HIGH COAST SWEDISH SINGLE MALT CASKS LEAD BONHAMS ONLINE WHISKY SALE

View Catalogue

Yamazaki 1984.  Estimate: £13,000-18,000 (left). Macallan-Glenlivet 22 year old. Estimate: £6,000-9,000 (right).

London – The small High Coast distillery (formerly known as Box), located in the village of Bjärtrå in the Ångermanland region of northern Sweden, has been producing its unique whiskies since 2010. The distillery produces two styles of single malt; a fruity and fresh unpeated spirit, and a smokier and peaty type. It uses an array of different wood types such as Refill Sherry Hogshead, Virgin Charred America Oak and Bourbon Barrel.

Bonhams’ online Fine Whisky and Spirits sale from Friday 2 December – Tuesday 13 December 2022 offers both these great styles in a curated selection of four casks as follows:

• Box Swedish Single Malt Cask – Distilled 07/01/2013 Refill Sherry Hogshead. Estimate: £13,000-17,000.
• Box Swedish Single Malt Cask – Distilled 19/12/2014 Refill Sherry Hogshead. Estimate: £10,000-15,000.
• Box Swedish Single Malt Cask – Distilled 13/11/2013 Bourbon Barrel. Estimate: £8,500-12,500.
• Box Swedish Single Malt Cask – Distilled 17/12/2014 Charred American Oak. Estimate: £8,000-10,000.

Diego Lanza, Bonhams Senior Whisky Specialist, said: “High Coast puts the spotlight on quality single malts produced outside Scotland. Their visionary Distillery Manager and Master Brewer Roger Melander set out to create the best Swedish whisky with the precision of the Japanese whisky craft and the strong character of Scotch single malts. The eclectic casks selection in the sale demonstrate how he succeeded in creating a versatile and well-rounded single malt, and we are delighted to be featuring four of High Coast’s distinctive casks of single malt in the sale.”

Other highlights of the sale, which consists of 82 lots, include:

• Macallan-Glenlivet 22 year old. This very rare malt was distilled during the Roaring Twenties and bottled in the early 1940s making it a true Macallan time capsule. Estimate: £6,000-9,000. 

• Yamazaki 1984. Bottled in 2009 to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the launch of Yamazaki as a single malt whisky by the house of Suntory, this particular expression is regarded by many collectors and connoisseurs as the best Yamazaki ever produced, and one of the essential single malts ever made in Japan – the quintessential Japanese single malt. Estimate: £13,000-18,000. 

The sale also offers a selection of desirable independent bottlings: 

• Ardbeg-1973. One of the rarest Ardbeg independent bottlings made by the Wine Society, it is estimated at £2,000-3,000. 

• Longmorn-39 year old-1969. This is one of the most coveted Longmorn single malts ever to be bottled by Gordon & MacPhail. Estimate: £3,000-3,800. 

• Glen Mhor-11 year old.  An ancient bottling of the lost distillery of Glen Mhor from Harvey’s of Bristol. Estimate: £1,300-2,500.>

Sale: Fine Whisky and SpiritsLocation: OnlineDate: Friday 2 – Tuesday 13 December

Link to catalogue

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, motor cars and a luxury division, including jewellery, watches, wine and whisky. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 53 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

Bimber debuts first peated single malt whisky 

Bimber becomes first 21^st century English distillery to entirely floor malt and kiln its peated spirit onsite

‘Bimber The 1^st Peated’ displays an ‘in-bottle’ PPM in order to kickstart a new dialogue about what’s actually inside a bottle of peated whisky

London’s Bimber Distillery today announced the upcoming release of ‘The 1st Peated’ – the distillery’s inaugural peated single malt whisky. Crafted from a marriage of four heavily peated American oak ex-bourbon casks, The 1^st Peated is entirely composed from the distillery’s earliest fully peated distillation that took place in May 2019.

The release consists of 1,140 bottles at an ABV of 54.1% and possesses an ‘in-bottle’ PPM of 14.4. Bottles are priced at £130 and will be available via a weighted ballot on the Bimber website from Monday 28^th November.

The 1^st Peated began its journey at Bimber’s single farm (Fordham & Allen in Basingstoke) where 100% of the distillery’s barley is grown. Two-row Concerto was transported to London where it was steeped 3 times over 40 hours before being turned every 8 hours over the following 5 days. The barley was then dried using a combination of dry and wet Aberdeenshire peat by the Bimber team in a custom-made kiln.

The pungently smoked grains were than mashed and fermented for seven days in the distillery’s iconic in-house crafted washbacks, before being unhurriedly distilled using two directly-fired alembic pot stills.

The four casks married together to create The 1^st Peated (#463. #464, #470 and #471), were selected to produce the perfect partnership of Bimber’s fruity and textural single malt whisky style with the intensity of fragrant and smouldering Highland peat smoke.

Speaking of the launch, Bimber Founder and Master Distiller Dariusz Plazewski said “The team and I are truly thrilled to be able to share The 1^st Peated with whisky lovers. This release represents a major milestone on the continued journey of Bimber and of our single malt London whisky. Not only is it the culmination of several years of investigation and passion, but being entirely produced by-hand, in-house –  it is also truly embodies our continued dedication to traditional production methods.”

The 1^st Peated is presented with an ‘in-bottle’ PPM, standing in contrast to most other the whiskies which indicate the initial phenolic content of the barley prior to distillation. Distillery spokesperson Matt McKay noted the reasoning behind this decision by stating “For too long the debate about peat levels has been a race to the top. Producers have sought to display the biggest PPM numbers possible without ever trying to contextualise to customers what these numbers mean in terms of the actual peated character of a whisky once it is inside of a bottle.

