ImpEx Beverages and Women Who Whiskey Announce Two Exciting Releases Celebrating the
10th Anniversary of Women Who Whisky

Membership in Women Who Whisky (wWw) provides the opportunity to learn about spirits and cocktail culture, and to join a worldwide network of like-minded people with a taste for curiosity and delicious drams.

In 2021, Women Who Whiskey celebrated 10 years of uniting whisk(e)y lovers around the globe by collaborating with ImpEx Beverages on Two Special Bottlings, Fukano Chizuru and Penderyn Legend wWw 10th Anniversary Edition.

Fukano Chiruzo celebrates the career of Chizuru Fukano, the former Managing Director of Fukano Distillery in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto, Japan. She started at the distillery in 1990 as a volunteer tour guide and retired in 2018 after 28 years of service to the distillery.

A limited release of 3,000 bottles, this expression was matured in refilled Oak, Manzanilla Sherry and Red Wine casks is a seasonable sipper with complexity and backbone that would also work well in a refreshing cocktail.

Label art on this bottling is by Linh Do, who left a career in social work to pursue her passion in whisky. She uses alcohol as muses for her art and is respected in both the artistic and whisky communities. After all, whisky making really is an art isn’t it?

Penderyn Legend wWw 10th Anniversary Edition celebrates the heart and skill of the women of the Penderyn Distillery. An all-female distilling and blending team set Penderyn apart from other Distilleries and the tutelage of Dr. Jim Swan makes the expressions they offer even more special and unique.

This special release of 3,000 bottles is matured in specifically reserved ex-Bourbon casks made from American Oak, before receiving further maturation in Oak Barriques that have previously held Madeira wine, to develop a harmonious Single Malt whisky with a subtle but sophisticated character and soft golden hues.

wWw Founder & Principal, Julia Ritz Toffoli said of the partnership, “The Fukano Distillery Chizuru Fukano Limited Edition Bottling represents everything that Women Who Whiskey stands for: the vision and leadership of an incredible woman who dedicated her career to her passion, not only breaking the mold of what was expected for women in her position, but crafting a unique and exquisite whisky that she single-handedly brought to the global market.

Penderyn Distillery has partnered with us on several popular events, so when the opportunity presented itself to co-launch a commemorative bottling of award-winning Penderyn Legend to celebrate Women Who Whiskey’s 10th Anniversary, we jumped at the chance to partner again with their amazing all-woman production team, to bring our members a memorable and delicious limited release whisky A special thank you to Linh Do (who designed the bottle art for Fukano Chizuru), Gabrielle Dion & The Mixing Glass (our retail partner), and Chris Uhde, Vice President of ImpEx Beverages for introducing wWw to these amazing teams and expressions, and for working tirelessly to import our bottling run in the midst of a global pandemic and supply chain crisis. Without them none of this would have been possible”

For more information on where to purchase these amazing expressions please email Office@ImpExBev.com

About Women Who Whiskey
Both for amateurs and connoisseurs, wWw is a global women’s networking and educational organization, dedicated to creating a space where our members can cultivate their passions for community and whiskey. With a focus on inclusion, wWw aims to create an educational and experimental environment for those who have all-toooften been left out of the traditionally male-dominated world of whisk(e)y.

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, Belgium, Wales, Japan, Israel, Mexico, and England with future anticipated additions from unexpected destinations. ImpEx also features a fine line of Liqueurs and Cordials produced in the US.

White Peak launches Derbyshire’s first ever single malt:

-WIRE WORKS WHISKY-

named after the Distillery’s home

Derbyshire’s first full-scale craft Distillery – White Peak – is finally releasing its long-awaited single malt: Wire Works Whisky.

Provenance, heritage and flavour are at the heart of the Distillery ethos and whisky-making process, and its home at the dramatic, former *Johnson & Nephew Wire Works is celebrated within the whisky brand. The Distillery’s woodland home on the banks of the River Derwent has a long history of innovation and forms part of a *UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Wire Works Whisky celebrates its rich homeland and the brewing heritage for which the region is so renowned. Every aspect of production and maturation is done onsite at the Distillery to ensure that the unique location and environment can play their part in the provenance of the final spirit.

The lightly-peated single malt whisky has been created using a combination of English un-peated and peated malted barley. A flavour-focused four day fermentation uses a unique yeast blend incorporating live yeast sourced from a local Peak District brewery.

