounded by farmland of sheep and grain

Blankets of clouds, skies preparing to release the rain

Showering life-giving water onto the Highland plains

That will be used to infuse the malt and then it’s drained

With the best parts separated from the rest

And we all take a sip, to put the process to its test

Bold new bottlings

Discover the latest releases in our Soho Selection and Vintage Reserve series

Three New Scotch Single Malts

Sourcing, sharing and celebrating remarkable spirits is at the heart of what we do here at Milroy’s. Central to that philosophy are our Soho Selection and Vintage Reserve Collections. Soho Selection celebrates boldly esoteric, modern spirits, while Vintage Reserve brings classic distillery character to the forefront.

Let’s start with Soho Selection. We’ve added a 12-year-old Caol Ila and over in the Vintage Reserve corner we’ve got a stunningly elegant 24-year-old Ben Nevis and an unusually delicate 22-year-old Mortlach. Only 20 bottles of the latter have been released, so act fast if you’re a fan of the iconic Speyside maker.

Explore the collections

Ben Nevis 24 Year Old 1998 Hogshead Vintage Reserve #1219

£275.00

Rich, oily, fruit-forward malt from the West Highlands

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Mortlach 22 Year Old 1999 Vintage Reserve #3874

£350.00

Scarce, strikingly delicate spirit from the Beast of Dufftown

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Caol Ila 12 Year Old Premier Cru Classé Barrique Soho Selection

£94.95

Islay smoke tempered by the elegance of Bordeaux

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LEDAIG TRIPLE WOOD

70cl | 53.8% ABV

The first release in partnership with Tobermory Distillery’s Island Ambassador, renowned wild-life film-maker Gordon Buchanan. This sumptuous dram is made up of three classic Ledaig single malts, each carefully matured in separate casks – one Wine, another Bourbon and a third Port, then expertly married together by Master Blender, Julieann Fernandez.  The result is a distinctive smoky dram, swirling with notes of apple, vanilla, smoky oak and toffee, and a lingering whisper of maple syrup. This limited edition Whisky is bottled at natural cask strength (53.8% ABV), non-chill filtered, with no added colour.

£88.95

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TASTING NOTES:

NOSE:
Sweet nose with notes of poached pears dusted with cinnamon, creamy butterscotch and American cream soda.

TASTE:
An initial burst of apple strudel and vanilla ice cream is balanced with cracked black pepper, wood smoke, toasted oak and treacle toffee.

FINISH:
Lingering smoky finish with cloves and a touch of maple syrup.

BRAEVAL (BRAES OF GLENLIVET) DISTILLERY 34 Year Old 1989 Old & Rare Platinum (2023)

Braes of Glenlivet 34 Year Old 1989 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill hogshead bottled October 2023 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old & Rare Platinum series. 170 numbered bottles. This gold-coloured whisky has a nose of vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce, yellow apple and barley sugar. Orange, ginger and a touch of cinnamon on the palate along with more vanilla, leading into a long finish with a touch of satisfying oak spice.

£451.92

Braeval Distillery is situated on the north-eastern edge of the Grampian Mountains at Chapeltown in Speyside. Opened by Chivas Brothers as Braes of Glenlivet in 1973 and re-named Braeval in 1995, this malt whisky distillery sits at an altitude of 352m making it the highest working distillery in Scotland. A modern pagoda roof towers over an attractive and modern works with white-washed walls and dark slated roofs. Production from six stills is geared up for the blending market and whilst there have been no distillery releases it may be found in the Old Malt Cask and Signatory Vintage ranges.

The Perfect Fifth Releases 14-Year-Old American Whiskey

“Born and Bottled” Canongate Series Celebrates Ties between Kentucky and Scotland

NEW YORK (March 6, 2024) – The Perfect Fifth, an American independent Scotch Whisky bottler known for its rare, ultra-premium single cask Scotch Whiskies, is releasing a 14-year-old American Whiskey with roots in Kentucky under its Canongate line.  Distilled in Bardstown, Ky in 2009, this whiskey spent three years aging in Kentucky before being sent to Scotland to age another 11 years.

The unique blend of Kentucky’s tempestuous weather, combined with Scotland’s more temperate climate, has resulted in a whiskey with a complexity of mixed honey tones, multiple layers of vanilla, and hints of cocoa and light spice.

“Distillers in the United States, in particular, Kentucky, have always had a harmonious relationship with Scotland, largely due to sending used bourbon barrels to Scotland for a second life, to mature spirits distilled in Scotland.  Our Canongate expression, which is our ‘born and bottled’ line, is an ode to that symbiotic relationship,” said Karl Schoen, founder and chief executive officer, The Perfect Fifth.  “This series celebrates the long history of cask sharing between the two countries by selecting single cask whiskies distilled in the U.S., and aging and bottling them in Scotland.  Our latest release, the Canongate 14-Year-Old American Whiskey is not only well-traveled, but is a unique combination of the environments of Kentucky and Scotland.”

The 14-Year-Old Canongate joins two other Canongate releases: a Canongate 11-Year-Old American Whiskey, which was a sister barrel to this current release and released in 2020, as well as Canongate Glentauchers 24-Year-Old Scotch Whisky released in 2018.  Canongate 14-Year-Old American Whiskey is a limited edition with only 232 bottles available in the United States.  It can be found at retailers in New York, New Jersey and California or online at www.theperfectfifth.com.  The alcohol by volume (ABV) is 64.4 percent, (128.8 proof). Suggested retail pricing is $175 per 750 mL.

About The Perfect Fifth

The Perfect Fifth was created in 2019 by Karl Schoen, who was inspired by watching his family members toast milestones with Scotch Whisky as he grew up.  As Karl began his own exploration into the world of Scotch Whisky, he enjoyed finding stellar single cask bottlings and sharing them with others.  This led to the formation of The Perfect Fifth, where Karl and his brother Ben source the best quality whisky from all over Scotland.  Together they travel throughout Scotland, sampling cask after cask until they find those worthy to be selected for The Perfect Fifth. Few casks make the cut, which is why The Perfect Fifth releases are limited editions.  Like the musical interval, The Perfect Fifth releases consist of multiple layers, each one broad and deep, which when combined, make a beautiful assembly meant to be shared with family and friends.

COUNTDOWN COLLECTION:
2024 RELEASE

The 2024 release of our celebratory Countdown Collection is made from three refill Bourbon hogshead casks, which have spent the past 26 years aging in one of our warehouses here in Campbeltown.

Limited release of 500 bottles worldwide.

Springbank 26 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Available in a 70cl bottle

51.2% ABV

£2,500

(UK Price including VAT)

The Countdown Collection is a celebration of the endurance, adaptability and unwavering commitment to producing whisky of the highest quality using traditional methods. The whiskies in this five part series are a tribute to the generations who have contributed to the success of Springbank under the steadfast leadership of J & A Mitchell.

The Countdown Collection series will feature one special bottling released each year from the distillery in the lead up to our landmark anniversary. Each edition will be limited to just 500 bottles exclusively available via ballot to Springbank followers around the world.

These whiskies are just one part of what will be a wider celebration of this huge achievement for the distillery which has remained independent and family owned throughout its 200 year history.

A variety of special events, experiences and prizes will be on offer in the lead up to and during our 200th Anniversary Year in 2028 so there is lots to look forward to and share with all those who have supported and taken interest in the distillery, or simply enjoyed drinking the whiskies made here over the years.

We hope you will join us on this exciting and inclusive journey, counting down the years to this momentous milestone. Representatives from the Production and Sales Team hosted a live discussion for the launch of the Countdown Collection in 2023.