Barley PPMs ignore the fact that at every stage of the whisky-making process there is a decrease in the volume of phenols present. They also ignore the large variations that distinct production methods across different distilleries have on this inevitable decline. A 50 PPM barley utilised at one distillery will not directly equate to 50 PPM barley used by another. By presenting The 1^st Peated with an in-bottle PPM we’re looking to kickstart a dialogue about PPMs which hopefully leads to a more considered reflection of what’s actually inside a bottle of whisky.”

Bimber The 1^st Peated

A marriage of four heavily peated ex-bourbon barrels (#463. #464, #470 and #471),

Nose:               Pineapple juice and apricot cobbler sit alongside creamy toffee whilst damp, feathery smoke envelopes fallen leaves and touches of salinity.

Palate:             A weighty arrival delivers immediate peat influence – smouldering logs, leaf mulch and smoked vanilla fudge. The development unleashes a wave of bright, vibrant fruitiness together with wood spice.

Finish:             Mentholated oak with lingering vivid fruit sugars.

70cl

14.4 PPM (in-bottle)

54.1% ABV

RRP £130

Available via weighted ballot from 28^th November 

About Bimber 

Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. As a leading distiller of English whisky, we combine generations of rich distilling heritage with the finest quality ingredients to create the ultimate craft whisky experience.

www.bimberdistillery.co.uk

Raise a glass to another rise in results: Whiskey & Wealth Club celebrates record-breaking quarterly results as it moves into its fifth year

With financial markets once again in turmoil, Whiskey & Wealth Club has bucked the trend yet again by recording exceptional results that demonstrate the demand for this alternative asset investment.

The multiple award-winning Whiskey & Wealth Club has reported record results for Q2 and Q3 of 2022, building on its extraordinary growth since being founded in 2018 by Jay Bradley and Scott Sciberras. Despite huge inflation and a drop in investor confidence in the traditional financial markets, Whiskey & Wealth Club has achieved turnover of just under £15,000,000 in Q2 and Q3, an increase of 148% from £5,965,279 in 2021.

While other markets have seen dramatic losses, Whiskey & Wealth Club has gone from strength to strength in challenging conditions. As an alternative asset class, casked whiskey has proven popular with investors looking to put their money into a tangible commodity, with its value tied to its age, quality, scarcity and the reputation of the brand rather than the more volatile performance of the market and the whims of politicians and traders. Along with an extensive knowledge of whiskey, Whiskey & Wealth Club can attribute much of its success to only dealing in casks of whiskey from award-winning and established brands with proven records, including Bladnoch, Bunnahabhain, and Boann.

This extraordinary success was on show at the recent BITA Gala evening where a bourbon cask of single malt from the multiple award-winning The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. sold at auction for an incredible £20,000. Bidders clearly recognised the future value of a cask of single malt from the company responsible for crafting a whiskey judged to be the world’s Best Irish Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2022, and the competition for this cask was fierce.

Award wins help bolster the value of casked whiskey – another reason why Whiskey & Wealth Club works exclusively with Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky brands with award-winning prowess. This auction price also demonstrates the value placed on innovatively well-crafted, premium whiskey, with casks typically enjoying annualised returns of around 8-18% based on historical data.

Whiskey & Wealth Club Founder, Jay Bradley said “In the current climate we’re seeing increased interest from clients looking to purchase cask whiskey as a way of spreading their risk and diversifying their portfolio. At Whiskey & Wealth Club we’re seeing demand for the best quality whiskeys soar and we expect this to continue even when the financial markets settle down.”

CEO & Founder Scott Sciberras agreed, “Despite the challenges of the last few years, Whiskey & Wealth Club has surpassed all expectations and demonstrated that our groundbreaking model is increasingly attractive for investors. While financial markets across the world are in turmoil, the growing value of whiskey as it matures is seen as a more reliable asset and brings our clients confidence.”

Whiskey & Wealth Club offers the opportunity to purchase cask whiskey at wholesale prices, with insurance and storage included in the purchase price. After a number of years, the owner can decide on a number of exit strategies, including bottling for their own use, extending the storage period to mature the whiskey further, selling on to another investor or collector, or to an existing brand or new distillery.

This is a fast-expanding market, with Irish whiskey sales in 2021 reaching 14 million cases and the global market size projected to reach $11 billion by 2030. Equally, Scotch whisky is the single most traded spirit in the world, accounting for 75% of Scotland’s entire food and drink export revenue with exports worth over £4 billion annually. Whiskey & Wealth Club is in the process of opening an office in Sydney, Australia to meet the growing demand from emerging markets such as Asia, allowing it to offer the enjoyment and opportunity of cask whiskey ownership to a global audience. With a younger demographic of drinkers turning to whiskey, savvy investors have seen the long term potential in an asset that matures in both taste and value in the cask.

For more information on Whiskey & Wealth Club visit www.whiskeywealthclub.com

About Whiskey & Wealth Club

Whiskey & Wealth Club offers investors, consumers and collectors the opportunity to buy cask whiskey at wholesale prices. The casks are then stored in a secure bonded warehouse to mature for five, ten or even fifteen years, before selling for a profit or bottling. The company was founded on a simple idea: to share the enjoyment and potential rewards of wholesale cask Irish whiskey or Scotch whisky ownership with clients around the world.

HEBRIDEAN ISLAND DISTILLER ANNOUNCES NEW EXCLUSIVE US IMPORTER

The Isle of Raasay Distillery has appointed South San Francisco based ImpEx Beverages as their new exclusive US Importer.

ImpEx Beverages launches Isle of Raasay Single Malt in November 2022 with four expressions, their flagship Isle of Raasay Single Malt Whisky, bottled at 46.4% abv., and three Peated Single Casks (ex-Bordeaux Red Wine Cask, ex-Rye Whiskey Cask, and Virgin Chinkapin Oak Cask). These three casks are one half of the distillery’s coveted six-part “Na Sia” Single Malt recipe, with the other half of the recipe due as Single Cask bottlings in 2023.