The Distillery’s traditional, bespoke copper pot stills have been hand-built by McMillan and are run slowly to help produce the desired flavour profile. The final spirit is matured in a variety of carefully selected first fill oak casks, including ex-bourbon and STR casks (re-conditioned casks that have been shaved, toasted and re-charred), adding the final rich flavours to the spirit that will become Wire Works Whisky.

A complex, fruit-forward, lightly peated spirit – Wire Works Whisky has a delicious aroma of vanilla, chocolate, orchard fruit and orange peel, with roasted malt and toffee on the palate and a strong finish, with moments of café mocha, a hint of peat and liquorice allsorts.

Max & Claire Vaughan

Founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife team Max & Claire Vaughan – both originally from Derbyshire – White Peak Distillery has gone from strength to strength in its first few years, winning awards for its Distillery visitor experiences, as well as its new make and maturing single malt spirit: the journey to now and the reveal of the Distillery’s new whisky.

Max Vaughan, Co-founder of White Peak Distillery said: “The journey we’ve been on since we started the Distillery has been amazing and full of challenges but we’ve never lost sight of making the best spirit we can and this moment of releasing our own single malt whisky. We’re realising a dream that our small and passionate team has been focused on since day one.”

“We are exceptionally proud of our heritage and local provenance within the Peak District and believe that our Wire Works Whisky brings all of the best elements of our homeland together in one special spirit. In many ways we are only just at the start and we hope that our supporters and Distillery friends will enjoy celebrating this very special moment with us.”

Just 5,016 numbered bottles of Wire Works Whisky will be available from 3^rd February, with more releases planned for 2022. White Peak’s loyal followers and supporters – including their Temperance Club members, cask owners and crowdfunding investors – have had the opportunity to reserve their own bottle ahead of the launch date.  

Wire Works Whisky is available from Thursday 3^rd February directly from the Distillery and selected trade retail partners, including various nationwide independents: Booths (leading food and drink retailer in the northern counties), Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky Shop, Selfridges, House of Malt and Hard to Find Whisky, RRP: £65 (70cl).

The Distillery is open Monday – Saturday for shop visitors, with tours available every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For availability, timings and to book, please visit www.whitepeakdistillery.co.uk

Notes

*Johnson & Nephew Wire Works: The Distillery site was originally used as an iron forge owned by the Hurt family in the early 1800s. The derelict forge was then transformed by the Johnson Family into a wire works in 1876. Johnson & Nephew was a pioneer and innovator in wire and cable products, including supplying cable for the first, sub-sea cross channel telegraph service and numerous early suspension bridges in the UK and overseas. The Johnson family were part of the group of entrepreneurs that established the industrial heritage of the Peak District region.

The Wire Works thrived for most of its 120 years until its closure in the mid-1990s and was a major local employer, known to be fair and generous in supporting local community events. The buildings stand proud alongside the River Derwent and back into the Shining Cliff Woods, an ancient woodland and site of specific scientific interest.

Wire Works Whisky tasting notes:

A complex, fruit-forward, lightly peated spirit.  Vanilla, chocolate and orchard fruit on the nose, with roasted malt and caramel on the palate and a strong finish with moments of café mocha, a hint of peat and liquorice all sorts.

On the nose…

Chocolate-covered cinder toffee, vanilla, caramel, Caramac bars, candied ginger, orange peel, macadamia nuts, baked fruits, pear drops, icing sugar, glacé cherries and lightly roasted coffee beans.

On the palate…

Dark chocolate, a flash of pepper, chilli across the tongue, roasted malt, orchard fruits, raisins, toffee apple, black forest gateaux, butterscotch, cigar box, sandalwood and a wisp of smoke.

The finish…

A long finish, with café mocha, chilli chocolate, liquorice all sorts and a final hint of peat.

BRUICHLADDICH DISTILLERY LAUNCH ONLINE EXCLUSVE – OCTOMORE TEN AGED YEARS

“At that age, with the quality of those casks, this Octomore is absolutely singing.”

Adam Hannett, Head Distiller at Bruichladdich Distillery

ISLAY, SCOTLAND – Bruichladdich Distillery have today announced the concluding chapter in their Octomore 12s series – a 10 year old, sold exclusively on the distillery website and in the Laddie Shop on the island of Islay.

The 12^th series of the world’s most heavily peated single malt was launched in October 2021, and introduced all three .1, .2, and .3 globally to domestic markets for the first time ever. Challenging conventional whisky wisdom, this Octomore trio was malted to 80+ PPM, matured to five aged years, and were bottled above 55% ABV. The series explores the influence of barley provenance and cask exploration combined with super heavily peated malt – including a stripped back ex-American oak maturation in the 12.1, Sauternes cask maturation in the 12.2 and Pedro Ximenez sherry cask matured Islay barley spirit in the 12.3. In a closing statement to the series, this new Octomore Ten Aged Years brings a heightened texture and depth to its youthful counterparts.

Distilled from the 2009 harvest of Scottish grown Optic barley, this 2010 vintage was then malted to 90.3PPM. It would spend its first five years maturing in first fill ex-American oak casks, before being recasked into wine barriques for its final five years. Hailing from a bodega in northern Spain, this Ribera del Duero wine is known for its intense flavour and complexity, owing to its altitude (~900m), exposure to wind and organic production methods. The resulting Octomore single malt is viscous, sweet and structured, with a touch of dryness from the tannic European oak.

Bottled at 56.3% ABV and limited to 3,500 bottles, the Octomore Ten Aged Years is available online at www.octomore.com from the 1^st of February 2022. As with all Bruichladdich Distillery malts, it is conceived, distilled, matured and bottled on Islay.

The International Wine & Food Society

Yes, now ‘s the time for blended Scotch to shine. A brand new publication, singing the praises of #blendedScotch, has been released by The International Wine & Food Society (IWFS) – ‘Exploring Blended Scotch’.

This new title investigates a topic which the authors believe has not been given the coverage it deserves – the sheer delights of blended Scotch whisky – uncovering many of the hidden treasures of what is the ‘foundation of the Scotch whisky industry’. The IWFS agreed that blended Scotch is a style of whisky that is worthy of further investigation and have published this almost pocket-sized booklet for its members and beyond. Chapters covered include its fascinating history, blending, appreciation, leading blends, old blends, cocktails, pairing whisky with food and finishing with some delicious recipes.

“Exploring Blended Scotch” is the product of a collaboration between two writers from both sides of the Atlantic. It has been co-authored by Charles MacLean MBE (Scotland), one of Scotland’s leading experts in writing, tasting and lecturing about whisky and Stuart Leaf (USA) who is a knowledgeable, passionate collector and taster of old blends (and IWFS member). They first met, over a glass of Scotch back in Edinburgh, three years ago. Stuart says “Although conducting joint tastings was challenging across the Atlantic, writing this monograph was a truly fun and engaging distraction during the depths of Covid. Needless to say, most discussions were dutifully enhanced with an appropriate dram!”

“Exploring Blended Scotch” aims to be an insight into an exciting array of different blends, both old and new, which Scotch lovers are encouraged to try. It may also be just the introduction that newcomers, to the delights of whisky, are looking for.

For now, please put your feet up with a glass of #blendedScotch, with or without water (bottled soft water is best!), and get ready to explore the many interesting and tasty elements of blended Scotch whisky.

As well as being distributed to the 6,000-strong international membership of the IWFS, which has branches from Toronto to Tokyo and Honolulu to Helsinki, this title is also available to both public and trade.

This title can be purchased from the IWFS website via the following link: https://www.iwfs.org/secretariat/purchase. The cover price is £9.99 (US$13.99 approx). A Japanese translation will be published in February. An e-book will also be available via various platforms in due course.

The IWFS is an independent non-profit making organisation, run by volunteers, it is also one of the largest wine and food societies in the world. When members enroll they receive a quarterly food and wine magazine and wherever they travel are welcomed by branches worldwide. Branch events encompass all aspects of food and wine appreciation and learning, visits to food and wine producers plus international and regional festivals.

NEW COLLECTORS FLOCK TO WHISKY MARKET AT BONHAMS HONG KONG SALE

Link to catalogue: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/27715/

Karuizawa-1960-47 year old-#5627. Sold for HK$1,240,000.

Estimate: HK$ 450,000-600,000.

Hong Kong – Bonhams Whisky Sale on 21 January 2022 totalled HK$23.4 million, led by a Karuizawa-1960-47 year old – the oldest vintage known from the famed Karuizawa Distillery. It sold for HK$1,240,000, nearly tripling its estimate. Of the top ten lots of the sale, more than half sold above high estimates and nine of them were Japanese whisky.