When asked about the partnership, William Dobbie, Commercial Director, Isle of Raasay Distillery stated, “We are very excited to be partnering with ImpEx, who have had many successful years building spirits brands in the USA. The Isle of Raasay Distillery team and I are delighted to be working with ImpEx and bringing our island spirits to US shores. ”

Sam Filmus, President, ImpEx Beverages stated, “Isle of Raasay Distillery and its team are dedicated to their rich history and live their story every day.  ImpEx Beverages is delighted to partner with them to share this passion with the US and delight the palates of its consumers with this very special liquid.”

Every drop of Isle of Raasay Spirit is lovingly distilled, matured, and bottled on Raasay, maximizing the influence of the island on the spirit and the distillery on the island

Isle of Raasay Single Malt will be available at specialty retailers across the United States.  For more information on this award-winning Single Malt including where to buy please contact us at Office@ImpExBev.com.

About Isle of Raasay Distillery

Co-founders Bill Dobbie and Alasdair Day first met in 2013 and formed R&B Distillers with the common goal of building Scotland’s leading artisanal distillery. Focusing on local production, provenance, quality, and doing things their own way .

By 2015, they had identified the Isle of Raasay as providing the ingredients for the perfect spirit, and planning permission to begin work revitalizing the Isle of Raasay’s nineteenth century Borodale House into a state-of-the-art distillery, visitor center, and luxury accommodation was granted in 2016.

Starting with a blank sheet of paper, they set about designing a distillery to create exceptional whisky that develops elegance, complexity, and depth early on in the maturation process and a handcrafted Hebridean gin that encapsulates Raasay’s style, character and impressive geological variety.

Since its establishment, the Isle of Raasay Distillery has brought job opportunities to the island, worked closely with other local businesses and become embedded in the island’s tight-knit community.

Part of the distillery’s ethos is to produce, mature, bottle and market every drop of spirit directly from the island. To quote the inimitable Whisky Writer Dave Broom at our distillery opening: ‘we are not just making alcohol, we are making spirit.’

The distillery now employs more than 30 people on the island and the average age of the Raasay workforce is approximately 30 years old. An early indicator of creating inter-generational values and making sure this special island of 161 people continues to thrive.

We can’t wait for you to come and visit our wonderful island and enjoy our Hebridean spirits for yourself.

About ImpEx Beverages

In 2008, ImpEx Beverages was founded with the vision to import premium and rare Spirits from around the world, with a special emphasis on the best of what Scotland has to offer.

Today, ImpEx boasts an impressive portfolio, including some of the most notable small to medium sized distilleries and independent bottlers; importing Whisky, Gin, Rum, and Mezcal from Scotland, Wales, Japan, Israel, Mexico, England, and India with future anticipated additions from unexpected destinations. ImpEx also features a fine line of Liqueurs and Cordials produced in the US.

YAMAZAKI’S ONE-OFF SINGLE MALT WHISKY JUNSHIN EXCEEDS ALL EXPECTATION AT BONHAMS HONG KONG SALE

Yamazaki Junshin Single Malt Whisky

Estimate: HK$250,000-300,000

Sold for HK$750,000

HONG KONG. – One of the only 200 bottles of Yamazaki Junshin, privately released this year as a special one-off single malt whisky, sold today at Bonhams Fine and Rare Whisky sale in Hong Kong for HK$750,000, tripling its estimate. 

The Junshin, which means “pure” and “true” in Japanese, is marketed as Yamazaki’s special one-off single malt whisky and presented to convey the essence of Japanese whisky and its industry to globally-renowned master blender Richard Paterson. It was only available to Suntory’s VIP clients and today’s sale marks its debut at auction.

Formulated by Fukuyo Shinji, Suntory’s Chief Blender, the Junshin takes its tasters down the memory lane of the distillery’s 100 years of whisky making. A unique combination of Yamazaki single malts aged in Mizunara oak casks, Spanish sherry oak casks, and peated malt matured in an American oak Puncheon, all aged for more than 20 years with some of the oldest Yamazaki single malts in existence matured over 50 and 60 years in Japanese Mizunara casks. The label, made with the traditional Echizen washi paper, features the word Junshin by famous calligrapher Takeda Souun. This also marks the very first time calligraphy has appeared on the label of a Yamazaki bottle. The terms “pure” and “true” were chosen to describe the whisky-makers’ pure intent for their craft.

Commenting on the result, Diego Lanza, Bonhams Senior Whisky Specialist, said: “The Junshin excited a great deal of interest before the sale, resulting in spirited bidding today. Once again, the market responds robustly to fresh materials of top quality. Junshin is the perfect embodiment of that and the top price it has achieved was well deserved.” 

Other notable sales include: 

• Lot 444. Karuizawa-1981-32 year old-#4380-竹に鶏図 (1) Karuizawa-1984-29 year old-#3662-旭日松鶴図 (1). Sold for HK$375,000.
• Lot 375. Bowmore 1965-52 year old. Sold for HK$300,000.

Sale: Fine and Rare  Whisky Date: 18 November 2022Location: Bonhams Hong Kong, 20/F, One Pacific Place, Admiralty

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and luxury. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 53 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details – www.bonhams.com

INNOVATIVE ENGLISH WHISKY PRODUCER, THE OXFORD ARTISAN DISTILLERY, ANNOUNCES INVESTMENT BY DIAGEO THROUGH DISTILL VENTURES 

17^th November 2022 (Oxford, UK): The Oxford Artisan Distillery, an ultra-premium English rye whisky producer seeking to revolutionise farming practices in the category, has announced that Diageo has made a minority investment in the company through Distill Ventures, the independent drinks accelerator devoted to building and scaling the drinks brands of the future.