Bonhams Director of Wine and Spirits Asia Daniel Lam commented: “The market demand for fine and rare whiskies continues to be insatiable. The January sale, held only two months after the previous flagship auction, saw strong interest and robust bidding across the board, showing that the market appetite builds fast. First-time buyers are one of the driving factors, as nearly one in every five bidders from the sale were new to Bonhams. After some very strong seasons for Japanese whisky, we are excited to see how the Scotch – now looking attractively-priced in comparison – will perform in 2022.”

The Scotch section, 80% sold, is underlined by star performers from Macallan, Bowmore and Highland Park. A Macallan Millennium-1949-50 year old Decanter sold for HK$384,400, eclipsing the high estimate.

Click here to view full results:

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/27715/

Sale: Whisky Sale

Location: Hong Kong, Admiralty

Date: 21 January

NOTES

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 of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

Kentucky Distillers’ Association Welcomes Annie Franklin as Director of Member Services

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that Annie Franklin has joined the historic non-profit trade group as its first-ever Director of Member Services.

Franklin, 29, comes to the KDA from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, where she specialized in the recruitment, retention and growth of food, beverage and agribusiness industries.

Franklin worked directly with dozens of distilleries and expansion projects, leading to more than $500 million in capital investment costs and creating over 340 jobs in Kentucky’s signature Bourbon industry.

At the KDA, Franklin will lead and coordinate membership activities, needs, communications and recruitment for the organization’s growing family of more than 50 of Kentucky’s finest distillers.

“Annie’s experience and personal approach in working with new and existing companies made her the perfect fit for this new position,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “It’s an added benefit that our members already know and trust her from her years at the Cabinet.

“As we expand our signature industry and attract more distillers to Kentucky, Annie’s acute understanding of business recruiting and the steps needed to grow existing facilities is a key asset to the KDA and the Commonwealth as a whole. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team.”

A native of Winchester, Ky., Franklin received her Bachelor’s degree from Morehead State University. She also has a background in sales and hospitality, and previously worked at Walt Disney World in Florida and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Franklin said she is honored to join the KDA and looks forward to working with its members and growing the association. “At the Cabinet, I witnessed first-hand the substantial growth and momentum of Kentucky’s Bourbon industry and understand its needs and challenges,” she said.

“Every person I meet who works at a distillery is passionate and dedicated to ensuring that the industry’s future remains bright. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work in an industry that touches every corner of our state and I look forward to helping foster its continued success.”

Founded in 1880, the KDA is the voice for Bourbon and spirits issues. Its diverse membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are building the next generation of America’s only native spirit.

Bourbon is one of Kentucky’s most treasured industries, a thriving $9 billion economic and tourism engine that generates more than 22,500 jobs with an annual payroll topping $1.2 billion each year, over $285 million in local and state taxes and $1.8 billion in federal alcohol taxes.

A key export, the iconic industry is currently in the middle of a $5.2 billion building boom, from innovative new tourism experiences to expanded production facilities, bottling centers and aging warehouses, all to meet the growing global thirst for Kentucky Bourbon.

Bourbon production has skyrocketed more than 435% since the turn of the century.

Kentucky now boasts more than 10.3 million barrels of Bourbon aging in warehouses across the Bluegrass, the most in its revered distilling history. Distillers filled more than 2.4 million barrels in 2020 alone, the third year in a row that production topped the two million mark.

Attendance at the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® experiences continue their rapid rebound from COVID and closures, up 160% in total attendance from last year and just down slightly from the pre-pandemic record in 2019.

Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association that passionately unites, promotes, protects and elevates the Commonwealth’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®,, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®,, BOURBON TRAIL™, KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME®,, ORDER OF THE WRIT®,, KENTUCKY BOURBON TALES®,, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL WELCOME CENTER®,, URBAN BOURBON TRAIL® and THE PROOF IS HERE®are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

Please enjoy Bourbon like a true Kentuckian – Responsibly.

Ross & Squibb Distillery names first Master Distiller

MGP Master Distiller Ian Stirsman promoted to head the Ross & Squibb family of brands 

LAWRENCEBURG, IN (Jan. 25, 2022) – Luxco announced Ian Stirsman has been named the first master distiller at Lawrenceburg, IN-based Ross & Squibb Distillery^TM. Effective immediately, Stirsman will serve as master distiller for all Ross & Squibb brands, including George Remus Bourbon and Rossville Union Rye Whiskey, as well as any future brands released under the Ross & Squibb name.

In his role, Stirsman will be responsible for guiding the product development process for new innovation and annual limited releases, hosting customers for barrel picks and distillery visits, and building brand awareness for the distillery and its brands. While serving in this new role, Stirsman also will continue to serve as a resource in support of operations at MGP’s historic Lawrenceburg distillery.

Since 2014, Stirsman has worked in a variety of roles in MGP’s distilling operations before earning his Master Distiller certification in 2019. Prior to joining MGP, he worked as a process engineer and shift manager for PH Glatfelter Co., a global manufacturer of engineered materials. He graduated in 2010 from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering with a minor in biological sciences.

“When we set out to name the inaugural head of Ross & Squibb operations, our hope was to find someone from within the MGP family – someone who possessed both the technical skills for the job and knowledge of the processes and traditions that made the George Remus and Rossville Union brands so great,” said David Bratcher, COO and president of branded spirits for MGP. “We’re excited for Ian, and we’re eager to see him lead as Ross & Squibb’s first Master Distiller.”

In late 2021, Luxco announced the renaming of the Lawrenceburg home of its branded spirits to the Ross & Squibb Distillery™ as it joined the Luxco family of brands. Like the brands it produces, Ross & Squib Distillery pays tribute to Indiana’s distilling history and the pioneers who transformed Lawrenceburg into “Whiskey City USA” and helped make Indiana the rye capital of the world. 

About Luxco

Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from five distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos; Ross & Squibb Distillery, where George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced; and the Washington, D.C.-based Green Hat Distillery, producer of the Green Hat family of gins. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.

FROM WHISKY BEGINNER TO BOFFIN: 9,000 BOTTLES OF WHISKY MAKE
HISTORY AT AUCTION

A man who has travelled the world in pursuit of good whisky, has made history after selling his personal collection – the largest in the world to come to auction. Working with market leader Whisky Auctioneer, over 9,000 bottles and 23 auctions later the curtain has closed with the final auction on 22 November 2021 bringing the total to £3,360,000 (over $4.5 million USD).

Unprecedented on the secondary market, Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection took over 12 months to auction off across a series of specially curated monthly spotlight auctions and dedicated sales. Featuring over 5,000 Scotch single malts, more than 1,000 blended whiskies, over 600 American whiskies and hundreds of often overlooked grain whiskies and independent bottlings, Pat’s Whisky Collection is the most complete picture of whisky ever brought to market.

The collector, known only as Pat, bought his first whiskies based on the recommendation of a colleague. His determination to explore and taste every area of whisky soon outstripped his ability to open the bottles he was acquiring and so began his collection.  Almost twenty years later, Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection became the largest private collection ever to go to auction.

Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection was sold via Whisky Auctioneer, the world’s leading online platform for buying and selling whisky and spirits at auction. A collection like no other, it has been one of the company’s biggest success stories and will likely never be replicated on the secondary market.

Iain McClune, Founder of Whisky Auctioneer, said:

“Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection was historic, a once in a lifetime chance for whisky lovers old and new to bid on some of the most diverse bottles on the secondary market. The variety of whiskies on offer was unique, with whiskies accessible at every price point, hopefully inspiring the next generation of collectors.

“It’s highly unlikely we’ll ever see a collection as large and diverse as this one, meaning this auction will go down in whisky history, setting a precedent for future collectors.”

Pat, the collection’s owner, said: 

“Building a whisky collection was never actually my original goal – I simply wanted to try everything and there were so many releases, distilleries and countries to explore. When I reached over 2,000 bottles, I decided to create a collection that represented the full picture of whisky and for me that meant everything from non-age statements, blends and world whiskies to the rarest examples – a true showcase of all sides of such a varied spirit.

Selling the collection was a deeply emotional process for me since it has been such a huge part of my life. I feel this incredible journey has culminated in a fitting finale with these bottles entered back into the market so other people can enjoy them, perhaps with some added knowledge gained alongside.

My journey with whisky is not over but I hope my approach will inspire whisky lovers and future collectors to be diverse and eclectic when constructing their own collections. Anyone can collect whisky and good whisky can be discovered anywhere and at any price.”