Founded in 2016, The Oxford Artisan Distillery produces whisky using biodiverse populations of ‘heritage’ grains grown through an approach to grain farming known as Restorative Continuous Grain Cropping (R-CGC). These heritage grains and farming techniques have been developed in partnership with John Letts, a farmer and archaeobotanist with over 25 years’ experience, and an innovator in this field. The Oxford Artisan Distillery is the only distillery in the world with a license to use John’s grains, a proprietary mix of 30 to 100 different varieties grown exclusively for flavour and not yield.

The distillery’s first English rye whisky was released in April 2021, with a second batch available shortly after. To date, The Oxford Artisan Distillery has released a further nine batches of whisky and its distillery tour, just outside of Oxford, is rated one of the top things to do in the city on Tripadvisor. With ultra-premium whisky growing at 11% in the United Kingdom over the last five years^[1], the brand’s vision is to grow a modern and scalable whisky brand centred on restorative agriculture, driven by their forward-thinking approach to sustainable farming.

The investment will support the next stage of the company’s growth by enabling the upgrade and expansion of its production sites, and the continued development of The Oxford Artisan Distillery brand and its consumer experiences.

Dave Smith, CEO of The Oxford Artisan Distillery, said: “Over the last few years we have seen the industry take major steps towards addressing the climate crisis, but we have a responsibility to do more in tackling sustainable farming and grain production. With Diageo and Distill Ventures’ support, we believe we can use whisky to further a revolution in the field. We have been blown away by the team’s belief in our mission and could not be happier to be entering the next stage of our journey with them alongside.”

Frank Lampen, Founder and CEO of Distill Ventures, said: “Grain is becoming an important part of how whisky producers are continuing to innovate and develop new styles and flavours, and the heritage grains used by Oxford Artisan Distillery together with their ground-breaking approach to farming in a sustainable way make this one of the most exciting distilleries in the English whisky scene, and we’re delighted to be able to support them in their development.”

Eugene Khabensky, Vice President of Global Ventures at Diageo, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome The Oxford Artisan Distillery into the Distill Ventures portfolio. Its ultra-premium positioning coupled with its commitment to put regenerative agriculture at the heart of what it does, fits perfectly with our strategy to support premium and environmentally responsible brands.”

As with all brands within the Distill Ventures portfolio, the founding Oxford Artisan Distillery team will retain majority ownership and control of the business.

The Oxford Artisan Distillery

The distillery opened for business at its purpose-built site in Oxford on 27th July 2017.

It is Oxford’s first ever distillery and produces whisky with total provenance from grain to glass. The Oxford Artisan Distillery uses biodiverse populations of ‘heritage’ grains grown through a new approach to grain farming known as Restorative Continuous Grain Cropping (R-CGC).

R-CGC:

With Restorative Continuous Grain Cropping there are no fallow years, no tillage and no chemical inputs, leading to greater biodiversity in the field. As well as producing three times as much grain as any other modern rotational organic grain production system – driven by the fact that there is no need for rotation – R-CGC sequesters more carbon than any other modern organic grain production system. 

About Heritage Grain:

The Oxford Artisan Distillery uses genetically diverse populations of heritage grains – revived from historical sources by a leading archaeobotanist and grown sustainably on over 350 acres in the UK. The distillery’s grain contributes to biodiversity and soil health in the English countryside. The grains are the result of archaeobotanist, John Lett’s lifelong research on heritage grains: John has spent a large part of his life sourcing and growing heritage grains together, as polycultures. John takes 30-100 varieties of grain, mixes them up, and grows them together in the same field, at the same time. These sustainable fields are similar to what you would have seen in medieval times – the grains are grown specifically for the distillery, making The Oxford Artisan Distillery the only distillery in the world with a license to use John’s grains, grown exclusively for flavour and not yield.

Distill Ventures

Distill Ventures (DV) is the drinks industry’s first accelerator for new and growing brands. Since its founding in 2013, DV has invested in 35+ brands in a wide range of drinks categories, including New World whisky, premium gin, and non-alcoholic spirits. Through a combination of cash investment, mentoring support and access to a network of experts, DV works with founders from all backgrounds and stages of growth to help brands go further, faster.

Through both its traditional investment pathway and its Pre-Accelerator, which launched in 2021 and focuses on recruiting diverse entrepreneurs into drinks, DV operates across both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink categories, and invests at all stages, from pre-launch through to those requiring significant growth and expansion capital. It is operated independently and backed by Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks company, providing investment funding, as well as resources and access through its global network of experts. For more info on, or to learn about our portfolio of current and exited brands, visit www.distillventures.com.

Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal and JεB whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company whose products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

[1] IWSR, 2017-2021: by volume

THE MACALLAN RELEASES GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FILM CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN BEHIND FINE & RARE 1926 SINGLE MALT WHISKY

THE MACALLAN RELEASES GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FILM CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN BEHIND FINE & RARE 1926 SINGLE MALT WHISKY

The Macallan has released a short biopic revealing the real-life story of former managing director, Janet Harbinson, who in 1926 crafted the most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction, The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926.

The eight-minute campaign film, ‘The Spirit of 1926’ which will be screened in selected cinemas globally and available on The Macallan’s website and YouTube, celebrates her quiet heroism and her profound legacy and encapsulates the brand’s values in her character. It is set in Speyside, Scotland, primarily at The Macallan’s 485-acre Estate.

Janet Harbinson, known as ‘Nettie’ is a key figure in The Macallan’s history. In 1918, just months before the end of the First World War, her husband Alexander, who had been running the distillery, sadly passed.

Nettie was committed to the local community and following his death, she assumed control of the distillery as it was the best way to secure The Macallan for its employees and help the community. Through her passion and care for those around her and her dedication to craftsmanship, she kept the business afloat and helped to rebuild the local area.