This last auction completed twenty-three stellar auctions, nine of which were curated exclusively from Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection. Highlights from these curated auctions include:

• The Heart & Soul: Bourbon & American Whiskey Auction (total hammer price:
• £376,183.00), 9 October 2020 – 19 October 2020
• A Journey of Discovery: The European Bottler’s Auction (total hammer price:  £302,456.00), 10 December 2020 – 14 December 2020
• A Connoisseur’s Choice: Gordon & MacPhail Auction: (total hammer price:  £246,209.00), 8 October 2021 – 18 October 2021
• Pat’s Whisk(e)y: The Grand Finale (total hammer price: £758,223), 12 November 2021 – 22 November 2021.

Highlights from across the 9,070 lots include the following hammer prices:

• Brora 1972 Rare Malts 22 Year Old / 60.02%: (total hammer price:  £20,500)
• Glenfarclas 1952 Family Cask #1712 / Release I: (total hammer price: £18,000)
• Highland Park 50 Year Old 2018 Release / Charity Lot: (total hammer price: £15,000)
• Glenfarclas 1953 Family Cask #1678 / Release I: (total hammer price: £10,100)
• Karuizawa 35 Year Old Bourbon Cask #8518 / Emerald Geisha: (total hammer price: £9,200)
• Glenfarclas 1957 Family Cask #2111 / Release I: (total hammer price: £9,000)
• Dalmore 45 Years Old 2018 Release: (total hammer price: £8,700)
• Glenfarclas 1955 Family Cask #2211 / Release I: (total hammer price: £8,200)
• Old Rip Van Winkle 23 Year Old Family Selection / Stitzel-Weller: (total hammer price: £8,000 hammer price)
• Eagle Rare 20 Year Old Double Eagle Very Rare 2020 Release: (total hammer price: £7,600)

Mid-October to mid-November 2021 saw Whisky Auctioneer’s largest sales month in both value and volume, with site sales including a £758,000 hammer price for the grand finale sale of Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection with £26,200 of this grand total going to Teenage Cancer Trust*,  £5 million in sales during its October auction, and £246,000 raised through a specialist Gordon & MacPhail auction.

Inspired by Pat and to mark the end of this historical collection, Whisky Auctioneer ran the world’s first-ever Summit of Collectibility, bringing industry leaders and experts together to pioneer a discussion around modern collectors and the future of whisky within the secondary market. The Summit of Collectibility recording is available in full here.

Notes:

*£26,134,90 was raised for Teenage Cancer Trust from during Pat’s Grand Finale. £23,759 was the hammer Price from the bottles.  £2,375.90 was Whisky Auctioneer’s contribution.

About Whisky Auctioneer

Whisky Auctioneer is the global market leader and trusted authority on the buying and selling of whisky and spirits at online auction. Founded in 2013 and located in Perth, Whisky Auctioneer utilises its expertise and knowledge combined with its auction platform to increase interest and passion in the whisky and spirits community.

Whisky Auctioneer endeavours to make the market more accessible for buyers and sellers of any background and geography. Its monthly global auctions feature the most comprehensive selection of old, rare, and collectible whiskies and spirits available online. Whisky Auctioneer is passionate about connecting these bottles with those who share their passion and actively supporting their customers in their aims, whether consuming, collecting, or investing.

Whisky Auctioneer became the first online auction house to sell a million-pound bottle and outperformed the nearest traditional auction house by 200% in value from spirits sales in 2020. This showcases the move that whisky collectors, investors, and drinkers have already made online and firmly establishing their leading position within the modern secondary whisky market.

The business currently sees over 100,000 bids per month and has conducted deliveries to 74 countries across the globe. It also opened its first European base in Germany last year. The business’ founder, Iain McClune, was listed as ‘One to Watch’ in The Telegraph’s Most Ambitious Business Leaders 2020 programme.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Visit:  www.whiskyauctioneer.com

Instagram: whiskyauctioneer

Facebook: WhiskyAuctioneer

Twitter: Whisky_auction

#Ardbeg #Untamed #Islay #ArdbegFermutation #Smoky #Whisky 

 ARDBEG LIFT THE LID ON THEIR LONGEST EVER FERMENTATION WITH A NEW COMMITTEE EXCLUSIVE – ARDBEG FERMUTATION

A tale of Ardbeg’s ingenuity, the release of Ardbeg Fermutation brings about yet another unbelievable dram, with an equally unbelievable story…

From 1^st February 2022, Ardbeg will launch their new Committee-only limited edition Ardbeg Fermutation. The result of a happy accident, this 13 year old dram is the delicious consequence of an unplanned experiment that resulted in the longest fermentation in Ardbeg’s history.