Without setting out to do so, she also crafted The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926, which achieved legendary status after it fetched £1.5m at Sotheby’s in 2019. Several years on, it continues to be the world’s most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction. Its existence is a direct legacy of Janet Harbinson’s commitment to doing the right thing for her family, the community and The Macallan.

Jaume Ferras, Global Creative Director for The Macallan and a producer of the film, said: “We uncovered Janet Harbinson’s story when researching the background to The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926 and we knew we had to share it as soon as we learned of her role in its distillation and maturation, as well as the deep influence she had on the future development of the brand.

“At its heart, this is a love story; it celebrates the love that Nettie had for her husband, her love for the local community, her love for nature and her love for the family business. She cared deeply about others and was determined to use her position at The Macallan to enrich the lives of those around her.

“Guided by her conviction and strong belief in doing the next right thing for everyone she cared about, she unconsciously made history and it is only right that we pay tribute to her.”

To create the short film, which stars British-American actress Emily Mortimer in the role of Nettie, The Macallan collaborated with an array of leading creative talent including acclaimed director Mike Newell, whose credits include Four Weddings and a Funeral, Donnie Brasco, Mona Lisa Smile, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The script was written by award-winning screenwriter Allan Scott, whose Hollywood hits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Don’t Look Now, Castaway and the recent Netflix series, The Queen’s Gambit.

Allan Scott is the pen name of Allan Shiach – a former chairman of The Macallan and great nephew of Nettie Harbinson. As chairman Allan Shiach took the decision to bottle The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926 after 60 years of maturation in 1986.

Globally renowned Scottish fashion designer Christopher Kane created a series of 1920s outfits for the film using historic, luxury fabrics from artisan suppliers including hand-crafted lace and The Macallan tweed, while Scottish rock group Simple Minds delivered the film’s exclusive soundtrack.

Emily Mortimer, who plays Nettie, said: “The story is all about people finding their vocation in life. It’s really about holding onto the memory of someone that you really love.

“Nettie is living in the first half of the 20th century. She just enjoys her life then her husband dies. She had to decide what to do with the business and she decides that she’s going to run it.

“There are some people who take what they do very seriously and care, not just about the product they’re producing, but about the people who work for them and what they are adding to the world. There’s something about that whisky, that was made under her watch in 1926, that symbolises the heart of the company and what The Macallan whisky is all about.”

Jaume Ferras added: “Film is in The Macallan’s DNA. Our whisky has appeared in the background of many movies and TV shows, even taking centre stage on occasion, and our former chairman Allan Shiach is an award-winning screenwriter.

“Turning Nettie’s story into a film was a huge challenge, but a bit like Janet herself, we felt compelled to follow the courage of our convictions and give her contribution the treatment it truly deserves.

“As a brand with a long Scottish heritage it was important to us to bring together the best of the country’s creative talent – people who are also dedicated to the incomparable creativity and craftsmanship for which The Macallan is renowned.

“Each of our incredible collaborators have done a magnificent job of bringing to life our vision of Nettie.

“We can never repay her for her wisdom, her courage, her care and her craftsmanship, but we hope through our film our gratitude as a brand shines through.”

The Spirit of 1926 will be screened in select cinemas around the world and is available to view at www.themacallan.com from 16 November 2022.

About The Macallan
Founded in 1824 on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland, The Macallan is renowned globally for its incomparable craftsmanship, creativity and innovation with each bottle of single malt whisky revealing its unique mastery of wood and spirit.

Social and environmental sustainability is at the heart of The Macallan, and as part of its commitment to establishing a positive legacy it revealed its award-winning new Distillery in 2018. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, the building takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills and is located on The Macallan’s beautiful 485-acre Estate. To this day, the single greatest influence on The Macallan’s sought after portfolio of single malts is its sherry seasoned oak casks from which its whiskies derive their distinctive flavours, aromas and natural colour.

Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

The Macallan has released a short biopic revealing the real-life story of former managing director, Janet Harbinson, who in 1926 crafted the most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction, The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926.

The eight-minute campaign film, ‘The Spirit of 1926’ which will be screened in selected cinemas globally and available on The Macallan’s website and YouTube, celebrates her quiet heroism and her profound legacy and encapsulates the brand’s values in her character. It is set in Speyside, Scotland, primarily at The Macallan’s 485-acre Estate.

Janet Harbinson, known as ‘Nettie’ is a key figure in The Macallan’s history. In 1918, just months before the end of the First World War, her husband Alexander, who had been running the distillery, sadly passed.

Nettie was committed to the local community and following his death, she assumed control of the distillery as it was the best way to secure The Macallan for its employees and help the community. Through her passion and care for those around her and her dedication to craftsmanship, she kept the business afloat and helped to rebuild the local area.

Without setting out to do so, she also crafted The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926, which achieved legendary status after it fetched £1.5m at Sotheby’s in 2019. Several years on, it continues to be the world’s most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction. Its existence is a direct legacy of Janet Harbinson’s commitment to doing the right thing for her family, the community and The Macallan.

Jaume Ferras, Global Creative Director for The Macallan and a producer of the film, said: “We uncovered Janet Harbinson’s story when researching the background to The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926 and we knew we had to share it as soon as we learned of her role in its distillation and maturation, as well as the deep influence she had on the future development of the brand.

“At its heart, this is a love story; it celebrates the love that Nettie had for her husband, her love for the local community, her love for nature and her love for the family business. She cared deeply about others and was determined to use her position at The Macallan to enrich the lives of those around her.

“Guided by her conviction and strong belief in doing the next right thing for everyone she cared about, she unconsciously made history and it is only right that we pay tribute to her.”

To create the short film, which stars British-American actress Emily Mortimer in the role of Nettie, The Macallan collaborated with an array of leading creative talent including acclaimed director Mike Newell, whose credits include Four Weddings and a Funeral, Donnie Brasco, Mona Lisa Smile, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The script was written by award-winning screenwriter Allan Scott, whose Hollywood hits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Don’t Look Now, Castaway and the recent Netflix series, The Queen’s Gambit.

Allan Scott is the pen name of Allan Shiach – a former chairman of The Macallan and great nephew of Nettie Harbinson. As chairman Allan Shiach took the decision to bottle The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926 after 60 years of maturation in 1986.

Globally renowned Scottish fashion designer Christopher Kane created a series of 1920s outfits for the film using historic, luxury fabrics from artisan suppliers including hand-crafted lace and The Macallan tweed, while Scottish rock group Simple Minds delivered the film’s exclusive soundtrack.

Emily Mortimer, who plays Nettie, said: “The story is all about people finding their vocation in life. It’s really about holding onto the memory of someone that you really love.

“Nettie is living in the first half of the 20^th century. She just enjoys her life then her husband dies. She had to decide what to do with the business and she decides that she’s going to run it.

“There are some people who take what they do very seriously and care, not just about the product they’re producing, but about the people who work for them and what they are adding to the world. There’s something about that whisky, that was made under her watch in 1926, that symbolises the heart of the company and what The Macallan whisky is all about.”

Jaume Ferras added: “Film is in The Macallan’s DNA. Our whisky has appeared in the background of many movies and TV shows, even taking centre stage on occasion, and our former chairman Allan Shiach is an award-winning screenwriter.

“Turning Nettie’s story into a film was a huge challenge, but a bit like Janet herself, we felt compelled to follow the courage of our convictions and give her contribution the treatment it truly deserves.

“As a brand with a long Scottish heritage it was important to us to bring together the best of the country’s creative talent – people who are also dedicated to the incomparable creativity and craftsmanship for which The Macallan is renowned.

“Each of our incredible collaborators have done a magnificent job of bringing to life our vision of Nettie.

“We can never repay her for her wisdom, her courage, her care and her craftsmanship, but we hope through our film our gratitude as a brand shines through.” 

The Spirit of 1926 will be screened in select cinemas around the world and is available to view at www.themacallan.com from 16 November 2022.

About The Macallan 

Founded in 1824 on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland, The Macallan is renowned globally for its incomparable craftsmanship, creativity and innovation with each bottle of single malt whisky revealing its unique mastery of wood and spirit.

Social and environmental sustainability is at the heart of The Macallan, and as part of its commitment to establishing a positive legacy it revealed its award-winning new Distillery in 2018. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, the building takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills and is located on The Macallan’s beautiful 485-acre Estate. To this day, the single greatest influence on The Macallan’s sought after portfolio of single malts is its sherry seasoned oak casks from which its whiskies derive their distinctive flavours, aromas and natural colour.

Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

Glassware gifts full of Christmas spirit

from Glencairn Crystal

with new 3D visualiser to create perfectly personalised presents 

Scottish family run Glencairn Crystal can help bring some sparkle to your festive celebrations with their stunning range of crystal glassware. There’s something to suit all tastes and many items can also be personalised with bespoke engraving.

New for this Christmas, Glencairn Crystal has developed a cutting edge 3D visualiser for their online shop which enables you to add a special date, message or design to a wide range of glassware and to see how your engraving will look before you purchase the item, to effortlessly create a truly unique gift. 

The Glencairn Glass Range

The Glencairn Glass is now the world’s best-selling whisky glass, with over 5 million glasses sold around the world each year. Its unique and stylish shape has been crafted to enhance the enjoyment of all whiskies and to get the most out of your dram with its tapering mouth to capture those all-important aromas.

Brand new for Christmas is the beautifully festive snow white Glencairn Glass – the latest addition to the coloured range of glasses in black, blue, red, green, and shimmering gold.

Available individually (£9) or in various gift sets including the new Christmas Trio Colours Gift Set (six glasses in red, green and white) at £55, these vibrant Glencairn Glasses are a fun addition to any drinks cabinet and designed for blind tastings by disguising the colour of your dram.

Whisky connoisseurs will also enjoy the brand new Glencairn Tasting Gift Set with four Glencairn Glasses complete with caps, as well as a pipette for those who like to add a drop of water to their dram (£55).

Another festive gift idea is the Christmas Glencairn Glass Gift Set, comprising six clear glasses each decorated with a Yuletide message (£50).

If you want to keep it simple or perhaps you’re looking for a stocking filler idea, a single classic Glencairn Glass (uncut) costs £7 and a mouth blown, hand cut Glencairn Glass costs £28.

Decanter Gift Sets

Glencairn Crystal also has a wide selection of the finest decanters in both traditional and contemporary designs for an extra special Christmas present.

The Pot Still Decanter, inspired by the prodigious pot stills found in whisky distilleries, is a beautiful uncut, hand polished, lead-free crystal decanter. Currently a best-seller, it can be engraved to create a genuinely personal gift and comes in  a luxurious navy gift box lined with navy satin, priced £105.

Please visit www.glencairn.co.uk/christmas/  where you will find festive gift inspiration to suit all budgets, for delivery in both the UK and internationally. 

To use the new 3D Visualiser and to see how a personalised engraving will look on a wide range of glassware before you purchase simply hit “Add Engraving” when viewing the products and give it a try!

To guarantee delivery before Christmas please see the timings below:

International Personalised Orders – 5th December
UK Personalisation Orders – 12th December
International Blank Orders – 12th December
UK Blank Orders – 15th December

Loch Lomond Whiskies Christmas Gift Guide 2022

Loch Lomond Whiskies Inchmoan 12 Year Old, 46% ABV, £45

Celebrating the soft smoke and warming spice elements of Loch Lomond’s signature style, Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12-Year-Old is a unique smoky expression with delicious notes of wood and peat smoke, roasted coffee, green apple with clove and aniseed spice on the finish.