In November 2007, The Ardbeg Distillery was about to face one of its greatest challenges. A broken boiler threatened the very existence of six washbacks full of precious liquid. The team tried everything they could to get the boiler going, but to no avail. Ever the optimist, Dr Bill (Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation) saw this conundrum as an opportunity to experiment.

He quickly instructed the Distillery folk to throw open the washback lids and expose the contents to the Islay air. Thus began an epic three week-long fermentation – the longest in Ardbeg’s history – which eventually gave rise to a wild, zingy and vibrant spirit.

Dr Bill Lumsden, said: “I’ve always wanted to experiment with longer fermentations, so I think an unintentional boiler breakdown was the best thing that could have happened! For context, most Ardbeg is only fermented for 72 hours, making three weeks unchartered territory for us.

The outcome is a dram that tastes like pure science fiction. Peat and smoke meld beautifully with fresh, floral flavours, while sharp, more malty notes give Ardbeg Fermutation a uniquely zingy profile.”

Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, said: “Blind luck is sometimes just part of the way we do things here at Ardbeg. But the creation of Fermutation wasn’t simply good fortune. Quick thinking, ingenuity and a little assistance from tiny beings in the atmosphere helped us get here. At 13 years old, this is of course an aged Ardbeg – something I’m sure our fans will be delighted to get their hands on.”

As a Committee-only bottling, Ardbeg Fermutation is only available to members of The Ardbeg Committee from 1^st February, RRP: £150. You can join The Committee by signing up at www.ardbeg.com/committee. Membership is free and all Ardbeg fans are welcome.

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TASTING NOTES:

Age: 13 Years Old

ABV: 49.4%

Maturation: Ex-bourbon casks, both 1st and refill

Colour: Pale Straw 

Nose:

Fresh, floral, herbal & tart. Hints of mixed herbs and cedar wood. Very zesty, vibrant, hints of smoked orange & grapefruit, lots of menthol & peppermint. With water, powerful bursts of diesel oil, tar, fresh paint and aniseed. As this dies down, a memory of freshly cut hay, and the tiniest hint of something savoury, like yeast extract or bread dough. 

Taste:

A lively, vibrant, sharp, ‘zingy’ texture, leading into very firm, distinctive flavours – malty/biscuit tones, powerful aniseed, cardamom, antiseptic lozenge, sweet mint toffee and cigar ash. 

Finish:

Finally, a lingering, salty, firm aftertaste of mint, tar, oak tannin & leather. 

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky.  Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.  Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.  During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction.  Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.  

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee.  The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”.  Today there are more than 130,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries.  Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events.  The Committee, chaired by Jackie Thomson, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg was twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg 10 Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition. 

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.  Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Aberfeldy 18 Year Old Côte-Rôtie Red Wine Finished Batch No: 2921 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

SKU #157603497 points Wine Enthusiast

$119.99 View

 This starts off with earthy, oaky aromas. The palate opens dry in tones of cedar and a hint of tingly spice. Adding water brings mouthwatering vanilla forward, along with coconut and a nutty tone reminiscent of pecan pie. The finish is long and drying, with plenty of baking spice and ginger tingles. Finished in Cote-Rotie red wine casks. *Top 100 Spirits of 2021* (KO)  (12/2021)

K&L Notes

The Golden Dram, as Aberfeldy is known, is an appropriate name derived in equal parts from the marked golden honey notes of the whisky itself and the fact that gold is still panned for in the Pitilie Burn – the distillery’s water source. The distillery is a critical componenet of the Dewar’s blend and has been since the Dewar’s built it in the 1890s. Today under Bacardi ownership (Diageo was forced to sell Dewars and it’s attendant distilleries in 1998 by the UK Monopolies Board) the single malts from Aberfeldy are finally getting the attention and focus they deserve. The core whiskey lineup has been revamped and the extremely sought after 18 year release has expanded from being exclusively released for travel retail to being more widely available. Still quite limited in availability, this release is finished in red wine casks – specifically for batch #2921 – the powerful Syrah wines from Côte-Rôtie. The result is a perfect mesh of Aberfeldy’s natural honey sweetness and the intense red fruits and structure of Côte-Rôtie.