This full-bodied expression is created from a combination of whisky from the distillery’s two pot still styles, before maturing in a mix of re-charred American oak and Bourbon American oak casks, giving it that rich warm flavour and making it the perfect expression to enjoy during the cold winter months.

Available at www.lochlomondwhiskies.com and specialist whisky retailers.  

Loch Lomond Whiskies 12 Year Old Perfectly Balanced, 46% ABV, £45

The perfect representation of Loch Lomond Distillery’s signature style, Loch Lomond 12-Year-Old Single Malt is created using the straight neck pot stills, which are unique to the distillery, and more traditional swan neck stills. The delicious result is a timeless spirit with notes of fruit, honey, and soft smoke, that can only be found in Loch Lomond Signature Malt Whisky.

Bottled at 46% and non-chill filtered to keep things as nature intended, this perfectly balanced expression offers delicious notes of peach and pear layered with vanilla sweetness and a gentle hint of smoke. The final finish is one that is medium in length, with a gentle wood smoke and a lingering tang.

Available at www.lochlomondwhiskies.com and specialist whisky retailers.

Loch Lomond Whiskies Inchmurrin 12 Year Old, 46% ABV, £45

Aged in three types of American Oak Casks, Loch Lomond Whiskies Inchmurrin 12-Year-Old reveals the fruit and sweet elements of Loch Lomond Distillery’s signature style, offering notes of peach, apricot, toffee and vanilla on the finish.

This single spirit style is brought together by master blender Michael Henry, created using the distillery’s unique straight-necked pot still, which is perfectly suited to capture the fruity flavour, ensuring that Loch Lomond Whiskies Inchmurrin 12-Year-Old can be enjoyed on its own or as a longer serve with ginger ale.

Available at www.lochlomondwhiskies.com and specialist whisky retailers.

Tasting notes:

Loch Lomond 12 Year Old

Nose: Crisp green apple, ripe pear and refreshing lemon, with background notes of golden cereal.

Taste: Orchard fruits and lemon meringue. The deep fruity character of pear leads into citrus, vanilla and light biscuit.

Finish: Medium in length with gentle wood smoke and a lingering peaty tang

Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old

Nose: Dry peat smoke with vanilla syrup and black pepper

Tate: Sweet, medicinal peat and smoked bacon lead into roasted coffee bean with clove and star anise. Warming spiciness combines with green apple and pear

Finish: Long; waxy peat with citrus hope note and gooseberry

Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Year Old

Nose: Distinctively fruity with pear drops and toffee sweetness. Light notes of freshly cut hay

Taste: Seville orange citrus notes build in intensity before mellowing into peach and apricot. The fruitiness then gives way to creamy fudge and vanilla

Finish: Medium length with peppery finish

About Loch Lomond Whiskies

• Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill distillery which was licensed in 1772. In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day
• The multi award winning Loch Lomond whiskies range includes the Loch Lomond 12-Year-Old which has been awarded the Platinum Award in 2020, one of only 7 single malts to be awarded this honour at the San Francisco World Spirits Challenge 2020. Other expressions in the range are the single malts Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond 18-Year-Old; Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old; the Loch Lomond Island’s Collection which includes the Inchmurrin and Inchmoan ranges as well as the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature and Loch Lomond Single Grain
• Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12-Year-Old has been awarded Best Highland Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards and a Gold Medal at the 2020 San Francisco 2020 Awards
• Loch Lomond Whiskies was recently also awarded the following medals at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition:
  • Double Gold Medal: Loch Lomond 21 YO and Loch Lomond 30 YO Single Malts
  • Gold Medals: Loch Lomond Signature Blended Scots, Loch Lomond 12 YO, 14 Yo and 18 Yo Single Malts
  • Silver Medals: Loch Lomond Single Grain and Loch Lomond Original Single Malt Whisky
  • Bronze: Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 YO Single Malt

‘TIS THE SEASON OF MAVERICK SPIRITS: A GLENFIDDICH GIFT FOR EVERYONE

Glenfiddich, Canada’s favourite single malt scotch whisky, is elevating the holidays with the perfect gift for everyone on your nice list.

Toronto, ON: As the much-anticipated holiday season arrives, shopping lists and gifting ideas become top of mind for celebrating Canadians coast to coast.

Whether a holiday gift wrapped and bowed under brilliantly decorated pines, a gift for surprising an incredibly artistic friend, or the perfect present for your favourite host or hostess, giving the right gift can speak volumes.

“With so many innovative variants, you’ll always find the perfect gift with Glenfiddich,” comments Jamie Johnson, Glenfiddich National Brand Ambassador of Canada. “From the maverick Experimental Series to the luxurious Time Series, giving Glenfiddich this holiday season is a thoughtful way to gift any friend or family member of legal drinking age a thoughtful gift that speaks to their tastes.  It is truly a spirit for everyone.”

A true maverick spirit, Glenfiddich works tirelessly to pioneer the scotch whisky category with each of its unique innovations. Across its portfolio, the world’s most awarded scotch whisky is free-spirited and innovative in its expressions, continuing to challenge the status quo of the single malt scotch category with each of its releases.

“We consistently push the boundaries of the scotch whisky category by challenging traditions, exploring new flavours and welcoming unique collaborations,” comments Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich Malt Master. “Maverick is not a label, it’s a mind-set. And the world has never needed it more.”

From your bestie who’s a whiz behind their home bar, to the uncle that has everything, and everyone in between – Glenfiddich has the perfect scotch to match an expression of personal taste on any occasion, so you can give an iconic gift that means more.

The Classic Guide: Gifts for Mom and Dad, your boss, and those friends that love dabbling in spirits over the holidays. Oh—and some last-minute ideas, because no matter how much you plan ahead, you know you’ll need them.

• For Your Dad: Glenfiddich 18 Y.O.: A Glenfiddich classic with an elevated touch, the 18 Y.O. is a truly exceptional single malt resulting from not just eighteen years of care and attention, but of knowledge passed down through generations.
• For Your Mom: Glenfiddich 15 Y.O.: This approachable and time-tested favourite exemplifies the Glenfiddich family tradition of innovation. Perfect for enjoying neat or in cocktails with warm notes of spice, honey, and rich fruit.
• For Your Grandpa: Glenfiddich 14 Y.O.: The 14 Y.O. is a classic Glenfiddich variant, with a Bourbon barrel twist that will inspire Scotch and bourbon lovers alike. Have Gramps try it in an Old Fashioned!
• For the Home Bartender: Glenfiddich 14 Y.O.: For the friend who loves stirring up new things in their home bar. Glenfiddich 14 Y.O. is aged in Bourbon barrels, giving it a structured backbone for cocktails with notes of vanilla, brown sugar, fresh pear and apple.
• For Your Boss: Glenfiddich 15 Y.O.: For your boss, we suggest Glenfiddich 15 Y.O. This time-tested favourite is an approachable variant with notes of warm spice, honey, and rich fruit, making for a thoughtful gift that won’t go unnoticed. Once you’ve tried it, it’s easy to see why.
• For the Scotch Aficionado: Glenfiddich Orchard Experiment: For the aficionado who has seemingly tried everything, we suggest the brand new Glenfiddich variant, Orchard Experiment! With notes of pear balanced with delicate oak, it’s a new twist on scotch they’ll be sure to enjoy.
• For the Whisky-Dabbler: Glenfiddich IPA: This Glenfiddich variant is the first release of the Glenfiddich Experimental series, a unique, approachable scotch blending the notes of single malt with IPA.
• For the Scotch Beginner: Glenfiddich 12 Y.O.: The signature Glenfiddich expression, 12 Y.O. is  a classic, approachable, beginner-friendly single malt with notes of fresh pear and subtle oak.
• For the Spirits Collector: Glenfiddich Gran-Reserva: For the spirits collector that deserves something unique, Gran-Reserva is certain to please. Uniquely finished in rum casks with beautiful packaging, it’s sure to excite collectors.
• For the Whisky Expert: Glenfiddich Fire & Cane: For the friend who’s a true whisky lover, gift Fire & Cane. They’ll enjoy a peated Speyside dram with this unique, unexpected twist.
• Last-Minute Gifts: Glenfiddich 12 Y.O.: A go-to option for last minute gifts. Part of the classic Glenfiddich lineup, the 12 Y.O. is an elevated option sure to be well received.

The Holiday-Centric Guide: The perfect gifts for the friend who has everything, the aunt who absolutely LOVES Christmas, and because we all know one, the holiday Grinch.

• For the Friend Who Has Everything: Glenfiddich Orchard Experiment: The friend who has everything requires something unique. Orchard Experiment is the newest release from the Glenfiddich Experimental series, uniquely finished in Somerset Pomona casks.
• The Ultra-Festive Friend: Glenfiddich Grand Cru: If you have a friend on your list who just LOVES all things holidays, Grand Cru is for them. Aged for 21 years and finished in French cuvee casks, Grand Cru is worthy of each and every holiday celebration.
• The Holiday Grinch: Glenfiddich 18 Y.O.: Turn their frown upside down with a beautifully composed, small batch whisky that will show your Grinch you care enough to buy them the best.
• For your Secret Santa: Glenfiddich 15 Y.O.: Time tested and universally loved, Glenfiddich 15 Y.O. is the first to enter the top ten best-selling single malts in the world and a personal favourite of many at the Glenfiddich distillery. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll see why.
• For the Host/Hostess: Glenfiddich 14 Y.O.: Glenfiddich 14 is a versatile and elevated host gift that can be enjoyed neat, in cocktails or after the party is over with smooth, sophisticated flavours of woody spices and ripe summer fruit.

The Maverick Guide: The most unique gifts for the most unique individuals on your list. The non-conformist? Check. The thought-leader in your friend group? Check. For the artsy hostess? Double check.

• For the Creative: Glenfiddich Project XX: The second release of the Glenfiddich Experimental Series, Project XX was created as a collaboration of over 20 creative and inspired whisky experts worldwide.
• For the Thought-Leader: Glenfiddich Gran Reserva: A special single malt finished in rum casks, making for a luxurious dram to be cherished in quiet contemplations.
• For the Maverick: Glenfiddich 12 Y.O.: The classic Glenfiddich expression, made to serve as the best dram in the valley, breaking free from convention. A single malt with distinctive fresh pear, creamy with subtle oak flavours and a long smooth finish.
• For the Fashionista: Glenfiddich Grand Cru: The fashionista in your life deserves something eye catching and decorative—there’s no bottle that will look better on their bar than the elegant Glenfiddich Grand Cru. With its sleek black and gold bottle and beautiful liquid inside, it’s sure to be the star of the show.
• For the Risk-Taker: Glenfiddich Fire & Cane: The fourth offering of the Glenfiddich Experimental Series, Fire & Cane is both daring and unexpected.
• For the World Traveller: Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel 14: For the world traveller on your list, look to the 14 Y.O. for a scotch option with a Kentucky kick. Finished in new American Oak barrels supplied from Kentucky, imparting notes of woody spice with ripe summer fruit.

For more information regarding Glenfiddich in Canada, please visit glenfiddich.alchemystsinc.com.

To learn more about the world of Glenfiddich globally, please visit www.glenfiddich.com.